To residents and visitors of Higashikawa-cho and surrounding areas On Wednesday, May 28, 2025, a brown bear was sighted along Prefectural Route 1160 (Asahidake Onsen Line). Please exercise extreme caution if you are traveling through or using the nearby area. Date and time: Wednesday, May 28 Location: On the road and near the bridge in front of Daisetsu Asahidake Gensui Park, heading from Prefectural Route 1160 (Asahidake Onsen Line) toward Higashikawa-cho. Number of bears: One (encountered twice) Situation: The bear ran from the T-junction of Prefectural Route 1160 (Asahidake Onsen Line) toward the Asahidake Gensui area. After fleeing into the forested area, it appeared on the road again before running off. We will continue to update with the latest information, so please remain alert. If you spot a bear, please report it immediately to the contact below. Higashikawa Town Agricultural Promotion Division, Forestry and Agriculture Promotion Office TEL 0166-82-2111 (ext. 152) https://reurl.cc/W0ZGYO...

Kussharo Kotan Ainu Museum stands in Kotan on the shores of Lake Kussharo, where Ainu people have lived since ancient times. You can hear the living breath of Ainu life and culture. https://masyuko.or.jp/enjoy/ainu_m_s/...

Today, May 30th, is "Kominka Day"!🏘 Shobara City in Hiroshima Prefecture is blessed with vast nature and retains many traditional wooden houses, ranking third in the nation for kominka preservation. To address vacant-house issues, several renovated inns that evoke the satoyama (rural mountain landscape) by showcasing the buildings' original materials have appeared. setouchi kominka stays hiroshima introduces three houses—chojaya, furousen, and kozako forest—and this time we present a newly renovated inn focused on the outdoors with maximum openness. Its name is kusamura. This is a private-rental tent sauna and an entire kominka available for exclusive use, boasting perhaps the most striking presence in Japan. Housed in a 150-year-old renovated kominka with plenty of outdoor features, one highlight is the BBQ. About a 15-minute drive away, shokusai-kan shobara yume sakura sells Hiba Beef and fresh vegetables, so you can buy ingredients there and bring them for a lively group meal. Second, enjoy a tent sauna that offers a strong sense of privacy for you and your friends. Cooling off outdoors on the engawa (veranda) feels great and provides a unique, deeply relaxing experience. Third, you can have a bonfire. Gather around the flames and enjoy conversation. The sleeping area includes four single beds, one air mattress, and one hammock. The place is equipped with essentials such as a refrigerator, stove, and towels. Happily, pets are allowed, so consider staying with your dog. Please note that guests under junior high school age cannot stay overnight, so be careful when booking. Address: 2765 Kawakitacho, Shobara City, Hiroshima Prefecture Price: From JPY 16,200 per night Reservations: Book via Airbnb or Booking.com Hours: Check-in from 15:00 / Check-out by 11:00

It is "Taiyo-no-Oka Engaru Park" on May 30th. "Renge azalea" is blooming ♪ beautifully The "Moss Phlox" in Moss Phlox Park is in Best time to visit, but the "Moss Phlox" on the other side of the road is still in Best time to visit ♬

Photographed 4/20/25. It is Hanachozu of Kawagoe Hachimangu Shrine.

Photographed 4/20/25. This is Hanatetsu's Hanachozu.

Hello, I’m Minamoto 😃 Shosenkyo Gorge is now in the season when plants thrive and the fresh green leaves dazzle the eye 🌱 A cool breeze and the murmur of clear streams soothe the soul♪ Enjoy the beautiful fresh greenery alongside the gorge’s magnificent scenery! The whole Shosenkyo area is a power spot where your mind and body feel purified! After strolling through Shosenkyo, pass through the torii gate of Kanazakura Shrine in the Takigami area ⛩️ and enjoy shopping and dining along the Suisho Kaido (Crystal Road). Come to Shosenkyo to boost your luck!! Our entire staff looks forward to welcoming you.

Many students are participating in Mt. Takao guide volunteers this year as well! Everyone, please feel free to talk to me.

【Limited Held in】Aged on the seabed!? The "Undersea Wine Tour" will start 🍷🌊 For wine lovers, diving enthusiasts, and curious people who want to experience something a little different. From Hokule'a Shonan, we would like to introduce an exciting new project. It's called the "Undersea Wine Tour"! In fact, it There are a method of Aged wine that is currently attracting worldwide attention. That is "seabed Aged". In the sea, there is little change in temperature, no light reaches it, and it is very quiet. This special environment mellows the taste of the wine and leads to a deeper Traditional Japanese straw raincoat. This time, a special tour with the experience of actually sinking a wine bottle will be held in in June at the shipwreck Spot of "Shobuzawa" in the southeastern part of the Izu Peninsula! Six months to a year later, the wine is pulled from the seabed and becomes one of the perfect bottles 🎄✨ for Christmas and special occasion toasts at the end of the year 🌟 This is the attraction of the tour! The extraordinary and dramatic experience of actually sinking wine to the bottom of the sea You can enjoy both the beautiful waters and wreck dives of Irisawa The luxury of "savoring time" to enjoy a change of wine months later Reliable support with a small number of people. An atmosphere that makes it easy to participate even for the first time * This dive requires AOW (Advanced Open Water) or higher Sense. Sense acquisition is well in time. Why don't you respond to that feeling of "I wanted to try it someday" this summer? 📅 Held in Tuesday, June 17, 2025 * There are capacity, so please contact us as soon as possible. 🌊 The romance of "making wine Aged in the sea". Beautiful seas, the mystery of wrecks, and wines that ripen over time. Everything comes together to create a true "drama of the sea". Would you like to be the protagonist of a new story this summer? 📩 For reservations and inquiries, please feel free to contact Hokule'a Shonan! #UnderwaterWineExperience #OceanAgedWine #DiveIntoTheUnexpected #ShipwreckWineDive #ToastFromTheOcean #HokuleaShonan #DiveJapan #UnforgettableUnderwater #HiddenJapanGems #BucketListDive

Extra Edition: N takamatsu, Kiso District, Nagano Prefecture – “Nezame no Toko” On this day, foodie Kawanishi presents an extra edition‼️ I finally visited Nezame no Toko in Agematsu, Kiso District, a place I’d long wanted to see. Nezame no Toko is counted among Japan’s five great scenic gorges and is designated as a National Scenic Spot!!! Before the Meiji era there were no dams, and the rapids of the Kiso River carved this granite. After dams were built, water diversion lowered the Kiso River’s surface, making the rock formations appear even more massive. It seems the site was designated a National Scenic Spot in 1923 and managed as a prefectural park, and in 2020 it was elevated to part of the Central Alps Quasi-National Park!!! You can enjoy cherry blossoms in spring and autumn leaves in fall—the scenery changes with the seasons. The river’s blue color shows how clear the Kiso River is. Also, surprisingly, there’s an Urashima Taro legend in landlocked Nagano Prefecture!? I’ve been curious about that for a long time. It’s a truly lovely scenic spot and a good workout too! I think you should avoid going right after rain or wearing clothing that hinders movement. I recommend sneakers and clothes you can move easily in!!! Swimming is prohibited, so please be careful. Second-grade elementary school children can make it to Urashima-dō. Why not visit Nezame no Toko with your children to enjoy the beautiful views!? On the way back, I stopped at Michi-no-Eki Hiyoshi Kisokoma Kogen and bought the station’s limited “morokoshi soft-serve” made with milk from Kaida Kogen! A faint, toasty corn aroma spreads through it—this was the most delicious soft-serve I’ve ever tasted!!! Please enjoy it if you can! From time to time, foodie Kawanishi plans to bring you extra editions like this. ◎ Nezame no Toko 📍 Agematsu, Kiso District, Nagano Prefecture ◎ Free parking: Available (check the website below) ◎ Website: https://kiso-hinoki.jp/colibri-wp/tourist/nezamenotoko/...

Notice of suspension of the Oyama Cable Car for scheduled inspections The Oyama Cable Car will suspend operations for scheduled inspections during the following periods. Suspension periods June 2, 2025 (Monday) to June 6, 2025 (Friday), June 9, 2025 (Monday) to June 12, 2025 (Thursday) Closed all day (9 days total) *The cable car will operate as usual on Saturday, June 7 and Sunday, June 8.* For details, please check the official website. https://www.ooyama-cable.co.jp/unkyu202506.html...

June is almost here! Don’t worry about the rainy season — here are weekend events in Shobara City, Hiroshima Prefecture to brighten early summer. 1. Shobara Satoyama Open Garden 2025 Spring Address: Entire area of Shobara City, Hiroshima Prefecture Period: Until Sunday, June 15, 2025 Hours: 10:00–12:00 / 13:00–16:00 Contact: Shobara Flower Conference Office Shobara Tourism Promotion Organization (Shobara DMO) 4-10 Mikkaichicho, Shobara City, Hiroshima Prefecture 727-0021 Inside Satoyama Station Shobara Furari-kan TEL (0824) 75-0173 FAX (0824) 75-0172 From imaginative private gardens to authentic Japanese gardens, this event lets you visit gardens showcasing seasonal blooms. 2. Early Summer Flower Stories — National Bihoku Hillside Park Address: 4-10 Mikkaichicho, Shobara City, Hiroshima Prefecture Period: Saturday, May 31–Sunday, July 6, 2025 Hours: May–June 9:30–17:00, July 9:30–18:00 ※Last admission one hour before closing Closed: Every Monday Fees: Admission: Adults ¥450, Children (junior high and younger) free, Seniors (65+) ¥210 Parking: Regular/compact ¥350, Large vehicles ¥1,200, Motorcycles ¥200 Contact: National Bihoku Hillside Park TEL 0824-72-7000 This year, from mid-May you can enjoy early summer flowers such as roses, sasa-yuri (Japanese bamboo lilies), and hydrangeas, along with events themed around fireflies and Tanabata. 3. 2nd Spring Garden Marche Address: 821-4 Takamachi, Shobara City, Hiroshima Prefecture Date & Time: Saturday, May 31, 2025, 10:00–14:00 Fee: Free admission ※Held rain or shine Contact: Taka Community Promotion Center TEL 0824-72-0935 Food and retail stalls, workshops, and a kids’ corner will be available. A joint stamp rally will take place with Takamachi garden owners! Visit gardens to collect stamps and win lovely prizes. Three Takamachi residences participating in the Shobara Satoyama Open Garden (Tomasu Seji residence, Yoshihide Mikami residence, Yoko Mikami residence) and the Taka Community Promotion Center will run a joint stamp rally. Visitors who tour all participating Takamachi gardens and collect stamps will be entered into a lottery for attractive prizes. Please join us — winners will be drawn later and contacted. 4. 2025 Mt. Azumayama Opening Ceremony Address: Moriwaki, Hiwa Town, Shobara City, Hiroshima Prefecture Date & Time: Sunday, June 1, 2025, 10:00–12:00 ※Cancelled in case of rain Contacts: Hiwa Community Promotion District TEL 0824-85-2600 Bihoku Chamber of Commerce Hiwa Branch TEL 0824-85-2330 Shobara City Hiwa Branch Regional Promotion Office TEL 0824-85-3003 This traditional ceremony prays for summer mountain-climbing safety. Yama-ayu (mountain trout) and drinks will be sold, the first 100 participants can try rice scooping for free, and the first 50 safety-prayer participants will receive a complimentary mountain-cooked meal.

Yatsugatake Trail Maintenance and Tsukumogusa Survey I climbed Yatsugatake for a route inspection, trail maintenance, and tsukumogusa survey ahead of the “Mt. Yokodake Tsukumogusa Hike” scheduled for May 30. The Somae-one Ridge had snow from about 2,400 meters up to just above the observation platform, with depths exceeding 50 cm in places. Many fallen trees, large and small, blocked the route, so I worked my way up cutting them away with a handsaw. Beyond the steep climb, the ridge was once again carpeted with tsukumogusa in full bloom this year.

Overflow at Chinda Falls Resumes Chinda Falls, located in Bungo-Ono, Oita Prefecture on Kyushu. Waterfall flow had been stopped for construction since October 2024, but construction is complete and overflow resumed on May 21, 2025. Further construction will require another temporary stoppage of the waterfall. We will share details as they become available. Please be careful when visiting Chinda Falls for sightseeing. ■Upcoming Construction Schedule Water flow will be stopped again from June onward From September onward, improvement work is scheduled for Chinda Falls Fureai Park (the park will be completely closed during construction) ■About Chinda Falls Chinda Falls consists of the male waterfall spanning the main stream of the Ono River and the female waterfall on the Hirai River tributary. The male waterfall is about 100 meters wide and approximately 20 meters high. The ink-wash painter Sesshū, active during the Muromachi period, visited here and painted "Chinda Waterfall." Remains of a power plant built in the Meiji era also remain. ■■■Access to central Bungo-Ono■■■ 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 20 minute drive from JR Beppu Station in Oita Prefecture About a 1 hour 20 minute drive from JR Yufuin Station in Oita Prefecture ■■■■■■■■■■■■ Introducing sightseeing and recommended spots in Bungo-Ono, Oita Prefecture (Bungo-Ono City) on Kyushu ■■■■■■■■■■■■

In the coastal forests of Wakayama Prefecture, the glowing mushroom Shiino Tomoshibitake emits a fantastic light.

Firefly season has begun.

Photographed 4/20/25. It is Hanachozu of Naritasan Kawagoe Betsuin.

★☆★The 26th Kyushu Tamaire Championship in Morotsuka★☆★ The 26th Kyushu Tamaire Championship will take place at Morotsuka Village Gymnasium on Sunday, June 29. The tournament will be held🌟 “Just a ball toss? Yet not just a ball toss.” The basket you aim for stands over 4 m high😮 Entries are open for the General Division and a Beginner Division for newcomers🔰. ※From 2025 onward there will be no Ladies Division; entrants should register in the General Division. ■Event Schedule Sunday, June 29, 2025 09:30 Opening Ceremony 10:00 Competition Starts 16:00 Expected Finish Venue: Morotsuka Village Gymnasium Participant Parking: Morotsuka Village Sports Park Baseball Field ■Inquiries For tournament matters: Morotsuka Village Board of Education TEL 0982-65-0072 For entry questions: Morotsuka Village Tourism Association TEL 0982-65-0178 ※Entry deadline: Friday, June 13. For applications and details, please check the Kyushu Tamaire Championship page on Morotsuka Navi. We look forward to many entries😊 About the Kyushu Tamaire Championship In 1990, the All Japan Tamaire Association (commonly AJTA) was founded in Wassamu, Hokkaido as a group promoting new sports that anyone can join easily. In 2000, AJTA Kyushu was established here in Morotsuka Village as the Kyushu branch of the All Japan Tamaire Association. Embracing AJTA’s tamaire spirit and promoting exchange with urban areas to revitalize the region, it continues as part of Morotsuka’s community development centered on the whole-village forest park. Today AJTA Kyushu consists of volunteers who cherish the tamaire dream. In addition to running the Kyushu Tamaire Championship (held every summer in Morotsuka Village) as a stepping stone to the national tournament, the association works to popularize this easy-to-learn yet deep tamaire sport as a recreational activity for village residents. About All-Japan Tamaire Rules The competition divides into two divisions, General and Beginner, to compete for the title of Kyushu Tamaire Champion. “All-Japan Tamaire” is a timed race in which teams of four to six players compete to place a total of 100 balls (99 Ajata balls and 1 Anchor ball) into the basket as quickly as possible. AJATA Rules: All-Japan Tamaire Championship Competition Regulations ●Basic Rules “All-Japan Tamaire” is a timed race in which teams of four to six players compete to place a total of 100 balls (99 Ajata balls and 1 Anchor ball) into the basket. 1. Teams must consist of four to six players; lacking even one person results in disqualification. 2. To prevent false starts, players begin facing backward. (Starter gun start) 3. Ajata balls must be placed first; the Anchor ball must be placed last. Placing it earlier causes disqualification. 4. Failing to put all 100 balls in the basket results in disqualification. 5. Using rods or other tools, or tossing from piggyback positions, will result in disqualification. 6. A ball resting on the rim of the basket is counted as safe. If an Anchor ball knocks a ball resting on the basket rim, it is still safe. 7. Anyone other than the players touching the Ajata balls leads to disqualification. 8. Other matters of match operation will be announced at the managers’ meeting. The above rules were officially adopted on April 15, 1996, and partially revised in 2010; all championship tournaments are conducted based on these Ajata rules. ●Participants Number of registered players: up to 8; number competing: 4 to 6 players Gender: mixed or single-gender teams accepted Age: Junior high school age and older (Teams composed only of junior high students are not permitted unless at least one adult participates on the team.) ●Equipment 1. Ajata Court Mark a 6 m diameter Ajata circle with line tape. Position the Ajata basket at the center. 2. Ajata Basket (approved) Height: 4 m 12 cm with steel base (association’s recording site lowest temperature −41.2°C) Basket diameter: 44 cm; depth: 44 cm (association location approx. 44° N) 3. Ajata Balls (approved) Outer fabric cover with resin particle filling • Ajata balls (99)…80 g ±2 g • Anchor ball (1)…250 g ±5 g 4. Ajata Shoes Indoor athletic shoes must be worn.

Photographed on April 18, 25. This is Hanachozu from Hara Flower Shop.

Rokuson King Shrine Kyoto, Kyoto-shi, Minami-ku, Mibu-dori, Hachijokaku The birthplace of the Seiwa Minamoto clan. Dating back to Minamoto no Yoritomo, who opened the Kamakura shogunate, the ancestor Six Grandson King Ōkami eight generations ago is enshrined as the main God of worship, Amaterasu Ōkami is enshrined in the Aiden, and Hachiman Ōkami, the guardian god of the Minamoto clan. As the birthplace of Seiwa Minamoto, the Hoei Festival is held on October 10. Children in the form of priests, demons, and gods with bows and arrows parade around.

Nishi Hongan Temple Kyoto, Kyoto-shi, Shimogyo-ku, Horikawa-dori, Hanaya-cho, Shimoru Hongan Temple The Hongan-Temple is the main temple of the Jodo Shinshu Hongan-Temple sect and is also called Onishi-san (Nishi Hongan Temple). There are historical buildings such as the Precincts registered as a World Cultural Heritage Site, the National Treasures Mikagedo Goeido, Amida Temple, Shoin, and Hiunkaku.

Eastern Temple [Temple][Kyoou Gokokuji] 1 Kujo-cho, Minami-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto It is a World Heritage Site, and the "five-story pagoda" of the Precincts is known as the symbol of Kyoto, "East Temple (Temple Papal Protectorate)". It can be seen from the Shinkansen heading to Kyoto and is close to JR Kyoto Station, so if you visit Kyoto, you will definitely see it. Starting with the five-story pagoda and the Mikagedo, the Precincts are dotted with more than 20,000 national treasures and important cultural properties, and there are a lot of to see.

Local views. The sky changes with the time of day. Favorite color and favorite place. Nara Park is also nearby, so please stop by.

Honganji Dendoin Temple Mission 196 TamaHonmachi, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto Towering over the Monzencho area, which is lined with Buddhist shops, is the Hongan Temple Mission Temple, which is characterized by its red bricks. It was built in 1912 (Meiji 45) (1912) as the office building of a life insurance company, and after serving as a bank and a clinic, it is now a place of educational facilities for monks. It was designed by Chuta Ito, a professor at Tokyo Imperial University, and is made of brick, incorporating various architectural styles such as Indian Islamic style domes and brick walls inspired by British buildings, while also designing Japan architecture with staggered gables made of stone. It's usually non-Open to the public, but the exterior alone is worth seeing.

Shinshu Otani School (Higashi Hongan Temple) Kyoto, Kyoto-shi, Shimogyo-ku, Karasuma-dori, Shichijo Opening and closing times March ~ October 5:50~17:30 November ~ February 6:20~16:30 It is one of the world's largest wooden mountain gates, the Mikagedo Gate, the plaque of the Shinshu Main Shrine on the tower, and the Mikagedo Hall, where the true image of the founder of the sect, Shinran, is enshrinement. It is the main mountain of the Jodo Shinshu "Shinshu Oya School" and is called "Shinshu Main Shrine" and is commonly called "Higashi Hongan Temple". The Mikagedo Goeido is enshrinement with the Goshinnei of the Buddhist ancestor Shinran Saint, and the Amida Hall is with the Amitabha Buddha of the Honzon.

This work was photographed in the evening at Lake Shinji in Shimane Prefecture. Mysteriously edited, brightly.

It was created by collage editing of the confrontation scene between Doctor Yellow, which will end in January 2027, and the Disney Shinkansen, which will end in September 2025. Above is the Fujikawa Railway, and below is near Mt. Ibuki in Shiga Prefecture

Photographed 5/26/25. LEC COFFEE's caramel nut semifreddo and cold yellowtail cream.

Kitsuki Castle A landmark towering over the Castle Town Kitsuki Since its construction in 1394, Kitsuki Castle has watched over this town for 600 years. Although it Castle Keep simulated, the three-tiered Castle Keep towering over the Ruins of the Castle is reminiscent of the appearance of this castle in the past. Built in the early Muromachi period by the Kitsuki clan on Mount Tai at the mouth of the Yasaka River, the castle was surrounded by natural strongholds such as the Takayama River to the north and Morie Bay to the east. While the castle changed its location and shape due to subsequent natural disasters and earthquakes, the castle owners were also replaced by the Maeda, Japanese cedar, and Hosokawa clans, and the Ogasawara and Matsudaira clans finally marked the end of the Edo era, and Kitsuki Castle continues to this day without welcoming a new castle owner. It is said to be important for understanding the actual state of castles in the early Edo period, such as understanding the building composition and structure of the castle before its destruction by the "One Country, One Castle Order" from historical documents and excavation results, and in March 2020, the Ruins of the Castle in the Taishan area and the ruins of the Lord's Palace at the foothills were designated as national historic sites. Some of the stone walls still exist. Today, the top of the mountain is open to the public as Shiroyama Park, and there is also a stone park where valuable stone structures such as the Kunisaki Pagoda found in various parts of the city are exhibited outdoors. At the time of the castle's construction, it was named "Kitsuki", but since it was mistakenly written as "Kitsuki" on the shogunate's shuin stamps, it has been changed to "Kitsuki". It is also known as "Katsuyama Castle" because it withstood the onslaught of the Shimazu for two months. Inside the castle, valuable items such as items related to the lords are on display, and armor, weapons, and Buddhist statues are on display. You can also enjoy dressing up and taking commemorative photos. It is visited by many tourists as the final destination of a walk around the Castle Town, and the superb view from the Castle Keep and the comfort of the wind will be a memory of the trip.

The movie version of the "Detective Conan: Afterimage of the Eyes (Flashback)" exhibition at the Prefectural Hall on the 1st floor of the Nagano Prefectural Office has been remodeled! New exhibits have been 👓 added