Oita Prefecture is a place we love and visit with family at least twice a year.
On November 16, when the autumn colors began, we took our second leisurely walk through Fujikawachi Valley in Saiki City.
We enjoyed the lower stream for about an hour and a half.
My top recommendation, Oketsu Valley, is best seen from the bridge reached by car.
I was captivated by the beautifully eroded water channels and took many photos.
At the time I didn’t notice the light coming from the sky, and I was truly surprised when I checked the album.
It was likely a shutter moment measured in seconds.
It felt as if a goddess briefly and secretly appeared, and—though audaciously—I captured her on my phone.
So overcome with happiness, I decided to post this.
Tomorrow is my birthday, and my family will celebrate at our favorite inn in Beppu Onsen.
I am deeply moved by this early gift from the heavens.

The fire festival at Ōnakao Rice Terraces, with 260 years of history. On autumn nights, the terraces glow orange as flames transform the landscape into a dreamlike scene.
Chosen as one of Japan’s Top 100 Terraced Rice Fields, this site offers the flicker and shadowplay of fire—an effect no electric light can reproduce.
Stars and the moon shine in the night sky, and the surrounding silence deepens the sense of being somewhere extraordinary.

Visitors can immerse themselves in the warmth of the fire and the crisp autumn air, experiencing the season’s night with all five senses.

Night at Kanazawa Hakkei

Recharge your body and soul with one of the world’s three greatest sunsets.

In Hokkaido’s Kushiro, enjoy canoeing and food-walking,
and indulge in luxurious, delightful gourmet experiences.

On nature walks, you may spot long-tailed tit and other wildlife.

After a day of full enjoyment,
treat yourself to a sky-given reward time at Kushiro Prince Hotel. 🌇

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Recharge with Kushiro’s sunset —
one of the world’s three great sunsets.


After a day full of discoveries,
from canoeing and gourmet delights
to encounters with wildlife,

slow down, raise your glass,
and let the light do the rest. 🌇


@kushiroprincehotel
For reservations and details, visit the profile URL.
https://www.princehotels.co.jp/kushiro/experience/

Photographed on November 15, 2025.
This is the hanachozu (flower water basin) at Kawagoe Hachimangu Shrine.

Photographed on November 15, 2025.
After the monthly ceremony at Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine, I relaxed at Starbucks Kawagoe Kanetsuki-dori Store.
I had a gingerbread latte and a white chocolate macadamia donut.

A silhouette of a whooper swan bathed in the setting sun.

Some birds use it as a stopover before flying further south in Japan, but many spend the winter in Hokkaido.

At sunrise and sunset, the river glows gold as they land on the water or take flight, creating a truly beautiful sight.

Ana Kōbō (穴弘法), Toki City, Gifu Prefecture

I visited to attend the Autumn Leaves Festival.

Got the shot at Oidaira Park!


Waiting since early morning.

A light morning haze — perfect for the shot!

Photographing the waterfall with maple leaves.


Oidaira Park, Toyota City 2025/11/15

Raise your glass to the Hokkaido sky from the top‑floor restaurant.
Among the world’s three greatest sunsets.

A glass stained by the sunset
gently lights the end of your journey.

Spend a moment that soothes the heart
at Kushiro Prince Hotel.🌇

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Raise your glass to the Hokkaido sky.
Where every sunset becomes a memory to keep. ✨

Let the golden light fade gently,
and feel peace settle over your journey.

Here in Kushiro, home to one of the world’s three great sunsets,
the evening sky tells stories seen only once.

At Kushiro Prince Hotel,
every moment shines in your memory. 🌅

@kushiroprincehotel
Please make reservations and see details from the profile URL.

https://www.princehotels.co.jp/kushiro/restaurant/top_kushiro/

Gifu Seiryu Satoyama Park (Japan Showa Village)
2292-1 Yamanouecho, Minokamo City, Gifu Prefecture
Right off the Tokai Kanjo Expressway at Mino-Kamo IC, Gifu Seiryu Satoyama Park is rich in nature...

This hands-on theme park recreates Japan’s satoyama landscape. Alongside nostalgic scenery and traditional lifestyles, families can spend a full day enjoying the athletic adventure course.
Admission is free. Free parking is available: 2,000 cars and 40 large buses.
※The bathing facility Satoyama no Yu can also be used without leaving the expressway...

Shops are closed on weekdays!
Weekends and holidays are packed with events.

The Gifu Seiryu Satoyama Park illumination runs for a limited time. Lights are on from 6:00 PM to 8:30 PM in October, and from 5:15 PM to 8:30 PM in November.

Please check the website for details.

The curtain at Tomakomai Civic Auditorium, which will close at the end of March next year, was donated in 1968 by Oji Paper Co., Ltd.'s Tomakomai Factory.
The curtain, depicting Mt. Tarumae, Tomakomai Port, and the Oji Paper factory, holds many memories for Tomakomai residents from stage performances, choir contests, and other events.

Flower Park Konan

Oirichouisshiki, Konan City, Aichi Prefecture
Admission Free
Parking Free (about 559 cars, 11 buses)

Opening hours and other details may change. Please check the official website or official accounts for facility rules and the latest information.
Flower Park Konan is a national park of flowers and greenery along the Kiso River in Konan City, Aichi Prefecture. It is part of the National Kiso San-river Park and is known for its beautiful seasonal blooms.
Please note that pets are not allowed on the lawns or playground equipment.
Pets are permitted on the walkways, so you can walk with them, but owners must always clean up their pets’ waste.
Please confirm on the official website.

9:00 AM on November 14, 2025
Mount Fuji and autumn foliage from Koyodai, Narusawamura, Yamanashi Prefecture
I wanted to see the colors spreading from the mountain’s vast base up to its summit!
Waking up early to go was worth it!

Manabi no Mori Promenade
10-4 Nakahibaricho, Kakamigahara City, Gifu Prefecture
Parking: 153 spaces (free for up to 3 hours)
A tree-lined path of ginkgo and metasequoia stretches for about 300 meters. In autumn, the ginkgo row turns yellow, offering beautiful fall foliage. From mid-December to early February, about 200,000 LED bulbs light up in an illumination display.

These are grandfathers and grandmothers collecting ginkgo nuts.
You may pick up ginkgo nuts and take them home (River Park Division, which manages Manabi no Mori at Kakamigahara City Hall).
There’s no problem if individuals take them home for personal use—commercial use is not allowed.
However, as for taste and quality, well… it’s hard to say— they might not be very tasty.
At this time of year, many ginkgo nuts fall onto the sidewalks,
and stepping on them causes a strong unpleasant smell.
So they said they actually appreciate people picking them up—
that was the general nuance of what they mentioned.

Grand Front Osaka GRAND WISH CHRISTMAS 2025
(Gran Wish Christmas 2025)
Event Period
November 6, 2025 (Thursday) to December 25, 2025 (Thursday)
Event Hours
The main Christmas tree lighting show runs on weekdays from 4:00 p.m. to midnight and on weekends and holidays from 3:00 p.m. to midnight

The area around Umekita Plaza in front of JR Osaka Station, the Zelkova tree-lined street, and the ginkgo tree-lined avenue will glow in champagne gold with a record-setting approximately 480,000 LED lights. Also not to be missed is the illuminated ginkgo avenue between Grand Green Osaka and Grand Front Osaka, which began in 2024. The illumination is powered by renewable energy sourced in line with RE100, and energy-saving LED bulbs are used to support sustainability. Lights are on daily from 5:00 p.m. to midnight.

I attended the monthly ceremony at Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine.
Today is Shichi-Go-San.

This year’s Halloween Garden at Tokachi Hills in Makubetsu, Hokkaido.
The scenes from the garden.

Photographed on November 10, 2025.
This is Hanatetsu's hanachōzu (flower water basin).

A small worshipper I met at Kusubian Kannonji Temple, the 20th site I visited on the Kawachi Saigoku 33-temple pilgrimage.

Treat your Christmas Eve to an extraordinary cake.
From Kushiro Prince Hotel, here are our limited-time Christmas sweets.
Enjoy gentle sweetness made with Hokkaido ingredients and the refined taste of our hotel-made creations.



🎂 Noel Blanc
Made with fresh Hokkaido cream. This elegant cake is lightly sweetened to let the strawberry flavor shine.
¥5,300 (tax included)


🍫 Entremet Chocolat
Moist cocoa sponge wrapped in chocolate and decorated with macarons.
Notes of orange and toasted almond unfold with each bite.
¥5,200 (tax included)


🧀 Noel Fromage
Generously made with Hokkaido fromage blanc.
A smooth cheesecake accented with a berry jelly.
¥5,500 (tax included)


🍎 Holly Apple Wreath
An apple pie filled with plenty of apples and fragrant cinnamon.
Finished with glossy apricot jam to brighten your table.
¥4,500 (tax included)


🎁 Reservations now open
📅 Reservation deadline: Thursday, December 18
📦 Pickup: Tuesday, December 23 to Thursday, December 25
📍 Top of Kushiro (17F) / 9:00 A.M. – 6:00 P.M.

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Instagram
🍰 For reservations and details, visit the link in our profile
@kushiroprincehotel
https://www.princehotels.co.jp/kushiro/plan/top_kushiro/christmascake2025/

Autumn colors at Hoshoji Temple in Kiyokawamachi, Bungoono City, Oita Prefecture, Kyushu.
This little-known spot lets you enjoy the fall foliage at a relaxed pace during the daytime.
Each year, the local community lights up the temple for about a week.
At night, the illuminated leaves and their reflections create a beautiful scene.
The gradient from green to red is stunning, inviting you to lose track of time as you watch.

Location: Hoshoji Temple (1639 Udaeda, Kiyokawamachi, Bungoono City)
Parking: Available

About Hoshoji Temple
Hoshoji is an esteemed ancient temple with more than 800 years of history.
Nicknamed “Colorful Hoshoji” and “Hoshoji in Autumn,” it bursts into vivid hues during the fall.
During the event period, the light-up adds a dreamlike atmosphere that captivates visitors.

SHINTOKU SHUTTLE BUS
Shintoku Shuttle Bus

—A shuttle bus linking the Shintoku town area and the Sahoro area—

A free shuttle runs from Shintoku Station to the Sahoro Resort Area
and from the Sahoro Resort Area back to Shintoku Station.
Buses are available 🚌

Service runs nine times a day every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday.

After skiing or snowboarding,
why not relax with a spa or the Tokachi sauna at Sahoro Resort,
or enjoy the resort at Club Med Sahoro Hokkaido?

If you’re staying in the Sahoro Resort Area,
you can shop in Shintoku Town,
stop by a cafe, or visit local restaurants, izakaya, and bars.💡

SHINTOKU SHUTTLE BUS
How will you use it?

◇ From Thursday, December 4, 2025
to Thursday, February 26, 2026
◆ Running every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday during this period
※ No service on December 30 and January 1–3 for the New Year holidays
◇ Departures and arrivals at Shintoku Station
※ Daytime services run to Sahoro Ski Resort
Night services turn back at Club Med Sahoro Hokkaido

2025–2026 season
Enjoy all the fun Shintoku Town has to offer 🏂⛷️🛷⛸️❄️⛄️🏔️

Isehara Autumn Foliage Report — November 14, 2025
Here is today’s update on autumn colors in Isehara.

The ginkgo row at Sports Park has turned even more vibrant.
Some areas remain green, so it will take a little longer for all the trees to turn fully yellow.

On Ooyama, the leaves around Afuri Shrine and Oyama Temple are gradually approaching peak color.
Autumn foliage will be illuminated on Ooyama at night.
For the schedule and details, please see the Tourist Association’s special site.
https://isehara-kanko.com/autumn-lightup/

The foliage season is expected to be very crowded with many visitors.
Please take care when you visit.

Breaking news! The Balloon Boarding Area Information Desk opens in Daisen Park!

A new tourist information desk, the Balloon Boarding Area Information Desk, opens at 10:00 AM on Saturday, November 15, inside Daisen Park, the gateway to the Mozu-Furuichi Kofun Group World Heritage site!

Located next to the Balloon Boarding Area (Osaka Sakai Balloon), the desk provides information on park facilities and attractions throughout Sakai City. Shoppers can also find traditional crafts like tenugui and original balloon-themed souvenirs!

We also handle balloon ride reservations, so please stop by when you board.

📍 Location: Balloon boarding area, south side of Dora Pond in Daisen Park
(Mozu Yumachi 2-chome, Sakai Ward, Sakai City)
⏰ Hours: 10:00–18:00, open daily

🔍 For details and the latest updates, search “Sakai Tourist Guide”!
https://www.sakai-tcb.or.jp/news/detail/20251113142727

Bathed in autumn light
A colorful cosmos field and an arched bridge glowing in the sunset.
Through the eyes of a little traveler, we capture the warmth and beauty of Japan’s autumn.
It’s a treasured moment where autumn’s gentleness meets a child’s innocence.

The "From the Information Desk" section on the Kawayu Onsen website has been updated📝🆙

We report on the Kawayu Marche held on Saturday, October 18, and the light-up of MtAtosanupuri. Please take a look♨️✨
https://www.kawayu-onsen.com/feature/814/

Rokkanon-Miike Pond is a cobalt-blue volcanic lake in Kirishima, said to be the most beautiful there.
The trees reflected on the water looked like they were on fire, creating an indescribable beauty.
In the third year of Tentoku, a monk named Seisho (Shoku) visited to train. While reciting the Lotus Sutra by the shore, a white-haired old man appeared and said, "I am Yamato Takeru, and I live on this mountain as a swan." Seisho carved six Kannon statues and built a shrine by the pond to enshrine them.
When he turned around, there stood the white-haired old man…!!!

Photographed in Ebino City, Miyazaki Prefecture.

It is a hina doll that is displayed in the Hinamatsuri with Kitamae Senshu-no Yakata,Ukon-ke.
You may be able to see it if you go to Ukon-ke around March 3rd!