[Isehara and MtOoyama Specialty Products Sale at Sagami-Ono Station – Event Announcement] This weekend, on December 13 and 14, we will hold a sale of specialty products from Isehara and MtOoyama in the concourse of OdakyuLine Sagami-Ono Station. We will offer fresh local vegetables and local specialties such as Ooyama Manju from the popular MtOoyama shop Ryoben. In addition, we will introduce hometown tax return gifts and multicolor woodblock prints. Isehara City’s image character Kururin and Odakyu’s child-rearing support character Mokoron will also appear. Come and visit us for a weekend outing! Date: Saturday, December 13 and Sunday, December 14 Time: 10:30–15:00 Location: OdakyuLine Sagami-Ono Station concourse

On November 30th, while heading to Mizumoto Park in Tokyo Metropolis to photograph wild birds, I passed by Katori Shrine. When I glanced at a patch of weeds, two cats were sleeping curled up together. Autumn had deepened, and fallen leaves and a fine rain were beginning to fall. Surely these cats felt the chill of the season and shared their warmth with each other.

Photographed on December 4, 2025. This is the lunch plate from le bilboquet in Akasaka. It includes salad, carrot râpé, quiche, and roast pork.

Reihoku Sunset Marche — December Announcement📣 Here’s the December announcement for the Reihoku Sunset Marche♪ 👀Highlights of this edition of the Sunset Marche👀 ❣The Reihoku Sunset Marche, featuring agricultural products, processed foods, and prepared dishes from Reihoku Town, marks its first anniversary since launch🎊 To celebrate the anniversary, we will hold a lottery for the first customers who spend 700 yen or more! We will also offer a VegiCheck screening that awards health points, so do stop by❣ We look forward to seeing you😊 Don’t forget to bring your own shopping bag🛍✨ Planned produce for sale ・Turnips🫜 ・Pumpkins🎃 ・Cabbage ・Cucumbers🥒 ・Rice (new harvest)🌾 ・Red leaf lettuce ・Potatoes🥔 ・Garland chrysanthemum (shungiku) ・Zucchini ・Daikon radish ・Carrots🥕 ・Chinese cabbage ・Wakame scallion (ichimonji, wakegi) ・Green peppers🫑 ・Beni Haruka sweet potatoes ・Spinach ・Mandarin oranges🍊 ・Mizuna greens ・Cherry tomatoes (Aiko, fruit varieties) ・Lettuce 🥦🍅🥕🍠🥬🧅🫑🌽🌶🫛🍆🫚🥔 Reihoku Sunset Marche Date and Time: Sunday, December 14, 1:00 PM–3:30 PM ※VegiCheck screening from 12:30 PM–3:30 PM Location: Amakusa Reihoku Tourist Association (Reihoku Town product center facility, 4535-1 Kamitsufue, Reihoku Town)

Photographed on December 4, 2025. After the exam, I visited Akasaka Hikawa Shrine. I was fortunate to be able to pay my respects, so I offered a katashiro (paper doll) for the year-end purification ritual.

From downtown Kushiro: Mt. Akan-Fuji and Mt. Meakan Lake Akan in eastern Hokkaido is surrounded by vast, unspoiled nature. Winter is finally in full swing ☃️ — stay tuned for winter scenery updates!

In winter, some tourist facilities in Shimoda City are scheduled to close or suspend operations for maintenance and inspections. Please take care when visiting. The Izu Cruise "Shimoda Port Sightseeing" had been scheduled for inspection until December 12, but it finished earlier than planned and resumed service yesterday ⚓✨ https://www.shimoda-city.info/post/20251125...

📢 Notice of Resumed Operations Asahidake Ropeway will resume service from Thursday, December 11✨ Groomed courses are available in the MtAsahi winter area⛷ Skiing and sliding equipment may be brought into the gondolas and station buildings. 🕘 Hours: 9:00–15:40 (last ascent 15:20) 💴 Fare: Adults ¥2,800 / Children ¥1,750 (round trip) For the latest information, check the Asahidake Ropeway official website

Photographed on December 3, 2025. This is the lunch plate from Brasserie Catheri near Kawagoeshi Station in Kawagoe City. It’s packed with salad, gratin, quiche, and more. 😊

[Notice: Isehara Yoga in MtOoyama] Join a relaxing yoga session held at Ryokan Asada at the foot of MtOoyama. This special event lets you gently release everyday fatigue with yoga, restore body and mind, and enjoy the ryokan’s signature tofu kaiseki for lunch. We hope you will join us. Date: Saturday, February 28, 2026 Time: Yoga from 10:00 (90 minutes) ※Registration from 9:30 Venue: Ryokan Asada Fee: 5,000 yen (includes meal) Capacity: 20 people (minimum 10 participants required; advance reservation needed) What to bring: comfortable clothing, a drink, and a yoga mat (rental available for 200 yen) Application deadline: Friday, February 13, 2026 For details, please see the official website. https://isehara-kanko.com/isehara-yoga/...

We’ve decorated the tanks with Christmas trees again this year 🎄 Keeping adding more Is it just me, or do they seem more and more gorgeous each year?! 🧑‍🎄On weekends and holidays through December 25, Santa will appear between 12:00 and 12:30🧑‍🎄 Also, on December 24 and 25 at 12:00 there will be an “Underwater Santa Raffle”🐟 You can get a good deal with a digital ticket♪ *Before normal admission, buy the “Sightseeing Digital Ticket” and let’s go🙌 📍Echizen Matsushima Aquarium ◾ Address: 74-2-3 Saki, Mikuni Town, Sakai City ◾ Phone: 0776-81-2700 ◾ Hours: 9:00–16:30 (winter season)

“Zatsu Tabi - That's Journey -” (author: Kenta Ishizaka) episode “Journey 46” takes place in Fukui Prefecture, exploring the Reinan region. In Mihama Town, the visit includes overnight stays and stops at major attractions such as the Rainbow Line, Roadside Station, and the Lake Center. It is currently available for a limited time on Kadokomi (ComicWalker), so please take a look when you have time. https://comic-walker.com/detail/KC_002635_S/episodes/KC_0026350009500011_E?episodeType=latest...

Special exhibition until Sunday, December 14th "Mago Nagasaka Exhibition" Mago Nagasaka’s solo show, his first museum exhibition in the Hokuriku region. From paintings to three-dimensional works, this rare opportunity presents the trajectory of Nagasaka’s creative practice on an unprecedented scale that uses the natural setting of Kanazu Forest of Creation. To support Nagasaka’s global efforts driven by his strong belief that art exists to save people and promote world peace, the museum will attempt artwork sales second only to the Ueno Royal Museum. Through this exhibition, we aim to convey the future roles and possibilities of art and foster a sustainable cultural environment. 📌Hours 10:00–17:00 (last admission 16:30) 📌Venue Kanazu Forest of Creation Museum Artcore and open-air museum 57-2-19 Miyanoyatsu, Awara City, Fukui Prefecture 919-0806 📌Admission General 300 yen (200 yen), 65 and over / people with disabilities 150 yen, Free for high school students and younger, and one caregiver per visitor with a disability Prices in parentheses apply to groups of 20 or more ★Part of the admission fees will be used to support activities in Ghana.

📍Matsushima Rikyu It was a wonderful spot where you could enjoy autumn leaves, illumination, and reflections all at once ✨🍁😍🍁✨

Autumn leaves at Naruko Gorge 🍁🤭🍁 The colors were truly beautiful this year. It would have been even better if a train had passed, but services are suspended due to last year’s heavy rain☔️🥹🚃 I hope recovery and restoration happen as soon as possible😌

Notice of Trail Closures Due to Wildfire on Hinata Mountain A wildfire that started on Tuesday, December 9 has led to the closure of the hiking trails toward Hinata. We apologize for the inconvenience and ask for your understanding and cooperation. For more details, please check the city website. https://www.city.isehara.kanagawa.jp/kankou_guide/docs/2025121000010/...

The autumn leaves at Okuni Jinja Shrine in Shizuoka Prefecture. The vermilion bridge blends seamlessly into the fall scenery.

Autumn in Japan is very beautiful but the view of 1st sun kissed metasequoia forest in Mizumoto park looks completely different. To see this view I went there very early in the morning by taking the first train and first bus. The view I got was completely worthy. Location: Mizumoto park, Tokyo

Akizuki Castle Ruins in Asakura City, Fukuoka Prefecture I went to see the autumn leaves at Akizuki Castle Ruins The brilliant red foliage was beautiful. (୨୧❛ᴗ❛)📷💕🍁

A mantis in late autumn. Its charm is irresistibly cute. Sadly, it seems it cannot survive the winter.

Toyamago Frost Month Festival Yudate kagura performed in the 11th month of the lunar calendar (Frost Month). It is thought to be a ritual that invites the gods from across the country around the winter solstice, when daytime is shortest and life force weakens, to welcome them with hot water and pray for the revival of the sun and life. ◆Schedule and details for the Frost Month Festival Toyamago Tourism Association Tel: 0260-34-1071 *Please also check the official website.

⋆⸜ ⭐️<Daisen Park Japanese Garden> Wa Light Nights ⭐️ ⸝⋆ 【Special Winter Night Opening】💫 On winter nights, a serene and beautiful Japanese garden comes alive, bathed in traditional Japanese light. Leave everyday life behind and spend a warm, glowing moment with someone special ✨😊♡⃛ < Japanese Garden in Daisen Park > 🔶Event Period ・ Saturday, December 20 to Sunday, December 21 ・ Wednesday, December 24 to Thursday, December 25 ・ 5:00 PM–8:00 PM (last admission 7:30 PM) 🔍For details, search “Daisen Park Japanese Garden Special Winter Night Opening”! https://www.daisenteien.jp/event/tw2wj5c1lke1...

⋆⸜❄Sakai Plaza of Rikyu and Akiko Winter Mini Concert❄⸝⋆ Enjoy choir, piano, and string performances in the free zone's Tourist Information Exhibition Room♪🎀 [Same-day events] ※Reservation required ☆ Risho Cafe vol.2 opens in the hall, serving special sweets like chocolates and cakes🍰 ☆ A workshop to make a displayable Christmas handkerchief featuring the "Chasen Tree" pattern will also be held☆🎄 ⭐Sunday, December 14 — 11:00 to 16:00 📍Please come to Sakai Plaza of Rikyu and Akiko ( @rishonomori )♪😊 🔍For details, search "Sakai Plaza of Rikyu and Akiko Concert"! 🔗 https://sakai-rishonomori.com/pages/103?detail=1&b_id=574......

Hakodate's port at night. This beautiful night view gives the impression of a glittering cityscape, but the streets of Hakodate are not so bustling at night, and it has a peaceful charm. Of course, the real "star" of the show in Hakodate is not the port, but the Goryokaku. It feels incredible to find an advanced iteration of the the European star forts perfected under Vauban appearing unexpectedly in northern Japan. Fascinating history!

As soon as winter arrives, a box of tangerines always appears in a corner of the living room. That five-kilogram box is usually eaten down to the last fruit by my family in less than a week. Datun Mountain in my hometown of Beitou District produces plenty of ponkan. Though the skin is thicker, the flesh is full and the sweet-tart balance makes them an essential offering during Lunar New Year rites. By contrast, Japanese mikan are small and charming, especially the SS size that you can pop into your mouth whole. I often realize, to my surprise, that I’ve already eaten more than ten. But my favorite is Obara Beniwase from Kagawa Prefecture. Its flavor closely resembles Beitou’s ponkan, with a perfectly balanced sweet and tartness that never grows tiresome. Both the peel and flesh of Obara Beniwase are deeper and redder than those of ordinary tangerines, and it is said to be the most vividly red citrus in Japan. The top grade is called Sanuki Beni, with sweetness over 12.5, followed by the excellent Kintoki Beni, with sweetness above 11.5. Sakaide City in Kagawa Prefecture is the main growing area for Obara Beniwase. Once, when I visited Shiramineji Temple, the 81st site on the Shikoku Pilgrimage, I stopped at an orchard at the foot of the mountain to pick tangerines. Looking at those glossy red-orange fruits in the sunlight awakened my appetite, and I ate several dozen at once, then brought home a large bag to enjoy slowly. Perhaps because of all that, the box of tangerines that inevitably appears in a corner of my home each winter is more than a seasonal symbol; it is a small warmth in my heart that bridges Taiwan and Japan and ties together memories and flavor.

Illuminations are lit at JR Miemachi Station ❚ Held from December 5, 2025 to January 31, 2026 Illuminations are on display at JR Miemachi Station in Mie-machi, Bungo-ono City, Oita Prefecture, organized by the Mie Branch of Bungo-ono City Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The lights glitter and lend a festive glow to Miemachi Station. Why not visit Miemachi Station this winter? Date and Time: Friday, December 5, 2025–Saturday, January 31, 2026 Location: JR Miemachi Station (2930 Akamine, Mie-machi, Bungo-ono City, Oita Prefecture) Lighting Hours: 5:00 PM–1:00 AM (next day) ■■■ Access from places such as Fukuoka and Kumamoto 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 ■■■■■■■■■■■■ Introducing tourism and recommended spots in Kyushu, Bungo-ono City, Oita Prefecture ■■■■■■■■■■■■

2026 Ice and Snow Lantern Festival This enchanting event fills winter nights along Kiso Road with the warm glow of ice candles and bamboo lanterns handcrafted by local residents. Held at post towns and other venues across the Kiso area, it usually runs from late January through mid-February each year. A photo contest will also be held. We look forward to many entries! For details, please see the Kiso Tourism Federation website.

Photographed on December 3, 2013. This is the Tori-no-ichi fair at Kawagoe Kumano Shrine. A kumade decorated with beckoning cat charms that looks auspicious.