Photographed on March 1, 2014. The white plum blossoms at Kameya Honten were in full bloom.

Photographed on February 28, 2014. These are the hanachozu (flower water basins) at Kawagoe Hachimangu Shrine.

Jōnan-gū Shrine sits in Fushimi Ward, Kyoto City. This is Jōnan-gū Shrine. A pale pink plum blossom and a fallen camellia rest on green moss. The contrast of colors is beautiful. The scene felt like a magical space, as if I were in another world. (୨୧❛ᴗ❛)📷✨🌸🌼

With heartfelt planning, we create the perfect day. At Kushiro Prince Hotel, we offer a variety of ceremony styles, including Shinto, church, and civil ceremonies. We also provide comprehensive plans covering attire, cuisine, and more, supporting a day that reflects the couple. We listen carefully to your requests and propose a wedding that will stay in your heart. ▶ For tours and consultations, please use the Instagram profile link https://www.instagram.com/kushiroprincehotel/... https://www.princehotels.co.jp/kushiro/wedding/...

It’s already the season when the snow melts… This is how the Sakhalin Spruce Forest has looked recently 🌲 I feel the sound of melting snow droplets falling onto leaves, trees, and roofs has a relaxing effect. I hope you can enjoy a little of these natural sounds ☺️

Hello 😃 This is Yamanashi Wine Kingdom Main Building. March has arrived, and Shosenkyo Gorge is slowly showing signs of spring. It’s still a bit chilly, but the mountain trees are starting to take on a hint of green, and the landscape’s expression is softening 🌿 Shosenkyo Gorge was once known as a source of quartz, and the beautiful crystals mined here helped Yamanashi become known as the City of Gems ✨ Shosenkyo Gorge is also home to Kanazakura Shrine, which enshrines quartz as its sacred object, making it a particularly recommended spot for fans of stones and power stones 💎 It’s a mystical place where you can feel nature and history ⛩️ When you visit Shosenkyo Gorge, be sure to see Senga Falls. The view of the waterfall up close is full of power and so photogenic you’ll want to capture it on camera 📸 When touring Shosenkyo Gorge, please stop by Yamanashi Wine Kingdom Main Building. At this time of year, we offer wines that feel bright and springlike 🍷🌸 We sincerely look forward to your visit.

Introducing a new shop that accepts the Zenkoji Omotesando Walk-and-Eat Ticket ✨ "CHAYADO Hyaku-hachi" @cha_yado_momoya From April 1st, the Zenkoji Omotesando Walk-and-Eat Ticket can be used here. This is a matcha café attached to a guesthouse, newly opened by the popular sweets shop centotto gelato, known in Shinanomachi and Nagano station. Soft light through wooden latticework and a quietly composed space that values empty space let you enjoy a peaceful time. 【Phone】026-217-2608 【Hours】9:00–18:30 (last order 18:00) 【Closed】None 【Parking】None Zenkoji Omotesando Walk-and-Eat Ticket Eligible Item (from April 1) "Affogato" 750 yen → effectively 650 yen with ticket *Choose one of the three types below* Matcha Espresso Affogato Milk Matcha Affogato Espresso Affogato 【Recommended items】*Not eligible for the Walk-and-Eat Ticket* 1) "Hyaku-hachi Parfait" A new item now on offer, the Hyaku-hachi Parfait uses strawberries lavishly and lets you enjoy a collaboration of gelato and matcha chocolate! Price: 1,100 yen 2) "MOMOYA Latte" Hyaku-hachi’s original layered matcha latte series made with fruit from Nagano Prefecture. Choose from blueberry, strawberry, or azuki (red bean). Price: 900 yen <Zenkoji Walk-and-Eat Ticket> This value ticket lets you choose and buy favorites from about 20 shops selling Nagano specialties and sweets! ✨How to use✨ 1) Purchase a ticket [1,000 yen each, tax included] *price revised from April 1* (Until March 31 each ticket could be purchased for 700 yen, tax included) 2) At shops listed in the brochure, exchange the stickers attached to the ticket (100-yen × 8, 50-yen × 4) for products 3) Redeem used tickets for a prize (receive an original bag!) It’s cheaper than usual and perfect for sampling small tastes from various shops while you walk and eat ✨ For more details, see the highlights on @nagano_cvb! #cafe #sweets #walk-and-eat #Nagano City #nagano

Welcome to the Kikuchi Cherry Blossom Festival 2026 🌸 Kikuchi City will hold the Kikuchi Cherry Blossom Festival at Shimin Hiroba to coincide with the cherry blossoms. Please enjoy the spring scenes of cherry trees spreading through the town on the breeze. 【A red carpet will be installed on the Kikuchi Shrine Sando】 Event period: March 20 – mid-April (scheduled) 【Kikuchi Sakura Marche】 Date and time: Sunday, March 29, 10:00 AM–4:00 PM The venue will feature local gourmet food, the Kikuchi Sakura Marche, workshops, and stage performances with a spring feel. There will also be family-friendly activities such as hands-on experiences for children, appearances by local mascots, and a small mobility test-ride event. 【Kikuchi Sakura Marathon Marche】 Date and time: Monday, March 22, 9:30 AM–2:00 PM A gourmet market will gather at Shimin Hiroba, the marathon’s starting point, bringing together Kikuchi’s local foods. Additionally, the KUMAMOTO FURUGI CARAVAN is scheduled for March 28 and 29. Please note that details may be announced on the day or subject to change. Mornings tend to be relatively less crowded, so a morning stroll is recommended. Please consider adding it to your plans! Contact Kikuchi Cherry Blossom Festival Executive Committee TEL 080-9106-7416 Executive Committee Chair Sato #Kikuchi Cherry Blossom Festival #Cherry Blossoms #Kikuchi City, Kumamoto Prefecture

Untying the Threads of Sakai — A World Tour in Sakai!? 🌍 “SAKAI Gourmet EXPO” Confirmed! Gather hungry on the long weekend in March at Sakai Risho no Mori (@rishonomori)! ✨ A colorful lineup of international food trucks and tents will offer a global feast 🤤 From authentic flavors you rarely get to try to family favorites that kids and adults love, six food trucks and two tent vendors will serve up fresh, delicious dishes! 🚚💨 Enjoy the open-air setting and savor world cuisine while spending a lovely spring moment. 🌸 Tag friends and family and strategize what to eat! 👇 📅 Date: Friday, March 20 (national holiday) and Saturday, March 21 ⏰ Time: 10:00–16:00 📍 Venue: Sakai Risho no Mori ※ Exhibit lineup is subject to change 🔍 Search “Untying the Threads of Sakai 2026” for details! 🔗https://www.sakai-tcb.or.jp/news/detail/20251217133435...

Himo Tokeba Sakai: Stunning Ink Art Live Painting Performance🖌️ “ICHIGO ICHIE” by Vít Kodoušek ( @squaremotionart ), an artist who served as the Ceremonial Director for the Czech Pavilion, will be held! Using ink, he captures the atmosphere of the moment on canvas in a dynamic performance. Experience the birth of art that can only happen “here and now” up close✨ 📅 Date: Friday, March 20 to Sunday, March 22 ⏰ Times: ① 11:00 / ② 14:30 (about 25 minutes per session) 📍 Venue: Sakai Risho no Mori 💰 Admission: Free 🔍 For details, search “Himo Tokeba Sakai 2026”! 🔗https://www.sakai-tcb.or.jp/news/detail/20251217133435...

Himototakeba Sakai: Sakai Risho no Mori × Czech Pavilion <Main Hall Tea Room × Contemporary Art Tea Utensils> The masterpiece "La Traviata" turned into wagashi. A special tea gathering featuring contemporary art tea utensils 🍵✨ At the Main Hall Tea Room of Sakai Risho no Mori (@rishonomori), we will serve tea using original tea utensils created by contemporary artists that were also used at the Expo site ✨ The confection is an elegant limited fresh wagashi inspired by the Czech master Alphonse Mucha’s work "La Traviata" 👀 Enjoy a luxurious time in a serene space, savoring art with all your senses♪ "Main Hall Tea Room (each session about 60 minutes)" 📅 Dates: Friday, March 20 (national holiday) – Sunday, March 22 ※ Session times vary by day, please check carefully 📍 Location: Sakai Risho no Mori 🍵 Participation fee: ¥1,000 (includes "La Traviata" wagashi) ✅ How to apply: Reserve in advance on the Sakai Risho no Mori reservation site (each session limited to 20 people) (URL: https://reserva.be/sakairishonomori... ) ⚠️ The contemporary artists’ tea utensils are limited in number. 🎁 Special experiences available!※ See the reservation site for sessions and details. ・Tea whisking experience On designated sessions on Saturday the 21st and Sunday the 22nd, enjoy the chance to whisk your own tea 🍵 ・Shamisen performance On a designated session on Saturday the 21st, Tsuruya Musical Instruments (@tsuruya_music_instruments) will present a shamisen performance 🪕 🔍 For more details, search for "Himototakeba Sakai 2026"! 🔗 https://www.sakai-tcb.or.jp/news/detail/20251217133435...

Kumanozakura, recognized as a newly identified cherry variety It blooms earlier than Someiyoshino and has deeper color than Yamazakura Photographed in the Mine District of Kozagawacho.

🪾 Tokachi Ranch white birch tree line on March 10th 🪾 The 1.3 km-long white birch avenue, designated as a beautiful forest in Otofuke Town, changes its look with the seasons. In early spring there are no leaves and only a little snow, so the scene feels a bit lonely, yet the clear, wide blue sky brings a calm, peaceful atmosphere. This white birch avenue reveals a different beauty each season—be sure to visit and enjoy it! 😊 - 🪾 Tokachi Ranch white birch avenue on March 10th 🪾 The 1.3 km-long white birch grove, designated as a beautiful forest in Otofuke Town, shows different faces as the seasons change. At this early-spring moment there are no leaves and little snow, which gives a slightly lonely feeling, but the clear blue sky and surrounding stillness are very peaceful. You can enjoy the beauty of all four seasons along the white birch avenue—please come and see it! 😊 - 🪾 Tokachi Ranch white birch tree line on March 10th 🪾 The 1.3 km-long line of white birch trees, designated as a beautiful forest in Otofuke Town, shifts its appearance with each season. In early spring there are no leaves and little snow, so the scene feels somewhat lonely, but the clear, expansive blue sky and quiet surroundings lend a tranquil air. Don’t miss the white birch avenue, where you can enjoy the distinct beauty of every season! 😊

Photographed on February 28, Heisei 26. These are the flower-filled handwashing basins (hanachozu) at Kawagoe Hachimangu Shrine.

At the moment when a long winter was about to end, I felt spring within a rolling whirl of power. In that early spring, the resilience of nature gave me the energy to live.

Photographed on February 28, 2014. These are the flower-filled hand-washing basin displays at Kawagoe Hachimangu Shrine.

Event Announcement 📣 Tokachi Craft Makers Night will take place on Thursday, March 19. 😊 This one-night event brings together three makers who craft beverages in Tokachi with their own philosophies and participants to discuss the future of Tokachi’s drinking culture. 🎵 Part One is a panel discussion (about 45 minutes) with the three makers leading “new beverage making in Tokachi”: beer, cider, and gin. Part Two is a social gathering (about 60 minutes) where you can enjoy drinks paired with food and freely chat with the three makers. 📍 Date and time: Thursday, March 19, 2026, 18:00–19:45 (reception starts at 17:30) 📍 Venue: LAND, 1st Floor, Tenkodo Building, 12-1, West 2 South 11, Obihiro 📍 Capacity: 40 people (reservation required, first-come, first-served) 📍 Eligibility: Ages 20 and over (alcohol will be served) 📍 Fee: 3,000 yen (drinks from three companies plus pairing dishes from Kobito no Daidokoro in Ashorocho) *Payment in cash on the day* 📍 Registration deadline: Saturday, March 14, 2026 — registration closes once capacity is reached. *Please apply via the QR code on the attached flyer.* 📞 Inquiries: Tokachi Plain Distillery TEL: 0155-65-0479 (We may not be able to answer depending on business conditions. Thank you for your understanding.) https://tokachibare.jp/sake-museum/...

Osaka Temmangu Shrine 2-1-8 Tenjinbashi, Kita-ku, Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture Osaka Temmangu Shrine enshrines Sugawara no Michizane, the deity of scholarship, and is especially revered for success in exams and academic achievement. It is also believed to grant blessings for prosperous business, fulfilled love, protection from misfortune, and various other benefits.

Today's Observatory This morning's lowest temperature in Nobeyama was -15.5°C, the second coldest in the country. The sky is clear, and Yatsugatake is showing its full blue. Last year, the NAOJ Nobeyama Observatory was bustling with pilgrimages, but it has now returned to quiet. I remember with fondness the time a year ago when we nervously debated various measures, wondering, “Will people really come in droves?” If you couldn't take a leisurely tour of the observatory back then, now is a good time to visit—it's still a bit chilly, though.

Dinner in Gokase 🍴 Today I’m sharing a dinner that a tourism association staff member recently enjoyed ✨ Starting with the dinner 🍴 Top photo: roasted venison 🥩 Look at that shine… 🤩 (Ah… this is very much the staff member’s personal impression) This was a shocking dish that made me think, I’ve never had venison this delicious before… 💡 After tasting this roasted venison, all my previous assumptions about game meat were turned upside down! The vegetables were mainly local, seasoned so you could eat them endlessly 😊 The wild boar stew left no trace in the pot—scooped up with bread— the chicken was tender and juicy, and the venison Bolognese was neatly finished off 😋 Even the dessert, a kettle-roasted tea brownie, made this a hugely satisfying dinner 👏 This time I had a non-alcoholic cocktail, and it was thoroughly satisfying ✨ …I’m really frustrated I couldn’t drink alcohol… 😭 (saying it out loud) This dinner was at: Guesthouse & Bar EL CAMPO 📍872-1 Kuraoka, Gokasecho, Nishiusuki District, Miyazaki Prefecture Note: The venue normally opens Friday through Sunday, but will open on weekdays by reservation. Note: Course meals are available with a reservation at least one day in advance.

The tallest self-supporting broadcasting tower in the world, Tokyo Sky Tree, and Japan’s symbol of spring, the cherry blossoms. This photograph captures a moment where cutting-edge technology and nature cherished since ancient times show perfect harmony. In Japan, cherry blossoms are more than mere flowers. They symbolize new beginnings and the poignant beauty of a fleeting moment. In this composition, the tower’s urban, sharp steel frame is gently outlined by soft pink petals, reflecting both the energy of ever-changing Tokyo and the unchanging beauty of the four seasons. The clear blue sky contrasted with vivid cherry blossoms embodies Japan’s warm hospitality toward visitors. Through this single image, we hope you can feel the breath of tradition and innovation that Japan proudly offers.

Photographed on February 24, 2014. This is the hanachōzu (flower water basin) at Hara Florist.

Untie the Strings, Discover Sakai: Try Traditional Techniques! Make Wagashi Sweets 🍡 Learn authentic wagashi (nerikiri) making from Sakai’s craftsmen. Handcraft two sweets: a seasonal wagashi and one inspired by the Expo. Take your freshly made treats home with you. Why not create your own little work of art? Children are very welcome to join. 📅 Date: Friday, March 20 (national holiday), and Sunday, March 22 ⏰ Times: 1) 13:00– / 2) 14:30– (about 60 minutes per session) 👨‍🍳 Instructors: • March 20: Mr. Maeda from Sakai Hosen Kashisho • March 22: Mr. Takada from Hamasaki Souka-an Minoya 📍 Venue: Sakai Risho no Mori Lecture Room 💰 Fee: 500 yen (cash only) ✅ No reservation required (10–15 participants per session, first come first served on the day) ※ Children under 3rd grade must be accompanied by a guardian 🔍 For details, search “Untie the Strings, Discover Sakai 2026”! 🔗 https://www.sakai-tcb.or.jp/news/detail/20251217133435...

Photographed on February 22, 2014. This is Tomori Dining's honey lemon. 🍋🍯

I photographed this scene in the plum grove of Kenrokuen Garden, one of Japan’s three most celebrated gardens. In this historic garden I sought to capture the passage of time played by the plums and the quiet vitality hidden within them, rendering both with a dreamlike interplay of light that blurs dream and reality. A single drooping branch holds a few delicate pink blossoms, and countless floating orbs of light—bokeh—wrap around them. Those many bokeh spheres symbolize layers of time linking past and future and the glitter of innumerable lives. I composed the shot to lead the eye to the central blossom, emphasizing its fleeting beauty and refined dignity.

🌸For a spring outing🌸 Take a leisurely tour of Sakai’s old highways and relax at Kokoan with views of the Mausoleum of Emperor Hanzei🍵 How about a stroll around Sakai’s old highways during cherry blossom season?🚶‍♀️🚶‍♂️🚶 A sightseeing volunteer guide accompanies the tour, so you’ll learn many new things✨ After the walk, unwind at Kokoan next to Hochigai Shrine⛩️ with sweets and tea🍡🍵 Enjoy a tranquil time in a lovely location overlooking the Mausoleum of Emperor Hanzei😌 Discover the charms of nearby Sakai you might not know, together with the cherry blossoms🌸 *Photo of the cherry blossoms at the Former Kosenji Temple Akai Site: taken on March 29, 2025* 📅 Date and time: Every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Meet at 9:50 or 12:50. Reservations required at least three days in advance 💰 Fee: 4,000 yen (includes Kokoan voucher) 📍 Meeting place: Sakai City Hall 21st-floor observation lobby *On Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays one person may join. From Monday to Thursday we accept requests for groups of two or more.* 🔍For details, search “Sakai old highway tour” https://www.sakai-tcb.or.jp/tourism/detail/201...

NHK 'Geo Japan: 100 Spectacular Views' aired an episode titled "Hokkaido — Lake Kussharo and Lake Mashu." Teshikaga in Hokkaido unfolds a grand natural landscape. This episode focuses on Lake Kussharo and Lake Mashu. It shared many facts even locals might not know, from volcanic activity to rare creatures living on the Wakin Peninsula, making it both beautiful and educational. Here is a selection of highlights 💁‍♀️✨ _________________________________ NHK BS Geo Japan: 100 Spectacular Views Hokkaido — Lake Kussharo and Lake Mashu Saturday, March 7 — 12:00 to 13:00 _________________________________ https://www.web.nhk/tv/pl/series-tep-ENV69LY378/ep/2Z169XL1MQ...