I watched the New Year’s fire brigade ritual by the Kawagoe Wakatobi Association at Kawagoe Hachimangu Shrine. They look sharp.

Photographed on January 3, 2014. A performance of festival music (ohayashi) at Koedo Kurari.

I watched a hayashi (festival music ensemble) performance at Koedo Kurari.

A shot at Misen Main Hall on the summit of MtMisen in Hiroshima Prefecture. I planned to walk to the top, but I ended up taking the ropeway. Even so, I’m smiling. Next time I’ll come by proper hike. This jizo statue is called "Gomen-ne Jizo" or "Negai Jizo." It’s a presence that accepts people’s regrets and wishes.

It's the Devil's Banquet! Scary masks, bone plates, and shadowy staging. Yet the star is a little devil holding a spoon with a smile. Tonight only, fear becomes a feast. Photo location: home

[Spectacular Views in Shobara City, Hiroshima Prefecture — This Is the Place!] Experience beautiful nature🍃 Top scenic spots in Shobara! Located in the center of the Chugoku region, Shobara covers a territory where 80 percent of the area is forest. This town, where people and nature live together in satoyama-style communities, still preserves natural wonders you won’t find in the city. Here are breathtaking vistas that remind you of the everyday, long-forgotten but precious gifts of vast nature and the kindness of its people. For more details, visit the Shobara Tourism Navi website🔽 https://www.shobara-info.com/spot/4019...

[Notice of Ooyama Star Festival (Tounen-seki Memorial Service)] At Daisenji Temple, a star festival will be held to honor the nine planetary stars (tounen-seki) that govern the year’s fortunes and to pray for turning misfortune into blessing in the coming year. Date and time: Monday, December 22, 14:00– Prayer fee: from ¥1,000 (postal applications accepted) How to apply: Please inquire by phone (applications accepted until December 21) Phone: 0463-95-2011 For details, please see Daisenji Temple’s website. https://oyamadera.jp/other/%e3%80%90%e5%a4%a7%e5%b1%b1%e3%81%ae%e6%98%9f%e3%81%be%e3%81%a4%e3%82%8a%ef%bc%88%e5%bd%93%e5%b9%b4%e6%98%9f%e4%be%9b%ef%bc%89%e3%80%9112-21%ef%bd%9e12-22/...

Toyamago Frost Month Festival Yudate kagura performed in the 11th month of the lunar calendar (Frost Month). It is thought to be a ritual that invites the gods from across the country around the winter solstice, when daytime is shortest and life force weakens, to welcome them with hot water and pray for the revival of the sun and life. ◆Schedule and details for the Frost Month Festival Toyamago Tourism Association Tel: 0260-34-1071 *Please also check the official website.

⋆⸜ꕤ🔸[Nishio Meikyuen] Announcement of Goku-Sakai Hojicha Tasting Event 🔸ꕤ⸝⋆ We will hold a tasting event where you can enjoy “Goku-Sakai Hojicha” from Sakai’s renowned shop, Nishio Meikyuen.🍵 Please take this opportunity to savor the rich flavor of “Goku-Sakai Hojicha,” perfected for its roasted aroma and mellow taste.✨ We warmly look forward to seeing you there‼🌈 📅 Date and Time: Sunday, December 7, 1:00 PM–4:00 PM 📍 Location: Sakai Traditional Crafts Museum, 1st floor, TAKUMI SHOP [Traditional Industry and Sakai Products Corner] (@sakaidensan) 🔍 For details, search “Sakai Traditional Crafts Museum hojicha tasting”! 🔗 https://www.sakaidensan.jp/news/425096... https://www.sakaidensan.jp/news/425096...

Photographed on October 19, 2013. The portable shrine figure from the float is displayed. This is the float of Wakitamachi dedicated to Tokugawa Ieyasu.

Photographed on October 19, Year 25. When the lead rigger strikes the clapper, the float begins to move. This is the float of Wakitamachi, Ieyasu.

Photographed on October 19, 2025. This is Ieyasu’s float passing under the pedestrian overpass in front of Atre Kawagoe.

Today I attended the Niiname-sai harvest festival at Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine. I returned to give thanks because my wish came true.

The parking area around Kijishi no Sato Yamaichi in Azuma, Nagiso town is ablaze with stunning crimson autumn leaves! Photo taken on November 14, 2025.

I attended the monthly ceremony at Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine. Today is Shichi-Go-San.

Photographed on October 18, Heisei 25 (2013). This shows the Kagami-shishi float and the Sanno float passing each other during the hikkwase (float encounter).

Photographed on October 18, 2013. This shows the Kagami-shishi float and the Ōta Dōkan float passing each other.

Photographed on October 18, 25. The parade features the float of Prince of Lanling and the float of Kagami Shishi (Mirror Lion Dance) pulling past each other.

Photographed on October 18, Year 25. This is the pulling-together of Nakamachi’s float “Prince of Lanling” and Wakitamachi’s float “Ieyasu Tokugawa.”

Photographed on October 18, 2013. From the left: Wakitamachi’s float of Tokugawa Ieyasu, Shintomichō 1 Chome’s float of Tokugawa Iemitsu, and Shintomi-cho 2-chome’s float of the Mirror Lion in a hikikae (float exchange).

Futakotamagawa Oyama Michi Festival Celebrates Local History Enjoy and learn about the historic Oyama Michi that runs through Futakotamagawa. The 16th Futakotamagawa Oyama Michi Festival will be held. Oyama Michi refers to the routes used by pilgrims visiting Ooyama, with paths centered on the mountain across various regions. The Oyama Michi that passes through Futakotamagawa led from Edo’s Akasaka-mitsuke Gate to Ooyama and served as a back road to the Tokaido, frequently used for transporting goods. This festival offers a close-up opportunity to learn about the history of Oyama Michi. Isehara City will also participate and host a booth. Please join us. ◇ Date and Time Saturday, November 15, 2025, 12:00–15:00 ◇ Venue Futakotamagawa Elementary School building and gymnasium (Tamagawa 4-6-1, Setagayaku) ◇ Setagaya Ward official site https://www.city.setagaya.lg.jp/03660/27555.html...

Photographed on October 18, Year 25. This is the hikikae (float handover) between the Nakaharacho float of Kawagoe Taro Shigetada and the Shintomichō 2-chōme float, Mirror Lion.

Photographed on October 18, 2013. This is the Seibu Hon-Kawagoe PePe and the Kagami-shishi float.

Photographed on October 18, 2013. After the evening festival ends, the floats are being prepared to start moving. There are many photos from the Kawagoe Festival….

Photo taken on November 3, 2013. Yabusame (horseback archery) ceremony at Izumo Iwahi Shrine (出雲伊波比神社).

Photographed on November 3, 2013. This is the yabusame (mounted archery) festival at Izumo Iwai Shrine.

Photographed on November 3, 2025. This is the yabusame (mounted archery) festival at Izumo Iwai Shrine.

Photographed 11/3/25. It is the Yabusame Festival of Izumo Ihabi Shrine. It's morning.