We will hold the “Enichibai Plum Viewing Event” at Hontō-ji Temple in Nobeoka City. This springtime event lets you enjoy authentic matcha while admiring a magnificent 240-year-old weeping white plum tree along with other white and red plum blossoms. Wrapped in the gentle scent of plum blossoms, why not take a moment to relax and soothe your heart? ⁡ 𓂃𓂃𓂃𓂃𓂃𓂃𓂃𓂃𓂃𓂃𓂃𓂃𓂃𓂃𓂃𓂃𓂃𓂃 📅 Tuesday, February 10 and Wednesday (holiday), February 11, 2026 🕙 10:00–16:00 📍 Hontō-ji Temple (1133 Matsuyama-cho, Nobeoka City) 💰 Free admission 🍵 Outdoor tea service (matcha) one bowl 500 yen (with sweets) 🗺️ Historic site guide: free ⁡ 𓂃𓂃𓂃𓂃𓂃𓂃𓂃𓂃𓂃𓂃𓂃𓂃𓂃𓂃𓂃𓂃𓂃𓂃 Follow the official Nobeoka Flower Story account @nobeokahanamonogatari for bloom updates and the latest event information during the festival. We’d be happy if you follow and check for updates.☑ For inquiries about the Enichibai Plum Viewing Event: Nobeoka Flower Story Executive Committee (0982-29-2155) https://nobeokahanamonogatari.net/home2026/kanbaikai_2026/...

Good morning! The blooms are advancing! What will this week's cold snap do?! Tsukigase Plum Valley Plum Festival February 14, 2026–March 29, 2026

The time has finally come!! Tsukigase’s major event that draws about 200,000 visitors over roughly three weeks!! The Tsukigase Plum Grove Plum Festival!! Tsukigase Plum Grove was designated as Japan’s first nationally recognized Place of Scenic Beauty!! We look forward to welcoming many visitors again this year!!

New Year Greetings Happy New Year. We sincerely thank you for your warm support and cooperation in promoting the charms of Tsukigase over the past year. Tsukigase, which has grown alongside its plum trees, reveals a new face with each season and has nurtured itself as a countryside that quietly soothes the hearts of its visitors. This year as well, we hope it remains a place where nature and people live side by side and calm exchanges flourish. The annual Tsukigase Baikei Plum Festival, which heralds the arrival of spring, will be held again this year. Some 13,000 plum trees paint the mountainside, and with river mist rising in the valleys, a scene like a page from a picture scroll unfolds. During the festival, you can stroll the walking trails and enjoy locally made specialties for sale, savoring peaceful moments close to nature. The gentle scent of plum blossoms swaying in the breeze will quietly restore energy to bodies and minds that have passed through a long winter. This year, the Tsukigase Tourism Association will continue to cherish warm connections with visitors while protecting the region’s attractions. We ask for your continued support, and we sincerely pray that the coming year will be peaceful and fruitful for everyone. With that, we offer our New Year greetings. Chairman: Toshiaki Nishioka Photo credit: Kuraya eto Shuji

Good morning ☀ #This morning in Tsukigase #Satoyama landscape #A village of flowers, greenery, and water #Autumn #I want to connect with people who love photography #Nara Prefecture #Nara City #Nara sightseeing

Good morning ☀ #Tsukigase this morning #Satoyama landscape #A village of flowers, greenery, and water #Autumn #Looking to connect with fellow photography lovers #Nara Prefecture #Nara City #Nara tourism

Good morning ☀ #This morning in Tsukigase #Satoyama landscape #A village of flowers, greenery, and water #Autumn #I want to connect with people who like photography #Nara Prefecture #Nara City #Nara tourism

“Kogane no Ume” is one of Minami-Echizen Town’s specialties. Because “Kogane no Ume” ripens later than other plums, it takes about one more month before it is ready to harvest. The green fruit turns yellow and fills the air with a sweet, fruity scent that makes you want to take a deep breath. They are sold at the Roadside Station Minami Echizen Sankairi during the harvest season.

Pigeon Home Products, a maker and seller of skincare items, teamed up with Atami City to develop a hand cream blended with Atami hot spring water called YUKUMI. This new souvenir uses Atami’s hot springs and adds a fresh option to local gift choices. The product name comes from “yukumi dochu,” the historic practice in which the Tokugawa family had hot spring water transported from Atami to Edo Castle. Local designers contributed to a package inspired by retro bathhouse tiles. The cream keeps fingertips moist and silky. It features a plum scent inspired by Atami Plum Garden, offering a subtly sweet, refreshing aroma that helps create a relaxing effect. The product was developed to soothe both hands and the spirit. When you visit Atami, please consider buying one for yourself or as a gift for someone special! Atami Hot Spring Water Hand Cream “YUKUMI” On sale from: October 1, 2025 Price: 1,000 yen for a 50 g tube (tax included) Manufacturer and distributor: Pigeon Home Products Co., Ltd. ● Retailers as of October 1: ・Marutaka Specialty Shop (Heiwa-dori Shopping Street, in front of atami station) ・Sugiyama Specialty Shop (Heiwa-dori Shopping Street, in front of atami station) ・Marufuku Specialty Shop (Heiwa-dori Shopping Street, in front of atami station) ・Marufuku Takahashi Specialty Shop (Nakamise Shopping Street, in front of atami station) ・Atami City Tourism Association (Shinsui Park, Nagisa-cho, Atami)

Photographed 8/25/25. This is CAFE ANDON's morning. It is a set of pot-au-feu and campagne.

Photographed 8/25/25. This is CAFE ANDON's homemade Ume Plum Soda.

Hello to everyone watching Cool Japan Videos! We are the Minamiechizen Town Tourism Federation. Minamiechizen Town in Nanjo District, Fukui Prefecture, sits almost at the geographic center of Fukui Prefecture. The town blends sea, mountains, and countryside, and its history and culture are still alive. Formed in 2005 by the merger of the former Nanjo Town, Imajo Town, and Kono Village, the area preserves many distinctive local charms. Along the coast you can enjoy sweeping views of the Sea of Japan, while inland the satoyama landscape unfolds with mountains and clear streams. Minamiechizen Town is also known for preserving a picture of traditional Japan, where seasonal nature and everyday life live in harmony. In the peaceful rice fields visitors can try agricultural experiences such as rice planting and harvesting, which are popular with many tourists. Access to Minamiechizen Town, Fukui Prefecture By car it takes about five minutes from the Hokuriku Expressway’s Nanjo Smart Interchange, making access from the highway extremely convenient. You can also use the JR Hokuriku Main Line at Imajo Station and Nanjou Station, making rail travel from the Kansai and Chukyo regions comfortable. From Nagoya or Osaka it takes about two to three hours by car or train, so a day trip is ideal. At Roadside Station Minamiechizen Sankairi you can rent electric bicycles, making a relaxed cycling tour of Minamiechizen Town a popular option. About Minamiechizen Town, Fukui Prefecture Minamiechizen Town belongs to Nanjo District, Fukui Prefecture. Its area is about 344 square kilometers and its population is around 9,000 (as of May 2025), offering rich nature and a tranquil lifestyle. Stretching north to south, the town ranges from coastal settlements to mountain farming villages, each with distinct cultures and customs. Local residents actively engage in tourism, agriculture, and crafts, drawing attention from many visitors. Historical background of Minamiechizen Town, Fukui Prefecture From ancient through medieval and early modern times, Minamiechizen Town developed as an important hub for transportation and logistics. The Imajo area prospered as a post town on the Hokkokukaido during the Edo period, welcoming many travelers and merchants. Stone-paved streets and latticed houses remain, recalling the bustle of those days. The Kono area flourished as a port for Kitamae ships plying the Sea of Japan, and buildings that reflect the wealthy merchants’ lifestyles still stand. These historical assets are preserved today as the town’s cultural properties. Popular sightseeing spots in Minamiechizen Town, Fukui Prefecture Hanahasu Park In summer about 130 varieties of lotus bloom, creating a serene and elegant scene. The park features walking paths, an observation deck, and rest areas, and the annual Hasu Festival draws many visitors. You can also enjoy lotus-themed gourmet items and local specialties. Imajo-shuku Post Town This post town preserves the atmosphere of the Edo period. Stone-paved streets and white-walled houses evoke history and offer a peaceful ambiance. Designated as an Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings, it has high cultural value. Hands-on experiences like soba noodle making and guided town walks are available. Nearby you will find museums, cafés, and accommodations in renovated traditional houses where you can enjoy a refined stay soaked in history. Kitamae Ship Owner's House Ukonke The Ukonke residence, once home to a wealthy Kitamae ship merchant in the Edo period, is open to the public. Inside, exhibits recreate merchant life and present materials about historic trade routes, creating a must-see space for history enthusiasts. Yashaga-ike This mountain lake carries a mysterious legend and sits at the end of a nature-rich trekking route. Located at about 1,100 meters elevation, the lake is clear and the trail is designed so even beginner hikers can enjoy it. Fresh spring greenery and autumn foliage are beautiful, offering different scenery each season. The trail is well maintained, and lookout spots along the way offer panoramic views of Echizen’s mountain ranges. Roadside station in Minamiechizen Town Roadside Station Minamiechizen Sankairi represents the town and is a large complex combining a tourist information center, local product shops, restaurants, and rest areas. Conveniently accessible from both the expressway and local roads, the station includes an indoor kids’ area, a dog run, and EV charging stations, and is popular with many visitors. Fresh vegetables and fruits from local farms and Minamiechizen-specific souvenirs are also on sale. Local specialties and gourmet foods of Minamiechizen Town Imajo Soba (oroshi soba) A classic Fukui specialty. Served with grated daikon and broth, its light, refreshing flavor is perfect for hot seasons. Beni-sashi Ume A specialty plum grown in the Kono area, it balances sweet and tart flavors and is popular as umeboshi or plum wine and other processed products. Harvest experiences and plum-based cooking classes are held, and these activities are valued as food education. Events and festivals in Minamiechizen Town Kono Ume Festival Held every June, this local festival celebrates the plum harvest. You can enjoy plum-picking experiences and purchases of local processed goods, and food trucks also set up, creating a family-friendly atmosphere. Imajo Soba Festival A celebration of soba where soba shops from inside and outside the town serve their dishes so visitors can compare Imajo Soba’s variety of flavors. Soba-making demonstrations and workshops introduce and promote the town’s food culture. Kono Summer Festival Typically held in late July at Korakujo Beach, this festival is a summer highlight for Minamiechizen Town. The finale lights up the night sky and sea with around 5,600 fireworks, drawing many visitors. Stalls and festival games line the area, making it a perfect event for summer memories. Tourist information for Minamiechizen Town, Fukui Prefecture Minamiechizen Town charms visitors with its historic streets and abundant nature. We will continue to share plenty of information that brings the town’s seasonal landscapes, rooted food culture, and warm local hospitality to life, so you can carry Minamiechizen Town with you into tomorrow! Thank you very much!!

Hagi City, Yamaguchi Prefecture welcomes you all year round with Four Seasons of Flowers! Here are some of the beautiful Flowers you can enjoy in Hagi City. spring Spring when the whole town is gorgeous. When the cherry blossoms bloom, you will feel a warm feeling, as if you are surrounded by happiness. Feel the turn of the seasons and let the gentle Spring breeze blow. ■ Cherry blossoms [Flowering time: late March ~ early April] Hagi Castle Ruins Shizuki Park is known as a famous landmarks for cherry blossoms, and you can Fun about 600 Someiyoshino trees and Midori Yoshino that can only be seen in Hagi. (Midori Yoshino: A cherry blossom characterized by pure white petals and green gaku) ■ Rape flower 【Late March ~ Late April】 It takes about 30 minutes by car from Hagi Downtown. The Mutsumi Flower Road covers an area of about 4.0 hectares and Unfolds a field of about 6 million colorful rape trees. ■ Summer oranges flowers [Flowering time: early ~ mid-May] When small white flowers bloom, the whole town is enveloped in a sweet~ and refreshing Aroma. (Aroma of this sweet cannot be conveyed in words or pictures!) Please visit and feel it! ） Summer oranges turn yellow from autumn to winter, but they grow on trees until Spring to remove the acidity. Scenes of fruits and flowers lined up at the same time is a pretty sight. summer Spring passes in the blink of an eye, and a long, hot summer begins. The way the greenery shines vividly under the blue sky makes you feel the breath of life. The heat will be severe, so please take care of your physical condition. ■ Hydrangea [Flowering time: mid ~ end of June] At the foot of the largest stone bridge in the prefecture, about 150 colorful hydrangeas bloom. This hydrangea may refer to: Local volunteers maintain and manage it, and it has become a tradition during the rainy season. ■ Sunflower [Flowering time: late July ~ early August] On the Mutsumi Flower Road, about 330,000 sunflowers bloom in summer. The contrast between the blue sky and the yellow sunflowers is a symbol of summer! autumn The town of Hagi has been changed to autumn colors. It is also recommended to walk around the town in a kimono. Enjoy the deepening beauty of autumn. ■ Hagi flower 【Mid-August ~ Late September】 The place name of Hagi is said to have originated from the fact that there was a mountain with many hagi growing nearby, and it is designated as the flower of Hagi City along with camellias. There are the Pottery Village Park, which overlooks the downtown of Hagi, is the longest tunnel in No.1 in Japan at 50 meters. ■ Sasanqua [Flowering time: around mid-October ~ late December] In Shizuki Park, snow-white flowers bloom on large native sasanqua trees. Mt. Shizuki is the only northern limit of sasanqua in Honshu where sasanqua grows naturally. winter In the cold winter, it is easy to stay at home. The sight of flowers that bloom dignified even under such a cold sky is ands healthy and beautiful, and it touches my heart. Please dress warmly and go out! ■ Camellia [Flowering time: early December ~ late March] About 25,000 Camellia japonica trees grow wild in the Kasayama Camellia Grove. The camellias, which are so tall that they block the sun, create a mysterious atmosphere that makes you feel as if you have wandered into another world, and the sight of the "fallen camellias" that have fallen from the trees and color the ground red is a superb view. Camellia is designated as the flower of Hagi City. ■ Ume Plum 【Flowering time: early February ~ mid-March】 Hagi Plum Grove Garden opened about 30 years ago to commemorate the 160th anniversary of Yoshida Shoin's birth. About 350 Ume plums of 13 types, including red Ume plums and white Ume plums, are planted in the park, and colorful flowers herald the arrival of spring. ■Kawazu cherry blossoms [Flowering time: late February ~ early March] Roadside Station In the Shinsui Park Soba of the Car parking lot in Hagishimato, about 120 Kawazu cherry blossoms trees bloom with pretty dark pink flowers. Fun is also attractive because the trees are not very high, so you can enjoy it at eye level. Please come and meet the seasonal flowers that color the town of Hagi!

Ume Juice and Umeboshi Making On a crisp summer day today (June 19), the red, white, and pink azaleas welcomed us cheerfully at Kuraokakurara. The eldest children from Kuraoka Nursery School and first graders from Kuraoka Elementary gathered to make ume juice and umeboshi.🤗 The children had harvested plenty of fresh ume at the Kuraoka district orchard the day before.😳💕 Under the guidance of the neighborhood’s “ume expert,” who lives in the Kuraoka area, everyone packed the prepared ume into jars. They will take the jars back to school, turn them over every day, and let them develop until the juices rise.💪 When the red shiso season arrives, they will move on to the next step.💡 It sounds delightful.🥰 It seems the children, now junior ume experts, also took some ume home, so they will likely enjoy processing them at home while passing on what they learned to their families.🤩✨

It is a hidden gem Spot that can be reached from the service area right next to the Ume Plum Akashi service area There is a Ishigaya Park, Akashi City, Hyogo Prefecture.

It is a hidden gem Spot that can be reached from the service area right next to the Ume Plum Akashi service area There is a Ishigaya Park, Akashi City, Hyogo Prefecture.

Cherry blossom viewing at night It is such a piece that you can enjoy the beauty of artificial and Nature at the same time

Spring, which I met while taking a walk, may change the color of the world with one way of looking at it.

Good morning ☀ #This morning at Tsukigase #Satoyama landscape #Tsukigase Plum Valley #Nara #Nara sightseeing #Reiwa 7 Tsukigase Plum Valley Plum Festival 2025/2/9–3/30 Tsukigase Plum Valley Plum Festival! The trees are in full bloom! Weekdays are relatively peaceful and calm! Please come and visit♪ Photo: Yasunori Okamoto

The curtain of drooping Ume plums was in Best time to visit 😊 This is located in Mie Prefecture 　　　　　　It is "Suzuka Forest Garden". Every year from late February to early March, the best time to visit is reached, and the drooping Ume plums bloom like curtains. Since it is crowded with many people, it is recommended 🤤 to Light up early in the morning or at night

Ume Plum Ishigaya Park, Akashi City, Hyogo Prefecture This is a Ume Plum park where you can park your car in the parking lot of the Daini Shinmei Road Akashi service area, and since it is a highway, it is a recommended Spot in a place where it is easy for people from far away to stop by.

Plum blossoms illuminated by street lamps, unlike in the daytime, attract the eye with a suspicious atmosphere

Plum Blossom Update – Asakura Fumio Memorial Museum as of March 10 The Asakura Fumio Memorial Museum, located in Asaji Town, Bungo Ono City, Oita Prefecture, Kyushu, sits within a park where many plum trees are planted. Overall, the blossoms have progressed and are now at their best viewing stage. They are blooming beautifully, so this week should be a great time to visit. Location: Asakura Fumio Memorial Museum (1587-11 Ikeda, Asaji Town, Bungo Ono City) Parking: Available (free) Opening hours: 10:00–17:00 Closed: Mondays (the following day if Monday is a public holiday) The Asakura Fumio Memorial Museum will be temporarily closed from March 17 to March 28, 2025, but the park remains open for walking. ■■■ Access to central Bungo Ono City ■■■ From JR Hakata Station, Fukuoka Prefecture: about a 3-hour drive From JR Kumamoto Station, Kumamoto Prefecture: about a 2-hour drive From JR Beppu Station, Oita Prefecture: about a 1 hour 20 minute drive From JR Yufuin Station, Oita Prefecture: about a 1 hour 20 minute drive ■■■■■■■■■■■■ Introducing sightseeing and recommended spots in Bungo Ono City, Oita Prefecture, Kyushu ■■■■■■■■■■■■ https://sato-no-tabi.jp/news/20250312asakurahumiokinenkan/...

Photographed on March 8, 25. It is a weeping Ume plum from Naritayama Kawagoe Betsuin. It is in full bloom. 🌸

Photographed on March 8, 25. It is the red Ume Plum of the Middle Hospital.

Tsukigase Plum Valley Ume Festival is now underway! Until March 23! The plum blossoms are beautiful with their buds together♪ They will be in full bloom from today through the final day! We look forward to welcoming many visitors!

Plum Bloom Report — Asakura Fumio Memorial Museum as of March 6 The Asakura Fumio Memorial Museum in Asaji Town, Bungo Ono City, Oita Prefecture, Kyushu Many plum trees are planted throughout the park. Overall, the blossoms are progressing and looking beautiful. We will report on the blooming status as it develops. Location: Asakura Fumio Memorial Museum (1587-11 Ikeda, Asaji Town, Bungo Ono City) Parking: Available (free) Opening hours: 10:00–17:00 Closed: Mondays (if a public holiday falls on Monday, closed the following day) The museum will be temporarily closed from March 17 to March 28, 2025, but the park’s plum trees will still be viewable. ■■■ Access to central Bungo Ono City ■■■ About a 3-hour drive from JR Hakata Station, Fukuoka Prefecture About a 2-hour drive from JR Kumamoto Station, Kumamoto Prefecture About a 1 hour 20 minute drive from JR Beppu Station, Oita Prefecture About a 1 hour 20 minute drive from JR Yufuin Station, Oita Prefecture ■■■■■■■■■■■■ Introducing sightseeing and recommended spots in Bungo Ono City, Oita Prefecture, Kyushu ■■■■■■■■■■■■ https://sato-no-tabi.jp/news/20250306asakurahumio/...

🌸 Plum and Cherry Blossom Viewing Information at Arayama (Kouzen) Park 🌸 Arayama Park, spanning approximately 170,000 square meters, offers prime plum and cherry blossom viewing from February through April.✨ This year the plum blossoms appear to be blooming slightly later than usual, but the flowering status is being updated on Sakai City’s official website, so please check before you visit.👀 🌺 Plums (about 50 varieties, approximately 1,100 red and white plum trees) 🌸 Cherry blossoms 🚗 From February 7 to April 6, all parking lots in the park will be paid. We ask that visitors use public transportation when coming to the park. 📞 Inquiry: Izumigaoka Park Office 072-291-1800

Photographed 3/1/25. It is a weeping Ume plum from Naritayama Kawagoe Betsuin. It's stunning. 🌸

Special Exhibition "Kamakura, Enoshima, Ooyama Walking the New Board Journey Sugoroku ~From the Early Modern Period to the Present~" Opens in 2025 This exhibit displays a travel sugoroku board (sugoroku) drawn as a roadside ukiyo-e game by Katsushika Hokusai in the late Edo period. Starting at Nihonbashi, the popular destinations of Kamakura, Enoshima, and Ooyama take center stage as the route circles through Shibuya for a roughly 40 ri 11 cho (about 157 km) journey over six nights and seven days. Each scene is explained in detail. Dates and Times: Sundays only from March 2 (Sun) to April 27 (Sun) 10:00–15:00 Free admission Venue: Ugaku Bunko Archive (on the grounds of the Yamaguchi family residence) 862-1 Kamikasuya, Isehara City Also running concurrently through this weekend for your enjoyment♬ *Plum Garden Open Free* Almost in full bloom✨ It's beautiful! Period: Through March 9 (Sun) *Hina doll display: final day only, March 9 (Sun) (10:00–15:00) (Adults ¥300, includes admission to the nationally registered Tangible Cultural Property Yamaguchi family residence)