Photographed on January 3, 2014. This is the New Year floral temizu basin at Kawagoe Hachimangu Shrine.

Photographed on January 3, 2014. This is the hanachozu (flower water basin) at Kawagoe Hachimangu Shrine. It looks festive and bright for the New Year.🎍✨

Photographed on January 3, 2014. These are the hanachōzu (flower water basins) at Kawagoe Hachimangu Shrine.

Photographed on December 29, 2025. This is the torii at Kawagoe Hachimangu Shrine dressed for New Year’s. 🎍

I relaxed during my break at starbucks motokawagoe station store. I had a honey, ginger, and rice koji milk latte and an Earl Grey & orange scone sandwich. One week remains until Hon-Kawagoe PePe closes… 🥹

At a quiet temple in Kawagoe, piles of weathered Daruma rest in one place, their wishes fulfilled. Each New Year, people return their old Daruma here, a ritual of gratitude and release. In the frame, an elderly woman gently places hers atop the others, bowing slightly—an act she learned as a child. Once, her parents brought her; later, she brought her children. The Daruma come and go, but the tradition remains, passed patiently from old to young, year after year. Location: Kitain temple, Kawagoe, Saitama.

The kanji chosen as Kawagoe's hope for Reiwa 8 is "emi," meaning "smile." Although I will be transferring at the end of this month—still within Kawagoe—I will start fresh and do my best. 😊

Photographed on December 29, 2025. This is the New Year–style hanachōzu (flower water basin) at Naritasan Kawagoe Betsuin.🎍

Hinata Yakushi First Yakushi Notice Hinata Yakushi will hold the “First Yakushi” on January 8, 2026. On the day, the principal image will be publicly displayed and medicinal rice porridge will be served. Please visit to pray for a year of good health and the absence of illness. Date: January 8, 2026 Public display of the principal image: 9:00 – 16:30 Serving of Yakushi porridge: starts around 11:30 *Service ends when supplies run out / event held in light rain, canceled in heavy rain Inquiries: 0463-95-1416 (Hinata Yakushi) For more details, please see the official Hinata Yakushi website.

Photographed on January 2, 2014. After visiting Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine, I relaxed at the Starbucks Kanetsuki‑dōri Store. I had a honey ginger komekoji milk latte and an Earl Grey pound cake. To everyone at the Bell Tower Street Store, I look forward to your continued support this year.🙇‍♀️

Witnessing the first supermoon of 2026, I was unexpectedly lucky to see a plane crossing the radiant moon. it was a surreal moment that reminded me of how tiny our existence is in this vast galaxy, yet also how far we've come and how much further we'll go. happy new year! Location: Wakoshi, Saitama

Photographed on January 1, 2014. This is Kawagoe Kumano Shrine around 6:00 a.m.

Photographed on January 3, 2014. A performance of festival music (ohayashi) at Koedo Kurari.

I watched a hayashi (festival music ensemble) performance at Koedo Kurari.

Happy New Year. For Hokulea Shonan, this year is a year of “brush up.” We believe the future lies in steadily building careful work. We will further hone our skills and thinking, and bravely take on new challenges. We will not forget our gratitude to everyone who supports us, and we will continue to grow while honoring the sea and nature. We look forward to your continued support this year. Hokulea Shonan Representative Terushige Koike --- 🌈Hokulea Shonan is a diving shop in Hiratsuka, Kanagawa Prefecture. Under the theme “Let’s set out for an unseen world!”, we offer experiences that let you discover the wonder and joy of nature through diving. We hold courses and tours year-round in Izu, Okinawa, and overseas. With small group sizes, beginners can join with confidence. We also respond flexibly to requests tailored to each person. Now, let’s set off together for a new world.

Even after Hon-Kawagoe PePe closes, the Starbucks Hon-Kawagoe Station store will remain open. I'm so happy. 🥹

It was around 6:30 a.m. at Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine.

It’s around 6:30 a.m. at Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine.

Photographed on January 1, 2014. After visiting Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine, I relaxed at the Starbucks Kanetsuki‑dōri Store. I had a gyokuro matcha latte and a rich matcha tiramisu. I fully enjoyed the New Year atmosphere. 🍵🎍

It is about 6:00 a.m. at Kawagoe Kumano Shrine.

I woke up early to visit the shrine for my first prayers of the year. This is the Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine’s Kawagoe sweet potato fortune. 🍠 I received a New Year’s morning ceremony blessing, and fortunately I was also given a matchmaking charm. I hope good things come to you in a chain like sweet potato vines. 😊🍠

Happy New Year! 🎍🐎 Wishing you a wonderful year ahead.

These are the Best Nine of 2025. 1️⃣The rise-up steps at Atago Shrine 2️⃣3️⃣Kakigori fortune slips and yo-yo omikuji at Kawagoe Hachimangu Shrine 4️⃣Tanabata at Tokyo Daijingu Shrine 5️⃣Hydrangeas at cafe andon 6️⃣The great torii and pinwheels at Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine 7️⃣Enmusubi wind chimes at Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine 8️⃣9️⃣Sea bream omikuji at Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine Thank you for all your support in 2025. I look forward to your continued support in 2026. 😊

I thought the autumn leaves were already over in mid-December, but when I went shopping in Chiba on the Boso peninsula, I stopped by a water mill while exploring the sights and found a beautiful display of autumn leaves. There was no parking lot, and the water mill caught my eye. The maple leaves were a vivid red, and the fallen leaves were beautiful too, so I enjoyed the last bit of autumn this year. Yoshii Ooido Water Mill

Photographed on December 28, 2025. This is LEC COFFEE’s original chai and a gateau chocolat.

Photographed on December 28, 2025. This is a gateau chocolat from LEC COFFEE. We are grateful to everyone at LEC COFFEE for their help this year. We look forward to your continued support next year.🙇‍♀️

Photographed on December 28, 2025. This is a set from Tomori Shokudo featuring domestic chicken spice karaage and a bamboo shoot and taro gratin. It also includes a hearty miso soup, steamed daikon with yuzu miso, simmered tamakonnyaku (ball-shaped konnyaku), and pickles—plenty to enjoy. 😊 On weekends, it’s best to make a reservation.

Photographed on December 28, 2025. This is Chabudai-san’s morning dish. It has been changed to a baked pot-au-feu. I hear the ingredients are being sautéed. It has a sweet flavor.

Photographed on December 23, 2025. This is the hanachozu (flower water basin) from Hara Florist. This is the last hanachozu of the year. Thank you for everything this year. 😊

Today I attended the New Year’s Great Purification at Kawagoe Hachimangu Shrine. I cleansed my mind and body of impurities and sins. I feel refreshed and ready to welcome the New Year.🎍🐎