●Lotus Leaf Ice on the Kushiro River● On the Kushiro River today, many lotus leaf ice floes were drifting. This phenomenon occurs when several conditions line up, so you might not see it at certain times of day, and finding it always brings a smile☺ It feels like I’ve seen more of it this year than usual. You’re more likely to spot it on cold mornings. You might see it around Nusamai Bridge, Kusuri Bridge, and Asahi Bridge. The beautiful scenery makes the cold disappear‼ Enjoy the magical winter of Kushiro in February to the fullest✨

Ice Fishing for Pond Smelt: This season has ended. To protect pond smelt resources, we closed the MemanbetsuKohan ice fishing for pond smelt on Wednesday, February 11. Although the season was shorter than usual, we sincerely thank everyone who visited this season. We look forward to your continued support next season!

A chilly 1°C yet unusually warm for Akanko in February in the early morning It was cloudy, but that very cloudiness made the scene—snow and the dark-looking conifer forest—resemble an ink-wash painting as I walked across the surface of Lake Akan Today was warmer than yesterday daytime, so the lake ice softened and water rose in places; for safety we altered part of the route and ended the tour 30 minutes early, but everyone enjoyed Akanko’s nature You can reserve the early-morning walking tour from the URL below 　　↓ https://ja.kushiro-lakeakan.com/things_to_do/19977/... *Because this winter has been mild, please understand that, depending on lake ice conditions and for safety reasons, the tour route or tour end time may change.

NHK’s documentary "72 Hours" featured the Wada Area’s Kokuyo no Mizu Hiroba✨ What is Kokuyo no Mizu Hiroba…? The mountain range around Wada Pass underwent repeated volcanic activity between 800,000 and 1.4 million years ago. Highly fluid lava layered with andesite and rhyolite formed obsidian, it is said. Rain that falls on the surrounding forest is filtered through this obsidian bedrock and becomes spring water. This spring water, named "Kokuyo no Mizu," is drawn to the plaza. Because it is ultra-soft water with high purity, it is also characterized by being slow to spoil. About Kokuyo no Mizu [Nagawamachi Tourism Association website] https://www.nagawa.info/facility-spot/1962/... Address: Wadananokura, Wada, Nagawamachi, Chiisagata District, Nagano Prefecture

Photographed on February 11, 2014. After the Kigen Festival at Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine, I relaxed at the Starbucks Kanetsuki‑dōri Store. I had a chocolate mousse latte and a chocolate babka. It was very cold yesterday. 🥶

[Bear Soap] The other day I went to Nishiokoppe Guesthouse GA.KOPPER for dinner. A friend had come to visit the village, so I joined them at the table. On the way out, something in the entrance showcase caught my eye. I had seen GA.KOPPER’s products many times before, but I had never bought the bear soap. In winter my skin gets dry, and I’ve been especially bothered by itchy backs of my hands and fingertips, so when I heard it helps prevent rough skin I decided to try the soap. - This soap is made by blending oil from brown bears living in Nishiokoppe Village with Sakhalin fir (Abies sachalinensis) leaf oil from Shimokawacho and peppermint oil from Takinoue Town. The guesthouse owner Asano, who is a hunter, provided the bear oil from a bear he personally shot. Bears and deer are often labeled pests because they damage crops and forests, but seen another way, these animals are a resource for Nishiokoppe Village. Although processing is demanding (it takes a lot of time and effort), their pelts, meat, oil, antlers and other parts can be put to good use. Among these, bear oil has long been used by the Ainu people as a panacea. They say it soothes cracked fingertips, dry lips and burned skin when applied topically. Soap made from such oil leaves the skin feeling moist after washing and resists that tight, dry feeling. It’s recommended for handwashing and facial cleansing. A bear balm is also on sale, so if you’re curious visit GA.KOPPER or check their online shop. https://gakopper.base.shop// Note that staff may be absent during the day, so we recommend contacting GA.KOPPER before your visit. - By the way, the bear soap is manufactured by SORRYKOUBOU, a cosmetics maker in Shimokawacho. SORRYKOUBOU’s cosmetics are considerate of skin and body and are made from herbs they cultivate and wild plants that grow locally. - It’s truly heartening that, close to home, there are natural ingredients that care for your skin and people who make them. #GAKOPPER #Bear Soap #SORRYKOUBOU #Skincare

Winter haze over the Akashi Strait. In winter the Akashi Strait looks like an ink-wash painting, with Awaji Island and the great Akashi Kaikyo Bridge shrouded in mist.

Every February I go to Kushiro to see red-crowned cranes and the SL Winter Shitsugen train. The courtship dance of the red-crowned cranes, especially visible at the feeding grounds in Kushiro Shitsugen, reaches its peak in February. In the harsh winter snowfields I was able to see the males and females leap and spread their wings in a courtship dance that truly looks like dancing once again this year.

Layering feelings on a single plate. We engage with ingredients and finish each dish with care. The chef delivers each creation with heartfelt devotion. Reservations are available via the profile URL. https://www.instagram.com/kushiroprincehotel/...

Today I attended the Kigen-sai at Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine. Kigen-sai is a festival that celebrates the accession of Emperor Jimmu, considered Japan’s first emperor, in 660 BC.

Perfect for walking! Enjoy breathtaking scenery. Perfect for walking! Enjoy breathtaking scenery. Search for "Kyukamura Setouchi Toyo walking course" "Search for walking routes KYUKAMURA Setouchi Toyo"

Event Announcement📣 On Saturday, February 14th, Roadside Station Ashoro Galaxy Hall 21 hosts "Wood Candle Night 2026" 😊 The day features wood education workshops such as ogacolor and deer-hide leather craft, plus a wooden toy corner where visitors can touch, play with, and make wooden items 🎵 You can also enjoy a food area, chocolate fondue with toasted marshmallows and strawberries, a collaboration café by Coffee Zamaya and an antique shop, and a mini concert by the duo Liricamente 😍 On this sacred night—Valentine’s Day—come to Roadside Station Ashoro Galaxy Hall lit by ice candles and illuminations 🤗 ❤️ At the Youth Section booth of the Town Employees’ Labor Union, donors will receive a complimentary cocoa. https://www.town.ashoro.hokkaido.jp/kanko/news/2026/wood2026.html...

Red-crowned crane guided tour. First-time visitors can join with confidence. Pickup and drop-off included, with guidance from an expert guide. Narration continues during transfers. This tour lets you take your time enjoying Kushiro’s nature and highlights. For details, search "Kushiro Prince Hotel Tanchō Tour" 👇 You can also book from the profile URL. https://www.instagram.com/kushiroprincehotel/...

Kussharo in winter is a world of only white and blue. Clear air, silence, snowy landscapes. Just looking at them brings a sense of calm. Winter in Kussharo is a season so beautiful, even the air feels lovely, far beyond what photos or videos can convey. Come and experience this scenery for yourself. Winter season limited operation: January 19th to March 7th 📍Kussharo Prince Hotel https://www.instagram.com/kussharo_ph/...

The Nobeoka Toka Ebisu Festival takes place on February 10th and 11th!! Held each year on February 10th and 11th, the Nobeoka Toka Ebisu welcomes many worshippers from Miyazaki Prefecture and beyond. On the first day, visitors came to pray for business prosperity and the fulfillment of various wishes under pleasantly mild weather with no chill 😊 Tomorrow features a lucky rice cake toss and a Nobeoka kagura dedication, so bring friends and family and join us for worship!! ⁡ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 🗓️Date and time: Tuesday, February 10th and Wednesday, February 11th (national holiday) 📍Address: 3875 Yamashitamachi 1-chome, Nobeoka City, Miyazaki Prefecture (Imayama Ebisu Shrine) 📞Contact: 0982-21-4525

2026 Ice and Snow Lantern Festival February 7, 2026 Nakatsugawa City, Magome inn (Magome-juku) Within the Magome post town, around Fujimura Memorial Hall

2026 Ice and Snow Lantern Festival February 6–7, 2026 Kiso town Fukushima inn, from Kisofukushima Station to the former Nakasendo area

2026 Ice and Snow Lantern Festival February 3, Shiojiri City, Narai inn (Narai-juku) Entire Narai-juku

2026 Ice and Snow Lantern Festival February 1, 2026 — Niekawa-juku, Shiojiri City (within the Niekawa post town)

2026 Kiso Road Ice and Snow Lantern Festival January 24, 2026 Kiso town Hiyoshi Miyanokoshi Around Miyanokoshi-shuku Honjin

♬ Sophia Sakai Planetarium February Projection Program Announcement ♬ We are pleased to announce the projection program at Sophia Sakai Planetarium through Saturday, February 28th.✨ (Closed: Mondays, February 24) A program featuring live commentary by our guide, who will talk about constellations and the charms of the night sky, is now available!✩ We hope you’ll join us☺♪ [Projection Program] ・A Time Under the Stars with Live Commentary by a Guide ・Inazuma Delivery: A Bizarre Space Journey!? — Encounter with a Black Hole — ・Shimajiro and the Shooting Star Wish ・Maku Maku’s Great Starry Adventure ・To the GRAND UNIVERSE music by Joe Hisaishi (until 2/26) ・Naturenarium: The Melody of the Aurora — Exploring Mysterious Lights ・Rabi’s Space Trip (until 2/23) ・Seasons — The Starlit Water Surface — 📅 Through Saturday, February 28th 📍 Sophia Sakai Planetarium (@sophiasakai_pla) 💰 Adults 600 yen Children 250 yen 👥 Capacity 140 (first-come, first-served) 🔍 For details, search for “Sophia Sakai Planetarium program”! 🔗 https://www.sofia-sakai.jp/planetarium/planetarium-program/...

Photographed on January 23, 2014. Omiya Hikawa Shrine, an ema (votive plaque) for the Year of the Horse. 🐎 I enjoyed the winter break to the fullest. 😊

Snow is rare in Shikoku, but a heavy snowfall came a few days ago. Seeing the landscape blanketed in white for the first time felt especially fresh, and the children at home were so excited they made a little snowman. Excitement aside, I worried the vegetables in the garden might freeze, but with everything covered in white I didn’t know where to start, so I gave up. Today the snow has eased a bit, so I quickly put on a coat and went to inspect. I watched the once-vibrant green leaves crushed under melting snow; though they showed some frost damage, their effort to stand upright in the cold revealed a resilient life force. Turning back to the lopsided little snowman the children had made, quietly standing by the garden, my spirits unexpectedly cleared. Though this snowfall added some trouble to farm work, it also left an unforgettable surprise in this quiet winter day.

Photographed on January 23, 2014. I moved from Kanda Myōjin Shrine to Taiwan Tea House e‑one in Omiya. The Friday lunch menu is the Taiwan Railway pork cutlet bento. Paigu refers to a pork cutlet, and bok choy 🥬 sits atop the rice. The meal includes a salad, soup, and Tieguanyin tea.

Photographed on January 23, 2014. This is a lucky beckoning cat talisman from Kanda Myōjin Shrine. 🐈

Scenes from the 42nd Winter Balloon Meeting held in Kamishihoro Town, Hokkaido. A blue sky and a pure white snowfield Colorful hot air balloons rising into the air.

🖼️Onsen website 'From the Information Distribution Bureau' updated📝🆙 The 16th Gokkan Art Festival, a winter event at Kawayu Onsen, opened on February 2. This annual festival takes place around the same time each year and draws many visitors. Event period: From Monday, February 2, 2026 to Tuesday, March 3, 2026
Venue: Around ARtINn Gokkan Art Transmission Device (Kawayu Onsen 3-2-40) The festival offers a delightful space filled with beautiful art. Come and visit🧑‍🎨🎨

Event Announcement 📣 From February 11 to February 14, 2026, Nakasatsunaimura will host “Snow Art Village Nakasatsunai 2026” for four days 😊 You can view the expansive snow art that local snow artist and AOILO Inc. representative Tomohiro Kajiyama creates on the snowy plain from a special 8-meter-high yagura viewing platform 🎵 Please enjoy this snow-made art that you can only see in the art village of Nakasatsunai 🤗 📍Dates: Wednesday, February 11, 2026 ▶ Saturday, February 14, 2026, 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM *Canceled in severe weather; event dates may change depending on snowfall conditions 📍Venue: Nakasatsunai Cultural Creation Center and surrounding special event sites 🔶 Indoor Event Venue (Nakasatsunai Cultural Creation Center) 📍 Snow Art Video Screening We will screen past snow art works and footage of the making process. 📍 Snow Art Panel Exhibition (Entrance) A collection of past works shot by drone will be on display 🎶 Explore the history of Snow Art Village Nakasatsunai! https://kankou-nakasatsunai.com/event-list/page-3619/...