A bowl to satisfy both heart and stomach 🍜 Introducing Nagomian, a ramen shop run by an owner who used to be a soba craftsman. The shop name reflects the wish that visitors will relax and take their time. 😊 The interior displays autographs from Carp players, making this a cozy ramen spot that fans visit. Most popular with men is the Miso Vegetable Ramen. Rich miso clings to medium-thick noodles, piled high with vegetables and topped with a large slice of chashu that whets the appetite. You can also request extra back fat and garlic, creating a powerful bowl that will be empty before you know it. 😋 Popular with women is the dashi-forward Kake Chuka. The elegant broth, extracted from bonito flakes and kelp, pairs perfectly with thin noodles. ✨ The soup’s aroma and gentle flavor soak through your whole body. For those wanting a lighter portion, try the Half Chuka. This classic-style chuka soba features a deeply flavored broth that children also love. The owner says nothing motivates them more than hearing “That was delicious” and seeing customers return day after day. “We want our customers to simply enjoy themselves,” and with that in mind, pay attention to the limited-time menus that appear with the seasons and events. Be sure to check the shop’s Instagram for new offerings. ✨ @nagomian_miyoshi Nagomian is a warm shop filled with the owner’s passion—enjoy a thoroughly satisfying bowl. 🍜 Nagomian @nagomian_miyoshi Address: 470-5 Minamihatajiki-cho, Miyoshi City, Hiroshima Prefecture Hours: 11:00–14:30 (Also open 18:00–20:00 on Saturdays and Sundays) Closed: Monday and Tuesday TEL: 0824-63-3839 Parking: Available ※Menu items and prices are as of the time of posting https://www.instagram.com/nagomian_miyoshi/...

【苓北町 町制施行70周年記念ＷＥＢフォトコンテスト結果発表🎊】 「苓北町 町制施行70周年記念ＷＥＢフォトコンテスト」へのたくさんのご応募、誠にありがとうございました。 たくさんの町の風景や魅力を切り取った渾身の一枚を応募いただき、改めて苓北町の良さをアピールする大変素晴らしい機会となりました🙇 合計81点の応募の中でもさらに厳選して以下の受賞者を選定させていただきましたので発表いたします！ 📸【一般の部】高校生以上 グランプリを受賞されたのはニックネーム「2984」さんです！(写真二枚目)タイトルは「玉を追う」、富岡城お城まつりで撮影されたお写真で、「煙を吐きながらの龍踊りは天草独特ではないかと思います。」とエピソードもつけていただきました🎶「2984」さんには後日、賞金1万円と苓北町の特産品5千円相当が贈られます🎁 特選を受賞された方は以下のお二人です👏、賞金3千円と苓北町の特産品5千円相当が贈られます💝 お一人目はニックネーム「そら」さん(写真三枚目）、タイトルは「輝く富岡城」です🏯、お城まつりの際に富岡城で撮影されたお写真で「お城祭りの合間に登ってみました、白壁と青空のコントラストがとてもきれいです。」とエピソードも頂いております！ お二人目はニックネーム「緑と白と紫」さん(写真四枚目）、タイトルは「海の町の子どもたち」です🌊、「力を合わせて頑張る子どもたちとキラキラ光る海、最高の瞬間でした。」とエピソード頂いております🎶 準特選を受賞されたのは以下の4人の方です👏、苓北町の特産品5千円相当が贈られます🎁 お一人目はニックネーム「dスケ」さん(写真五枚目）、タイトルは「富岡城に咲く」です🎆、「夕暮れから夜に変わる碧い空。海面に映る光と、山の上に見える城跡。そこに重なるように打ち上がる大輪の花火。」とエピソードもいただきました👍 お二人目はニックネーム「肘肩頓挫ﾌﾞ郎」さん(写真六枚目）、タイトルは「向月葵」で「毎年見ているじゃっと祭の花火を背景に富岡港にとまる熊本丸を撮りました！」とのことです📸 3人目はニックネーム「まなかん」さん(写真七枚目）、タイトルは「田植え前の水田に写る夕焼け空」で城下で撮られたお写真です。「田んぼに水を張って、田植え前で無風で水面が穏やかで、夕日がキレイな日にしか見られない、何もかもが揃ったときだけに見れる特別な風景です。毎年この風景を見れるのを楽しみにしてます。」とエピソードいただきました🎶 4人目はニックネーム「ありさ」さん(写真八枚目）、タイトルは「ご来光2025」で富岡海域公園展望所で撮影されたお写真です🌅。「毎年この場所で初日の出を拝みます。この光で1年頑張れると言っても過言ではありません。わたしのパワースポットです。」とエピソードいただきました！ 📸【ジュニアの部】小中学生 続いてはジュニアの部の受賞者発表です！ グランプリを受賞されたのはニックネーム「めろんとすいか」さんでタイトルは「賑わうお城まつり」です！(写真九枚目)受賞おめでとうございます🎊 「お城まつり会場で友達と話していた時にふと見た光景」とのことです！受賞された「めろんとすいか」さんには図書カード5千円が贈られます🎁 特選を受賞されたのは以下の2名の方となります👏図書カード3千円が贈られます🎁 お一人目はニックネーム「はる」さん(写真十枚目）、タイトルは「キレイな夕焼け」で国道324号線(坂瀬川)で撮影されたお写真です☀️「塾の帰り、運転してるお母さんの隣に乗ってて、空がきれいだったから撮りました。お母さんから『キレイだね』と言われて嬉しかった。」とエピソードもつけてくれました🎶 お二人目はニックネーム「れお」さん(写真十一枚目）、タイトルは「ゴジラ」で国道324号線(上津深江)で撮影されたお写真です！ 「お母さんの車に乗ってたら、雲が海の方へ向かって歩くゴジラに見えました。」とエピソードも付けてくれました✨ 厳正なる審査の結果、上記皆様の作品が見事入賞となりました。 苓北町の魅力をすばらしい形で表現していただき深く感謝申し上げます！ 今後とも苓北町をよろしくお願いいたします🙇 また「第4回あましんフォトコンテスト」も開催中です！詳細は弊社H Pお知らせ欄をご確認ください📸 🏯【お問い合わせ】苓北じゃっと祭・富岡城お城まつり実行委員会フォトコンテスト係 住所：〒863-2502熊本県天草郡苓北町上津深江4535-2 苓北町商工会内 TEL：0969-37-1244 E-mail：pc@amakusa-kankou.com

I photographed this at a light-up event held at Mamada Hachimangu Shrine in Oyama City, Tochigi Prefecture. The display of wagasa (Japanese paper umbrellas) was usually only shown on sunny weekends and was hard to see, but this time I visited for the first time. The autumn leaves were at their peak, the lighting was just right, and the wagasa stood out beautifully. It was a scene that truly evoked Japan.

In Gyoda City, Saitama Prefecture, local shops and private homes welcome visitors with hanachozu (flower-filled water basins). This time I went to see a light-up event themed “Light of Hope.” At Gyoda Hachiman Shrine, the illuminated hanachozu were beautiful, and the whole shrine was decorated so nicely that I could take photos combining the lights with the autumn leaves.

This photo was taken at Kandokuji Temple on the Naka River in Tochigi Prefecture. Kandokuji is a historic temple with very large, impressive maple trees. This time I photographed Avalokitasvara and the autumn leaves, and it looks as if a tear is falling from Avalokitasvara’s eye. Did the statue feel happy because the leaves turned such splendid colors again this year?

I took these photos at Kinzouin Temple in Sano City, Tochigi Prefecture. Kinzouin is famous for the bright red maples lining its approach. I photographed the Thirteen Buddhas on the temple grounds along with the autumn leaves. Among them, Fudo Myoo felt particularly powerful, so I think these pictures really convey a sense of Japan.

A cluster amaryllis photographed at Onrin-ji Temple in Oramachi, Ōra District, Gunma Prefecture. It was my first visit this year, and the flowers were so beautiful that the area truly lives up to its longtime reputation as the village of cluster amaryllis. Several stone Buddhas stand there, and in one photo one seemed to be saying, “The world is content.”

The "From the Information Desk" section on the Kawayu Onsen website has been updated 📝🆙 "Calm your mind and take a fresh look. Autumn at Kawayu Onsen." has been posted. With poor weather across the prefecture right now, take a breather and have a slow look 👀✨ You may rediscover how to enjoy the healing waters of Kawayu Onsen. https://www.kawayu-onsen.com/feature/autumn/...

Winter is here! Snow has piled up, turning the landscape pure white. This road runs from Mt. Io to Kawayu Onsen town, and it’s beautiful in every season. On clear days, the distant mountains visible in the background stand out sharply. Why not take a winter drive yourself? Of course, snowy roads are dangerous, so put safety first. 🙇‍♂️🚨

Early morning on December 14 at Lake Akanko I quite like the crisp cold — I might even love it.

The ginkgo avenue along Sakuradoori is one of Nagoya's most representative and beautiful street trees in Nagoya City, Aichi Prefecture. The entire street turns a glorious golden hue, creating a striking urban autumn scene. Sakuradoori stretches for several kilometers, but the best view is famously from the pedestrian bridge at Nisshin-mae Crossing (where Sakuradoori meets Fushimi-dori). It is widely known as the prime spot to take in the whole avenue.

The best season to visit Yōki-sō is unquestionably autumn. The maple trees in the garden turn vivid red, creating a striking contrast with the historic buildings; you can enjoy a unique autumn scene where the red of Taisho-era romantic architecture and the red of the maples come together.

Horyuin Temple is close to Higashiyama’s famous autumn foliage sites like Ginkaku-ji Temple, the Philosopher's Path, Anrakuji, and Eikando Temple, yet it sees few tourists; in the early morning you can enjoy quiet moments and even have this painterly gradation of autumn colors all to yourself.

The charm of Horyuin Temple lies in its moss and thatched gate. From the approach, the gradation of autumn colors seen beyond the thatched gate looks like a painting framed by the gate.

The highlight of autumn leaves at Daikakuji is undoubtedly the scenery around Osawa Pond. Around Osawa Pond, Japan’s oldest promenade-style garden, about 700 maple and cherry trees have been planted. At the peak of the fall colors, the pond’s surface becomes a beautiful mirror, vividly reflecting the red and yellow foliage and the vermilion Heart Sutra Pagoda floating on the water. This “water mirror” scene is Daikakuji’s most photogenic sight.

Gionji Temple is famous as a Kyoto spot for autumn leaves not because of the crimson beauty of the trees themselves, but for the way the fallen leaves form a truly red carpet across the moss as they drop.

Today I attended the monthly festival at Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine. I will be able to work in Kawagoe again next year. The practical exam I took in Tokyo last week ended with a disappointing result, but I will do my best again next year. Thank you for your encouragement. 😊

These photos were not taken this year, but they were shot in the Tenryu-ji Temple Garden in Kyoto. I pressed the shutter because I thought the dragonfly's wings reflected on the railing looked beautiful in the sunlight. It reminds me of the lingering heat and the atmosphere as autumn truly begins to arrive.

Photographed on December 12, 2025. This is LEC COFFEE’s Basque cheesecake inspired by tarte Tatin.

Autumn Colors on the Mountain Pass An aerial drone view of Onyu Pass in a sweeping composition. Be moved by the vibrant fall foliage and the winding snake road! Onyu Pass, Takashima City, Shiga Prefecture November 2025

Photo taken on December 12, 2025. This is a caramel latte from LEC COFFEE. It features Christmas tree latte art. 🎄

The autumn colors in Mizumoto park in Tokyo looks amazing during sunrise. The early morning view of the metasequoia forest with the soft sunlight looks amazing. Its a Mystic view. I had an amazing experience during my trip to the Mizumoto park.

Introducing the third installment of our alcohol tourism series 😊 On Saturday, January 17, 2026, we will host “Taste the Terroir (Day Trip): A Wine, Gin, and Beer Tasting Tour with a Choice of Lunch.” At Aizawa Winery, you will tour the vineyards and winery set in expansive nature and learn about the grapes and winemaking traditions nurtured by the Tokachi soil 🎵 At Tokachi Plain Distillery, known for its craft gin, you will observe the distillation process and sample its aromatic gins 😍 The tour concludes with lunch at CAFÉ＆BAR NUPKA 🍴 Pairing three drinks that color the journey—beer, wine, and gin—you will experience Tokachi’s craft alcohol culture with all five senses 🤗 https://tokachibare.jp/sake-museum/news/taxi-tour02-04/...

I went to a scenic spot in Shirahama, Wakayama Prefecture to see the Geminids; the peak is today but the forecast was cloudy, so I went shooting yesterday. I saw eight meteors in one hour. I used a wide-angle lens to cover a large area, so the meteors appear small in the photos, but I was able to capture them.

Gurutto Daffodil Stamp Rally is now underway. A QR stamp rally is currently taking place in Kyonan Town. There are seven stamps placed around the town. Participants who collect all of them will receive a small gift. Guests staying overnight will receive a gift after collecting one stamp. If you collect stamps from 30 participating shops around town and submit your entry, you will receive an original tote bag on the spot (first 200 people). As a second chance, a lottery will award local specialties and other prizes. Small gifts are distributed at Michi-no-Eki Kyonan Information Center (closed December 31 and January 1), Hota Station Tourist Information Center (closed December 31 and January 1), and Michi-no-Eki Hota Elementary School. The event runs until February 1. Entry sheets are available at Hota Station Tourist Information Center and Awakatsuyama Station Tourist Information Center.

Photographed on December 12, 2025. This is LEC COFFEE’s quiche plate. It includes a spinach, shrimp, and bacon quiche, a prosciutto cheese ball and salad, daikon potage, and homemade bread.

“Hikari no Fantasy Kikuchi 2025” is being held at Kikuchi City Furusato Sosei Shimin Hiroba Plaza in Kikuchi City, Kumamoto Prefecture, where it is decorated with illuminations. The highlight is a giant Christmas tree stretching 15 meters in length. The sight of its beautiful lights is breathtaking. Various other illuminations are installed, and the lights paint a magical atmosphere. This event is organized by the Kikuchi Brightening Association together with volunteer citizens who want to brighten and energize Kikuchi City. It grows a little each year and is upgraded annually. Around the venue is Kikuchi Onsen, where you can warm up after the cold. Enjoy the hot springs along with the illuminations. ■Illumination period: Saturday, November 29, 2025 – Friday, January 9, 2026 ■Lighting hours: 6:00 p.m.–10:00 p.m. https://kikuchikanko.ne.jp/archives/featured/fantasy-kikuchi...

Photographed on December 12, 2025. This is Hanatetsu's hanachōzu (flower water basin).

——Guest Review: "I wish I could have stayed a little longer" A journey embraced by the country’s largest caldera lake. Encounter nature, indulge in gourmet food, and enjoy the quiet at night. You can experience all this at Kussharo Prince Hotel. Reservations are available via the profile URL. Instagram https://www.instagram.com/kussharo_ph/...

The Hyotan Festival was held on December 7, 2025, in Chitose-cho, Bungo-Ōno City, Oita Prefecture. Although the festival is properly called the "Shimotsuki Festival," it is commonly known as the "Hyotan Festival," named after the central ceremonial figure, Hyotan-sama. This festival has been handed down for more than 800 years in the Takahata and Shibayama districts of Chitose-cho around Shibayama Hachiman Shrine in Bungo-Ōno City. Hyotan-sama, wearing a long gourd on the head, a large *miki*-filled (sacred sake) gourd suspended from the shoulder, and large straw sandals (*waraji*), is accompanied by a divine horse and lion dancers. Hyotan-sama parades along the approach to the shrine to the calls of "yoisho, yoisho." Hyotan-sama dispenses *miki* from the shoulder-hung gourd to people along the route, praying for good health, protection from illness, and a bountiful harvest. In addition to the procession, lion dances and *kagura* (Shinto ritual dances) are performed. ■■Access to central Bungo-Ōno City from Fukuoka, Kumamoto, etc.■■ From JR Hakata Station (Fukuoka): about a 3-hour drive. From JR Kumamoto Station (Kumamoto): about a 2-hour drive. From JR Beppu Station (Oita): about a 1-hour 20-minute drive. From JR Yufuin Station (Oita): about a 1-hour 20-minute drive. ■■■■■■■■■■■■ Tourist information and recommended spots in Bungo-Ōno City, Oita Prefecture (Kyushu) ■■■■■■■■■■■■