Photographed on January 26, 2014. A cafe latte from cafe andon, an apple pie, and soft-serve ice cream from forest ranch.

Bring in good fortune with Setsubun too!! Introducing February event information ✨ ① Zenkoji Temple Setsubun Festival Invite good fortune at the National Treasure Zenkoji Temple’s “Setsubun Festival”! This year special guests Sakura Inoue, the Shinshu Brave Warriors, and local TV announcers will throw beans. [Date] February 3 (Tuesday) [Schedule] 1:00 PM – Procession from the Niomon Gate with Zenkoji’s kiyari (work chant) leading, entering the main hall together with special guests. Around 1:50 PM – Bean-throwing from the corridor of Zenkoji’s main hall by the two chief priests, the head priest of the temple complex, special guests, men and women born in the current zodiac year, lucky men and women, and the tondo performers. [Contact] Zenkoji Office 026-234-3591 For details, see the Zenkoji website: “Reiwa 8, The 72nd Zenkoji Setsubun Festival—Recruitment of Lucky Men and Women.” ② Akiba Shrine Tsuina Festival (Gondocho) This winter tradition features lively bean-throwing by special guests, men and women born in the current zodiac year, and lucky men and women. The bean-throwing does not overlap with the Zenkoji Setsubun schedule, so please visit both shrine and temple! [Date] February 3 (Tuesday) [Schedule] 3:00 PM – From the west side of the Gondo Arcade, red and blue oni (demons), the god of fortune, and special guests process to Akiba Shrine. 3:30 PM – Tsuina ritual and prayers at Akiba Shrine main hall in Gondocho. Around 4:00 PM – Bean-throwing by special guests, guests, men and women born in the current zodiac year, and lucky men and women. Special Guests Hidemi Sasaki Manabu Shimizu Red oni, blue oni, and the god of fortune appear in the shrine grounds to liven up the bean-throwing. [Inquiries] Akiba Shrine Office 026-232-7013 ③ Nagano Lantern Festival (Nagano Tomyo Matsuri) @jcinagano Zenkoji lit up by illuminations attracts many visitors from across the country. Various events are planned during the festival! A special feature article will be posted later. [Period] February 20 (Friday) – February 23 (Monday, public holiday) [Hours] 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM For details, see the official website or official account. ④ Iizuna Highlands “5th Dzunacchi Festival” @iizunakougen_kankou Packed with kid-friendly events like treasure hunts, rock-paper-scissors with Dzunacchi, and free oshiruko (sweet red bean soup)! [Date] February 11 (Wednesday, public holiday) [Schedule] (subject to change) 11:00 AM–11:30 AM Free oshiruko (200 servings) 11:00 AM–11:30 AM Mini castella distribution 11:00 AM–1:00 PM Free snowshoe trial 11:30 AM–2:00 PM Wooden sledding experience 11:30 AM–12:30 PM Cross-country ski trial (elementary and junior high students) 1:00 PM–1:30 PM Treasure hunt (lots of prizes!) 1:30 PM–2:00 PM Rock-paper-scissors with Dzunacchi For details, see the Iizuna Highlands Tourism Association website or official account. ⑤ Togakushi Ski Field Events @togakushiskifield_official This ski area offers high-quality groomed runs and famously light “magical powder snow.” On weekends, various events entertain both children and adults. [Event Information] February 1 (Sunday) Setsubun Bean Weighing Contest February 7 (Saturday) Duck rescue in the snow?! February 14 (Saturday) Valentine’s chocolate giveaway and rock-paper-scissors with Togakki February 15 (Sunday) Children’s Ski Day – free lift tickets for elementary school children and younger February 21 (Saturday) Snowball Throwing Contest #Setsubun #Zenkoji #Events #Nagano City #Nagano Prefecture #Nagano tourism #Nagano travel #nagano #naganocity

There will be a Valentine’s event in Takamatsu City, Kagawa Prefecture! February 13th–15th (projection mapping) It looks fun in pink🩷

🔴Special Exhibition: “Fenice Sakai × Gashibaru Discovery! Sakai”🔵 🔷〈Encounter the active arm movement in Sakai today—people, things, and happenings〉🌈 ■Dates: Tuesday, February 3, 2026–Thursday, February 19, 2026 ■Hours: 9:00 AM–8:00 PM (last admission 7:30 PM) *Final day only: 9:00 AM–3:00 PM *Closed: Monday, February 16 ■Admission: Free ■Venue: 📍Fenice Sakai (@fenice_sacay) Exchange and Creation Galleria (2-1-1 Okinabashicho, Sakai Ward, Sakai City) ******************************************************* 1. Nostalgic Record Jacket Exhibition💽 From the owner of jazz cafe cafe RVC (Sakai Ward, Sakai City), we present over 30 record jackets that colored the era, centered on jazz, drawn from a collection of more than 3,000 records. 2. My Bookcase📚 From the share-style bookstore HONBAKO (Sakai Ward, Sakai City), lively personalities of “box owners” bring a one-box bookstore—"bookcase"—to the event♪ (Sales on weekends only) Experience building your own "bookcase," enjoy storytelling sessions, and visit the book exchange corner! 3. Visual Artist Yusen Yoneda and the Mansion Midori Renovation Project🎈 Showcasing woodblock prints by Yusen Yoneda, registered with the Sakai City Emerging Artists Bank, and the exchanges between young creators and local residents fostered through activities at Mansion Midori. On February 15, Yusen Yoneda will hold a woodblock print workshop. (Advance registration required; details on the website) 4. Special Exhibit: Large Sheet Metal Roof Ring✨ A large-scale craft art piece—2 m in diameter and weighing 130 kg—previously exhibited at Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, comes to Sakai. Manufactured by Modern Industrial Co., Ltd., supervised by architect Sou Fujimoto. 5. Special Exhibit: Oceano⛓️ An artwork created in Sakai reusing the distinctive exterior ship ropes from the Portugal Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, expressing the sea that connects Portugal and Japan. (By Vanessa Barragan / Owned by Sakai City) ***************************************************** 🔷Fenice Sakai × Gashibaru Collaboration Event This year again, about 80 eateries and shops in the Sakai Higashi area participate in the food and drink festival🍴☕️ Collaborating with the 18th Gashibaru (February 17–20)! ・Gashibaru 🔗https://e-sacai.com/gashi-bar... ***************************************************** 💁For more details 🔗https://www.fenice-sacay.jp/event/33048/... Search “Gashibaru × Fenice Sakai” https://www.sakai-tcb.or.jp/event/detail/850...

“Uchinuki Cosmetics” January New Year Sale — Only a few left!! “Toner made with Uchinuki water from Ehime Saijo” and “Face mask made with Uchinuki water from Ehime Saijo” are 10% off for January only. These limited-time offers make them more affordable, so please take this opportunity to try them. They are available at Saijo City Tourism Exchange Center (798-1 Ōmachi, Saijo City, Ehime Prefecture) and on the Saijo City Tourism & Products Association website, Imadoki Saijo online shop. Nihon System Group Co., Ltd. “Toner made with Uchinuki water from Ehime Saijo (120 ml)” Regular price ¥2,860 (tax included) ⇒ January New Year price ¥2,574 (tax included) “Face mask made with Uchinuki water from Ehime Saijo, 1 sachet (one sheet, 22 ml)” Regular price ¥440 (tax included) ⇒ January New Year price ¥396 (tax included) “Face mask made with Uchinuki water from Ehime Saijo, 1 box (one sheet 22 ml × 7 sachets)” Regular price ¥2,640 (tax included) ⇒ January New Year price ¥2,376 (tax included)

🚨Schedule Change🚨 [Sightsee Hands-Free! Luggage Delivery Service Now Available] From Saturday, January 24 to Sunday, March 1, 2026, Teshikaga Town will operate the 2026 Winter “Teshikaga Eco Passport” town shuttle bus (reservations required in advance) and, during the same period, offer a luggage delivery service called “Sightsee Hands-Free.” This convenient service lets you drop off your bags at a designated location and have them delivered to your pickup point while you freely and lightly explore Teshikaga. You won’t need to carry your luggage yourself, so you can spend all your time and energy on sightseeing. No advance reservation is necessary. Please take advantage of this opportunity. Period Saturday, January 24 to Sunday, March 1, 2026 Fee 1,000 yen (tax included) Luggage size Total of length, width, and height up to 160 cm / weight up to 25 kg *Valuables, fragile items, hazardous materials, precision instruments, and frozen or refrigerated goods cannot be accepted. Drop-off locations and hours A: JR Mashu Station 8:30–11:30 B: JR Kawayu-Onsen Station 8:30–12:00 C: Kawayu Onsen Town Hotel until 11:00 (Kawayu Kanko Hotel, KKR Kawayu, Oyado Kinkiyu Annex Suikazura) *Please note that the C reception hours have changed. Pickup locations and hours A: JR Mashu Station 15:00–16:30 B: JR Kawayu-Onsen Station 14:00–17:00 C: Kawayu Onsen Town Hotel from 13:30 onward (Kawayu Kanko Hotel, KKR Kawayu, Oyado Kinkiyu Annex Suikazura) ________________________________________ Use it like a coin locker—no delivery! Luggage storage only We also offer a luggage-only storage service that acts like a coin locker without delivery. Use it as needed to suit your schedule. Fee: 700 yen (tax included) A: JR Mashu Station 8:30–16:30 B: JR Kawayu-Onsen Station 8:30–17:00 Inquiries Mashu Tourism Association (General Incorporated Association) 015-482-2200 Reception hours 9:00–17:00 on weekdays masyu_as@peace.ocn.ne.jp

We will begin operating the 2026 winter “Teshikaga Eco Passport” town sightseeing bus (advance reservation required) and start a luggage delivery service! Here is the 2026 winter schedule for the Mashu–Kussharo Sightseeing Loop Bus, which visits the main scenic spots within Teshikagacho. The loop bus ticket, called the “Teshikaga Eco Passport,” is available again this year as a 2-day or 3-day pass. Please make an advance reservation and make use of it. It’s recommended for those who are uneasy about driving or who want to enjoy sightseeing in Teshikaga easily. For details, see Teshikaga Navi. Service period Saturday, January 24, 2026–Sunday, March 1, 2026 Fees Adult (おとな) Child (こども) 2-day pass (2days) 2,000 yen 1,000 yen 3-day pass (3days) 3,000 yen 1,000 yen Contact Mashu Lake Tourism Association 3-3-1 Mashu 3-chome, Teshikagacho, Kawakami District, Hokkaido 088-3201 TEL: 015-482-2200 Email: masyu_as@peace.ocn.ne.jp https://www.masyuko.or.jp/news/2025winterecopassport/...

This is Taiyogaoka Metasequoia Namiki Avenue in Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture. A snowy tree-lined path, seen under a clear sky. The metasequoias in their snowy scenery. It was simply beautiful. 💕(୨୧❛ᴗ❛)📷 🌲❄️☀️

“Demons Are Jumping Out of Mokumu!” The displays inside Forest Museum “Mokumu” have been refreshed. February means one thing: Setsubun! A demon’s hand bursts out from the wall, creating the kind of tension that seems ready to grab visiting children!! A giant ehomaki (lucky-direction sushi roll) hangs down above the entrance to the wooden amusement park. This year, it’s said to be best eaten facing slightly south of south-southeast. The demon-themed Setoushi-kun masks scattered on the pillars are adorable too. - SASAKI Craft Exhibition Now On! - Forest Museum “Mokumu” Winter opening hours: 10:00–16:30 Last admission accepted until 16:10 Admission fees: 500 yen for high school students and older 300 yen for 4th–6th graders and middle school students 100 yen for ages 3 through 3rd grade elementary school Free for children under 3 #Forest Museum #in-gallery displays #February 3 #Demons

Photographed on January 26, 2014. This is an apple pie from cafe andon and soft-serve ice cream from forest ranch.

Matsumoto Castle

Late autumn in Kamikochi

Yatsugatake Plateau Nobeyama

New Year at Hida Nagareha Ski Area

"Aranami Festa" Cancellation Notice We regret to inform you that "Aranami Festa," scheduled for Saturday, January 31 and Sunday, February 1, has been cancelled due to heavy snowfall causing transportation disruptions and out of concern for everyone's safety. We apologize for the inconvenience to visitors who were looking forward to the event and to all staff and partners involved, and we ask for your understanding and acceptance.

Shinhodaka Ropeway

Hakuba Village

Kurobe Dam Observation Deck

Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route

Happo-one

MtKitahotaka

Early winter in Kamikochi

Jigokudani Yaen-koen monkeys A place famous for monkeys bathing in hot springs A monkey gazing at the hot spring amid falling snow A sense of melancholy lingered.

Around Lake Sakuma the white ume blossoms are reaching their peak. It’s a chance to admire daffodils, white ume, and the Raito Sakura all at once. Come and see them. #Chiba Prefecture#Sakuma Dam Lake Waterside Park#white ume#Raito Sakura#Daffodil Village

Photographed on January 26, 2014. This is cafe andon's avocado and shrimp hot sandwich set. When your workplace environment changes, it can be quite challenging. 😅

Staying at Kussharo Prince Hotel, you'll hear the calls of whooper swans on Lake Kussharo in the morning. In cold beyond −10°C, the crackle of firewood echoes from the fireplace. Listen to the clear lake surface and the quietly spreading sounds along the shore. This stay turns a silence you can only feel here into sound. 📍Kussharo Prince Hotel https://www.instagram.com/kussharo_ph/...