The beach season in Minami-Izu Town ended on August 30th. However, there are still places where summer isn't over! One such hidden gem is Hirizo Beach, which is more well-known than its geographical name. It's a spot where you can see numerous fish and corals, and the long-awaited period for snorkeling enthusiasts has begun. If you missed seeing the fish you wanted, please consider purchasing the 2027 Hirizo Beach illustrated calendar. *In case the boat to Hirizo Beach is canceled, please check our tourism association BASE (https://minamiizukan.base.shop/)... or purchase it at our counter. Another spot is Koiji Coast. It is gradually becoming popular. This spot is a hidden gem known to those in the know, offering excellent visibility and opportunities for activities like SUP in addition to snorkeling. Please come visit "not-too-hot Minami-Izu Town," where the highest temperature in August (31.4°C) is lower than in July (32.9°C), this September.

Taken on August 25, 2026. These are the matchmaking wind chimes at Kawagoe Prince Hotel.

Photographed on August 25, 2014. These are the Enmusubi wind chimes from Kawagoe Prince Hotel.

In the mountains of Kitakyushu City, Fukuoka Prefecture, my son, who is really into bug catching, suddenly runs off after finding something. The beauty of the river and the presence of the bridge made it a wonderful place.

I went to the Nishiwaki Summer Festival in Japan, so I also took photos of the trains on the Kakogawa Line behind the waterwheel until the fireworks. It gets pitch dark at night.

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.

Taken on August 6, 26. This is the matchmaking wind chime from Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine and Hikawa Ryōfū-sō. Hikawa Ryōfū-sō is open until today (August 31).

"Wind chimes and mist" The refreshing sound of wind chimes resonates in the summer shrine grounds. The mist drifting through gently eases the hot air. The coolness felt through the ears and the coolness felt on the skin. This moment, unique to summer in Japan, has been captured in a single frame.

Even the shopkeeper cat is down. At Mamada Hachimangu Shrine, there are many "shrine cats." They have cat goshuin stamps and cat's one-grain-manifold protection charms. The shrine grounds are bathed in the summer sun. By the water fortune slips, even the shopkeeper cat seemed unable to withstand the heat. Stretching out on the stone pavement, it takes a moment to rest. This captures a slice of everyday life in Japan, amidst the summer heat.

The Gion Festival unfolds in the streets of Kyoto every year from July 1st to 31st, lasting for about a month. Among the festivities, the "Naginata Hoko" stands out with its remarkable presence. The photo shows the Naginata Hoko moving through the streets of Kyoto in the height of summer. Its luxurious decorations, large wheels, and the people pulling the hoko convey the tradition of Kyoto and the excitement of the festival that has been passed down for over a thousand years. Under the blazing sun, the Gion Festival has been preserved despite the sweat and heat. It is a beauty of Japanese traditional culture that can only be felt in the hot summer of Kyoto. Accompanied by the resonating Gion bayashi, the Gion Festival colors the summer in Kyoto. It is one of Japan's representative festivals that we hope will continue to be cherished.

Taken on July 30, 26. This is Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine and Hikawa Ryōfūsō. We are open until the 31st.

Taken on August 29, 2026. This is a photo spot for the "Magical Chiikawa POP UP STORE" being held at Maruhiro Department Store until the 31st.

This photo was taken at Endo Farm in Kumagaya City, Saitama Prefecture. It offers a prime spot to overlook the sunflowers blooming all around under the summer sky. From the top of a tall ladder, my daughter points and laughs at something she found. May this vibrant scene, filled with the bright yellow of the sunflowers and the blue sky, become a cherished summer memory for our family someday.

-The Door to Summer- This photo was taken at Ad Maridué in Kitamoto City, Saitama Prefecture. On a summer day, the blue sky and green countryside spread out before me. Beyond the yellow door lay a nostalgic landscape of a Japanese summer. I imagined the small back of my daughter, arms wide open as she prepared to run, filled with the anticipation of the summer to come and the desire for the memories of summer to last forever.

Taken on August 29, 26. I visited the "Magical Chiikawa POP UP STORE" currently being held at Maruhiro Department Store Kawagoe.

This is Tropical Beach located in Ginowan City. It was a very hot day, but the weather was nice, making it quite pleasant. Many tourists came to swim as well. It's easily accessible from the city center of Naha, so be sure to visit!

Photographed on August 27, 2014. I took a stroll in Kawagoe for a breather. This is Chillac Soda with grape flavor and a white peach & Earl Grey tart. 🍇🍑

This photo was taken during my visit to Gero Onsen Gassho Village in Gifu Prefecture. More than 1,000 wind chimes were decorated near the entrance, and every time the wind blew, they all chimed together. I felt that wind chimes symbolize summer in Japan, and I wanted to capture that in a photograph. Rather than just photographing the wind chimes, I wanted to express it in my own way, so I took a shot through the wind chimes in the foreground, which created a sense of depth and slightly lowered the saturation of the overall photo, giving it a nostalgic atmosphere. I used the standard camera of the iPhone 17 for the shoot. Additionally, since I had only heard the sound of a single wind chime before, experiencing the sound of over 1,000 wind chimes chiming together was a first for me. I discovered that a single wind chime produces a delicate tone, but when gathered together, they create a powerful chorus-like sound, revealing a new charm of wind chimes.

This is a photo taken when my family visited Gero Onsen Gassho Village in Gifu Prefecture. While strolling around the grounds, I discovered a sign leading to an observation deck and became curious about what kind of view I would see, so I climbed up. What I saw there was a landscape filled with mountains, trees, blue skies, and clouds. Since I usually see bustling cityscapes with buildings and many people, encountering a scene where there were no people at all and only nature spread out felt nostalgic, allowing me to experience the beauty of untouched nature. Additionally, before the COVID-19 pandemic, my family used to travel to the mountains every summer, but since then, we haven't had many opportunities to go. The moment I saw this view, memories of summer trips with my family during my childhood flooded back, and I realized that the landscapes of mountains and skies hold a special place in reminding me of our summer family vacations.

This is a view of the flower water basin at Obihiro Shrine in Obihiro City, Hokkaido. On the night of the 14th, LED lights in the water were illuminated, providing visitors with enjoyment as part of the "Evening Flower Water Basin."

Taken on August 27, 2026. This is the Aitai fortune slip from Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine.

Taken on August 27, 2026. These are the matchmaking wind chimes at Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine.

Introducing September Event Information in Nagano City✨ 〈Don't forget to tap the 'save' mark if you want to refer back later!〉 1. Togakushi Soba Festival: Half-Soba Walking Tour This year, 21 soba shops are participating, and by purchasing the half-soba walking ticket book "Soba Goyomi" (2,000 yen including tax), you can enjoy a half serving of zaru soba (approximately three pieces) at three different shops. 【Event Period】September 1 (Tue) – October 4 (Sun) *Excluding September 19 – 25 【Price】Half-soba walking ticket book "Soba Goyomi" includes three tickets for 2,000 yen (including tax) 【How to Purchase】Make a reservation on the official website and pay in cash at the pickup location *Limited to 57 copies per day *For more details, please check the official website. 2. Sanada House Garden Light Up "Gensou" The Sanada House Garden in Matsushiro will be illuminated with enchanting lights! Additionally, there will be a concert by Ecole de Matsushiro Club and special guests! A projection mapping on the storehouse of the Sanada House Garden, which was well received last year, will also take place as a special project. 【Event Dates】September 19 (Sat), September 20 (Sun) 【Time】18:00 – 20:30 (Doors open at 17:30, last entry at 20:00) 【Venue】Matsushiro Sanada House 【Price】General 400 yen, Elementary and Junior High School Students 100 yen *Free for Elementary and Junior High School Students on September 19 (Sat) *For more details, please check the official website. 3. Togakushi and Iizuna Highlands "All-Inclusive Experience! Stamp Rally" Participate in the target experience content to get stamps! Enjoy the refreshing green season in the highlands! 【Event Period】August 1 (Sat) – October 31 (Sat) 【Event Location】Togakushi and Iizuna Area 【How to Participate and Prize Details】 (1) Participate in target experience content (various activities such as camping, E-bike rentals, nature experiences, soba making, etc.). (2) Collect two stamps → Receive an original sticker! (3) Collect three stamps → In addition to receiving a badge set designed with Togakushi Mountain and Iizuna Mountain, you can also enter a lottery for a luxurious prize! 【Stamp Collection Locations】 Togakushi Campground Iizuna Nagano Forest Village Togakushi Tourism Association Iizuna Highlands Tourism Association Nagano City Tourist Information Center, etc. 4. Zenkoji Binzuru Market Held as a handmade market inspired by the beloved disciple of Buddha, "Binzuru-san"! Various food and craft shops gather, creating a market enjoyable for makers, buyers, locals, and tourists alike. 【Event Date】September 12 (Sat) *Regularly held on the second Saturday from April to December 【Time】10:00 – 16:00 【Venue】Around Zenkoji 5. Shinshu Ramen Expo 2026 Famous ramen shops from all over the country gather! Enjoy ramen that is hard to find in Nagano! Take this opportunity to enjoy your favorite ramen! 【Event Dates】 First Act: September 11 (Fri) – September 15 (Tue) *Closed on September 16 (Wed) and September 17 (Thu) for replacements Second Act: September 18 (Fri) – September 23 (Wed, Holiday) 【Time】10:00 – 20:00 *Until 19:00 on September 15 and September 23 【Venue】Nagano Omotesando Central Square 【Price】Free admission, 1 bowl for 1,000 yen (including tax) Tickets will be sold at the venue ticket machine *Cash only *For more details, please check the official website. *"Miso Kin" is fully reservation-based online. 6. Nagano Craft Beer & Food Festival 2026 This year, it will be held at "Nagano Omotesando Central Square"! Eighteen breweries from Nagano Prefecture will participate, including three breweries from Nagano City. It's an event for a wide range of people to enjoy beer and food. 【Event Dates】September 4 (Fri) 15:00 – 20:30 September 5 (Sat) 11:00 – 20:30, September 6 (Sun) 11:00 – 16:00 *Last order is 30 minutes before closing 【Venue】Nagano Omotesando Central Square 7. Night Pool at Sun Marine Nagano Spend a summer night in a fantastical illuminated pool that is different from usual! Photography is allowed in the normally prohibited pool area! Enjoy unlimited rides on the slides♪ You can enjoy it at a great price with all-you-can-drink and light meals included! 【Event Dates】September 5 (Sat) 21:30 – 23:30 【Price】 Advance ticket 3,500 yen Same-day ticket 4,000 yen *Includes all-you-can-drink and light meals *No entry for those under 20 years old *For more details, please check the official website or account #Event Information #Light Up #Gourmet Events #Nagano City #Nagano Tourism

Shomyo Falls, the tallest waterfall in Japan at 350 meters, flows with melted snow from the Tateyama Mountain Range even in August. This deep valley allows you to experience the refreshing coolness of summer through your senses—skin, ears, and eyes.

Taken on August 27, 2014. I visited Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine. These are the matchmaking wind chimes. I prayed for good luck on my exam. 🙏

At CAFE ANDON, the limited-time Chinese morning featuring five-grain rice balls is recommended with Taiwanese oolong tea until Saturday, the 29th.

On August 23, 2026, the 33rd Sugaoi Stone Buddha Fire Festival was held in Mie Town, Bungoono City, Oita Prefecture. During the festival's signature event, the "Chicken Crowing Contest," participants donned creative costumes and showcased their unique crowing sounds. The venue was filled with warm smiles and applause throughout the event. Additionally, the stage featured powerful performances of traditional Japanese taiko drums by the "Toyokai" and dances from "Okubata Kagura," captivating the audience with a series of impressive acts. In the latter half of the festival, the "Torch Throwing" event took place, where lit torches were thrown at a pillar approximately 3 meters high, with many children eagerly participating. ■■Access to the center of Bungoono City from Fukuoka Prefecture and Kumamoto Prefecture■■■ About 3 hours by car from JR Hakata Station, Fukuoka Prefecture About 2 hours by car from JR Kumamoto Station, Kumamoto Prefecture About 1 hour and 20 minutes by car from JR Beppu Station, Oita Prefecture About 1 hour and 20 minutes by car from JR Yufuin Station, Oita Prefecture ■■■■■■■■■■■■ Introducing recommended sightseeing spots in Bungoono City, Oita Prefecture, Kyushu ■■■■■■■■■■■■

This is a Chinese morning set featuring Gomoku Okowa rice balls from CAFE ANDON. It is available exclusively until Saturday, the 29th, from 8:00 to 10:00. The set includes Gomoku Okowa, chicken soup, lightly pickled celery, Kyoto-style pickled daikon, boiled eggs topped with chili oil, and lemongrass jelly. It was a great success. 😊

The "Goldfish Lantern" lights up on Shirakabe Street in Yanai. This summer, the goldfish that gently illuminated the old street corners during the "Goldfish Lantern Festival" will soon be taking a break. They look a little lonely. Thank you for this summer. See you again next year. Location: Yanai City, Yamaguchi Prefecture

Photographed on August 6, 2014. These are the matchmaking wind chimes from Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine and Hikawa Kaikan.