Taken on April 4, 2014. This is Homarezakura and Shuyu along the Shingashi River, behind Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine.

I visited Osaka Prefecture and Expo Commemoration Park. The cherry blossoms, canola flowers, and tulips in the Japanese-style garden against the blue sky were beautiful in spring colors, and everyone visiting seemed to be having a great time. The Tower of the Sun also shouted, 'Art is an explosion!' (I don't really know though...)

The Tomoe River, flowing through the center of Tochigi City, is famous for its koi nobori (carp streamers). When I visited at the end of March, they were already swimming in the spring breeze.

Event Announcement📣 On May 3rd (Sunday), the "3-Hour Endurance Cycle Race in Sarabetsu" will be held😊 Let's enjoy the first bicycle endurance race of spring on the international circuit of Tokachi Speedway🎵 Challenge yourself to see how many laps you can complete in 3 hours, testing your limits and the bonds of your team‼ You can participate with road bikes, sports cycles, or even regular mom bikes🚲🚲 We look forward to your entries as you create memories during Golden Week🤗 📍Location: Tokachi Speedway (Sarabetsu) 📍Application Deadline: Until April 20th ◆About Entry ①Team (2-3 members) using a timing baton method ⇒ a) Mens (Men only) / b) Ladys (Women only) / c) Mix (Mixed gender) ⇒ Entry fee 9,000 yen (per team) ②Solo (individual) participation is also OK ⇒ d) Expert (Expert) / e) Men (General Men) / f) Lady (General Women) ⇒ Entry fee 7,000 yen (e) General Men / (f) General Women ⇒ Entry fee 6,500 yen (d) Expert JCF/HCF registered participants (please include registration number on the application form) ③Enjoy (& Cosplay) Class ⇒ g) Enjoy (for those who want to enjoy the cycle race regardless of ranking, 1-3 members) ⇒ Entry fee 6,000 yen (no awards will be given) *Please note that during the event, there will be an additional facility entry fee of 1,000 yen for each participant aged high school and above at Tokachi Speedway (free for middle school students and younger). For applications and details, please check the Tokachi Cycle Network website. http://tokachicyclenetwork.blog.fc2.com/blog-entry-145.html...

Tsubosaka-dera Temple's Sakura Daibutsu April 4, 2026 It was rainy, so there were reflections. This time, parking at Tsubosaka-dera was completely reservation-based, eliminating traffic, and we were able to smoothly reach the parking lot at the reserved time.

Photographed on April 1, 2014. Behind Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine, Honozakura and Funayuu on the Shingashi River.

Matsuyama Castle in Matsuyama City, Ehime Prefecture An airplane takes off just behind Matsuyama Castle, where cherry blossoms bloom in spring. The Seto Inland Sea spreads out behind, creating a beautiful moment.

[Late April] The sacred tree of Kanazakura Shrine, “Kanazakura,” is in full bloom 🌼 An announcement from Shosenkyo’s local mascot, Shosencat 🐱 Kanazakura Shrine is a deeply mystical shrine often called a power spot. The shrine’s sacred tree, Kanazakura, has long been famous in folk songs as the “money-bearing tree, Kanazakura” 😳 People say that if you worship the cherry blossoms at this season and receive a crystal charm, you will be blessed with good fortune for life ♪ Wanting money? You should definitely come, okay? Come to Shosenkyo for a spring or Golden Week outing! We’ll be waiting!

Photographed today, Wednesday, April 8: the wisteria at san remo park. There are white and purple wisteria trellises; the white is in full bloom while the purple has just begun to open. The azaleas are also coloring up, so please take a look if you are nearby. san remo park Address / Wadahaminamicho (next to Atami Port)

Cherry blossom update to help plan your hanami this week! Photographed April 7–8. 1. Pilgrimage Cherry of Shobu (Shobu) An estimated 700-year-old Edo-higan cherry tree. This impressive giant reaches about 18.2 m in height and is well worth seeing! Its name is said to come from its location along an old road connecting Koichi’s ferry crossing to the Togakushi area. Bloom status: Half bloom ( photographed April 7 ) Location: 3991 Kobu, Shobu, Nagano City 2. Korinji Temple A weeping cherry about 300 years old stands here, along with some Somei-yoshino cherry trees. Many visitors photograph the splendid tree and the temple. Bloom status: Full bloom ( photographed April 8 ) Location: 2329 ShinonoiKomatsubara, Nagano City Parking: Available 3. Matsushiro Castle Ruins Matsushiro Castle, once home to the Sanada clan, features around 100 cherry trees that beautifully enhance the late-Edo castle grounds. Cherry light-up: April 4 (Sat)–April 13 (Mon), 18:00–21:00 Bloom status: Full bloom ( photographed April 8 ) Location: 44 Matsushiro, Matsudaimachi, Nagano City Parking: Available Municipal Tonnocho Tourist Parking: 7 large buses, 50 cars, 2 accessible spaces Matsushiro Castle North Parking (north side, 5-minute walk): 10 large buses, 60 cars, 2 accessible spaces 4. Kawanakajima Battlefield Historic Park This is the famous battlefield where Takeda Shingen and Uesugi Kenshin clashed. About 100 Somei-yoshino cherry trees make this a great spot for hanami. Cherry light-up: After bloom until April 11 (Sat), 18:00–21:00 Bloom status: Full bloom ( photographed April 8 ) Location: 1384-1 Kojimada, Nagano City Parking: Available (Park parking is expected to be crowded. Please refrain from parking without permission at nearby facilities.) 5. Shiroyama Park Located east of Zenkoji Temple, this premier cherry-viewing spot in Nagano City features about 470 Somei-yoshino trees. The cherry tunnel at full bloom is stunning. Bloom status: Full bloom ( photographed April 8 ) Location: Hakoshimizu, Nagano City Parking: Available Parking 1: 155 spaces, Parking 2: 123 spaces, Parking 3: 155 spaces Parking fee: 100 yen up to 20 minutes, then 100 yen added every 20 minutes With a Nagano City childcare passport, park and zoo users get up to 2 hours free 6. Sakura Dote (Arcs) Along the Saikawa near Arcs, about 60 Somei-yoshino cherry trees line the riverbank. Bloom status: Full bloom ( photographed April 8 ) Location: Arcs 1-32, Nagano City, Nagano Prefecture (Arcs address) 7. Unjoden Hall Around the cherry slope and scenic roads that lead from behind Zenkoji Temple to Unjoden Hall, about 650 cherry trees bloom in profusion. Perched on a hill, the site offers panoramic views of the city. Bloom status: Full bloom ( photographed April 8 ) Location: 1775 Hakoshimizu 3-chome, Nagano City Parking: Available Visit the Nagano Tourism net web page for ongoing cherry blossom updates in Nagano City! Use it as a reference for your hanami plans. #cherry blossoms #hanami #bloom #Nagano City #Nagano tourism

Introduction of Supporting Companies – The 15th Teshikaga Photo Contest The winning entries of the 15th Teshikaga Photo Contest have been announced, and prizes were presented to each winner. This Teshikaga Photo Contest is held with the cooperation of businesses in Teshikaga. On the official Teshikaga Navi Instagram, we will gradually introduce the sponsoring companies that have supported the contest. (In no particular order) This time we introduce Soba Dokoro Fukuzumi‼︎📝Teshikaga Navi carries a wide range of information, so please take a look✨Thank you very much to Soba Dokoro Fukuzumi for supporting this event🙇❣️ We appreciate your continued support for the Teshikaga Photo Contest and for Teshikaga Navi. https://www.masyuko.or.jp/news/photocon_r08/...

Azumino Cherry Blossom Update Jikkasegi Irrigation Canal running through Azumino The cherry trees blooming along its riverbank are in full bloom The Yamabiko Bicycle Path runs right beside it, so you can enjoy a walk while viewing the blossoms 🚶‍♀️ or a leisurely bike ride 🚴!! This spot is near Toyoshina Nanbu General Park♪

Azumino cherry blossom update The popular Azumino sightseeing spot, Jitensha Hiroba, is in full bloom A trio of cherry blossoms, moss phlox, and fresh green leaves Mt. Jonen in the Northern Alps was partly shrouded in clouds, with the summit briefly visible

The large parking lot at Daio Wasabi Farm in Azumino There was a puddle, so I looked in… and the Northern Alps were perfectly reflected!!

Photographed on April 1, 2014. This is Homarezakura along the Shingashi River, behind Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine.

A trout farm landscape in Azumino Using spring water from the Northern Alps, cold-water fish farming—most notably Shinshu salmon—thrives here There are fish pens everywhere, and the fish are swimming energetically!!

Why not enjoy spring in Oozora-cho again this year?😊 This year’s Shibazakura Festival is scheduled from Sunday, May 3 to Sunday, May 31. Events will be held every Sunday, so be sure to check them out! The scenery turns pink as far as the eye can see—come and see it for yourself! For details on blooming conditions and more, please check Shibazakura Park’s website and social media.🌸

Kijozetsukyo Gorge in Tanabe City is known locally as a famous spot for cherry blossoms. In the rain, I drove along the gorge hoping to photograph the lingering cherry blossoms entwined with rising mist. I shot in the rain, and I believe I encountered the scenery I had hoped for.

Photographed on March 25, 2014. This is Homarezakura by the Shingashi River behind Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine.

Photographed on April 1, 2014. Behind Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine, Honozakura and boat rides on the Shingashi River.

Event Announcement 📣 On Sunday, April 26th we will hold a one-day special cycling event across Horoka Pass, which links Lake Shikaribetsu and Lake Nukabira 😊 There are two starting points—Lake Shikaribetsu side and NukabiraGensenkyo side—so you can choose according to your level 🚴‍♀️ 1) From Lake Shikaribetsu (for beginner to intermediate riders) 14 km to the summit, 200 m elevation gain, and a gentle climb. Enjoy the relaxed beauty of the national park 🎵 2) From NukabiraGensenkyo (for those who like climbing) 8 km to the summit, 500 m elevation gain, with a series of steep slopes. The sense of accomplishment is unbeatable 🎶 Ride through the early-spring Taisetsuzan on your bike‼ We sincerely look forward to your entry 🤗 For registration and details, please check the Tokachi Cycle Network website. 📍Horoka Pass is part of the National Cycle Route Tokapuchi 400 🚵🚵‍♂️🚵‍♂️ http://tokachicyclenetwork.blog.fc2.com/blog-entry-144.html...

The cherry blossoms in Bujo are at their best. Depending on the weather, I expect they will be enjoyable through the end of this week. Please do visit. Elsewhere across the city, trees are also in full bloom. Bujo Park 793-0035 Fukutake, Saijo City, Ehime Prefecture

Cherry blossoms are in full bloom in Awara City, Fukui Prefecture. The red of the torii and the pink of the blossoms create a scene you can only see now. I stopped on my way home from Kanatsu Elementary School. The cherry trees along Arata-zaka formed a beautiful tunnel again this year.

I rode the Matsukawa sightseeing boat in Toyama Prefecture. The weather wasn't great, but when cherry blossom petals floated on the water and the boat slipped under a bridge, the scene looked like a painting. At one moment, a plane took off between two stretches of cherry trees, creating a surreal view that made me snap a photo without thinking. I hope I can take the ride again next year when the weather is nicer.

The Mongolian Folk Museum, with its larger-than-life mounted Mongol Warrior outside, is one of the surprises of the Sea of Japan coast. Inside, visitors can go inside yurts that accurately recreate nomadic life, see a variety of historical artifacts, and even try on Mongolian folk clothing inspired costumes. It is fun to have your picture taken wearing exotic and luxurious feeling clothing, and the pictures make for good memories! Hands-on activities, such as playing nomad instruments, are also available. Children may especially enjoy crafting a toy sheep out of Mongolian wool. They look like adorable little puffs! A reading corner featuring children's books with a Mongolian setting is also available. Adults may get more enjoyment out of the displays of weapons and historical insights, but there are cute crafts available as souvenirs that anyone can enjoy. Interestingly, the museum also has a look at the region's own local history, offering insight into daily life for the average resident, as well as a broader look at the region's history as a hub of silk manufacturing and its subsequent decline. The collapse of the silk industry and the attendant emigration from the Sea of Japan coast is a seldom-told story, and finding it in a Mongolian Folk History Museum is a surprise, to be sure, but a welcome one.

Local TV Introduces New Village Residents At Nishiokoppe Village Hall there is a department responsible for the village network and IT equipment setup. They also handle event filming and produce a TV program broadcast only within the village. Its name is NCN. They call it that using the initials of Nishiokoppe Communication Network. I hadn't had many chances to visit the production site, but on April 1st I was able to attend the filming introducing new residents who started using municipal facilities this fiscal year. In Nishiokoppe Village, every newcomer is asked to give about a one-minute self-introduction, and those videos are broadcast on the village TV program. (I was filmed soon after I became a villager, too.) When you open the door marked "Studio," you find a room fully equipped for filming. New residents sit in front of the cameras and lights and talk about why they came to Nishiokoppe Village and their hobbies. That day several shoots overlapped, and three cameras surrounded the staff operating a video camera—a shoot full of cameras. NCN airs the same content for one week from Thursday through the following Wednesday. Not only in villagers' homes, but you can actually watch it in guest rooms at Hotel Rimu as well. You can also request and view past footage, so the broadcast helps people look back on their children's growth. When a large group gathers at someone's house, a nostalgic viewing party can suddenly start with footage from those days, which is always fun. Please continue to film around the village! #Village TV Broadcast #NCN #New Resident Introductions #TV Filming

Photographed on April 1, 2014. These are Homarezakura cherry trees along the Shingashi River behind Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine. Cherry blossom showers were swirling. 🌸

⚠️Notice of Road Closure Harris Trail is closed due to a landslide and has been inaccessible since April 6. The reopening date is undecided. We apologize for the inconvenience and appreciate your understanding.

Spring Has Arrived This is a view of Suijin Shrine from the back. It looked beautiful no matter which angle I saw it from~~♪

Peeking at Spring I took a quick peek at the cherry blossoms on Nakasu, a short walk from Suijin Shrine.