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The Mongolian Folk Museum, with its larger-than-life mounted Mongol Warrior outside, is one of the surprises of the Sea of Japan coast. Inside, visitors can go inside yurts that accurately recreate nomadic life, see a variety of historical artifacts, and even try on Mongolian folk clothing inspired costumes. It is fun to have your picture taken wearing exotic and luxurious feeling clothing, and the pictures make for good memories! Hands-on activities, such as playing nomad instruments, are also available. Children may especially enjoy crafting a toy sheep out of Mongolian wool. They look like adorable little puffs! A reading corner featuring children's books with a Mongolian setting is also available. Adults may get more enjoyment out of the displays of weapons and historical insights, but there are cute crafts available as souvenirs that anyone can enjoy. Interestingly, the museum also has a look at the region's own local history, offering insight into daily life for the average resident, as well as a broader look at the region's history as a hub of silk manufacturing and its subsequent decline. The collapse of the silk industry and the attendant emigration from the Sea of Japan coast is a seldom-told story, and finding it in a Mongolian Folk History Museum is a surprise, to be sure, but a welcome one.

Local TV Introduces New Village Residents At Nishiokoppe Village Hall there is a department responsible for the village network and IT equipment setup. They also handle event filming and produce a TV program broadcast only within the village. Its name is NCN. They call it that using the initials of Nishiokoppe Communication Network. I hadn't had many chances to visit the production site, but on April 1st I was able to attend the filming introducing new residents who started using municipal facilities this fiscal year. In Nishiokoppe Village, every newcomer is asked to give about a one-minute self-introduction, and those videos are broadcast on the village TV program. (I was filmed soon after I became a villager, too.) When you open the door marked "Studio," you find a room fully equipped for filming. New residents sit in front of the cameras and lights and talk about why they came to Nishiokoppe Village and their hobbies. That day several shoots overlapped, and three cameras surrounded the staff operating a video camera—a shoot full of cameras. NCN airs the same content for one week from Thursday through the following Wednesday. Not only in villagers' homes, but you can actually watch it in guest rooms at Hotel Rimu as well. You can also request and view past footage, so the broadcast helps people look back on their children's growth. When a large group gathers at someone's house, a nostalgic viewing party can suddenly start with footage from those days, which is always fun. Please continue to film around the village! #Village TV Broadcast #NCN #New Resident Introductions #TV Filming

Photographed on April 1, 2014. These are Homarezakura cherry trees along the Shingashi River behind Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine. Cherry blossom showers were swirling. 🌸

⚠️Notice of Road Closure Harris Trail is closed due to a landslide and has been inaccessible since April 6. The reopening date is undecided. We apologize for the inconvenience and appreciate your understanding.

Spring Has Arrived This is a view of Suijin Shrine from the back. It looked beautiful no matter which angle I saw it from~~♪

Peeking at Spring I took a quick peek at the cherry blossoms on Nakasu, a short walk from Suijin Shrine.

It is precisely because of the cloudy sky that the delicate pink of the cherry blossoms stands out 🌸 the deep green of the willows 🌳 their reflections on the water seem to weave a story…

[Fukushima’s Peach Blossom Paradise] This is "MtHanamiyama" in Fukushima. It is private land owned by an individual, but it is open to the public and feels as if you are in a utopian peach-blossom land.

Minami Shinshu weekend outing info 🚗💨 The katakuri (dogtooth violet) at Katakuri no Sato in Oosegi, Iida City, is in full bloom! A pale purple carpet stretches as far as the eye can see — a once-in-a-season spectacle. It’s perfect for photos 📸✨️ Plus! On Sunday, April 12, the Katakuri Festival will take place. Come enjoy a spring stroll with family and friends. ⁡ 📸: Friday, April 3, 2026 📍 Katakuri no Sato (2609-27 Oosegi, Iida City, Nagano Prefecture) Best time to visit: Now in peak bloom! Event: Katakuri Festival on Sunday, April 12 ※ Sakura-sama Cherry Blossom Festival held at the same time! ※ Check Minami Shinshu Navi for details 👀

A spring scene in Reihoku: a photo of the cherry blossoms along the regional agricultural road! They looked to be in full bloom last weekend, but some may still remain. If you pass by, be sure to take a look! 📍 Location: Northern regional agricultural road on Amakusa Shimojima (the Reihoku to Amakusa City area) If you’ve driven this way before or think it’s beautiful, tell us in the comments 🌸

Photographed on April 1, 2014. This is Homare-zakura along the Shingashi River behind Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine.

Photographed on April 4, 2026. This is LEC COFFEE’s Sakura × Espresso Latte and a matcha Basque cheesecake topped with sakura.

Mannen-zan Ankokuji Temple is located in Oodaracho, Mito City, Ibaraki Prefecture. A large weeping cherry tree on the temple grounds was lit up, and its reflection in the water spread across the stone path at the gate, creating a very magical scene. (୨୧❛ᴗ❛)📷🌸

Spring that seems within reach but never quite arrives. When you stretch out your hand it feels close enough to touch, yet it seems it would spill away the moment you did. I quietly preserved this fleeting moment.

Spring arrives quietly in Toyama… not with noise, but with fresh breath. In the blue hour, when day surrenders to night, the cherry blossom avenue awakens in soft golden light. Lanterns glow gently beneath blooming canopies, and people walk slowly, as if afraid to disturb the moment. Behind it all, the snow-capped Tateyama Range stands in silent majesty — timeless, unmoving, watching spring unfold below. The mountains hold the last light of the evening, their white peaks glowing softly against the deepening sky. In the foreground, the lake refuses stillness. Wind brushes across its surface, rippling reflections of blossoms and lights into fleeting fragments. The air turns colder after sunset, and yet the warmth of spring lingers in every step, every breath, every quiet glance. This photograph captures the delicate balance of spring — warmth and chill, movement and stillness, fleeting beauty and eternal mountains. A moment where nature whispers, and time gently pauses.