Social media posts by our community

Event Announcement📣 On Sunday, February 15, 2026, Makubetsu’s Churui will host the 43rd Nauman All-Hokkaido Sled Competition 😊 Alongside the general division—where participants race on homemade cardboard sleds and are judged on sled craftsmanship and finish time—there will be an elementary school speed division and a parent-and-child speed division 🎵 Other activities include a “Treasure Hunt” inspired by the buried-gold legend of Churui Maruyama and a photo-movie contest for sharing fun memories from the sled competition ✨ 📍Date and Time: Sunday, February 15, 2026 📍Venue: Churui Hakugindai Ski Area 📞Contact: Tournament Office 01558-8-2111 http://www.makubetsu.jp/kankobussankyokai/?p=8682...

A place you must visit at least once in your life. A view that makes you want to take a deep breath. Lake Kussharo in winter. At Kussharo Prince Hotel, you can enjoy Lake Kussharo from your room at any time. Reservations are available from the profile URL. 📍Kussharo Prince Hotel https://www.instagram.com/kussharo_ph/...

The fisherman fell in love with one of the world’s three greatest sunsets. Enjoy a landscape that changes with the seasons at Kushiro Prince Hotel. Unwind and savor moments that melt your heart, again and again. Reservations are available from the profile URL. https://www.instagram.com/kushiroprincehotel/...

I found a “little Shobara” in downtown Hiroshima! The vegetable-packed menu at Shobara Shokudo is exquisite 😋✨ Shobara City in Hiroshima Prefecture has clearly defined seasons—cherry blossoms in spring, high blue skies in summer, autumn leaves, and snowy winter scenes—which create an ideal environment for growing crops. Did you know that Shobara Shokudo, where you can enjoy plenty of vegetables grown in Shobara City, is located in AQ'A Hiroshima Center City in Naka Ward, Hiroshima? As an author who loves both vegetables and delicious food, I went to cover Shobara Shokudo! Read the article here 🔽 https://www.shobara-info.com/report/5479...

Hello. This is En'emon Folklore Museum 😃 After the recent snowfall ❄️, you can still see some snow lingering around Senga Falls ✨ Please watch your step on the stairs to the falls, as some sections are icy. Shosenkyo Gorge is also seeing more warm days during the daytime ☀️ On sunny days, we recommend a relaxed walk while soaking up the sunlight 😀🌿 This month's birthstone: Amethyst 💜 Known as a stone of purification and healing, it is also associated with 'true love.' At En'emon Folklore Museum, we offer high-quality amethyst pendants in beautiful colors, cuts, and sizes, as well as rare amethysts with clear quartz tips—each a must-see ✨ Please stop by during your walk 😃 All our staff look forward to greeting you with smiles 💓 When you visit, please take extra care with your vehicle and your footing 🚗✨

“Daionzan Seichō-ji Setsubun Ceremony” (Seichō-ji, Kamogawa City, Chiba Prefecture) On February 3, 2026, Seichō-ji lay wrapped in a hushed atmosphere. The annual Setsubun ceremony took place. From 8:00 a.m. a special prayer for fortunate men and women was held, and around 11:00 a.m. a ritual procession began followed by the Great Exorcism Service in the Main Hall, a bean-scattering ritual in the Soshidou (temple of the founder), and an entertaining performance by Mr. Naomasa Yamamura, drawing a large crowd.

26/02/11 Saijo Water Tour Students from Kochi Prefecture joined us. The water city has lacked moisture due to consecutive sunny days. *Photos 6 and 7 show it when it was more hydrated* Many people gather at various water-drawing spots seeking the artesian wells called "uchinuki" that spring from underground. "Saijo Water Tour with a Guide" can be found by searching "Imadoki Saijo"

Everyone, come on over! Teshikaga⭐️Fireworks Village On Sunday, February 22, 2026, Teshikaga⭐️Fireworks Village will take place on the grounds of Teshikaga Junior High School! The event runs from 3:00 PM to 9:00 PM and features endless handheld sparklers, hot-air balloons, food trucks, and more. Some activities have limited spots depending on the program, so please join early⌚️💦 At the same time, the downtown venue will host the Teshikaga Downtown Photo Gallery! Enjoy a collaboration between Teshikaga High School and Miyazaki Flower Shop, food trucks and Teshikaga Marche vendors, and a small snow slide! Come and join us☃️🎆✨ Check the flyer for details!! We look forward to seeing you☃️💕

●Lotus Leaf Ice on the Kushiro River● On the Kushiro River today, many lotus leaf ice floes were drifting. This phenomenon occurs when several conditions line up, so you might not see it at certain times of day, and finding it always brings a smile☺ It feels like I’ve seen more of it this year than usual. You’re more likely to spot it on cold mornings. You might see it around Nusamai Bridge, Kusuri Bridge, and Asahi Bridge. The beautiful scenery makes the cold disappear‼ Enjoy the magical winter of Kushiro in February to the fullest✨

Ice Fishing for Pond Smelt: This season has ended. To protect pond smelt resources, we closed the MemanbetsuKohan ice fishing for pond smelt on Wednesday, February 11. Although the season was shorter than usual, we sincerely thank everyone who visited this season. We look forward to your continued support next season!

A chilly 1°C yet unusually warm for Akanko in February in the early morning It was cloudy, but that very cloudiness made the scene—snow and the dark-looking conifer forest—resemble an ink-wash painting as I walked across the surface of Lake Akan Today was warmer than yesterday daytime, so the lake ice softened and water rose in places; for safety we altered part of the route and ended the tour 30 minutes early, but everyone enjoyed Akanko’s nature You can reserve the early-morning walking tour from the URL below 　　↓ https://ja.kushiro-lakeakan.com/things_to_do/19977/... *Because this winter has been mild, please understand that, depending on lake ice conditions and for safety reasons, the tour route or tour end time may change.

NHK’s documentary "72 Hours" featured the Wada Area’s Kokuyo no Mizu Hiroba✨ What is Kokuyo no Mizu Hiroba…? The mountain range around Wada Pass underwent repeated volcanic activity between 800,000 and 1.4 million years ago. Highly fluid lava layered with andesite and rhyolite formed obsidian, it is said. Rain that falls on the surrounding forest is filtered through this obsidian bedrock and becomes spring water. This spring water, named "Kokuyo no Mizu," is drawn to the plaza. Because it is ultra-soft water with high purity, it is also characterized by being slow to spoil. About Kokuyo no Mizu [Nagawamachi Tourism Association website] https://www.nagawa.info/facility-spot/1962/... Address: Wadananokura, Wada, Nagawamachi, Chiisagata District, Nagano Prefecture

Photographed on February 11, 2014. After the Kigen Festival at Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine, I relaxed at the Starbucks Kanetsuki‑dōri Store. I had a chocolate mousse latte and a chocolate babka. It was very cold yesterday. 🥶

[Bear Soap] The other day I went to Nishiokoppe Guesthouse GA.KOPPER for dinner. A friend had come to visit the village, so I joined them at the table. On the way out, something in the entrance showcase caught my eye. I had seen GA.KOPPER’s products many times before, but I had never bought the bear soap. In winter my skin gets dry, and I’ve been especially bothered by itchy backs of my hands and fingertips, so when I heard it helps prevent rough skin I decided to try the soap. - This soap is made by blending oil from brown bears living in Nishiokoppe Village with Sakhalin fir (Abies sachalinensis) leaf oil from Shimokawacho and peppermint oil from Takinoue Town. The guesthouse owner Asano, who is a hunter, provided the bear oil from a bear he personally shot. Bears and deer are often labeled pests because they damage crops and forests, but seen another way, these animals are a resource for Nishiokoppe Village. Although processing is demanding (it takes a lot of time and effort), their pelts, meat, oil, antlers and other parts can be put to good use. Among these, bear oil has long been used by the Ainu people as a panacea. They say it soothes cracked fingertips, dry lips and burned skin when applied topically. Soap made from such oil leaves the skin feeling moist after washing and resists that tight, dry feeling. It’s recommended for handwashing and facial cleansing. A bear balm is also on sale, so if you’re curious visit GA.KOPPER or check their online shop. https://gakopper.base.shop// Note that staff may be absent during the day, so we recommend contacting GA.KOPPER before your visit. - By the way, the bear soap is manufactured by SORRYKOUBOU, a cosmetics maker in Shimokawacho. SORRYKOUBOU’s cosmetics are considerate of skin and body and are made from herbs they cultivate and wild plants that grow locally. - It’s truly heartening that, close to home, there are natural ingredients that care for your skin and people who make them. #GAKOPPER #Bear Soap #SORRYKOUBOU #Skincare

Winter haze over the Akashi Strait. In winter the Akashi Strait looks like an ink-wash painting, with Awaji Island and the great Akashi Kaikyo Bridge shrouded in mist.