The Entire Town of Mita Becomes a Playground! The “Mita Town Expo” Returns for Its 6th Year! Pre-Festival Events & the Enhanced “All-Mita Nature Bus Tour” Kick Off on September 19!

The city of Sanda, Hyogo Prefecture, will host “Sanda Machi Expo,” an experiential “city play” event that transforms the entire city of Sanda into an exposition venue, allowing participants to fully enjoy the city’s charms through interaction with one another. The event will take place from Saturday, September 19, Reiwa 8, through Sunday, October 25, Reiwa 8.The “Explore Sanda to the Fullest” initiative, which has been building momentum since its launch in Reiwa 3, marks its sixth year this year.

This year, a total of 44 programs will be held across five categories—history and culture, daily life, nature, learning, and sports—including the second installment of the popular bus tour that takes participants around Sanda.There will also be a wide variety of photo- and video-worthy experiential programs, such as hot-air balloon flights soaring over cosmos fields, kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding (SUP) on the lake, and authentic camping adventures with college students.Programs packed with the “passion” of the people and organizations active in Sanda will take place all over the city, offering 37 days to learn, have fun, and play—all while getting to know, experience, and fall in love with Sanda.

■ History of the Event (The “Sanda City Expo” Expanding with Each Iteration)

Machi-Haku Table

Sanda Machi Expo Poster

“Sanda Town Exploration Expo” Website: https://sanda-machihaku.jp/

(1) Event Name

Explore Sanda Town Expo 2026

(2) Organizer

Sanda City, Sanda City Tourism Association (General Incorporated Association)

(3) Event Dates

September 19, Reiwa 8 (Sat) – October 25, Reiwa 8 (Sun) (37 days)

(4) Program Details

A total of 44 programs will be held across five categories: history and culture, daily life, nature, learning, and sports.

Program Examples:

・Hazu River Cosmos Field: Hot-air Balloon Ride (Capture the cosmos field and hot-air balloon together in a single photo)

・Kayaking and SUP at Senjōji Lake (Capture dynamic photos by the water)

・Collaborative event with Shiitake Land Kasayato: “Food education experience featuring freshly picked shiitake mushrooms from logs and an open-air tea ceremony under the blue sky”

・Join forces with student camp leaders from Kwansei Gakuin University for tent camping and outdoor cooking! An authentic camping experience in the forest!

・Outdoor activities at the Kobe Sanda Outdoor Village TEMIL campground (There’s also a great deal where you can stay overnight and get a discount on event participation fees)

・Fully enjoy autumn’s experiences and flavors! Harvest local black edamame and join us for lunch!

・Build a telescope and observe the universe!

*Please note that the organizing groups vary by program. Please refer to the attached brochure for details.

Hot Air Balloon Flight Experience (Image)

Food Education Experience with Log-Grown Shiitake Mushrooms and Outdoor Tea Ceremony

Camping Experience with Kwansei Gakuin University Students

Outdoor Activities at the Campground

Local Black Edamame Harvest Experience and Luncheon

Build a Telescope and Observe the Universe

(5) Registration

Reservations open on Tuesday, September 1, Reiwa 8, at 10:00 a.m. *Advance reservations required; first-come, first-served basis

(6) Opening Event

Title: “Akichi Night × Sanda Town Expo Pre-Festival”

Date and Time: Sunday, September 13, Reiwa 8, 3:00 PM – 8:00 PM

Location: Ekimae Akichi (1-8 Yayoi-ga-oka, Sanda City)

Registration & Admission: No registration required; free admission

Organizers: Hokusetsu Community Development Center Co., Ltd., Sanda City

Event Details: A diverse array of participants from the Sanda City Expo will gather at Ekimare Akichi. Through casual mini-activities and shopping, you can discover the people making Sanda thrive and experience the charm of the region. On the day of the event, in addition to a stamp rally where you can earn discount coupons and a badge-making workshop, the concurrently held “Akichi de Night” will feature a children’s festival and food trucks.

(7) Bus Tour

Title: “Sanda Machi Expo: All-Sanda Nature Tour 2”

Date and Time: Saturday, September 19, Reiwa 8, 9:30 AM – 5:30 PM

Meeting Place: Mita Station North Exit (1-1 Takatsugi, Mita City)

Registration & Participation Fee: Adults 5,000 yen (tax included), Children 4,000 yen (tax included)

Capacity: 36 people

Organizers: Shinki Bus Co., Ltd., Cosmos Foods Co., Ltd.

Supported by: Kinsho-ji Temple, studio POI, Pono Cafe,

　　　　　　　 Kobe Mita Outdoor Village TEMIL, LA・BO・RA TORIO,

　　　　　　　 Edamame no Me, Okamura Sake Brewery, Chakabo Kirameki Co., Ltd.,

　　　　　　　 Nishimura Seigetsudo, and others

Details: Now in its second year, this is a special tour that takes you around the area via local bus.Organized by Shinki Bus Co., Ltd. and Cosmos Foods Co., Ltd.—both of whom love Mita—this tour departs from and returns to Mita Station. In addition to staple activities like yoga at a temple and a lakeside lunch featuring local Mita ingredients, the tour has been enhanced with a nature-filled workshop in the forest and a special “Sake × Tea × Wagashi” event showcasing Mita’s local products.

How to Apply: Apply via the URL below by the day before the tour. (First-come, first-served)

　　　　　　　 https://shinkibus-tour.book.ntmg.com/top/products/cce2847c-77b9-5163-a4dc-7d0fecb88a3b?lng=ja

Sanda Machi Expo All-Sanda Nature Tour 2

(8) Inquiries

2-1-1 Miwa, Sanda City, Hyogo Prefecture 669-1595 Sanda City Town Brand Tourism Division

Tel: 079-559-5012

Fax: 079-559-5024

Email: machibrand@city.sanda.lg.jp

■ About Sanda City, the Project Organizer

Sanda City, located in the southeastern part of Hyogo Prefecture, boasts abundant nature, beautiful streetscapes, and a safe environment for raising children. It also offers excellent access from major cities such as Osaka and Kobe. With a variety of attractions—including cuisine, history, culture, and leisure activities—it is a city where residents can enjoy a comfortable lifestyle.

[Website] https://www.city.sanda.lg.jp/

[Portal Site (Sanda Welcome)] https://sanda-portal.com/

[Sanda City Official Instagram (Sanda Smile)] https://www.instagram.com/sanda_smile/

[Sanda City Official Facebook] https://www.facebook.com/sandacity/