My hometown

I’ll introduce my hometown Yamaga. There are about fifty thousand people in the city. There have many beautiful natural places. In summer, many people go to the valley. We can swim and dive from a large rock, but water is too cold even in the summer1 we also have a very big rock in the mountain. It is the biggest rock in Japan. It is called Sazare-rock and it is sung about in the Japanese national anthem.
Yamaga has many traditional things. First, we have the Yamaga Tourou Festival. Tourou means a lantern, and it is made of only paper and glue by workman. In the festival, one thousand women put it on their heads, and they dance with Yukata. This festival and dance are known all over Japan. Foreign visitors come to join the festival, too.
By the way, do you know Yachiyoza? I have visited there many times. Yachiyoza means “forever”. It was built in the Muromachi Period, and it’s still used now! It is a playhouse, and we hold many Japanese cultural events; Kabuki, Rakugo, and so on there. Bando Tamasaburo is one of the most famous kabuki performers, and he comes to Yachiyoza about once a year. When he comes Yachiyoza, there are many spectators to see his performance. He said that he likes Yamaga because the people are very open and friendly. I like Yachiyoza because I can feel Japanese culture.
In Yamaga, there is a lot of hot springs. Of course, there are two or three hot springs near my house. Yamaga also is very famous for hot springs. Some houses near hot springs use water of hot spring because they have fountainheads.
As you can see, I’m proud of my hometown because there is very good place. I want everyone to visit Yamaga very much. If you visit there, I’ll guide you all over it.