From February 7th to March 14th, Yoritomo Cherry Blossom and bamboo light displays will begin at Sakuma Dam Lake. The bamboo lights cast a magical glow over the Yoritomo Cherry Blossom. We hope many people will come to see it. On the opening day, February 7th, a sweet sake stall is scheduled to open around 3:00 PM.

Yasaka Shrine Setsubun Festival 2026 625 Gionmachi Kitagawa, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture The highlight of the Yasaka Shrine Setsubun Festival is the dance offerings and bean-throwing performed by geiko and maiko from the hanamachi. At the Yasaka Shrine Setsubun Festival, beans are thrown with participants shouting only “Fuku wa uchi” (Good fortune in). This stems from the belief that no oni (demons) exist within the shrine grounds, so there is no need to chant “Oni wa soto” (Demons out). Dance offerings and bean-throwing: From the four hanamachi—Pontocho Kabukai Association, Miyagawacho Kabukai, Gion Kobu Kabukai, and Gion Higashi Kabukai—beautiful geiko and maiko present gagaku and imayo performances, followed by bean-throwing. The fukumame (lucky beans) distributed at the Yasaka Shrine Setsubun Festival (offering fee 300 yen) always come with a raffle ticket that guarantees a prize, making them very popular each year. Offering fee: 300 yen No blank tickets (every ticket wins something) You can draw your prize on the spot at the raffle venue Items distributed: Fukumame, skewer talismans, and other Setsubun festival–exclusive items. Some fukumame include raffle tickets for prizes. After the dances finish, geiko, maiko, and men and women born in the Year of the current zodiac will throw beans from the Maiden stage. The chance to be handed fukumame directly by hand occurs only at this moment. The front of the Maiden stage fills with excitement, and the shrine grounds take on the lively atmosphere typical of a Setsubun festival.

Event Announcement📣 The 7th Shimizu Shakkoi Festival will be held🎵 This year we plan to bring back the ever-popular Snow Treasure Hunt game and candy toss😊 There will also be festival stalls offering target shooting and raffle draws, plus food trucks😍 We promise a fun day and look forward to welcoming everyone🤗 🔶Date: Sunday, February 8, 2026 🔶Time: 9:30 AM–3:00 PM (canceled in severe weather) 🔶Venue: Shimizu Central Park and Shimizu Town Cultural Center 📞Inquiries: 0156-62-2208 (Shimizu Town Chamber of Commerce and Industry) https://www.town.shimizu.hokkaido.jp/section/08/details/post_75.html...

Junzo Pre-Event "PRE Junzo" ❚ Held on February 14, 2026 "PRE Junzo" will take place in front of JR Oita Station in Oita City, Oita Prefecture. This special event offers a chance to sample the renowned sake from Bungoono City’s breweries all at once in front of JR Oita Station, ahead of the main event, the 15th Bungo-Ono Junzo, held in Bungoono City. It’s a perfect opportunity to casually compare local sake you rarely encounter. It’s ideal for those who have never tried Bungoono’s sake or want to learn more. In addition to enjoying Bungoono’s sake and shochu, vendors will offer delicious snacks that pair well with the drinks. PRE Junzo lets you taste Bungoono’s delicious offerings a little earlier. We sincerely look forward to your attendance. Date and Time: Saturday, February 14, 2026, 2:00 PM–6:00 PM *Registration is open until 5:30 PM Location: JR Oita Station Plaza https://sato-no-tabi.jp/news/20260116event-bungoono/...

🌸✨Springtime in Nobeoka✨🌸 “Konohana Walk” is coming! Stroll along the Konohana Road on the Gokase River embankment, where 300 cherry trees and one million rapeseed flowers bloom in a riot of color🚶‍♀️🌼 At the gourmet and souvenir area, savor Nobeoka’s proud seafood and mountain delicacies and experience spring in Nobeoka with all five senses!!😋 🌟There’s plenty more to see and do! ・Hands-on experiences and displays by the Self-Defense Forces and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism ・About 1,000 pinwheels lovingly made by junior high students ・Authentic matcha enjoyed amid the flowers🍵 ・Giant inflatable play area and craft workshops 🎤On the special stage, enjoy regional performing arts and a lively lineup of performances! Also‼️ 🔥The “Makoto Nagano Athletic Challenge” runs at the same time🔥 Can you clear the obstacles~!?💪 And in March… 🌸Waiwai Flower Tale 2026🌸 Enjoy the magical cherry blossom light-up and reward yourself with treats at the Waiwai Gourmet Fair✨ Everyone— We’re waiting for you in Nobeoka this spring!🌸 -————————— 🌸Konohana Walk & Nobeoka Delicious Food Market 📅Date: Saturday, February 21 and Sunday, February 22, 2026 ⏰10:00–16:00 📍Venue: Gokase River embankment ▶ Saturday 21 Children’s performing arts stage & Nobeoka song stage ▶ Sunday 22 Nobeoka traditional performing arts stage ※Photos are from last year’s event ※Start times and performers may change -————————— 📺Presented by Cable Media Waiwai “Waiwai Flower Tale 2026” 📅Date: Friday, March 20 – Sunday, April 5, 2026 📍Location: Nobeoka Castle Ruins and Shiroyama Park (Kita-Ote Gate to Honmaru Square) ・Cherry blossom light-up ・Upcycled art exhibition and more Light-up: 18:30–21:30 (held rain or shine) ※Event dates may change depending on cherry blossom conditions -————————— 🍴🌸Waiwai Gourmet Fair🌸🍴 📅Date: Saturday, March 21, 2026, 10:00–16:00 📍Location: Nobeoka Castle Ruins and Shiroyama Park (Ninomaru Plaza) ※Held in light rain / canceled in severe weather ※On the day of the gourmet fair 🚌Free shuttle bus between Aeon Nobeoka and the event area is planned (9:30–16:30) https://nobeokahanamonogatari.net/home2025/...

Toyooka, on the Sea of Japan, is a lovely city that feels rather old fashioned. A very long history of bagmaking craftsmen can be found here, which suits the image of the city with its traditional architecture and sedated atmosphere. Since it is on the Sea of Japan, Toyooka is very cold in winter, and the Kinosaki area of Toyooka does a roaring trade with Onsen and crabs. Many people come up to brave the winter cold for the crab found here, and some look forward to it all year! More touchingly, Toyooka is the heart of Japan's stork revival. As Japan, Inc. proceeded and manufacturing altered landscapes, there were less and less homes in Japan for the Oriental White Stork, before finally being declared extinct in 1971. Even the few surviving captive storks had been rendered infertile by exposure to chemicals. Not giving up, Toyooka worked tirelessly to restore the stork population before the first live birth finally took place in 1989. After a painstaking process by which they were reintroduced to the wild and a safe habitat was made for them, today the Oriental White Stork, auspicious since ancient times, once again flies above the wilds of northern Hyogo prefecture. If you see one, it is sure to be good luck!

Notice of Opening Days for the Former Sawamura Residence Normally closed on Wednesdays, the Former Sawamura Residence will be open on Wednesday, February 11, 2026 (national holiday). In lieu of this, the residence will be closed on Thursday, February 12, 2026. Please be aware of this in advance.

Photographed on January 31, 2014. These are the flower-filled water basins at Kawagoe Hachimangu Shrine.

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.