Social media posts by our community

"Wind chimes and mist" The refreshing sound of wind chimes resonates in the summer shrine grounds. The mist drifting through gently eases the hot air. The coolness felt through the ears and the coolness felt on the skin. This moment, unique to summer in Japan, has been captured in a single frame.

Even the shopkeeper cat is down. At Mamada Hachimangu Shrine, there are many "shrine cats." They have cat goshuin stamps and cat's one-grain-manifold protection charms. The shrine grounds are bathed in the summer sun. By the water fortune slips, even the shopkeeper cat seemed unable to withstand the heat. Stretching out on the stone pavement, it takes a moment to rest. This captures a slice of everyday life in Japan, amidst the summer heat.

The Gion Festival unfolds in the streets of Kyoto every year from July 1st to 31st, lasting for about a month. Among the festivities, the "Naginata Hoko" stands out with its remarkable presence. The photo shows the Naginata Hoko moving through the streets of Kyoto in the height of summer. Its luxurious decorations, large wheels, and the people pulling the hoko convey the tradition of Kyoto and the excitement of the festival that has been passed down for over a thousand years. Under the blazing sun, the Gion Festival has been preserved despite the sweat and heat. It is a beauty of Japanese traditional culture that can only be felt in the hot summer of Kyoto. Accompanied by the resonating Gion bayashi, the Gion Festival colors the summer in Kyoto. It is one of Japan's representative festivals that we hope will continue to be cherished.

Taken on July 30, 26. This is Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine and Hikawa Ryōfūsō. We are open until the 31st.

Event Announcement 📣 The Rally Hokkaido, held as Japan's first international rally in 2002, will celebrate its 25th anniversary this year 🎉 It will take place over three days from Friday, September 4, 2026, to Sunday, September 6, 2026 😊 This year, a new course has been established along the Tokachi River, offering an exciting race that showcases speed and skill amidst the stunning nature of Tokachi 🎵 There will also be plenty of hands-on events for both adults and children in the surrounding areas‼️ We invite you to come and enjoy the event with your family and friends 🤗 🔶Contact: Rally Hokkaido Executive Office TEL: 011-864-2003 https://www.rally-hokkaido.com/jp/?page_id=16240...

Taken on August 29, 2026. This is a photo spot for the "Magical Chiikawa POP UP STORE" being held at Maruhiro Department Store until the 31st.

The Bungo Inukai Fireworks Festival will be held at Ono River Riverside Park in Inukai Town, Bungoono City, Oita Prefecture. This fireworks festival, said to be the birthplace of Bungo fireworks, attracts many visitors every autumn. This year, about 3,000 fireworks will illuminate the night sky. The launch is scheduled for 7:20 PM, allowing attendees to enjoy the fireworks leisurely as the sun sets and the air begins to cool. There will be special paid viewing seats for the fireworks near the venue (2,000 yen per seat). Reservations are not accepted in advance; tickets will only be sold on the day of the event, so please be aware of this. The event is expected to be bustling with many visitors, and parking congestion is anticipated. Since the number of parking spaces is limited, if you plan to come by car, please arrive early. If possible, consider using public transportation as well. Join us for a night of autumn fireworks lighting up the sky in Inukai. 【Date and Time】 Saturday, October 3, 2026, from 7:20 PM for the fireworks launch. *Will proceed in light rain, canceled in inclement weather. 【Location】 Ono River Riverside Park (Inukai Town, Bungoono City, Oita Prefecture) 【Fee】 Special paid viewing seat 2,000 yen per seat *No reservations; tickets sold only on the day. 【Access】 About a 10-minute walk from Inukai Station on JR; about a 2-minute walk from the Inukai Kuhara bus stop on Oita Bus. 【Parking】 Available *Limited spaces. 【Contact】 Bungo-Ono City Tourism Association TEL: 0974-27-4215 ■■Access from Fukuoka Prefecture and Kumamoto Prefecture to the center of Bungoono City■■■ About a 3-hour drive from JR Hakata Station in Fukuoka Prefecture. About a 2-hour drive from JR Kumamoto Station in Kumamoto Prefecture. About a 1 hour and 20-minute drive from JR Beppu Station in Oita Prefecture. About a 1 hour and 20-minute drive from JR Yufuin Station in Oita Prefecture. ■■■■■■■■■■■■ Introducing recommended spots for tourism in Bungoono City, Oita Prefecture, Kyushu. ■■■■■■■■■■■■

This photo was taken at Endo Farm in Kumagaya City, Saitama Prefecture. It offers a prime spot to overlook the sunflowers blooming all around under the summer sky. From the top of a tall ladder, my daughter points and laughs at something she found. May this vibrant scene, filled with the bright yellow of the sunflowers and the blue sky, become a cherished summer memory for our family someday.

-The Door to Summer- This photo was taken at Ad Maridué in Kitamoto City, Saitama Prefecture. On a summer day, the blue sky and green countryside spread out before me. Beyond the yellow door lay a nostalgic landscape of a Japanese summer. I imagined the small back of my daughter, arms wide open as she prepared to run, filled with the anticipation of the summer to come and the desire for the memories of summer to last forever.

Taken on August 29, 26. I visited the "Magical Chiikawa POP UP STORE" currently being held at Maruhiro Department Store Kawagoe.

This is Tropical Beach located in Ginowan City. It was a very hot day, but the weather was nice, making it quite pleasant. Many tourists came to swim as well. It's easily accessible from the city center of Naha, so be sure to visit!

Photographed on August 27, 2014. I took a stroll in Kawagoe for a breather. This is Chillac Soda with grape flavor and a white peach & Earl Grey tart. 🍇🍑

This photo was taken during my visit to Gero Onsen Gassho Village in Gifu Prefecture. More than 1,000 wind chimes were decorated near the entrance, and every time the wind blew, they all chimed together. I felt that wind chimes symbolize summer in Japan, and I wanted to capture that in a photograph. Rather than just photographing the wind chimes, I wanted to express it in my own way, so I took a shot through the wind chimes in the foreground, which created a sense of depth and slightly lowered the saturation of the overall photo, giving it a nostalgic atmosphere. I used the standard camera of the iPhone 17 for the shoot. Additionally, since I had only heard the sound of a single wind chime before, experiencing the sound of over 1,000 wind chimes chiming together was a first for me. I discovered that a single wind chime produces a delicate tone, but when gathered together, they create a powerful chorus-like sound, revealing a new charm of wind chimes.

This is a photo taken when my family visited Gero Onsen Gassho Village in Gifu Prefecture. While strolling around the grounds, I discovered a sign leading to an observation deck and became curious about what kind of view I would see, so I climbed up. What I saw there was a landscape filled with mountains, trees, blue skies, and clouds. Since I usually see bustling cityscapes with buildings and many people, encountering a scene where there were no people at all and only nature spread out felt nostalgic, allowing me to experience the beauty of untouched nature. Additionally, before the COVID-19 pandemic, my family used to travel to the mountains every summer, but since then, we haven't had many opportunities to go. The moment I saw this view, memories of summer trips with my family during my childhood flooded back, and I realized that the landscapes of mountains and skies hold a special place in reminding me of our summer family vacations.

This is a view of the flower water basin at Obihiro Shrine in Obihiro City, Hokkaido. On the night of the 14th, LED lights in the water were illuminated, providing visitors with enjoyment as part of the "Evening Flower Water Basin."