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Taken on August 6, 26. This is a sculpture from the Naorai Hall of Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine. The sculptures represent offerings to the deity, including "sake," "rice," and "salt."

Taken on August 6, 26. It was so hot that I took a break. This is the Enmusubi red and white soft serve.

As the golden hour gently embraces Furano, waves of lavender bloom beneath a sky of fading light. A solitary red hut rests among the purple fields, with emerald meadows and layered mountains quietly unfolding beyond. In this brief summer glow, the landscape feels less like a place and more like a memory waiting to be kept.

It's a sunflower blooming among the grass and flowers. Isn't it beautiful?

Event Announcement📣 On Saturday, August 15th, the 44th Ashoro Furusato Bon Odori and Ryougoku Fireworks Festival will take place😊 During the day, there will be a children's festival and a beer garden featuring delicious gourmet food🍻 On the special stage, the Hokkaido idol group "FRUiTY" will perform live, along with a mimicry show by "Miracle Hikaru," adding excitement to the festival🎵 The event will be filled with fun activities for the whole family, including children's bon odori, unique costume bon odori, and a lottery draw to bring smiles to everyone😍 To conclude the festival, vibrant fireworks will beautifully light up the night sky of Ashoro🎆 Feel the summer night breeze and experience this special summer moment at the venue🤗 🔶Date: Saturday, August 15, 2026, 13:00 - 21:00 (Fireworks scheduled from 19:30 to 20:10) 🔶Venue: Town Community Center Front Green Space and Parking Lot (Food stalls, Bon Odori, Event venue) South Riverbank of the Toshibetsu River Ryougoku Bridge (Fireworks launch site) 🔶Contact: Ashoro Furusato Bon Odori and Ryougoku Fireworks Festival Executive Committee TEL: 0156-28-3863 https://www.town.ashoro.hokkaido.jp/kurashi/news/2026/2024_2.html...

The Tomakomai Port Festival has begun!✨ Today, August 8th (Saturday), is the second day! At the tourism association booth, we are waiting for you with cold drinks and the Tomachoppu lottery!✨ The Tomachoppu, the mascot of Tomakomai tourism, is also dressed in a stylish happi coat💕. We hope to see you there! (The fireworks festival has been rescheduled to October🎇)

Day trip diving at a sunken ship from Tokyo. Another Japan sleeping in the sea of Atami. About 45 minutes by Shinkansen from Tokyo. Atami, known as a hot spring resort, has a special place under the sea. A large sunken ship lies at a depth of about 30 meters. On this day, we headed to the sea of Atami with guests from overseas and divers who were diving at a sunken ship for the first time. It takes just about three minutes by boat from the port to the diving point. Right near the city, there is a sea where you can enjoy authentic sunken ship diving. Entering the water, we slowly descend along the rope. Gradually, the shape of a large ship emerges in the blue sea. Surrounding the ship are numerous fish. A large school of damselfish swims around the sunken ship. The ship's hull is visible beyond the school of fish. The view is completely different from what you see on land in Atami. It has been about 40 years since this ship sank into the sea. Having spent a long time underwater, it has now become a habitat for various living creatures. As the hull gradually changes its appearance, there are different discoveries every time you visit. If you shine a light and peek into the hull, you might find remnants of the ladders that were used back then. You may also encounter a large grouper. The first dive is on the bow side. The second dive is on the stern side. Even with the same sunken ship, changing the diving spot alters the scenery. You can swim while admiring the massive ship, navigate through schools of fish, and observe what remains of the ship. A ship from about 40 years ago and the marine life of today. The charm of diving at the sunken ship in Atami is being able to see both at once. After finishing the dive and coming out of the sea, you find yourself in Atami, one of Japan's leading hot spring resorts. While being a day trip distance from Tokyo, you can enjoy a day that is a little different from the usual Japanese sightseeing. 🌈Experience a special day by the sea in Japan. Hokulea Shonan is a small diving shop located in Hiratsuka City, Kanagawa Prefecture. About an hour by train from Tokyo. We guide you to the Japanese sea that can be enjoyed as a day trip from Tokyo, focusing on Shonan and Izu. The tours are small group-based and can accommodate English guidance. Why not take a look at another Japan sleeping in the sea during your trip to Japan? We will suggest the best sea for you according to your diving experience and travel schedule.

"Summer Clouds on Fire" In the summer evening, looking up at the sky, the large, developed clouds were illuminated by the setting sun, turning into a fiery color. The clouds rose powerfully as if they had stored the heat of the day, contrasting with the gradually darkening sky. It was a brief display, a drama of the summer evening sky.

After the Guerrilla Thunderstorm This summer has seen many guerrilla thunderstorms. This happened when I visited Mamada Hachimangu Shrine for the wind chime festival, and after a guerrilla thunderstorm passed, I noticed a brief moment of sunshine with droplets on the tanzaku (wishing strips), prompting me to take a photo. After the intense guerrilla thunderstorm enveloped the shrine, light briefly shone through the clouds. It was a moment when the wind chimes, adorned with raindrops, quietly conveyed the changes in the summer sky.

"The whole school assembly will begin!" A sunflower field instead of the summer schoolyard. Many sunflowers were facing the same direction, beautifully lined up. Some children were looking straight ahead, some were slightly turned, and some were still small. As I watched, their figures blended with those of the students lining up for the assembly. "Now, let's start the whole school assembly!"

"Summer Wishes" Captured at the Wind Chime Festival at Hotokuji Temple in Kiryu City, Gunma Prefecture. I encountered a gentle-faced Jizo statue at the festival. Surrounded by colorful wind chimes, a small strip of paper swayed nearby with the wish, "May the whole family be healthy and happy." The refreshing sound of the wind chimes carries the wishes for the family. I captured a tranquil moment that embodies the essence of a Japanese summer.

【"Komu" opens on August 11】 This is an announcement from the Forest Art Museum "Komu". August 11 (Tuesday) is a public holiday, so it will be an open day. Opening hours remain the same: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM. (Last admission at 4:30 PM) Please note that the museum will be closed the following day, August 12 (Wednesday). - 【Forest Art Museum "Komu"】 Opening hours: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM *Admission is accepted until 4:30 PM Closed: Every Tuesday Admission fees: High school students and above: 500 yen From 4th grade to junior high school: 300 yen From 3 years old to 3rd grade: 100 yen Free for children under 3 years old Contact: 0158-87-2600 #Nishiokoppe Village #Forest Art Museum #Komu #Closed days #Mountain Day

Photographed on August 6, 2014. These are the matchmaking wind chimes at Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine.

The Yamaguchi Tanabata Chochin Festival has been held for about 600 years. Tens of thousands of red lanterns attached to bamboo sway gently, enveloping the streets in a fantastical light. What’s surprising is that all these countless lanterns are lit by real candle flames! Unlike electric lights, they flicker softly, gently illuminating the town. Please come to Yamaguchi! Location: Yamaguchi City, Yamaguchi Prefecture

Taken on August 6, 26. These are the Tanabata decorations at Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine. It's a Tanabata festival celebrated one month late. 🎋