The autumn Japanese garden viewed from the hall of the Former Saito Family Villa in Niigata City. The garden framed by the window beautifully transitions from vibrant green to red, orange, and yellow, resembling a stunning painting. A memorable moment spent quietly gazing at the autumn garden from within the historic building. Location: Former Saito Family Villa, Niigata City, Niigata Prefecture Date of photography: November 29, 2024.

Event Information "Exhibition of Famous Swords from the Five Traditions" Phase 2: Soshu and Mino Traditions will be held at the Honnoji Daiho-den Treasure Museum from Saturday, September 12, 2026, to Sunday, February 14, 2027. We hope you will visit. The second phase will feature the Soshu and Mino traditions, showcasing famous swords such as Kunitsuna (Awataguchi), Kunimitsu(Shintogo), Masamune, Nanatsudō Kanefusa, and Magoroku Kanemoto. "Exhibition of Famous Swords from the Five Traditions" Sword Exhibition List 【Soshu Tradition】 Tachi Kunitsuna (Awataguchi) Dagger Kunimitsu (Shintogo) Sword Kin Zōganmei Yukimitsu Dagger Masamune Sword Soshu-jū Ise Daijyō Tsunahiro Kanbun 7th Year March Good Day 【Mino Tradition】 Sword Kanefusa Kin Zōgan Nanatsudō Otoshi Enpō 9th Year February 28th Cut by Nakanishi Jūrōbe Yoshimitsu Sword Kanemoto (Magoroku) Sword Wakasa no Kami Ujifusa Genki 3rd Year February Day Sword Kanetsune saku Wakizashi Kanetsuna Venue: Honnoji Daiho-den Treasure Museum Address: 522 Shimohonnojimaecho, Teramachi Street, Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture Exhibition Period: Saturday, February 21, 2026, to Sunday, September 6, 2026 Closed: New Year holidays and exhibition change days Opening Hours: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM (last admission by 4:30 PM) Admission Fee: General: 700 yen, Middle and High School Students: 500 yen, Elementary School Students: 300 yen School Trip Students: 300 yen, Persons with Disabilities: 300 yen Hotel Honnoji Users: 500 yen, Groups (30 or more): 600 yen https://nihontonobi.jimdosite.com//

Hello! I'm Minamoto. I've started to feel hints of autumn in the morning and evening breeze. Currently, Senga Falls in Shosenkyo Gorge is experiencing increased water flow, with milky water cascading fiercely down. The thunderous roar shakes the surrounding air, making conversations nearly impossible due to the powerful waterfall. It's truly a breathtaking sight that can only be seen a few times a year! When you visit Shosenkyo, be sure to come and see this view. Additionally, on September 1st of the 8th year of Reiwa, the results of the "Comprehensive Evaluation and Continuation Review for the 8th Year of Reiwa" were announced by the Agency for Cultural Affairs. This time, Shosenkyo has been designated as a "Continuing Certification" for Japan Heritage! Furthermore, it has been recognized as a "Key Support Area" due to expectations for future initiatives as a model for other regions. We aim to continue connecting the charm of Shosenkyo with the future alongside the local community. Thank you for your continued support of Japan Heritage and Mitake Shosenkyo!

Azumino, a rice-producing region, is known for its traditional landscape of "haze-gake" (rice drying). Although this scene has become rare due to the widespread use of combines... the rice is slowly dried in the sun, resulting in delicious rice. 😄

The sunny landscape of Azumino revealed Mt. Jonen. Lately, rainy days have continued, preventing us from seeing the typical scenery of Azumino... It's a landscape that indicates autumn is approaching.

The flowing water emerging from Azumino is nourished by the spring water from the Northern Alps, cultivating wasabi and Shinshu Salmon. Aquatic plants sway gently, creating a pleasant atmosphere. 😆

After a long time, it’s clear and sunny in Azumino. Perhaps due to the strong winds, the sky shows lenticular clouds, and the weather forecast suggests it might become a midsummer day.

Azumino Chihiro Art Museum ~The World of Children's Paintings by Chihiro Iwasaki and Fumiko Hori~ This is an announcement for the autumn exhibition. Date: September 11, 2026 - December 15, 2026 Even though both artists depict the same "Blue Bird," their expressions are unique. Please take a moment to compare the two works, focusing on the differences in color, shape, and style.🕊️ Additionally, the exhibition featuring illustrations by Suekichi Akaba, known for the white horse of Suho, has also begun, so be sure to check it out. Autumn of Arts. Enjoy a leisurely moment savoring the artworks at the Azumino Chihiro Art Museum. We look forward to welcoming everyone!🍂 *The photos are taken with permission from the museum.

Hello! 😃 Welcome to Yamanashi Wine Kingdom Sengataki Store! 🍷 September still has some lingering heat. During this season, we recommend the stunning spot in Yamanashi, "Shosenkyo Gorge" 🌿 As you enjoy the nature of the valley, you will be greeted by the impressive "Senga Falls" waiting ahead. 💧✨ Surrounded by the sound of the waterfall, the splash of water, and the cool air, you can refresh yourself from the summer fatigue with a delightful moment. 🍃 And after enjoying Senga Falls... 🍇 head over to "Yamanashi Wine Kingdom Sengataki Store"! This season's delight, ✨the new Delaware wine✨ has arrived! 🍷 Experience the vibrant aroma and fresh taste unique to Delaware. How about taking home a bottle that captures this time of year as a souvenir or memory of your trip? 💕 After feeling the coolness at Senga Falls, enjoy Yamanashi's new wine. In September, when the heat still lingers, take your time to feel the gradual change of the season at Shosenkyo. 🍷🌿

On Saturday, September 26, and Sunday, September 27, 2026, the "Ofune Matsuri" will be held at Hotaka Shrine, evoking the romance of ancient times. The Ofune Matsuri is a grand festival where five boats, decorated with Hotaka dolls, parade through the city amidst the sounds of flutes and drums, gathering at Hotaka Shrine for a sacred ritual. The tourism association will offer a viewing tour to fully enjoy this magnificent festival. Next to the shrine, the event "Azumino Terrace" will also take place, featuring food trucks and craft shops. It's an event where you can eat, shop, see, and play. This time, it's an event that encourages thinking about "the future of Azumino"! We have prepared five special benefits for this occasion! 1. A special viewing area close to the climax scene where the two adult boats collide! 2. Includes a 1,000 yen ticket usable at the "Azumino Terrace" event with food trucks and craft shops! 3. A delightful limited edition "Ofune Matsuri" goshuin (temple seal) on half paper! 4. Entry ticket to the Ofune Kaikan, where you can learn all about the Ofune Matsuri! 5. Boost your fortune from the powerful spot of Hotaka Shrine! For more details, visit the official website. https://reserve.489ban.net/client/azumino-e-tabi/0/detail/1128736...

The golden rice fields and blooming buckwheat fields of Azumino... A wonderful landscape spreads out! Although the lingering summer heat seems to continue, the mornings and evenings have become noticeably cooler in Azumino. 😄

When mentioning Nagano Prefecture, the first highland delicacy that comes to mind is probably Shinshu soba. Nagano is one of the few inland prefectures in Japan, surrounded by mountains and crisscrossed by clear streams, which has fostered a unique mountain dining culture. This time, I visited Nagano and specifically went to "Kirishita Soba-dokoro Sagaya" to taste the famous Kirishita soba, and unexpectedly encountered a local dish full of Nagano flavor—char sashimi. The so-called "Kirishita soba" refers to soba cultivated in highlands where fog easily forms in the morning and evening, and the climate is cool. The area around Shinanomachi in Nagano Prefecture is a well-known production site, and the huge temperature differences between day and night, along with clear water sources, give the soba noodles a delicate aroma and a smooth texture. I ordered the classic "duck soba" (kamo soba). Duck meat and soba noodles are a perfect match—soba noodles are refreshing, while the fatty, sweet, and rich duck meat, when blended with the broth, not only enriches the soup's flavor but also highlights the grain aroma of the soba noodles. The fine noodles carry the rich duck oil aroma as they slide down the throat, simple yet memorable. Equally impressive is the plate of char sashimi. Although Nagano has no sea, it boasts rich mountain streams, making river fish like char and Yamame trout important mountain products. When thinking of river fish, one might worry about a muddy taste, but char, which grows in clear, cold streams, is completely different. Properly handled char sashimi has a slightly bouncy texture; as you chew, a refreshing and elegant wild aroma gradually spreads in your mouth. Looking at the translucent fish flesh with a hint of pink in the plate, one might even momentarily lose focus, thinking they are tasting the sweet flavor of summer sweetfish. From a bowl of exquisite soba to a plate of refreshing freshwater fish sashimi, Nagano, without an ocean, distills its high mountains and clear streams into a rich dining experience. This meal deeply illustrates the close and intimate connection between Shinshu cuisine and this natural landscape.

Introduction of the sword from Wakedo Model Number K380911 Sign Mumei Naoe Shizu Certif [N.B.T.H.K] Tokubetsu Hozon Touken Scabbard Document Sato Kanzan Size Blade length 74.3 cm Curvature 1.35 cm Mekugi 1 Hole Country Mino Period Nanbokucho Shape Shinogi-zukuri, Iori-mune, body width, thickness balance, with curvature, and a lively tip. Forging It features itame-hada and o-hada, with a visible surface pattern Hamon Gunome midare with a slightly drooping pattern, featuring ashi, and a flowing grain in the hamon, with gold lines present. Boshi Irregular with a sweeping tip, resembling flames. Tang O-suriage, with a pointed end Explanation In the region of Naoe in Mino Province, Kaneuji, counted among the ten great masters of Masamune, settled and his faction flourished. Later, his disciples Kanetomo, Kanetsugu, Kaneshige, and Kanenobu relocated to Naoe, where they continued to forge swords. Thus, the group of swordsmiths from this lineage is collectively referred to as Naoe Shizu.

Introduction of the sword from Wakeido Item number K380911 Sign Wakasanokami Fujiwara Ujifusa Certification N.B.T.H.K Tokubetsu Hozon Touken(Special Preservation Sword) Size Blade length 74.3 cm Curvature 1.35 cm Mekugi hole 1 Width at the base 30.7 mm Width at the tip 23 mm Thickness at the base 7.6 mm Country Owari Province Period Late Muromachi period, around Tensho Shape Shinogi-zukuri, with an anmune, body width, and thickness slightly curved, with a rounded tip Forging Well-formed itame-hada, with bright steel and fine ji-nuri Hamon Irregular choji midare with five patterns, with a strong nioi and bright nioi-guchi Boshi Irregular, rounded tip with a sweeping curve Tang Unfinished, slightly raised at the edge, with cross-cut file marks Shirasaya Yes Explanation Wakasanokami Ujifusa, initially known as Kanefusa, was the son of Kanefusa from Seki. He was invited to the provincial capital by Imagawa Ujizane to forge swords and was permitted to use the character 'Uji' in his name, becoming Ujifusa. He received the title of Wakasanokami in the 13th year of Eiroku and was active during the Genki and Tensho periods. Later, he moved to Owari and became a central figure in Owari swordsmithing along with his eldest son, Hida no Kami Ujifusa. His style features choji blades with a nioi finish and strong nioi, as well as those with mixed patterns. This piece exemplifies the former, showcasing a beautifully forged choji blade with a nioi finish, making it a masterpiece of Wakasanokami.

Yamanashi Prefecture – Fuefukigawa Fruit Park. I visited with my daughter to enjoy the Shine Muscat parfait. The wind was gently flowing.

Introduction of Kozuka from Wakeido Item Number K380910 Title Hai ryu zu Kozuka Signature Mumei Eijyo Certification [N.B.T.H.K.] Jyuyo Tousougu (Attached) Enkyo 2nd year, two gold coins, five ryo, Mitsutaka Origami Size Length 97mm Width 14mm Period Momoyama School Goto 6th Explanation Eijyo, the sixth generation of the Goto family, was the legitimate son of the fifth generation, Tokunori, born in the fifth year of Tensho. His childhood name was Kameichi, his common name was Genshirō, and his given name was Masahiro. At the age of eighteen, in the third year of Bunroku, he succeeded the family head and changed his name to Shirōbei Masamitsu, becoming the sixth generation of the family. He served Toyotomi Hideyoshi alongside his father and ancestors from a young age, but became a ronin after the fall of the Toyotomi clan. In the second year of Genwa, recommended by his uncle Naganori, he began serving the Tokugawa family, appointed by Shogun Hidetada to roles involving weights, large coins, and carving, and was granted 250 koku of his former territory in Yamashiro Province and a stipend for twenty retainers in Edo, but died of illness at the young age of forty-one in the following third year of Genwa. Eijyo's style is said to resemble that of Norimasa, often being somewhat larger, but the craftsmanship is generally more delicate than that of Norimasa. This piece features a flowing dragon in gold patterns over a background of goldfish. The dragon is elegant and dignified, reflecting the characteristics of the Goto family during the Momoyama period, particularly associated with Eijyo, and the attached confirmation from the thirteenth generation Mitsutaka is acknowledged. Overall, it is a splendid piece that showcases the unique charm of Eijyo.

Hello, this is Ryusuidou😊 As September begins, we can gradually feel the autumn🍂 breeze in Shosenkyo Gorge during the mornings and evenings. The greenery along the walking paths🌿 is still deep and vibrant, but as we approach the season of autumn leaves, the path to Senga Falls will be adorned with a beautiful gradient that looks like a painting🍁 We are looking forward to this year's arrival of autumn✨ 💎 ~September Birthstone~ 【Sapphire】 Typically represented by a deep, transparent blue, sapphires actually come in a variety of colors, including pink and orange. Each variation has its own unique beauty and charm✨ 【Kunzite】 Kunzite, with its beautiful lilac pink hue, is known for its transparency. It is often referred to as "the stone of deep love and healing," characterized by its gentle, enveloping colors💎 In the upper area of Senga Falls, there are many spots where you can forget your daily life and enjoy, such as Hachushuike, where you can toss in eight beads with your wishes. Also, in front of Hachushuike, there is a photo spot for the "Japan Heritage - Shosenkyo"📷✨ This time, the decision to continue the designation as Japan Heritage has also been made. Please take the time to enjoy Shosenkyo, which has beautiful nature and a deep history and culture😊 At Ryusuidou, you can also view various natural stones💎 We all look forward to the day we can see your wonderful smiles.

Rice harvesting has begun in various places in Azumino. As the golden carpet that decorates the landscape will soon be gone, please come and see it soon! 😆

Located at the foot of the Northern Alps, Omachi City's "La CASTA Natural Healing Garden" 🌿 As soon as you step inside, you are enveloped by the gentle scent of beautiful flowers and herbs, creating a truly soothing space...✨ It feels like being in a storybook, a wonderful place indeed. Experience nature with all your senses and refresh your daily fatigue! 😆

A beautiful stream flowing through the wasabi fields and a view from the wasabi fields along the early spring song monument in the Northern Alps.

Blessed with clear weather in Azumino, the rice ears are heavy with grain. The forecast predicted temperatures rising to 37°C during the day, so please be cautious of heatstroke!

Shosenkyo Gorge, designated as a "Priority Support Area"! In 2020, Shosenkyo Gorge was recognized as a Japan Heritage site, and along with the continuation of this recognition, it has now been selected as a "Priority Support Area" by the Agency for Cultural Affairs! This selection is based on the beautiful gorge, its history as a source of crystals, and the collaborative efforts of local government, communities, and students. We will continue to work together to promote the natural beauty, culture, and historical charm of Shosenkyo both domestically and internationally.

Title Welcoming Fire, a Catastrophe. Body As we lit the fire to welcome our ancestors, suddenly, the vessel cracked open. What should have been a solemn Obon turned into a family joke in an instant. Including such happenings, this is an unforgettable summer in Japan.

My son, filled with anticipation, exclaimed, "I'm going to catch some bugs!" This place, where nature spreads out and the sounds of insects resonate, is a paradise for him! He seemed so happy to interact with so many creatures. (By the time we left, he had missed them all.)

In a magnificent landscape filled with trees, my son was filled with anticipation as he exclaimed, "I'm going to catch lots of bugs!" Wearing a straw hat and holding a bug net, he chased after insects, embodying the essence of a Japanese summer.

On August 23rd, Azumino experienced a stunning sunrise 😆 Waking up early was truly rewarding.

At the Roadside Station Yachiho Kogen's Bloomin, there are plenty of apples on display✨ The red, ripe apples are lined up in the store👀🍎 As the season progresses, it's exciting to see various fruits appearing on the shelves! When you stop by, be sure to take a look♩

At Roadside Station Yachiho Kogen's Bloomin, you can find a wide variety of plums on display! 👏🏻👏🏻 A plum harvest calendar is also posted at the store, which can help you choose the right variety.✨ Enjoy the plums that are unique to this season!

Introduction of Menuki from Wakedo Item Number: M380905 Title: Botan zu Menuki Signature: Mumei, Mito Certification: [N.B.T.H.K.] Hozon Tousougu Dimensions: Left: Height 25.2mm, Width 22.5mm Right: Height 25.2mm, Width 22.5mm Weight: 22g (combined) Period: Late Edo School: Mito Description Mito is one of the Tokugawa Gosanke and a castle town. Here, a group known as Mito metalworkers flourished, forming the Mito carving style and producing many famous artisans such as Yuan Fu, Ichiryu Tomoyoshi, Mikawa Yoshihisa, Hiroyoshi Uchikoshi, and Hagiya Katsuhira. This piece is a menuki of peony made of pure gold, characterized by its large, three-dimensional form and excellent craftsmanship.

Introduction of Fuchikashira from Wakedo Item Number: F380904 Title: Ebi zu Fuchikashira Maker: Sominsai Tokinari (kao) Certification: N.B.T.H.K. Hozon Tousougu Dimensions: Fuchikashira Height 38.5mm, Width 22.5mm, Thickness 14mm Head Height 34mm, Width 16.5mm Period: Late Edo Period School: Omori School Description Arai Tatsujiro was a disciple of Omori Terutoki and excelled in high carving of the Yokoya-style red-copper fish. The Omori School is a prestigious lineage in the Yokoya style, alongside the Ishiguro and Yanagawa schools, founded by Eisho, who trained under Yokoya Somin, and flourished with the second generation, Omori Teruhide. Many disciples emerged from this lineage, including Tatsujiro. This piece also features a high carving of an Ise lobster on a Yokoya-style red-copper fish base, showcasing impressive power and high skill.