It's autumn, isn't it? Plants must know the change of seasons. The three-colored spider lilies have bloomed.

I took this photo at Mizumoto Park in Tokyo, and for me, it captures much more than just the beauty of autumn. As I walked among the towering metasequoia trees, I was completely drawn to the way the warm sunlight was passing through the forest. The trees were glowing in deep shades of red, orange, and gold, while the morning sun created beautiful, elongated shadows across the ground. I remember feeling a sense of calm as I stood there, surrounded by such incredible colors and silence. But what really caught my attention was that quiet seat beneath the trees. It looked so peaceful, almost as if it was inviting me to stop for a while and forget everything else. I imagined sitting there, feeling the cool autumn breeze, watching the sunlight slowly move between the trees, and simply enjoying the moment. I wanted to capture that feeling—not just the scenery. Sometimes a scene makes you stop before you even think about composition. You just feel something. That is what happened here. I waited for the sunlight to fall perfectly between the trees, revealing the seat and illuminating the autumn leaves around it. When I finally pressed the shutter, I felt that I had captured a small piece of the peacefulness I was experiencing at that moment. Looking at this photo now, I can still remember the feeling of standing there—the warmth of the sunlight, the quietness of the forest, and the overwhelming beauty of autumn at Mizumoto Park. This photograph is not only a picture of a beautiful place; it is a memory of a beautiful moment I was lucky enough to experience.

September 25, 2026 The Mid-Autumn Full Moon I could see it through the gaps in the clouds. I'm happy to have taken such a wonderful photo.

There are moments when a photographer simply forgets to press the shutter because the view in front of them feels too beautiful to capture. That was exactly how I felt during my visit to Mizumoto Park in Tokyo in autumn. I arrived early in the morning, just as the first rays of sunlight were beginning to touch the horizon. The entire park seemed to be waking up slowly, wrapped in a peaceful silence. Standing in front of the magnificent metasequoia forest, I was completely mesmerized. The tall trees, dressed in their warm autumn colors, stretched endlessly into the distance. Soft golden sunlight filtered gently through the branches, creating delicate patterns of light and shadow along the path. The misty morning atmosphere added an almost dreamlike quality to the scene, making the forest feel less like a place in Tokyo and more like a magical landscape from another world. As a photographer, these are the moments I live for—the moments when nature, light, color, and silence come together perfectly. Every direction I looked felt like a photograph waiting to be captured. The golden leaves glowing under the morning sun, the towering metasequoias disappearing into the distance, and the soft, tranquil atmosphere created a truly mystical view. I stood there for a while, simply taking it all in. No rush, no noise—just me, my camera, and the breathtaking beauty of an autumn morning. My trip to Mizumoto Park became much more than just another visit to a beautiful place. It became a beautiful memory, captured not only through my camera lens but also in my heart.

Rich in iron, Kinsen-no-Yu✨ Relax and unwind in the Kussharo Onsen, which springs from about 1,000 meters underground. Enjoy a moment of relaxation as you immerse yourself in the hot water while gazing at the sky. Let your mind and body unwind✨ 【Guests】Free 【Day-use bathing】Adults ¥1,300 / Elementary school students ¥750 / Preschoolers free *Day-use bathing is available only during the hotel operating period (spring to autumn) *Includes a towel and bath towel set 🕐 Guests: 2:00 P.M. – 12:00 MID. / 5:00 A.M. – 10:00 A.M. 🕐 Day-use reception: 3:00 P.M. – 6:00 P.M. 🏣 Location: Kussharo Onsen, Teshikaga, Kawakami District, Hokkaido For details, please check the link in the profile. 📍Kussharo Prince Hotel https://www.instagram.com/kussharo_ph/...

A grand adventure in nature during your trip to Hokkaido! 🛶🍃 As you slowly paddle down the Kushiro River, it feels just like a jungle cruise. Listen to the sounds of the water and the birds while enjoying the magnificent nature unique to Hokkaido and Michihigashi up close. How about a canoe experience for your autumn trip to Hokkaido? Follow us to check the latest updates from 📍Kushiro Prince Hotel! ✨ https://www.instagram.com/kushiroprincehotel/...

Photographed on September 26, 2014. This is the flower water offering at Kawagoe Hachimangu Shrine.

I went with my family to Gongen General Park, a charming new playground located near a rest area and at the base of a mountain. The park was opened just last year, and has lots of slides for children to enjoy while being conveniently located next to family-friendly dining like a Katsudon restaurant, and most importantly connects to a pleasant and easily walkable nature trail. There are stairs for those who would like to take a short-cut, but its well worth doing the leisurely hike up to the summit. The view from the peak is really wonderful! It seems there is a bug theme to the park, with a variety of cicada everywhere. On a holiday weekend it is a little crowded, but only enough to give a sense of liveliness rather than overcrowding. It is nice to see many families out there having fun! If you are in the area with young kids of your own and enjoy nature, you could do far worse than visit Gongen.

The end of Izu, the starting point of emotions. Located at the southernmost tip of the Izu Peninsula, Minami-Izu Town enjoys a favorable climate even on Honshu. Here, it serves as both a "destination" and a place where new emotions begin. With the beautiful white sands of Yuigahama, the dynamic cliffs of Irouzaki, and the crystal-clear sea of Ougahama, the endless horizon and the rich nature brought by the Kuroshio Current soothe the hearts of visitors. In spring, early-blooming cherry blossoms and rapeseed flowers color the town; in summer, it bustles with beachgoers and tide pool explorers; and from autumn to winter, gentle sunlight and hot springs warmly welcome travelers. Throughout the seasons, a relaxed pace of life flows that cannot be experienced in the city. Additionally, this land, which has lived in harmony with the sea for centuries, is home to warm connections between people and a simple yet vibrant culture. The fresh seafood caught locally is also a major attraction. When you reach the end of your journey in Izu, something will stir within you―― Minami-Izu Town is that "starting point of emotions."

Photographed on September 26, 2014. This is the flower water basin at Kawagoe Hachimangu Shrine.

【🪭The Arayama Dance Took Place✨】 On September 27th, the "Arayama Dance," which is registered as an intangible cultural heritage by UNESCO, was held✨ Unfortunately, it rained heavily, so this year the performance took place indoors at the Arayama Hall, but there were many guests at the venue!👏 Being indoors allowed for a closer distance between the performers and the audience, creating a warm and lively atmosphere filled with cheers and laughter throughout the day☺️✨ In the morning, the children from Sakamoto Elementary School also participated in the drumming and performances🥁 Additionally, students from Gokase Secondary School energized the venue in their traditional outfits! Moreover, the students spontaneously joined in the Arayama Dance🤩 It was heartwarming to see the dancers teaching while dancing, and by the end, everyone was able to dance! The sight of generations dancing together was truly delightful☺️💕 The Arayama Dance involves many roles, with various songs, dances, and complex rhythms. While we felt the tradition passed down through long practices, there were also moments of interacting with the audience, switching roles, and hearing shouts like "Lift your feet higher!" and "Keep going from here!"…😂 And when the "monkey" approached the children, picking them up and patting their heads with a fan, cries could be heard from all around🤣🐒 (It seemed a bit scary for the kids. Haha) While the vibrant costumes look beautiful under the blue sky, the closeness and warm interactions between the performers and the audience created a unique scene that was perhaps only possible on a rainy day😌🌿 Despite the rain, this year's Arayama Dance was filled with many smiles and excitement. We were able to witness how the community cherishes and passes this tradition on to the next generation✨ Thank you to all the performers and everyone who came out in the rain! You truly did a great job!👏✨

Taken on September 23, 2026. This is the fig Basque cheesecake and banana espresso latte from LEC COFFEE.

Today, I visited a vineyard on the mountain to experience grape picking. This time, I picked "Kagawa University R-1," a grape developed by Kagawa University specifically for winemaking and processing. It is bred from the wild grape "Ryukyu Ganev" found in Okinawa and Amami, combined with the high-quality greenhouse grape "Muscat of Alexandria." Although the grape berries weigh only about 1 gram, their skins are rich in polyphenols and anthocyanins. I have previously picked grapes at tourist orchards, but this experience was completely different. In tourist orchards, the grapes hang in clusters on the trellises, making them easy to pick, but the grapes for winemaking grow freely on the trellises, with branches and leaves intertwined, requiring some effort to find the clusters. The entire vineyard is set on a slope, with drainage ditches below, so one must be careful with their steps while picking, as it is not the easy fruit-picking experience one might imagine. After washing the picked grapes, they are sent to the factory to be juiced, beginning the journey of winemaking. The wine made from R-1 grapes is named "Sauvageonne Savoureuse," featuring a rich color and less astringency, and is sold in the prefecture under the Kagawa University brand of wine. Walking into the vineyard, I realized that behind a bottle of wine, there is not only the mountain scenery but also the culmination of varietal development and the hard work of farmers.

The Hokusei Line in autumn The white cluster amaryllis contrasts beautifully with the yellow train. Inabe City, Mie Prefecture September 2026

Taken on September 23, 2014. This is the fig Basque cheesecake from LEC COFFEE.

I visited the red spider lilies at Gongendo Park. The vast carpet dyed in red is beautiful every time I see it. The red spider lilies, sparkling brightly in the sunlight, were so lovely that I could gaze at them forever.

[Mochitsuki Challenge] At the Shinto Shrine Festival in Nishiokoppe District, the Women's Association of the Chamber of Commerce tours various neighborhoods with the portable shrine, and after the rituals, they have a tradition of throwing rice cakes to the attendees. This time, we will introduce the preparation of those rice cakes. The amount of glutinous rice prepared is a total of 55 kg, combining both white and red rice cakes. A few members of the Women's Association gathered in the morning to soak the glutinous rice. After dispersing once, 40 participants gathered at 4 PM for the mochi pounding. Villagers and cottage guests, in addition to the Women's Association, also joined in!✨️ While a machine is used for the "pounding" part, the more people there are to quickly finish tasks such as cooking, tearing, shaping, cooling, and bagging, the better. Once the mochi is pounded, it becomes a race against time. Starch powder is spread on the work table, and the freshly pounded mochi is quickly torn apart. Since the mochi is extremely hot, we put on thick gloves and managed to tear it apart. Once shaped nicely while still hot, it needs to be cooled down! If it is bagged without cooling, it will mold, so the cooling process is very important. Once round, small, and cooled mochi is ready, it is bagged and the process is complete. Thanks to the wonderful teamwork, all the mochi (about 2,300 pieces!?) were successfully bagged. After about three hours of focused work, we filled our stomachs with handmade udon and pickles before dispersing. I feel that these behind-the-scenes tasks add more color to the festival atmosphere. This big job happens once a year. I secretly look forward to next year as well. #Nishiokoppe Village #Mochitsuki #Shinto Shrine Festival #Red and White Mochi #We did our best.

Photographed on September 23, 2014. This is the quiche plate from LEC COFFEE. It includes quiche with ratatouille and two types of sausage, salad, homemade bread, and butternut squash soup.

Photographed on September 23, 2014. This is the Aitai fortune slip from Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine.

Notice of the Hitomeguri Train Operation 📣 From September 28th to November 4th, the special charter train "HOKKAIDO LOVE! Hitomeguri" will operate, taking you on a tour of autumn in Hokkaido 😊 This train, using JR Hokkaido's limited express cars "Lavender" and "Hamanasu" formations, will have JAL flight attendants, the "JAL Furusato Ambassadors" and "JAL Furusato Supporters" on board, providing various hospitality services such as original onboard announcements and window guides to enhance your travel experience ✨✨ Every year, we welcome tour guests at Obihiro Station 🎵 This year, we will hold a joint welcome event with Makubetsu Town, where the town's mascot character "Pao-kun" is also expected to join us in cheering 🎵 Among the tour options, there is a course that allows you to stay at the famous "Moor Hot Springs," known for its beautiful waters, so please enjoy the rich scenery and gourmet food of Tokachi 😍 If you see the "Hitomeguri" train along the line or at the station, please wave and support the creation of travel memories 🤗 May your journey through autumn Hokkaido become a wonderful page of memories for everyone ✨✨

I visited the grave during the equinox. The red spider lilies were blooming beautifully nearby. It's autumn now. My heart felt at ease.

Lake Utonai in autumn. The blue sky and clouds reflect on the lake's surface, creating a fantastical and beautiful scenery✨ The autumn migratory bird season has finally arrived‼ Enjoy encounters with wild birds at Lake Utonai♪ (Image provided by Roadside Station Utonai Lake)

Sticking out the tongue👅

【A Night of Performing Arts and Celebration】 On a night in September. This year, the Nishiokoppe Village Performing Arts Festival was held 🎉 In the performing arts section, there were performances of traditional Japanese drumming, acting, band music, and dance, making for a nearly two-hour showcase filled with expressions and music. In the latter half, during the karaoke section, eight villagers took to the stage to passionately sing their favorite songs 🎤 As for the audience, they enjoyed chatting with acquaintances while savoring food and drinks purchased from the stalls, and cheering on the performers with all their might. Some were even seen waving glow sticks to support the karaoke ⚡️ Setoushi-kun seemed to enjoy the yakitori as well 🤤 We are grateful to everyone who participated, set up stalls, and helped behind the scenes, and to all the attendees who came on that day. Thank you for a wonderful night!

Taken on September 23, 2014. This is the Aitai fortune slip from Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine.

Due to Typhoon No. 25, landslides have occurred in various areas. We will share information about railways and roads for your reference. 【Railway Information】 From Saturday, September 26th, service will resume between Kisarazu Station and Awakamogawa Station on the Uchibo Line. 【Road Information】 Currently, the section from Yokone to Kanaya on Japan National Route 127 is closed. There are alternative routes (free) due to the closure of National Route 127. The area near Iwaifukuro and Yokone on Nagasa Kaido in Kyonan Town is also closed. If you are heading to Kamogawa from within the town, take Prefectural Road 184 (the road with Kyonan-Toyama Interchange) at the Okuyama Entrance, then head towards Sakuma Dam. After passing the dam, turn left at the T-junction near the Okuzure Suisenkyo shop, continue along the road, and turn right at the T-junction in Yuzawa to enter Nagasa Kaido. Additionally, there are closures on the road connecting Ezuki Narcissus Road and Hota. The location of the collapse marked on the map is a reference.

The coral reef Looked like a coral reef when viewed from above the autumn leaves of Mount Yoshino in Nara Prefecture.

Event Announcement📣 On Sunday, September 27th, the 51st Urahoro Furusato Minori Festival will be held! 😊 This event is a grand harvest festival celebrating the autumn bounty of crops. The day will kick off with a spectacular opening show by the Urahoro Junior High School Brass Band and Miracle Beans. ✨ On stage, we will present a musical show featuring Junretsu and Fujii Kaai. 🎵🎵 Additionally, there will be exciting events such as the annual "Minori Maki" (mochi throwing) with luxurious prizes, a thrilling "Autumn Flavor Catching" contest, and a stamp rally with local specialties to win! 😍 There will also be fun activities for children, including firewood splitting, woodworking crafts, and a ride-along experience in a high-altitude work vehicle!‼ Local gourmet foods and food trucks will gather at the venue, allowing you to enjoy delicious menus. Moreover, we will hold a photo campaign where you can win Urahoro local products by submitting photos taken during the festival. We invite you to come with your family and friends! 🤗 【Important Request】About the mochi for Minori Maki The popular "Minori Maki" has seen instances where collected mochi are being discarded in large quantities at garbage stations. This mochi is handmade with care by the townspeople, who put in great effort to prepare it for everyone. We kindly ask that you take the mochi you collect home with you and enjoy it deliciously. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation. 🔶Date and Time: September 27, 2026, from 10:00 AM to 3:20 PM *Rain or shine 🔶Venue: Urahoro Forest Park 🔶Parking: Due to congestion in parking areas near the venue, please use the free shuttle bus from Urahoro Town Hall. 🔶Contact: Urahoro Tourism Association TEL: 015-576-2181 (within the Industry Division of the Town Hall) https://www.urahoro.jp/administration/?content=3447...

The autumn leaves are beginning to change at Lake Akan (Photo taken on September 25🍁) On a clear autumn day at Lake Akan, the colors of the yellow leaves of the birch and katsura trees along the shore, as well as the Bokke Walking Trail, Takimi Bridge, and Akan Lake Onsen Town, are becoming more vibrant, alongside the red hues of the rowan, maple, wild grapes, and cherry blossoms. I previously mentioned that the nuts and berries are at their peak, and it seems the Eurasian red squirrels are out to enjoy them too🍇🐿 Today, being the Mid-Autumn Festival, the pampas grass looked beautiful as well✨ Throughout the autumn foliage season, I will regularly update you on the progress of the leaves at Akan Lake Onsen♪🍁 #Lake Akan #Foliage Spots #Yellow Leaf Spots #Takimi Bridge #Bokke Walking Trail #Akan Lake Inari Shrine #Akan-dake Shrine #Eurasian Red Squirrel #lake_akan #autumnleaf🍁 #squirrel