Half a year in the sea of Izu. A special day to retrieve wine aged on the seabed. Shobuzawa in Higashi-Izu, a short trip from Tokyo. The summer blue sky and calm sea. This day's diving had a slightly different purpose than usual. We are going to retrieve the wine sleeping on the seabed. 🚢 Six months ago, to the seabed of Izu. This January. We placed wine and sake in special cases and sank them to the seabed of Shobuzawa. The location is a sea popular among divers for its sunken ship. About six months later. In July, the day of retrieval finally arrived. How has the bottle spent half a year underwater changed? 🍾 To the sunken ship. Searching for wine sleeping on the seabed. The sea on this day is calm. We head out to sea by boat and start diving. The first goal is to retrieve the liquor that has been on the seabed for half a year. We check the case underwater and proceed with caution. Then, the case slowly rises to the surface. The case that emerged from the sea was covered with shells and marine life. What was once a new case has transformed into something that looks like a "part of the sea" over six months. Once safely retrieved onto the boat, it’s a reunion after half a year. 🌊 The next 21 bottles go back into the sea. Retrieving is not the end. On the second dive, we will transport the liquor to be aged next to the seabed. This time, we sank a total of 21 bottles, including wine and sake. From land to boat. And from the boat to the sea. We carefully transport the case containing the bottles to the seabed and set it up. The next time we meet will be in about six months. We plan to retrieve it around January 2027. 🍷 Wine, sake, and the sea of Izu. When thinking of a trip to Japan, many might picture the streets of Tokyo, temples in Kyoto, hot springs, and Japanese food. However, Japan is a country surrounded by the sea on all sides. If you look a little towards the sea, there is a completely different sense of time in Japan than that of city tourism. Diving in the sea of Izu to retrieve wine sleeping on the seabed. And sinking the next wine for six months later in that sea. Such a day is a unique experience in the sea of Japan. What kind of taste will the liquor retrieved from the seabed have? I will share more about it next time. 🇯🇵 A special day by the sea in Japan. 🌈 Hokule'a Shonan is a small diving shop located in Hiratsuka City, Kanagawa Prefecture. About an hour by train from Tokyo. We guide you to enjoy the sea of Japan, focusing on Shonan and Izu, for day trips from Tokyo. The theme is, "Let’s embark on a journey to an unseen world!" Through diving, we hope you can enjoy the beauty of Japan's sea, its rich nature, and the time spent by the seaside. The tours are limited to small groups. Beginners and those who haven't dived in a while are also welcome to join. We also offer guidance in English. How about adding a day by the sea to your memories of your trip to Japan? We will suggest the best seas for that time based on your diving experience and travel schedule. Please feel free to contact us.

Taken on August 10, 2014. These are the matchmaking wind chimes of Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine. I found a red thread wind chime.

Taken on August 10, 2026. This is the Musubumoi Furin from Nishō Gō City, Little Edo, for the 8th year of the Reiwa era.

[Ultimate Guide] A Scenic Drive Journey from Kushiro to Lake Kussharo! Departing from Kushiro, spend a night at Kussharo Prince Hotel. The vast white sea of clouds, a garden bathed in the bright morning light, and the mysterious cobalt blue of Mashu Blue. You can return the rental car to the area (Kushiro), allowing for a smooth and efficient journey. Be sure to follow for the latest information from 📍 Kussharo Prince Hotel 🌿 https://www.instagram.com/kussharo_ph/...

Special Exhibition Familiar Trees Exhibition ~What is your favorite tree?~ Held from August 8 to November 30🍃 Please visit the Kawayu Visitor Center 🪵✨ You can enjoy the charm of forests and trees!

Rice Field Owner System, Second Round Grass Cutting We will remove the barnyard grass mainly growing in the rice paddies The rice ears are growing well☺

The lotus flowers blooming in the fallow fields of Azumino are at their best They are blooming near the Prefectural Children's Hospital♪ *This is private land and fallow fields managed by individuals. Please enjoy quietly while respecting the manners and avoiding any obstruction to the farm roads and surrounding traffic.

The JR Oito Line runs through Azumino... It passes through rural landscapes From the window, you can enjoy the lush green rice fields and the mountain range of the Northern Alps. 😊

When you come to Azumino, be sure to look for the mountain "Mt. Ariake." It has a shape similar to Mount Fuji, and is also called Shinano Fuji. 🗻 This morning, there were no clouds, and it was clearly visible. It's easy to spot, so give it a try! 😆

This morning in Azumino, we were blessed with weather that allowed us to see the distant peaks of Hakuba. 😄 At this time of year, clouds can quickly roll in and obscure the mountains...💦 Wake up a little earlier and enjoy the scenery of Azumino! 😆

A Town That Makes You Love Mornings – Azumino The early rice ears are beginning to ripen in the fields The dew is shining in the morning sun Although the sunlight is strong, it feels like a summer morning in Azumino, with cool air making it a pleasant morning.

Kajika no Sato Park, a waterfront park in Azumino, is a well-maintained area dedicated to the revival of the stream-dwelling Kajika fish. It also features a campground, offering a fantastic location with views of the Northern Alps. 😆

Spacious Azumidaira A lush rural landscape unfolds This view faces directly north.

The lotus flowers at Seigen-ji Temple in Azumino are beautiful. Here, you can find a cedar tree-lined path reminiscent of Togakushi Shrine's inner sanctuary, and on the right side of the grounds, there is a lotus field.

2026 Limited to this summer! "Azumino Summer Vegetable Curry" An original curry made with fresh and delicious summer vegetables from Azumino! Available at 15 local restaurants Serving period: Until Monday, August 31, 2026 *Please note that the situation may change depending on each restaurant's circumstances This time, we introduce 【café twinkle】 Its name is "Tomato Curry Doria with Summer Vegetables and Ground Meat." The hot doria baked in a stone oven is exciting even before you eat it. When you dig in with a spoon, you find a creamy white sauce and curry under the gooey cheese, which pairs well with multigrain rice. The vegetables used in the curry are fresh, allowing you to taste their natural sweetness. The cheese, white sauce, and curry harmonize perfectly, appealing to women's preferences. However, the portion is substantial, ensuring that men will also be satisfied. Additionally, I enjoyed a great weekday lunch that comes with a mini salad and drink. After much deliberation, I chose the popular Margherita pizza lunch. The wood-fired pizza is made with domestically-produced wheat, giving it a chewy texture, and it is delicious! The dining space has both first and second floors, and this time I had lunch on the second floor. The L-shaped counter seats by the window offer a prime view of the Northern Alps. Next to it, there are spacious sofa seats prioritized for families with babies, allowing families to dine comfortably. The cat-themed decor creates a lovely atmosphere, making it a great place to relax. ----------------- Store Information ----------------- café twinkle 【Address】 2218-2 Hotaka, Azumino City, Nagano Prefecture 399-8303 【Phone】 0263-88-7537 【Business Hours】 Lunch 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM (Last Order until 2:00 PM) 【Closed】 Irregular holidays (announced on Instagram monthly) 【Parking】 Parking available Please check with the store for the latest information. Don't forget to like and save for future reference!

2026 Limited to this summer! 'Azumino Summer Vegetable Curry' An original curry made with fresh and delicious summer vegetables from Azumino! Available at 15 local restaurants Serving period: Until Monday, August 31, 2026 *Please note that this may change depending on each restaurant's situation Introducing this time is 【Ramen & Cafe Mugi Kobo Kakashi】 The concept of the shop is "a ramen shop that can be easily entered by a woman alone" The exterior is stylish and Western, as it also serves as a cafe The shop is equipped with a barrier-free entrance What I had was the 'Rich and Delicious Vegetable Curry Ramen' As stated on the menu, "Curry x Ramen is the fateful meeting of national dishes!!" The carefully simmered curry and ramen soup create an addictive flavor You can top it with fried summer vegetables yourself Additionally, for an extra charge, you can choose from a variety of toppings like small rice, cheese, chashu, and flavored eggs, which is another charm (The types of vegetables may vary slightly depending on the day's supply) Also, I recommend the most popular 'Natural Ingredient Salt Ramen' The soup is simply delicious! You get hooked on its light yet rich flavor! All ramen uses natural ingredients, focusing on salt, and the broth is made by carefully extracting Mongolian rock salt over 72 hours The noodles are slightly thin and curly. They feel gentle on the stomach It was so delicious that I ended up drinking it all! In addition to ramen, the menu is rich with meals like hamburgers and grilled meat plates The cafe menu is also abundant, with various desserts to choose from, making it a place to relax and unwind Near the shop, you can find Azumino City New General Gymnasium ANC and Nanbu Park. Please stop by before or after your exercise! ----------------- Store Information ----------------- Ramen & Cafe Mugi Kobo Kakashi 【Address】 182-8 Toyoshina, Azumino City, 399-8205 【Phone】 0263-87-6578 【Business Hours】 Lunch 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM Dinner 5:30 PM - 9:00 PM 【Regular Holiday】 Tuesday (the following day if it's a holiday) 【Parking】 Dedicated parking available Please confirm the latest information with the shop. Don't forget to like and save so you can review it later!

2026 Limited this summer! 'Azumino Summer Vegetable Curry' An original curry made with fresh and delicious summer vegetables from Azumino! Available at 13 local restaurants. Serving period: until Monday, August 31, 2026 *Please note that the availability may change depending on each restaurant's situation. This time, we introduce 【Toyoshina Bandoko】 The dish is called 'Vegetable Curry Set' *This is a weekday lunch menu exclusive! Using fresh local vegetables, it offers a rich flavor that perfectly balances umami, sweetness, and spiciness. Additionally, it comes with a soft-boiled egg, making it the ultimate combination with the creamy yolk in the curry! Besides the curry, it includes soba, salad, and a hot spring egg in this value menu. Another recommended dish is the Shinshu specialty 'Otouji Soba.' Unlike many places that serve it in large pots for two or more, you can order it from just one serving. The restaurant is a long-established establishment located in a robust old house from the late Edo period, offering soba made with Azumino's famous water and local ingredients in its traditional cuisine. ----------------- Store Information ----------------- Toyoshina Bandoko 【Address】 5703-16 Toyoshina, Azumino City, Nagano Prefecture 399-8205 About a 9-minute walk from Toyoshina Station on the JR Oito Line 【Phone】 0263-72-6767 【Business Hours】 Lunch 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM (L.O) Dinner 5:00 PM - 8:30 PM (L.O) 【Closed】 Mondays (open for lunch only on holidays) 【Parking】 Parking available For the latest information, please check with the restaurant. Don't forget to like and save for future reference!

Today, I visited Iroha and Inconeri for their breakfast collaboration. We had savory pancakes (not sweet Taiwanese crepes), salty soy milk soup, and seasonal vegetable side dishes from Inconeri. The breakfast collaboration will take place tomorrow from 9 AM to 12 PM. My motivation for learning Chinese has increased. Thank you! 😊💖

🌻Sunflower Field🌻 In Teshikaga, there are spots where you can see many charming sunflowers blooming beautifully during this season❣️ The location is around the fourth image. Please note that it's different from the place I posted last year🙇‍♂️✨ Are they almost in full bloom?? Be sure to enjoy this moment🌻

The STV Dosanko Festival is currently being held at the Former Hokkaido Government Office Building Red Brick Garden.🪅 Today, Aise Uru and Honoka Niwano, STV announcers, visited the booth in Teshikagacho. Thank you so much!❣️ The STV Dosanko Festival will continue until tomorrow, August 9th! You can enjoy various areas of Hokkaido all at once!~ଘʕ ·ᴥ·ʔ #STV Dosanko Festival #STV Dosanko Festival #STV

The Japanese "Dagashi-ya". It was never intended to be a shop selling an authentic Japanese snack experience (Wagashi has that covered), but as the years go by it is in some ways a type of shop that time forgot. Anecdotally, I think many dagashi-ya are staffed by the elderly, and the outlook for their existence in fifty years time is something I wouldn't put much confidence in, but first, what is "Dagashi?" Most simply it is very low-cost candy sold individually, so that you can find yourself paying from 5 to 35 yen. This lets you buy a wide variety of things you'd like to try, and you can make a really large amount of purchases and come away with a treasure trove without actually spending so much. Actual chocolate is in low supply, but expect lots of "Ramune" flavor, gum, or snacks that will change the color of your tongue. Charming! There are also more traditional and savory tastes, like dried squid or sweet potato. It all has a strong Showa-era sense to it, so these kinds of shops are nostalgic for many Japanese people. For foreign visitors already impressed at the low prices of Japanese stores, it takes things even further! You can enjoy a distinctly Japanese experience, find some surprising treats not sold elsewhere, and do it all for a pittance. I make no claims for the health benefits, though...

🛩️ 【Limited Event】 Departing from Kushiro Airport! Space Walk Tour 🌌 A special tour featuring a behind-the-scenes look at the airport and a special sightseeing flight has been confirmed! 📅 Date: Sunday, September 13, 2026, only ⏰ Time: Gather at 09:00 / Scheduled to disperse at 13:15 💰 Price: Adults 28,800 yen / Children 26,800 yen 【Experience Menu for the Day】 Viewing ground handling operations & thrilling takeoff observation Tour of the airport's dedicated "chemical fire truck" Approximately 70-minute special sightseeing flight✈️ (Over Mt. Taisetsuzan, Hidaka Mountain Range, and Hokkaido Spaceport "HOSPO") 🎁 Bonus: Collaboration-exclusive original goods & boarding certificate gift! For details and reservations, check the tour details page of Rado Tourism👇 https://www.rado.co.jp/network/fda/quick-trip/fda_hokkaidoss/?CK_MEDIA=157...

At 4:38 AM on August 9, 2026, in Chikura, Minamiboso City, the colors of the sky, gradually moving towards dawn, are beautiful during the thirty minutes before sunrise. It's my favorite time. Waking up early has its rewards!

On July 27th, I captured the International Space Station "Kibo module (ISS)" at Shinjo Park in Tanabe City. It travels at a speed of 6 km per second, completing an orbit around the Earth in just 90 minutes. Even when using a one-second interval for comparative bright synthesis, the light trails get interrupted unlike in start trail photography. The next opportunity to see it in the Kinki region will be on the 18th of this month, from 4:11:30 AM to 4:16:00 AM, for just about 4 minutes and 30 seconds. It will be visible moving from the southwest to the northeast. You can also see it on the 19th. If you're interested, wake up a little early to catch a glimpse.

【Nii Tete Boye's LIVE】 I apologize for the delay in posting, but in July, Nii Tete Boye came and performed for us! The Panlogo, a traditional instrument from Ghana in West Africa. He played it by striking the surface with his palms, and at first, I was captivated by the unique rhythm, unsure of how to move my body, watching the vivid hand movements as he struck the drum. There were several songs that allowed the audience to participate with clapping and singing, which gradually helped me understand the rhythm structure. Nii Tete Boye played the five drums effortlessly, as if the Panlogo had become a part of his body. In the middle of the LIVE, there was a special collaboration featuring a Bon song performed by Nii Tete Boye and the villagers! Their beautiful harmonies singing a challenging melody merged with the sounds of Nii Tete Boye and the bear drum. As the Bon song resonated, I felt as if I had come to a different place, experiencing a strange sensation. The performance was that captivating. That night, there was food and drink available for sale from the guesthouse GA.KOPPER! We enjoyed Jollof rice, groundnut butter soup, and chili dogs, which are beloved in West Africa 🤤 While sipping on the sweet hibiscus tea called Bissap, we had a wonderful night 🌙 #Nishiokubo Village #LIVE #Niiteteboye #Panlogo #GAKOPPER

Around 4:30 AM on August 9th This is a shot taken just before dawn in Minamiboso City, Chiba Prefecture. The spray from the waves enveloped the port town in thick fog. The ethereal atmosphere was wonderful.

Shinjo Park, located in Tanabe City, Wakayama Prefecture, is a place of relaxation for the citizens. Throughout the four seasons, visitors can enjoy beautifully planted flowers. During the scorching summer, many people took walks early in the morning to avoid the daytime heat. In one corner of the park, sunflowers were in full bloom, surrounding a chainsaw art sculpture.

Taken on August 6, 26. This is an iced cafe latte from cafe andon.

I visited the stunning Italian restaurant 'amarancia' in Minamiawaji with a friend, overlooking the sea. The food was delicious, the staff were cool and friendly, and the restaurant had a wonderful atmosphere with breathtaking views! If you find yourself in Minamiawaji, be sure to stop by; I highly recommend it! The meal included a lunch course an assortment of appetizers marinated shrimp a choice of pasta fresh fish aquapazza a selection of grilled meats that we chose. According to my friend Hitomi, all the dishes were very generous in portion. I think it's rare for Italian restaurants in Japan to serve a course meal with appetizers to the main dish on large plates for sharing, which felt fresh and nice. The marinated shrimp was flattened, creamy yet rich in flavor, and it was my favorite dish!❣️ Since it was a special occasion, I chose the seafood oil pasta. The toppings were simple with tomatoes and mussels, but the various seafood flavors were delightful, making it a joy to eat!‼️ All three meat dishes had a wonderful charcoal-grilled aroma, each offering a unique meat flavor! By the time the main dish was served, I was nearly full, but it was so satisfying that I could have gone for some rice or bread!❣️❣️ (Hitomi's comment) Sharing delicious and hearty dishes with close friends while chatting, surrounded by a stylish interior and breathtaking views of Naruto Ohashi, with kind and cool staff. This space allows you to enjoy the joy of eating and the precious time spent with important friends through all your senses. You can have a great time at 'TRATTORIA amarancia.'

Taken on August 6, 26. CAFE ANDON offers morning service from 8 AM during the summer season. This is the Vichyssoise plate. It features Vichyssoise (cold potato soup), salad, egg, carrot rapé, and country bread, making it quite luxurious.