A Slightly Snowy Gujo Hachiman Castle Date: December 2025 Location: Gujo City, Gifu Prefecture * Flight application for Gujo Hachiman approved * Comprehensive unmanned aircraft flight permit obtained from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism * Flight plan submitted and flight log prepared

Shimanto City, Kochi Prefecture — Little Kyoto of Tosa What is the Little Kyoto of Tosa? About 550 years ago, amid the Onin War, Lord Norifusa Ichijo, the former kampaku, relocated to Nakamura (now Shimanto City) and established his residence there. In homage to Kyoto, he laid the foundations for shrine and temple construction and the development of the town. ※kampaku: the highest court noble post assisting the emperor Lord Ichijo’s move brought many Kyoto cultural elements to the area and fostered local pride. Even today, place names and shrines recalling Kyoto—such as Gion, Kyomachi, Kamogawa, and Higashiyama—remain. Because the community has long preserved ties with Kyoto, the Nakamura district of Shimanto City is known as the Little Kyoto of Tosa. The town, however, sits in a region prone to natural disasters. Flooding of the Shimanto River, fires, and earthquakes have erased most old buildings, yet the grid-like street pattern formed from the medieval to early modern periods still survives. History of the Tosa Ichijo Family The Tosa Ichijo family began when Lord Norifusa Ichijo moved in 1468 (Onin 2) to Hata no shō in western Kochi Prefecture (present-day Shimanto City), his hereditary estate. The lord directly managed the manor, controlled logistics along the Shimanto River basin, and laid the groundwork for the town to prosper as a trading hub linking Kyushu and Kansai. Norifusa’s son Fusaie remained as a local lord instead of returning to Kyoto, expanding Hata no shō and bringing the Tosa Ichijo clan to its peak. The Tosa Ichijo governed this land as court nobles-turned-daimyo for 106 years—through Fusafuyu, Fusaki, and Kanesada—until they were driven into Bungo by Motochika Chōsokabe in 1574 (Tensho 2). Historic sites that evoke the Ichijo family Tama-hime’s grave Tamahime, a daughter of Prince Fushimi-no-miya Kunitaka and the wife of Ichijo Fusafuyu, came to Nakamura in 1521 (Dai-ei 1) when she married. Because she arrived on June 22 and died on August 22, the 22nd of every month is still affectionately observed by locals as Tamahime Day. Fuwa Hachimangu Shrine During the Bunmei era (1469–1487), the Ichijo family invited the kami from Iwashimizu Hachimangu Shrine in Kyoto to serve as the protective shrine for Hata. The honden preserves Muromachi-period architectural style and is the oldest shrine building in Kochi Prefecture, designated as an Important Cultural Property of Japan. Ichijo Shrine Established in 1862 (Bunkyū 2) on a plot of the former Nakamura Gosho Site by local volunteers honoring the Tosa Ichijo legacy, the shrine precinct contains Ichijo-related historic features such as the makeup well and the “never-blooming” wisteria. Shimanto City Museum "Shirotto" This castle-shaped museum stands within the Nakamura Castle Ruins. From its keep-like building you can look out over the Shimanto River and Higashiyama and enjoy sweeping views of the town. The museum exhibits valuable materials on Shimanto’s nature and culture, as well as the history of the Tosa Ichijo, the Nakamura Yamauchi family, late-Edo period patriots, and Shimanto-born socialist Kotoku Shusui. Festivals and events that evoke Little Kyoto Seasonal events that recall Kyoto culture are held here, including the Tosa Ichijo Kuge Gyoretsu Fuji Matsuri (May), the Daimonji Okuribi bonfire (lunar calendar July 16), the Fuwa Hachimangu Grand Festival (September), and the Ichijo Grand Festival with the Sacred Fire Procession (November). Shimanto City carries a deep historical bond with Kyoto and a living tradition of inherited culture and performing arts. It is for these reasons, and its historical name Nakamura, that the area came to be called Little Kyoto of Tosa—Nakamura. A history linked to Kyoto, a culture passed down through generations. Come and feel the charm that makes Shimanto City known as the Little Kyoto of Tosa.

Happy New Year. I look forward to your continued support this year. This year’s NHK taiga drama, “The Toyotomi Brothers!”, has begun, and it feels like another castle boom is on the horizon. The Wakasa Kuniyoshi Castle History Museum will open its Winter 2025 Special Exhibition, “The Toyotomi Brothers and Mihama – The Truth of the Retreat at Kanagasaki,” from Saturday, January 10. This exhibition highlights the Echizen invasion when the three great leaders Oda Nobunaga, Toyotomi Hideyoshi, and Tokugawa Ieyasu all gathered at Kuniyoshi Castle, and it focuses on “the retreat at Kanagasaki,” which launched Hideyoshi’s rise to prominence. Also, a New Year limited edition of the castle seal is on sale through the end of January. Please take this opportunity to visit the Wakasa Kuniyoshi Castle History Museum. The Toyotomi Brothers and Mihama – The Truth of the Retreat at Kanagasaki Period: Saturday, January 10, 2026 – Sunday, April 19, 2026 Location: Wakasa Kuniyoshi Castle History Museum Opening hours: 10:00 AM–4:30 PM (through March); 9:00 AM–5:00 PM (from April) Closed: Every Monday (the following day if Monday is a public holiday) 25-2 Sagaki, Mihama Town, Mikata-gun, Fukui Prefecture Phone: 0770-32-0050 Admission: Adults 100 yen; Children 50 yen (junior high school age and under) Note: Group discount for 20 or more people

Akizuki Castle Ruins in Asakura City, Fukuoka Prefecture I went to see the autumn leaves at Akizuki Castle Ruins The brilliant red foliage was beautiful. (୨୧❛ᴗ❛)📷💕🍁

[Event Information] In November we will exhibit at events in Karatsu, Saga Prefecture and in Tokyo. On Sunday, November 23, we will take part in “The 5th Nagoya Castle Grand Tea Gathering ✖️ Traveling! Castle EXPO at Hizen Nagoya Castle” in Karatsu, Saga Prefecture, and on Saturday and Sunday, November 22–23, we will join “JOIN Migration, Exchange & Regional Revitalization Fair 2025” in Tokyo with a booth from Reihoku Town and our company. At both events we will sell Reihoku Town specialties. At the Castle EXPO we will also sell the Tomioka Castle goshuin-style castle seal🏯, and at the JOIN migration fair we will offer Reihoku mandarin oranges, now in season🍊. Please come and visit us✨ For more details about each event, search the event names below: “The 5th Nagoya Castle Grand Tea Gathering ✖️ Traveling! Castle EXPO at Hizen Nagoya Castle” “JOIN Migration, Exchange & Regional Revitalization Fair 2025” Amakusa Reihoku Tourism Association (General Incorporated Association) 4535-1 Kamitsufukae, Reihoku, Amakusa-gun, Kumamoto Prefecture 863-2502 TEL: 0969-31-1136 E-mail: info@amakusa-kankou.com

The Wakasa Kuniyoshi Castle History Museum is hosting a Night Museum again this year! From Saturday, November 22 to Sunday, November 30, the museum will be open from 5:30 PM to 8:00 PM with the autumn leaves illuminated. The nighttime view of the illuminated leaves from Kyū-Tanabe Handaifu-ke Zashiki is spectacular. A commemorative castle seal for the event will be sold during the period (300 yen). Please join us. Please note the illumination continues after the Night Museum until December 25, so enjoy an evening stroll. Wakasa Kuniyoshi Castle History Museum Night Museum Period: Saturday, November 22, 2025 – Sunday, November 30, 2025 ※Closed on Monday, November 25 Time: 5:30 PM – 8:00 PM ※Last admission by 7:30 PM Admission: Free The historic site and garden illumination runs until Thursday, December 25. Feel free to explore. Location: Wakasa Kuniyoshi Castle History Museum 25-2 Sagaki, Mihama Town, Mikata-gun, Fukui Prefecture Tel: 0770-32-0050

From Saturday, October 18, the Wakasa Kuniyoshi Castle History Museum presents Castle Collection 2025 – Autumn: Colors of the Castle. Across Japan, surviving tenshu (main keeps) and reconstructed tenshu serve as castle symbols. At castles without a tenshu, yagura (watchtowers) and gates mark their identity. Enjoy various “castle forms” from papercraft and plastic models to figures and confectionery boxes. Castle Collection 2025 – Autumn: Colors of the Castle Exhibition period: Saturday, October 18, 2025 – Thursday, December 26, 2025 Note: November 15 and 16 are Kansai Culture Days, when admission is free. Venue: Learning Room and Entrance Hall, Wakasa Kuniyoshi Castle History Museum Opening hours: 9:00 AM–5:00 PM (through the end of November) 10:00 AM–4:30 PM (December onward) Closed: Every Monday (if a public holiday, closed the following day) 25-2 Sakaki, Mihama Town, Mikata District, Fukui Prefecture Phone: 0770-32-0050 Admission: Adults 100 yen, children 50 yen (junior high school age and younger) Group discount applies for groups of 20 or more.

[Limited to 500 copies] Tomioka Castle “Gojoin” 70th Anniversary Edition Now on Sale! This year marks the 70th anniversary of Reihoku’s municipal status, established on January 1, 1955 (Showa 30). To commemorate the anniversary, a special Tomioka Castle Gojoin 70th Anniversary Edition will be sold in a separate limited release of 500 copies, apart from the regular Gojoin on sale now.🎊 During the Shimabara–Amakusa Uprising, Tomioka Castle served as a government stronghold and withstood two major assaults by the rebel forces led by Amakusa Shirō Tokisada. Through a desperate defense, the castle avoided capture. The Gojoin of the impregnable Tomioka Castle is said to bring the blessing of “not falling.”👀 Please purchase yours at the Reihoku Town History Museum.✨ Price: 500 yen per sheet (set of two: regular edition plus 70th anniversary edition — 700 yen) Number available: First 500 copies (sales end when sold out) Sale starts: Sunday, October 26, 2025 from 10:00 AM — the day of the Castle Festival! Sales location: Reihoku Town History Museum Hours: 9:00 AM–5:00 PM (last admission 4:30 PM) Closed: Every Thursday (if a holiday, closed the following weekday) Phone: 0969-35-0712 Please note: mail-order sales are not available. For inquiries, contact Reihoku Town History Museum (☎0969-35-0712) or Reihoku Town Hall Commerce and Tourism Division (☎0969-35-3332). The same notice is also available on the official Reihoku Town Hall website.

On Monday, November 24 (substitute holiday), we will welcome Chris Glenn, a radio DJ and talent who also serves as a director of the Japan Castle Foundation (Public Interest Incorporated Foundation), to host a guided tour of the Kuniyoshi Castle ruins. Enjoy a different perspective on the Kuniyoshi Castle ruins through the eyes of Chris Glenn. A guided tour of the Kuniyoshi Castle ruins from the viewpoint of a castle-loving radio DJ Date and time: Saturday, November 24, 2025 (substitute holiday) 1:30 PM–3:30 PM Meeting place: Wakasa Kuniyoshi Castle History Museum Fee: Free (advance registration required) (Call or fax between 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM on open days) This event will proceed in light rain. Please wear comfortable clothing and well-broken-in shoes suitable for walking. On the day of the event only, participants may enter the museum free of charge.

Wakasa Kuniyoshi Castle History Museum is holding its "Summer Vacation Workshop" again this year! Why not learn about the history of Kuniyoshi Castle by making a Kuniyoshi Castle papercraft and an original castle red-seal stamp? Summer Vacation Workshop 2025 1. Let’s make a Kuniyoshi Castle papercraft Date and Time: July 27 (Sun), August 3 (Sun), August 10 (Sun), August 11 (Mon, public holiday), August 17 (Sun) Morning sessions from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM Capacity: 3 families/groups per session (children up to junior high must be accompanied by a guardian) Materials Fee: 500 yen (one kit per group) Bring: Scissors, craft knife, cutting mat (if available) 2. Make your own original castle red-seal stamp Date and Time: July 26 (Sat) to August 31 (Sun), 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM Note: Offered every day during the above period except museum closed days Eligibility and Fee: Open to all museum visitors! Materials Fee: 100 yen (one backing sheet) Bring: Nothing (feel free to come empty-handed!) Registration: Accepted anytime Note: Registration accepted until 4:30 PM Common Information for 1 and 2 Location: Wakasa Kuniyoshi Castle History Museum, 25-2 Sakaki, Mihama Town Closed: Every Monday Admission: Adults 100 yen, Children 50 yen (junior high school and younger)※Group discount for 20 or more people Inquiries: Phone 0770-32-0050

The hot days continue, and there are few people for the purpose of walking around the Castle Town ... In the summer, Kitsuki enjoys marine sports, the campsite is crowded, and the Castle Town is a little Vacation. Meanwhile, I was also and curious about how hot it was, and in the morning ... Even though it was cool, I took a walk around the town at 33 degrees Celsius. Today, I'm posting with a slightly rough feeling. Tea shop to cool off, flower shop with flowers in the heat of the past few days ... And such? If you walk a little, you can stop by the ice cream shop of your grandmother, who is over 90 years old, and if you take a peek at the shared kitchen space with House guests, Shokudo if you look at it, the daily lunch is an omelet 💚. The heat was terrible, but it was good to see all kinds of people, and it was good to see good things such as a nostalgic mailbox that had been repainted beautifully before I knew it. I will post it separately to everyone. Please be careful of this heat.

I was able to make good use of the front bokeh and photograph Nagahama Castle, which has an overwhelming presence.

I had an errand and early in the morning, and when I left the house at about 5 o'clock, I was able to take a picture of Hikone Castle standing against a golden background caused by the sunrise.

Kitsuki Castle A landmark towering over the Castle Town Kitsuki Since its construction in 1394, Kitsuki Castle has watched over this town for 600 years. Although it Castle Keep simulated, the three-tiered Castle Keep towering over the Ruins of the Castle is reminiscent of the appearance of this castle in the past. Built in the early Muromachi period by the Kitsuki clan on Mount Tai at the mouth of the Yasaka River, the castle was surrounded by natural strongholds such as the Takayama River to the north and Morie Bay to the east. While the castle changed its location and shape due to subsequent natural disasters and earthquakes, the castle owners were also replaced by the Maeda, Japanese cedar, and Hosokawa clans, and the Ogasawara and Matsudaira clans finally marked the end of the Edo era, and Kitsuki Castle continues to this day without welcoming a new castle owner. It is said to be important for understanding the actual state of castles in the early Edo period, such as understanding the building composition and structure of the castle before its destruction by the "One Country, One Castle Order" from historical documents and excavation results, and in March 2020, the Ruins of the Castle in the Taishan area and the ruins of the Lord's Palace at the foothills were designated as national historic sites. Some of the stone walls still exist. Today, the top of the mountain is open to the public as Shiroyama Park, and there is also a stone park where valuable stone structures such as the Kunisaki Pagoda found in various parts of the city are exhibited outdoors. At the time of the castle's construction, it was named "Kitsuki", but since it was mistakenly written as "Kitsuki" on the shogunate's shuin stamps, it has been changed to "Kitsuki". It is also known as "Katsuyama Castle" because it withstood the onslaught of the Shimazu for two months. Inside the castle, valuable items such as items related to the lords are on display, and armor, weapons, and Buddhist statues are on display. You can also enjoy dressing up and taking commemorative photos. It is visited by many tourists as the final destination of a walk around the Castle Town, and the superb view from the Castle Keep and the comfort of the wind will be a memory of the trip.

From Saturday, May 10 to Sunday, July 13, the Wakasa Kuniyoshi Castle Historical Museum presents an exhibition titled "Wandering Wakasa in the Early Meiji Period: The Surprisingly Little-Known Formation of Fukui Prefecture." After the abolition of the han system and the establishment of prefectures, Wakasa took a winding historical path before becoming part of present-day Fukui Prefecture. This exhibition looks back on the circumstances that led to Wakasa's integration into Fukui. Mihama Town Museum of History and Culture Exchange Exhibition 1 for Reiwa Year 7 Wandering Wakasa in the Early Meiji Period: The Surprisingly Little-Known Formation of Fukui Prefecture Exhibition period: Saturday, May 10 to Sunday, July 13, Reiwa 7 Opening hours: 9:00–17:00 (last admission 30 minutes before closing) Venue: Wakasa Kuniyoshi Castle Historical Museum, 25-2 Sata, Mihama Town Closed: Every Monday Admission: 100 yen for adults, 50 yen for children (junior high school age and younger); group discount for 20 or more people Inquiries: Tel. 0770-32-0050

It is the Ruins of the Castle Turrets of Kubota Castle in Senshu Park in Akita City, Akita Prefecture. The collaboration between the cherry blossoms and the horn Turrets was very beautiful ✨ From the observation deck of this corner Turrets, you can overlook Akita City. Spring is a famous landmarks 🌸 for cherry blossoms and azaleas There was a cherry blossom Festival in Senshu Park, and it was ❣️ a lot of fun to see a lot of stalls and Stalls It's within walking distance from Akita Station, so I think ❣️ it's very easy to go sightseeing It seems that you can enjoy various flowers not only in Springs but also throughout the four seasons, so I would 😃 like to go again if I have the opportunity

The schedule for the 2025 Kuniyoshi Castle History Lecture Series has been decided! We look forward to your participation. Talking with Descendants: The Appearance of the Kuniyoshi Castle Lord, the Awaya Family (provisional) Date and Time: Tuesday, May 6, 2025 (substitute holiday) 2:00 PM–3:00 PM Lecturer: Yuki Yabui (descendant of the Kuniyoshi Castle lords, the Awaya family) Yasuhiro Ohno (Director, Wakasa Kuniyoshi Castle Historical Museum) Goseyama Castle (provisional), Stronghold of the Wakasa Takeda Clan Date and Time: To be determined Lecturer: Curator, Cultural and Tourism Division, Economic and Industrial Department, Obama City Summer Workshop 1: Let’s Make a Kuniyoshi Castle Paper Craft Dates: Every Sunday and public holiday from July 27 (Sun) to August 17 (Sun) Summer Workshop 2: Create an Original Castle Stamp (Gosho-in) Dates: July 26 (Sat) to August 31 (Sun), excluding closed days Location: Wakasa Kuniyoshi Castle Historical Museum and Kuniyoshi Castle Site (25-2 Sakaki, Mihama Town) Capacity: 30 participants per session Fee: Generally free of charge *Advance reservations required. Children in junior high school and younger must be accompanied by a guardian. *Please provide materials costs for the summer workshops. The amount will be announced once confirmed. Applications and Inquiries Wakasa Kuniyoshi Castle Historical Museum Address: 25-2 Sakaki, Mihama Town, Mikata District, Fukui Prefecture Phone: 0770-32-0050 Fax: 0770-32-0057

The Kuniyoshi Castle Festival of Reiwa 7 will be held on Tuesday, May 6th, a public holiday. Spend the final day of Golden Week immersed in the Sengoku era!! Reiwa 7 Kuniyoshi Castle Festival Date and Time: Tuesday, May 6th, Reiwa 7, 9:00 AM–3:00 PM (held rain or shine) Venue: Around the Wakasa Kuniyoshi Castle History Museum and Tokusho‑ji Temple Address: 25-2 Sagaki, Mihama Town, Mikata-gun, Fukui Prefecture Stage Events 9:00 AM Opening Ceremony 9:30 AM Shinpu (Eisa drumming) 10:10 AM Kazone (ocarina) 10:50 AM Bubu no Hoshi-tachi (guitar singer-songwriter) 11:30 AM Mihama Jazz Orchestra 12:30 PM Kyoto / Nagaoka‑kyo Hospitality Samurai Corps Tsutsuji 2:00 PM Historical Tales (short stories) 3:00 PM Closing Ceremony Kuniyoshi Castle Historical Walk First tour 10:00 AM, second tour 11:00 AM Shojin ryori (Tokusho‑ji Temple) Armor experience (free) Castle stamp calligraphy by descendants of the castle lord Myu Workshop (dejima script calligraphy experience) Kuniyoshi Association, Nakanishi Confectionery (Nankoufuroku Manju) goods for sale Food stall village

Wakayama Castle Nishinomaru Garden entrance. I feel the times.

This photo was taken on the riverbed of Kiyosu Castle in Aichi Prefecture. It is a co-performance of castles, cherry blossoms, and Disney bullet trains.

Stroll through a dreamy cherry blossom lane as petals drift over the moat of Toyama Castle Ruin Park, creating a romantic springtime paradise.

Light up of Nijo Castle in Kyoto. This work is a Light up of Kountei. There was no wind and it reflected beautifully in the water.

Light up of Nijo Castle in Kyoto. This work is an art project from the inner moat reflected in the stone wall. I liked this scene, so I posted it.

Light up of Nijo Castle in Kyoto. This photo is the Karamon (cherry blossom guard) of projection mapping, I will post a photo of the dragon god reflected in the gate.

This is ❣️ the view from the moat of Hikone Castle in Hikone City, Shiga Prefecture The houseboat of Hikone Castle's moat Roux was also operatedThe stone walls, 😊 water gates, Turrets and the national treasure Hikone Castle keep were ❣️ magnificent The three-layer structure of [Ishigaki], [Earthen mound], and [Ishigaki], which can be seen along the inner moat near the main gate of Hikone Castle, is called a bowl-maki waist-maki stone wall, and it seems to be ❣️ a special stacking method that can only be seen in a small number of castles (Edo Castle and part of Aizuwakamatsu Castle) If you look at it while strolling from the outside, you can clearly see that the stone wall is in the shape of three beautiful bands. Looking at the beautifully stacked stones, I felt 😃 that the people of Japan in the past were particular about the meticulousness and delicacy If you go to Hikone Castle, please enjoy ❣️ the beauty of not only the castle tower but also the moat and stone walls

Ise no Tsukijo!! Local castles and the moon were photographed with a super telephoto.