👹✨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😉🔥

Take a little breather from your busy days. The popular market event “Beauty and Healing Yorimichi Marche” is finally celebrating its 7th edition! This time marks the third time it will be held in Reihoku Town👏
Why not spend a special day filled with “beauty, healing, and deliciousness” at the Reihoku Town Tourist Information Center?

🌿 How to enjoy the marche
This edition features three delightful sections.

[Treatment Corner]💆‍♀️
Warmth therapies, massages, head spas, and other treatments that help you relax both body and mind.
[Hands-on & Sales Corner]🛍
Stalls selling handmade goods, fortune-telling, beauty experiences, and other booths perfect for treating yourself.
[Food Corner]🍕🥐
From bento boxes and sweets to bread and pizza—there’s a satisfying lineup to fill your stomach.

✨ Highlights this time!
Stamp rally! Visit venues around the site and collect stamps for a chance to win great prizes♪

Everyone is welcome! Admission is free. Whether you come with family and friends or drop by on your own for a little “yorimichi,” you’re warmly invited🤍

📅 Event details
Date & Time: Wednesday, February 11, 2026 (national holiday) 10:00–16:00
Location: Reihoku Town Tourist Information Center (4535-1 Kamitsufukae, Reihoku, Amakusa District)
Admission: Free
Organizer: Amakusa Reihoku Tourism Association (general incorporated association)
Planning & Management: CROSSLINK

On a winter afternoon, our staff look forward to seeing your smiling faces. Please feel free to stop by for a little “yorimichi”🌼

I attended a tea ceremony class held in Hachioji City and I was very happy as it was my first experience.
🍵✨

This is the SL Fuyu-no-Shitsugen Train
I rode it for the first time in two years
and enjoyed photographing it the next day.

It runs mainly on weekends through early March
and I think you can board on Saturdays or Sundays if you don't insist on choosing a specific seat.

🔪✨ Knife Factory and Sakai Takayuki Knife Gallery Tour 🏭🔍
~ Experience Sakai’s blade culture and the craftsmen’s skill! ~


Held on 2/26 (Thu), 5/28 (Thu), 8/27 (Thu), and 11/26 (Thu)! ✨
A rare public opening of the factory that produces the world-renowned Sakai Takayuki knives! 🛠️✨

🔹 For an additional option fee of 18,000 yen, add a tour-exclusive Sakai Takayuki ‘‘meat deboning knife’’ souvenir valued at about 30,000 yen! 🔥

🔹 Highlights
🔹 Tour the Sanpo Factory and watch the knife-making process (forging, rough sharpening, etc.) 🏭
🔹 Visit the gallery displaying about 500 knives 🔍
🔹 Try a simple knife sharpening experience! ✨
🔹 Optional knife ‘‘meat deboning’’ add-on available 🎁

💰 Participation Fees
🔹 Tour only: 4,000 yen
🔹 Tour with the exclusive souvenir knife: 22,000 yen
📌 Registration deadline: up to 3 days before each event date!

🔍 For details and registration, search for "Knife Factory and Sakai Takayuki Knife Gallery Tour with Simple Knife Sharpening Workshop"
https://www.sakai-tcb.or.jp/tourism/detail/183

Tokkaichiba Festival 2026 ― A Winter Tradition That Calls Spring to the Kofu Basin

The Tokkaichiba Festival has long been cherished as a traditional event that heralds spring across the Kofu Basin.
In 2026, visitors will once again gather in the crisp winter air to enjoy the lively atmosphere.
A symbol of the festival is the popular good-luck charm known as the Koshu Tokkaichiba Daruma.
People flock to the venue to choose colorful daruma, praying for prosperous business, family safety, and good fortune.
We invite you to experience the Tokkaichiba Festival, where longstanding local traditions and the wishes of the community intersect.

Date and Time: Saturday and Sunday, February 7–8, 2026, 9:30 AM–4:00 PM
Venue: JA Kawara Kaikan Area (2605-5 Tokkaichiba, Minami-Alps City)


Please note that congestion is expected around the venue on the day of the festival, so we recommend taking detours. Shuttle buses will operate; please cooperate by using them.

Photographed on January 21, 2014.
This is the 'Musubi no Kirameki Flower-Hand-Water' at Tokyo Daijingu Shrine, along with a good-luck horse talisman for the Year of the Horse. 🐴✨
This seasonal flower-hand-water display is for a limited time, and today is the final day.

💠⋆⸜ Sakai Tourism Concierge reported on 【O
osaka Sakai Balloon】 ⸝⋆💠

Before boarding the balloon, learn some tips, sights, and history that will make your experience more enjoyable, presented clearly on the website with photos💚
Please refer to it --ꕤ

▶️Check the website for more👀
〈 Sakai Tourism Guide Website 〉
🔗https://www.sakai-tcb.or.jp/feature/detail/107

🔍Search for "Sakai Tourism Concierge Experience Report"!

#Sakai City #Sakai Tourism Concierge #Tourism PR #Experience Report
#Oosaka Sakai Balloon #Balloon #Experience #Spectacular Views
https://www.sakai-tcb.or.jp/feature/detail/107

January 26th
Azumino was broadly clear today
The Northern Alps, thickly capped with snow, could be seen

I visited the Yokohama Museum of Art to see "Vienna at the Fin de Siècle: The Golden Age of Beauty."
The exhibition wraps you in the atmosphere of the era.

Rather than simply looking at the works,
it offers time to experience the values of beauty.

Egon Schiele’s presence quietly yet powerfully lingers in the memory.

I think this is an exhibition that comes across only when you visit in person.

#Vienna at the Fin de Siècle
#Egon Schiele
#Art exhibition
#Japanese culture
#Cool Japan