[Ooyama Wild Boar and Deer (Gibier) Fair Now Underway] Ooyama is currently hosting the Ooyama Wild Boar and Deer (gibier) Fair. Gibier cuisine in Ooyama, where boar hotpot has been enjoyed for generations, ranks alongside tofu dishes as a local specialty. Many temple lodgings and restaurants serve seasonal flavors unique to this period. Take this opportunity to visit Ooyama and taste these signature dishes. *Some establishments may require reservations.* Event Period ◆ Through March 31, 2026 For details, please see the official website. https://www.city.isehara.kanagawa.jp/kankou_guide/docs/2025090900014/...

Kawayu Onsen website 'From the Information Desk' updated📝🆙 On Sunday, October 12, a report on the Gastronomy Walking event held in the Kawayu Onsen district has been posted🚶🍙❣️ The article shows participants enjoying local food and learning about Teshikaga while walking around the Kawayu Onsen area. Please take a look🐻 https://www.kawayu-onsen.com/feature/931/...

🌼 We have updated the daffodil bloom report 🌼 They have finally reached their peak viewing season 👏✨ Daffodils are now blooming beautifully across the garden, and the prime viewing period looks set to continue for a while 🤍✨ We summarized the bloom status and highlights on our blog, so please check it out below 👇 https://www.shimoda-city.info/post/20260109...

🚨Deadline Approaching🚨 The 15th Teshikagacho Photo Contest is now open📸💡 This year’s theme is “Experience the Volcanoes, Forests, and Lakes Through the Seasons in Teshikaga.” Thanks to support from local businesses, many luxurious secondary prizes are available. Please see the details below. We look forward to your wonderful submissions📸✨ 15th Teshikagacho Photo Contest Entry Period November 1, 2025 (Saturday) – January 20, 2026 (Tuesday), postmarked by the deadline Categories Spring / Summer / Autumn / Winter / Open Prizes Grand Prize: 1 winner…¥30,000 + secondary prizes (accommodation vouchers, Mashu melon, etc.) Excellence Awards: 3 winners…¥10,000 + secondary prizes / Honorable Mentions: 5 winners…secondary prizes / Special Prize and Tourism Association Prize: several winners ■ With the cooperation of local businesses, many secondary prizes including accommodation vouchers, meal vouchers, and local products are available.   Organized by: Mashu-ko Tourism Association (regional DMO) Supported by: Teshikagacho, Teshikagacho Board of Education, Mashu-ko Agricultural Cooperative, Teshikagacho Promotion Corporation, Teshikaga Chamber of Commerce, Kawayu Onsen Ryokan Association, Mashu Onsen Ryokan Association, Mashu Melon Producers Association, Hokkaido Shimbun, Akan-Mashu National Park Management Office, Kushiro Shimbun https://www.masyuko.or.jp/news/15photocon/...

This year marks the 60th Tomakomai Skating Festival. The highlight is shibare-yaki, a Jingisukan grilled outdoors below freezing (the Hokkaido dialect shibareru means cold). Cooked on grills made from repurposed drum cans, seasoned Jingisukan tastes exceptional with a beer. Another favorite with kids is the large ice slide. Tomakomai’s signature winter festival, the Tomakomai Skating Festival, takes place this year on Saturday, February 7 and Sunday, February 8, 2026.⛸ Come and join us!

[Notice of Winter Night Scenery Operation on MtOoyama Cable Car] MtOoyama Cable Car will operate a “Winter Night Scenery” service during the following period. During the event, the first 200 passengers using the cable car each day will receive a cup of amazake. Additionally, a greeting event with a popular character will be held! Enjoy the crisp winter air and the night views at MtOoyama. ■Event Period 2026 Saturday, January 10; Sunday, January 11 Monday, January 12 (national holiday) Saturday, January 17; Sunday, January 18 Saturday, January 24; Sunday, January 25 ■Cable Car Operating Hours Service runs until 7:00 p.m. each day For details, please see the official website. https://www.ooyama-cable.co.jp/winteryakei2026.html...

Photographed on January 1, 2014. Around 6:00 a.m. at Kawagoe Kumano Shrine, this is the temizuya (water pavilion). The unusual atmosphere compared with usual is lovely.

[Now Open] MemanbetsuKohan Ice Fishing for Smelt Every day, many people from inside and outside the town join us! Set against vast natural scenery, this activity is only possible while the lake is frozen. We offer gear rental and sales, so first-timers can take part with confidence 😊 We warmly look forward to welcoming you! ■Period: Monday, January 5th – Wednesday, February 11th (public holiday) ■Fishing hours: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM ■Fishing fee: Adults ¥900 per day, Elementary school students ¥450 per day

Nagawacho is taking on a government crowdfunding campaign!🔥 [Support Project for the Nagawacho Youth Obsidian Ambassadors: Sharing a Jomon Message with the World from the “Home of Obsidian”] ★Donation period: Until February 26, 2026 Nagawacho is known as the largest source of obsidian on Honshu, with remains of Jomon-period obsidian mines still present. In this project, local junior high and high school students will become Nagawacho Youth Obsidian Ambassadors and visit Thetford in the United Kingdom. While working alongside a youth group learning history and culture at a local museum, they will promote Nagawacho’s historical assets: obsidian and Jomon culture. We are supporting these outreach activities! Please support the children who will lead the next generation! Details below👇 https://www.furusato-tax.jp/gcf/4926...

Photographed on January 3, 2014. This is the New Year floral temizu basin at Kawagoe Hachimangu Shrine.

These sparrows were photographed near Asahi Station when I went to Nagano to photograph the Nagano Electric Railway. They played together in a flock on the fluffy snow, their soft bodies so charming that I nearly forgot the cold.

Happy New Year from Gen at Shosenkyo Gorge. I look forward to your continued support this year. The 8th year of Reiwa has begun, and a week has already passed. The weather in Yamanashi’s Shosenkyo has been fine every day, with no snow, making for very pleasant days. Kanazakura Shrine, famous as the birthplace of crystal, has been welcoming visitors for New Year’s prayers from all over the country every day, creating a lively atmosphere. Kanazakura Shrine is also well known as a place to improve your financial luck. Why not pay a visit sometime? Gen has been open without a break since New Year’s Day on January 1st. We have also received a steady arrival of new power stones. If you have time, please feel free to drop by. All of our staff are sincerely looking forward to your visit.

Woody Winter School - Now Accepting Participants - Combine wooden parts and try making a fire truck 🚒 This is a woodworking class hosted by the Forest Museum “Mokumu”. You may come to Komu, The Museum of the Forest, and work at your own pace over about one month. Estimated work time is about 15 hours. If you work about four hours a day, you can expect to finish in four days. Duration: Thursday, February 5th – Sunday, March 1st Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays each week 10:00–16:00 ※Lunch break is from 12:00 to 13:00 Location: Woodworking Room, Komu, The Museum of the Forest, Nishiokoppe Village Participation Fee: 10,000 yen Residents: 5,000 yen ※Accommodation and meals are not included How to Apply: Please contact us by Sunday, February 1st. Forest Museum “Mokumu” 📞 0158-87-2600 Capacity is limited to five groups, so please apply early. - Forest Museum “Mokumu” - SASAKI Craft Exhibition Now On! - Winter opening hours: 10:00–16:30 Last admission accepted until 16:10 Admission Fee: High school and older: 500 yen 4th grade elementary to junior high: 300 yen Ages 3 to 3rd grade elementary: 100 yen Under 3 years old: Free #Forest Museum Mokumu #Woodworking Class #Woody School #Participants Wanted #Wooden Toys #Woodworking

📣 A chocolate seminar at Sakai Risho no Mori💕🍫 Presented by HIPPO to MOCA, a chocolate specialty shop in Sakai Ward, this seminar invites you to taste and compare chocolates while hearing stories—“A Chocolate Tasting and Talk: Learn to Tell the Differences.” You will enjoy both learning and tasting as the program includes accounts from a cacao farm, hands-on encounters with specialty beans, and a sampling of bonbon chocolates made with ingredients tied to Sakai. We look forward to your participation✨ 🔍 For details, search “A Chocolate Tasting and Talk.” https://sakai-rishounomori.com...

Photographed on January 3, 2014. This is the hanachozu (flower water basin) at Kawagoe Hachimangu Shrine. It looks festive and bright for the New Year.🎍✨