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Notice of Smelt Fishing in Reiwa 8 The smelt fishing season is coming! The season is scheduled from Monday, January 5, Reiwa 8 to Wednesday, February 11, a national holiday. (Although the event is usually held through mid-March, this season will run for about one month only to protect smelt resources. Thank you for your understanding.) Please note the opening date may change depending on ice conditions and weather. We will post updates on the association's social media, so please check there. Fishing hours are from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Please follow the posted times and rules. Equipment rental and sales are available at the reception desk, so visitors and first-time participants can join with confidence 😊 We look forward to welcoming you!

Gifu Prefecture Tajimi City "Kokeizan Eihoji Temple" and autumn foliage

Tomoya Kaneko Solo Live in Nishiokoppe Born in Shimokawacho, Tomoya Kaneko is active not only as a singer-songwriter but also as a radio host and variety show personality. In Nishiokoppe Village, there was someone who attended the same high school and belonged to the same soft tennis club as Kaneko. That person invited Kaneko and organized the live event. As part of Nishiokoppe Village’s 100th anniversary celebrations, the concert used village subsidies and received support from the organizing committee members as well as many villagers and people from outside the village. At the entrance and in front of the hall at Hotel Rimu, the live venue, life-size (slightly smaller) panels of Kaneko and a welcome board greeted guests. Inside the venue, Tomoya Kaneko fans’ uchiwa fans were placed on each table, and the stage featured illuminated letters reading KANEKO TOMOYA. Kaneko’s humor-filled talk and passionate singing electrified the audience. During the show, as people approached to take photos, a sweaty Kaneko was nearby. Standing alone on stage in front of 110 guests, he shone as he entertained the crowd. He joyfully responded to segments that brought children onstage, and the excited children, even when they weren’t onstage, stood toward the back of the hall and swayed happily. Thank you to everyone who helped with video production and the raffle, and to all who came to the venue. Tomoya Kaneko, thank you for coming!! #Nishiokoppe Village #Hokkaido #Tomoya Kaneko #Live #Setoushi-kun #100th Anniversary of Village Founding #Music #Live

Today I had the fortune to follow in the footsteps of local elders, experiencing a deep Shikoku ohenro pilgrimage by bus and on foot. We walked along several ancient ohenro paths from No. 86 Shido-ji Temple all the way to the final stop, No. 88 Okoji Temple. On this journey through time, the elder recounted, as if naming familiar treasures, the origins and stories behind the guideposts and ohenro graves. His vivid explanations seemed to make the long years layered on these old roads reappear before our eyes, turning the pilgrimage into more than just walking. In the past, when I hiked up the mountain, I used to take the path in front of the Ohenro Koryu Salon. This time, however, the elder first led us onto a little-known ancient trail that runs along the mountainside past the salon. Because few pilgrims use that old path, the ohenro graves along it have been preserved intact, serving as precious witnesses to history. Next, we turned to another ohenro route that winds by the river near a settlement. This stretch shows the clearest traces of changing times— as the settlement grew and new roads were built, some of the directional stone markers were relocated, leaving their inscriptions pointing inexplicably elsewhere. The elder’s on-site explanations linked all those originally puzzling “misplaced” changes together at once, allowing us to keenly feel both the fascination and the frustrations of history. Perhaps because of road construction and environmental changes, some of the ohenro graves that once lay scattered along the roadside and slopes were moved and gathered into one place. This ohenro journey was not only a physical walk but also a deep conversation of the heart with history.

Shimanto City, Kochi Prefecture — Seven must-visit attractions when you come to Shimanto City Here are facilities where you can enjoy activities and experience the history and culture of Shimanto City. 1 Nakamura area Facing the Pacific at the mouth of the Shimanto River, Nakamura area in Shimanto City was developed about 550 years ago by the Ichijo family, court nobles from Kyoto, who modeled the townscape on Kyoto. Many place names mirror those in Kyoto, and historical sites from that era still remain. Shimanto River Pleasure Boat Enjoy the scenery of the Shimanto River and a moment of timeless charm. Regularly scheduled boats, private charters, and reservation-only dining yakatabune (pleasure boats with meals) are available. From late May to early June, firefly boat tours run so you can watch fireflies dancing above the Shimanto River. Shimanto Canoe and Camp Village Kawarakko Situated on the banks of the Shimanto River, this experience facility sits amid abundant nature. Alongside river activities such as canoeing and SUP, it offers auto camp sites. A range of equipment rentals makes it easy for anyone to enjoy the Shimanto River up close. Tombow Natural Park Shimanto River Museum The world’s first dragonfly sanctuary. The park has recorded 81 species of dragonfly and features seasonal flowers. At the adjacent Shimanto River Museum, permanent exhibits include about 3,000 dragonfly specimens representing 1,000 species from around the world, and roughly 130 species of fish from the Shimanto River and other rivers, teaching visitors about the current state of the Shimanto River. Shimanto Iyashi no Sato A hot spring facility on a hill overlooking the Shimanto River estuary. The facility houses Shimanto Iyashi no Sato, which offers hot spring water drawn within Shimanto City, and Restaurant Yamakawumi, serving dishes that make the most of the river’s generous bounty. Shimanto City Folk Museum This castle-shaped museum stands on the site of Nakamura Castle, once the stronghold of Yasutoyo Yamanouchi, the younger brother of Kazutoyo Yamauchi. Inside, it presents life, history, and culture woven with the Shimanto River under the theme “a town living with the river.” It also displays valuable materials related to the Tosa-Ichijo clan, the Nakamura Yamauchi family, late-Edo period loyalist Makiyoshi Higuchi, and Meiji-era socialist Kotoku Shusui, a notable figure born in Nakamura. The top floor serves as an observation deck with panoramic views of the Shimanto River, Higashiyama, and the city. 2 Nishitosa area Upstream in Shimanto City, the Nishitosa area features scattered riverside settlements and peaceful scenery. At night, with few surrounding lights, the stars shine without being obscured by artificial illumination, offering pristine stargazing. Shimanto River Station Canoe Offering beginner-friendly canoe tours, this facility provides half-day and full-day basic courses under instructor guidance. The building also exhibits canoes from around the world. As a river station, it operates the Shimanto River Rinrin Cycle as well. Shimanto Gakusha A former local school renovated into a lodging experience facility. Classrooms and the nurse’s room remain as overnight rooms, and desks and other furnishings from the school days are preserved. You can enjoy Shimanto River–specific experiences such as canoeing, stream trekking (shower climbing), and raft play. Hotel Seira Shimanto Perched on a hill overlooking the Shimanto River, this hotel offers an outstanding, nature-surrounded location. Signature dishes feature the river’s bounty, including ayu (sweetfish), river shrimp, and Shimanto beef. An adjacent 4-meter observation dome and staff-led stargazing introduce guests to the wonders of the night sky. Roadside Station Yotte Nishitosa Located where Japan National Route 441 and Japan National Route 381 meet in the midstream area of the Shimanto River, this station is a gateway to Shimanto River sightseeing. A signature small truck displayed in the center of the store showcases fresh local produce, handmade processed foods, and boxed lunches ranging from seasonal items to regional traditional dishes. At the Ayu Market, which focuses on wild-caught products, you can see and purchase ayu as well as eel and freshwater crabs, enjoying the Shimanto River’s rich bounty firsthand.

Photographed on December 1, 2025. After visiting Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine, I relaxed at the Starbucks Kanetsuki‑dōri Store. I had a s'more chocolate latte and a strawberry and chocolate tart.

Daio Wasabi Farm’s wasabi fields, a pride of Azumino One of Japan’s largest wasabi farms using spring water from the Northern Alps Open every day year-round with free admission♪

Eikando in Kyoto was an incredibly beautiful world.

Angel ladders over a yellow town. It was a thinly overcast day with the sun coming and going, but I managed to capture the angel ladders. Date: 2025/11 Location: Sobue Town, Inazawa City, Aichi Prefecture *Flight over the Nikko River confirmed* *Comprehensive unmanned aircraft flight permission obtained from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism* *Flight plan notified and flight log completed*

Autumns in nagano is amazing. There are multiple location to see autumn colors in Nagano prefecture but lake momiji is exceptionally good one. The running water and fall colors look stunning. Location: Lake momiji, Nagano prefecture

Hello to everyone watching Cool Japan Video—nice to meet you! This is the Mizu No Kamui Kankoken, where pristine nature, protected since ancient times, still breathes. On the official SNS account for this Cool Japan Video, we share the vast landscapes, seasonal changes, and small local charms centered on Akanko, Lake Mashu, and Kushiro Shitsugen, bringing you the sights and timely information unique to Eastern Hokkaido. We aim to post discoveries that spark travel plans and information that lets you feel the atmosphere on site. Please follow us and enjoy the present face of Eastern Hokkaido together!

This is the view of Mt. Fuji from the great torii gate of Fujisan Hongū Sengen Taisha Shrine

This is the sunrise at Nagasaki Park near Lake Kawaguchi.

Ama Site Park "Ama Iseki Koen" 12-3 Hatchonawatecho, Takatsuki City, Osaka Prefecture Parking is available 24 hours a day. There is a West Parking lot (152 spaces) and an East Parking lot (264 spaces). Event period: From Saturday, November 29, 2025 to Sunday, February 1, 2026. The illumination is from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM. Access: About a 10-minute walk from Hankyu Kyoto Line Takatsuki-shi Station and a 13-minute walk from JR Kyoto Line takatsuki station. Takatsuki City Bus: Get off at Ama Site Park (Children's Future Museum) or Ama Site Park East, both right by the park.

Metasequoia Avenue Makinomachi Hiruguchi to Makino, Takashima City, Shiga Prefecture When setting this destination in your car navigation system, please register Makino Pickland at 0740-27-1811. Along Shiga Prefectural Road Route 287 Koaraji Makinosawa Line, which continues from the town road Sawamakino Line that runs through Makino Pickland, about 500 metasequoia trees line a 2.4 km stretch. They harmonize with the distant Nosaka Mountains and create a highland-like approach to Makino Kogen.