Early morning on December 14 at Lake Akanko I quite like the crisp cold — I might even love it.

The ginkgo avenue along Sakuradoori is one of Nagoya's most representative and beautiful street trees in Nagoya City, Aichi Prefecture. The entire street turns a glorious golden hue, creating a striking urban autumn scene. Sakuradoori stretches for several kilometers, but the best view is famously from the pedestrian bridge at Nisshin-mae Crossing (where Sakuradoori meets Fushimi-dori). It is widely known as the prime spot to take in the whole avenue.

The best season to visit Yōki-sō is unquestionably autumn. The maple trees in the garden turn vivid red, creating a striking contrast with the historic buildings; you can enjoy a unique autumn scene where the red of Taisho-era romantic architecture and the red of the maples come together.

Horyuin Temple is close to Higashiyama’s famous autumn foliage sites like Ginkaku-ji Temple, the Philosopher's Path, Anrakuji, and Eikando Temple, yet it sees few tourists; in the early morning you can enjoy quiet moments and even have this painterly gradation of autumn colors all to yourself.

The charm of Horyuin Temple lies in its moss and thatched gate. From the approach, the gradation of autumn colors seen beyond the thatched gate looks like a painting framed by the gate.

The highlight of autumn leaves at Daikakuji is undoubtedly the scenery around Osawa Pond. Around Osawa Pond, Japan’s oldest promenade-style garden, about 700 maple and cherry trees have been planted. At the peak of the fall colors, the pond’s surface becomes a beautiful mirror, vividly reflecting the red and yellow foliage and the vermilion Heart Sutra Pagoda floating on the water. This “water mirror” scene is Daikakuji’s most photogenic sight.

Gionji Temple is famous as a Kyoto spot for autumn leaves not because of the crimson beauty of the trees themselves, but for the way the fallen leaves form a truly red carpet across the moss as they drop.

Today I attended the monthly festival at Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine. I will be able to work in Kawagoe again next year. The practical exam I took in Tokyo last week ended with a disappointing result, but I will do my best again next year. Thank you for your encouragement. 😊

These photos were not taken this year, but they were shot in the Tenryu-ji Temple Garden in Kyoto. I pressed the shutter because I thought the dragonfly's wings reflected on the railing looked beautiful in the sunlight. It reminds me of the lingering heat and the atmosphere as autumn truly begins to arrive.

Photographed on December 12, 2025. This is a Basque cheesecake tart Tatin by LEC COFFEE.

Autumn Colors on the Mountain Pass An aerial drone view of Onyu Pass in a sweeping composition. Be moved by the vibrant fall foliage and the winding snake road! Onyu Pass, Takashima City, Shiga Prefecture November 2025

Photo taken on December 12, 2025. This is a caramel latte from LEC COFFEE. It features Christmas tree latte art. 🎄

The autumn colors in Mizumoto park in Tokyo looks amazing during sunrise. The early morning view of the metasequoia forest with the soft sunlight looks amazing. Its a Mystic view. I had an amazing experience during my trip to the Mizumoto park.

Introducing the third installment of our alcohol tourism series 😊 On Saturday, January 17, 2026, we will host “Taste the Terroir (Day Trip): A Wine, Gin, and Beer Tasting Tour with a Choice of Lunch.” At Aizawa Winery, you will tour the vineyards and winery set in expansive nature and learn about the grapes and winemaking traditions nurtured by the Tokachi soil 🎵 At Tokachi Plain Distillery, known for its craft gin, you will observe the distillation process and sample its aromatic gins 😍 The tour concludes with lunch at CAFÉ＆BAR NUPKA 🍴 Pairing three drinks that color the journey—beer, wine, and gin—you will experience Tokachi’s craft alcohol culture with all five senses 🤗 https://tokachibare.jp/sake-museum/news/taxi-tour02-04/...

I went to a scenic spot in Shirahama, Wakayama Prefecture to see the Geminids; the peak is today but the forecast was cloudy, so I went shooting yesterday. I saw eight meteors in one hour. I used a wide-angle lens to cover a large area, so the meteors appear small in the photos, but I was able to capture them.

Gurutto Daffodil Stamp Rally is now underway. A QR stamp rally is currently taking place in Kyonan Town. There are seven stamps placed around the town. Participants who collect all of them will receive a small gift. Guests staying overnight will receive a gift after collecting one stamp. If you collect stamps from 30 participating shops around town and submit your entry, you will receive an original tote bag on the spot (first 200 people). As a second chance, a lottery will award local specialties and other prizes. Small gifts are distributed at Michi-no-Eki Kyonan Information Center (closed December 31 and January 1), Hota Station Tourist Information Center (closed December 31 and January 1), and Michi-no-Eki Hota Elementary School. The event runs until February 1. Entry sheets are available at Hota Station Tourist Information Center and Awakatsuyama Station Tourist Information Center.

Photographed on December 12, 2025. This is LEC COFFEE’s quiche plate. It includes a spinach, shrimp, and bacon quiche, a prosciutto cheese ball and salad, daikon potage, and homemade bread.

“Hikari no Fantasy Kikuchi 2025” is being held at Kikuchi City Furusato Sosei Shimin Hiroba Plaza in Kikuchi City, Kumamoto Prefecture, where it is decorated with illuminations. The highlight is a giant Christmas tree stretching 15 meters in length. The sight of its beautiful lights is breathtaking. Various other illuminations are installed, and the lights paint a magical atmosphere. This event is organized by the Kikuchi Brightening Association together with volunteer citizens who want to brighten and energize Kikuchi City. It grows a little each year and is upgraded annually. Around the venue is Kikuchi Onsen, where you can warm up after the cold. Enjoy the hot springs along with the illuminations. ■Illumination period: Saturday, November 29, 2025 – Friday, January 9, 2026 ■Lighting hours: 6:00 p.m.–10:00 p.m. https://kikuchikanko.ne.jp/archives/featured/fantasy-kikuchi...

Photographed on December 12, 2025. This is Hanatetsu's hanachōzu (flower water basin).

——Guest Review: "I wish I could have stayed a little longer" A journey embraced by the country’s largest caldera lake. Encounter nature, indulge in gourmet food, and enjoy the quiet at night. You can experience all this at Kussharo Prince Hotel. Reservations are available via the profile URL. Instagram https://www.instagram.com/kussharo_ph/...

The Hyotan Festival took place on December 7, 2025, in Chitose-cho, Bungoono City, Oita Prefecture. Properly called the “Shimotsuki Festival,” it is popularly known as the Hyotan Festival after the gourd-shaped figures that play the central role. This festival has been celebrated for more than 800 years in the Chitose-machi Takahata and Shibayama area around Shibayama Hachimansha Shrine in Chitose-cho, Bungoono City. A figure wearing a long gourd on the head, with a large gourd of sacred sake hung from the shoulder and wearing oversized straw sandals, leads a procession through the shrine approach with attendants such as a sacred horse and lion dancers, chanting “Yoisho, yoisho” in unison. The Hyotan figure offers sacred sake from the shoulder-hung large gourd to people along the route, praying for health, safety, and abundant harvests. In addition to the procession, performances such as lion dances and kagura were held. ■■ Access to central Bungoono City from Fukuoka and Kumamoto Prefectures ■■ From JR Hakata Station in Fukuoka Prefecture: about a 3-hour drive. From JR Kumamoto Station in Kumamoto Prefecture: about a 2-hour drive. From beppu station in Oita Prefecture: about a 1 hour 20 minute drive. From Yufuin Station in Oita Prefecture: about a 1 hour 20 minute drive. ■■■■■■■■■■■■ Introducing tourism and recommended spots in Kyushu’s Bungoono City, Oita Prefecture ■■■■■■■■■■■■

Surrounded by mysterious autumn leaves, a tunnel-like world bathed in shafts of light 🍁 It was so beautiful that I stopped in my tracks and took a photo 📷✨ It was a scenery unique to autumn.

Today, the Kawagoe Tea Festival in Rinsinji Temple is running until 3:00 PM. I bought Chabudai’s chai and a Taiwanese castella from Sweets Workshop Hiro. 😊☕️

December 13, 2026 Pre-opening! There may be bushes sticking out, so please ski with caution. All our staff look forward to welcoming you! #Fairy Tale Forest Snow Wave #Kurohime Highland Cross Country Ski Course #Kurohime Plateau #cross-country #ski #crosscountry #ski #snowshoeing #Shinano-Omachi #Nagano #Japan https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61570936800859...

Because the weather was fine, everyone enjoyed the brightly colored maple leaves from early morning🍁 November 12, 2025 Mount Gaun Eugenji Temple

Event Announcement📣 On Sunday, December 14th, the 56th Hiroo Hair Crab Festival will take place😊 This is a gourmet event where you can savor plenty of Hiroo’s fresh seafood!! The main attraction is a live sale of boiled hair crab prepared in a two-meter cauldron!! You can also enjoy a hair crab speed-eating contest and delicious stalls offering snow crab miso soup, deep-fried shishamo smelt, seafood curry, and more🎵 At the direct-from-producer market you’ll find seasonal hair crab and shishamo, autumn salmon and hachikaku (sagefish), vegetables, and specialty products from Hiroo as well as local specialties from our sister cities Memuro Town and Saikai City in Nagasaki Prefecture, so please stop by if you like😀 The event’s finale is a fun raffle where Hiroo specialty products are awarded by lottery😍 Come and enjoy the flavors of the season🎶 It’s getting colder, so please dress warmly for the day🤗 https://hiroo-kanko.jp/2025/12/01/56-keganimatsuri/...

Photographed on December 8, 2025. This is the hanachozu (flower-filled basin) at Kawagoe Hachimangu Shrine.

Vibrant red, yellow-green, and orange autumn leaves overlap like a heart-shaped symbol of love. This photo was taken at Kankyo Geijutsu No Mori (Forest of Environmental Art) in Karatsu City, Saga Prefecture. 🍁❤︎☺︎

Kankyo Geijutsu No Mori is located in Karatsu City, Saga Prefecture. A breathtaking view of autumn leaves reflected on a lacquer table 🍁🍁 It’s a moving, beautiful scene. In autumn the leaves turn a vivid red. The Japanese-style garden is beautiful year-round, and the meticulously tended, picture-perfect pond makes this place one of Japan’s most delightful spots.

[Notice of Ooyama Star Festival (Tounen-seki Memorial Service)] At Daisenji Temple, a star festival will be held to honor the nine planetary stars (tounen-seki) that govern the year’s fortunes and to pray for turning misfortune into blessing in the coming year. Date and time: Monday, December 22, 14:00– Prayer fee: from ¥1,000 (postal applications accepted) How to apply: Please inquire by phone (applications accepted until December 21) Phone: 0463-95-2011 For details, please see Daisenji Temple’s website. https://oyamadera.jp/other/%e3%80%90%e5%a4%a7%e5%b1%b1%e3%81%ae%e6%98%9f%e3%81%be%e3%81%a4%e3%82%8a%ef%bc%88%e5%bd%93%e5%b9%b4%e6%98%9f%e4%be%9b%ef%bc%89%e3%80%9112-21%ef%bd%9e12-22/...