Spinning Yarn from Wool Ski classes have also started in Nishiokoppe Village and it has become an even more enjoyable season for outdoor play in the snow. (At the same time, the cold grows severe, and we also face a season of heavy snow.) How do you spend your time at home these days? Lately, I have been spinning yarn from wool. A local dairy farmer in Nishiokoppe Village raises sheep, and because there is so much fleece, they asked if I would join them in spinning. 🐑🐑🐑 First, I wash the fleece again and again to remove dirt like dung and straw clinging to it. At this stage the wool is fluffy and full of mats, so it is hard to pull out the fibers; I use a tool called a carder to loosen the wool and make it soft and airy. I am very grateful that an acquaintance does all these pre-spinning steps for me… The blue fleece in the photos was dyed by that acquaintance. They grew indigo leaves for dyeing and gave the wool a pale sky-blue tint. 🐑🐑🐑 Now, at last, I begin spinning the yarn. At my friend’s house there was a spinning wheel where you pedal to twist and wind the yarn. It pulls fibers from the fluffy mass thinner and thinner, twisting them as it winds. You control the winding speed with the pedal, but if drawing out the fibers lags, the yarn can become overtwisted and the process fails. So I decided to spin using a tool called a spindle. You hook the drawn-out thin fibers on the top hook and set the spindle on the floor like a top; just give it a spin and the wool fibers twist into yarn. When I have spun yarn as far as my arm can reach, I wind the twisted yarn onto the shaft and continue spinning from there. 🐑🐑🐑 Round and round, twist and twist. If I move my hands while watching dramas or anime, the time flies by. By the way, if you hang the spun yarn on the wall with a weight attached overnight, the twist won’t come undone. This is how the balls of yarn you see at craft shops are made. Today I shared one moment of my time at home. I’m thinking about what to knit with the yarn I spun… When the knitted item is finished, I’ll let you know again. #sheep #wool #indigo dye

【✨Spectacular View from Omachi Park 🏔️】 On February 4, the first day of spring in the traditional calendar, the Northern Alps were visible beautifully from many spots across the city area 🏔️ So we headed to Omachi Park, a small hilltop park on the city’s east side. Omachi Park is an easy-to-reach scenic spot by car ✨ With no obstructions, you can take in a sweeping view of the town and the snow-capped Northern Alps 😊 If you happen to be nearby, this is a view you should enjoy ✨ ⭐️For more details about Omachi Park, see below 🔽🔽🔽 https://kanko-omachi.gr.jp/spot/omachipark/...

[Isehara Setsubun Festival] Yesterday, February 3rd, Setsubun festivals were held at various locations throughout Isehara City. As a traditional event to drive away evil spirits (oni) associated with illness and disaster and to pray for health and safety, the festivals drew many worshippers and became a lively, energetic day.

#021 [Tourist Spot Feature Part 4 ✨] Introducing one of Tsunocho’s landmarks, Roadside Station Tsuno! Roadside Station Tsuno sits along Route 10 in Tsunocho and buzzes with visitors every day. Look around the parking lot and you’ll be surprised to see mostly out-of-prefecture license plates on the cars and trucks. Although it fills with travelers and drivers, the station is actually still relatively new. Roadside Station Tsuno opened on July 31, 2013, the day before Tsuno Shrine Summer Festival, the town’s signature celebration. From the moment it opened, it welcomed many guests and contributed greatly to Tsunocho’s growth. Its location on National Route 10 helps draw crowds, but there are other reasons too. Those reasons are its low prices and its facilities. Roadside Station Tsuno has even ranked third in past Miyazaki Prefecture roadside station listings, a sign of its strong reputation. First, about the low prices: items are noticeably cheaper than usual. That’s because products come straight from local producers. Skipping middlemen lets vendors sell at lower prices. By the way, I also buy vegetables and fruit at Roadside Station Tsuno. Next, the facilities. While they haven’t changed much since opening, the station offers a well-equipped product area, a food court, an information and rest corner, a nursing room, and restrooms with diaper-changing stations. Having diaper-changing tables is especially helpful for families with young children. The information and rest corner holds flyers and posters about Tsunocho and attractions across the prefecture. In the food court you’ll find Fukuura Cafeteria, famous for its seafood bowls; Osuzu‑an, serving jidori chicken soba; Ichido ramen; and a soft-serve ice cream stand. I love ramen, so I often eat here. The product area is naturally very popular, offering seasonal vegetables and fruit. At this time of year you’ll see many mandarins, strawberries, and cabbage on display. Isn’t having well-equipped facilities something very important for visitors? Whether you’ve never been to Roadside Station Tsuno or you’ve visited before, please come and see it for yourself.

Photographed on January 31, 2014. These are the floral water displays at Kawagoe Hachimangu Shrine.

February 4th A snow moon two days late and MtJonen This morning in Azumino the sky was perfectly clear The moon setting behind MtJonen

February 3rd In the morning, snowflakes drifted over Azumino The sky cleared and the Northern Alps stretched into the distance as far as Hakuba The OitoLine runs toward Hakuba

The Karasukawa flows through Nagano Prefecture's Karasugawa Valley Green Space It carries snowmelt from Mt. Jonen in the Northern Alps As it flows, it nourishes Azumino

Sen'en Ridge (仙塩尾根), Minami Alps National Park, Japan

Ariakeyama Shrine sits on the foothills of the Northern Alps, venerating Mt. Ariake as its sacred mountain and serving as a village shrine rooted in mountain worship. It is also famous as a power spot. The Yumeimon Gate, adorned with carvings of the twelve zodiac animals, is splendid and designated as a tangible cultural property.

🌊 A new guesthouse is opening on Shimaura Island 🌊 On Shimaura Island, Miyazaki Prefecture’s only inhabited remote island, the local community has launched a new initiative, and a new guesthouse, Island Base Shimami, is opening 👏🏻 A guesthouse that closed about 15 years ago has been renovated to make it easier for individuals and groups to stay. Future guests will be able to enjoy island specialties such as sea bream and greater amberjack, as well as ingredients from the newly started oyster farming, at this accommodation. To celebrate the opening, the following event will be held. 📅 Opening Commemoration Event Date and time: Saturday, February 7, 10:15–11:00 Venue: Guesthouse Island Base Shimami next to Island Park (616-1 Shimaura-cho) 🎉 Program ・Greeting by the Mayor of Miura ・Guesthouse tour and explanation of accommodation options ・Mochi-throwing and candy-throwing ・Distribution of original coffee drip bags Anyone may attend, so if you are interested, please come and join us 😊 Also, to cover part of the costs for refurbishing the guesthouse, a crowdfunding campaign is currently underway. Please check the following page for details. https://camp-fire.jp/projects/902085/view...

Photographed on January 31, 2014. This is the hanachozu (flower water basin) at Kawagoe Hachimangu Shrine.

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/...