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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.

Roadside Station "Obaachan-Ichi Yamaoka" is located in Ena City, Gifu Prefecture, featuring a large waterwheel in a nature-rich setting. Regular events are held here, making it a popular gathering place for families and riders. Nearby is Iwamura Castle, known for its female lord Otsuya, who was the aunt of Oda Nobunaga. There are tales of her desperately protecting her people until the castle fell, and the castle town still exists.

In the sweltering heat of the rainy season, I was drawn down into the valley by the sound of the clear stream and a cool breeze. Upon reaching the valley floor, I found myself in another world! Before me lay a fantastical landscape! At the information center at the valley entrance, I was informed that "Due to fallen trees and safety concerns, access to the upstream area leading to the Chockstone is currently prohibited." It was a bit disappointing, but there's always next time!! Location: Oita Prefecture, Yufu City

Taken on June 10, 2014. This is the flower water at Naritasan Kawagoe Betsuin. There are golden and silver chicks.

The Evening View of Kanmon Strait Standing at the quay, a theater of three Photo taken: May 5, 2026 Equipment: SONY α7II + Minolta AF500mm F8 reflex As the setting sun tilts to the west, it sparkles on the waves of the Kanmon Strait With the shimmering waves and the hotel on the opposite shore as a backdrop, the quay of Moji Port becomes a humble stage for people.

Roadside Station Kume-no-Sato Gundam 563-1 Miaoi, Tsuyama City, Okayama Prefecture At the roadside station "Kume-no-Sato" in Tsuyama City, Okayama Prefecture, an astonishing sight unfolds that will make you do a double-take. There, a gigantic robot towering at 7 meters stands majestically! This 7-meter tall mobile suit was designed by Shoichi Nakamoto, a resident of Tsuyama City, who was born in 1964 and was 35 years old at the time of completion. He single-handedly crafted it based on his own design documents, conceptualizing a bipedal manned general-purpose machine that can be piloted by a person in the cockpit to walk and perform various tasks. After seven years of work, it was completed in December 1999 (Heisei 11). After graduating from a local technical high school, Nakamoto worked as an engineer for an automobile manufacturer. However, feeling that he had to pursue the creation of the mobile suit, he convinced his parents and returned to his hometown, continuing the project in between his daily job. Now, knowing that this Z Gundam has a cockpit, who wouldn't think, "I want to ride it too!"? In fact, this Gundam can be piloted on the festival day held once a year. The festival is called the "Sennin Matsuri" at the roadside station Kume-no-Sato. Limited to 120 groups, you can experience the cockpit ride. Riding the Gundam on festival day is reminiscent of the opening scene of ∀ Gundam.

Kanemochi Shrine 74 Kanemochi, Hinocho, Hino District, Tottori Prefecture Kanemochi Shrine is famous for its prayers for financial luck and good fortune. The enshrined deities are Ama no Tokotachi no Kami, Yatsukamizu Omizunu no Mikoto, and Omizununokami, who are worshipped as gods of land management, good fortune, and nation-building. Long ago, the local noble Kanemochi Kagefujii participated in the military campaign to overthrow the government in 1333, accompanying Emperor Go-Daigo after he escaped from Oki. It is said that he prayed for victory at Kanemochi Shrine and used the shrine's curtain as his banner.

This is the illumination of Nishi-no-Kawara Onsen, located deep within Kusatsu Onsen. It's a mystical place that sees fewer visitors at night, making it a hidden gem. It will be a great photo spot!

The five-day, four-night trip to Tokyo has come to an end. This time, I will share my travel tips for Tokyo【Personal Sharing】 Day 1 | Arrival in Tokyo and Asakusa Exploration Time Itinerary Morning Arrival in Tokyo → Check into the hotel Afternoon Senso-ji → Kaminari Mon → Nakamise Shopping Street Evening Tokyo Skytree → Skytree Night View → Izakaya 🏨 Accommodation Suggestions Shinjuku / Ikebukuro / Ueno Day 2 | Harajuku, Omotesando, and Shibuya Time Itinerary Morning Meiji Shrine → Yoyogi Park Afternoon Harajuku Takeshita Street → Omotesando → Cat Street Evening Shibuya Scramble Crossing → SHIBUYA SKY 🍜 Recommended Cuisine Yakiniku, Sushi, Izakaya 🏨 Accommodation Suggestions Shinjuku / Shibuya Day 3 | Akihabara, Ginza, and Fuyadani Experience Time Itinerary Morning Akihabara Electric Town → Animate Afternoon Ginza Chuo-dori → Department Store Shopping Evening Fuyadani Club Experience 1 🌸 Fuyadani Club Experience 1 🌸 20:00 - 23:00 🏨 Accommodation Suggestions Ginza / Shinbashi / Ikebukuro Day 4 | Day Trip to Hakone Onsen Time Itinerary Morning Hakone-Yumoto → Mountain Railway Afternoon Ōwakudani → Lake Ashi Boat Ride → Hakone Shrine Evening Return to Tokyo → Fuyadani Club Experience 2 🌸 Fuyadani Club Experience 2 🌸 21:00 - 00:00 🏨 Accommodation Suggestions Shinjuku / Ikebukuro Day 5 | Shopping in Shinjuku and Return Time Itinerary Morning Shinjuku Gyoen Afternoon Don Quixote → Bic Camera → Drugstore Evening Fuyadani Club Experience 3 → Return to the hotel to pack 🌸 Fuyadani Club Experience 3 🌸 19:30 - 23:30 As the last night itinerary in Tokyo Must-try Foods in Tokyo 🍣 Sushi 🍜 Ramen 🥩 Wagyu Yakiniku 🍢 Izakaya Skewers 🍰 Japanese Sweets 🐟 Seafood Rice Bowl Transportation Recommendations in Tokyo 🚇 Suica / PASMO 🚄 JR Yamanote Line 🚇 Tokyo Metro ✈️ Narita Skyliner ✈️ Haneda Keikyu Line

Introducing Rental Bicycles🚲🚲 How about exploring Shihorocho by bicycle while enjoying the scenic views of the Nupuka Mountains and the beautiful countryside? As you ride leisurely, you might come across your favorite cafes and picturesque spots🎶 By using the rental bicycles from "Charitabi Shihoro," you can enjoy the following benefits. 📍Benefit 1: A "500 yen discount coupon" usable at designated restaurants in the town 📍Benefit 2: A "free bathing ticket" for the onsen at the rental location, Shihoro Ryokan (available from 14:00 to 16:00 on the day) *Please check during reservation as the onsen may be unavailable due to maintenance. 🔶Rental Period: April 24, 2026 (Friday) to November 2, 2026 (Monday) 🔶Rental Location: Shihoro Ryokan (10:00 to 16:00), 163 Shihoro Nishi 2-sen, Shihorocho 🔶Rates: 6 hours per day ・Electric Assist City Bicycle (2,000 yen) ・City Bicycle (1,500 yen) ・Kids Bike (1,000 yen) 🔷Reservations: Shihoro Ryokan TEL: 01564-5-2527 *Please call to make a reservation by 17:00 the day before your use. 🔷Contact: Shihorocho Tourism Association TEL: 01564-5-5213 (Weekdays 9:00 to 17:00) 🔷Access to Shihoro Ryokan Approximately 40 minutes by car from Obihiro Station, about 1 hour by car from Tokachi-Obihiro Airport About 1 hour by bus from Obihiro Station (get off at the nearest stop: Shihoro Shinkin-mae) https://www.shihoro-kankou.jp/bicycle_rental/...

Make your stay in Kushiro more comfortable. At Kushiro Prince Hotel, we offer a variety of room types to suit your needs.✨ Enjoy a relaxing time while gazing at the cityscape and harbor views of Kushiro through the large windows. It's perfect for both sightseeing and business stays. Why not find the perfect room for you? Reservations can be made through the profile URL. ▶Kushiro Prince Hotel https://www.instagram.com/kushiroprincehotel/...

🪵Event Announcement🪵 On Saturday, July 4th, we will hold a lecture titled "Observing Trees – A Forester's Perspective on Tree Guidebooks" at the Kawayu Visitor Center! We are inviting Masayuki Hayashi, a renowned author of numerous tree guidebooks, to share insights on the characteristics of trees and the creatures of the forest from a unique perspective as a guidebook author🌱 No prior reservation or application is required, and admission is free! We look forward to your participation🌲✨

At Manda Mine Station, you can easily learn about the history of the Manda Pit. After viewing panels, dioramas, and materials, walking through the paid area will help you better understand the meaning of the shaft head and hoist room. This location features a free exhibition room and is also where you can purchase tickets for the Manda Pit. For first-time visitors, it is recommended to start your tour here. 【Visiting Information】9:30 AM to 5:00 PM (last entry at 4:30 PM) / Closed: Mondays (the following weekday if a holiday) and during the New Year holidays / Admission: Adults and university students 410 yen, high school students 310 yen, elementary and middle school students 210 yen / Manda Mine Station (free exhibition room and ticket sales) #Manda Mine Station #Free Exhibition Room #Ticket Sales #Arao City Tourism #Miike Coal Mine #Learning Journey #Historical Exhibits #Industrial Heritage #MandaCoalMine #AraoCity #KumamotoTravel #JapanTravel #VisitJapan #WorldHeritage #IndustrialHeritage #JapaneseHistory #TravelTips