This is Taiyogaoka Metasequoia Namiki Avenue in Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture.
A snowy tree-lined path, seen under a clear sky.
The metasequoias in their snowy scenery.
It was simply beautiful.
💕(୨୧❛ᴗ❛)📷 🌲❄️☀️

“Demons Are Jumping Out of Mokumu!”
The displays inside Forest Museum “Mokumu”
have been refreshed.

February means one thing: Setsubun!

A demon’s hand bursts out from the wall,
creating the kind of tension that seems ready to grab visiting children!!

A giant ehomaki (lucky-direction sushi roll) hangs down above the entrance to the wooden amusement park.

This year, it’s said to be best eaten facing slightly south of south-southeast.

The demon-themed Setoushi-kun masks scattered on the pillars are adorable too.

- SASAKI Craft Exhibition Now On! -

Forest Museum “Mokumu”
Winter opening hours: 10:00–16:30
Last admission accepted until 16:10

Admission fees:
500 yen for high school students and older
300 yen for 4th–6th graders and middle school students
100 yen for ages 3 through 3rd grade elementary school
Free for children under 3

#Forest Museum #in-gallery displays #February 3 #Demons

Photographed on January 26, 2014.
This is an apple pie from cafe andon and soft-serve ice cream from forest ranch.

Matsumoto Castle

Late autumn in Kamikochi

Yatsugatake Plateau Nobeyama

New Year at Hida Nagareha Ski Area

"Aranami Festa" Cancellation Notice

We regret to inform you that "Aranami Festa," scheduled for Saturday, January 31 and Sunday, February 1, has been cancelled due to heavy snowfall causing transportation disruptions and out of concern for everyone's safety.
We apologize for the inconvenience to visitors who were looking forward to the event and to all staff and partners involved, and we ask for your understanding and acceptance.

Shinhodaka Ropeway

Hakuba Village

Kurobe Dam Observation Deck

Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route

Happo-one

MtKitahotaka

Early winter in Kamikochi

Jigokudani Yaen-koen monkeys

A place famous for monkeys bathing in hot springs
A monkey gazing at the hot spring amid falling snow

A sense of melancholy lingered.

Around Lake Sakuma the white ume blossoms are reaching their peak. It’s a chance to admire daffodils, white ume, and the Raito Sakura all at once. Come and see them.
#Chiba Prefecture#Sakuma Dam Lake Waterside Park#white ume#Raito Sakura#Daffodil Village

Photographed on January 26, 2014.
This is cafe andon's avocado and shrimp hot sandwich set.
When your workplace environment changes, it can be quite challenging. 😅

Staying at Kussharo Prince Hotel,
you'll hear the calls of whooper swans on Lake Kussharo in the morning.

In cold beyond −10°C,
the crackle of firewood echoes from the fireplace.

Listen to the clear lake surface and the quietly spreading sounds along the shore.

This stay turns a silence you can only feel here into sound.
📍Kussharo Prince Hotel
https://www.instagram.com/kussharo_ph/

👹✨February 3 is Setsubun✨👹

When you think of Setsubun, you think of ehomaki! The lucky direction for 2026 is south-southeast. Face that direction, hold a wish in your mind, and silently take a big bite of the whole thick roll—this is the tradition of eating an ehomaki.
This year, why not make your very own ehomaki at the sushi counter?🍣

Using delicious, naturally sweet rice from Kikuchi and guided directly by a sushi chef, enjoy a rare rolled-sushi-making experience. It’s designed so even young children can join in, making it perfect for creating family memories.

Bring your family and friends and make special Setsubun memories together✨

📌Details and reservations here
https://kikuchikanko.ne.jp/taikenplan

🚨Schedule Change🚨

[Sightsee hands-free! Luggage delivery service now available]
From Saturday, January 24 to Sunday, March 1, 2026, Teshikaga offers the 2026 winter “Teshikaga Eco Passport” town shuttle bus (reservation required) and, during the same period, a luggage delivery service called “Sightsee hands-free.” This convenient service delivers your luggage from the drop-off location to the pick-up location so you can explore Teshikaga light and free during that time. You won’t need to carry your bags yourself, allowing you to spend all your time and energy on sightseeing. No advance reservation is required. Please take advantage of this opportunity.

Period
Saturday, January 24 to Sunday, March 1, 2026

Fee
1,000 yen (tax included)

Luggage size
Total of length, width, and height up to 160 cm / weight up to 25 kg
*Valuables, fragile items, hazardous materials, precision instruments, and frozen or refrigerated items cannot be accepted*

Drop-off locations and reception hours
A: JR Mashu Station 8:30–11:30
B: JR Kawayu-Onsen Station 8:30–12:00
C: Kawayu Onsen Town Hotel until 11:00
(Kawayu Kanko Hotel, KKR Kawayu, Oyado Kinkiyu Annex Suikazura)
*Please note that the reception hours for C have changed.*

Pick-up locations and hours
A: JR Mashu Station 15:00–16:30
B: JR Kawayu-Onsen Station 14:00–17:00
C: Kawayu Onsen Town Hotel from 13:30 onward
(Kawayu Kanko Hotel, KKR Kawayu, Oyado Kinkiyu Annex Suikazura)


________________________________
Use it like a coin locker—no delivery! Luggage storage only
We also offer a luggage storage-only service you can use like a coin locker without delivery. Please use it according to your needs.
Fee: 700 yen (tax included)
A: JR Mashu Station 8:30–16:30
B: JR Kawayu-Onsen Station 8:30–17:00

Contact
Mashu Tourism Association
015-482-2200
Reception hours 9:00–17:00 on weekdays
masyu_as@peace.ocn.ne.jp

https://www.masyuko.or.jp
https://www.masyuko.or.jp/news/2025winterecopassport/

From January 27, 2026, local sake sales begin🍶

At roadside station iwanai,
we offer “Junmai Daiginjo Yama” and “Junmai Ginjo Umi”
in 720ml and 300ml bottles♪
*Amazake is not available for sale.

Prices are as follows ⇩
“Junmai Daiginjo Yama”
720ml 2,970 yen (tax included) 300ml 1,485 yen (tax included)

“Junmai Ginjo Umi”
720ml 2,200 yen (tax included) 300ml 1,100 yen (tax included)

“Junmai Daiginjo Yama” polished rice ratio 45%
It has a fruity, clean taste without off-flavors,
making it an excellent match with snacks like cheese!

“Junmai Ginjo Umi” polished rice ratio 60%
Enjoy it as a table sake that brings out the best in dishes such as sashimi
It won the gold prize in the Junmai category at the 2023 new-sake tasting contest hosted by the Sapporo Regional Taxation Bureau✨

We look forward to seeing you♪

Photographed on January 21, 2014.
This is Tokyo Daijingu Shrine at around 7:30 a.m.