Photographed 12/3/24. Kawagoe Kumano Shrine is a Tori no Ichi market. It is a good luck charm for the zodiac sign of the coming year. 🐍

The Resurrected Sound of the Drums Sunday, December 1 We performed the Wenshiri Taiko from Nishiokoppe Village at the Okoppe Town Charity Variety Show. We played a single short six-minute piece. It depicted Mt. Wenshiri awakening as snow melts, from winter into spring. We were very glad to receive so many warm rounds of applause and words of encouragement. Since we had the chance, here is a brief story of how Nishiokoppe Village’s taiko practice was revived. Taiko performance in Nishiokoppe Village began in the 1980s. Back then the drummers were the local youth association. Their powerful rhythms energized festivals and other events. The piece played since that time was Wenshiri Taiko. A teacher from the elementary school composed the piece, and it was handed down through performances until around 2000. Afterward, following the disbanding of the youth association and other changes, the drummers disappeared and the drums lay silent for a long time. There was a period when a volunteer taiko circle was active, but the COVID-19 pandemic made it difficult to invite instructors, and the drums fell completely quiet. Things started moving again in August of this year. As the variety show was returning, former drummers and villagers with strong musical insight teamed up to revive Wenshiri Taiko and learn the piece. Although we were amateurs, seven passionate members brought the Wenshiri Taiko back to life with resounding sound. After that performance, a few villagers who heard us at the variety show joined as new members, and we continue our activities today. We were fortunate to be invited to perform at the Okoppe Town Charity Variety Show. Though our group formed only recently, getting calls from inside and outside the village has energized our practice. This has become a bit long. Restarting something that had stopped and keeping it going takes a great deal of energy. We hope the members can keep enjoying their activities and that this joy reaches those who listen. #Nishiokoppe Village #Hokkaido #drums #Wenshiri Taiko #Okoppe Town #Town Charity Variety Show #December 1 #youth association #taiko #I was the filming team

The practice of swordsmanship was intended above all to nurture the mind. The samurai, through diligent practice and extreme concentration, desired to attain a state of unthoughtfulness, free of attachment or preoccupation, and thus able to respond instantly. A warrior is prepared to die each morning. In the quiet moments of the morning, he imagines himself being struck by lightning, doused by fire, or cut to pieces with a sword or spear. It is hard to remember that one step outside the doorway is the world of death. #Honor #Bushido #samuraisord #katana

Ski season has arrived! Sahoro Resort Ski Resort opened on Monday, December 2nd. As of today, the skiable Course is the Central Street Course with the 6th Pair Lift and 30cm of snow. Until Friday, the 6th of this week, a special opening one-day ticket (4,000 yen for Adult / 3,200 yen for children and seniors) is on sale, so you can fully enjoy skiing for the first time this season. The temperature is expected to drop towards the weekend, and the first ski of this season will be at Sahoro Resort Ski Resort!

Photographed 12/3/24. Kawagoe Kumano Shrine is a Tori no Ichi market.

For those of us living in today's busy world, learning about the samurai spirit can give us insight into our attitude, attention and focus, and foster the determination needed to achieve our goals to the best of our ability. We must not only carefully consider the words of the Samurai, but we must also act on them. #samurai #katana #bushido #osakacastle

In Hinomotoichi's Calligraphy Trial Plan, students do not pick up a brush and start writing immediately after the lesson begins.  Instead, we begin by explaining about the culture of calligraphy and the history of calligraphy in Japan. This is because it helps them to better understand the difference between Japanese calligraphy and caligraphy, which is a form of character decoration that also exists in other countries, and to appreciate the beauty of the Japanese language. #calligraphy #kanji #shodo

Two winters ago, I took a picture of a tree in a nearby park! In Japan, it is known ♡♡ as an auspicious tree to decorate for the New Year Since it is a Christmas color, I have been enjoying framing this photo and hanging it on the wall from the Christmas season to the New Year!!

Today, I took a walk in Kawagoe. On the approach to the temple to Kawagoe Hachimangu Shrine, pigeons were eating rice. Squid is a messenger of God, so it may be very auspicious. 🕊️🌾

[Odakyu Family Fun Festa 2024] Railway companies from across Japan will gather in Ebina, including the Odakyu Group and local municipalities along its lines! Isehara City will offer multicolor woodblock print workshops, while Yoshikawa Brewery will set up on Saturday the 7th and Happy Pan Life will appear on Sunday the 8th. Family-friendly events include character greetings, a Fuma ninja show and Fuma ninja experience, a stage appearance by Odakyu’s child-support mascot Koron, and a stationmaster role-play experience. Please join us! Date and time: Saturday, December 7 and Sunday, December 8, 10:00–16:00 Venue: Ebina Central Park Access: A short walk from Ebina Station on the Odakyu and Sotetsu lines Organizers: Odakyu Electric Railway Co., Ltd. Ebina Central Park designated manager

Until Tuesday, December 24, the Izusan Local Museum is exhibiting the original Hokke Mandala. According to Izusan Shrine tradition, this Hokke Mandala was embroidered with the hair of Hojo Masako. A repair inscription on the back records that Hojo Masako used her own hair to stitch the Hokke Mandala to pray for the soul of her husband, Minamoto no Yoritomo, and that it was enshrined as the principal image of the Hokke Hall. The museum usually displays a replica, but the original is on temporary public view for the first time in two years and four months. Please take time to appreciate the three-dimensional Sanskrit characters made with hair and the subtle coloration of the backing that only the original can show. Atami City Izusan Local Museum Hokke Mandala Exhibition Period: Thursday, November 28, 2024–Tuesday, December 24, 2024 Address: 708-2 Izusan, Atami City, Shizuoka Prefecture (within the grounds of Izusan Shrine) Phone: 0557-80-4252 Access: From atami station, take a bus bound for Nanao for about 10 minutes and get off at Izusan Shrine-mae Hours: 9:00–16:00 Closed: Wednesdays (if a public holiday falls on Wednesday, closed the following day) Admission: Adults ¥180 (groups ¥120); junior and senior high school students ¥120 (groups ¥80); elementary school children and younger free Parking: Available (a few spaces at Izusan Shrine) Note: Group discounts apply to parties of 20 or more.

In January of this year, I took a picture of the scenery spreading out in front of me from my hotel room at Lake Tanuki. While retouching before posting, I found Mt. Fuji Ryu!! It has become a piece that can reaffirm the coolness of Japan, the country of the protection of the dragon god! !!

Kiso Area Ski Resort Information 2024-2025 We will inform you of the scheduled opening dates of each ski resort this season. * There are subject to change due to weather, etc., so please check each Home page for details. A unique ski and snowboard area awaits you! Scheduled opening date of the ski resort ★12/14 (Sat) Kaida Highlands Maia Ski Resort (Kiso Town) Address: Kiso Town, Kiso-gun, Nagano Prefecture Kaida Highlands Nishino 5346-1 ℡：0264-44-1111 ★12/20 (Fri) Ontake Ski Resort (Otaki village) Address: 3162 Otaki village, Kiso County, Nagano Prefecture ℡：0264-48-2240 ★12/20 (Fri) Nogi Pass Ski Resort (Nagawa, Matsumoto City) Address: Nagano, Matsumoto City, Nagawa 1173-13 ℡：0263-79-2246 [Open period only] ★12/21 (Sat) Yabuhara Highlands Ski Resort (Kiso village) Address: 2857-16 Kiso Village, Kiso-gun, Nagano Prefecture, Kiso Village, Nagano Prefecture ℡：0264-36-1622 ★12/21 (Sat) Kiso Fukushima Ski Resort (Kiso Town) Address: Kiso Town, Kiso-gun, Nagano Prefecture Shinkai 10034 ℡：0264-27-6021

Sunrise from Meriken Park

Kobe Port Tower, Meriken Park, Kobe Harborland It has been closed for construction since 2021, but the long-awaited reopening will be held in April 2024. A rooftop deck overlooking Kobe's harbor Town and many restaurants and shops have been newly constructed.

【Autumn leaves Information December 3】 On the Awamata Waterfall of December 3rd, it is the Scene of the Tsutsumori Momiji Valley and the cliff border

A Winter Fantasy Shining with Enchantment — The annual Omachi Onsenkyo Dream Fireworks return this season! They will take place every Saturday in February this season as well. For details, please check the blog via the QR code♪ You can also find information on the event page of the profile website.

Request for cooperation in a tourism survey 2024 To all visitors to the Tanzawa–Ooyama area (Atsugi, Hadano, Isehara): We ask for your cooperation in a tourism survey. *Survey period* Until Sunday, December 22 After completing the survey, if you show the response screen you will be eligible to receive one free Kururin sticky note at one pickup location only, one per person. One of the pickup locations, Isehara City Tourism Association (weekdays only, 9:00–17:00), will distribute one Kururin sticky note free of charge. We appreciate your cooperation!! Saving an image of the completion screen will make pickup smoother. Odakyu Line Isehara Station north exit · on the stairs Isehara City Tourism Association (general incorporated association) TEL 0463-73-7373 9:00–17:00 (weekdays only; closed on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays)

Photographed on 12/1/24. This is the second Shanghai Hanten's salt-fried shrimp and eggs.

The 13th Azumino Kamiakari Bamboo Lantern Festival Friday–Sunday, December 6–8, 2024 About 10,000 bamboo lanterns will be lit one by one, warming and brightening the cold winter nights The gentle glow of candles will warm your heart as well Lighting hours: 16:00–around 20:00 Venue: Hotaka Shrine Open lighting ceremony for everyone (Participants are asked to bring a lighter for lighting by 16:00.) *Lighters for lighting will be sold on site.* ● Kagura Hall Live Performance A lively live show will be held to energize the event ● Special Hotaka Ningyo Kamiakari Display A special stage unique to this year’s kamiakari will be exhibited in the Kita Shrine Garden ● Kamiakari Goshuin (Kamiakari commemorative seal) During the kamiakari event, from 16:00 to around 20:00, a special goshuin will be available only at this time. A customary offering of 500 yen is required. Concurrent Event / Azumino Terrace Dec 6–8 “Rice and Sake MARKET” 15:00–20:00 Food trucks and delicious-treat tents gather in one place! A warm rest tent with a stove will also be available.

This is the Scene of the Lake Onneto as of 12/2 (Monday). The surface of the lake is partially frozen, but the ice is still thin. In recent years, the number of people visiting for the purpose of ice bubbles has increased, but the strength of the ice is very weak in areas where natural gas is emitted, and there are places where it does not completely freeze even in Authentic winter. Therefore, it is very dangerous to ride on the surface of the lake, and it is not recommended by the tourism association. Also, as we reported the other day, Route 949 leading to Lake Onneto (the gate in front of the Hot Spring) will be Closed on December 6th. When visit, please take proper measures against snow and cold, and please Fun the winter Lake Onneto safely.

【Light up in front of Otaki Station begins】 For one month in December, as part of the Castle Town Otaki Light up, Otaki Station and Isumi Shrine will be Light up.

My parents in Kagawa Prefecture are Hama. The evening darkness is beautiful, but the early morning is also the best.

Photographed on 12/1/24. This is Hanatetsu's Hanachozu. The KAWAGOE COFFEE FESTIVAL was held in at Renjoji Temple. Next year, I decided to buy a ticket and participate in the race. 😊

Winter in Shirakawa Township Photo taken on 2022.02.26 Shooting from the Hagijo Observation decks Since it was free, chronic traffic jams began to occur due to Car parking for long periods of time, so parking spaces are currently Car Closed in Hagigi Observation decks. The usual parking lot near the Village Car closes in the evening, so I had to Accommodation to the Village and walk up to the Observation decks to take this view. You can also use paid coin parking, so it would be nice to be able to go by Car.

【11/30 Starscape Photography Class Held in】 With the aim of letting Village people know the beauty of the starry sky of Minamimaki Village, which has been selected as one of the Japan Three Stars Famous landmarks, we Held in 📋✏️ a starscape photography class again this year Photographing the starry sky at the venue of Nobeyama at the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan, which is usually not accessible at nightThanks 📡📷 to the guidance on how to shoot the starry sky by photographer Teruyasu Kitayama and the high-performance camera borrowed courtesy of OM Digital Solutions System Co., Ltd., I was able 😚 to take beautiful pictures even as an amateur The air is clear and the season is suitable for stargazing, but the cold in Minamimaki Village is exceptional. 🥶 🧣🧤

Diamond dust Kirigamine seen for the first time The view seen in the temperature of -15 degrees Celsius. In Kirigamine, if the conditions are good, you can see "fog ice", "diamond dust" and "sun pillar". "Frost" refers to ice that appears white when supercooled fog or water vapor adheres to tree branches. "Diamond dust" is a phenomenon in which ice crystals formed by the sublimation of water vapor in the atmosphere fall. It is a view that can only be seen in the cold Squid.

This is a photo of the maple and gate of Oyada Shrine in Mino City, Gifu Prefecture Autumn leaves bathed in sunlight were well photographed.

Autumn in Gokase: Peak Season Now! Josenji With only one calendar page left and autumn foliage ending in most places, surprisingly Josenji is now at its peak 😳🍁 It was cloudy when I took the photos, but the deep, vivid reds stood out and looked incredibly beautiful 🥹✨ While leaves are fading elsewhere, are the trees at Josenji a late-foliage variety? Or is it due to local environmental factors? I’m not sure, as I don’t know the details… In any case, I never expected to see such stunning autumn colors in December 😳👏 Please stop by and enjoy them for yourself 🤗✨

Photo taken on December 1st The autumn leaves at Atami Plum Garden are now at their peak! The garden has about 380 maple trees, and perhaps because of the mild climate they usually change color from late November through December, earning the reputation of being "the latest autumn leaves in Japan." Early-blooming plum trees have already started flowering since mid-October, so searching for plum blossoms while enjoying the autumn foliage is a unique Atami experience. During the Momiji Festival, the annual footbath opens, the Atami Plum Garden Momiji Festival Photo Contest is held, and the Momiji Light-Up takes place, among other events. Event period / November 16 to December 8, 2024 Hours / Light-up (every night during the event) 4:30 PM–9:00 PM Venue / Atami Plum Garden (8-11 Ume-enzaka, Atami City, Shizuoka Prefecture) Phone / 0557-85-2222 Organizer / Atami City Tourism Association Access / ■ From JR Atami Station, take the bus bound for Ainobara Danchi for about 15 minutes and get off at "Ume-en" ■ From Atami Station, take the Ito Line about 3 minutes to Kinomiya Station, then walk about 10 minutes Admission / Free Parking / 100 spaces in front of the plum garden (open only during the event) (Weekdays) 9:00 AM–5:00 PM (Saturdays, Sundays and holidays) 8:30 AM–5:00 PM Standard car 300 yen · Motorcycle & bicycle 100 yen · Microbus 1000 yen