On November 30, 2025, many monks gathered at Sumadera Temple in Suma, Kobe, and were singing in chorus.

☆Notice of Closure☆ ⁡ We will be closed from December 31st to January 1st. We will resume normal business hours from January 2nd for the New Year period!

On November 30, 2025, at Suma-dera in Suma, Kobe. The fall foliage and the red beneath the eaves were gorgeous.

New Year shrine-visit guide 🎍 This time we introduce Kikuchi Shrine, Hokumiya Aso Shrine, Hachidai Ryuo Shrine, and Mt. Kuradake. Kikuchi Shrine The shrine approach glows with warm lights at night, making for great photos. The "New Year Fortune Fukumikji" features luck-bringing prizes, including a Kikuchi Shrine award of an ever-growing half-sho of sacred sake and a grand prize of a zodiac ornament. Amazake is also available on the grounds, offering a relaxing warm break. Hokumiya Aso Shrine Hokumiya Aso Shrine sits right beside the gentle flow of the Kikuchi River. "Free Amazake Distribution" ・From New Year’s Eve, amazake will be distributed for free (while supplies last). "New Year Limited Goshuin" ・A limited goshuin stamp will be offered for the New Year. If you plan to watch the first sunrise, consider the views from Mt. Kuradake 🌄 Mt. Kuradake has a route that starts from the ninth station, so why not try a sunrise ascent to greet the first sun of the year? #Kikuchi Shrine #Mt. Kuradake hike #Kikuchi City, Kumamoto Prefecture https://kikuchikanko.ne.jp/archives/22620... https://kikuchikanko.ne.jp/archives/22679...

Photographed on December 28, 2025. This is LEC COFFEE’s original chai and a gateau chocolat.

#Autumn #Photo Contest It is late autumn in Kamikochi. This day marked the mountain closing ceremony. The mountains were beautiful, the water clear, and the air tasted fresh.

Photographed on December 28, 2025. This is a gateau chocolat from LEC COFFEE. We are grateful to everyone at LEC COFFEE for their help this year. We look forward to your continued support next year.🙇‍♀️

I visited Izumo Taisha in Shimane Prefecture ⛩️ I love shrines in the early morning when no one is around ✨ I paid my respects during the sacred kamiari-zuki, when the eight million gods from across Japan gather at Izumo Taisha to hold meetings about matchmaking and bountiful harvests 😊

Notice of an illumination event 📣 The illumination at Hiroo Santa Land in Hirocho runs through January 4, 2026 😊 Lights are on from 4:00 PM to 10:00 PM ✨✨ The park glows with illumination and wood lanterns, creating a festive atmosphere 😍 Please consider stopping by during your New Year holidays outing 🤗 https://www.santaland.or.jp//

Kushiro, famed as one of the world’s top three sunset cities, actually offers unmissable sunrises as well. At Kushiro Prince Hotel, you can enjoy a luxurious sunrise and a sumptuous morning meal at the top-floor restaurant. Using kombu from the Nemuro Strait, the light soy-flavored Kushiro ramen and the fresh seafood rice bowl come with unlimited servings. Even Kushiro’s indulgent gourmet offerings include plenty of lighter options for morning diners who prefer a milder start. 【Instagram】 https://www.instagram.com/kushiroprincehotel/...

This is our family’s annual tradition. A praying mantis comes to lay eggs.

Toyama Prefecture Tateyamamachi Shomyo Falls Snow fell late at night, letting the autumn leaves and snow perform together Standing close to Shomyo Falls, Japan’s tallest waterfall by drop, the roar of the water is overwhelming

Tateyamamachi, Toyama Prefecture Akashiro no Kabe Snow fell late at night, and around Shomyo Falls I saw a duet of autumn leaves and snow I arrived early in the morning, and some forest roads were frozen I photographed Akashiro no Kabe with a fisheye lens

Here are the main spots in Tomakomai to watch the first sunrise of the year 🌅 The sunrise is expected at 7:03 AM. Please refrain from idling near private homes or any other behavior that might cause a nuisance. ● Roadside Station Utonai Lake ● Tarumae Shrine ● Midorigaoka Park Observatory ※Temporarily open from 11:00 PM on December 31 to 9:00 AM on January 1 ● the beaches of Itoi and Tarumae ● Yufutsu Marina Waterfront Breakwater and others

Kamiichimachi, Toyama Prefecture – Mount Sengokujōyama This spot is reachable by car via a forest road Photographed from the forest road up Mount Sengokujōyama The beautiful autumn leaves and the snow-capped Tsurugi-dake made a stunning sight

Kamiichimachi, Toyama Prefecture – Seseragi no Komichi I walked from Seseragi no Komichi to near the check dam Mt. Tsurugi was nearby, but clouds got in the way so I couldn’t see it clearly; I’ll get a better shot next time

Kurikara Fudoji Temple Nishinobo Hououden (Phoenix Hall), Tsubatamachi, Ishikawa Prefecture Photographed the sunset from a hill during the autumn foliage It was a beautiful view

Kurikara Fudoji Nishinobo Hououden, Tsubatamachi, Ishikawa Prefecture I photographed the autumn leaves from a hilltop. Around sunset, a blanket of altocumulus clouds spread across the sky, creating a beautiful scene.

Akanko on December 28th! Thanks to a sudden cold snap, the lake surface has frozen over considerably. However... people still cannot go out onto the ice. Even if you see footprints on the ice, under no circumstances should you step onto the lake ice.

Light-up Color Schedule for Nusamai Bridge — January, Reiwa 8 🌈// Nusamai Bridge, a symbol of Kushiro City! From the bridge you can enjoy views of the Kushiro River and its mouth, Kushiro Port, and sunsets sinking into the Pacific Ocean. The bridge is illuminated after sunset. During local events and public observances, the lights change through a special 14-color sequence. January light-ups🌈Please enjoy them. *Nusamai Bridge is pronounced “Nusamai bashi.”* Kushiro & Akan Official Tourism Site SUPER FANTASTIC https://ja.kushiro-lakeakan.com/things_to_do/13397/... 📍Kitaodori Street, Kushiro 1-1

Please visit Izu Shimoda Onsen in 2026 (^○^) 🌼 Shimoda Onsen Narcissus Festival The flowers are expected to be at their best around mid-January ♬ After the narcissus, 🌸 Minamiizucho "Minami no Sakura and Rapeseed Blossom Festival" 🌸 Kawazu Town "Kawazu Cherry Blossom Festival" Both are about a 30-minute drive from Shimoda City. Stay at Shimoda Onsen and enjoy the early spring flower relay ✨ Right now, JTB’s website is offering "discount coupons usable at Shimoda Onsen accommodations" (＼(^o^)／) Right now, JTB’s website is distributing great discount coupons usable at Shimoda Onsen accommodations (＼(^o^)／) No minimum fare required: 10% OFF ✨ (maximum discount 5,000 yen) Limited quantity! Take this chance to visit Shimoda Onsen ♨️ https://www.jtb.co.jp/kokunai-hotel/list/22219/?multiarea=22219&suggestkeyword=%E4%B8%8B%E7%94%B0%E5%B8%82&godate=&checkindate=&staynight=1&dateunspecified=1&roomassign=m2&room=1...

We would like to inform you of the Saijo Tourism & Exchange Center’s opening hours during the New Year holidays. December 31, 2025 (Wednesday) and January 1, 2026 (Thursday, national holiday): 9:00–16:00 On all other days: 9:00–18:00 (retail until 17:30) Open year-round Please note that both the Shinji Sogo Memorial Museum and the Shikoku Railway Cultural Center on the same premises will be closed all day on the above two dates. Thank you very much to everyone who visited us this year. We look forward to your continued support next year.

Photographed on December 28, 2025. This is a set from Tomori Shokudo featuring domestic chicken spice karaage and a bamboo shoot and taro gratin. It also includes a hearty miso soup, steamed daikon with yuzu miso, simmered tamakonnyaku (ball-shaped konnyaku), and pickles—plenty to enjoy. 😊 On weekends, it’s best to make a reservation.

Photographed on December 28, 2025. This is Chabudai-san’s morning dish. It has been changed to a baked pot-au-feu. I hear the ingredients are being sautéed. It has a sweet flavor.

Title: "Cute Pair" A whole field Of metasequoia Leaves fallen Two cute ones Peeking out to play

Announcement of the illumination event 📣 "Sara Illumi" will be held in Sarabetsumura through Saturday, February 16, 2026 (planned) 😊 Lights are on from 5:00 PM to 9:30 PM. A workshop for local residents shaped the designs, which are expressed with about 40,000 bulbs 🎵 Handmade village lights brighten the freezing winter nights with vivid color 🤗 https://www.sarabetsu.jp/sightseeing/event/illumination/...

A direct service from Kushiro Airport to Kushiro Prince Hotel. Choose from a variety of room types, and this time we introduce the Twin Room. Every room offers sweeping views of Kushiro. With well-equipped amenities and facilities, you can relax with peace of mind. At Kushiro Prince Hotel, come experience a time that soothes the heart. 【Instagram】 https://www.instagram.com/kushiroprincehotel/...

I visited CAPO Ooyachi! Ooyachi sits in Atsubetsu-ku, Sapporo City. A shopping complex directly connected to Ōyachi Station sits there. Its name is CAPO. From Friday, December 12th to Monday, December 15th—a four-day span— a market gathered delicious foods from around Hokkaido. Nishiokoppe Village took part during the first two days. Across from us, Rankoshi-machi displayed tempting rice. When I cooked the rice I bought and tried it at home, its sweetness filled my mouth and I smiled. Staff from neighboring Shikaoicho offered samples of kiriboshi daikon (dried daikon) and yogurt, making our booth a soothing spot. What proved popular at the Nishiokoppe booth was, of course, wild mountain vegetables. Murata Foods, Nishiokoppe’s mountain vegetable factory, removes bitterness and pre-cooks mountain vegetables harvested in the village, so they’re ready to use in dishes right away—an attractive feature. Canned venison and bear meat also drew customers’ interest. They are seasoned, so you can simply place them over rice and eat, making it easy to enjoy venison and bear meat. In the refrigerated case, dairy products from Milk Design used grass-fed milk produced in Nishiokoppe were on show. We also displayed standard souvenirs and wooden toys brought from the forest museum Mokumu, offering a wide variety of items across the booth. I especially feel happy when visitors pick up villagers’ handmade wooden cars or pinecone Christmas trees. One of the joys of these kinds of events is encountering tasty and interesting products from other towns and villages. The Naumann Elephant was adorable. Thank you to everyone who visited the Ōyachi CAPO Marche! #Ōyachi CAPO #CAPO Marche #Delicious

🌼We have updated the status of the daffodil blooms🌼 Overall they are about 50% in bloom, but some areas are already at their peak✨ You can find details about the garden and event information on our blog☝️📖 https://www.shimoda-city.info/post/20251229...