From Sakai: A refreshing scent of green yuzu fills the air at the “Yuzukaralin Cafe” — A collaboration cafe between SAKAINOMA and Yuzukaralin — SAKAINOMA cafe and hotel Kuma (Sakai City, Osaka Prefecture) will host a special event, Yuzukaralin Cafe, in collaboration with the Kochi Prefecture yuzu-based seasoning brand Yuzukaralin for five days only, from Saturday, January 10 to Wednesday, January 14, 2026. We will offer lunch menus, sweets, and drinks that make the most of the green yuzu’s fragrance, gentle acidity, and the faint spiciness unique to Yuzukaralin. 🔍For more details, search “SAKAINOMA and Yuzukaralin collaboration cafe”! https://sakainoma.jp//

Oagata Shrine "ooagata jinja" Miyayama 3, Inuyama City, Aichi Prefecture This shrine enshrines Oagata no Okami, the ancestral deity of Owari land reclamation. The present shrine buildings were rebuilt in Kanbun 1 (1661) by Tokugawa Mitsutomo, the second lord of the Owari Domain, and they faithfully convey the architectural style known as Owari-zukuri. In particular, the main sanctuary—composed of three connected structures and called Oagata-zukuri—features a distinctive design and is designated as an Important Cultural Property of Japan. On the shrine grounds, Hime no Miya enshrines Tamayorihime and is revered as a guardian for safe childbirth and for women.

【🎍2025→2026 Year‑End and New Year Edition🎍】 Here is information about the year‑end and New Year holiday opening days and hours for Miyoshi City’s tourist spots and major facilities. Check them out! ◼︎Miyoshi Tourist Information Center Address: Tokaichiminami 1‑chome 2‑23, Miyoshi City Closed for the holidays: December 29 (Mon)–January 3 (Sat) Hours: 8:45–17:15 ◼︎Genso Okuda · Sayume Art Museum Address: 10453‑6 Higashi Sakaya Town, Miyoshi City Closed for the holidays: December 26 (Fri)–January 1 (Thu) Hours: 9:30–17:00 (last admission 16:30) ◼︎Yumoto Koichi Memorial Museum of Japanese Yokai (Miyoshi Mononoke Museum) Address: 1691‑4 Miyoshi Town, Miyoshi City Closed for the holidays: December 26 (Fri)–January 1 (Thu) Hours: 9:30–17:00 (last admission 16:30) ◼︎Hiroshima Miyoshi Winery Address: 10445‑3 Higashi Sakaya Town, Miyoshi City Closed for the holidays: December 29 (Mon)–January 1 (Thu) Hours: 9:30–17:30 ◼︎Torette Miyoshi Address: 10438 Higashi Sakaya Town, Miyoshi City Closed for the holidays: January 1 (Thu)–January 4 (Sun) Hours: 9:00–17:00 — check notes! Note: The buffet restaurant is closed on December 30 (Tue) and December 31 (Wed) ◼︎Miyoshi Mori no Pokke Address: 456‑2 Higashi Sakaya Town, Miyoshi City Closed for the holidays: December 29 (Mon)–January 3 (Sat) Hours: 9:30–16:00 (weekends and holidays 9:30–16:10) ◼︎Roadside Station Yumeland Funo Address: 661‑1 Shimofuno, Funo Town, Miyoshi City Closed for the holidays: January 1 (Thu)–January 3 (Sat) Hours: 9:00–16:00 — check notes! Note: The farmers’ market (vegetable market) is open until the morning of December 30 (Tue) The shop is open until the morning of December 31 (Wed) Regular hours resume from January 4 (Sun) ◼︎Kumita Onsen Mori no Izumi Address: 311‑3 Izumiyoshida, Kimitamachi, Miyoshi City Hours: 10:00–20:30 (last admission 20:00) Closed for the holidays: December 30 (Tue) ◼︎Foleo Miyoshi Plaza Address: 1‑1‑10 Tokaichi Naka, Miyoshi City, Hiroshima Prefecture Closed for the holidays: January 1 (Thu)–January 2 (Fri) Hours: 9:00–22:00 Holiday hours: December 31 (Wed) 9:00–20:00 January 1 (Thu) and January 2 (Fri) closed January 3 (Sat) 10:00–20:00 Regular hours resume from January 4 (Sun) ◼︎Sangreen Miyoshi Address: 4‑1‑30 Tokaichi Higashi, Miyoshi City Closed for the holidays: January 1 (Wed) Holiday hours: December 31 (Wed) 9:30–18:00 January 1 (Thu) closed January 2 (Fri) and January 3 (Sat) 10:00–18:00 Regular hours resume from January 4 (Sun) Note: Dakko Room Miyoshi (Miyoshi City Childcare Support Center) is open until noon on December 28 (Sun) for year‑end and reopens from 10:00 on January 4 (Sat) for the New Year Enjoy Miyoshi City during the year‑end and New Year holidays♪

Tagata Shrine 152 Tagatacho, Komaki City, Aichi Prefecture Located in Komaki City, Aichi Prefecture, this shrine is believed to bring blessings for a bountiful harvest and prosperous descendants. The annual Hounen Festival, held on March 15 each year, is known as the "spectacular festival of the nation." During this festival, a mikoshi carries a large phallic-shaped object called the oowasegata to pray for abundant harvests and the prosperity of future generations.

Photographed on December 20, 2025. This is the TATSUMI special from Udon Tatsumi. I’m touring tasty spots. 😊

138 Winter Illumination - 138 Tower Park | National Kiso San-river Park Komyoji Aza Urasaki 21-3, Ichinomiya City, Aichi Prefecture Saturday, November 15, 2025 – Wednesday, December 25, 2025 Friday, January 2, 2026 – Sunday, January 4, 2026 Lighting hours 17:00–21:00 The illumination at 138 Tower Park, set within the spacious National Kiso San-river Park along the scenic Kiso River, is enchanting and beautiful. The park during the day is also perfect for family outings, and it’s great that admission is free.

Kiyosumi-dera Asahi ga Mori First Sunrise around 6:44 The earliest place on the mainland to view the first sunrise is MtKiyosumi. Across Japan, the first places to greet the sun are ranked: 1st Chichijima – Mt. Yamaake, 2nd Hachijo – MtHachijofuji, 3rd Mount Fuji summit, and 4th MtKiyosumi. Excluding remote islands, MtKiyosumi is the practical place to witness the earliest sunrise in the country. 31st Houon-kyou at the temple hall (open to the general congregation) 7:30 AM 31st Mizugyo-shiki in the precincts (open to the general congregation) 11:00 PM 31st Joya no Kane Guests, overnight worshipers, and the general public ringing the bell 11:30 PM (distribution of vouchers for overnight guests) New Year’s Day New Year’s prayer service and first-ranked prayer at the Main Hall (for those who applied for prayers only) 12:10 AM New Year’s Day Departure for sunrise viewing at Kiyosumi-dera Asahi ga Mori First sunrise Taiko chant (conducted within the temple grounds) 6:30 AM New Year’s Day Morning service at the temple hall (overnight worshipers and the general public may attend) 7:30 AM Special blessing prayers accepted from New Year’s Day through the 7th Kiyosumi-dera Temple approach bamboo lantern installation 31st–3rd From dusk until dawn Fifty lanterns set up by Kiyosumi area residents 322-1 Kiyosumi, Kamogawa City

Photographed on December 20, 2025. This is Chabudai's morning set. It includes pumpkin soup, salad, carrot rêve (carrot salad), potato salad, and homemade bread. The bread is freshly baked and delicious.

Make 2026 a great year! Here is information on visiting Zenkoji Temple during the New Year holidays ✨ 〈If you want to look this up later, don’t forget to tap the “save” icon!〉 1. Crowd forecasts for the New Year period For New Year visits, please refer to the live camera feed and New Year crowd forecasts on the Zenkoji Temple website before you come. The midnight visit on New Year’s Eve and the first three days of the year are expected to be especially crowded. The least busy times are early morning or evening. 2. About transportation Some traffic restrictions will be in effect during the New Year period. If you come by car, please check the Zenkoji Temple website before your visit. Also note that some parking lots will be unavailable during this period. 3. New Year event schedule Chohai Shiki (Morning Worship Service) January 1, 1:00 AM Shusho-e (New Year Memorial Service) January 1–3, daily at 11:00 AM and 3:00 PM Binzuru Mawashi (Binzuru Rotating Ritual) January 6, 7:00 PM Nanakusa-e (Seven Herbs Ceremony) January 7, 3:00 AM Goinmon Chodai (Receiving the Goinmon Seal) January 7–15, daily from 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM ※For details, please see the Zenkoji Temple website #Zenkoji Temple #Hatsumode #New Year holidays #Nagano City #Nagano Prefecture #Nagano sightseeing #Nagano travel #nagano #naganocity

Powder Snow Safari♪ A driven snowmobile experience with a driver, unique to the heavy-snow area of Nayoro City. This plan lets even beginners enjoy an authentic course as you ride forest roads and snowfields accessible only with a professional snowmobile guide, heading for the summit of MtPiyashiri at an elevation of 987.1 m. At the summit, you can witness a rare plant community cloaked in ice and snow, creating a spectacular snow monster landscape—an invaluable scenic experience. Prices changed starting December 2025. For details and reservations, contact N-GATEWAY or the NPO Nayoro Tourism and Town Development Association.

Would you like to try a glass fishing float with netting experience? This glass fishing float with netting is ideal as a single-flower vase and makes a great room decoration. ★ Glass Fishing Float with Netting Experience ★ (Reservation required) Location: Kitamae Senshu-no Yakata,Ukon-ke 　　　　 Fukui Prefecture, Nanjo District, Minami-Echizen Town, Kono 2-15 Price: ¥1,400 per person Participants: 1–5 people (please consult us for groups of more than 5) Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes Reservation: Please make a reservation at the Ukonke Museum (Kitamaebune Archives Center) at least one week in advance. 　　　　TEL: 0778-48-2196 https://www.minamiechizen.com/en/spot/19168/...

It's the Devil's Banquet! Scary masks, bone plates, and shadowy staging. Yet the star is a little devil holding a spoon with a smile. Tonight only, fear becomes a feast. Photo location: home

December 24th From JR Ōito Line hotaka station, MtJonen in the Northern Alps looked beautiful On clear days, you can see the snow‑covered Northern Alps from the train window Enjoy the view through the window as you stop by Azumino♪

It’s an autumn-clear day over Osaka Bay, with a view from Iwaya Beach on Awaji Island. The blue sea and the distant Mount Rokko haze in blue, and the gentle sound of fishing boats drifts pleasantly across a quiet, peaceful afternoon.

Under the autumn sky, a small back runs with all its might. Cheering and smiles overflow at the once-a-year sports day. May this moment become an irreplaceable memory.

While wandering around Tamba City in Hyogo Prefecture in search of autumn leaves, I came across this late-autumn scene. I bet the birds find it understatedly beautiful too.

Winter haze over the waters off Kobe Airport. A large crane ship looked small in the distance.

A few years ago, around this same season, I visited Tamura Shrine in Kagawa Prefecture to pay my respects. This shrine was not only the highest-ranking shrine in old Sanuki Province, it is also the place of worship for Hotei among the Sanuki Seven Lucky Gods, often drawing many people who come to pray for improved fortune. Beside the temizuya, a stack of special “mizu-uranai” fortune papers sat waiting. I was told that if you place the paper in water, the fortune slowly appears—mysterious and richly ceremonial. The most striking sight was the vermilion, continuous torii pathway. In the center of the path stood a huge Sanuki lion head. Its gold-and-red lion face, solemn and ornate, symbolizes the local lion dance and vividly expresses the region’s character. Since it was the year’s end, local people gathered old amulets and dolls in one spot to be taken to the shrine for a doll memorial ritual. That careful farewell to old items and the feelings they carried made the visit more than a tour of historic sites; it let me feel the local warmth and the community’s respect for tradition.

Merry Christmas! Have you already made plans for the New Year? Many facilities will be closed for the New Year holidays, so please check each shop’s and facility’s opening hours before you visit. We apologize for any inconvenience and thank you for your understanding. Also, the Uwajima Bullfighting New Year Tournament will take place on January 2. Advance tickets are on sale online and via FamilyMart Tickets! Please come and join us.

Kopi: Introduction Video to Nishiokoppe Village [1] - The introduction video to Nishiokoppe Village has been released ① - Kopi is active as a singer, actor, and influencer. Following last year, Kopi visited Nishiokoppe Village again this year! Over a one-night, two-day stay, she toured many spots in Nishiokoppe Village and introduced them to viewers 🏃🏃🏃 The Experience Farm, where visitors can stay long-term while taking part in agricultural activities, Forest Park, where you can play at a batting center and go-karts, the village’s only supermarket Q Mart, Tao Shoten, where you can buy venison and bear meat sourced within the village, Okhotsk Musical Instrument Industry Co., Ltd., which manufactures electric guitar bodies, GA.KOPPER, a guest house renovated from a wooden junior high school that closed down, and Roadside Station Nishiokoppe Kamu, where you can enjoy a flower park. In a roughly 30-minute video, all of these are tightly packed together ✨ For more on Okhotsk Musical Instrument Industry Co., Ltd., watch the upcoming YouTube video featuring Mayu Kondo or Kopi’s past videos to see detailed manufacturing processes 👀 Fans of Kopi won’t want to miss her cooking scenes. Don’t miss how she enjoys Nishiokoppe venison and Kouei beef! Watching the video will make you want to eat it 🤤 Kopi braved the cold of Hokkaido in October to convey the experience. Thank you, Kopi, for visiting Nishiokoppe Village! #Settlement promotion #Introduction video #Kopi #Influencer #Actor #Eat #Stay

Photographed on December 20, 2025. This is Chabudai-san’s chai. I noticed it at the Tea Festival and visited for the first time.

Merry Christmas! 🎅✨ How are you spending this Christmas? Hiroshima Prefecture’s largest illumination event, Bihoku Illumination, is now underway at National Bihoku Hillside Park 🎄💞 An installation art collective called Mirror Baller, known for creating spaces of light and reflection, presents artworks themed around “Dream,” filling the winter park with magical light and sound. Enjoy a photogenic, moving experience. Last year Mirror Baller occupied a paid special area; this year they are free to enter. 🌟Event details here🔽 https://www.shobara-info.com/event/5326... 🌟Recommended articles🔽 [2025 Updated] Pair the National Bihoku Hillside Park illumination with delicious on-site gourmet treats! https://www.shobara-info.com/report/5380...

This was also taken in the garden of Nezu Museum in Tokyo Metropolis. I was simply capturing an ordinary scene at my feet, but when I look closely I find each natural color beautiful. The colors increase in autumn, which makes me feel that even more.

This photo was taken in the garden of Nezu Museum in Tokyo Metropolis. I captured this shot because the shimmering reflection of the autumn leaves on the water looked beautiful.

Photographed on December 20, 2025. This is a Christmas-themed hanachōzu (floating flower water basin) at Naritasan Kawagoe Betsuin. 🎄

Start the New Year with events! Here’s what’s happening in January✨ 〈If you want to look back later, don’t forget to tap the save icon!〉 1. Togakushi Dondoyaki Festival Fireworks launched over the slope will glitter in the clear winter night sky. Sweet sake, red-and-white rice cakes, and good-luck rice cakes will also be served. Date: Saturday, January 17 Schedule: Torch procession departs 19:20 Dondoyaki sacred ritual begins 19:40 Torch procession arrives 19:40 Yagura lighting Togakushi drum performance Grand fireworks on the snow Location: Togakushi Ski Resort Chusha Slope *For details, see the Togakushi Tourism Association website* 2. Go-inmon Chodai (Receiving the Sacred Seal) This ceremony presses the three-seal treasure stamp—said to be a fragment of the Zenkoji Buddha—against worshippers’ heads. Receiving the sacred seal is believed to grant fulfillment of wishes and rebirth in paradise. Period: Wednesday, January 7 to Thursday, January 15 Hours: From around 9:00 until the evening Venue: Zenkoji Temple *For details, see the Zenkoji Temple website* 3. Shiroyama Zoo New Year Event @johyamazoo From New Year’s Day you can meet the 2026 zodiac horse and many other animals! Enjoy the popular New Year “Morumoru Line” and the sale of 20 limited lucky bags. Dates: Thursday, January 1 to Sunday, January 4, 2026 Time: 9:00–16:30 Venue: Shiroyama Zoo *For details, see the official website* 4. Chausuyama Zoo New Year Event @chausuyamazoo Celebrate the New Year with a variety of animals! Enjoy feeding experiences, osechi (New Year’s food) giveaways, animal interactions, photo opportunities, lucky bag sales, and more. Dates: Thursday, January 1 to Saturday, January 3, 2026 Time: 10:00–16:00 (last entry 15:30) Venue: Chausuyama Zoo *For details, see the official website* 5. Zenkoji Omotesando Illumination Zenkoji Omotesando and the area in front of Nagano Station will be magically lit by illuminations✨ Period: Saturday, November 15 to Monday, February 23, 2026 Hours: 17:00–22:00 Location: Zenkoji Omotesando (Nagano Station Intersection to Zenkoji Intersection) #Nagano City events #Nagano events #Event information #Nagano City #Nagano Prefecture #Nagano tourism #Nagano travel #nagano #naganocity

Reusing the Portugal Pavilion ropes! Presenting the artwork "Oceano"✨ The Portuguese artist Vanessa Barragan created the artwork Oceano and is exhibiting it together with the ropes from the Portugal Pavilion. The piece was made in Sakai City starting in late October, and its production process was opened to the public in November. Oceano was crafted in Sakai using ropes from the Portugal Pavilion and expresses the sea that connects Portugal and Japan. It will serve as a legacy of exchange between Portugal and Sakai for the future. ○ The sea that connects Portugal and Sakai Inspired by the Portugal Pavilion, ropes are displayed from the ceiling! Two works produced in Sakai City on display! 🗓️ January 6 (Tue)–January 11 (Sun) ⏰ 10:00–17:00 (last admission 16:30) 📍 Higashi Cultural Hall (Hall Building) Gallery 🔍 For details, search "Sakai City Expo Legacy"! https://www.city.sakai.lg.jp/kanko/bunka/art_kanrenjigyo/expo_legacy/SpecialExhibition_Portugal.html...

Yamanaka Tunnel, registered as part of the Japan Heritage "Railways Across the Sea: Miracles of Tracks Connecting to the World." This brick tunnel makes for a charming, retro photo spot. It’s recommended not only for railway and tunnel enthusiasts but also for photography lovers!

Hello 😃 This is Yamanashi Wine Kingdom Senga Falls Store. As Christmas approaches, the town fills with sparkle and warmth in this season. One place to visit in the crisp winter air is Shosenkyo Gorge, a scenic treasure of Yamanashi Prefecture. Steep rock formations and ravine beauty stretch through Shosenkyo, known as one of Japan’s premier gorges. In winter, its quiet and pristine beauty soothes the spirit. Located deep within the gorge, Senga Falls is the signature waterfall of Shosenkyo. The roughly 30-meter drop roaring down the rock face makes a powerful sight, and in the cold winter air the spray feels even more magical. If you’re lucky, frost will coat the rocks, letting you enjoy nature’s own winter artwork. For a special moment with someone dear before Christmas, consider visiting Shosenkyo and Senga Falls to be wrapped in nature’s grandeur and silence. They will help you weave a memorable winter experience. At Yamanashi Wine Kingdom Senga Falls Store, we carry many wines 🍷 recommended for Christmas and the New Year. Please find your favorite bottle with us.♪ We also offer rich grape juice 🍇 and pure peach juice 🍑 for children and those who do not drink alcohol. With the year drawing to a close, we look forward to welcoming you from the bottom of our hearts.