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Photographed on January 15, 2014. cafe andon’s café latte and a strawberry shortcake. It’s strawberry season. 🍓

Event Notice📣 Perched at 800 meters above sea level, Lake Shikaribetsu, one of the clearest lakes in Japan, freezes over in winter. On its frozen surface appears the ephemeral village of Lake Shikaribetsu Kotan, built from ice and snow and only present during the winter season. Kotan is the Ainu word for “village.”😊 This is a world crafted by the great natural forces of Lake Shikaribetsu and by the people who gather there.🎵 Enjoy an ice bar where you can sip drinks in a snowy, icy setting, an open-air hot bath on the ice, and a variety of experiences such as making ice glasses, snowmobiling, and snowshoeing!! 📍Date and Time: Saturday, January 24, 2026 – Sunday, March 15, 2026 📍Location: Lakeside of Lake Shikaribetsu (Shikaoi, Kawato-gun, Hokkaido) 📍Admission: Season Pass 500 yen (elementary school students and older) 📞Contact: Lake Shikaribetsu Kotan Executive Committee TEL: 0156-69-8181 (inside Lake Shikaribetsu Nature Center)

A hotel overlooking the tranquil Lake Kussharo, bathed in natural light. Surrounded by nature, experience a passage of time unlike your everyday life. At Kussharo Prince Hotel, enjoy moments that gently unwind the heart. [Winter Season Notice] January 19, 2026 (Monday) – March 7, 2026 (Saturday) 📍Kussharo Prince Hotel https://www.instagram.com/kussharo_ph/...

Shibecha's proud branded wagyu Indulge in “Hoshizora no Kurogyu.” A tender roast of filet cooked to moist perfection, its rich flavors deepen with every bite and leave an elegant finish. Enjoy a special dinner that lights up the night in Kushiro. 📍Kushiro Prince Hotel https://www.princehotels.co.jp/kushiro/...

Photographed on January 20th: Atami cherry blossoms are in full bloom at several spots 🌸 (Kamanariya Heishichi Statue · Itokawa Promenade · Shinshui Park Third Section · Sanremo Park · Kaihin Park · Nagisa Koen Park) Itogawa Cherry Blossom Festival runs until February 8th https://www.ataminews.gr.jp/features/59...

Photographed on January 15, 2014. This is cafe andon's avocado shrimp hot sandwich set. Thank you, as always. 😊

This is a photo of the Atami Cherry Blossoms along Itokawa Promenade illuminated on January 17th 🌸 https://www.ataminews.gr.jp/features/59...

Inukai Stone Buddhas Oita Bungoono Geopark The Inukai Stone Buddhas are located in Inukai Town, Bungoono City, Oita Prefecture. They are cliff carvings of Buddha figures sculpted into welded tuff from the Aso pyroclastic flow about 90,000 years ago. Based on the style of the figures, they are estimated to have been created in the Kamakura period. Although representing Fudo Myoo, the figures are notable for their gentle expressions. [Location] Inukai Town, Bungoono City, Oita Prefecture Access to central Bungoono City from Fukuoka Prefecture, Kumamoto Prefecture, and elsewhere Approximately a 3-hour drive from JR Hakata Station, Fukuoka Prefecture. Approximately a 2-hour drive from JR Kumamoto Station, Kumamoto Prefecture. Approximately a 1 hour 20 minute drive from JR Beppu Station, Oita Prefecture. Approximately a 1 hour 20 minute drive from JR Yufuin Station, Oita Prefecture. –––––––––––– Introducing sightseeing and recommended spots in Bungoono City, Oita Prefecture, Kyushu ––––––––––––

We will hold the “Enichibai Plum Viewing Event” at Hontō-ji Temple in Nobeoka City. This springtime event lets you enjoy authentic matcha while admiring a magnificent 240-year-old weeping white plum tree along with other white and red plum blossoms. Wrapped in the gentle scent of plum blossoms, why not take a moment to relax and soothe your heart? ⁡ 𓂃𓂃𓂃𓂃𓂃𓂃𓂃𓂃𓂃𓂃𓂃𓂃𓂃𓂃𓂃𓂃𓂃𓂃 📅 Tuesday, February 10 and Wednesday (holiday), February 11, 2026 🕙 10:00–16:00 📍 Hontō-ji Temple (1133 Matsuyama-cho, Nobeoka City) 💰 Free admission 🍵 Outdoor tea service (matcha) one bowl 500 yen (with sweets) 🗺️ Historic site guide: free ⁡ 𓂃𓂃𓂃𓂃𓂃𓂃𓂃𓂃𓂃𓂃𓂃𓂃𓂃𓂃𓂃𓂃𓂃𓂃 Follow the official Nobeoka Flower Story account @nobeokahanamonogatari for bloom updates and the latest event information during the festival. We’d be happy if you follow and check for updates.☑ For inquiries about the Enichibai Plum Viewing Event: Nobeoka Flower Story Executive Committee (0982-29-2155) https://nobeokahanamonogatari.net/home2026/kanbaikai_2026/...

The Former Hokkaido Government Office in Sapporo City, a nationally designated Important Cultural Property often called the Former Hokkaido Government Office or the red brick government building, completed a major renovation called the “Reiwa Renovation” last year. The renewed first-floor exhibition room features corners for all of Hokkaido’s municipalities, 179 in total. Of course there is also a corner for Tomakomai, so please try to find it.

Nara is a mainstay of Japanese domestic travel, and along with Kyoto is part of the classic school trip itinerary for millions of students every year. Kyoto is justly famous and inundated with visitors from around the world, but Nara, while still a bustling center of tourist activity, retains a more peaceful atmosphere. The city has a great deal of greenery and, of course, its famous deer, which together work to create a relaxed atmosphere. In spite of its soothing natural ambience, it is still a proper city, with all the comforts and attractions you would expect, so you can really enjoy the best of both worlds. The ubiquitous deer have been accustomed to human interaction for centuries, and will fearlessly approach you seeking deer crackers if you buy any. Despite being herbivores who are accustomed to people, they can be a bit insistent, especially the males. You will see some flabbergasted tourists backing away from the deer they'd notionally like to feed. Benefit from their example and only have one cracker out at a time, and hold it out calmly! While for many visitors the main attraction will justly be the unique chance to interact with lots of deer, Nara is steeped in history. (Japanese history has a "Nara Period" for a reason!). Of especial note is the Todai-ji temple, an ambitious early project of Japanese Buddhism that houses an enormous bronze Buddha statue that is worth a visit even for those who otherwise are not interested in history. Finally, if you are visiting Nara in the winter months, be sure to try Asuka Nabe! There are many hotpot dishes around the country, but a milk and chicken broth make this one very distinct. Its warming gentle flavor perfectly suits the soothing atmosphere of Nara!

Good morning! The blooms are advancing! What will this week's cold snap do?! Tsukigase Plum Valley Plum Festival February 14, 2026–March 29, 2026

Photographed on January 15, 2014. These are the hanachōzu (flower water basins) at Senba Tōshō-gū.

i took this photo near our house, and I really liked it, so I decided to post it here. It’s my first time using this platform and posting here, so I don’t really know much yet.