Notice of Cruise Ship Arrival🚢 The cruise ship "Westerdam" is coming to Kushiro! Passengers will disembark and enjoy sightseeing in Kushiro. We hope that all citizens will warmly welcome them with a friendly atmosphere😊 As the ship departs, there will be a drum performance by "Kotobuki Kodomo Ezo Taiko" to send them off👋 We look forward to everyone's participation✨ *Parking available for general visitors Date: Tuesday, April 28, Year R8 Arrival: 8:00 AM Departure: 5:00 PM Location: Kushiro Port West No.4 Pier East Side Seawall Local product stalls open from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM Send-off around 4:30 PM #Cruise Ship #Westerdam

Taken on April 22, 2014. I visited Akasaka Hikawa Shrine. I was having a pre-shoot.

Photographed on April 22, 2014. Near the chozuya at Tokyo Daijingu Shrine, azaleas were in bloom. Upon closer inspection, a bee was coming to sip nectar.

"The Illusion of the Boundary" Along the coast, amidst the windbreak forest of pines, a sudden appearance of a glowing pink cluster caught my eye. It looked more like an illusion than beautiful. What kind of flower is it? As I approached slowly, I realized it was not flowers, but a mass of Akamegashiwa leaves. This mysterious scene is etched in my memory.

Life blooming on a green branch. A slender green life stretches from the tip of a broken branch. The roots may leave the earth, and the trunk may lie flat, but the cherry blossoms simply bloom. Quietly, strongly. They give their all to bloom in the 'last spring'.

"Spring's Afterglow" Bathed in the lingering warmth of the setting sun, pink petals that have descended onto the grass shimmer beautifully, though fleetingly. The flare of the afterglow filtering through the lens adds an even more fantastical touch to the scene. In that place where the wind has ceased and silence has arrived, the spring's memory quietly bids farewell to this day.

"Sakura no Se" As spring passes by, it quietly accumulates in the cracks of ancient trees. It resembles the "shallows" created by petals that hurriedly fall. A delicate pink innocence snuggles against the tightly closed darkness. Staying here is also a story in itself. In a place where no one sees its beauty, time quietly watches over.

"Light of the Abyss" The light of late spring embraced by the deep green of ginkgo trees. Captured with an old lens, this light signifies a quiet transition of the seasons.

"Prelude to Departure" The season when dandelions take flight. I waited patiently to capture that moment as they soared on the wind.

The Silence of the Wind West Park, Fukuoka. Water collected at the drinking spot near the summit from the rain that had fallen until this morning. When I peered in, beautiful cherry blossom petals floated on the surface, and in the background, the tree that once bloomed those petals was reflected. I waited for a moment when the strong wind at the summit stopped to press the shutter.

Today I love to recommend a place in Tokyo which is Yushima Tenjin Shrine. Spring in Japan isn't just about enjoying the cherry blossoms, spring begins with the beautiful fragrance of plum blossoms, and you can witness the ume matsuri, or plum festival at Yushima Tenjin Shrine. It is near the Ueno park area and this festival usually held in 1st week of March. Ume lasts much longer than sakura, so its beauty can be enjoyed for a long time. Around 300 plum blossom trees are spread over the temple premises which are visited by many visitors every day. Besides, during this festival, various cultural events are held on the temple ground during the holidays.

【On May 3rd, Yatsugatake, Yamanashi Prefecture: Maria Trinity The Church Bazaar♪🌈】 How about spending a relaxing time surrounded by the great nature of Yatsugatake at the church during Golden Week? A special bazaar held only twice a year 🌈Hokkaido Potato Chips 🌈Hokkaido Beet Sweets 🌈Goods created from prayers 🌈Head Massage 🌈Body Healing 🌈Fortune Telling 🌈Holy Water from the Owl Tree 🌈Hazama Burger crossing boundaries 🌈Chewy Sweets A variety of shops will be lined up✨❣️ Additionally, the venue is equipped with "childcare by certified caregivers" and "nursing spaces," so families with small children can visit with peace of mind. You can also interact with Mary the Sheep and Isaac✨🐏 •*¨*•.¸¸☆*･ﾟ•*¨*•.¸¸☆*･ﾟ•*¨*•.¸¸☆ ◾︎Date: Sunday, May 3, 2026 From 10:00 AM to around 5:00 PM (held rain or shine) ◾︎Location: 6621-1 Nishiide, Ooizumimachi, Hokuto City ◾︎Admission: Free🆓 ◾︎Facilities: 🅿️Parking available, ♿️Barrier-free restrooms, 🍼Nursing space available •*¨*•.¸¸☆*･ﾟ•*¨*•.¸¸☆*･ﾟ•*¨*•.¸¸☆ We look forward to seeing you on the day✨

【May 3rd at Yatsugatake, Yamanashi Prefecture ♪ Maria Trinity The Church Bazaar 🌈】 During Golden Week, why not spend a relaxing time at a church surrounded by the great nature of Yatsugatake? This special bazaar is held only twice a year. 🌈 Hokkaido Potato Chips 🌈 Hokkaido Beet Sweets 🌈 Goods created from prayers 🌈 Head Massage 🌈 Body Healing 🌈 Fortune Telling 🌈 Sacred Water from the Owl Tree 🌈 Hazama Burger that crosses boundaries 🌈 Chewy Sweets Many shops will be lined up! ✨❣️ The venue will also have "Childcare with a Nursery Teacher on Site" and "Nursing Space," so parents with small children can come with peace of mind. You can also interact with Mary the Sheep and Isaac! ✨🐏 •*¨*•.¸¸☆*･ﾟ•*¨*•.¸¸☆*･ﾟ•*¨*•.¸¸☆ ◾︎ Date: Sunday, May 3, 2026 From 10:00 AM to around 5:00 PM (held rain or shine) ◾︎ Location: 6621-1 Nishiide, Ooizumimachi, Hokuto City ◾︎ Admission: Free 🆓 ◾︎ Facilities: 🅿️ Parking available, ♿️ Barrier-free restrooms, 🍼 Nursing space available •*¨*•.¸¸☆*･ﾟ•*¨*•.¸¸☆*･ﾟ•*¨*•.¸¸☆ I look forward to seeing you on the day! ✨

【On May 3rd, Yatsugatake in Yamanashi Prefecture♪ Announcement of Maria Trinity The Church Bazaar🌈】 How about spending a relaxing time surrounded by the great nature of Yatsugatake at the church during the Golden Week? This special bazaar is held only twice a year 🌈 Hokkaido Potato Chips 🌈 Hokkaido Beet Sweets 🌈 Goods created from prayers 🌈 Head Massage 🌈 Body Healing 🌈 Fortune Telling 🌈 Sacred Water from the Owl Tree 🌈 HazamaBurger that crosses boundaries 🌈 Chewy Sweets Many shops will be lined up✨❣️ Additionally, the venue is equipped with "Childcare with Nursery Staff" and "Nursing Space," so parents with small children can visit with peace of mind. You can also interact with Marie the Sheep and Isaac✨🐏 •*¨*•.¸¸☆*･ﾟ•*¨*•.¸¸☆*･ﾟ•*¨*•.¸¸☆ ◾︎ Date: Sunday, May 3rd, 2026 From 10:00 AM to around 5:00 PM (Rain or shine) ◾︎ Location: 6621-1 Nishiide, Ooizumimachi, Hokuto City ◾︎ Admission: Free 🆓 ◾︎ Facilities: 🅿️ Parking available, ♿️ Barrier-free restrooms, 🍼 Nursing space available •*¨*•.¸¸☆*･ﾟ•*¨*•.¸¸☆*･ﾟ•*¨*•.¸¸☆ We look forward to seeing you on the day✨

A quiet moment spent at Kushiro Prince Hotel. The port town stretches out beyond the large window, with the sun slowly setting. This view, known as one of the three great sunsets in the world. Just gazing at it brings a deep sense of tranquility. With the arrival of spring, sunset approaches around 6 PM. I savor the end of the day, which has grown just a little longer. Reservations can be made through the profile URL. ▶Kushiro Prince Hotel https://www.instagram.com/kushiroprincehotel/...

These are the flowers of the spiraea that were blooming in the nearby park. A cluster of many small flowers gathers tightly to form a round, large ball shape, resembling a 'temari' (handball), which is how it got its name.

Introduction of Tsuba from Wakeido Title: Takanoha Mon Chirashi Zu Tsuba Signature: Koyama Motohiro made this, Touryusai Kiyotoshi carved it Bunsei 13th year, Oborotsuki, requested by Arakawa Kougyo Certification: [N.B.T.H.K.] Tokubetsu Hozon Tousougu Size: Length 86.5mm Width 83mm Thickness 4.5mm Period: AD 1830 School: Touryusai school Description This is a tsuba crafted by Koyama Motohiro, the official swordsmith of the Nihonmatsu Domain, with engraving done by Touryusai Kiyotoshi. Koyama Motohiro was the finest swordsmith of the Nihonmatsu Domain, having trained under Kunisada in Sendai and further honing his skills in Edo under Suishinshi Masahide. The Touryusai school traces its origins to Kiyotoshi Tanaka, who was born in Aizu in the first year of the Bunka era and is said to have trained in the Aizu Shōami school during his youth. He honed his skills under Kōno Shunmei when the latter visited Tōhoku, completing a clever style known as the Touryusai school that became popular during the late Edo period. This tsuba is a collaboration between a swordsmith and a metalworker, making it a rare piece.

📍福岡県筑前町 藤の里公園 2026.4.20 A wisteria trellis over 100 years old. There are also white and pink wisteria varieties. 上高場大神宮の境内にある樹齢100年以上の藤 📍福岡県朝倉郡筑前町上高場1784-1 🅿️臨時駐車場あり 出店あり 西鉄バス「栗田」から徒歩約10分

"Mother" Mini Live Keiko Takahashi, known as "Mother" from Nishiokoppe Village. Recently, she held a mini live performance before heading to Tokyo for the finals of the Top Artist Contest.🎆 Ishigaki, who came from Tokoro Town to send her support, and Yanjiro with Kumarobo, along with the Nishiokoppe Uenshiri Taiko Drum Group from Nishiokoppe Village, performed. At the beginning of the live, Mother made her entrance from the back of the audience.🎤 While singing a medley of Linda songs, she walked toward the stage, passing close to the audience gathered that day. She also showcased a real shamisen and a shovel shamisen... She sang "Local Friends*" for the finals of the Top Artist Contest, and her signature song "Mother's Youth is Now" (lyrics and music by Riku Nakanishi). *NHK Hokkaido Hot News Theme song of "Local Friends Stay Diary" With a structure that kept the audience engaged, it was a packed one and a half hours. I thoroughly enjoyed it while taking photos. Mother, please sing your heart out in Tokyo!

Hello! Welcome to Yamanashi Wine Kingdom Sengataki Branch. 😆 This Golden Week, why not take a deep breath and visit us? 🌿 Experience Japan's most beautiful gorge, Shosenkyo. Indulge in the luxury of walking through a tunnel of fresh greenery, away from the hustle and bustle of the city. The approximately 5km promenade features the stunning Senga Falls and a landscape of bizarre rocks and formations that resemble art. ✨ Let's reset both mind and body while enjoying the soothing sounds of water and the negative ions all around us. 😊 Now, at Yamanashi Wine Kingdom Sengataki Branch, we are excited to introduce a perfect wine made from Shine Muscat, just in time for the season. 🍇 We have unique wines like a cloudy Petillant and sparkling wines, as well as our original still wines, all offering the refreshing taste of Shine Muscat. ✨ After being healed by nature, treat yourself to something special. 🍷 If you visit Shosenkyo, be sure to stop by Yamanashi Wine Kingdom Sengataki Branch. We look forward to welcoming you!

Introduction of the Tsuba from Wakeido Title: Kamewari Onkou Tsuba Signature: Gagetsusai Hamano Naochika (Seal) Certification: [N.B.T.H.K.] Tokubetsu Hozon Tousougu Size: Length 72.5mm, Width 68.5mm, Thickness 4mm Period: Late Edo period, around Bunka and Bunsei School: Hamano school Explanation The Hamano school is a prestigious lineage founded by Masazumi, producing notable artisans such as Kizuzui, Naochika, Horie Kousei, and Iwama Masaru. Naochika, known as Seibei, studied under Kizuzui to hone his skills, leaving behind collaborative works with his master. He resided in Kofu, Kai. This work features high relief carving and inlaid color painting on a quarter-inch surface, depicting the scene of Kamewari Onkou. Kamewari Onkou refers to the story of Sima Guang, a politician from the Northern Song dynasty in China, who cleverly saved a friend who had fallen into a water jar during childhood. This tale teaches that a person's life is more precious than a valuable jar, symbolizing the importance of life in temple carvings and festival floats. It is also known as "Sima Onkou's Jar Breaking" or "Breaking the Jar to Save a Child." https://wakeidou.com/pages/705/...

The beach cleanup activity around Wakoto has been successfully completed‼︎ It seems that some participants joined us after checking out Teshikaga Navi✨ May many people safely enjoy the beautiful Wakin Peninsula this year as well🧹🧼

Even on days when spring feels downcast, a fleeting view can be vibrant, lifting my spirits just a little.

On a morning after the rain, the cherry blossoms scattered on the transparent roof of the parking lot appeared to overlap like a multiple exposure, creating a stunning view. Even when the flowers fall, they remain beautiful.

Osaka Station City 3-1-3 Umeda, Kitaku, Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture An oasis space that allows you to experience nature within the city, providing relaxation and rejuvenation. The Healing Garden is located on the 10th floor and the Sky Farm is on the 14th floor... Access is by stairs only! A resting area outside Osaka Station City, located above Osaka Station. You can access it via escalators from the Time-Space Plaza. Being an outdoor plaza, it offers a spacious and open atmosphere. With established resting spaces, you can relax comfortably. The Wind Plaza features a rooftop area with flower beds showcasing "seasonal flowers." The types of flowers change with annual event planning, but the planting and displays generally reflect the seasonal themes.

"Shiokaze Garden" on Kasado Island in Kudamatsu City, Yamaguchi Prefecture, has been trending on social media. I encountered this vibrant spring scene while capturing cherry blossoms for the first time with my new camera. I spotted a single boat coming toward me from the calm waters of the Hiuchi Nada sea, feeling as if it was celebrating the start of a new season and the beginning of my camera journey.

Taken on April 22, 2014. I visited Tokyo Daijingu Shrine. It was around 8:30 in the morning. In the afternoon, I tried facial yoga.

Photographed on March 7, 2014. This is the flower water offering at the omikuji (fortune-telling paper strips) distribution area of Kawagoe Hachimangu Shrine.

A vibrant gift found at Tokiwa Shrine🌹 Even on a cloudy day, seeing this red color somehow makes me feel energized.

Announcement of the 32nd Tokachi Aozora Lady appointment😄 Every year, in conjunction with the opening of Banei Tokachi, a certification and handover ceremony for the Tokachi Aozora Lady is held at Obihiro Ban'ei Racecourse.🎵 This year, the certification and handover ceremony took place on April 17 (Friday). The 32nd Tokachi Aozora Ladies are Chihiro Kiyota and Erina Kato. We appreciate your support!🙏 During the ceremony, bouquets were presented to the 31st Tokachi Aozora Ladies, Nozomi Takahashi and Mayuka Ishizaki, in gratitude for their year of activities💐 Thank you for your hard work‼️ As the first task for the 32nd Tokachi Aozora Lady, on that day, we distributed gifts to visitors at the opening of the Obihiro Racecourse, participated in the ceremony, and finally appeared on "Bansta"❗️ Thank you‼️ Banei Tokachi is a competition where draft horses pull heavy iron sleds, competing in speed and strength‼️ It is held every Saturday, Sunday, and Monday. On April 26 (Sunday), the 20th Banei Tokachi Odds Park Cup❗️ The day will be filled with events! A collaboration event with "Gambling Apocalypse Kaiji" exclusively for visitors! A prize lottery, and a comedy stage featuring impersonations by Yoshimoto comedians will be available for your enjoyment😍 Additionally, in the evening, a show titled "Hanasaku Banei" featuring 500 drones lighting up the night sky will be held (around 21:15)✨✨ Be sure to come and cheer on the powerful draft horses up close🤗 https://tokachibare.jp/about_tokachi/page-55-2/...