The "2026 Artisan Summer Asparagus Fair" starts on Tuesday, July 21!

This year, 26 restaurants will participate!!

Using the summer bounty of Engaru Town, "Engaru Nyokki-zu Summer Asparagus," participating restaurants will offer original dishes created with creativity and ingenuity at the "Asparagus Fair." This year, 26 restaurants are participating. Be sure to enjoy the original dishes at many establishments.

When you order asparagus dishes, there will be special benefits at each restaurant, and you also have a chance to win "1 kg of Summer Asparagus" or "common meal vouchers for participating restaurants" for 30 lucky winners through a lottery!

The event will be held from Tuesday, July 21, to Thursday, August 13! 🎶

I recently visited Glicopia, a factory in Kobe that makes Pocky and Pretz. I think Pocky was the first chocolate I ever knew was specifically Japanese, and I think it is definitely an iconic snack well-recognized around the world. It was fun to get a closer look at its production! The guided tours show the history of the company, from its early 20th century origins to the postwar expansion of products, with old commercials, toys that came included with snacks through the years, and a fun "digital cooking" game where you design and decorate your own sweets.

The assembly line itself is very advanced, and you can see pocky being made in great quantities. This time they were making a flavor that has yet to hit shelves, which made it even more interesting. The air near the production area has a warm, delicious scent, which is a bonus.

If you liked pocky a lot yourself growing up, or are travelling with kids, I think it is a great place to visit! Reservations are necessary, and I believe most of it is Japanese-language only, but looking at a chocolate factory is pretty universal regardless of language.

If you're exploring the Omuta and Arou area, Manda Pit is a must-visit spot.
By learning about the history of the Miike Coal Mine, you'll gain insight into the role this region played in Japan's industry.
It's also recommended as an entry point for a journey through industrial heritage. How about extending your trip to the World Heritage site in Arao City before or after your outing or festival in Omuta?

[Visiting Information] 9:30 AM - 5:00 PM (Last entry at 4:30 PM) / Closed: Mondays (or the following weekday if a holiday) and during the New Year holidays / Admission: 410 yen for adults and university students, 310 yen for high school students, 210 yen for elementary and junior high school students / Manda Pit Station (free exhibition room and ticket sales)

#Omuta #MiikeCoalMine #IndustrialHeritageTour #ModernIndustrialHeritage #HistoricalTravel #WeekendTrip #CoalMineRuins #MandaCoalMine #Omuta #AraoCity #KumamotoTravel #JapanTravel #VisitJapan #IndustrialHeritage #WorldHeritage

Visiting Ichinomiya-ji in Kagawa Prefecture during the summer, aside from the usual pilgrimage, what I look forward to the most is the traditional summer event, the "Cucumber Blessing."
As I step into the quaint temple, the first thing that catches my eye is the neatly arranged boxes of vibrant green cucumbers. Each cucumber is tied with a wish paper bearing the names and ailments of the devotees, creating a scene that is both novel and filled with a sense of sacred ritual. People firmly believe that through the master's spiritual power, they can temporarily entrust their internal pains and misfortunes to the cucumbers.
Standing in front of the master's hall, I watch the devotees earnestly writing their wishes, with the rising incense and the deep, resonant chanting filling the air, even the summer cicadas seem to quiet down in this moment. The serene energy makes one naturally calm, and I silently pray for health and peace for myself and my family with my hands together.
After the ceremony, these cucumbers, which carry the ailments of many, will remain at the temple, where they will be collectively buried in the Cucumber Mound. As the cucumbers naturally decay in the soil, the tormenting pains and misfortunes will also fade away into the earth. This seemingly simple tradition is wrapped in the most sincere and profound hopes of people for their health.
For me, the Cucumber Blessing at Ichinomiya-ji is not just a special travel experience; it is a summer memory intertwined with the warm humanity and ancient beliefs of Shikoku.

Taken on July 1, 2024.
These are the enmusubi wind chimes from Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine. 🎐

In Memuro Town, at Memuro Shrine, during the summer, it is beautifully decorated with flower water offerings, wind chimes, and pinwheels. Recently, there was a fireworks festival, and it was said to be illuminated as well.

The Wombadals

Taken on July 1, 2014.
These are the matchmaking wind chimes at Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine.

Grand Front Osaka
The Green Bear

This bear is named "Ted Ibel," with the nickname coool.
In fact, this is a work by the contemporary French artist Fabrice Hyber.
It sprays water from its mouth.

Depending on the weather, it feels like a different world.
The mist and cloudy skies brought about by the cool climate unique to the Kushiro region add a distinctive beauty to the wetlands.

On the wooden paths, you can encounter seasonal flowers, wild birds, and deer, while listening to the sound of the wind if you pay close attention.

With comfortable shoes, take your time.
From the city to the great outdoors.

Why not embark on a journey to the Kushiro Shitsugen from the Kushiro Prince Hotel?

You can make your reservation through the profile URL.
📍Kushiro Prince Hotel
https://www.instagram.com/kushiroprincehotel/

Enjoy the coolness of summer in the great outdoors! Here are some highland activities to try!

<Don't forget to tap the "save mark" if you want to look back later!>

1. SUP (Stand Up Paddleboarding) in Shinshu Shinmachi
If you want to fully experience the nature of Nagano City, SUP in Shinshu Shinmachi is highly recommended! Enjoy a leisurely walk on the water while taking in the beautiful seasonal scenery and refreshing atmosphere. With guided tours available, even beginners can feel at ease!


2. Forest Adventure Nagano
Let's soar into the sky over Nagano! A thrilling glide 150m above the lake!
Breathe in the refreshing winds of Nagano City and embrace the great outdoors!✨
With attentive support from instructors, everyone can enjoy themselves safely!


3. Togakushi Campground
A refreshing campground surrounded by white birch forests, adjacent to Togakushi Farm.
It's perfect for outdoor schools and family camping in the midst of nature. With over 350 auto camping sites (free sites), it's one of the largest in Japan!
Facilities include cooking areas, outdoor stoves, hot showers, flushing toilets, and a shop. You can also enjoy river play in the stream flowing through the site.
【Operating Hours】April 25, 2026 - November 4, 2026 (tentative)
From 9:30 AM to 4:30 PM (for day camp use)
【Reservations】Available by phone or through the official website
【Closed】Winter break
【Parking】Available (free)


#Experience #Activities #Highland #Nagano City #Nagano Tourism

Taken on July 1, 2014.
These are the matchmaking wind chimes at Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine.

On July 11, 2026, hydrangea flower picking took place around Fukoji in Asaji Town, Bungoono City.
About 50 participants carefully picked the hydrangea flowers blooming in the temple grounds and surrounding areas. Thank you very much to everyone who helped out.
This flower picking is an important task to ensure beautiful hydrangeas bloom next year. By properly maintaining them at this time, we can enjoy magnificent flowers again during the rainy season.

I am already looking forward to seeing even more beautiful hydrangeas blooming next year.

■■■Access to downtown Bungoono City■■■
Approximately 3 hours by car from JR Hakata Station in Fukuoka Prefecture
Approximately 2 hours by car from JR Kumamoto Station in Kumamoto Prefecture
Approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes by car from JR Beppu Station in Oita Prefecture
Approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes by car from JR Yufuin Station in Oita Prefecture

■■■■■■■■■■■■
Introducing recommended spots for sightseeing in Bungoono City, Oita Prefecture, Kyushu
■■■■■■■■■■■■

The former Satsuma Village chief's house – Shibuya Family Residence, a nationally registered tangible cultural property –

Located in Nakazatsuma 1-chome, Kamagaya City, the Shibuya Family Residence is the birthplace of Shibuya Sōji, an important figure of the Akahōtai during the late Edo period. The Shibuya family has served as village chiefs for generations since the mid-Edo period, and their residence is a grand building befitting of a chief.
The main house, built exactly 200 years ago in 1826 (Bunsei 9), is the oldest existing building in the city. Its large floor plan and tall roof make it a standout in the Satsuma District.

The roof features thatched roofing covered with iron plates shaped like tiles, and upon entering and looking up at the ceiling, one can still see the thatch from the Edo period.
A notable feature of the Shibuya Family Residence is that the main layout has remained unchanged since its construction.
The entrance hall for welcoming guests, along with the inner rooms known as Nakano-ma and Oku-no-ma, have hardly been altered and retain their original appearance.

The Tokonoma (alcove), display shelves, and attached writing alcove in Oku-no-ma have also not been remodeled, creating a space of high formality. The sturdy pillars, beams, and the kamidana (household shrine) in the living room still reflect the original construction, showcasing the traditional farmhouse layout that has continued since the Edo period.
The Shibuya family possesses a "house layout diagram" drawn in 1848 (Kaei 1).
This valuable document not only depicts the layout of the house but also includes images of the storehouse, shed, and household deity, conveying the conditions of the late Edo period. The fact that both the building and the diagram have been preserved together is extremely valuable.

Comparing the diagram with the current state reveals that the land divisions are accurately depicted, and the layout of the buildings remarkably matches the current floor plan.
The building has remained largely unchanged since its construction and has been continuously inhabited, evidencing the Shibuya family's dedication to preserving this home.
Furthermore, it retains the traditional landscape of a settlement built along the base of a plateau facing the highway. The depiction of the plateau in the diagram reflects the original scenery of the Satsuma settlement that still exists today.

Over the years, the Shibuya Family Residence has suffered some damage. Future plans include preservation and repair work, seismic reinforcement, and renovations for community use, aiming to develop it into a place of relaxation for the region.


For more details, please check the city’s website!


【Cultural and Sports Division】
https://www.city.kamagaya.chiba.jp/smph/kosodate-kyouiku/kyoikuindex/bunka_menu/sibuyakemaruya.html

Good morning!
The forecast for Azumino on July 13th predicts a scorching hot day...💦
To everyone visiting, please take precautions against heatstroke and enjoy your time in Azumino! 😊

Taken on July 1, 2026.
Kawagoe Kumano Shrine features a summer prayer water offering for love.

When it comes to summer in Japan, it's all about sweet and cold wagashi (Japanese sweets). Enjoying sweetened beans set in jelly or agar while wearing a yukata is a delightful summer tradition for young girls. The photo features a summer limited menu from Kanou Shoujuan, which has branches nationwide but is rooted in its local area.

Taken on July 1, 2026.
This is the summer prayer water for love at Kawagoe Kumano Shrine.🌻🏮

(2026-07-11) Night View of Light Trails on Mount Fuji Climbing Path
One of Life's Unfinished Shots

Photography of Light Trails on Mount Fuji Climbing Path

This time, I took on the challenge
At Yamanakako Hanano Miyako Park, I struggled surrounded by fog
Just around 2:00, as we were starting to pack up, I thought, "Wait? I can see it"
So we changed locations and resumed shooting. I managed to capture something :)

The Hokkaido Fair is currently being held at AEON Lake Town mori in Saitama Prefecture, featuring a booth from Teshikagacho!

Join us until Sunday, July 12th, and be sure to visit the Teshikagacho booth✨

At the Teshikagacho booth, if you follow us on social media, you can receive a cute special eco-bag as a gift🎁 It's a very convenient size and highly recommended~🧚🏻‍♀️💫

By the way, it seems that Governor Suzuki from Hokkaido will also be visiting today, the 11th❣️

This weekend, let's head to AEON Lake Town mori🏃‍♀️💨
*The last day is scheduled to end at 6 PM.

Taken on July 1, 2026.
This is the chawa (ring of reeds) at Kawagoe Kumano Shrine.

Shiraito Falls in Karuizawa offers a stunning view, with water flowing like white threads, bringing a sense of calm just by watching it. It's a wonderful memory where I could relax in the cool air, and I would love to visit again.

Notice of Cancellation for the "Ice Tunnel One-Day Opening"
We sincerely apologize to those who were looking forward to this day.

Due to rain leading up to the event date,
the footing near the Ice Tunnel has become extremely poor, and this year's one-day opening has unfortunately been cancelled.

Please note that there will be no alternative date.

We appreciate your understanding and hope you will look forward to next year's opening.

#Ice Tunnel #Cancelled

Taken on July 2, 26.
This is the pudding and black latte from LEC COFFEE.

Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine in Kawagoe City, Saitama Prefecture. I captured the image of a girl quietly gazing at a small stream enveloped in soft light on a summer night. The scenery created by the shrine, which has watched over people's prayers for centuries, and the fantastical lights swaying by the waterside represents a beautiful summer landscape unique to Japan. I felt that the time spent in tranquility, allowing the heart to be clear, is also an important charm of the Japanese summer.

The Gion Festival, passed down in Okegawa City, Saitama Prefecture. The photo captures a girl savoring a fruit candy chosen from a stall amidst the sounds of festival music. Dressed in a yukata, she walks with her family through the festival, and the moments of excitement in front of the stalls create summer memories in Japan that transcend generations. It encapsulates the warmth of the festival that the local people have continued to protect and the innocent joy of children.

[Traditional Event] Satokagura at Shiroyama Tenmangū Shrine in Kanbayashi
Every July, the Satokagura is offered to pray for the peace of the Kanbayashi District.
It has also been designated as an Intangible Folk Cultural Property of the city.
The Satokagura is said to have been continued since the Kamakura period, but it was interrupted once after World War II.
In the 1950s, local people revived this important ritual, and this year marks the 50th anniversary of the Kagura Preservation Society.
The Satokagura at Shiroyama Tenmangū Shrine will be offered tomorrow.
Offering Date and Time: July 12, 2023 (Sunday)
From 1:00 PM, the ritual
Around 1:30 PM, the Kagura offering
After that, there will be a children's sumo tournament and mochi throwing.
*There is no parking available at the shrine.
#Toon City #Kanbayashi District #Satokagura #Shiroyama Tenmangū Shrine #Intangible Folk Cultural Property #Traditional Event #Kamibayashi Kagura Preservation Society #Kagura Offering

【Kasumigaura Comprehensive Park】
On a morning after the rain, I received information that the lotuses were blooming.
I quickly set out.
Being in a region famous for Hasune, many varieties were in full bloom.

Enjoying a day in Shizura, Nishi-Izu with guests from Sweden

Nishi-Izu, easily accessible for a day trip from the Tokyo area.

On this day, we headed to Shizura in Nishi-Izu with guests visiting from Sweden.

Shizura is a quiet diving spot with calm seas.

Away from the hustle and bustle of tourist attractions, a relaxed atmosphere typical of Japan's seaside flows here.


Mixing English and Japanese by the sea

The conversations of the day were a mix of English and Japanese.

If there were words we didn't understand, we communicated in different ways or used gestures.

Even if we didn't fully understand each other, entering the sea together and sharing the same scenery naturally brought us closer.

Diving is not just about enjoying the ocean.

It's also a time that connects people beyond nationalities and language differences.


Lunch at a local spot after the sea

After diving, we enjoyed lunch together at a local restaurant.

Reflecting on the time spent in the sea, we gathered around the same table.

Diving into Japan's waters, dining at a local place, and spending leisurely time in a seaside town.

It's a local day that's a bit different from a typical trip to famous tourist spots.

Thank you for joining us.


A special day by the sea in Japan.

🌈 Hokulea Shonan is a small diving shop located in Hiratsuka City, Kanagawa Prefecture.

About an hour by train from Tokyo.
We guide you to Japan's seas, such as Shonan and Izu, perfect for a day trip from Tokyo.

The theme is "Let's embark on a journey to an unseen world!"

Through diving, we hope you can feel the beauty of Japan's seas, the richness of nature, and the local seaside experience.

Tours are conducted in small groups.
Beginners and those who are not confident swimmers can participate with peace of mind.
We also provide guidance in English.

Would you like to spend a day by the sea during your trip to Japan?

Based on your travel schedule and diving experience, we'll propose the perfect sea for you.

Feel free to contact us first.