It's getting cooler, isn't it? Photograph of 📸 my father's confirmation of his survival LINE 2025.10.27

Gohbara-juku (Gohbara-juku) Location: Gohbara, Hirooka, Shiojiri City Gohbara-juku was the first post town on the Zenkoji Kaido after it branched from the Nakasendo at Seba-juku. It was established in Keicho 19 (1614) when Hidemasa Ogasawara, lord of Matsumoto Castle, developed the Zenkoji Kaido (the Hokuriku side route) to connect Nakasendo’s Seba-juku with the Hokkokukaido. Rather than an existing settlement becoming the post town, Gohbara’s original village lay on the east bank of the Narai River in the Ueno land division. When the post station was laid out, the settlement was moved around Genna 5 (circa 1619) to its present site together with the Kataishi hamlet, which had been on the west bank, to create the new post town. Highlights of Gohbara-juku Houses were laid out with wide frontages of five to six ken, featuring main gabled roofs with the short side facing the street and sparrow deterrents on the ridges. Each house has a forecourt with planted trees, creating an attractive streetscape, and shop names are displayed at every residence. Sōetsu Yanagi, called the father of the mingei (folk craft) movement, praised Gohbara-juku in his essays, saying the entire post town was “a single splendid work of art.” On the north side of the post town stands Gofuku-ji, which served as a resting place for Emperor Meiji during his imperial tour in Meiji 13 (1880). Read more about the Nakasendo and the five post towns in the city here↓

The pink lotus in the second photo and the white lotus in the third photo are actually the same lotus! This variety is called kosanshoku, and its buds and early blooms look pink as in the first photo, but by the third to fourth day they change from pink to white! https://www.minamiechizen.com/en/spot/19388/...

Crab season has arrived!! Winter’s delicacy, Echizen crab, is coming to the Kono area. Enjoy a special time with someone important to you. The Kono Tourism Association will introduce charming restaurants tailored to your requests. Please make use of the Minami-Echizen Town premium digital vouchers, valid at fuku app participating shops in Minami-Echizen Town. https://fukuappli.jp/hapi-coin/minamiechizen-premium2025/...

Motoyama-juku (Motoyama-juku) Location: Shiojiri City, Soga Honzan Motoyama prospered as the gateway to Kiso Road and the exit from the Matsumoto Plain. Two-story houses with latticework fronts line the streets, preserving a strong sense of the past. The town is also introduced as the birthplace of sobakiri (cut buckwheat noodles). In Keicho 19 (1614), Shiojiri, Seba, and Motoyama were designated as new post towns on the Nakasendo. Unlike Shiojiri and Seba, which were formed by relocating people from neighboring villages, Motoyama developed from a medieval settlement. It was the 32nd station counting from Edo, situated 30 cho from Seba Post Town and 2 ri from Niegawa Inn (Niegawa-juku). The post town divided into Kamimachi to the south and Shimomachi to the north, with the honjin, wakimotonjin, and dispatch office at its center. South of the town stood Hachiman Shrine, Choukyuuji, and Joukouji; to the north was Suwa Shrine, and across the Narai River lay Ikeo Shrine, though some temples were later abandoned. Because Motoyama bordered the Owari Domain in Kiso, a checkpoint was located south of the town to inspect women and timber. In Tenpo 14 (1843) the town had 117 households and 34 inns. Compared with Seba Post Town’s three-ken frontage, many houses in Motoyama had four- to five-ken facades. The town suffered several great fires, but surviving buildings date from the late Edo to Meiji periods. Facing the street, they feature hirairi degekata construction and second-floor rooms with senbon-koshi lattices, retaining much of the post town atmosphere. Notably, three residences built around the Meiji era—the Akiyama Family (Wakamatsuya), the Tanaka Family (Ikeda family), and the Kobayashi Family (Kawaguchi Family)—are registered tangible cultural properties of Japan. The honjin, Kobayashi residence, hosted Princess Kazunomiya, daughter of Emperor Ninkō, when she married Tokugawa Iemochi in Bunkyū 1 (1861), and it later accommodated the Meiji Emperor during his tour in Meiji 13. Each house still carries its traditional shop name, offering a glimpse into the past. The town’s specialty is soba. A note by Unrin in Hōei 3 (1706) in the miscellany Fūzoku Bunsen records Motoyama as the birthplace of sobakiri. Historic sites include the Motoyama Castle Ruins on a small hill behind the town, said to have been guarded by the Motoyama Minbu branch of the Kiso clan; Ike no Gongen (Ikeo Shrine), known for votive plaques for rain rituals, sericulture, and eye disease cures, whose shrine grove is a Shiojiri City natural monument; and the Shitamachi Stone Figure Group, featuring Dosojin, Koshin stone monuments, and inscribed tablets. For articles on the Nakasendo and the city’s five post towns, click here↓

Thank you for waiting! We are pleased to announce the dates for the 2026 Atami Fireworks by the Sea. 2026 (Reiwa 8) Atami Fireworks by the Sea Dates April 26 (Sunday) May 24 (Sunday) July 20 (Monday, public holiday) · July 26 (Sunday) August 5 (Wednesday) · August 9 (Sunday) · August 18 (Tuesday) · August 24 (Monday) September 13 (Sunday) October 12 (Monday, public holiday) · October 25 (Sunday) November 8 (Sunday) · November 23 (Monday, public holiday) December 6 (Sunday) · December 25 (Friday) Time: 20:20–20:40 (Only in July and August: 20:15–20:40) Venue: Atami Bay ※The event will be held rain or shine. ※The above dates and times are accurate as of October 27, 2025. Please check the page below for the latest information. https://www.ataminews.gr.jp/event/8...

Photographed 10/18/25. It is a festival float of a mirror lion greeting Mr. Yamada of Washi paper.

The light is beautiful

I want to enter a photo contest and this is my first posted! Oishi Park on the shore of Lake Kawaguchi is the best time to visit kochia, so I went to Yamanashi Prefecture. On this day, there was a time when the moon did not rise, so I thought that I would Squid to take a picture with the starry sky, but unfortunately it was forecast to be cloudy on the day. After slowly taking a dip in the Hot Spring with a disappointing feeling, I suddenly went outside and looked up at the sky, and it was sunny! I suppressed my feeling of impatience and headed to Oishi Park by Car and was able to take a picture. The contrast between the cap clouds over Mt. Mount Fuji, the clouds reflected by the town lights, and the pleasant starry sky creates a good atmosphere, and as a result, it became a very favorite piece of the seasonal scenery and coincidence.

2025/08/30 I Outbound to Enoshima for my first outing with my girlfriend, who I am currently dating This is the first memorable day I was able to have a girlfriend I took this photo with the hope that I would be able to have a relationship like the man and woman in the photo I was able to take a beautiful and wonderful photo of the silhouette of the two people reflected in the water of the rocks by the backlight illuminated by the setting sun

Gokase Town Fukushi Festival This year’s Fukushi Festival was once again wrapped in warm energy! 🙌 The theme this year was “Spreading the Circle of Welfare to Tomorrow.” True to its name, the welfare center venue was full of smiles and kindness pointing toward Gokase Town’s future 😊 The bazaar, which began at 10:00, was a huge hit 🔥 Many people gathered hunting for bargains, and lively circles of socializing spread throughout the venue 👚 We even saw lots of children carrying stuffed animals bigger than themselves 👀 A variety of stage performances were fantastic, offering entertainment for all ages and bringing the whole venue together in excitement 🔥 Through displays of welfare activities and the bazaar, this Fukushi Festival naturally fostered a spirit of mutual support 🥰 From the staff who helped run the event to local residents and student volunteers, people of all ages—from children to seniors—had a chance to shine 👏 The Fukushi Festival is a truly lovely event where you can feel Gokase’s circle of kindness spreading into tomorrow and beyond. I already want to join this warm circle again next year ✨

Photographed 10/18/25. Heading towards Hon-Kawagoe Station, it is a festival float of Shintomi Town 2-chome Kagami Lion.

Kiunkaku Limited-Time “Wagakari no Niwa” and “Dark Green BAR 1919” Kiunkaku, built in 1919 as a villa in Atami and now a tangible cultural property of Atami City, preserves the area’s changing history and culture. The venue normally closes at 5:00 PM, but to let visitors see the Japanese garden and interior illuminated at night, Kiunkaku will offer two special evening openings on Saturday and Sunday, November 1–2, 2025. Enjoy a serene atmosphere unlike the bustling streets of Atami, with lush gardens, the sound of water, and a traditional Japanese light display created with wagasa (Japanese oil-paper umbrellas) and hand lanterns. [Wagakari no Niwa] Date and Time: Saturday–Sunday, November 1–2, 2025, 5:00 PM–9:00 PM (last admission 8:00 PM) Special evening admission: 1,000 yen (tax included); no reservation required *Because wagasa are used, the outdoor garden display will be moved indoors in case of rain. *Entry may be restricted depending on crowding. *Some garden areas will be closed for the special nighttime program. *The number of lanterns is limited. In addition, “Kissa Yasuragi,” which served as a bar when Kiunkaku operated as a ryokan, will reopen as a non-alcoholic bar for two days only. Relax in a classical atmosphere created by dark green sofas and mood lighting. [Dark Green BAR 1919] Date and Time: Saturday–Sunday, November 1–2, 2025; 5:00 PM and 7:00 PM sessions (each 90 minutes, rotating) Price: BAR set ticket 2,500 yen (tax included) *This is a combined ticket for the light-up and the BAR (one drink plus unlimited Shizuoka green tea). *Advance reservation only (please check the reservation link below). https://kiunkaku.jp/article/qPC6zRS0... *Because wagasa are used, the light-up will be held indoors in case of rain. On Monday, November 3, 2025 (holiday), a special nighttime photography session will be held by private booking, allowing participants to photograph the interior and the illuminated garden. The Atami Offshore Fireworks Festival takes place that day; guests can photograph and view the fireworks from Kiunkaku’s second floor. [Nighttime Photography Session] Date and Time: Monday (holiday), November 3, 2025, 6:00 PM–9:00 PM (last admission 8:00 PM) Fee: 3,000 yen (includes admission) *If it rains, only the usual garden light-up will take place. Inquiries: Kiunkaku 0557-86-3101 Please check Kiunkaku’s official website below for details of each event. https://kiunkaku.jp//

[2025 Autumn Mall Onsen Express Campaign 🚌♨️] This year we are holding the “Autumn Mall Onsen Express Campaign” again 🍁 A 3-day, 2-night plan with a free shuttle bus from Sapporo Station and Asahikawa Station to Tokachigawa Onsen accommodations ✨ Exclusive perks await guests using the Mall Onsen Express 🎁 [Perk 1] Mix and match your accommodations freely! 💡 Guests using the Mall Onsen Express may freely combine hotels for the first and second nights (for example, Night 1: Daiichi Hotel → Night 2: Sasai Hotel) *If you change your second-night accommodation, check-in on Day 2 will be from 14:00 onward.* [Perk 2] Receive a “Tokachigawa Mall” bath additive (Bathclin) as a gift! 🛁 *Limited to guests staying two nights or more.* [Perk 3] Guests staying at Ohheigen, Sasai Hotel, Daiichi Hotel, Kangetsuen, Sanyoan, or Seijakubo receive a free local bus ticket! 🚌 *Limited to guests using the Mall Onsen Express.* [Perk 4] Otofuke Tokachigawa Onsen mini guided tour 🌾 *Limited to guests using the Mall Onsen Express.* *Please reserve at the hotel front desk upon check-in. (Limited to the first 40 people.)* *This is limited to guests staying two consecutive nights on the Mall Onsen Express.* *The route may change or the tour may be canceled due to weather.* ⚠ Reservations required (Please apply to the Tokachigawa Onsen accommodations at least 3 days in advance.) ⚠ Reservations are accepted at each accommodation. ⚠ For accommodation inquiries, please contact each lodging directly. Why not take a soothing trip to Tokachigawa Onsen this autumn? 🍂

October 25, 2025Nagano City, Nagano Prefecture Okusohana Nature Garden Beech Forest The Autumn leaves of the Okusohana Nature Garden, where huge beech trees grow in clusters, It was a different world! Autumn leaves and yellow leaves! A walk in the yellow forest looking for a bright red color made me spend a luxurious time. It is a good memory of the ♪ trip

Photographed 10/18/25. It is a festival float of Shintomi Town 2-chome, Kagami Lion in front of Maruhiro Department Store.

Photographed 10/18/25. In front of the Maruhiro Department Store, three festival floats were being towed. From left to right: Shintomi Town 2-chome, Kagami festival float, Otemachi Suzume festival float, Shintomi Town 1-chome, Iemitsu festival float.

Cruising through Dotonbori at night was the highlight of my first trip to Japan.

On a warm summer afternoon, people found quiet moments to rest under the sunlight at Shinjuku Gyoen in Tokyo. Some read books, others lay down on the grass, simply enjoying the slow and peaceful rhythm of the day. Watching everyone enjoy their time made me realize how romantic and relaxing Japanese summers can be.

I Outbound to the Flower and Bird Garden in Kakegawa, Shizuoka Prefecture Title: Comparison of the Spine

I Outbound to the Flower and Bird Garden in Kakegawa, Shizuoka Prefecture Title:Where's the bait

I Outbound to the Flower and Bird Garden in Kakegawa, Shizuoka Prefecture The style of the eagle

I Outbound to the Flower and Bird Garden in Kakegawa, Shizuoka Prefecture Title: The Style of the Pelican

I Outbound to the Flower and Bird Garden in Kakegawa, Shizuoka Prefecture Title: It's delicious!

I Outbound to the Flower and Bird Garden in Kakegawa, Shizuoka Prefecture

The 12th floor, the top floor of Tomakomai City Hall, has an observation corridor. This photo was taken from the 12th floor on October 21st. The red-and-white smokestack visible on the left belongs to the Oji Paper Tomakomai Plant. It stands an astonishing 200 meters tall! Mt. Tarumae, visible in the distance, becomes completely covered in white snow in winter.

Photographed 10/18/25. In front of the Maruhiro Department Store, the festival float of Otemachi Suzume and the festival float of Shintomi Town 2-chome Kagami Shion are towed.

Event announcement 📣 The Hiroo Santa Land tree lighting ceremony will take place on Saturday, October 25, 2025 😊 This annual event is held at the sacred site of Hiroo Santa Land, Daimaruyama Forest Park, on the fourth Saturday of October 🎄🎄 On the day, a Christmas market and the Santa Land Sound Festival start at 2:00 PM, and the tree lighting ceremony begins at 5:00 PM 😍 About 150,000 lights and some 10,000 wooden lanterns in the park will illuminate at the signal, wrapping the area in a magical glow. Children in elementary school and younger will receive an early Christmas gift 🎁🎁 Fireworks will be launched after the lighting ceremony, sparkling brightly in the autumn night sky ✨✨ Come and enjoy the Christmas atmosphere if you can 🤗 Please wear warm clothing. Date and time: Saturday, October 25, 2025, 2:00 PM onwards Location: Daimaruyama Forest Park https://www.santaland.or.jp/40th-anniversary/...

Photographed 10/18/25. It is a festival float of Otemachi Suzume in front of Maruhiro Department Store.

The former palace Nijo Castle is also torikyu ni jojo." Kyoto, Kyoto-shi, Nakagyo-ku, Nijo-dori, Horikawa, Nishiiri, Nijojo-cho, 541 Nijo Castle is famous for the Ninomaru, which Tokugawa Yoshiyoshi declared the return of the Great Government, but although it was reduced in scale by Ieyasu's order, the site is vast. If you take a walk in the large garden, you can fully enjoy the cherry blossoms in Spring and the Autumn leaves in autumn. Why don't you go out?