Photographed on January 1, 2014. This is Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine's Ichinen An-tai fortune slip. Available only during the New Year period.

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!!

Today I attended the monthly ceremony at Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine. This is the shrine precincts around 7:30 a.m.

Photographed on January 11, 2014. This is Chabudai-san’s morning. It has changed to carrot potage. 🥕 Hon-Kawagoe PePe closed yesterday. We are busy with the closing work now, and once things settle down, it’s likely to feel lonely. 🥹

On Wednesday, January 14, 2026 and Thursday, January 15, 2026, we will hold an Iwanai Onsen PR event on the 2nd floor Center Plaza of New Chitose Airport. Experience onsen with a hand bath ♨ Taste craft beer from Iwanai-cho 🍺 Information about the onsen and town tour “DISCOVER IWANAI”, and a small gift for those who complete our survey♪ Iwanai Onsen sits right next to the Niseko area, a quiet port town onsen surrounded by sea and mountains ♨ Its waters are nationally praised for beautifying the skin. Rather than a bustling tourist spot, it is a place for those who want to spend quiet, unhurried time with the onsen. Meet us at the airport, and next, meet the town in person. Whether you live nearby or are between connections, please drop by casually!!! Local specialty products will also be on sale at the event booth. Take this opportunity to learn about Iwanai-cho!!

Hon-Kawagoe PePe has closed. After I started working at Hon-Kawagoe PePe, I grew to love Kawagoe and began taking photos. I am grateful to Hon-Kawagoe PePe. 🥹

Kuwanouchi Shrine Night Kagura & Kotono Shrine Night Kagura From the evening of January 10 into the morning of January 11, the Kuwanouchi Shrine Night Kagura and the Kotono Shrine Night Kagura were safely offered again this year 👹 I can still hear the drumbeat pounding in the back of my ears and the clear, high sound of the flute ringing in my mind 😆 You could hear the dancers’ breathing, see children watching intently, and feel the atmosphere of kagura as locals and returnees to Gokase gathered together ✨ We were treated to another wonderful performance this year 🥰 This beautiful night was made possible by the preservation society members who trained diligently, the local women’s association who served warm meals and drinks through the night, and the officers and staff who worked tirelessly to ensure smooth operations. The smiles of the visitors who return to this place each year exist because of the devoted support of these community members 👏 We would be happy to watch over this proud Gokase kagura tradition with you again next year and the year after 💕 Thank you very much to everyone who came from afar in the cold!

Photographed on January 11, 2014. After the New Year’s fire brigade ceremony at Kawagoe Hachimangu Shrine, I visited Chabudai-san. It’s lemonade. When it’s cold, lemonade is the thing. 😊🍋🍯

Photographed on January 11, 2014. This is the Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine’s Fortune Tai Omikuji for new adults only.

From Hakuba Mountain Harbor, you can see breathtaking views of the Northern Alps on clear days. The first time I saw them, I was so captivated by the scenery that I lost myself for a while.

Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine offers a "Mirai An-tai" fortune slip exclusive to new adults. It runs until January 12. I hope to receive one too. 😊

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

Photographed on January 1, 2014. This is a beckoning cat omikuji from Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine. 🐈 It looks like something good might happen.

This is the Year of the Horse omikuji from Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine. May it bring you blessings as well.🐴✨

Photographed on January 1, 2014. This is a photo spot at Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine.

[Ooyama Wild Boar and Deer (Gibier) Fair Now Underway] Ooyama is currently hosting the Ooyama Wild Boar and Deer (gibier) Fair. Gibier cuisine in Ooyama, where boar hotpot has been enjoyed for generations, ranks alongside tofu dishes as a local specialty. Many temple lodgings and restaurants serve seasonal flavors unique to this period. Take this opportunity to visit Ooyama and taste these signature dishes. *Some establishments may require reservations.* Event Period ◆ Through March 31, 2026 For details, please see the official website. https://www.city.isehara.kanagawa.jp/kankou_guide/docs/2025090900014/...

Photographed on January 1, 2014. Around 6:00 a.m. at Kawagoe Kumano Shrine, this is the temizuya (water pavilion). The unusual atmosphere compared with usual is lovely.

Photographed on January 3, 2014. This is the New Year floral temizu basin at Kawagoe Hachimangu Shrine.

Photographed on January 3, 2014. This is the hanachozu (flower water basin) at Kawagoe Hachimangu Shrine. It looks festive and bright for the New Year.🎍✨

Reihoku Sunset Marche — January Announcement📣 Happy New Year🎊 Our first announcement of the year is the Reihoku Sunset Marche in January♪ 👀 Highlights of this Sunset Marche 👀 ❣ At the Reihoku Sunset Marche, where agricultural products, processed goods, and prepared foods from Reihoku are sold, freshly shipped bagged mikan (tangerines) will be available this time 🍊 Please enjoy these seasonal farm products❣ We look forward to seeing you 😊 Don’t forget to bring your own shopping bag🛍✨ Scheduled produce for sale: ・Aspara greens ・Cauliflower ・Turnips🫜 ・Pumpkin🎃 ・Cabbage ・Cucumbers🥒 ・Kale ・Rice🌾 ・Coral leaf feather ・Taro ・Sweet potatoes🍠 ・Potatoes🥔 ・Garland chrysanthemum (shungiku) ・Daikon radish ・Tomatoes (Aiko, cherry) ・Chinese cabbage ・Green peppers🫑 ・Broccoli🥦 ・Ponkan ・Mikan🍊 (bagged, boxed, bag-hung) ・Mizuna (Beni-hoshi variety) ・Lettuce (sunny, leaf) ・Welsh onion (single stalk) 🥦🍅🥕🍠🥬🧅🫑🌽🌶🫛🍆🫚🥔 Reihoku Sunset Marche Date: Sunday, January 11, 1:00 PM–3:00 PM Location: Amakusa Reihoku Tourist Association (Reihoku Town Local Products Center, 4535-1 Kamitsufukae, Reihoku)

Photographed on January 3, 2014. These are the hanachōzu (flower water basins) at Kawagoe Hachimangu Shrine.

Photographed on December 29, 2025. This is the torii at Kawagoe Hachimangu Shrine dressed for New Year’s. 🎍

I relaxed during my break at starbucks motokawagoe station store. I had a honey, ginger, and rice koji milk latte and an Earl Grey & orange scone sandwich. One week remains until Hon-Kawagoe PePe closes… 🥹

Get drunk on the delicious flavors of Shobara City in Hiroshima Prefecture! 😍 Savor smoked dishes and sake at Kaneki-ya in Hakushima-Kitamachi, Naka Ward, Hiroshima City 🥩🍶 Kaneki-ya in Hakushima-Kitamachi, Naka Ward is a popular stop for many people with ties to Shobara. Here you can enjoy snacks made with Hiba Beef and a range of smoked items from Smoked Hakoda. Kaneki-ya also offers sake from breweries in Shobara City! This time, we explored what makes Kaneki-ya so appealing. [Shobara Sightseeing Guide website "Editorial Report" has been updated!] Read the article here 🔽 https://www.shobara-info.com/report/5454...

The kanji chosen as Kawagoe's hope for Reiwa 8 is "emi," meaning "smile." Although I will be transferring at the end of this month—still within Kawagoe—I will start fresh and do my best. 😊

Photographed on December 29, 2025. This is the New Year–style hanachōzu (flower water basin) at Naritasan Kawagoe Betsuin.🎍

Hello everyone♪ How did you spend the New Year holidays? Miyoshi Tourist Information Center reopened for 2026 on Sunday, January 4th. The Miyoshi Tourist Information Center offers city circulation maps and tourism brochures for Miyoshi City. Maps, brochures, and apps make exploring attractions easier. We also offer guidebooks in foreign languages (English, Traditional Chinese, Simplified Chinese)! When you are near Miyoshi Station, be sure to stop by the Miyoshi Tourist Information Center♪

Photographed on January 2, 2014. After visiting Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine, I relaxed at the Starbucks Kanetsuki‑dōri Store. I had a honey ginger komekoji milk latte and an Earl Grey pound cake. To everyone at the Bell Tower Street Store, I look forward to your continued support this year.🙇‍♀️

Photographed on January 1, 2014. This is Kawagoe Kumano Shrine around 6:00 a.m.

Roadside Station Iwanai Happy New Year, and best wishes for 2026 🐴 We look forward to your continued support this year 🎍 Roadside Station Iwanai is open from today, Sunday, January 4th! We look forward to welcoming you 😆 Please note that we will be closed on Monday, January 5th This year we tried letting the trendy AI generate images for us 🐟