As the golden hour gently embraces Furano, waves of lavender bloom beneath a sky of fading light. A solitary red hut rests among the purple fields, with emerald meadows and layered mountains quietly unfolding beyond. In this brief summer glow, the landscape feels less like a place and more like a memory waiting to be kept.

Day trip diving at a sunken ship from Tokyo. Another Japan sleeping in the sea of Atami. About 45 minutes by Shinkansen from Tokyo. Atami, known as a hot spring resort, has a special place under the sea. A large sunken ship lies at a depth of about 30 meters. On this day, we headed to the sea of Atami with guests from overseas and divers who were diving at a sunken ship for the first time. It takes just about three minutes by boat from the port to the diving point. Right near the city, there is a sea where you can enjoy authentic sunken ship diving. Entering the water, we slowly descend along the rope. Gradually, the shape of a large ship emerges in the blue sea. Surrounding the ship are numerous fish. A large school of damselfish swims around the sunken ship. The ship's hull is visible beyond the school of fish. The view is completely different from what you see on land in Atami. It has been about 40 years since this ship sank into the sea. Having spent a long time underwater, it has now become a habitat for various living creatures. As the hull gradually changes its appearance, there are different discoveries every time you visit. If you shine a light and peek into the hull, you might find remnants of the ladders that were used back then. You may also encounter a large grouper. The first dive is on the bow side. The second dive is on the stern side. Even with the same sunken ship, changing the diving spot alters the scenery. You can swim while admiring the massive ship, navigate through schools of fish, and observe what remains of the ship. A ship from about 40 years ago and the marine life of today. The charm of diving at the sunken ship in Atami is being able to see both at once. After finishing the dive and coming out of the sea, you find yourself in Atami, one of Japan's leading hot spring resorts. While being a day trip distance from Tokyo, you can enjoy a day that is a little different from the usual Japanese sightseeing. 🌈Experience 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 the Japanese sea that can be enjoyed as a day trip from Tokyo, focusing on Shonan and Izu. The tours are small group-based and can accommodate English guidance. Why not take a look at another Japan sleeping in the sea during your trip to Japan? We will suggest the best sea for you according to your diving experience and travel schedule.

"Summer Clouds on Fire" In the summer evening, looking up at the sky, the large, developed clouds were illuminated by the setting sun, turning into a fiery color. The clouds rose powerfully as if they had stored the heat of the day, contrasting with the gradually darkening sky. It was a brief display, a drama of the summer evening sky.

After the Guerrilla Thunderstorm This summer has seen many guerrilla thunderstorms. This happened when I visited Mamada Hachimangu Shrine for the wind chime festival, and after a guerrilla thunderstorm passed, I noticed a brief moment of sunshine with droplets on the tanzaku (wishing strips), prompting me to take a photo. After the intense guerrilla thunderstorm enveloped the shrine, light briefly shone through the clouds. It was a moment when the wind chimes, adorned with raindrops, quietly conveyed the changes in the summer sky.

"The whole school assembly will begin!" A sunflower field instead of the summer schoolyard. Many sunflowers were facing the same direction, beautifully lined up. Some children were looking straight ahead, some were slightly turned, and some were still small. As I watched, their figures blended with those of the students lining up for the assembly. "Now, let's start the whole school assembly!"

Photographed on August 6, 2026. These are the matchmaking wind chimes at Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine.

Taken on August 6, 26. These are the Tanabata decorations at Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine. It's a Tanabata festival celebrated one month late. 🎋

I visited the sunflower field at Shioya no Hatake in SakaiIyoku, Isesaki City, Gunma Prefecture. ᡣ( ᐢ ᵕ ᐢ )✨ The vast expanse of sunflowers looked like a yellow carpet ◝(*'▿'*)◜✨ The contrast with the blue sky was beautiful, making it the perfect spot to feel the essence of summer. (◕ᴗ◕)📸🌻💛 *Photo taken on July 11th.

It seems that the Tanabata Festival will be held at Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine tonight at 7 PM. 🎋

Taken on August 5, 26. I visited Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine. It was a month-late summer purification ceremony.

Photographed on August 5, 2026. This is Craft & Juicy Orange Mango Tea, along with Cookies & Cream Cheese Cake.

Taken on August 5, 26. This is the homemade chai from cafe andon. 😊

Photographed on July 26, 2014. This is the flower water basin at Naritasan Kawagoe Betsuin. I enjoyed the Kawagoe Hyakuman-tō Natsu Matsuri.

Taken on July 26, 2026. This is Little Patricia's lemon cake. 🍋

Taken on July 26, 2026. It's the second day of the Kawagoe Hyakuman-tō Natsu Matsuri. I took a break at Little Patricia. This is lemon coffee. 🍋

Photographed on July 26, 26. It's the second day of the Kawagoe Hyakuman-tō Natsu Matsuri. Here is a performance of the festival music. The weather is starting to look ominous.⛈️

I heard that teamLab Borderless is a world without boundaries, but it wasn't until I stepped in personally that I truly understood what that meant. Here, it feels as if the entire reality is left behind, leaving only light, colors, and my present self. The boundaries of this space are blurred; the light flows with my footsteps. There are no rules on how to view the exhibition; all you need to do is walk in, reach out to touch, and quietly feel. At that moment, the message the exhibition wanted to convey suddenly became clear. It turns out that the observer is not just a bystander; they are part of the art itself, immersed in this world. Standing alone in a space where blue light flows and flowers rain down, faint sounds echo in my ears. Delicate beams of light cascade down like waterfalls, and soft flowing light spreads at my feet, making me feel as if I reside in a quiet, mysterious forest. The flowers beside me bloom with the light and wither with the wind, changing in an instant, so beautiful that I dare not blink. Then I stepped into the pink mirrored space, where twinkling lights refract in countless reflections, creating an illusion of entering a parallel universe filled with stars. Every time I turn around, there's an unexpected surprise. This is a space that is difficult to define, walking between reality and fantasy. Each step reshapes the artwork and quietly transforms my current state of mind. As I left the museum and walked home, the flowing lights and floral whispers still flickered in my mind, leaving me wanting more. I never expected that seemingly cold technology could be so gentle and soulful.

Photographed on July 26, 26. It's the second day of the Kawagoe Hyakuman-tō Natsu Matsuri. This is a performance of the festival music. ☺️

Photographed on July 26, 26. It's the second day of the Kawagoe Hyakuman-tō Natsu Matsuri. A collaboration between Okame and Hyottoko.

Photographed on July 26, 26. It's the second day of the Kawagoe Hyakuman-tō Natsu Matsuri. I watched a performance of the festival music at Kajimachi Plaza.

Photographed on July 26, 2014. It’s the second day of the Kawagoe Hyakuman-tō Natsu Matsuri. I cooled off at Koedo Kurari.

Gozan no Okuribi: Saidaimonji's Oya-bi This image captures the powerful figures of people carrying the Oya-bi (parent fire) of Saidaimonji during the traditional event "Gozan no Okuribi," which concludes the summer in Kyoto. Men dressed in happi coats and headbands marked with "Saidaimonji Preservation Society" carry a large, fiercely burning torch on long bamboo poles, advancing in a procession toward the fire platform on the mountain. In the darkness, the flames create a fantastical light and heat, conveying the serious expressions of the participants who uphold the tradition, along with the unique fervor and solemnity of the event. Ookitayamakagamiishichou, Kitaku, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture

Taken on July 30, 2026. Chillax Soda Orange & Mango and a mango cake.🍊🥭 It's hot, so going out is difficult.

Taken on August 1, 26. At Maruhiro Department Store, an event featuring water sprinkling was held. Kobaton and Tokimo-chan also participated in the event. I feel like something good is going to happen since I got to meet Kobaton and Tokimo-chan.☺️🐦🍠

Taken on July 9, 2026. This is the ice café latte from cafe andon, along with a carrot cake made with figs and prunes.

Every culture has its own special season for fireworks. In many parts of the Western world, winter brings the sparkle of fireworks, while in the part of Asia where I come from, autumn is illuminated by the lights of Diwali. But when I came to Japan, I discovered something beautifully different—**summer has a special place for fireworks here.** The sight of people in traditional yukata, enjoying taiyaki, gathering with friends and family, and waiting for the night sky to burst into a grand display of *hanabi* feels uniquely Japanese. The warmth of the summer evening, the laughter around me, and the vivid colors blooming across the sky create memories that stay long after the last firework fades. This photograph captures the **Toda Fireworks Festival**, taken this year from my rooftop—a summer night I will never forget.

Taken on July 9, 26. This is the fig and prune carrot cake from cafe andon.

At CAFE ANDON, we offer morning service exclusively during the summer season. It's a quiche plate. It comes with a salad, soup, carrot rapé, prosciutto, and a luxurious quiche.

This is Taiwanese oolong tea from CAFE ANDON's special Chinese morning menu. It's available for a limited time until today, from 8:00 to 10:00.

This is the special Chinese morning at cafe andon. It is available for a limited time until July 31st. The hours are from 8:00 to 10:00. Five-ingredient spring rolls Chicken and scallop porridge Lightly pickled celery Soy sauce pickled cucumber Peach almond tofu The spring rolls are freshly fried. It's a luxurious morning. 😊