This photo was also taken at Osaka Castle Park. I visited in the morning, and the contrast as dawn broke was beautiful.

Taken from Osaka Castle Park. I snapped the shutter as a crow flew through vivid ginkgo leaves, its black silhouette contrasting beautifully.

A photo taken on the grounds of Kamigamo Shrine in Kyoto. It's nice to look up at the vividly colored trees, but I thought the red maple still looked striking even after the leaves had fallen.

Photographed on December 13, 2025.
This is the hanachōzu (flower basin) at Kawagoe Hachimangu Shrine.

This is a photo taken at Osaka Castle. The moon looked beautiful in the night sky, and below it a single maple tree and three streetlights formed a very balanced and beautiful scene, so I took the picture. There are pleasantly warm areas in the image, and I think it turned out to be a lovely photograph.

This photo was taken while exploring Expo Commemoration Park. I noticed a colorful fallen leaf that had naturally landed on a wooden table and thought it looked very beautiful, so I took a picture. The plain brown table seemed brightened by the multicolored leaves, truly like a natural palette.

This is a shot taken on Flower Hill (Hana-no-oka) in Expo Commemorative Park in Osaka. Surrounding the maple tree in the background, a fluffy plant called Muhlenbergia formed a ring, and I photographed it because it looked very magical in the evening light when I visited. It was truly beautiful.

This is a photo I took when I visited Sansenin in Kyoto.
I thought the contrast between the dark areas and the bright autumn leaves was beautiful, so I photographed it. It was my first visit, and there were few people around, so I could enjoy the place at a relaxed pace.

Have you ever seen the many white flowers you spot around town?
They are soba flowers!
A field of soba blooms looks charming, a sea of white and green.

Photographed on December 15, 2025.
After the monthly ceremony at Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine, I relaxed at Starbucks Kanetsuki‑dōri Store.
I had a gingerbread latte and an Earl Grey scone.

Yesterday, Tuesday, December 16, the standard tree of the “Atami cherry blossoms” on the Itokawa Promenade was confirmed to be in bloom!

These “Atami cherry blossoms” are a type of kanzakura (winter cherry) originally from India that normally bloom from early January through February. Around 1871, an Italian brought them to Atami along with lemon and date palm, and they were named “Atami cherry” during the Flower Everywhere campaign held in 1965. On April 10, 1977 (the 40th anniversary of the city’s founding), they were designated as the official tree of Atami City.
Because the same branch develops two tiers of buds—some that bloom early and others that bloom later—the flowers can usually be enjoyed for more than a month each year.

Starting the New Year, the Plum Festival and Cherry Blossom Festival will open together on Saturday, January 10!
During the Cherry Blossom Festival, activities such as light-ups, servings of cherry blossom tea and tea, street performances, kenbu (sword dance), and band performances are planned, so please come and enjoy the blossoms.

The 16th Atami Sakura Itokawa Cherry Blossom Festival: January 10, 2026 (Saturday) to February 8, 2026 (Sunday)
*Regarding bloom conditions, the city hall’s survey data will be posted on the page below as it becomes available, so please refer to it.*
https://www.ataminews.gr.jp/event/208

Minami-Echizen Town Hot Spring Information

★Imajo 365 Onsen Yasuragi
Hours: 11:00 AM–9:30 PM (last admission 8:30 PM)
Closed: Tuesday
.
★Hanahasu Onsen Somayama
Hours: 10:00 AM–10:00 PM (last admission 9:00 PM)
Closed: Tuesday
.
★Kono Seaside Onsen Yubae
Hours: 11:00 AM–9:00 PM (last admission 8:00 PM)
Closed: Wednesday

Photographed on December 15, 2025.
This is the koi-temizu (romantic hand-washing basin) at Kawagoe Kumano Shrine.❄️

MtAriake, known as Shinano Fuji
a trapezoidal mountain you can spot easily from Azumino
a scene from a clear, frosty morning♪

When Azumino is under high pressure, the temperature drops, but you can see stunning views of the Northern Alps through the clear air!!
You can enjoy such beautiful scenery in Azumino in winter too
This is a straight road known as Ohisama Road
In the distance, the symbol MtJonen rises majestically!

"Roadside Station Engaru Mori no Okhotsk" is celebrating its 6th anniversary thanks to everyone's support!
To show our gratitude, we will hold a Special Anniversary Fair on the dates below.

Event dates: Saturday, December 20 and Sunday, December 21 (two days)

At the fair, customers who spend 2,000 yen or more can enter a one-time lottery, and select items in the shop, food court, and experiences will be offered at special prices!

Please come visit "Roadside Station Engaru Mori no Okhotsk" this weekend♪

Roadside Station Engaru Mori no Okhotsk
150-1 Nogami, Engaru Town, Mombetsu District, Hokkaido 099-0344
Phone: 0158-42-4536
https://engaru-mori-no-okhotsk.jp/

Meigetsuin Temple, famous for its hydrangeas

This temple in the historic city of Kamakura also offers spectacular autumn foliage.

Especially from the Satori Window, the view of the autumn leaves captures a timeless sense of old Japan.

🟢🟠🔵 Daisen Park lights up the night with the DAISEN Night Balloon Festa! 🟢🟠🔵

NAKED, INC. (@naked_inc), a creative collective, will adorn Daisen Park, adjacent to the Tomb of Emperor Nintoku, with a dazzling light display! ⭐⋆⸜ ☺ ⸝⋆⭐

📍Daisen Park
Date and time: December 20 (Sat), 21 (Sun), 24 (Wed), 25 (Thu)
Hours: 4:00 PM–9:00 PM
🔸Food trucks will be on site, and a special nighttime operation of the Osaka Sakai Balloon (※) will run for the first time ✨
🔸Simultaneously, the park’s Japanese-style garden (@daisenteien) will hold a special winter night opening, "Wa Light Nights" ✨

✼✼✼✼✼✼✼✼✼✼✼✼✼✼✼✼✼✼✼✼✼✼✼✼✼✼✼✼✼✼✼✼✼✼✼✼
★ About the Osaka Sakai Balloon "Special Night Operation" ★
・Dates: December 20 (Sat), 21 (Sun), 24 (Wed), 25 (Thu)
・Hours: 6:30 PM–8:30 PM (about 15 minutes per ride)
・Fees: Same as regular operation fares.
・Registration: On the day, registration begins at 6:00 PM at the balloon boarding area, and numbered tickets will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis.
※There is no online registration.
※The Osaka Sakai Balloon may be suspended due to weather conditions.
Service updates will be posted on the Osaka Sakai Balloon website.
🔗Sakai Tourism Guide: https://www.sakai-tcb.or.jp/event/detail/823
🔗Osaka Sakai Balloon: https://osaka-sakai-balloon.com/
✼✼✼✼✼✼✼✼✼✼✼✼✼✼✼✼✼✼✼✼✼✼✼✼✼✼✼✼✼✼✼✼✼✼✼

💁 For event details, please check the URLs below.
🔍Search for "Daisen Park Night Balloon Festa" for more information!
https://osaka-kitena.jp/event/daisen/

From Wednesday, December 17, receive an original postcard featuring a hot-air balloon and Shin-an at the Sakai City Tea Room, Shin-an.

Starting Wednesday, December 17, when you enjoy a tea service at the Sakai City Tea Room, Shin-an, show the Osaka Sakai Balloon reservation QR code or a hot-air balloon ticket receipt and everyone will receive an original “Balloon and Shin-an” postcard.

When you visit the Osaka Sakai Balloon hot-air balloon experience, take a relaxing break with a warm bowl of matcha at the Sakai City Tea Room, Shin-an, and pick up a charming postcard.

Tea service is available from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
Enjoy an authentic bowl of matcha for 500 yen per serving (with dry confectionery).

【Advance Reservation Required】
Winter 2026 “Teshikaga Eco Passport” Town Sightseeing Bus Now Running!
We are announcing the Winter 2026 operation schedule for the Mashu–Kussharo Sightseeing Loop Bus, which visits the main scenic spots around Teshikaga.
The loop bus ticket, the “Teshikaga Eco Passport,” is available again this year in two options: a 2-day pass and a 3-day pass. Please make a reservation in advance and take advantage of it. It is recommended for those who are uneasy about driving or who want to enjoy sightseeing around Teshikaga with ease. For details, check the link “Teshikaga Navi.”


Operation Period
Saturday, January 24, 2026 – Sunday, March 1, 2026


Fares
Adult Child
2-day pass (2 days) 2,000 yen 1,000 yen
3-day pass (3 days) 3,000 yen 1,000 yen


Contact
Mashu Lake Tourism Association
3-3-1 Mashu 3-chome, Teshikaga, Kawakami District, Hokkaido 088-3201, Japan
TEL: 015-482-2200
Email: masyu_as@peace.ocn.ne.jp

Christmas is finally just a week away 🎄
In Amakusa City, light-ups are taking place across the area under the name Amakusa Romantic Fantasy 2025, and here is information about the illuminations you can see in Reihoku ✨

This time we introduce Hama-yū Rehabilitation Center. The entire entrance to the facility is lit up as a Christmas illumination 💡 (remarkably, the staff made it by hand 👀)
When you visit, be sure to take a look ☺️

Here is the place we introduced👇
Hama-yū Rehabilitation Center (1215 Shiki, Reihoku, Amakusa District, Kumamoto Prefecture 863-2503)

Tsukatte Fukkatsu ♨️
Soak in the highly acidic waters of Kawayu Onsen, strong enough to even melt nails, and melt away everyday frustrations and bad ties with a cleansing bath for severing ties!!
The Kawayu Onsen tie-severing bath tour plan is on sale at Kawayu Kanko Hotel, KKR Kawayu, Oyado Kinkiyu Annex Suikazura, and Kawayu Koshyu Yokujo Yukichi‼︎🎶
If you don’t have time for that, we also offer a day-trip ema (votive plaque) for 2,000 yen✨Refresh both your mind and body with the tie-severing bath tour—give it a try! 💪♨️

I couldn't photograph the meteor shower, so I switched to capturing star trails.

Korankei’s autumn leaves, said to be the best in the Tokai region.

The view from the sanmon gate of Kojakuji Temple.
I love this view and often linger, but when the light comes in it fills with many people.
I waited until the crowd thinned to take these photos.

Photographed on December 15, 2025.
This is the ai-tai omikuji at Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine.

Photos from a school trip

Photos taken on a school trip

Autumn colors in Tokyo Metropolitan Mizumoto park. Where the autumn colors looks completely different than the other spots in Tokyo. The sunrise view from the metasequoia forest looks amazing.

Along the coast there are days so warm it feels as if winter has ended.
The sea can be so calm that not a single wave stirs.

When there are no waves, the deep blue of the Sea of Japan becomes even more striking.
I love the contrast between this intense blue and the paler, greenish-blue.
Even the Kitamaebune captains' ships look more lively.