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Today is the final day of the three-day weekend. It felt unusually warm for February. Many guests came to visit, and we thank you very much. This is the view from the observation deck at Sakuma Dam Lake. The Kawazu cherry blossoms are starting to turn into leafy trees, but you can still see them. #Kyonan Town#Sakuma Dam Lake#Kawazu cherry blossoms#Final day of the three-day weekend

Today I joined the 11th “One-Day Hospitality Pilgrimage Walk” and walked a short section of the Shikoku pilgrimage route. The trip started at No. 75 temple Zentsuji, passed Nos. 76 and 77, and ended at No. 78 Tojo-ji Temple. For someone like me who has always lived in Kagawa, this was more than a hike; it felt like a journey to rediscover the land and its culture. Before departure, local residents served steaming udon and tea to encourage participants. This practice, called hospitality, is one of the most moving sights along the Shikoku pilgrimage. Locals believe that treating pilgrims kindly is like welcoming Kukai himself, so they give generously and let travelers feel the deep warmth of human kindness. Walking the old paths, we passed winter fields and quiet villages without the noise of the city—only footsteps and a light breeze. Zentsuji, as Kukai’s birthplace, stands with solemn grandeur; arriving at Tojo-ji Temple, the hilltop view opens to the Seto Inland Sea, broadening the outlook and calming the heart. Though only a little over ten kilometers, the route felt like crossing a thousand years, sharing the same path of faith with countless pilgrims. This experience made me realize that the pilgrimage is not just a religious tour but a way to connect with nature, history, and people’s hearts. Even walking a small section can leave a warm, lasting impression.

Drifting ice off the coast of Shiretoko (Rausucho) is home to drift ice and Steller's sea eagles. When dozens of Steller's sea eagles and white-tailed eagles gather, their large size creates a truly dramatic sight.

Off the coast of Shiretoko (Rausucho) Here are the drift ice and a Steller's sea eagle. This weekend it was warm in Hokkaido and a southerly wind blew, so I was worried the drift ice might be pushed away, but the ice band remained. The drift ice will be gone next month, and from late April you can see orcas and whales.

Mount Fuji Day 2/23 Today's temperature in Minami-Alps City is an astonishing 22°C Springlike weather 🌸 Unfortunately, Mount Fuji is hidden during the daytime today… In honor of Mount Fuji Day, please enjoy photos of Mount Fuji taken in the past as seen from Minami-Alps City 🗻

Today I attended the Tencho Festival at Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine. The plum trees were beginning to bloom.

Notice: Local junior high students made POP displays and recycled bags ✨ Second-year students from Iwanai Daiichi Junior High School brought handmade POPs, posters, and recycled bags to the Roadside Station as part of their Integrated Studies project — “A Plan to Revitalize Iwanai-cho.” For the POPs and posters, they asked themselves, “What information do customers really want?” They researched popular products and created the materials accordingly ✨ The illustrations and English labels show lots of thoughtful touches, and everything is very easy to read! And here’s a highlight 🐟 The Tarumaru illustration on the recycled bags is a work by Idobata, who won the Kida Kinjiro Prize at the ongoing “Hometown Children’s Art Exhibition” held at the Kida Kinjiro Museum of Art ✨ These limited special-design bags are not to be missed! 🎉 If you visit the Roadside Station, please pick one up and take a look 😊

Kumamoto Prefecture ranks third in Japan for strawberry production. Original varieties such as yuubeni and hinoshizuku are well known. A strawberry experience event using strawberries will be held on Sunday, March 8, 2026, in Kikuchi City, Kumamoto Prefecture. Using sweet, juicy freshly picked strawberries, you can create a one-of-a-kind original strawberry parfait. This experience offers a special time beyond just strawberry picking. ■ Strawberry picking (all-you-can-eat) First, enjoy all-you-can-eat strawberries at Shichiraku no Sato in Kikuchi City. There are about 11 varieties, including yuubeni, Koiminori, hinoshizuku, Benihoppe, and the white strawberry Angel Night. You can savor their sweetness, gentle tartness, and rich aroma. ■ Strawberry parfait making experience You will make a strawberry parfait using the strawberries you picked. Toride Farm, a popular shop that turns local Kikuchi-grown melons and strawberries into ice cream and soft serve, also offers a unique rice-based ice cream that is delicious and popular. The soft serve made with Kumamoto milk is prepared on the spot by adding ice cream and finishing each one by hand. The highlight of the strawberry parfait is that you can use the fresh strawberries you picked yourself. You can go into the shop kitchen to swirl the soft serve or scoop ice cream yourself with a disher. The combination of strawberries and ice cream is astonishingly delicious. Why not create your own one-of-a-kind original parfait? Date and time: Sunday, March 8, 2026, 10:00–12:30 Location: Shichiraku no Sato (305 Okada, Shichijo-machi, Kikuchi-shi, Kumamoto-ken) Toride Farm For reservations and details, please check here. https://kikuchikanko.ne.jp/archives/featured/strawberry_parfait...

The Otaru Canal in winter’s magic hour. On the right bank, stone warehouses weigh down with snow in silence, while on the left bank the warm glow of gas lamps lights the snow white. Countless candles floating on the water trail long tails of light across the cold surface, gently swaying. People strolling along the promenade, captured in long exposures, become blurred light afterimages, visualizing the dense passage of time within the still scene. The cold air and the fires that seem to melt it coexist, etched together in vivid contrast.

Today I visited Tsukigase Plum Grove in Tsukigase, Nara City, Nara Prefecture. The plum trees were about three to five percent in bloom.

This is Gokayama Ainokura Gassho-style Village in Ainokura, Nanto City, Toyama Prefecture. The scene created by Ainokura’s gassho-style houses and the snow-covered fields is truly a timeless image of Japan. As evening fell and the houses’ lights began to glow, the steadily falling snow created a magical atmosphere. (୨୧❛ᴗ❛)📷 ☃️❄️🏡🏔️

Today I went to KAWAGOE COFFEE SELECTION. I was there for LEC COFFEE. At the top is a cafe latte, bottom left shows a canelé and an espresso financier, and bottom right shows a top-down view. It was very busy. 😊

Yesterday we held the “Small Bamboo Light Market” in front of Ohanami Hiroba Mae at Sakuma Dam Lake. Many people came and purchased vegetables from Kyonan, miso soup, amazake, and rice balls. Thank you for coming out in the cold. We had many conversations with visitors who came to see the “Yoritomo Cherry and Bamboo Lights” illumination. Some were a couple who had just moved here, some commute to Kyonan, and others said, “I saw it online and was interested, so I came.” We hope you were satisfied. The bamboo light illumination at Sakuma Dam Lake runs through March 14, so please come and see it. The hours are 5:30 PM to 8:00 PM. #Kyonan Town #Boso Peninsula #Yoritomo Cherry and Bamboo Lights #Sakuma Dam Lake #Small Bamboo Light Market