Beginner-friendly! Hike Mt. Kuradake from the 9th station Mt. Kuradake sits in Kyokushi, Kikuchi City, Kumamoto Prefecture. Its appeal is that you can drive up to the 9th station and reach the summit in about a 30-minute walk, making it an easy outing. The mountain takes its name from the saddle-like shape you see from the foothills. There are several routes to suit different abilities, including the Forest Course, the Panorama Course, and the East Trailhead Course (9th station). Hikers from beginners to advanced enjoy this mountain. From the summit you get a 360-degree panorama. You can take in sweeping views of the Five Peaks of Aso, the Kuju Mountains in Oita, and Unzen in Nagasaki. Wildflowers bloom along the way, offering seasonal variety. Signposts and markers make the route relatively easy to follow. Relax at the summit with a packed lunch or a cup of coffee. It’s also a great spot to watch the first sunrise of the year on New Year’s Day. https://kikuchikanko.ne.jp/archives/featured/kuratake...

In Shobara City, Hiroshima Prefecture, there’s a bookstore that even sells local sake and souvenirs! 😍 A bookstore that hosts surprise events? Discover the many charms of We Higashijo Store 📚✨ Sosho Sato Main Store in Jinsekikogencho began in the Meiji era as a general shop stocking rubber boots, candles and daily necessities. The second branch, We Higashijo Store, opened in Tojo Town, Shobara City, offering books, CDs and stationery. More than a bookstore, the store also houses a hair salon, a cosmetics section, an esthetic room and a coin laundry, making it indispensable to the local community. Recently, Tomonori Sato began carefully selecting and selling food items and local sake. The store also runs unique initiatives you won’t find elsewhere, from events to original book covers. ✨ We spoke with fourth-generation CEO Tomonori Sato about the visitor-friendly appeal of We Higashijo Store. Read the article here🔽 https://www.shobara-info.com/report/5346... We Higashijo Store Address: 1348-1 Kawahigashi, Tojo Town, Shobara City Phone: 08477-2-1188 Hours: 10:00–19:00 Closed: Open year-round Parking: Available (30 spaces) Honabi Address: 2-12-10 Nishihonmachi, Shobara City Phone: 0824-73-9366 Hours: 9:30–19:00 Note: From Friday, November 21, 2025, hours will change to 10:00–18:30. Closed: Tuesdays Parking: Available (shared parking)

From Yahiko Park in Niigata Prefecture. The mountains seen through trees dyed red and yellow left a strong impression.

This is an avenue of larch trees. The larch needles turn orange and when they fall, the first snowfall arrives, and Hokkaido enters its long winter.

I climbed Yatsugatake's main peak, MtAkadake (2,899 m), via Kenkai Ridge while also inspecting the trail. It was my first time on Kenkai Ridge at this season. From around Daitengu, the path turned snowy and shaded sections were icy and very slippery. I put on chain spikes for the descent. The weather was perfect, but strong west winds made the summit cold. It already felt like winter up there, and the mountain hut is closed at this time of year. Hikers should take care. Climbing Kenkai Ridge in the deep winter is extremely dangerous; there have been recent fatal accidents. If you plan to climb, do so in the snow-free season.

Ashoro Hidamari Farm’s BLANK HARD CIDER WORKS cider “00 L#2 (Ale)” won the top prize in the taste judging at the Japan Cider Awards 2025! Using ale yeast commonly employed in beer brewing, the ale’s top-fermenting character minimizes contact between the liquid surface and air, producing a fruity, richly aromatic flavor. In-bottle secondary fermentation allows the yeast—the main component of the lees—to self-break down into amino acids and peptides, adding depth and complexity to the cider. Quoted from the official online store. Our Roadside Station also sells several ciders, including the award-winning “00 L#2 (Ale).” Please pick one up when you visit! Price: ¥1,100 per bottle (tax included) Note: Cider is an alcoholic beverage made from apples. We do not sell to anyone under 20 years old. BLANK HARD CIDER WORKS official website https://blank-hardcider.com// BLANK HARD CIDER WORKS official online store https://blank-hardcider13.stores.jp//

November 17th A breathtaking view from the summit of Mount Nagamine this morning A morgenrot draping the Northern Alps A sea of clouds covering the Azumino Plain For this view, visit Azumino at dawn The tourism association organizes the "Stay in Azumino: Mount Nagamine Spectacular View Tour" For details, visit the official website

Snow-capped mountains in the Hakuba area of the Northern Alps From Azumino, view Mt Jiigatake, Mt Kashimayarigatake, Goryu-dake, and the Hakuba Sanzan…

The Northern Alps' 3,000-meter peaks visible from Azumino Below flows the Hotaka River, fed by the Northern Alps This is the view from Azumino Ohashi Bridge!!

November 16th This weekend brings clear, calm skies to Azumino after a long while From Ohisama Road you can see the beautiful MtJonen

The rural landscape of MtAriakeyama and Azumino From the village it looks like the shape of Mount Fuji. It is called Mount Shinano Fuji I expect its summit will soon be capped with snow and look more like Mount Fuji.

November 15th Good morning A Morgenrot morning in Azumino The rising sun hit the Northern Alps, turning them red This weekend looks set to bring clear, pleasant weather in Azumino

Autumn leaves have descended on Azumino no Sato. Vivid colors now spread across Azumino. Everyone’s beloved Mt Jonen has even begun to don a dusting of snow!!

Country roads in Azumino The Northern Alps lie ahead… Take a leisurely walk through Azumino in autumn and discover its beautiful scenery!

It was partly cloudy in Azumino today, but yesterday was clear. Jikkasegi Canal flowing through Azumino. A duck rested its wings. The distant mountains of Hakuba stretched into view.

Fukui Treasure Expo On Saturday, November 22 and Sunday, November 23, from 10:00 to 16:00, Sundome Fukui will host the Fukui Treasure Expo, where you can view and try hands-on experiences with Fukui's cultural assets and traditional crafts. Kouno Tourism Association will also take part in the Kitamaebune (coastal merchant ship) corner, and we look forward to welcoming you. https://www.pref.fukui.lg.jp/doc/syoubun/fukuiotakarahaku.html...

Photographed on November 15, 2025. This is the hanachōzu (flower water basin) at Kawagoe Hachimangu Shrine.

I photographed the beautiful autumn leaves and mountains reflected on the water.

This is the mouth of the Takase River in Shirahama, Wakayama Prefecture. A few small fishing boats that had returned from fishing were moored here. This place is also a peaceful haven for ducks. At dusk, when a breeze stirs and the water turns a reddened hue, it is a time that soothes the heart.

The autumn leaves were so vivid and harmonized beautifully with the color of the torii gate that I took a photo.

Oita Prefecture is a place we love and visit with family at least twice a year. On November 16, when the autumn colors began, we took our second leisurely walk through Fujikawachi Valley in Saiki City. We enjoyed the lower stream for about an hour and a half. My top recommendation, Oketsu Valley, is best seen from the bridge reached by car. I was captivated by the beautifully eroded water channels and took many photos. At the time I didn’t notice the light coming from the sky, and I was truly surprised when I checked the album. It was likely a shutter moment measured in seconds. It felt as if a goddess briefly and secretly appeared, and—though audaciously—I captured her on my phone. So overcome with happiness, I decided to post this. Tomorrow is my birthday, and my family will celebrate at our favorite inn in Beppu Onsen. I am deeply moved by this early gift from the heavens.

The fire festival at Ōnakao Rice Terraces, with 260 years of history. On autumn nights, the terraces glow orange as flames transform the landscape into a dreamlike scene. Chosen as one of Japan’s Top 100 Terraced Rice Fields, this site offers the flicker and shadowplay of fire—an effect no electric light can reproduce. Stars and the moon shine in the night sky, and the surrounding silence deepens the sense of being somewhere extraordinary. Visitors can immerse themselves in the warmth of the fire and the crisp autumn air, experiencing the season’s night with all five senses.

Night at Kanazawa Hakkei

Recharge your body and soul with one of the world’s three greatest sunsets. In Hokkaido’s Kushiro, enjoy canoeing and food-walking, and indulge in luxurious, delightful gourmet experiences. On nature walks, you may spot long-tailed tit and other wildlife. After a day of full enjoyment, treat yourself to a sky-given reward time at Kushiro Prince Hotel. 🌇 ―――――――――――――――――――――― Recharge with Kushiro’s sunset — one of the world’s three great sunsets. After a day full of discoveries, from canoeing and gourmet delights to encounters with wildlife, slow down, raise your glass, and let the light do the rest. 🌇 @kushiroprincehotel For reservations and details, visit the profile URL. https://www.princehotels.co.jp/kushiro/experience/...

Photographed on November 15, 2025. This is the hanachozu (flower water basin) at Kawagoe Hachimangu Shrine.

Photographed on November 15, 2025. After the monthly ceremony at Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine, I relaxed at Starbucks Kawagoe Kanetsuki-dori Store. I had a gingerbread latte and a white chocolate macadamia donut.

A silhouette of a whooper swan bathed in the setting sun. Some birds use it as a stopover before flying further south in Japan, but many spend the winter in Hokkaido. At sunrise and sunset, the river glows gold as they land on the water or take flight, creating a truly beautiful sight.

Ana Kōbō (穴弘法), Toki City, Gifu Prefecture I visited to attend the Autumn Leaves Festival.

Got the shot at Oidaira Park! Waiting since early morning. A light morning haze — perfect for the shot! Photographing the waterfall with maple leaves. Oidaira Park, Toyota City 2025/11/15