Hakubamura

Kurobe Dam Observation Deck

MtTateyama–Kurobe Alpine Route

Happo-one

MtKitahotaka

Early winter in Kamikochi

Jigokudani Yaen-koen monkeys

A place famous for monkeys bathing in hot springs
A monkey gazing at the hot spring amid falling snow

A sense of melancholy lingered.

Around Lake Sakuma the white ume blossoms are reaching their peak. It’s a chance to admire daffodils, white ume, and the Raito Sakura all at once. Come and see them.
#Chiba Prefecture#Sakuma Dam Lake Waterside Park#white ume#Raito Sakura#Daffodil Village

Photographed on January 26, 2014.
This is cafe andon's avocado and shrimp hot sandwich set.
When your workplace environment changes, it can be quite challenging. 😅

Staying at Kussharo Prince Hotel,
you'll hear the calls of whooper swans on Lake Kussharo in the morning.

In cold beyond −10°C,
the crackle of firewood echoes from the fireplace.

Listen to the clear lake surface and the quietly spreading sounds along the shore.

This stay turns a silence you can only feel here into sound.
📍Kussharo Prince Hotel
https://www.instagram.com/kussharo_ph/

👹✨February 3 is Setsubun✨👹

When you think of Setsubun, you think of ehomaki! The lucky direction for 2026 is south-southeast. Face that direction, hold a wish in your mind, and silently take a big bite of the whole thick roll—this is the tradition of eating an ehomaki.
This year, why not make your very own ehomaki at the sushi counter?🍣

Using delicious, naturally sweet rice from Kikuchi and guided directly by a sushi chef, enjoy a rare rolled-sushi-making experience. It’s designed so even young children can join in, making it perfect for creating family memories.

Bring your family and friends and make special Setsubun memories together✨

📌Details and reservations here
https://kikuchikanko.ne.jp/taikenplan

🚨Schedule Change🚨

[Sightsee hands-free! Luggage delivery service now available]
From Saturday, January 24 to Sunday, March 1, 2026, Teshikaga offers the 2026 winter “Teshikaga Eco Passport” town shuttle bus (reservation required) and, during the same period, a luggage delivery service called “Sightsee hands-free.” This convenient service delivers your luggage from the drop-off location to the pick-up location so you can explore Teshikaga light and free during that time. You won’t need to carry your bags yourself, allowing you to spend all your time and energy on sightseeing. No advance reservation is required. Please take advantage of this opportunity.

Period
Saturday, January 24 to Sunday, March 1, 2026

Fee
1,000 yen (tax included)

Luggage size
Total of length, width, and height up to 160 cm / weight up to 25 kg
*Valuables, fragile items, hazardous materials, precision instruments, and frozen or refrigerated items cannot be accepted*

Drop-off locations and reception hours
A: JR Mashu Station 8:30–11:30
B: JR Kawayu-Onsen Station 8:30–12:00
C: Kawayu Onsen Town Hotel until 11:00
(Kawayu Kanko Hotel, KKR Kawayu, Oyado Kinkiyu Annex Suikazura)
*Please note that the reception hours for C have changed.*

Pick-up locations and hours
A: JR Mashu Station 15:00–16:30
B: JR Kawayu-Onsen Station 14:00–17:00
C: Kawayu Onsen Town Hotel from 13:30 onward
(Kawayu Kanko Hotel, KKR Kawayu, Oyado Kinkiyu Annex Suikazura)


________________________________
Use it like a coin locker—no delivery! Luggage storage only
We also offer a luggage storage-only service you can use like a coin locker without delivery. Please use it according to your needs.
Fee: 700 yen (tax included)
A: JR Mashu Station 8:30–16:30
B: JR Kawayu-Onsen Station 8:30–17:00

Contact
Mashu Tourism Association
015-482-2200
Reception hours 9:00–17:00 on weekdays
masyu_as@peace.ocn.ne.jp

https://www.masyuko.or.jp
https://www.masyuko.or.jp/news/2025winterecopassport/

From January 27, 2026, local sake sales begin🍶

At roadside station iwanai,
we offer “Junmai Daiginjo Yama” and “Junmai Ginjo Umi”
in 720ml and 300ml bottles♪
*Amazake is not available for sale.

Prices are as follows ⇩
“Junmai Daiginjo Yama”
720ml 2,970 yen (tax included) 300ml 1,485 yen (tax included)

“Junmai Ginjo Umi”
720ml 2,200 yen (tax included) 300ml 1,100 yen (tax included)

“Junmai Daiginjo Yama” polished rice ratio 45%
It has a fruity, clean taste without off-flavors,
making it an excellent match with snacks like cheese!

“Junmai Ginjo Umi” polished rice ratio 60%
Enjoy it as a table sake that brings out the best in dishes such as sashimi
It won the gold prize in the Junmai category at the 2023 new-sake tasting contest hosted by the Sapporo Regional Taxation Bureau✨

We look forward to seeing you♪

🌼We have updated the daffodil blooming report🌼
The peak season continues✨
The lowland areas are especially impressive!
In some spots, they should be enjoyable until around early February🌱💭

https://www.shimoda-city.info/post/20260128

Photographed on January 21, 2014.
This is Tokyo Daijingu Shrine at around 7:30 a.m.

Laughter Yoga Class
Want to loosen your body with laughter?

This health exercise combines laughter with yogic breathing
to relax both mind and body.

Children, adults, and seniors
are all welcome.

Saturday, February 7
2:00 PM (about 1 hour 30 minutes)
at Hotel Rimu Plum Hall

Participation fee: Free
Reservation: Not required

What to bring: Comfortable clothing for movement, a towel for sweat, a drink, etc.

Instructor:
Happy Smile Create
Laughter Yoga Teacher
Mawiko Nakamura

Organizer / Contact:
Musouraku Circle Kondo (090-3115-3722)

A bus to the Kamiokoppe direction will run.
If you plan to use it, please contact us by Thursday, February 5.

Supported by: Nishiokoppe Village Board of Education #Laughter Yoga #Health Exercise
#Laugh #Musouraku #Circle

※This gift campaign is open to registered Miyoshi Tourism Ambassadors only.

“Posting a review (impressions) on Instagram”
is a condition to participate in this campaign, which lets you experience a “Miyoshi Specialty”🖊️

◼︎“Miyoshi Specialty” Experience & Review Campaign
Application period: Monday, January 26, 2026 – Sunday, February 1, 2026
Winners announced: Tuesday, February 3, 2026
※Only winners will be contacted.
Please reply with the required information by the deadline stated in the winning notification.

◼︎List of Miyoshi Specialties
A total of 30 winners will be selected, five winners for each item🎁✨

A. Western-style liqueur cake (10 pieces)
B. HIROSHIMA NOH BREWERY 3-bottle set
C. Good Morning Fruit Breakfast Set
D. Cheese manju (6 pieces)
E. Hojicha syrup & habu grass tea set
F. Mountain yam energy set

※Items A and B contain alcohol.
If you are sensitive to alcohol, please refrain from applying.
Applicants under 20 years old cannot apply for item B.

◼︎How to apply
After registering as a Miyoshi Tourism Ambassador,
apply via the official LINE account.

◼︎How to register as a Miyoshi Tourism Ambassador
If you are not yet registered as a Miyoshi Tourism Ambassador,
sign up via the link below → then register with the official LINE account from the auto-reply email♪
https://miyoshi-daisuki.com/

◼︎Eligibility requirements
・Be a registered Miyoshi Tourism Ambassador
・Have an Instagram account and post with a public profile
・If selected, be able to post a product review (impressions) on Instagram
・Be able to complete a survey after the gift campaign

◼︎Notes
・Shipments are scheduled for around mid-February.
※Because the campaign aims to have winners experience Miyoshi specialties and share them on Instagram, entries from private (locked) accounts will not be selected.

We look forward to applications from everyone who loves Miyoshi City💕☺️
https://miyoshi-daisuki.com/

this is my first time taking photos of car

Photographed on January 21, 2014.
These are New Year decorations at Tokyo Daijingu Shrine.🎍

●A Big Hit! Sarurun Kamuy — A Journey to Meet the Red-Crowned Cranes●

Now Recruiting Participants for Sunday, February 8 and Sunday, February 15 ☺
Special early-morning entry to Akan International Crane Center!
Under Director Kawase’s guidance, observe the cranes as they arrive.
In February, at the peak of the season, come and watch the cranes dance gracefully.

Application Deadline: Friday, January 29
*Limited availability remains for Sunday, February 8!*
Please make reservations by phone directly (^^)/
Kushiro Tourism & Convention Association: 0154-31-1996

Introducing hot spring inns in Teshikaga♨️

Teshikaga has two hot spring areas, Mashu Onsen and Kawayu Onsen. The water quality and therapeutic effects vary by spring and by inn, so be sure to check out a variety of hot spring accommodations✨A second and third guide are in preparation. Please look forward to them😉🔥