The Iwata City Tourism Association is hosting a collaborative project with Daytona Co., Ltd. called "Iwata Morning Activity Cafe" at the Communication Plaza. Enjoy morning coffee, use it as a meeting spot for touring, and feel free to drop by anytime.

After the Morning Activity Cafe, we will hold a morning market where families can experience crafting workshops and purchase popular sweets. Food trucks will also be present, so enjoy a fun holiday at the Communication Plaza throughout the day. Iwata City's mascot, Shippei, will also join the fun!

Date and Time: Saturday, May 9th, from 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM, rain or shine.
(In case of bad weather, the event will be canceled. Notifications will be posted on this site if canceled.)



*A portion of the sales from the food trucks and workshops will be donated to the Japanese Red Cross as "Relief Fund for the Noto Peninsula Earthquake Disaster of Reiwa 6."
*The Welcome Bikers Roadstation (WBR) project promotes a network of regions and facilities that welcome bikers, raising awareness for traffic safety and etiquette among visitors.
*The details of the vendors may change.

Cherry blossom viewing spots in Iwata City, Shizuoka Prefecture 🌸
A breathtaking view that spreads 360 degrees.
・
・
✅ Shishigahana Park
◎ 62-2 Ohira, Iwata City
◎ Parking: Available

📷 Taken on April 2, 2026 🌸

Date and Time: Saturday, April 18, 2026
*Cancelled in case of rain (no backup date)

Venue: Mitsuke-juku Street

The "Enshu Daimyo Procession" will faithfully recreate the scene where the feudal lords participating in the Sankin-kotai (alternate attendance) stay at the 28th station of the Tokaido, Mitsuke-juku, welcomed by the inn staff, the main inn, and townspeople on Mitsuke Main Street.
The "Mai-guruma (Dance Cart) Pulling and Fire Dance" will reenact the story of the Mitsuke Gion Festival.
In addition, various performances will be showcased throughout Mitsuke Main Street as a stage.

Iwata City tourism ambassadors will also participate in the procession wearing kimonos!

*Traffic regulations will be in effect from 11:00 AM to 8:30 PM on the day.

Photographed today, Wednesday, April 8: the wisteria at san remo park.
There are white and purple wisteria trellises; the white is in full bloom while the purple has just begun to open. The azaleas are also coloring up, so please take a look if you are nearby.
san remo park Address / Wadahaminamicho (next to Atami Port)

Twin Arch 138 with the morning glow and a row of cherry trees

The hazy morning sun painted the scene in a soft orange light.

Ichinomiya City, Aichi Prefecture
April 4, 2026

From a hill above the residential area, you can see many Kawazu cherry blossoms in full bloom, and from the high ground the Tokaido Shinkansen and Suruga Bay also offered beautiful views.

Ongoing events through Golden Week‼

① Ongoing until supplies last
Ihama margaret picking
https://www.minami-izu.jp/?p=we-page-event-entry&event=91181&cat=18736&type=event

② Ongoing until around May 5
Strawberry picking
https://www.instagram.com/babyberry_farm/

③ March 28–April 5
Yuigahama cherry blossom tour
http://www.the-surface.com/event.html#sakura

④ April 1–May 5
Bamboo shoot picking and the takeno‑ko eatery opens
http://takenokomura.com/

⑤ April 3
Irozaki Gongen Festival
https://www.minami-izu.jp/?p=we-page-event-entry&event=3725&cat=18736&type=event

⑥ April 18 and 19
Va'a Japan 4th Japan Cup in Minami‑Izu
https://www.vaajapan.com/2026-japan-nationals

⑦ April 29
Lead-horse riding experience day
https://www.minami-izu.jp/?p=we-page-event-entry&event=7746&cat=18736&type=event

Spring in Minami‑Izu features both Somei-yoshino and mountain cherry blossoms, and it also offers abundant sea- and mountain-based nature experiences, so it’s surprisingly hot (exciting) just for that‼

Events across Minami-Izu Town!
https://www.minami-izu.jp/?p=we-page-eventlist&eventlist=18736

I visited Omusubi Kokoro, which opened this February (^○^)

While rice-ball shops that let you pick from a display case are nice, this place shapes your onigiri after you order 🍙✨

Located near Shimoda’s popular spot Perry Road, it’s a perfect stop to grab a snack after a stroll when you start to feel peckish 🎵

For me, ume (pickled plum) is a must for onigiri, but I couldn’t decide on the second filling….
In the end I narrowed it down to simmered alfonsino, dried fish from Ogiso Shoten, or okaka from Yamada Katsuo Bushi Shop. After much deliberation I chose the simmered alfonsino.

The hot, hefty onigiri are great for taking to your favorite spot this season or for enjoying while walking around!
Of course, you can also eat them inside the shop if you prefer (^^)

Please stop by when you’re exploring the town.

Rinyoji Temple dyed in spring crimson

This temple is home to a weeping cherry tree that is about 200 years old.
A limited-time light-up of the tree is popular.
※Those who visit are asked to consider donating to the Cherry Blossom Fund 🙏

Rinyoji Temple, Gifu City, Gifu Prefecture

Aerial footage over Kasamatsu Kawazu-zakura Road

Kasamatsu Kawazu-zakura Road, Matsusaka City, Mie Prefecture
March 2026

※Model has given permission
※Confirmed with the management office
※Comprehensive unmanned aircraft flight permission obtained from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism
※Notification of the flight plan and creation of a flight log

A radiant morning on the Kasamatsu Kawazu-zakura Road.
It was delicious 😋

Kasamatsu Kawazu-zakura Road, Matsusaka, Mie Prefecture
Shot on iPHONE 11 PRO
March 3, 2026

Mirai Towers and Kawazu cherry blossoms

I photographed Mirai Towers (formerly the TV Tower) together with Kawazu cherry blossoms in Central Park in Sakae, Nagoya.
March 2026

Ihama Margaret Flower Picking Garden
https://x.gd/kljYT
Period: Wednesday, March 18, 2026 – until supplies last
Hours: 9:00–15:00
Fee: Free (up to 10 stems per person)
Scissors available for loan
Venue: Ihama Coast

Ichijo Takenoko Village
https://x.gd/1iKvL
- Bamboo Shoot Picking Experience
April 1 (Wednesday) – May 5 (Tuesday)
Admission: Adults ¥650, Children ¥300
May end early when supplies run out
Harvested bamboo shoots must be purchased
Rubber boot rental ¥50, work gloves ¥50 available for purchase
Bamboo shoot picking or the dining area may close or have reduced hours depending on shoot growth
- Bamboo Shoot Cafeteria (limited season)
April 1 (Wednesday) – May 5 (Tuesday)
Open daily (about 10:30–14:30)
Takeout of bamboo shoot dishes available
Kusamochi making (reservation required) is offered only on Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays
Bamboo craft workshops (reservation required)
Bamboo shoot picking may be suspended once shoots run out

Photographed on March 4
The early winter cherry trees near Ginza Street, at the Sakimicho curve, are now in full bloom and catching the eyes of passersby.
Of the three trees, the one at the top is called the "Sakamachi Temple Cherry". It is said to be one of the trees planted in the grounds of Iou-ji Temple, which once stood here in the early Meiji period.
The tree is over a hundred years old. It survived the Honcho great fire of 1944 and the Atami great fire of 1950, making it a precious cherry tree.
Sakamachi Temple Cherry — Address: Sakimicho, Atami City (opposite Hotel Kan-ichi)

About 20 early winter cherry trees in Shinsui Park are also continuing to bloom, so please visit if you are in the neighborhood.
Shinsui Park — Address: Nagisacho, Atami City (Shinsui Park Daiichi Kouku to Shinsui Park Second Section)

The 28th Minami no Sakura and Nanohana Festival Finale

Town’s 70th Anniversary Commemoration “Night Cherry Blossoms ☆ Shooting Stars”
Period: Friday, February 27, 2026; Saturday, February 28, 2026; Sunday, March 1, 2026
Time: 6:00 PM–7:30 PM
Release section: a 400 m stretch from Harumachi Bridge to around Kinomiya Bridge
※The event may be canceled due to rain or other conditions.
※The Inoriboshi® will be released a little upstream from the Roadside Station.
※This event is expected to be very crowded.

↓If you want to avoid crowds, please join the tour below.↓
・Tour organized by Minamiizu Town Tourism Association: Night Cherry Blossoms ☆ Shooting Stars Tour (until 2/28)
Reserve/Apply here → https://x.gd/EGMCM

・Vendors will be located behind the Tourist Information Center and Yunohana Chokubaijo (Yunohana Farm Stand).
There will be special vendor stalls during the Night Cherry Blossoms ☆ Shooting Stars event from 2/27 to 3/1.

※The posted images are from 2015.
※The Milky Way Project🄬 is a registered trademark, so unauthorized use is prohibited. Commercial use by entities other than individuals is also prohibited.

【The 28th Minami no Sakura and Nanohana Festival】
Held from February 1 to March 10

🌸About “The 28th Minami no Sakura and Nanohana Festival”
https://x.gd/8BXol

🌸Bloom status (updated regularly)
https://x.gd/iyca6

🌸Parking status (updated regularly)
https://x.gd/zbToA

🌸Live camera
https://x.gd/smGtI

2026 Ice and Snow Lantern Festival

February 7, 2026 Nakatsugawa City, Magome inn (Magome-juku) Within the Magome post town, around Fujimura Memorial Hall

The Sagicho of Imao

Winter Fire Festival "Sagicho"
A rare start in falling snow?
It was bitterly cold, but the festival burned bright.

Imao, Kaizu City, Gifu Prefecture
February 8, 2026

🏖️ Third Shimoda City Beach General Election Results Announced! 🏖️

Thank you for all your votes ✨
Here are the results 👇
🥇 1st place Shirahama Ohama Beach
🥈 2nd place Shirahama Central Beach
🥉 Tied for 3rd
Kujuppama Beach · Tatadohama Beach · Nabetahama Beach · Iritahama Beach

We have already shipped prizes to the five winners 🎁
They should be arriving at your door soon…? 📮✨

And the Fourth Shimoda City Beach General Election is
🗓️ Held from February 16 to June 30!
Whether you voted before or haven’t joined yet,
please cast your vote for your favorite beach 🌊💙
We look forward to your participation 😊✨

Updated: Thursday, February 19, 2026

The 28th Minami Sakura and Nanohana Festival
Held February 1 – March 10

🌸 About the 28th Minami Sakura and Nanohana Festival
https://x.gd/8BXol

🌸 Bloom Status (updated regularly)
https://x.gd/iyca6

🌸 Parking Status (updated regularly)
https://x.gd/zbToA

🌸 Live Camera
https://x.gd/smGtI

〈If arriving by public transportation〉
Get off at Izukyu Shimoda Station and take the Tokai Bus bound for Shimogamo (Platform 3).
Get off at Kujo Bridge and walk about 2 minutes to the roadside station shimogamo onsen yunohana, where the general information center is located. (The cherry tree avenue is behind it.)
The nanohana fields are right by the Hino stop.
Tokai Bus tel: 0558-22-2514
Note: Minamiizu Town has no train service and parking is limited, so please use public transportation. Services run about once per hour.
Tokai Bus link
https://www.tokaibus.jp/
〈If arriving by car〉
Please head for roadside station shimogamo onsen yunohana.
There are dedicated parking lots nearby; please use them.
⚠ When visiting or photographing the nanohana fields and the nanohana along the cherry tree avenue, please do not step on the flowers!
⚠ Some people step on the nanohana growing on river slopes near roadside station shimogamo onsen yunohana, but there are lighting cables and other hazards, so please do not enter these areas for your safety.
Please use the festival’s designated parking lots. Do not park at shops or on private property.

Kasai Rinkai Park in Edogawaku, Tokyo Metropolis will host the annual Narcissus Festival on Saturday, February 7 and Sunday, February 8. (^○^)

The exchange began more than 20 years ago in 2005 when Shimoda City donated narcissus bulbs to Kasai Rinkai Park, and it continues to this day.
Since fiscal 2006, the Shimoda City Tourism Association has been happily taking part in special events during the Kasai Rinkai Park Narcissus Festival, selling Shimoda products such as kinme croquettes, kinmedai fish head soup, dried fish, Shimoda brand goods, and all-you-can-pack Izu mandarins to promote tourism.✨

Members of the Shimoda Taiko Traditional Preservation Society also join the event to perform traditional drumming with a history of about 400 years on stage.

If you are nearby, please stop by the Shimoda City Tourism Association booth at the Kasai Rinkai Park Narcissus Festival. (^○^)

*The booth photo was taken at last year’s event.*