Ogata Sanja Kawagoe Shimatsuri was held On December 6, 2025, the Ogata Sanja Kawagoe Shimatsuri took place around Harajiri Falls in Ogata Town, Bungoono City, Oita Prefecture. The Kawagoe Shimatsuri is an annual festival when the deities of the three Ogata shrines (Ichinomiya, Ninomiya, and Sannomiya) come together. The portable shrine from Ichinomiya Shrine and the portable shrine from Sannomiya Shrine gather at Ninomiya Shrine. The event was shortened from two days to one this year. Despite challenges such as a shortage of people to carry the mikoshi, the organizers’ determination to keep the festival alive has preserved the tradition. At night, young men wearing traditional loincloths carry the Sannomiya mikoshi through the cold river, guided by torchlight. Their calls of “Essa hoisa” echo as they pass through the torii above the falls and wade across the river, creating a breathtaking spectacle. ■■■ Access from Fukuoka Prefecture, Kumamoto Prefecture and other areas to central Bungoono City ■■■ About a 3-hour drive from JR Hakata Station, Fukuoka Prefecture About a 2-hour drive from JR Kumamoto Station, Kumamoto Prefecture About a 1 hour 20 minute drive from JR Beppu Station, Oita Prefecture About a 1 hour 20 minute drive from JR Yufuin Station, Oita Prefecture ■■■■■■■■■■■■ Kyushu, Bungoono City, Oita Prefecture Introducing sightseeing and recommended spots ■■■■■■■■■■■■

Midorigaoka Park Observatory in Tomakomai City offers views of the city and Mt. Tarumae from 56 meters above sea level. Admission is free. Open hours are 10:00–18:00 in winter and 9:00–21:00 in summer. On the second floor, a multipurpose lounge hosts concerts and workshops, making it a relaxing spot for residents. In the observatory plaza you may also encounter wildlife such as Ezo squirrels and Ezo deer ✨🐿🦌

Photographed on December 8, 2025. This is the flower-filled hand-washing basin (hanachozu) at Kawagoe Hachimangu Shrine. It features Christmas colors. 🎄

Hello. This is En'emon Folklore Museum 😃 Winter has finally arrived at Shosenkyo Gorge! In the crisp, clear air, the contrast of the blue sky with Aoyama's green and brown makes the natural beauty stand out even more ✨ Even though it's cold outside, sunlight feels warm and cozy ☀️😊 It's nice to spend the year-end slowly while basking in the sun👍 Right now, En'emon Folklore Museum welcomes visitors with Christmas decorations. We have many gift-perfect items, so it's nice to warm up in the shop while you browse♪ We look forward to greeting you with smiles 😃✨✨

Photographed on December 8, 2025. This is the hanachozu (flower water basin) at Kawagoe Hachimangu Shrine.

The autumn leaves at Oidaira Park in Toyota City, Aichi Prefecture The scene of bright red maples lit by the morning sun, rising into view, was breathtaking From Takamidai along the river, I used an ultra-wide lens to fill the frame with autumn.

Autumn in Japan is very beautiful but the view of 1st sun kissed metasequoia forest in Mizumoto park looks completely different. To see this view I went there very early in the morning by taking the first train and first bus. The view I got was completely worthy. Also it is paradise for bird watchers. Location: Mizumoto park, Tokyo

On November 19, we held the fourth workshop to develop a sightseeing walking route that lets visitors enjoy “Reihoku’s Literary Treasures,” turning the literary spots and heritage remaining in Reihoku into new tourism resources. This workshop was the final session. Based on the feedback and ideas we have received so far, we reviewed the proposed route and the draft guide manual again and exchanged opinions with the participants. We also read works related to Reihoku—Fumiko Hayashi’s Amakusa Nada and Ryōtarō Shiba’s Kaidō o Yuku 17—so participants could feel how the literature still connects with Reihoku today. Going forward, we aim to develop this into an actual sightseeing tour. We will post progress updates on our website, so please look forward to them. Note: We are also collecting ideas and useful tips from people who could not attend the workshop to help shape the walking route. Please take part in the survey on our company website’s news section. Contact: Amakusa Reihoku Tourism Association (Incorporated Association), Ogata ☎0969-31-1136 This workshop was held as part of the FY2025 Kumamoto Future Creation Startup Grant project.

On November 30th, while heading to Mizumoto Park in Tokyo Metropolis to photograph wild birds, I passed by Katori Shrine. When I glanced at a patch of weeds, two cats were sleeping curled up together. Autumn had deepened, and fallen leaves and a fine rain were beginning to fall. Surely these cats felt the chill of the season and shared their warmth with each other.

Photographed on December 4, 2025. This is the lunch plate from le bilboquet in Akasaka. It includes salad, carrot râpé, quiche, and roast pork.

[Reihoku Sunset Marche] December Announcement📣 This is an announcement for the Reihoku Sunset Marche in December♪ 👀Highlights of this Sunset Marche👀 ❣Reihoku Sunset Marche sells agricultural products, processed goods, and prepared foods from Reihoku, and this event marks its first anniversary since it began🎊 To celebrate the first anniversary, we will hold a lottery for the first customers who spend 700 yen or more! A Veg Check screening that awards health points will also be available, so please come by❣ We look forward to seeing you😊 Don’t forget to bring your own shopping bag🛍✨ [Planned produce for sale] ・Turnips🫜 ・Pumpkin🎃 ・Cabbage ・Cucumbers🥒 ・Rice (new harvest)🌾 ・Red leaf lettuce (sunny lettuce) ・Potatoes🥔 ・Garland chrysanthemum (shungiku) ・Zucchini ・Daikon radish ・Carrots🥕 ・Chinese cabbage ・One-character scallion (wakegi) ・Green peppers🫑 ・Beni Haruka sweet potato ・Spinach ・Mandarin oranges🍊 ・Mizuna ・Cherry tomatoes (Aiko, fruit types) ・Lettuce 🥦🍅🥕🍠🥬🧅🫑🌽🌶🫛🍆🫚🥔 Reihoku Sunset Marche [Date] Sunday, December 14, 1:00 PM–3:30 PM ※Veg Check screening: 12:30 PM–3:30 PM [Location] Amakusa Reihoku Tourism Association (Reihoku Town Product Center facility: 4535-1 Kozufukae, Reihoku)

Photographed on December 4, 2025. After the exam, I visited Akasaka Hikawa Shrine. I was fortunate to be able to pay my respects, so I offered a katashiro (paper doll) for the year-end purification ritual.

From downtown Kushiro: Mt. Akan-Fuji and Mt. Meakan Lake Akan in eastern Hokkaido is surrounded by vast, unspoiled nature. Winter is finally in full swing ☃️ — stay tuned for winter scenery updates!

📢 Notice of Resumed Operations Asahidake Ropeway will resume service from Thursday, December 11✨ Groomed courses are available in the MtAsahi winter area⛷ Skiing and sliding equipment may be brought into the gondolas and station buildings. 🕘 Hours: 9:00–15:40 (last ascent 15:20) 💴 Fare: Adults ¥2,800 / Children ¥1,750 (round trip) For the latest information, check the Asahidake Ropeway official website

Photographed on December 3, 2025. This is the lunch plate from Brasserie Catheri near Kawagoeshi Station in Kawagoe City. It’s packed with salad, gratin, quiche, and more. 😊

[Notice: Isehara Yoga in MtOoyama] Join a relaxing yoga session held at Ryokan Asada at the foot of MtOoyama. This special event lets you gently release everyday fatigue with yoga, restore body and mind, and enjoy the ryokan’s signature tofu kaiseki for lunch. We hope you will join us. Date: Saturday, February 28, 2026 Time: Yoga from 10:00 (90 minutes) ※Registration from 9:30 Venue: Ryokan Asada Fee: 5,000 yen (includes meal) Capacity: 20 people (minimum 10 participants required; advance reservation needed) What to bring: comfortable clothing, a drink, and a yoga mat (rental available for 200 yen) Application deadline: Friday, February 13, 2026 For details, please see the official website. https://isehara-kanko.com/isehara-yoga/...

We’ve decorated the tanks with Christmas trees again this year 🎄 Keeping adding more Is it just me, or do they seem more and more gorgeous each year?! 🧑‍🎄On weekends and holidays through December 25, Santa will appear between 12:00 and 12:30🧑‍🎄 Also, on December 24 and 25 at 12:00 there will be an “Underwater Santa Raffle”🐟 You can get a good deal with a digital ticket♪ *Before normal admission, buy the “Sightseeing Digital Ticket” and let’s go🙌 📍Echizen Matsushima Aquarium ◾ Address: 74-2-3 Saki, Mikuni Town, Sakai City ◾ Phone: 0776-81-2700 ◾ Hours: 9:00–16:30 (winter season)

Special exhibition until Sunday, December 14th "Mago Nagasaka Exhibition" Mago Nagasaka’s solo show, his first museum exhibition in the Hokuriku region. From paintings to three-dimensional works, this rare opportunity presents the trajectory of Nagasaka’s creative practice on an unprecedented scale that uses the natural setting of Kanazu Forest of Creation. To support Nagasaka’s global efforts driven by his strong belief that art exists to save people and promote world peace, the museum will attempt artwork sales second only to the Ueno Royal Museum. Through this exhibition, we aim to convey the future roles and possibilities of art and foster a sustainable cultural environment. 📌Hours 10:00–17:00 (last admission 16:30) 📌Venue Kanazu Forest of Creation Museum Artcore and open-air museum 57-2-19 Miyanoyatsu, Awara City, Fukui Prefecture 919-0806 📌Admission General 300 yen (200 yen), 65 and over / people with disabilities 150 yen, Free for high school students and younger, and one caregiver per visitor with a disability Prices in parentheses apply to groups of 20 or more ★Part of the admission fees will be used to support activities in Ghana.

📍Matsushima Rikyu It was a wonderful spot where you could enjoy autumn leaves, illumination, and reflections all at once ✨🍁😍🍁✨

Autumn leaves at Naruko Gorge 🍁🤭🍁 The colors were truly beautiful this year. It would have been even better if a train had passed, but services are suspended due to last year’s heavy rain☔️🥹🚃 I hope recovery and restoration happen as soon as possible😌

The autumn leaves at Okuni Jinja Shrine in Shizuoka Prefecture. The vermilion bridge blends seamlessly into the fall scenery.

Autumn in Japan is very beautiful but the view of 1st sun kissed metasequoia forest in Mizumoto park looks completely different. To see this view I went there very early in the morning by taking the first train and first bus. The view I got was completely worthy. Location: Mizumoto park, Tokyo

Akizuki Castle Ruins in Asakura City, Fukuoka Prefecture I went to see the autumn leaves at Akizuki Castle Ruins The brilliant red foliage was beautiful. (୨୧❛ᴗ❛)📷💕🍁

A mantis in late autumn. Its charm is irresistibly cute. Sadly, it seems it cannot survive the winter.

Toyamago Frost Month Festival Yudate kagura performed in the 11th month of the lunar calendar (Frost Month). It is thought to be a ritual that invites the gods from across the country around the winter solstice, when daytime is shortest and life force weakens, to welcome them with hot water and pray for the revival of the sun and life. ◆Schedule and details for the Frost Month Festival Toyamago Tourism Association Tel: 0260-34-1071 *Please also check the official website.

⋆⸜ ⭐️<Daisen Park Japanese Garden> Wa Light Nights ⭐️ ⸝⋆ 【Special Winter Night Opening】💫 On winter nights, a serene and beautiful Japanese garden comes alive, bathed in traditional Japanese light. Leave everyday life behind and spend a warm, glowing moment with someone special ✨😊♡⃛ < Japanese Garden in Daisen Park > 🔶Event Period ・ Saturday, December 20 to Sunday, December 21 ・ Wednesday, December 24 to Thursday, December 25 ・ 5:00 PM–8:00 PM (last admission 7:30 PM) 🔍For details, search “Daisen Park Japanese Garden Special Winter Night Opening”! https://www.daisenteien.jp/event/tw2wj5c1lke1...

⋆⸜❄Sakai Plaza of Rikyu and Akiko Winter Mini Concert❄⸝⋆ Enjoy choir, piano, and string performances in the free zone's Tourist Information Exhibition Room♪🎀 [Same-day events] ※Reservation required ☆ Risho Cafe vol.2 opens in the hall, serving special sweets like chocolates and cakes🍰 ☆ A workshop to make a displayable Christmas handkerchief featuring the "Chasen Tree" pattern will also be held☆🎄 ⭐Sunday, December 14 — 11:00 to 16:00 📍Please come to Sakai Plaza of Rikyu and Akiko ( @rishonomori )♪😊 🔍For details, search "Sakai Plaza of Rikyu and Akiko Concert"! 🔗 https://sakai-rishonomori.com/pages/103?detail=1&b_id=574......