Photographed on January 1, 2014. This is a photo spot at Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine.

This is a photo from several years ago of mochi I made for New Year’s.

This is the nighttime view of Kaiyukan Aquarium at Mount Tenpō in Osaka. The winter night breeze chilled the air and sharpened the scenery, making it feel just right.

Kawayu Onsen website 'From the Information Desk' updated 📝🆙 A report on the Gastronomy Walking event held in the Kawayu Onsen district on Sunday, October 12 has been posted 🚶🍙❣️ The article shows participants enjoying local food while walking around the Kawayu onsen area and learning about Teshikaga. Please take a look 🐻 🔗 https://www.kawayu-onsen.com/feature/931/...

Bungoono City Stamp Rally Visiting Five Roadside Stations ❚ Held January 8–March 8, 2026 A stamp rally visiting five Roadside Stations in Bungoono City, Oita Prefecture, will be held. At each Roadside Station, you will encounter attractive local specialties and fresh vegetables lovingly grown by local producers. Visit all five Roadside Stations, make purchases of 300 yen or more, and collect stamps for a chance to win Roadside Station specialty products for a total of 125 winners. Participation is very simple. You can easily join while driving around Bungoono City, so take the challenge and try to win the luxurious prizes offered by the city’s proud Roadside Stations. ■■ Access from Fukuoka Prefecture, Kumamoto Prefecture, and other areas to central Bungoono City ■■■ About a 3-hour drive from JR Hakata Station, Fukuoka Prefecture About a 2-hour drive from JR Kumamoto Station, Kumamoto Prefecture About a 1 hour 20 minute drive from beppu station, Oita Prefecture About a 1 hour 20 minute drive from Yufuin Station, Oita Prefecture ■■■■■■■■■■■■ Kyushu, Bungoono City, Oita Prefecture Introducing sightseeing and recommended spots ■■■■■■■■■■■■ https://sato-no-tabi.jp/news/20260108event-bungoono/...

About a five-minute walk from Kushiro Prince Hotel, the Suehiro area still preserves the flavors of long-established shops. This time, we introduce supakatsu, grilled whelk, and zangi! The processing and cooking ideas passed down for generations are what make Kushiro cuisine so appealing.✨ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/kushiroprincehotel/...

[Ooyama Wild Boar and Deer (Gibier) Fair Now Underway] Ooyama is currently hosting the Ooyama Wild Boar and Deer (gibier) Fair. Gibier cuisine in Ooyama, where boar hotpot has been enjoyed for generations, ranks alongside tofu dishes as a local specialty. Many temple lodgings and restaurants serve seasonal flavors unique to this period. Take this opportunity to visit Ooyama and taste these signature dishes. *Some establishments may require reservations.* Event Period ◆ Through March 31, 2026 For details, please see the official website. https://www.city.isehara.kanagawa.jp/kankou_guide/docs/2025090900014/...

Kawayu Onsen website 'From the Information Desk' updated📝🆙 On Sunday, October 12, a report on the Gastronomy Walking event held in the Kawayu Onsen district has been posted🚶🍙❣️ The article shows participants enjoying local food and learning about Teshikaga while walking around the Kawayu Onsen area. Please take a look🐻 https://www.kawayu-onsen.com/feature/931/...

🚨Deadline Approaching🚨 The 15th Teshikagacho Photo Contest is now open📸💡 This year’s theme is “Experience the Volcanoes, Forests, and Lakes Through the Seasons in Teshikaga.” Thanks to support from local businesses, many luxurious secondary prizes are available. Please see the details below. We look forward to your wonderful submissions📸✨ 15th Teshikagacho Photo Contest Entry Period November 1, 2025 (Saturday) – January 20, 2026 (Tuesday), postmarked by the deadline Categories Spring / Summer / Autumn / Winter / Open Prizes Grand Prize: 1 winner…¥30,000 + secondary prizes (accommodation vouchers, Mashu melon, etc.) Excellence Awards: 3 winners…¥10,000 + secondary prizes / Honorable Mentions: 5 winners…secondary prizes / Special Prize and Tourism Association Prize: several winners ■ With the cooperation of local businesses, many secondary prizes including accommodation vouchers, meal vouchers, and local products are available.   Organized by: Mashu-ko Tourism Association (regional DMO) Supported by: Teshikagacho, Teshikagacho Board of Education, Mashu-ko Agricultural Cooperative, Teshikagacho Promotion Corporation, Teshikaga Chamber of Commerce, Kawayu Onsen Ryokan Association, Mashu Onsen Ryokan Association, Mashu Melon Producers Association, Hokkaido Shimbun, Akan-Mashu National Park Management Office, Kushiro Shimbun https://www.masyuko.or.jp/news/15photocon/...

This year marks the 60th Tomakomai Skating Festival. The highlight is shibare-yaki, a Jingisukan grilled outdoors below freezing (the Hokkaido dialect shibareru means cold). Cooked on grills made from repurposed drum cans, seasoned Jingisukan tastes exceptional with a beer. Another favorite with kids is the large ice slide. Tomakomai’s signature winter festival, the Tomakomai Skating Festival, takes place this year on Saturday, February 7 and Sunday, February 8, 2026.⛸ Come and join us!

[Notice of Winter Night Scenery Operation on MtOoyama Cable Car] MtOoyama Cable Car will operate a “Winter Night Scenery” service during the following period. During the event, the first 200 passengers using the cable car each day will receive a cup of amazake. Additionally, a greeting event with a popular character will be held! Enjoy the crisp winter air and the night views at MtOoyama. ■Event Period 2026 Saturday, January 10; Sunday, January 11 Monday, January 12 (national holiday) Saturday, January 17; Sunday, January 18 Saturday, January 24; Sunday, January 25 ■Cable Car Operating Hours Service runs until 7:00 p.m. each day For details, please see the official website. https://www.ooyama-cable.co.jp/winteryakei2026.html...

Photographed on January 1, 2014. Around 6:00 a.m. at Kawagoe Kumano Shrine, this is the temizuya (water pavilion). The unusual atmosphere compared with usual is lovely.

[Now Open] MemanbetsuKohan Ice Fishing for Smelt Every day, many people from inside and outside the town join us! Set against vast natural scenery, this activity is only possible while the lake is frozen. We offer gear rental and sales, so first-timers can take part with confidence 😊 We warmly look forward to welcoming you! ■Period: Monday, January 5th – Wednesday, February 11th (public holiday) ■Fishing hours: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM ■Fishing fee: Adults ¥900 per day, Elementary school students ¥450 per day

Photographed on January 3, 2014. This is the New Year floral temizu basin at Kawagoe Hachimangu Shrine.

These sparrows were photographed near Asahi Station when I went to Nagano to photograph the Nagano Electric Railway. They played together in a flock on the fluffy snow, their soft bodies so charming that I nearly forgot the cold.

Happy New Year from Gen at Shosenkyo Gorge. I look forward to your continued support this year. The 8th year of Reiwa has begun, and a week has already passed. The weather in Yamanashi’s Shosenkyo has been fine every day, with no snow, making for very pleasant days. Kanazakura Shrine, famous as the birthplace of crystal, has been welcoming visitors for New Year’s prayers from all over the country every day, creating a lively atmosphere. Kanazakura Shrine is also well known as a place to improve your financial luck. Why not pay a visit sometime? Gen has been open without a break since New Year’s Day on January 1st. We have also received a steady arrival of new power stones. If you have time, please feel free to drop by. All of our staff are sincerely looking forward to your visit.