Today, I attended the Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine Tencho Festival.

Mystery-Solving Event at Gion Shrine On Saturday, February 22, a mystery-solving event took place at Gion Shrine in the Kuraoka district 👏 The event was titled “Gion Shrine Real Mystery: ‘As the Gods Say’” 💡 Local high school students from Gokase Secondary School led the planning, collaborating with local company Gokase Entertainment and the Kuraoka Lovers Women’s Group to prepare the event 😳✨ Participants of all ages gathered, and the shrine grounds rang with lively voices 🤗🎶 The puzzles were quite difficult until a spark of insight or a discovery occurred… I tried hard to solve them but couldn’t in the end 🤣 I had to borrow the children’s wisdom, haha As we solved the puzzles, we learned the correct way to worship at Gion Shrine 😯💡 I had no idea about those customs, so the many new discoveries were great fun 🤩 After finishing the puzzles, participants faced a two-part showdown with the gods played by Gokase Secondary School students ⚔️ The first part, “Sengoku Gokase Town,” was a game in which players spent their held points to approach the god; the winner was the one who first knocked the bead off the god’s shoulder with a sword 💪 In the second part, the winning prize from part one, a rope, was formed into a circle on the ground as a ring, and contestants challenged the god in a hand-push sumo match 👐 Both games excited adults and children alike, and smiles filled the event from start to finish 😆 After completing all stages, participants received a “Mystery Completion Certificate,” but looking closely revealed the certificates came in different colors…🤔? It turned out the hand-push sumo in part two mirrored the ceremonial sumo offered to entertain the gods during the Morimaki ritual held at Gion Shrine. Since the tradition holds that “the one who loses to the god is correct,” the completion certificates of those who lost the hand-push sumo gleamed in gold🤣 You could feel the students’ attention to detail throughout the setting, and it was wonderful 🥹✨ At the end, participants and students took a commemorative photo together, and warm tea provided by Yukihoshien was served as a participation prize, bringing the lively, friendly event to a close 😌👏 Seeing Gokase Town come alive through events created by students, local businesses, and community groups working together is truly moving 🥹 We hope the whole town continues to join forces to keep Gokase Town thriving ✨

Clear streams, when I put the gopro in the streams, it was a different world. For the first time, I saw Amego flipping through the leaves to look for insects.

Scene of acorns rolling in the Menkawa Valleys in Ehime Prefecture. The headwaters of Niyodo Blues Minamoto are highly transparent and very attractive. Scenes of acorns rolling are video and posted on youtube.

Today is February 22nd, commonly called Cat Day. A huge mural by Masamichi Oikawa, the illustrator known for the magazine Pia, brightens Yamato Nadeshiko Square on the west side of Sotetsu Line Yamato Station. If you look closely, there’s a cat…! (=^・・^=) You can also see a cheerful Yamato-n character painted there. By the way, Oikawa’s illustrations also wrap the community buses that run around the city.

A seven-tier Hina doll display is exhibited at the tourist information center of Roadside Station Minami-Shinshu Toyooka Marche 🎎 Because Toyooka Village traditionally celebrates Hinamatsuri on April 3, these dolls will remain on display until around early April. Please be sure to stop by the roadside station and enjoy viewing them.

Tsukigase Plum Valley Plum Festival is now underway! At Romantopia Tsukigase, Yumekko Cafeteria is open♪ At Romantopia Tsukigase, enjoy the proud "irori set" cooked over a sunken hearth: you grill Tsukigase-grown log shiitake mushrooms, homemade konnyaku, and yomogi rice dumplings over charcoal yourself! Cover them generously with our special yuzu miso and enjoy♪ We also recommend our udon dishes, made with carefully prepared dashi broth!! The meat udon features Iga beef plus shiitake, spinach, and thinly sliced mochi for a luxurious bowl! We carry many souvenirs not only from Tsukigase but from neighboring areas as well! A cold snap has arrived, so the plum blossoms still haven't opened much yet... For now, food beats flowers♪ When the blossoms are at their peak, every teahouse gets extremely crowded! Come now for the food while you can♪

.˚⊹⁺‧┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈‧⁺ ⊹˚. 2/24(Mon) Aibetsu Family Ski Resort is open to the public for free .˚⊹⁺‧┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈‧⁺ ⊹˚. Thank you very much for Use Aibetsu Family Ski Resort again this year There is a This ski resort will close for the season on Monday, February 24th. Use the ski resort will be open free of charge on the last business day of this season. We look ⛷✨ forward to seeing many of you at the booth ≪ free ≫ ■ Date: Monday, February 24, 2025 (Reiwa 7) Time: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. ■ Place: Aibetsu Family Ski Resort (351 Kitamachi, Aibetsu-cho) Click here for details of 👇 Aibetsu Family Ski Resort https://www.town.aibetsu.hokkaido.jp/03/03/03/544...

Photographed 2/17/25. This is Hanachozu from Hara Flower Shop.

Spring has finally arrived in the southern part of Wakayama Prefecture. The flowers in the plum grove in Tanabe City also bloomed for 5~6 minutes, and bees were flying around. I took a picture of one of the seven herbs of Spring, Hotokenoza, in the foreground.

Photographed on February 5, 25. This is Hanachozu from Hara Flower Shop.

Temple in Sukagawa Contemporary sensibilities meet classic faith

One summer night in Sakyo Ward, Kyoto City A fantastic evening for Locals, by Locals

The 32nd Yomitan Yachimun Market will take place on Saturday, February 22 and Sunday, February 23. This two-day event draws an estimated 20,000 visitors and has become so popular that many fans travel to Okinawa Prefecture from other regions just for it. It's expected to be windy, so please dress warmly when you come. There is also a temporary parking lot, so please use that for parking. *Please note that heavy congestion on nearby roads is expected on the day. We appreciate your cooperation, such as carpooling when possible.

Winter in Kamishihoro Town in February Roux is the Scene of the ban. The hot air balloon seen under the blue sky is colorful It's worth seeing. Next up is a big tournament in August.

This is the bloom status of the Yoritomo cherry trees (Kawazu-zakura) along the Horita River in Kyonan Town on February 21. Some flowers are blooming, but overall they are still a little short of full bloom. A three-day holiday starts tomorrow. Come and visit Kyonan Town.

This is a guide to the Events of Held in on Saturday, March 1st! ・9:00~15:00 "Cool Town Festival" At the Nishina Fishing Port "Hanbata Market", which is located 3 minutes by car from Dogashima, free distribution of ara soup using local fish and Yosakoi performances will be held! In addition, Stalls such as "Forest Cafe Little Heart", which has the same Traditional Japanese straw raincoat for delicious coffee, are scheduled to ☕️ open ・18:00~ "Dogashima Sunset Illumination Lighting ceremony" One of the largest illuminations in the Nishi-Izu area begins! Countdown with all the visitors! Sweets and novelty gifts are also available, so please ☺️ come to the venue, Dogashima Park

\ Be the wind of Okhotsk! ／ There are only two days left until the start of the 39th Yubetsu Wilderness Okhotsk Cross Country Skiing Tournament! The street trees in the center of Engaru Town are decorated with welcome flags for the XC competition! There were concerns about the lack of snow in this tournament, but thanks to the snowfall this month, it seems that the Course Maintenance is going smoothly. ☃️❄️ May the day of the tournament be sunny! 🌞 To everyone who participates, please do your best to finish the race! ⛷️⛷️⛷️

Hello, this is Shosenkyo Crystal Sound. The cold days continue for a while yet. At Shosenkyo Gorge you can enjoy winter-only scenery. The dramatic Sengataki Waterfall is not to be missed. Spray from the falling water catches the sunlight and sparkles even more beautifully. The air is clear and feels wonderfully refreshing. Take a peaceful walk through quiet Shosenkyo Gorge. The birthstone for February, amethyst ✨, carries meanings such as sincerity, inner peace, love, and mental stability. Amethyst is said to calm the mind, and placing it by your pillow is believed to help with a good night’s sleep. We also offer a wide selection of natural stones and gemstones, so please stop by. We look forward to meeting many smiling faces 😊

Tomakomai Tourism Information Center’s Tomachop has dressed up for the Hina Matsuri festival ✨🎎

Is it the moment it lands on the branch? This shot perfectly captures the majestic presence of a white-tailed eagle ✨ (Image provided by Roadside Station Utonai Lake)

[Isehara Handmade Armor Corps Announcement: Large Armor Exhibition & Armor Workshop] A large armor exhibition runs on Sunday, February 23, 2025, from 9:00 to 17:00 (final day closes at 16:00)‼ About 60 striking, handcrafted suits of armor made by our members will be displayed together‼ You’ll be amazed at the craftsmanship that belies their handmade origins💦 Be sure to see them in person. There is also an experience corner where you can wear a jinbaori and take commemorative photos with the samurai of the armor corps✨. ※We are also recruiting students for the 15-session armor workshop✨ where you can handcraft your favorite samurai’s armor or your own original armor! You can fully enjoy the fun of making things. Children and parent–child participation are very welcome! ◆Venue: Isehara City Central Community Center, 1st Floor Exhibition Hall (1-21-1 Higashi-Otake, Isehara) ◆Access: About a 10-minute walk from Odakyu Line Isehara Station North Exit [Bus] From Isehara Station North Exit, Kanachu Bus Platform 1 Take the 'Isehara Depot' bound bus and get off at 'Chuo Kominkan-mae' (Central Community Center) ◆Admission: Free ◆Inquiries: Isehara Handmade Armor Corps Office (Tel: 0463-95-2385, Wakabayashi) #Isehara Handmade Armor Corps #Large Armor Exhibition #Armor Workshop #Handmade Armor #Samurai Commander #Original Armor #Parent–Child Participation #Isehara #Isehara City #Isehara Tourism

Honoring the Samurai girl The more onago is bullshit, the more the world will be bullshit. The stronger you are, the calmer you will be.  The more you can hang your head and bow low, the more genuine nobility and strength you will acquire. #osakacastle #samuraigirl #harakiri #bushido #katana

Prayer at Kawagoe Hachimangu Shrine today. Ume Plum is in Best time to visit. 🌸

EVERYONE WHO WATCHES COOL JAPAN VIDEOS! How do you do! It is a Sakaki Town Tourist Association. Nagano Prefecture Hanishina District Sakaki Town is located Oyster Northern part Nagano Prefecture and is a Rich in nature area that stretches along the Chikuma River. With a population of about 14,000 people (as of 2024), it is There is a between Nagano City and Ueda City, and is known as an easy town to live in due to its convenient transportation. We will Broadcasting Tourist Information full of charm of Sakaki Town in Hanishina District, Nagano Prefecture on COOL JAPAN VIDEOS, so thank you! ■What is Sakaki Town, Nagano Prefecture? Sakaki Town in Nagano Prefecture, where history and tradition are alive, is dotted with sightseeing spots such as the famous castle "Katsurao Castle Ruins" of the Sengoku period and the "Sakaki Chikuma River Roses Park" where beautiful roses bloom, and you can enjoy the scenery of the four seasons. In addition, Gourmet unique to Sakaki Town such as the famous "Nezumi daikon radish" and "Oshibori udon" are also attractive. In addition, there is also the "Iron Exhibition Hall", which is also known as the "town of swordsmiths" and is the only permanent exhibition hall of Japan swords in the prefecture. ■Access to Sakaki Town, Nagano Prefecture Access to Sakaki Town in Nagano Prefecture is good, and you can get there smoothly from Tokyo Central Tokyo. Use the Shinkansen from Tokyo Station to Ueda Station on the Hokuriku Shinkansen, or transfer to the Shinano Railway and arrive at Sakaki Station in about 15 minutes. Use by Car will take the Kan-Etsu Expressway and Joshinetsu Expressway from Tokyo in about 2 hours and 30 minutes. ■Historical background of Sakaki Town, Nagano Prefecture Sakaki Town in Nagano Prefecture is known as the site of Katsurao Castle, where Takeda Shingen and Yoshikiyo Murakami fought fierce battles during the Sengoku period. In addition, in the Edo period, it developed as an important place for transportation, and agriculture utilizing the Chikuma River basin was also actively carried out. Even now, it is popular with many history buffs as a town with many historical sites where you can feel the history. ■Popular Sightseeing spots in Sakaki Town, Nagano Prefecture ・Sakaki Chikuma River Roses Park Sakaki Chikuma River Roses Park is a beautiful park with 2,300 roses of about 330 species. Located along the Chikuma River, you can enjoy colorful roses from Spring to autumn. Best time to visit around May ~ June, and many tourists visit. Promenade surrounded by roses is maintained in the park, and you can enjoy the Aroma while taking a leisurely stroll. Held in the Rose Festival from late May to early June every year, where rose saplings are sold and Local Specialty products are Stalls. ・Katsurao Castle Ruins Katsurao Castle Ruins, which was the residence of Yoshikiyo Murakami during the Warring States period, is located on a mountain 800m Elevation and has a superb view overlooking Ueda City and Chikuma River Spot. There are traces of stone walls and Earthen mound on the Ruins of the Castle, and you can feel the history. Mountain trails are maintained, and you can experience history while enjoying Hiking. ・Bingushiyu-san It is a One Day Hot Spring with various indoor baths, various open-air baths, exercise baths, large halls, etc. Spring quality is widely applied to neuralgia, muscle pain, Relief from fatigue, etc. From the open-air bath overlooking Sakaki Town, there is a superb panorama! There is also a Shokudo and a shop, and it is popular as a hot spring facility where you can spend a relaxing time. ・Sakashiro Shrine In the 1350 years since its founding, Izumo Taisha has held a festival to the god of the great country lord, and has received many prayers as the god of Marriage. As one of the largest Izumo Taisha shrines in eastern Japan, the shrine Precincts boast a majestic sanctuary and are popular with prayer visitors as a power spot. ・Manzenji Temple Manzenji Temple is a historic temple located in Sakaki Town, Nagano Prefecture, and is also known as the ruins of the ancestral residence of the Village Kami clan known for the warring states Warlord Yoshikiyo Murakami, making it an interesting Spot for history buffs. ・Sakaki Town Iron Exhibition Hall Sakaki Town in Nagano Prefecture is known as the "Town of Sword Makers", and the "Sakaki Town Iron Exhibition Hall" is a facility where the works of the human national treasure Miyairi Ikihei swordsmith born in Sakaki Town and the works of Miyairi Ichimon who inherited the tradition are exhibited. There are plenty of Japanese swords and armor on display, and you can see the art of Swordsmithing up close. Elaborate special exhibitions are held throughout the year, and gallery talks and Japan sword care experiences are also held. ■ Gourmet specialty products of Sakaki Town, Nagano Prefecture ・Nezumi daikon radish The Specialty products of the Sakaki Town, "nezumi daikon radish", has a shape of a lower bulge and a thin, long root like a mouse Traditional Japanese straw raincoat tail, and its taste is characterized by a faint sweetness after spiciness. "oshibori udon", which is made with grated radish Squeezed Juice, is popular as a Local cuisine of Local. ・Oshibori udon noodles Oshibori udon is a local cuisine in which Udon noodles are eaten by dissolving miso paste in the Squeezed Juice of Nezumi Daikon Radish to make a Dipping Sauce. It is characterized by its spiciness and sweetness that you can feel faintly afterwards, and it is a delicious taste that you will become addicted to once you eat it. ■Traditional crafts of Sakaki Town, Nagano Prefecture ・Shinshu Kumiko Woodcraft Certified as a traditional craft in Nagano Prefecture in 2019, "Shinshu Kumiko Woodcraft" is a traditional craft that combines wood to create delicate patterns. In Sakaki Town, Nagano Prefecture, this technique is still passed down to this day, and exquisitely crafted works are made. ■Events and Festivals in Sakaki Town, Nagano Prefecture ・Sakaki Hina Dolls The Sakaki Hina Dolls, which is Held in in February and March every year, is a Events where traditional Hina Dolls are exhibited. Hina dolls from the Edo period to the present day gather in one place. The venue is the Iron Exhibition Hall and the Sakaki-juku Furusato History Museum. ・Rose Festival Held in every year from late May to early June at Sakaki Chikuma River Roses Park, the Rose Festival sells rose seedlings and specialty products, Stalls at restaurants, and events.  ■Enjoy Enjoy sightseeing in Sakaki Town, Nagano Prefecture! Sakaki Town in Nagano Prefecture is a fascinating town full of history, nature, and traditional culture. Access is also good, and you can fully enjoy sightseeing, gourmet food, and events. Please come to Sakaki Town in Nagano Prefecture and experience the charm of Sakaki Town in Nagano Prefecture!

The 5th Sakuhomachi Ikebana Exhibition From tomorrow, Saturday the 22nd, through Monday the 24th, the Ikebana exhibition will take place at the Okumura Togyu Memorial Museum🌷🌷 Participating schools include Koyama-ryu, Kodo-ryu, Koryu Matsufuji-kai, Sogetsu, and Ikenobo! Enjoy the collaboration of Taisho-era romantic architecture and fresh floral arrangements🌺🎶 ꧁————————————————————————————————꧂ Venue: Okumura Togyu Memorial Museum Address: 1429-1 Hozumi, Sakuhomachi, Minamisaku-gun, Nagano Prefecture Dates: Saturday, February 22, 2025 – Monday, February 24, 2025 Hours: 9:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Museum admission: Adults 500 yen (400 yen), Elementary and junior high students 300 yen (250 yen) ※Prices in parentheses apply to groups of 20 or more ※Admission covers both the museum and the Ikebana exhibition. Access: Transfer at Hokuriku Shinkansen Sakudaira, then a 1-minute walk from JR Koumi Line yachiho station Five minutes by car from Central Japan Expressway Yachiho Kogen, sixty minutes by car from Chuo Expressway Sudama IC ꧁————————————————————————————————꧂