Photographed on February 1, 2014. This is the Setsubun floral chozu (flower water basin) at Naritasan Kawagoe Betsuin.

Gala Yuzawa is one of my favorite ski destination near Tokyo. Its not only a good ski resort but also a fabulous sightseeing spots. The snow-capped mountain peaks looks very beautiful and during sunset time creates an unforgettable moments.

Event Announcement📣 From February 7 to February 8, Japan’s coldest town, Rikubetsucho, will host the 42nd Shibare Festival😊 Over two days, the festival will feature stage shows, local idol live performances, comedy acts, a children’s raffle, gaming tournaments and many other attractions🎵 The “Human Cold Endurance Test,” where you can experience Japan’s coldest conditions, draws participants from across and beyond Hokkaido every year. Participants stay overnight in a balloon mansion (an ice kamakura) and endure a brutally cold night in this extreme challenge! (Registration for this year is closed) There are no stoves; the only permitted source of warmth for challengers is the festival’s symbol, the giant fire storm, which helps warm participants🔥 The venue also hosts numerous food stalls where you can enjoy local cuisine😍 You can try venison dishes made from Ezo deer raised in Rikubetsu’s great outdoors, stylish cafe menus, and festival classics like yakitori and curry🤗 📍Date and Time: Saturday, February 7, 2026, 6:00 PM–9:00 PM Sunday, February 8, 2026, 9:30 AM–2:00 PM 📍Location: Event Square (Uenbetsu, Rikubetsu Town) 📍Contact: Shibare Festival Executive Committee Office (Rikubetsu Town Office, Industry Promotion Division, Commerce and Industry Promotion Section TEL:0156-27-2141) https://www.rikubetsu.jp/kanko/event/shibare/...

Lake Kussharo in winter. A place where warmth lives within the stillness. The lakeshore views, visible breaths, and crisp air. Enjoy this special time that comes only in this season. ❄️ Winter season only: January 19th through March 7th 📍Kussharo Prince Hotel https://www.instagram.com/kussharo_ph/...

🏮✨ Onsen website "From the Information Desk" updated📝🆙 The Kawayu Onsen lanterns, first unveiled at last autumn’s Kawayu Marche, were formally lit at a ceremony late last year and are now displayed at hotels, souvenir shops, restaurants and other spots throughout the Kawayu Onsen district. This time we bring you a story about the "Kawayu Onsen Lanterns," which are becoming one of the faces of the Kawayu Onsen district🏮❄️Please take a look🐻

Kamagaya City Film Commission Panel Exhibition Opens! From tomorrow, the Kamagaya City Film Commission will display posters, autographs from the star-studded cast, and behind-the-scenes photos from productions that received shooting support📹 The exhibit will focus on notable dramas such as the TBS special drama “Shinnen Sososhi Futekisetsu ni Hodo ga Aru! – Should We Not Talk About Serious Matters?” and other talked-about works. Please stop by✨ Location and Exhibition Period (1) City Hall, 1st Floor Citizen Hall February 3 (Tuesday) to February 13 (Friday) (2) Tobu Learning Center February 17 (Tuesday) to February 27 (Friday) until noon *Open only during official opening hours Commerce and Tourism Division https://www.city.kamagaya.chiba.jp/smph/kanko-bunka-sports/kanko/f-commission/location-jisseki.html...

🧊Appearance of lotus-leaf ice🧊 This year, lotus-leaf ice has begun appearing frequently. In the bitter cold, a combination of conditions seems to form these shapes.😊 They often vanish by the afternoon even if visible in the morning, but the other day they stayed afloat in perfect form long after the sun rose. You won’t see them every cold day, so consider yourself lucky if you do.✨ Winter in Kushiro is wonderful! Come and visit us ^ ^

Winter Hanabi, fireworks that light up Akanko’s frozen night sky🎆 Starting tonight! The venue features not only fireworks but also an original ceremony✨ ⁡ Event period ▶︎ February 1 (Sun)–March 1 (Sun) ※From March 2–15, only fireworks will be launched ⁡Time ▶︎ 7:45 PM Welcome Ceremony 8:00 PM Fireworks display ⁡ ✼••┈┈••✼••┈┈••✼••┈┈••✼••┈┈••✼ Enjoy Akanko more conveniently and economically with Marimo Pay🉐 ⁡ Marimo Pay is a tourism app that lets you gather information about Akanko, make reservations, and complete payments all on your smartphone! For details, visit the link in the profile! Instagram profile https://www.instagram.com/akan_tourism_association/...

Warm up your chilled body from the winter cold… Here’s a recommended day-trip hot spring guide for you♨️

Kawayu Onsen website article updated 📝🆙 An article about “Kawayu Onsen’s Enkiri Bath Tour” has been posted ♨️❄️ Please take a look ✨ Kawayu Onsen’s Enkiri Bath Tour Stroll through highly acidic hot springs that can even dissolve nails, and let them melt away your daily frustrations, fatigue, and bad ties to refresh yourself! Why not try Kawayu Onsen’s new plan, the “Enkiri Bath Tour”? *The map on the third page is for staying guests 🗺️ https://www.kawayu-onsen.com/activity/990/...

Hokkaido Sapporo City Horomi Pass I visited in July. A sloping flower field blooms with a variety of colorful flowers. You can glimpse Sapporo’s cityscape through the trees, making it a very beautiful spot. It lies far from Sapporo’s urban center and is hard to reach by public transport, but it seems accessible by sightseeing bus.

Sobo, Katamuki and Okue UNESCO Eco Park Bungo-ono City Children's Kagura Tournament ❚ Held on February 7, 2026 The Bungo-ono City Kagura Kaikan in Kiyokawamachi, Bungo-ono City, Oita Prefecture will host a children's Kagura tournament. The event is held in the hope that children will grow with confidence and pride in the region's history and culture and develop a deep love for their hometown. This year, two children's Kagura troupes from Bungo-ono City will perform alongside children's Kagura groups from Saiki City and Taketa City. Please enjoy the bold and powerful Kagura dances performed by the children at the venue. Date and Time: Saturday, February 7, 2026, 9:30 AM–12:10 PM Location: Bungo-ono City Kagura Kaikan (810 Sunada, Kiyokawamachi, Bungo-ono City) Admission: No advance registration required. Free admission with unreserved seating. Access from Fukuoka Prefecture, Kumamoto Prefecture, and other areas to central Bungo-ono City About a 3-hour drive from JR Hakata Station, Fukuoka Prefecture About a 2-hour drive from JR Kumamoto Station, Kumamoto Prefecture About a 1 hour 20 minute drive from JR Beppu Station, Oita Prefecture About a 1 hour 20 minute drive from JR Yufuin Station, Oita Prefecture ########## Kyushu, Bungo-ono City in Oita Prefecture Introducing sightseeing and recommended spots ########## https://sato-no-tabi.jp/news/20260126event-kiyokawa/...

MtHibayama is recommended for a snowshoe hike experience! Snow rafting brings big excitement✊ “I want to try winter sports that I can only do in the winter, but I don’t know how to enjoy them…” For those people, the Snowshoe Hike held at Hiroshima Prefectural Forest Ski Resort in Shobara City, Hiroshima Prefecture is perfect. This year the program has been upgraded to include a snow rafting experience! As someone who is new to both snow and mountains, I tried it together with members of the Shobara Travel editorial team who are used to snowy mountains! Please check out the article📚💞🔽 https://www.shobara-info.com/report/5499...

[Departing from Hiroshima Station!] Tickets/Reservations are now on sale for the Local Dive Train tour on the Geibi Line!🚌✨ The Shobara Tourism Promotion Organization (Shobara DMO) has launched sales for the "Local Dive Train from Hiroshima Station via the Geibi Line" tour! We hope you will join us😍 This time we offer three courses: the Saijo Course (day trip), the Takano Course (1 night, 2 days), and the Taishakukyo Course (1 night, 2 days). It’s an immersive local journey for adults, offering a deeper travel experience. Enjoy the special experiences that arise from the lush satoyama countryside. For details and to make a reservation, please visit the "Details" URL on each course page. Reservation page here▼ https://shobara-activity.rezio.shop/ja-JP... ● Day trip! Saijo Course Overview: This day-trip course in Saijo lets you interact with locals, try soba-making, learn at a terakoya (traditional temple school), and savor Shobara’s local bounty. Itinerary: Hiroshima Station (9:07 — board Geibi Line) 🚃— Miyoshi Station (arrive 10:36, transfer; depart 10:41) — Bingo-Saijo Station (depart 11:35) — Chartered bus to the Saijo Community Promotion District (arrive 11:40) — Soba-making experience (lunch) hosted by the Saijo Soba Association (14:00) — Walk and stroll — Saiganji Temple (arrive 14:10) — 'Terakoya for Adults' talk by the head priest of Saiganji Temple (15:30) — (chartered bus) — Shokusai-kan Shobara Yume Sakura (arrive 16:00) — Shopping time (local Shobara products and souvenirs) — Chartered bus — Bingo-Shobara Station (16:40) — Board the highway coach (shared) at 17:00 — Hiroshima Station (Shinkansen Exit) (19:08). Price: Adults: ¥7,000 (tax included) — Junior high school age and above Children (up to 6 years): ¥3,500 (tax included) ● 1 night, 2 days! Takano Course Overview: Rock gently on the Geibi Line from Hiroshima Station to be soothed by snow-cellar (yukimuro) vegetables and Takano’s hot springs. This 1-night, 2-day course lets you meet locals, prune apple trees, tour gardens, and enjoy Okuizumo soba. Itinerary: Day 1 Hiroshima Station (9:07 — board Geibi Line) 🚃— Miyoshi Station (arrive 10:36, transfer; depart 10:41) — Bingo-Saijo Station (arrive 11:07) — Chartered bus to Roadside Station Takano (arrive 12:00) — Snow-cellar vegetable hotpot buffet (lunch) and snow-cellar tour (13:40) — Chartered bus to Aosai Apple Orchard (arrive 13:45) — Apple pruning experience and hot apple juice tasting (14:45) — Chartered bus to Kominka (traditional house) (arrive 15:00) — Relaxed tea time by the kotatsu (16:00) — Chartered bus to Kougen-no-Eki Takano (check-in 16:15) — Chartered bus to Takanoyu Kamunose no Yu (soak in the hot spring) (18:00) — Walk to Washosaku Kurane (18:10) — Dinner using local ingredients (20:20) — Chartered bus to Kougen-no-Eki Takano (20:30) — Overnight stay Itinerary: Day 2 Kougen-no-Eki Takano (8:55) — Chartered bus to Roadside Station Takano (9:00) — Shopping and more (9:30) — Chartered bus to Itohara Memorial Museum (10:30) — Tour of the museum and garden (11:30) — Chartered bus to Ippuan (11:45) — Enjoy Okuizumo soba (12:45) — Chartered bus to Izumo-Yokota Station (12:50) — Board the Kisuki Line at 13:07 — Experience the three-stage switchback on the Kisuki Line — Bingo-Ochiai Station (14:21) — Board Geibi Line at 14:40 🚃— Miyoshi Station (16:00, transfer; depart 16:05) 🚃— Hiroshima Station (17:30) Price: Adults: ¥13,000 (tax included) — Junior high school age and above Children (up to 6 years): ¥7,000 (tax included) ● 1 night, 2 days! Taishakukyo Course Overview: Ride the Geibi Line from Hiroshima Station to Taishakukyo, where nature’s beauty remains strong. This 1-night, 2-day course lets you converse with a famous proprietress, stroll the streets, take part in a cheese factory experience, and taste Shobara’s produce. Itinerary: Day 1 Hiroshima Station (9:07 — board Geibi Line) 🚃— Miyoshi Station (arrive 10:36, transfer; depart 10:41) — (Geibi Line) — Bingo-Saijo Station (11:35) — Chartered bus to Tsuchinoko Tei (12:10) — Lunch and conversation with the famous proprietress at Tsuchinoko Tei (13:00) — Chartered bus to Taishaku No. 2 Parking Lot (13:40) — Walk the trail to Ohashi Bridge to see the winter scenery (14:40) — Chartered bus to Tojo townscape stroll (15:00) — Visit Sanrakuso, Yamamoto Rock Machine and others (16:30) — Chartered bus to Kyukamura Taishakukyo (16:50) — Dinner and overnight stay Itinerary: Day 2 Kyukamura Taishakukyo (depart 8:30) — Chartered bus to Nanatsukahara Livestock Technology Center (9:30) — Revival of the red silo (9:50) — Chartered bus to Queen Farm (10:00) — Farm tour of the livestock farm (10:30) — Chartered bus to Queen's Gelato (10:40) — Gelato tasting (11:15) — Chartered bus to Cheese Factory (11:30) — Factory tour and experience (12:30) — Chartered bus to Shokusai-kan Shobara Yume Sakura (12:40) — Lunch at Sakura Cafeteria and souvenir time (14:30) — Chartered bus to Bingo-Shobara Station (15:00) — Board Geibi Line at 15:28 — Miyoshi Station (16:00, transfer; depart 16:05) 🚃— Hiroshima Station (17:30) Price: Adults: ¥13,000 (tax included) — Junior high school age and above Children (up to 6 years): ¥7,000 (tax included)

Photographed on February 1, 2014. After visiting Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine, I relaxed at Starbucks Kanetsuki‑dōri Store. I had a cacao mousse latte and a chocolate tart. 😊🍫

Event Announcement📣 On Friday, February 6, join us in Shihorocho for a one-night candlelit evening called “Shihoro on ICE,” featuring ice candles made by the community😊 The evening will include candle art by the Shihoro Town Central Junior High School Art Club, and—weather permitting—snow sculptures created by local volunteers may make an appearance!?⛄️ Warm snacks and beverages will be available at the venue☕️ 📍Date and Time: Friday, February 6, 2026, 4:30 PM–7:30 PM 📍Location: In front of Town Plaza 📞Contact: Shihoro on ICE Organizing Committee (Hattori: 080-1897-4728) 🔶Ice Candle Drop-off Period Tuesday, February 3–Thursday, February 5, 2026, 5:30 PM–7:30 PM: Committee members will collect ice candles at Town Plaza, so please make them at home and bring them by✨We look forward to seeing your creations🤗 🔶Volunteers Wanted Volunteers are needed on Friday, February 6 from 1:00 PM to help with venue setup and lighting—join us in making the event shine🎵

Today I attended the monthly festival at Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine. This is the shrine grounds around 7:30 a.m.

Minato de Hinamatsuri From Thursday, February 5, 2026 to Tuesday, March 17, 2026, about 250 hina dolls will gather inside Tomakomai West Port Ferry Terminal! Hina dolls no longer needed at home will be displayed in fun, creative ways 🎎 Also, on Sunday, March 1 at 2:30 PM, a "Hinamatsuri Concert" will be held!

Photographed on January 21, 2026. This week's lunch at le bilboquet in Akasaka is chicken thigh and Chinese cabbage simmered in a ginger cream sauce. With ginger 🫚 in the dish, it warms the body.

The 63rd Obihiro Ice Festival The 20th National Ice Sculpture Exhibition Winter Obihiro Competition This was my personal favorite ice sculpture of the year.

Today is the last day of January. Kyonan Town is now in a wonderful season when you can see narcissus and white plum blossoms at the same time. The Yoritomo cherry (Kawazu cherry) is beginning to bloom little by little. In particular, the flowering of Yoritomo cherry is progressing in the Lake Sakuma Lakeside and Okuzure Narcissus Village areas. Today, many visitors came to enjoy the flowers. #Chiba Prefecture #Kyonan Town #Boso Peninsula #Village of Narcissus #Yoritomo cherry #White plum

The 28th Minami no Sakura and Nanohana Festival Held from February 1 to March 10. 🌸 About "The 28th Minami no Sakura and Nanohana Festival" https://www.minami-izu.jp/?p=we-page-entry&spot=73493...... 🌸 Bloom status (updated as needed) https://www.minami-izu.jp/?p=we-page-entry&spot=162849...... 〈If you come by public transport〉 Get off at Izukyu Shimoda Station and take the Tokai Bus bound for Shimogamo (Platform 3). Get off at Kujo Bridge and walk about 2 minutes to the roadside station shimogamo onsen yunohana, where the general information center is located. (The cherry tree-lined path is behind it.) The nanohana fields are immediately accessible from Hino stop on foot. Tokai Bus phone: 0558-22-2514 Note: Minamiizu Town is not served by train. Note: Parking is limited, so please use public transportation. Tokai Bus link https://www.tokaibus.jp/rosen/minamiizu_2025feb.html... 〈If you come by car〉 Head for roadside station shimogamo onsen yunohana. There are dedicated parking lots nearby, so please use them. ⚠ When viewing or photographing nanohana along the fields and cherry tree-lined path, do not step on the flowers! ⚠ Some people step on the nanohana growing on the riverbank slopes near the roadside station shimogamo onsen yunohana, but there are lighting cables and other hazards, so please cooperate by not entering those areas. Note: Use the festival parking lots. Do not park at shops or on private property. Minami-no-Sakura to Nanohana Matsuri🌸 Minami-no-Sakura and Nanohana Festival "The 28th Southern Cherry Blossom and Field Mustard Festival" 1st February - 10th March 2025 In Shimogamo, Minamiizu, Shizuoka, Japan You can see lovely pink sakura and bright yellow nanohana in Shimogamo. We expect the best time to see sakura to be in late February. Come and enjoy the early Japanese spring. －－－〇－－〇－－－ Official social media of Minamiizu Town Tourism Association X→https://twitter.com/info_mizu... Instagram→https://www.instagram.com/info_mizu... Website→https://www.minami-izu.jp...

Photographed on January 21, 2014. These are the hana-chōzu (flower water basins) at Akasaka Hikawa Shrine.

Photographed on January 21, 2014. This is the dog-year omikuji from Akasaka Hikawa Shrine. It has a lovely retro vibe. 😊

The anime "I Want to Eat You, You Monster" aired until December last year. This anime is set in Iyo City, Ehime Prefecture, and its surrounding area. It weaves a beautiful yet heartrending story of humans and ayakashi. Scenes of seaside beauty, such as Goshikihama Beach, Futami Seaside Park, and the area around Iyo-Kaminada Station in Iyo City, Ehime Prefecture, appear throughout the anime. Remarkably, the "Iyo Sai Festival" that appears in the series is a real summer festival held annually in Iyo City. The Iyo Sai Festival Fireworks Display, where about 10,000 fireworks can be seen up close, draws large crowds every year, and last year it was a big hit with collaboration posters and character guide voices from the anime. If you are planning a pilgrimage to these sacred sites, first visit the Iyo City Tourist Information Center Soleiyo, located inside Tezukuri Koryu Ichiba Machiya adjacent to JR Iyoshi Station! Right now, a life-size panel of Miko Shiro welcomes visitors. The center also sells official Watatabe goods and provides introductions to spots that appear in the series. If you want to learn about Iyo City's mascot "Mikanmaru," who appears in the ending of episode 4, "Shall I Become the Sun for You?," be sure to stop by www