The Onda Festival and agricultural rituals of Tashiro Shrine 　The Onda Festival is held at Tashiro Shrine on the first Sunday of July every year. The image of a Shinto deity is brought out from a nearby shrine to preside over rice-planting rituals in sacred rice paddies close by. The right to preside over the festival is passed from generation to generation within the same family groups, with members of the hereditary families overseeing the ritual preparation of the paddies and sowing of the rice seeds, praying for good health and safety and a bumper crop of rice. This festival also preserves the Saibara singing style, a rarity in the region and a reflection of a long history of ritual music. The Onda Festival is the centerpiece of a year-long series of agricultural rites which are still practiced extensively in their traditional form. The series begins with the Spring festival on March 3 in the old calendar, in which peach blossoms and rice cakes are presented as offerings, and ends in late November when the first ears of rice from the new harvest are presented to the Kamado deity. ■Preparing the rice paddies ■Sowing the rice seeds     What is Ishitoge Lake Land? 　A leisure resort focused on the theme of harmony with nature. The resort is built on the edge of the lake formed by Oouchibaru Dam on the Mimigawa river, and boasts wonderful views over the river as it winds its way through the hills. Centered around the hot spring spa ‘Mimigawa’, facilities to refresh the body and mind include twelve cottages all with hot spring baths, an athletic playground, and river cruise boats. Paths through the surrounding forest area provide ample opportunity to observe seasonal variations in the natural environment. Visitors can enjoy hiking, bird watching, or simply soak in the clean, green air of the forest. River fishing is also popular: varieties include minnow, koi carp and crucian carp. Relax and enjoy the splendors of nature. ■Ishitoge Leisure Land complex ■Athletic playground     Hot Spring Spa ‘Mimikawa’ 　Saigo’s Spa ‘Mimikawa’ boasts an abundant supply of high quality natural hot spring water. Facilities include an outdoor bath with views over the lake, a sauna and jet spa. Invigorate the senses with a refreshing and relaxing bath. ■Name of hot spring　　　　 　 ■Location 　　　　 ■Spring water type ■Volume of water emitted　　 ■Water temperature　　　　　　 ■Ph Ishitoge Hot Spring 5811-2 Tashiro, Saigo-ku, Misato Town, Higashiusuki-gun, Miyazaki-ken Hydrocarbon chloride spring 167.1 L/min 41.3 degrees Celsius 8.3 Bathing may have beneficial effects on: Nervous disorders, muscle pain, joint pain, still shoulders, paralysis, stiff joints, bruising, sprains, chronic digestive disorders, hemorrhoids, chills, post-illness recovery, fatigue, maintenance of general health, cuts, burns, chronic skin disorders. ■Open-air bath