Photographed on January 13, 2014. Kawagoe Kumano Shrine presents a New Year–style koi temizu (love hand-washing basin).

Photographed on February 7, 2014. This is the hanachōzu (flower water basin) at Kawagoe Hachimangu Shrine.

Photographed on February 7, 2014. This is the hanachozu (flower-filled ritual water basin) at Kawagoe Hachimangu Shrine.

Itami Sky Park 7-1-1 Morimoto, Itami Itami Sky Park is a vast park adjacent to Osaka International Airport (Itami Airport). It is known for offering close-up views of aircraft taking off and landing, and there are many ways to enjoy it both day and night. Itami Sky Park lets you watch aircraft take off and land up close, but there are several important precautions. 🚫 Prohibited Activities The following actions are prohibited, so please be aware. Ball games, frisbee, badminton, and similar activities: because they may interfere with aircraft operations. Erecting tents, tarps, or similar shelters: because they may interfere with aircraft operations. Bringing or riding motorbikes, bicycles, unicycles, etc.: please use the bicycle parking area. Bringing or using balance bikes (Strider), kickboards, J-boards. Fireworks. Flying kites: because they may interfere with aircraft takeoff and landing. Leaving trash behind: take your trash home with you. There are no trash bins in the park. Smoking: the entire park is non-smoking (including electronic cigarettes). Bringing pets: prohibited on lawns, in planting beds, and around fountains and water features.

Recruiting the 32nd Tokachi Blue Sky Lady ☀️ There is one week left until the Tokachi Blue Sky Lady application deadline!! We are seeking Tokachi PR ladies called Tokachi Blue Sky Ladies to promote Tokachi’s tourism and local products through events within Tokachi, product fairs inside and outside Hokkaido, media appearances, and more! Would you like to brighten Tokachi’s tourism with your cheerful smile? If you’re interested, please feel free to apply 🤗 We look forward to your applications!! 📌 Eligibility 📍Women aged 20 or older living in Tokachi who are physically and mentally healthy, agree to all the provisions and guidelines of the Tokachi Blue Sky Lady program, and can participate in tourism events and product fairs both inside and outside the region (married or single) 📍Holders of a valid ordinary driver’s license who have obtained approval from their workplace and family for Lady activities 📌 How to apply Please attach a photo to your resume, write your motivation for applying, and provide information verifying that you meet the eligibility criteria, then mail or deliver it to the Tokachi Tourism Federation Office by Friday, February 20. https://tokachibare.jp/20506/...

A long-tailed rosefinch nibbling on seeds. This charming wild bird is slightly smaller than a sparrow and is notable for the reddish coloring on its head. The bird in the photo is male, since both its head and chest are red. (Females have a white chest and only a red head.) (Image provided by Roadside Station Utonai Lake)

Photographed on February 7, 2014. This is the hanachōzu (flower basin) at Kawagoe Hachimangu Shrine. 🌸

Photographed on February 11, 2014. This is the hanachozu (flower basin) at Kawagoe Hachimangu Shrine’s omikuji distribution counter.

Event Announcement📣 On Sunday, February 15, 2026, Makubetsu’s Churui will host the 43rd Nauman All-Hokkaido Sled Competition 😊 Alongside the general division—where participants race on homemade cardboard sleds and are judged on sled craftsmanship and finish time—there will be an elementary school speed division and a parent-and-child speed division 🎵 Other activities include a “Treasure Hunt” inspired by the buried-gold legend of Churui Maruyama and a photo-movie contest for sharing fun memories from the sled competition ✨ 📍Date and Time: Sunday, February 15, 2026 📍Venue: Churui Hakugindai Ski Area 📞Contact: Tournament Office 01558-8-2111 http://www.makubetsu.jp/kankobussankyokai/?p=8682...

The fisherman fell in love with one of the world’s three greatest sunsets. Enjoy a landscape that changes with the seasons at Kushiro Prince Hotel. Unwind and savor moments that melt your heart, again and again. Reservations are available from the profile URL. https://www.instagram.com/kushiroprincehotel/...

Photographed on February 11, 2014. After the Kigen Festival at Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine, I relaxed at the Starbucks Kanetsuki‑dōri Store. I had a chocolate mousse latte and a chocolate babka. It was very cold yesterday. 🥶

Every February I go to Kushiro to see red-crowned cranes and the SL Winter Shitsugen train. The courtship dance of the red-crowned cranes, especially visible at the feeding grounds in Kushiro Shitsugen, reaches its peak in February. In the harsh winter snowfields I was able to see the males and females leap and spread their wings in a courtship dance that truly looks like dancing once again this year.

Today I attended the Kigen-sai at Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine. Kigen-sai is a festival that celebrates the accession of Emperor Jimmu, considered Japan’s first emperor, in 660 BC.

Event Announcement📣 On Saturday, February 14th, Roadside Station Ashoro Galaxy Hall 21 hosts "Wood Candle Night 2026" 😊 The day features wood education workshops such as ogacolor and deer-hide leather craft, plus a wooden toy corner where visitors can touch, play with, and make wooden items 🎵 You can also enjoy a food area, chocolate fondue with toasted marshmallows and strawberries, a collaboration café by Coffee Zamaya and an antique shop, and a mini concert by the duo Liricamente 😍 On this sacred night—Valentine’s Day—come to Roadside Station Ashoro Galaxy Hall lit by ice candles and illuminations 🤗 ❤️ At the Youth Section booth of the Town Employees’ Labor Union, donors will receive a complimentary cocoa. https://www.town.ashoro.hokkaido.jp/kanko/news/2026/wood2026.html...

The Nobeoka Toka Ebisu Festival takes place on February 10th and 11th!! Held each year on February 10th and 11th, the Nobeoka Toka Ebisu welcomes many worshippers from Miyazaki Prefecture and beyond. On the first day, visitors came to pray for business prosperity and the fulfillment of various wishes under pleasantly mild weather with no chill 😊 Tomorrow features a lucky rice cake toss and a Nobeoka kagura dedication, so bring friends and family and join us for worship!! ⁡ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 🗓️Date and time: Tuesday, February 10th and Wednesday, February 11th (national holiday) 📍Address: 3875 Yamashitamachi 1-chome, Nobeoka City, Miyazaki Prefecture (Imayama Ebisu Shrine) 📞Contact: 0982-21-4525

Photographed on January 23, 2014. Omiya Hikawa Shrine, an ema (votive plaque) for the Year of the Horse. 🐎 I enjoyed the winter break to the fullest. 😊

Photographed on January 23, 2014. I moved from Kanda Myōjin Shrine to Taiwan Tea House e‑one in Omiya. The Friday lunch menu is the Taiwan Railway pork cutlet bento. Paigu refers to a pork cutlet, and bok choy 🥬 sits atop the rice. The meal includes a salad, soup, and Tieguanyin tea.

Photographed on January 23, 2014. This is a lucky beckoning cat talisman from Kanda Myōjin Shrine. 🐈

Scenes from the 42nd Winter Balloon Meeting held in Kamishihoro Town, Hokkaido. A blue sky and a pure white snowfield Colorful hot air balloons rising into the air.

Event Announcement 📣 From February 11 to February 14, 2026, Nakasatsunaimura will host “Snow Art Village Nakasatsunai 2026” for four days 😊 You can view the expansive snow art that local snow artist and AOILO Inc. representative Tomohiro Kajiyama creates on the snowy plain from a special 8-meter-high yagura viewing platform 🎵 Please enjoy this snow-made art that you can only see in the art village of Nakasatsunai 🤗 📍Dates: Wednesday, February 11, 2026 ▶ Saturday, February 14, 2026, 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM *Canceled in severe weather; event dates may change depending on snowfall conditions 📍Venue: Nakasatsunai Cultural Creation Center and surrounding special event sites 🔶 Indoor Event Venue (Nakasatsunai Cultural Creation Center) 📍 Snow Art Video Screening We will screen past snow art works and footage of the making process. 📍 Snow Art Panel Exhibition (Entrance) A collection of past works shot by drone will be on display 🎶 Explore the history of Snow Art Village Nakasatsunai! https://kankou-nakasatsunai.com/event-list/page-3619/...

Photographed on January 23, 2014. This is the Shishiyama at Kanda Myōjin Shrine.

Azumino’s breathtaking viewpoint – Mount Nagamine summit From here you can enjoy views of the Northern Alps♪ I gazed out over Azumino, dyed entirely in white!!

February 8th Snowy landscape at Daio Wasabi Farm Japan’s largest wasabi field is also wrapped in snow Perhaps because the snow absorbs sound, a quiet world spreads out

February 8th Snowy Scenery in Azumino The snow that fell steadily since last night has turned Azumino into a sea of white.

February 8th Hotaka Station on the JR Oito Line, the gateway to Azumino sightseeing It snowed last night, and Azumino is blanketed in white Visitors should take care with their footing!!

Photographed on January 23, 2014. This is Sukuna Hikona, the enshrined deity of Kanda Myōjin Shrine.

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

We visited the Otaru Snow Festival on a day when the snowfall felt almost unreal, layers upon layers of snow covering everything in sight. The cold was intense, yet the spirit of the people was even stronger—unshaken, cheerful, and welcoming. Despite the heavy snow, they warmly invited us to become part of the festival, as if we belonged there all along. Though the air was biting, the kindness and smiles around us filled the atmosphere with joy. As evening fell, the sight of countless candles glowing softly along the canal was nothing short of magical—the gentle light reflecting on the snow and water turned Otaru into a living winter dream.

Photographed on January 23, 2014. I visited Kanda Myōjin Shrine during the winter holidays. Akari Jinba looked sleepy. 🐴