Otayama Sky Lantern Event Held On January 17th, the Otayama Sky Lantern event took place within the grounds of Oyama Afuri Shrine Lower Shrine. Lanterns rose into the dusk sky, casting a soft, gentle glow. Under Otayama’s clear winter sky, visitors enjoyed a magical, memorable moment. The second event is scheduled for this weekend, January 24th.

🗻Let’s watch the Diamond Fuji from the city hall rooftop🗻 The rooftop of Kamagaya City Hall offers a relatively high and clear view within the city, allowing you to see Mount Fuji together with the Tokyo Sky Tree! About twice a year, at the moment when the sun overlaps Mount Fuji’s summit at sunset, the scene can sparkle like a diamond—this phenomenon is called “Diamond Fuji.” It truly is a work of natural art!✨ Why not enjoy the beautiful scene of Mount Fuji and the setting sun that appears only at this time of year?🌇 Best viewing time Monday, February 2 — around 4:59 PM The city hall rooftop opening hours are extended until 5:45 PM (except Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays) through March 31. Viewing requests This is not an organized viewing event, so no registration is required. Equipment taller than 150 centimeters may not be brought in. Please avoid setting up tripods or leaving them in place for long periods. Commerce and Tourism Division https://www.city.kamagaya.chiba.jp/kanko-bunka-sports/kanko/diamondfuji/diamond-fuji.html...

Photographed on January 11, 2014. This is the hanachōzu (flower water basin) at Hara Florist.

New Year’s Gift Sale Raffle Winning Numbers The Nishiokoppe Village Chamber of Commerce and Industry organizes the New Year’s Gift Sale every year. The winning raffle ticket numbers have been announced! During the New Year period, customers who shopped at participating stores in the village received one raffle ticket for every 500 yen spent. There are winners from 1st to 5th prize, totaling an impressive 250 prizes! If you hold a stub of a winning raffle ticket, please bring it to the Chamber of Commerce and Industry by February 2 to claim your prize. Redemption location: Chamber of Commerce and Industry Weekdays, 9:00–17:15 - I didn’t win, but I enjoyed the thrill of checking the list of winning numbers to see if I had. Congratulations to the winners! 🎉 #New Year’s Gift #Gift Sale #Chamber of Commerce and Industry #Raffle #Winning #Winning Numbers Announced #Congratulations

♬ Sophia Sakai Starry Teller keisuke’s Planetarium Laugh Show ♬ We invite starry teller keisuke, owner of Hoshi Cafe SPICA in Osaka City, who blends comedy into his motto of “making the starry sky entertainment” to present a laugh-filled starry sky entertainment show.✨ Apply via the web 😊 📅 Date and time: Saturday, January 24, 6:00 PM–6:45 PM 📍 Venue: Sophia Sakai Planetarium (@sophiasakai_pla) 💰 Fee: Adults 600 yen, Children 250 yen 👥 Capacity: 140 people (first-come, first-served sign-up) 🔍 For details, search “Sophia Sakai Starry Teller”! https://www.sofia-sakai.jp/events/...スターリーテラーkeisukeのプラネタリウムで笑いまshow/

The incense of agarwood favored by Toyotomi Hideyoshi Have you been watching the Taiga drama “Toyotomi Brothers!” (Sundays at 8:00 PM)? The incense made from agarwood, which Hideyoshi—older brother of the drama’s protagonist Toyotomi Hidenaga—loved, is gaining popularity✨ Regarding Hideyoshi’s fondness for agarwood, it is said that the missionary Luís Fróis, who was close to him, recorded this in his writings, and you can experience that scent across the ages with this incense Baieido, a long-established incense maker in Osaka and Sakai, planned and produced the Taiga drama “Toyotomi Brothers!” title logo licensed product “Limited Edition Toyotomi Hideyoshi Incense.” Why not try it while watching the drama? 🔍For details, search for “Limited Edition Toyotomi Hideyoshi Incense”! https://www.kokoudo.jp/?pid=189254243...

📣 The Candle Night that was hugely popular last year returns as "Chapter 2" 🕯️ Inside the dimmed restaurant, candlelight flickers gently. A night theater is projected across an entire wall 🎥 This year we have amplified the production to create an even more immersive and special evening for you to enjoy 🍝 Perfect for dates and anniversaries, and also recommended for anyone who wants to spend a slightly more luxurious weekday night💕 🕯️ Candle Night Chapter 2 📅 Event period: January 13 (Tue) – February 28 (Sat) 🗓 Mondays through Thursdays only (excluding public holidays) 📍 AOI NAPOLI UMISOBA We look forward to welcoming you.

Located at the foot of Mt. Okoji in Sanuki City, Kagawa Prefecture, and adjacent to the 88th temple of the Shikoku Pilgrimage, Okoji Temple, the Astronomical Telescope Museum is the world’s only museum dedicated exclusively to astronomical telescopes. The museum cleverly repurposes an abandoned elementary school building. Former classrooms now display small telescopes donated by individuals, evoking a warm sense of history; the old indoor pool houses imposing large telescopes from observatories across the country. This blend of old and new creates a fantastical scene with striking visual impact. With more than two hundred telescopes in its collection, the museum not only traces the development of astronomical observation in Japan but also brings together many classic models that people dreamed of owning as children. The staff focuses on restoration and active preservation so these instruments are not merely static antiques but ready-to-use tools that can be pointed at the night sky, captivating astronomy enthusiasts. Around 125 dedicated volunteers run the museum, more than half of whom come from outside the prefecture. By day, the museum offers in-depth tours and hands-on workshops guiding visitors to observe sunspots; by night, it holds viewing sessions that use the collection’s telescopes to capture the splendor of the planets. These instruments, once destined for retirement, are reborn here and lead visitors to look up again at the grandeur of the universe. In the mountain air far from city noise, the pure starlight is enough to make one forget the manmade neon of urban life.

Gonbe Pass (Gonbee Toge) When transporting Ina rice to Kiso, the routes over Shiojiri Pass or Ushikubi Pass were fine up to Narai, but Torii Pass lay beyond and made the journey inconvenient in terms of days and rice prices. To solve this, cattle driver foreman Furuhata Gonbei spent two years opening a route through this pass, 1,523 meters above sea level, to reach Ina. Afterwards, rice flowed from Inadani Valley to Kiso Valley, while lacquerware, bentwood items and other woodcraft traveled from Kiso to Ina. In recognition of this achievement, the pass came to be called Gonbe Pass. As the watershed between the Shinano River system and the Tenryu River system, the views from this pass are superb: you can look down over Inadani Valley and enjoy a sweeping panorama of the Southern Alps. In spring’s fresh buds, summer’s deep green and mountain streams, and autumn’s foliage, the scenery delights travelers through every season. The pass is designated as part of the Shinanoji Nature Trail Gonbei Pass Route, where you can fully savor the great outdoors.

Kiso Kurashi no Kogeikan Location: 2272-7 Kisohirasawa, Shiojiri City ◎ Masterful craftsmanship and the power of lacquer breathe life into materials Kiso Kurashi no Kogeikan is conceived as a museum and shop. From the displayed and stocked items to the building materials and furniture, the facility proudly emphasizes wood—the hallmark of this region. The entire venue overflows with the warmth of Shiojiri and Kiso, offering everything from crafts to everyday household tools and mountain-country flavors unique to the area. ◎ A wide selection of local specialties from Shiojiri and Kiso, including the traditional craft Kiso lacquerware and Shiojiri wine A range of cultures born from interactions with nature. We introduce the attractions of local industries rooted in Kiso life—skills handed down for centuries—while also presenting new lifestyle ideas. A medal awarded at the 1998 Nagano Winter Olympics, finished by the careful work of lacquer artisans, is on permanent display. Visitors can also enjoy a Kiso tsuishu (Kiso raised lacquer) sanding-and-revealing experience. (Advance reservation required at least two weeks prior) ◎ Traditional craft “Kiso lacquerware” hands-on experience menu (advance reservation required; please book at least two weeks in advance) Kiso tsuishu sanding-and-revealing experience Duration: Approximately 1 hour Fees: ① Coaster 2,200 yen ② Chopsticks 2,500 yen ③ Spoon 2,500 yen - Overview - Address: 2272-7 Kisohirasawa, Shiojiri City, Nagano Prefecture Phone: 0264-34-3888 Fax: 0264-34-2832 Hours: 9:00–17:00 Closed: Every Tuesday / Open during busy seasons (closed irregularly) Parking: Standard cars: 500 spaces / Large buses: 10 spaces / Accessible: 4 spaces (all free) Accessibility: Wheelchair-accessible restrooms, ramps Access: By car: 25 km (about 30 minutes) from Shiojiri IC / By car: 80 km (about 90 minutes) from Nakatsugawa IC / By train: JR Chuo Main Line to kisohirasawa station, then 20-minute walk

Ice Land Akan, the on-ice activity area on Lake Akanko, opens on January 19th♪ Activities available starting tomorrow include: 1. Smelt fishing (wakasagi fishing) 2. Banana boat rides 3. Four-wheel ATV rides You can fully enjoy the vast snowfield on the lake now that it is completely frozen. For the best deals when enjoying Lake Akanko, use the dedicated reservation site and Marimo Pay!! Access the link in our profile♪ Instagram profile https://www.instagram.com/akan_tourism_association/...

Miyazaki, a land where the gods descend — step into the world of kagura that preserves ancient prayers About 200 kagura traditions are still passed down in Miyazaki Miyazaki Prefecture has long been called the birthplace of myths, home to tales such as Amano Iwato, Tenson Kōrin, and UmisachiYamasachi. The kagura handed down across the prefecture skillfully weave these myths into performances, keeping unique local forms alive. Some 200 kagura still survive here, offered in gratitude to the gods and to pray for bountiful harvests, abundant catches, health, and protection from illness. The drums and flutes that resonate at shrines and in villages enchant visitors. A variety of kagura shaped by each region One of kagura’s charms is that its background and repertory vary by region. Among these, the widely known Takachiho Night Kagura consists of thirty-three pieces, including the descent of the gods and the to-tori (door-taking) rites. Miyazaki is home to four nationally designated kagura traditions—the Mera Kagura, Shiiba Kagura, Highland Divine Dance, and Takachiho Night Kagura—the most in the country. Other local kagura are deeply rooted in their communities and display distinctive features in dance, accompaniment, and masks. Many of these traditions have been preserved for centuries and stand as one of Miyazaki’s representative folk cultures. Kagura dances offering thanks and prayer Kagura movements are filled with gestures to welcome the gods and offer gratitude and prayers. From basic footwork and hand movements to elegant sleeve-rolling and the brave drawing and releasing of a bow in certain pieces, the performances range from powerful to playful. The dances and accompaniment carry the prayers of Miyazaki’s people and their gratitude and hopes for living in harmony with nature. A seasonal highlight from winter to spring — kagura invites you into a special time Kagura reaches its peak from November through around March each year. During this season, the sounds of kagura music echo from shrines and villages across the prefecture, and communities become wrapped in the kagura atmosphere. Most performances are open to visitors, and some are held regularly to welcome tourists. Drawn by kagura’s appeal, many people visit annually to enjoy this seasonal tradition. A journey with kagura — experience Miyazaki more deeply Kagura itself embodies a culture in which people’s lives and feelings are passed down through generations. When kagura brings you to Miyazaki, you can discover not only the performances but also stunning scenery, local ingredients, hot springs, and many other charms of the prefecture. Visit Miyazaki, the place where the gods descend, and experience its attractions. For more details, please check the Official Tourism Website of Miyazaki Prefecture, “Official Tourism Website of Miyazaki Prefecture.” https://www.kanko-miyazaki.jp//

Kawayu Onsen website “From the Information Desk” updated 📝🆙 A report article about the currently peak-season “Kawayu Onsen rime ice” has been posted ❄️☃️ Beautiful snowy scenes are lined up, so please take a look ✨ https://www.kawayu-onsen.com/feature/1003/...

Photographed on January 11, 2014. This is a hanachōzu (flower water basin) at Naritasan Kawagoe Betsuin.

A Slightly Snowy Gujo Hachiman Castle Date: December 2025 Location: Gujo City, Gifu Prefecture * Flight application for Gujo Hachiman approved * Comprehensive unmanned aircraft flight permit obtained from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism * Flight plan submitted and flight log prepared

At Jigokudani Monkey Park in Nagano Prefecture, photographed Title: Reverie

Photographed on January 11, 2014. This is LEC COFFEE’s black latte and a sweet potato Basque cheesecake. I often visit after worshipping at Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine. It’s a treat I look forward to after visiting. 😊☕️

Event Announcement 📣 “Hombetsucho Bean-Scattering Night” will be held on Saturday, January 24th 😊 This event, timed for the Setsubun season, celebrates beans, a local specialty of Hombetsucho. Setsubun takes place the day before Risshun (the beginning of spring) and traditionally involves scattering beans to drive away evil spirits. It is said this practice began to ward off the misfortune and demons that can enter at seasonal boundaries 👹 At this event we will stage a dramatic bean-scatting spectacle using more than 2.5 tons of consecrated beans to vanquish many demons, and a “bean shower” where participants are drenched in over 100 kg of beans like a waterfall, among other bean-themed attractions. A lineup of food trucks will also gather so you can enjoy plenty of gourmet treats 🎵 https://www.town.honbetsu.hokkaido.jp/sightseeing/fes/details/mamemakanight.html...

Minami-izu Town, located at the southern tip of the Izu Peninsula, is dotted with a wealth of geosites that give a sense of the workings of the Earth, including a complex coastline and dynamic cliffs created by undersea volcanic activity. Additionally, Mikomoto Island in Minamiizu Town is a world-famous diving spot where you can see schools of hammerhead sharks. Due to the influence of the Kuroshio Current, the area is extremely dense with fish, and there is a high probability of encountering large schools of fish (hammer rivers) from summer to autumn, attracting many experienced divers from both Japan and abroad. Located in the open ocean, you can enjoy drift diving (diving while being carried away by the current) and it boasts one of the world's highest concentrations of fish. -- For more information about tourism in Minamiizu Town, Minamiizu Town Tourism Association【official】 WEB：https://www.minami-izu.jp/?p=we-page-entry&spot=596705&cat=18711&pageno=3&type=spot...

Photographed on January 11, 2014. This is LEC COFFEE’s sweet potato Basque cheesecake. I will visit again once work settles down. 😊

Photographed on January 11, 2014. This is a black latte from LEC COFFEE. It features beautiful latte art.

Hello, this is Jonathan from Minoh Cycles! Our e-bike tours go through beautiful mountain roads, taking you to both Katsuoji Temple, and the Minoh Falls. We started last September, running tours once a week, and will be expanding to offer tours more regularly from April this year. For anyone wanting to experience nature and the outdoors while in the Osaka area, or just a more adventurous and active way to visit Katsuoji, a tour with Minoh Cycles is perfect! Here are some photos taken on tours so far:

I photographed this at a campsite in Fuji City, Shizuoka Prefecture in December. The air was clear and beautiful.

“Can you believe all of this is handmade?” A massive pyre has appeared that can withstand the sea breeze of Tomioka. Tomorrow, Sunday, January 18th at 9:00 AM, the Dondoyama ceremony will take place at Tomioka Elementary School. This pyre rises more than five meters high. Looking up from below, you’ll be overwhelmed by its sheer presence. Please come and feel the passion that everyone poured into preparing for this day on site. A winter tradition wishing for good health and safety. Let’s watch together the moment a great pillar of flame soars into the Tomioka sky!

Tomakomai in the north. You can't see flowers or fruit outdoors in winter. In central Tomakomai City, the greenhouse Sun Garden at Idemitsu Culture Park keeps greenery through the winter by focusing on evergreen plants and planting species that bloom in winter, plants with scented leaves or flowers, and species not usually seen in the Tomakomai area. You can find rare plants that don’t appear in Tomakomai’s winter, such as camellia japonica and citrus, so come and be soothed by the blooms without worrying about the weather ✨

🌼✨【Tomorrow, Sunday 1/18】Daffodil Festival × Food Truck Info✨🌼 On January 18th, food trucks will appear at Cape Tsumeki, the site of the Daffodil Festival 🚚✨ You’ll find warm comfort foods, coffee, and an all-you-can-pack tangerine offer 😋🍊 Plus, for every 500 yen you spend, you can join a raffle to win kinmedai (splendid alfonsino) goods or pair admission vouchers for local tourist facilities Everyone wins something—there are no losing tickets 😲✨ From 10:00 a.m., enjoy the regular Shimoda Taiko performance and complimentary Ikenodan simmered miso hotpot! Please enjoy the event alongside the daffodils in full bloom 🌼🌈 👉 Check the images for details on vendors and times 📸👀