⛷️🏔️ A special tour to fully enjoy nature and culture in winter in Shinanomachi 🍶🎨
Would you like to enjoy a winter-only special experience in Shinanomachi, Nagano Prefecture, one of Japan’s top ski resort areas? ❄️✨
💡 Top 3 highlights of this tour 💡
1️⃣ Freeride experience
Enjoy the thrill of freeriding at a snow resort with the best snow quality—feel the freedom as you carve down the slopes on a snowboard! Suitable for beginners to advanced riders. You can also take lessons from pro snowboarder Konishi!
2️⃣ Indigo-dye remake workshop
Try your hand at creating original items in a traditional indigo-dye workshop using Furumi indigo and Ise-katagami paper stencils. Don’t miss the rare, delicate patterns of the Ise-katagami.
3️⃣ Star-gazing and gourmet dinner
Cook together using a special menu supervised by a top chef and experience traditional Japanese preparation methods! In the evening, relax under a sky full of stars 🌌✨
🗺️ The charms of Shinanomachi 🗺️
Rich nature and fresh air: areas like Kurohime Plateau and Lake Nojiri offer beautiful seasonal scenery.
A food treasure trove: corn, tomatoes, and botan chili peppers showcase exceptionally high-quality produce!
History and culture: the Naumann Elephant Museum and Uga Shrine on Lake Nojiri reflect the region’s history and traditions.
📅 Dates
1️⃣ Saturday, January 4th, 2025 – Monday, January 6th, 2025
2️⃣ Wednesday, January 22nd, 2025 – Friday, January 24th, 2025
If you’re interested, DM the tour conductor @donapon.kazuma📩
We will provide more details!
Let’s create new winter memories together ❄️✨

Entries are open for the Winter Triathlon taking place in March 2025 in Shinanomachi, Nagano Prefecture! ⛷️🚴‍♂️🏃‍♀️
Today we’ll introduce what to wear for the cross-country skiing leg of the Winter Triathlon. Many people who want to compete wonder what to wear. You might be curious how it differs from what you’d wear at an alpine ski resort.
For cross-country skiing, lighter clothing than typical downhill ski wear is best. Choose garments that allow free movement and are easy to take off and put on. When I first competed, I wore downhill ski clothing and got hot while moving, which left me sweating and my clothes soaked… For that reason, wearing quick-drying base layers to prevent chill from sweat is essential! ✨ (The third photo shows me in downhill ski wear—funny, I know.)
Details are also shown in the photos, so please use them as a reference. Prepare well before the race and enjoy it comfortably. 🏅💪
Whether you want to try it or are still undecided, come experience the appeal of the Winter Triathlon and dive into a new world of sport! 🏅
Enter here:
https://www.shinano-machi.com/news/5289

★ Let's visit the scenic Spot of Echizen Narcissus!
★ Introducing 5 recommended shooting spots

The Echizen Coast is one of the three major cluster of trees in Japan*, with an area of 60~70ha, the largest cluster of trees in Japan. When it is in full bloom, a carpet of pretty white Carpet of flowers Unfolds all over the steep slopes along the Coast.

However, the area is so large that it is surprisingly unknown Spot photographing the daffodil Cluster of trees.
Therefore, if you know, I would like to introduce you to the superb view Spot of Echizen Narcissus.

1. Cape Echizen Narcissus Land

First of all, let's start with the Standard Cape Echizen Daffodil Land.
First of all, it is a recommended spot for tourists.
There is also a promenades are maintained on the premises, so you can enjoy a walk while enjoying the Aroma of daffodils.
There is also the second store of the famous restaurant "Kani Kanitei" where you can enjoy delicious seafood dishes.
It's nice to walk many and get hungry and eat delicious seafood dishes many.

Click here for the location of Cape Echizen Daffodil Land (GoogleMAP)
https://maps.app.goo.gl/bx8d6G4HyLiDi6GQ7

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2. Rishigadaira Senmaida Narcissus Garden

Only here in Japan!? Speaking of which, it is Senmaida by the daffodil field of Rishigahira.
It is said that the terraced rice fields were opened from the Sengoku period to the Edo period, and they were converted from rice cultivation to daffodil cultivation, and became terraced rice fields with daffodils, which are rare in Japan.
The spectacular view of the terraced rice fields in the open valley is a masterpiece.

Click here for the location of Nashigadaira Senmaida Narcissus Garden (GoogleMAP)
https://maps.app.goo.gl/ogQXKjQpk9V4SBdAA

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3. Rishigahira Park

It is said to be an unexplored area of daffodils, and the superb view point that is often used on posters is the Rishigahira Garden. It is not possible to go by car, and it is a superb view that spreads out after walking along the promenade through the village where the Nashigahira Senmaida Narcissus Garden is located, which I introduced earlier.
* Thereare some places along the way where your feet are bad, so please be careful.

Click here for the location of Rishigahira Park (GoogleMAP)
https://maps.app.goo.gl/CJJxrvZqGaZpWrPj6

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4. Rishigahira Plateau

A scenic spot in Echizen Coast, a superb view overlooking Spot Kocho Gate.
It is a place where you can take daffodils along with the sunset, and many photographers are looking for photo opportunities at sunset during the sunny day.

Click here for the location of the Rishigahira Plateau (GoogleMAP)
https://maps.app.goo.gl/RfRCEcg7LdVyRzFn6

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5. Nashigahira Plateau View Spot

The highest view Spot in the Nashigahira Plateau.
It is one of the landscapes where the charm of Echizen daffodils is condensed, with a large panorama of the Sea of Japan below, the slopes of daffodil fields, and the rock surface of Kocho Gate.

Click here for the location of the Nashigahira Plateau View Spot (GoogleMAP)
https://maps.app.goo.gl/9S7T1cFrVPMfdz7R7

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These are the 5 recommended Spots of the Winter tradition "Echizen Narcissus" that represents Fukui Prefecture!
The Access Located in in a very bad position, so it is recommended to rent a car or Use a taxi.

Check the flowering status of Echizen daffodils here!

○ [Echizen Daffodil Flowering Status Guide] | Echizen Sightseeing Navi
https://www.town-echizen.jp/pages/?id=7

◆～◇～◆～◇～◆～◇～◆～◇～◆～◇～◆～◇～◆～◇～◆～◇～◆
This Account is the official Account of the Echizen Tourism Federation (DMO ECHIZEN).
We are delivering the latest information and seasonal topics of Echizen Town, Fukui Prefecture.

👇 Information is also being broadcast on each social media
◎ Instagram / ECHIZEN_COLORS(@echizen_colors)
https://www.instagram.com/echizen_colors/
◎ Facebook / Like! Echizen Loco Trip
https://www.facebook.com/echizenkankou
◎X / Like! Echizen Loco Trip
https://x.com/e_kankou

👇 Tourist information in each language can be found below.
◎Echizen tourism Navi
https://www.town-echizen.jp/en/
◎ Circumstances Fukui 縣 Echizen Town 景點
https://www.town-echizen.jp/zh-CN/
◎ Circumstances Fukui 縣 Echizen Town 景點
https://www.town-echizen.jp/zh-TW/
◎후쿠이 현 에치젠 쵸 관광 정보｜
https://www.town-echizen.jp/ko/
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Happy New Year. I look forward to your continued support this year 🎍
Many New Year’s cards arrived from all over the country addressed to Minafuku, the mascot of Minamimaki Village 📮 Thank you all so much 🤗 Minafuku is very happy ♪
Minafuku will appear from time to time, so please cheer them on 🫡

Landings of Echizen Snow Crab in 2025!

Echizen Snow Crab fishing until March 20th!
Enjoy 3 months of luxury!

○ Echizen Snow Crab brand site
https://www.town-echizen.jp/echizengani/

#Echizen Snow Crab
#Snow Crab
#New Year
#Work Beginning
#Echizen Town
#Echizen Snow Crab town Echizen Town
#Echizen Town, the sacred place of Echizen Snow Crab
#Fukui Prefecture
#Hokuriku Shinkansen
#Fukui Prefecture Tourism
#Hokuriku Tourism

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This Account is the official Account of the Echizen Tourism Federation (DMO ECHIZEN).
We are delivering the latest information and seasonal topics of Echizen Town, Fukui Prefecture, Echizen Town.

👇 Information is also being broadcast on each social media
◎ Instagram / ECHIZEN_COLORS(@echizen_colors)
https://www.instagram.com/echizen_colors/
◎ Facebook / Like! Echizen Loco Trip
https://www.facebook.com/echizenkankou
◎X / Like! Echizen Loco Trip
https://x.com/e_kankou

👇 Tourist information in each language can be found below.
◎Echizen tourism Navi
https://www.town-echizen.jp/en/
◎ Circumstances Fukui 縣 Echizen Town 景點
https://www.town-echizen.jp/zh-CN/
◎ Circumstances Fukui 縣 Echizen Town 景點
https://www.town-echizen.jp/zh-TW/
◎후쿠이 현 에치젠 쵸 관광 정보｜
https://www.town-echizen.jp/ko/
◆～◇～◆～◇～◆～◇～◆～◇～◆～◇～◆～◇～◆～◇～◆～◇～◆

Happy New Year!

Thank you for your continued support this year!

The highway bus "Snow Story" connecting Shiga Highlands and Tokyo Station started operation on 🚍 December 20

Independent 3-row Reclining seats 🐑💤 in the Car for a good night's sleep

Shiga Highlands ~ Tokyo Station is 8,000 yen, Yudanaka Station ~ Tokyo Station is 7,000 yen, and reservations are limited to "Highway Bus Net" operated by JR Bus.

The operation period is from December 20, 2024 (Friday) ~ March 16, 2025 (Sunday), depending on 🐒 the operation date calendar

For details, please visit the Nagano Electric Railway website.

Happy New Year!
Thank you for your continued support this year.

Did you know that you can reserve a seat on the Nagano Electric Railway Limited Express Yukemuri? 🚃
Enjoy your trip safely and securely with 🌏 plenty of time

For inquiries, please contact Nagano Electric Railway Customer Support Center: 📞026-248-6000

Ryuo's free shuttle bus ⇔ Yudanaka Station will operate 🚍 from Saturday, December 21, 2024
The bus stop is in front 🚌❄🏂🎿❄ of the Yudanaka Station Information Center

In Navitime Japan Co., Ltd.'s "Analysis Results of Popular Hot Spring Destinations Visited by Foreign Tourists to Japan" released last month, Yamanouchi Town Yudanaka Shibu Hot Spring Village ranked second in the "Top 5 Popular Hot Spring Destinations by Market for Foreign Tourists Visiting Japan: Europe and Rice Australia"! !️🐒

In addition, "Hot Spring Resorts where many tourists from Australia are staying" in the "Top 5 Ranking of Foreign Tourists Visiting Japan by Country" was also ranked second 🐨

Yamanouchi Town is popular with Sightseeing spots from all over the world, including Hot spring ♨️, ski slopes, ⛷ Jigokudani Yaen-koen 🐵, and more! !️
We look 🙇 ♀️🙈forward to seeing you there.✨️

The Tourism Bureau's original goods are now 🥳👏 on sale
We did design production + product development ✨️ with the four themes of Hot Spring, Skiing, Agricultural Products, and Monkeys that Yamanouchi Town is proud of

The concept is "Yamanouchi Retro" 🕰🎥🎞
It's a nostalgic but cute design with a retro theme!
In addition to long sleeves and washcloths, there are also magnets, stickers, sacoche and Ballpoint pens!

I would be very happy 🥰 if many people could pick it up for everyday wear and memories of your trip
It is only sold at the Yamanouchi Information Center opposite Yudanaka Station!

【Roadside Station Kita Shinshu Yamauchi Regular holiday notice 🍎】

Roadside Station Kita Shinshu Yamauchi We have decided to set a regular holiday during the following period.
We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and thank 🙇🏻 ♀️ you for your understanding and cooperation

●Regular holiday: Every Thursday
●Period: December 2024 to March 2025
●Subjects: The entire building including shops, Shokudo, and Agricultural products direct sales shops

* We will be open as usual on December 26th, January 6th, and March 20th.

A view from Enzansou
The first sunrise of the year with Mt. Fuji and the alpenglow on Mt. Tsubakuro
Wishing everyone a wonderful year ahead

Snow-dusted city with the Northern Alps beyond the skyline🏔
From the end of the year through New Year’s Day, snow fell and cleared repeatedly❄️ In Omachi, not only the mountains but the city streets wore a dusting of snow⛄️ This afternoon the clouds over the Northern Alps cleared, so I went to Omachi Park to take photos🏔 Snow is forecast again starting tomorrow; please take care with footing on cold mornings and evenings when you visit😌
Discover Omachi tourism🔽🔽🔽
https://kanko-omachi.gr.jp/

Happy New Year!
This year, too, we will share and publish tourism information about Nagiso town, so we appreciate your continued support ✨

Today, New Year smoke signals were raised across many parts of Kiso.
A smoke signal, or noroshi, is smoke produced by burning firewood or gunpowder and raised high; long ago it served as a signal or landmark during wartime or emergencies. In other words, noroshi was a means of communication.

The New Year noroshi event held every January 4 in Kiso began in 2007 at the call of the nonprofit organization Tsumago Ai Suru Kai to strengthen solidarity across the Kiso Valley and energize the region.

The photos show the scene at the site of Tsumago Castle in Nagiso town, where leaves of Kiso’s five treasured trees—hinoki cypress and koyamaki—are burned to create the smoke 🌲
This year, too, the noroshi rose vigorously under clear skies.

May 2025 be a year filled with smiles and many blessings... 🐍✨

Happy New Year 😄 This is Washaji, a local Kosh u dish.
This year’s zodiac sign is the Snake 🐍 People believe carrying a snakeskin wallet or keeping a snake’s shed skin in your wallet brings better luck with money, and the white snake is especially thought to be auspicious for financial fortune.
In this Year of the Snake, which is linked to good fortune, visiting Kanazakura Shrine for the first shrine visit of the year seems likely to boost your money luck even more!

Our top recommendation is, without a doubt, unajuu (grilled eel over rice)! The unajuu made by our experienced chefs is truly delicious.
If you enjoy fresh eel from the New Year onward, you’ll have plenty of stamina for the year—there’s no doubt you’ll stay energetic!

Please be sure to visit our restaurant when you come to Shosenkyo Gorge.

\New Year, First Sunset 🌅/
In 2025, Echizen Town will have a cloudy sky and occasional sunny days!

Compared to being buried in snow or having a blizzard, it was a day that was easier to Prayer First Pilgrimage to the Shrine, wasn't it?
In the Sea of Sea of Japan, where the sun sets over the sea, there is a wonderful glow through the clouds.

Are you lucky to see the sun set on the Horizon early in the new year?
Good luck to you.

Visit everyone a wonderful year.

Kirigamine Highlands in Nagano Prefecture

I was able to meet a beautiful frost in -5°C.

📍Tsumago inn (Tsumago-juku) (December 28th, 1:30 PM)

It has started to accumulate⛄❄
JR and buses are operating as usual for the time being.

【Hayakawa Meitoshi: Kominka Cafe Locksmith】
Spend time around the sunken hearth while feeling the slow stream of time and the tranquility of Okuyama, a locksmith in the northernmost village of Hayakawa Town!
【Meals】The menu focuses on local production for local consumption, such as fresh pasta made with homemade miso, curry and stewed tomatoes made with Deer meat from the In the town. The "Sesame Cheesecake" and "Chiffon Cake" that appeared in the popular anime are also popular Gastronomical delicacies!
In addition, the food is served with cutlery and pottery by artists in the In the town.

【Experience】If you have time, we also recommend Narada's traditional "Oboko doll painting experience"! Please forget about time and create a special work. The photo is the Scene of the "Oboko Doll Painting Contest" held at the exchange salon of our Tourist Association! Everyone lost track of time and enjoyed the colors and designs they wanted.

*Oboko doll: In Narada, we and a warm custom of giving handmade wooden toys as gifts to babies who are celebrating the Lunar New Year for the first time that year. Oboko dolls are given to girls, and toys such as guns and mallets are given to boys. In Showa 35, it was designated as a Yamanashi Prefecture Cultural Property (Ethnic Documents) as a "living tool of Narada".

【Mononoke Musume】Open to the public! !!
The comedy manga "Mononoke no Musume" set here in Hayakawa Town, Yamanashi Prefecture, was opened to the public on April 25 this year.
It is planned by "Town Hayakawa Town with a small No.1 in Japan population", and three companies, Town hall Hayakawa Town and Hayakawa Tourism Association, and the Southern Alps hometown Revitalization Foundation, are collaborating to plan and produce the work.
In the story, you will also see the history and lore of the Towns, Sightseeing spots and facilities of Tourist Association members! Spot may be familiar to you.
On the official "Mononoke no Musume" Official website, up to 15 episodes (as of 12/28) are being opened to the public. Please take a look!

【December 26, 2024 *Today's Hayakawa Town】
Illuminations of the Hayakawa Town Chamber of Commerce and Industry Youth Division this winter.
This year as well, the night along the prefectural road in front of the town hall is lively colored.
I was worried that part of it fell due to the strong wind before Christmas, but it has been repaired and is showing a beautiful appearance again.

"The Beginning of Midwinter in Okuyama"
It was as cold as if it had suddenly become the middle of winter from early winter.
Gari the temperature drops further at night, and stars of sharpened brilliance appear one after another in the eastern sky.
This winter's starry sky is even more lively and sparkling.
Every night in Okuyama, countless jewels Unfold on the roof, above the heads of those who look up.

Entries are now open for the Winter Triathlon to be held in Shinanomachi, Nagano Prefecture in March 2025! ⛷️🚴‍♂️🏃‍♀️
You might wonder what a Winter Triathlon is, so here’s a brief introduction 😊 Winter triathlon offers a fresh challenge set in a snowy environment! ✨
In a Winter Triathlon, you can enjoy the following events:
1️⃣ Snow Run: a run across the snow! 2️⃣ Cross-country skiing: glide through the snow on cross-country skis! ⛷️ 3️⃣ Mountain biking: tackle snowy trails on a mountain bike! 🚵‍♂️
We also include photos showing recommended clothing and gear for cross-country skiing, so be sure to check them out! ❄️
Whether you’re ready to take on the challenge or still deciding, come experience the appeal of Winter Triathlon and dive into a new world of sport! 🏅
https://www.shinano-machi.com/news/5289

Kami‑Suwa Onsen Winter Stay Campaign

Believe it or not, this is the ninth year! The Kami‑Suwa Onsen Winter Stay Campaign is back! Twelve ryokan and hotels belonging to the inn association offer carefully selected premium plans at great savings!!!

★ Great deals on stays
1. As a return gift for Furusato Nozei (hometown tax) from Suwa City, accommodation vouchers usable at Kami‑Suwa Onsen ryokan and hotels (from ¥10,000) have been set up, so please make a smart tax donation via your preferred travel site this winter and enjoy the savings.

2. A drive plan from NEXCO Central Japan called Hayatabi bundles a ¥10,000 universal accommodation voucher with roughly 50% off highway tolls. You can apply via the NEXCO Central Japan website.
Product name: Kami‑Suwa Onsen Drive Plan with Universal Accommodation Voucher

★ Guests who stay during the campaign period will be entered into a prize draw
Prize A: Accommodation subsidy voucher worth ¥10,000 usable at Kami‑Suwa Onsen【50 winners】
*Delivered as two ¥5,000 vouchers Valid through January 31, 2026 (planned)

Prize B: Admission tickets to the Suwa Lake Fireworks Festival on August 15, 2025【15 pairs, 30 people】
*Seating planned in front of the Suwa Lake Geyser Center

We hope this campaign encourages you to favor Kami‑Suwa Onsen! The onsen’s warm feeling after bathing really lasts!!! (A foodie, Kasai, speaking personally...) Refresh yourself in Suwa to shake off the fatigue of 2024 and start 2025 happily and energetically♨

Kasai the Foodie’s Recommended Winter Sightseeing Course
・Taste tour of the five Suwa breweries ⇒ Stay at Kami‑Suwa Onsen ⇒ New Year’s visit to Suwa Taisha ⇒ Suwa region’s midwinter eel tradition

★ Official Kami‑Suwa Onsen Winter Stay Campaign Website

https://kamisuwa-onsen.com

More details are available there, so please check it out!

The road connecting Wada in Nagawacho to Utsukushigahara along Japan National Route 178 (Dec. 20, 2024)
It snowed again this morning. More snow has accumulated on the road and it appears to be frozen.
Be sure to put on chains!!

Roadside Station Marumero No Eki Nagato
The current temperature is 9°C
Today is suddenly a warm day.
Thankful for the sun 🌞!!
Tomorrow the high will be 4°C again...
1st photo: Jizo statue at Nagakubo (intersection of Route 142 and Route 152)
2nd photo: Former Wada Junior High School

A kadomatsu with a bowl-shaped shimenawa😍
This style of New Year’s decoration is commonly used in this region. In the past, people say they used to place offerings inside it!
The kadomatsu and shimenawa of JA Shinshu Ueda Yodakubo South Branch.
Members of the local senior club are said to decorate it every year.

Here’s tourist information for Nagiso town!

📍 Kakizore Valley (Kakizore Keikoku)

Among the many gorges along the Kiso Road, this one is said to be especially beautiful. Massive granite boulders that fill the deep valley create stunning waterfalls, rapids, and pools.
The water’s beautiful emerald green never becomes muddy, even after rain.
In spring you can enjoy azaleas and rhododendrons, and in autumn the leaves turn brilliant colors.✨

Generally, visitors start from JR Junikane Station and follow a nature trail for 4.5 km to Ushigataki Falls, then continue farther along a forest road. For a short walk, the roughly 300 m promenade from Koiji Suspension Bridge to Ushigataki is recommended. The view of Ushigataki, where the main flow of the Kakizore River plunges through carved granite, is spectacular.
A 40-minute walk along the forest road brings you to viewpoints with refreshing views of Kirigataki, and you can also see Nijiga Falls and Kaminari Falls.

We ask for your cooperation with a maintenance contribution.
Please deposit it in the brown post box located at the entrance to Kakizore Valley.

Access
- By car: about 10 minutes from National Route 19 at the "Kakizore Valley Entrance" signal. Two free parking lots available.
- By JR: Get off at JR Nagiso Station and take a taxi for about 25 minutes.
Get off at JR Junikane Station and walk about 1 hour (taxis are not regularly available).

Other information
- Flush toilets are available at each parking area.
- Vending machines are located near the parking areas.
- You can download a brochure (map) from the Nagiso Town Tourism Association official website "Burari Nagiso."

Requests
- Camping, barbecues, and similar activities are prohibited within Kakizore Valley.
- Please take your trash home with you.
- Do not approach the river during rain or when water levels are high.
- If you play in the river, please take every safety precaution and enjoy responsibly.