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Taken on June 10, 26. This is the ice cafe latte and lemon meringue pie from cafe andon.

From the summit of Mount Wagakuni, a breathtaking morning scene unfolds over Ibaraki. A sea of clouds completely blankets the towns below, creating a dreamlike landscape where the mountains appear to float above the sky. But if you look closely at the far right of the frame, you might notice a giant figure standing quietly above the clouds — and if I’m not mistaken, that silhouette is the famous Ushiku Daibutsu, watching over the horizon from afar. This is a hidden gem. Very few people know about this place. After I saw it I was astonished. Highly recommended hidden gem.

Taken on June 10, 26. This is the lemon meringue pie from cafe andon.

Introducing Rental Bicycles 🚲🚲 If you want to experience the vast nature of Tokachi, cycling is highly recommended! 😊 At the Tokachigawa Onsen Tourist Guide Center, we provide a recommended course map for beginners called "Burachari"! 🎶 Why not take the "Burachari MAP" and go find your favorite scenery? We offer four types of bicycles to choose from, including sporty road bikes and comfortable electric mama-chari for hilly areas! ❗️You can select based on your fitness level and purpose. After a refreshing sweat from cycling, enjoy a relaxing moment at the famous Tokachigawa Onsen and indulge in exquisite gourmet food! 😍 Guests staying at Tokachigawa Onsen can rent bicycles at a special discounted price, which is more affordable than usual. (Note: Hotel Tetora Resort Tokachigawa is not eligible for this discount.) 🔶Event Period: Saturday, April 25, 2026 – Saturday, October 31, 2026 🔶Reception Hours: 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM 🔶Return Time: Please return by 5:30 PM. 🔶Reception Location: Tokachigawa Onsen Guide Center 🔶Age: Middle school students and above *Reservations are not required. 🔶Access About 20 minutes by car from Obihiro Station, about 40 minutes by car from Tokachi-Obihiro Airport About 40 minutes by bus from Obihiro Station (Get off at the nearest stop: Garden Spa Tokachigawa Onsen, about a 5-minute walk) 🔶Contact: Tokachigawa Onsen Tourist Guide Center TEL: 0155-32-6633 (8:45 AM – 5:30 PM) https://www.tokachigawa.net//

The hidden gem I want to introduce is the Uda City Matsuyama Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings, located along the Ise Honkaidō in Uda City, Nara Prefecture. The "Daiganji" temple here was founded during the Suiko period and is said to have been established at the command of Prince Shotoku to Soga no Umako. The area known as "Akino" in ancient times is now part of the Daida Uda district. According to the Nihon Shoki, a medicinal herb gathering (kusurigari) took place here on May 5, 611, during the 19th year of Emperor Suiko's reign. Medicinal herb gathering was a court event where materials with medicinal properties, such as deer antlers and medicinal herbs, were collected, indicating Uda's long-standing connection with medicine. In the Edo period, in 1729, the Morino family opened a medicinal herb garden, which is now preserved as the "Morino Medicinal Herb Garden." With this background, Daida Uda developed as a "Medicine Town" lined with pharmacies, and it is said that at its peak, there were over 50 pharmacies operating. The "Yakushi-no-Yakata" is a facility that utilizes the former residence of the Hosokawa family, who operated a pharmacy since 1806. The Hosokawa family boasted great prosperity, selling stomach medicines like "Tenjumaru" by 1836. Today, a beautifully crafted copper plate roof with a decorative signboard still hangs at the front of the building, conveying the grandeur of its past. Additionally, Tomokichi Fujisawa, the eldest son of Mitsu, the second daughter of the second generation of the Hosokawa family, became an adopted son of the Fujisawa family in 1882 and later founded Fuji Pharma Co., Ltd. (now Astellas Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.). Inside the facility, you can see displays of the development of Fujisawa Pharmaceuticals, the achievements of past presidents, and representative medicine packaging, allowing visitors to learn about Japan's modern pharmaceutical history. Please visit Uda City in Nara Prefecture, where you can touch upon the history of Japanese medicine (herbs) that existed 1,400 years ago.

Breathless from the climb, Miyama Kirishima adorns the early summer landscape of the Mt. Kuju Range. It feels so good! Location: Hoshiozaki, Kusu District, Oita Prefecture

Taken on June 10, 26. This is Andon Chicken Curry from cafe andon.🍛

Currently, Kyonan Town is selling loquats at roadside stations and fruit stores. The loquats from the Minami Boso Area are large, sweet, and delicious. We hope many people will get to taste these loquats. The photo shows Nagashimaya, a fruit store in the Katsuyama Area of Kyonan Town. Today, we welcomed many tourists.

Taken on June 10, 26. This is the floral water offering at Naritasan Kawagoe Betsuin.🌸🐥

Introducing Rental Bicycles🚲🚲 How about exploring the town with rental bicycles "ShinKuru" from Shintoku Station? Shintoku Town is one of Hokkaido's top "soba towns"! The town is dotted with unique soba restaurants, and you can easily stop by local cafes run by local cheese factories while enjoying a soba tour by bicycle 🎵 For those confident in their stamina, extend your ride a bit further to cycle to the "railway ruins" or "Karikatsu Highland" 🚴 Feel the pleasant speed unique to cycling, and enjoy the refreshing breeze and beautiful scenery of Shintoku up close 🎶 We offer four types of rental bicycles to suit your purpose and fitness level 🤗 🔶Location 2F Shintoku Station Front Community Center 'Toku Toku', Shintoku Town Tourism Association Counter 🔶Operating Period: From April to the end of October 🔶Rental and Return Hours: From 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM 🔷Contact: Shintoku Town Tourism Association (2F Shintoku Station Front Community Center 'Toku Toku') TEL: 0156-67-7567 https://shintoku-town.net//

Lake Biwa, the largest lake in Japan, is actually surrounded by many small lakes that resemble satellites, and Pinghu is one of them. However, only fishermen are aware of its existence, so in spring, you can leisurely enjoy cherry blossom viewing while taking in the sight of the giant cherry trees that encircle the lake, all while being gently blown by the lake breeze.

In Koka City, Shiga Prefecture, there is a beautiful area where 600 cherry blossom trees line both banks of a clear stream. It's a tranquil spot, perfect for leisurely cherry blossom viewing, and the view from the center of the pedestrian bridge is fantastic.

The filming location is "Takatori Castle" in Kamikoshima, Takatoricho, Takaichi District, Nara Prefecture. "Takatori Castle" is associated with Toyotomi Hidenaga, one of the Toyotomi brothers, and is counted among Japan's three great mountain castles, making it quite a hidden gem. What I want to introduce here is the "Kunimi Yagura Ruins" of Takatori Castle. The Kunimi Yagura offers a panoramic view of the "Asuka-Fujiwara Capital Area," which is set to become a World Heritage site. This photo captures "Mt. Unebiyama (where the Mausoleum of Emperor Jinmu is located)," "Fujiwara-kyo ruins," "Asukamura," and "Mt. Nijo (a symbol of the ancient capital Nara for the people of Nara)." Under good conditions, you can also see "Mount Hiei in Kyoto" and "Mount Rokko in Kobe." The view, especially during the time from sunset to twilight, is magnificent. Have you noticed it? In the distance to the right of Mt. Nijo, the skyline of Osaka's high-rise buildings is visible. One of those buildings is "Abeno Harukas." Getting to the "Takatori Castle Ruins" involves a mountain trail hike. Please check the information and prepare suitable clothing and gear for a short mountain climb to enjoy your visit. Additionally, Takatori Castle has no lighting facilities, and at night it becomes pitch dark, which can be dangerous. It's necessary to have lighting equipment like headlamps. Last year, the Takatori New Tourism Association held a night walk tour. Please consider participating in such events.