Yesterday it dropped to minus 26 degrees, so the water vapor in the air froze on the tree branches, creating beautiful hoarfrost. Hokkaido, Sarabetsumura.

Otowa Bridge in Tsuruimura, Hokkaido It is a famous spot for photographing the red-crowned cranes.

Hoshino Resorts Tomamu’s Christmas Everyone was making snowmen and enjoying snowball fights.

Photographed on January 3, 2014. These are the hanachōzu (flower water basins) at Kawagoe Hachimangu Shrine.

Every year on January 3rd, Yoda-dera Temple, the inner sanctum of the Shikoku 88 Temple Pilgrimage, holds its New Year goma fire ritual. Goma is one of the most emblematic practices of the Shingon school, tracing its origins to ancient Indian fire offerings. By offering items to the flames and chanting mantras, the ritual symbolizes the burning away of worries, karmic obstacles, and impurities, transforming them into purification and the power of prayer. We arrived at Yoda-dera around noon that day. The goma altar in front of the main hall had already been set up, and neatly stacked goma sticks waited quietly to be lit. Just after one o’clock, the mountain resounded with the low, distant sound of conch shells. Yamabushi in ceremonial robes blew the conches as they slowly walked toward the main hall, then chanted the Heart Sutra to Yakushi Nyorai, opening the ceremony. After the sutra chanting, the monks and practitioners moved to the goma altar, marked the ritual boundary, established the protective enclosure, and performed rites facing the four directions to invite Buddhas, bodhisattvas, and guardian deities to descend and protect the site. As mantras and sutras rose and fell, the goma sticks were thrown into the fire in sequence. The flames grew stronger and the smoke shot into the sky, as if carrying the world’s wishes and prayers heavenward. When all the goma sticks had burned away, the ritual opened for public worship. Visitors circled the goma altar in order, letting their bodies and clothing be touched by the smoke rising from the flames. The smoke is said to ward off misfortune and purify body and mind, bringing peace and health for the new year. Surrounded by swirling smoke, people pressed their hands together in silence, entrusting their wishes to the lingering warmth.

The 41st “Oketo Lake Ice Fishing Tournament” will be held on the following date. Would you like to fully experience the charms of Oketo Lake in winter? We look forward to many applications! Date and Time: Sunday, January 25, 2026 (Reiwa 8) Registration: 8:00 AM to 8:30 AM, Competition: 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM Expected finish: 12:00 PM Participation fee: Oketo Town residents ¥3,000; non-residents ¥4,000; ¥1,500 flat rate for junior high school students and younger (includes fishing site cooperation fee, insurance, and bathing ticket) Application period: Thursday, January 8, 2026 (Reiwa 8) to Monday, January 19, 2026 (Reiwa 8) ※Reception hours: 8:30 AM to 5:15 PM (excluding weekends and public holidays) ※Applications will close once capacity (60 participants) is reached. How to apply: Oketo Town Tourism Association Office (Oketo Town Office, Industrial Promotion Division, Commerce and Tourism Section) Please apply by phone or fax. TEL: 0157-52-3313 / FAX: 0157-52-3353 https://www.town.oketo.hokkaido.jp/topics/2080/...

Nagawacho is taking on a government crowdfunding campaign!🔥 [Nagawacho’s 20th Anniversary of the Merger! Let’s Brighten and Energize the Town — We Want to Light Up the Midwinter Sky with Fireworks at the Otaya Festival Fireworks Display 2026!] ★ Donation period: Until January 20, 2026 This town’s Furumachi Toyoke Grand Shrine holds its annual festival, commonly known as the Otaya Festival, when float decorations are presented at five locations around town. In recent years, declining population has created challenges such as a shortage of people to build the floats, a lack of staff to run the event, and budget constraints. To make the Otaya Festival fireworks display sustainable for the future, we ask for your support! Details below 👇 https://www.furusato-tax.jp/gcf/4963...

A runway-like single road leading to MtJonen With its pyramidal shape, this beautiful peak is Azumino’s symbol!! A Northern Alps mountain that is unmistakable when viewed from Azumino

January 6th This morning in Azumino is clear and sharply cold Last night’s snowfall lightly dusted the countryside white The Northern Alps, lit by the morning sun, look magnificent!!

[About the operation of tourist and bathing facilities] Information on the New Year operating status of tourist and bathing facilities is available at the linked "Teshikaga Navi". Please note that hours and days of operation may differ from the usual schedule. Some bathing facilities may be temporarily closed, so we recommend contacting each facility directly before you go. https://www.masyuko.or.jp/news/20251226/...

🎍✨Happy New Year 2026✨🎍 The year 2026 has begun!💨 At Teshikaga Navi, we will continue working to share a wide range of information so you can enjoy wonderful moments in Teshikaga this year as well. Thank you very much for all your support last year. We look forward to your continued support in 2026. Wishing you a wonderful year.㊗️💫

Would you like to try a refreshing totono experience?🧖‍♀️ At the spectacular outdoor sauna SHIMODACCI SAUNA, where you can enjoy Shirahama’s sea right before your eyes, we will hold a totono trial on January 11 and 12🌿✨ (Please check the images for event details.) You can enjoy the sauna at a much better rate than usual, and savor the hot springs too😌💭💙 Seats are limited, so we recommend booking in advance⚠️☝️ I actually tried it myself before, and the outdoor cool-down while gazing at the sea felt incredibly good… Even sauna beginners will think, “This is addictive!”✨ I wrote about my experience on my blog, so please give it a read👇 https://www.shimoda-city.info/post/20250915...

Surrounded by forest, a gentle hot spring The end of a day exploring Miyoshi There is a place where you can soak in a hot spring and stay the night right after. The hot spring at Kumita Onsen Mori no Izumi has long been cherished as a “beauty spring.” Bicarbonate-rich water coats the skin smoothly, leaving your skin feeling soft after bathing✨ This water is said to work gently on neuralgia, poor circulation, and cold sensitivity. The second floor of the bathhouse is a guest-only floor. There are Japanese rooms, Western rooms, and mixed Japanese-Western rooms, so you can choose based on your group size and how you want to spend your time. A self-catering plan without meals is also available, making it popular for family reunions when relatives return home or for trips with flexible plans😊 Reservations are through Kumita Onsen’s official website. Day-use bathing is available as well as overnight stays. Spend time letting both body and mind be healed by Mori no Izumi♨ Kumita Onsen Mori no Izumi @kimita_onsen 📍311-3 Izumi Yoshida, Kimita-cho, Miyoshi City, Hiroshima Prefecture Phone / 0824-53-7021 Day-use bathing (Price) Adults 800 yen, ages 3–elementary school 400 yen, infants free (Hours) 10:00–20:30 (last admission 20:00) https://kimitaonsen.com//