The Kitano area of Kobe is well up the slope of the city, away from the port and Sannomiya station. The long trek uphill can be daunting, but some of Kobe's most vibrant cityscape means you at least can enjoy looking around on your way from the heart of the city. Once you get up to Kitano, though, you are rewarded with a neighborhood with a meaningful international character. Whether it be the local Mosque (one of the oldest and largest in Japan), or the prestigious British international school nearby, there are plenty of signs that the cosmopolitan aspect of Kitano is more than a shallow veneer of foreign cuisine restaurants. To be sure, those are there as well, and they are delicious! From memory, besides the ubiquitous Indian, Vietnamese and Chinese cuisine, German, Russian and Egyptian dining formed some of the more eclectic additions, as well as Mexican food, a sure treat for any visitors from North America missing a classic mainstay. But the most lasting and striking stamp that the wider world has left on Kitano are the Kitano "Ijinkan", the former western residences from the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The stateliness of this old-world refinement are well complemented by the dazzling modern city visible below the hills. Even a global chain Starbucks gets in on the fun, with a famous repurposed building that is considerably fancier than your typical starbucks cafe. Whether for appreciating Meiji history, western architecture, foreign cuisine, the vibrant and diverse culture of the neighborhood, or just getting some good exercise in and enjoying the view from the hills of Kobe, the trip from Sannomiya up to Kitano is well worth the effort!

[June 9] We have updated the hydrangea blooming status💠✨ Currently, they are 50% in bloom, but they will soon reach their peak! We are featuring the current state of the garden and the latest blooming status on our blog🫧 Please take a look for your outing reference. https://www.shimoda-city.info/post/20260609...

The coal mine train is an essential part of the history of Manda Pit. To transport coal, not only the mining locations but also the transportation system were crucial. Looking at the coal mine train reveals that Manda Pit was not just a single facility, but a significant part of a larger industry connected to railways, ports, and the entire region. 【Visiting Information】9:30 AM to 5:00 PM (last entry at 4:30 PM) / Closed: Mondays (the following weekday if a holiday) and during the New Year holidays / Admission: 410 yen for adults and university students, 310 yen for high school students, 210 yen for elementary and middle school students / Manda Mine Station (free exhibition room and ticket sales) #Miike Coal Mine #Industrial Heritage #Railway Heritage #Coal Mine Ruins #Modern Industrial Heritage #History Lovers #Manda Coal Mine #Coal Mine Railway #Industrial Heritage #Arao City #Kumamoto Travel #Japan Travel #World Heritage #Visit Japan

This is the light purple Kitayama Yuzen Chrysanthemum blooming in the Hisada District of Sakyo Ward, Kyoto. It is a beautiful flower that only blooms in this area around mid-July, and the view at sunrise is breathtaking.

Taken on June 5, 2014. This is the coffee jelly from LEC COFFEE.

Taken on June 5, 26. This is a hot sandwich set from LEC COFFEE. It includes a hot sandwich with egg, bacon, and lettuce, a salad, and a chilled soup made with new onions.

The sky reflected on the lake. The sunrise seen from above the clouds. And a drink that colors the night's journey. In Eastern Hokkaido, there are landscapes that gently calm the heart. A journey wrapped in special moments, healed by nature. For accommodation, visit the profile URL. ▶ Kussharo Prince Hotel https://www.instagram.com/kussharo_ph/...

Introducing Rental Bicycles 🚲🚲 At the Roadside Station Nakazatsunai, we offer rental bicycles called "Peachari" for convenient travel and sightseeing within the village 😊 Choose between two types of bicycles: "regular bicycles" and "electric bicycles," based on your physical strength‼️ The popular tourist spot "Rokka no Mori" is about 1 km from the Roadside Station Nakazatsunai, which takes approximately 5 minutes by bicycle 🎵 Why not use the Roadside Station Nakazatsunai as your base and explore the village by bicycle for unforgettable memories? To apply, please visit the general information desk located in the "Country Plaza" at the Roadside Station Nakazatsunai 🤗 🔶Rental Period: From Friday, April 24 to Sunday, October 25 🔶Rental Hours: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM 🔶Rates ●Regular Bicycle: 200 yen for 4 hours ●Electric Bicycle: 200 yen for 2 hours 🔶Access 🚗About 40 minutes by car from Obihiro Station, and about 20 minutes by car from Obihiro Airport 🚗 🚌About 1 hour by bus from Obihiro Station (nearest stop: get off at Roadside Station Nakazatsunai) *Important Notes 📍Rental bicycles are not available for advance reservations. Thank you for your understanding. 📍The use of Peachari is restricted to within the village. 📍Please return by 5:00 PM. 🔶Contact Information Nakazatsunai Village Tourism Association TEL 0155-68-3390 (8:30 AM to 5:15 PM) https://kankou-nakasatsunai.com//

Dining inside the hangar is an irresistible experience for airplane enthusiasts. The recommended omurice is a type of "Japanese Western cuisine" that originated in Japan and is now one of the elements of Cool Japan spreading worldwide. Although there are gates and security checks, the surprisingly low crowd inside, thanks to this "high threshold," made it a true hidden gem. Anyone can enter (no need to board a flight). The location is Chofu Airport in Tokyo.

Photographed on June 5, 26. I took a stroll in Kawagoe. This is bitter cream coffee and blueberry rare cheesecake. I reunited with someone I used to work with at Hon-Kawagoe Pepe, and it filled me with warmth after a long time.

The "hidden gem" of Tokyo Station is the rooftop of KITTE, located right in front of the Yaesu South Exit. Surprisingly, it's not very crowded, making it a favorite spot where you can relax with a coffee in hand. As you watch the people passing by, you can quietly sense each individual's pace.

Taken on June 4, 26. These are the kakigori (shaved ice) fortune and watermelon fortune at Kawagoe Hachimangu Shrine.🍧🍉

It's cold!!! Is turning on the stove giving up? It's chilly at Lake Akan Onsen. The current temperature is 7°C. Despite the cold, many fishing customers are here. Some even caught the elusive Ito fish! There are also cute ducklings 🦆 around. When visiting Lake Akan, please dress warmly. The tourism association also has a board with today's and tomorrow's weather, so be sure to check it out.

Goto City, Fukuejima. An endless blue sky and a winding road. As you walk while feeling the breeze, you can forget the hustle and bustle of everyday life and enjoy a moment that lightens your heart.

Umekita Plaza at Grand Green Osaka As you step into Umekita Park, the first thing that catches your eye is the "large roof" designed by the architectural unit SANAA. It envelops the space with three soft curves spanning 120 meters from north to south, beneath which lies a complex facility featuring the information dissemination center "PLAT UMEKITA," along with cafes and large event spaces. Surrounding it is the spiral staircase "Gate Lantern," which serves as a guiding light for people at night. The plants in the park are primarily selected from those native to the Uemachi Plateau in Osaka, evoking the city's history and culture. Trees that change color in autumn, such as cherry blossoms, maple trees, and katsura, along with flowers like azaleas and camellias, showcase the beauty of Japanese nature throughout the seasons. Why not take a leisurely stroll in the park, where the scenery changes with the seasons? You wouldn't believe that this is in the middle of the city There were hydrangeas blooming... It's a nice plaza filled with greenery in Umeda, Osaka... A great place has been created in the city center 😊😊😊.

Crossing the Kanmon Straits from Mojiko, where the morning sun shines, to Shimonoseki A morning view of crossing the Kanmon Straits from Mojiko to Shimonoseki on a 5-minute boat ride Photo taken: April 3, 2026 Equipment: SONY α7II + FE24-240 Receiving the morning sun from behind Mojiko, overlooking the city of Karato in Shimonoseki across the strait A morning crossing of the Kanmon Straits on the Kanmon Ferry for 5 minutes The silhouette of the city of Mojiko recedes beyond the wake of the boat.

Taken on June 6, 26. These are the hydrangeas at Kawagoe Hachimangu Shrine. They look like 🩷.

Taken on June 6, 2014. I visited Kawagoe Hachiman Shrine. This is the wind chime at the fortune slip distribution office. 🎐

(2026-05-30) Chigasaki – Night view of bioluminescent plankton on the beach I received information about a massive red tide in Sagami Bay for the first time in nine years On Saturday, I took a whirlwind tour from Tokyo I appreciate my friend who kindly joined me despite the last-minute invitation m(__)m In the evening I passed through Zushi → Yuigahama → Shichirigahama → Enoshima → Chigasaki → Atami but there was no red tide (;'∀') Reluctantly, while trying to return to Tokyo via the reverse route I passed through Chigasaki and discovered a post about the bioluminescent plankton right there Amidst the confusion, I somehow found a parking lot and managed to take some photos (●´ω｀●) There were only one or two of these posts to find but already a huge number of people were flocking to the beach Everyone noticed it pretty quickly (;'∀') Although the photos aren't enough to say I've cleared the backlog of my life's captures I'm just glad it didn't end without getting any shots (〃´o｀)=3

The "Flower Full Project" is a community development activity to welcome visitors to Lake Akan Onsen with beautiful flowers! Today, everyone in the hot spring district planted cute pink flowers in hanging baskets and set them up around the hot spring district.

【A Summer Retreat Behind the Hotel】 You can feel the temperature rising significantly, and the hot summer is approaching. It's a relief that the morning and evening breezes are still cool.🎐🍃 For those who want to enjoy a refreshing atmosphere, Kourakuen, a pure Japanese garden behind Hotel Morimu, is highly recommended. The spring foliage and azaleas stand out beautifully against the greenery. The white flowers are called Asebi. Written in kanji, it is 「馬酔木」. The leaves are toxic, and horses that eat them can become numb in their legs and have difficulty walking. This is how it got the name Asebi. The gazebo within the garden is perfect for potluck picnics or leisurely tea time. The sound of leaves rustling in the breeze and the chirping of little birds will soothe your ears.

Taken on June 1, 26. This is an iced café latte and lemon meringue pie from CAFE ANDON.

Hiroshima Prefecture's Miyajima has a hidden gem. Step away from the bustling main street filled with tourists, and you'll find a quiet back alley like this. Walking along this path while gazing up at the five-story pagoda feels like a glimpse of the 'hidden gem' that Miyajima gently reveals.

A quietly extending passageway beneath Shinjuku. With few people around, it feels like a hidden gem, separated from the hustle and bustle of the city. In the calm light and reflections, there was an atmosphere reminiscent of a passage leading to a secret base.

This is a Kumamoto reconstruction event. I changed my phone.

Moji Port, where the remnants of the day dye the evening sky Photo taken: May 30, 2026 Equipment: SONY α7II + Sigma 20–200mm The silhouette of Mojiko city under the twilight sky remnants of the day twilight over Mojiko town

A port shrouded in mist. Fresh seafood unique to a port town. Nature stretches endlessly. In Kushiro, there is a "quietly fulfilling time." It's not just about visiting tourist spots. The very atmosphere of this town becomes a part of your travel memories. For accommodation, visit the profile URL. ▶Kushiro Prince Hotel https://www.instagram.com/kushiroprincehotel/...

Introducing Rental Bicycles 🚲🚲 At the ECO Bus Center Rikuru inside Obikuru at Obihiro Station Bus Terminal, we offer convenient rental bicycles 😊 You can ride anywhere in the Tokachi area, making it perfect for sightseeing in Obihiro 🎵 We have a variety of bicycles available, allowing you to choose the best one based on your fitness level and riding experience. With electric assist, long-distance travel and hills become a breeze 😍 Feel the wind as you ride and create memories of your "town tour"! Enjoy cycling in Tokachi at your own pace without any stress 🤗 🔶Rental Period: April 18, 2026 - November 30, 2026 (The period may change due to weather conditions) 🔶Rental and Pickup Location ECO Bus Center Rikuru inside Obikuru at Obihiro Station Bus Terminal Tel: 0155-23-5920 Fax: 0155-23-5921 🔶Operating Hours 9:30 AM - 5:30 PM ●Folding Bicycle 400 yen per hour and up ●City Cycle 300 yen per hour and up ●Electric City Cycle and Electric Sports Bike 600 yen per hour and up https://www.machicen.com/bicycle/...

In a town where a melancholic sunset marks the end of the day. Nature, food, and air. Kushiro offers the "just right summer." Experience a moment you can't find in the city. Reservations can be made through the profile URL. ▶Kushiro Prince Hotel https://www.instagram.com/kushiroprincehotel/...