Autumn colors in Tokyo Metropolitan Mizumoto park. Where the autumn colors looks completely different than the other spots in Tokyo. The sunrise view from the metasequoia forest looks amazing.

Along the coast there are days so warm it feels as if winter has ended. The sea can be so calm that not a single wave stirs. When there are no waves, the deep blue of the Sea of Japan becomes even more striking. I love the contrast between this intense blue and the paler, greenish-blue. Even the Kitamaebune captains' ships look more lively.

Photographed on December 15, 2025. This is the Ichinen Andai Omikuji of Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine. The orange omikuji is vermilion.

[Notice of the 15th Teshikaga Photo Contest] The annual Teshikaga Photo Contest will be held again this year. We are accepting entries under the theme "Volcanoes, Forests, and Lakes: Experience Teshikaga Through the Seasons," and winners will be announced on the tourism information portal "Teshikaga Navi." Please check Teshikaga Navi for contest entry details. We look forward to your participation. "Call for Entries: 15th Teshikaga Photo Contest" Entry Period Saturday, November 1, 2025 – Tuesday, January 20, 2026 (postmarked by the deadline) Categories Spring / Summer / Autumn / Winter / Free Theme Prizes Grand Prize 1 entry…¥30,000 + supplementary prizes (accommodation vouchers, Mashu Melon, etc.) Excellence Prize 3 entries…¥10,000 + supplementary prizes / Honorable Mention 5 entries…supplementary prizes / Special Prize and Tourism Association Prize: several winners ■ Thanks to local businesses, many supplementary prizes such as accommodation vouchers, meal vouchers, and local products are available. Organizer: Mashu-ko Tourism Association (General Incorporated Association, Regional DMO) Supported by: Teshikaga, Teshikaga Board of Education, Mashu-ko Agricultural Cooperative, Teshikaga Town Promotion Corporation, Teshikaga Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Kawayu Onsen Ryokan Association, Mashu Onsen Ryokan Association, Mashu Melon Producers Association, Hokkaido Shimbun, Kushiro Shimbun, Ministry of the Environment Akan-Mashu National Park Management Office https://www.masyuko.or.jp/news/15photocon/...

[Advance Reservation Required] Winter 2026 “Teshikaga Eco Passport” Town Sightseeing Bus Now Running! We are announcing the Winter 2026 operation schedule for the Mashu–Kussharo Sightseeing Loop Bus, which visits the main scenic spots around Teshikaga. The loop bus ticket, the “Teshikaga Eco Passport,” is available again this year in two options: a 2-day pass and a 3-day pass. Please make a reservation in advance and take advantage of it. It is recommended for those who are uneasy about driving or who want to enjoy sightseeing around Teshikaga with ease. For details, check the link “Teshikaga Navi.” Operation Period Saturday, January 24, 2026 – Sunday, March 1, 2026 Fares Adult Child 2-day pass (2 days) 2,000 yen 1,000 yen 3-day pass (3 days) 3,000 yen 1,000 yen Contact Mashu Lake Tourism Association 3-3-1 Mashu 3-chome, Teshikaga, Kawakami District, Hokkaido 088-3201, Japan TEL: 015-482-2200 Email: masyu_as@peace.ocn.ne.jp https://www.masyuko.or.jp/news/2025winterecopassport/...

An article has been posted about the traditional Kawayu Onsen Caravan, held on November 26, “Good Bath Day,” and organized by the Kawayu Onsen Caravan Executive Committee. The caravan, dressed in happi coats of the gensen faction and carrying Kawayu Onsen lanterns, raced across Michihigashi. Please take a look✨ https://www.kawayu-onsen.com/feature/889/...

Year-end and New Year Business Hours Notice: With just under three weeks left in 2025, we hope this message finds you well and prospering. We extend our heartfelt thanks to our members and the many others who have supported us this year. We ask for your continued patronage in the coming year and offer this as our year-end greeting. — Office Year-end and New Year Hours — Tourism Association Office and Tourist Information Center: Closed from December 29, 2025 to January 4, 2026. Normal business resumes on January 5. Please note that bicycle rentals at the Tourist Information Center will also be suspended during the period above. Thank you for your understanding. Sincerely yours.

An update from the "Information Broadcast Bureau" on the Kawayu Onsen website has been posted📝🆙 An article about the traditional Kawayu Onsen Caravan (organized by the Kawayu Onsen Caravan Executive Committee), held on November 26—"Good Bath Day"—is now up💡♨️ The article introduces scenes of the caravan, wearing hanten coats of the hot spring source faction and carrying Kawayu Onsen lanterns as it races across Michihigashi🏃‍♀️💨Please take a look✨ 🔗 https://www.kawayu-onsen.com/feature/889/...

Photographed on December 15, 2025. These are the autumn leaves at Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine. 🍁

Sunrise view of Mizumoto park in tokyo park. The metasequoia forest looks amazing during sunrise.

A direct transfer from Kushiro Airport to Kushiro Prince Hotel. Unwind in your room and luxuriate in a view of one of the world’s three greatest sunsets. Stroll across Nusamai Bridge and visit Kushiro Fisherman's Wharf MOO to soak up Kushiro’s charm, then enjoy the local cuisine “robata” for dinner. ✨ Start your morning at Top of Kushiro, where an interactive buffet begins a lavish day. We look forward to welcoming you at Kushiro Prince Hotel. Book through the profile URL. Instagram https://www.instagram.com/kushiroprincehotel/...

A bowl to satisfy both heart and stomach 🍜 Introducing Nagomian, a ramen shop run by an owner who used to be a soba craftsman. The shop name reflects the wish that visitors will relax and take their time. 😊 The interior displays autographs from Carp players, making this a cozy ramen spot that fans visit. Most popular with men is the Miso Vegetable Ramen. Rich miso clings to medium-thick noodles, piled high with vegetables and topped with a large slice of chashu that whets the appetite. You can also request extra back fat and garlic, creating a powerful bowl that will be empty before you know it. 😋 Popular with women is the dashi-forward Kake Chuka. The elegant broth, extracted from bonito flakes and kelp, pairs perfectly with thin noodles. ✨ The soup’s aroma and gentle flavor soak through your whole body. For those wanting a lighter portion, try the Half Chuka. This classic-style chuka soba features a deeply flavored broth that children also love. The owner says nothing motivates them more than hearing “That was delicious” and seeing customers return day after day. “We want our customers to simply enjoy themselves,” and with that in mind, pay attention to the limited-time menus that appear with the seasons and events. Be sure to check the shop’s Instagram for new offerings. ✨ @nagomian_miyoshi Nagomian is a warm shop filled with the owner’s passion—enjoy a thoroughly satisfying bowl. 🍜 Nagomian @nagomian_miyoshi Address: 470-5 Minamihatajiki-cho, Miyoshi City, Hiroshima Prefecture Hours: 11:00–14:30 (Also open 18:00–20:00 on Saturdays and Sundays) Closed: Monday and Tuesday TEL: 0824-63-3839 Parking: Available ※Menu items and prices are as of the time of posting https://www.instagram.com/nagomian_miyoshi/...

【Reihoku Town 70th Anniversary of Town Incorporation WEB Photo Contest Results Announcement🎊】 Thank you very much for the many entries to the “Reihoku Town 70th Anniversary of Town Incorporation WEB Photo Contest.” We received many stunning shots that captured the town’s scenery and charm, and this contest became a wonderful opportunity to highlight Reihoku’s appeal.🙇 From a total of 81 submissions, we carefully selected the following winners and are pleased to announce them! 📸【General Category】High school age and above The Grand Prize goes to the nickname “2984”! (second photo) The title is “Chasing the Ball,” taken at the Tomioka Castle Festival. The entrant commented, “The dragon dance that breathes smoke feels unique to Amakusa.”🎶 “2984” will receive a prize of 10,000 yen and Reihoku specialty products worth 5,000 yen at a later date.🎁 The following two entrants won Special Awards👏; each will receive 3,000 yen and Reihoku specialty products worth 5,000 yen.💝 First is nickname “Sora” (third photo), titled “Shining Tomioka Castle”🏯. This photo was taken at Tomioka Castle during the castle festival; the entrant wrote, “I climbed up during a break in the festival. The contrast between the white walls and blue sky was very beautiful.” Second is nickname “Green and White and Purple” (fourth photo), titled “Children of the Seaside Town”🌊. The entrant wrote, “Children working together and the glittering sea — it was the perfect moment.”🎶 The following four entrants received Honorable Mentions👏; each will receive Reihoku specialty products worth 5,000 yen.🎁 First is nickname “dSuke” (fifth photo), titled “Blooming at Tomioka Castle”🎆. The entrant described: “The sky shifts from dusk to night in a deep blue. Lights reflect on the sea surface, the castle ruins sit on the hill, and large fireworks bloom overlapping that scene.”👍 Second is nickname “Hijikata Tonza Buro” (sixth photo), titled “Mukaizuki Aoi,” and the entrant wrote, “I photographed the Kumamoto-maru docked at Tomioka Port against the background of the annual Jatto Festival fireworks I watch every year!”📸 Third is nickname “Manakan” (seventh photo), titled “Sunset Reflected in the Rice Fields Before Planting,” taken in the castle town. “Water fills the paddies before planting; with no wind the surface is calm. You only see this special scene on a day with a beautiful sunset when everything lines up. I look forward to seeing this view every year,” the entrant wrote.🎶 Fourth is nickname “Arisa” (eighth photo), titled “First Sunrise 2025,” taken at the Tomioka Marine Park observation area🌅. “I visit this spot every year to see the first sunrise. It’s not an exaggeration to say this light powers me through the year. It’s my power spot,” the entrant shared. 📸【Junior Category】Elementary and junior high school students Next are the winners in the Junior Category! The Grand Prize goes to nickname “Melon and Watermelon” with the title “Bustling Castle Festival”! (ninth photo) Congratulations on your win🎊 The entrant said, “I was chatting with friends at the castle festival venue when I suddenly noticed this scene.” “Melon and Watermelon” will receive a 5,000-yen book gift card.🎁 The following two entrants won Special Awards👏; each will receive a 3,000-yen book gift card.🎁 First is nickname “Haru” (tenth photo), titled “Beautiful Sunset,” taken on National Route 324 (Sakasegawa)☀️. “Riding home from cram school, I sat beside my driving mother and the sky was so beautiful I took a photo. I was happy when my mother said, ‘It’s beautiful,’” the entrant wrote.🎶 Second is nickname “Reo” (eleventh photo), titled “Godzilla,” taken on National Route 324 (Kozufukae). The entrant wrote, “Riding in my mother’s car, I saw clouds heading toward the sea that looked like Godzilla.”✨ After a rigorous screening, the works above were chosen as winners. We deeply thank everyone for so wonderfully expressing Reihoku Town’s charm! We appreciate your continued support of Reihoku Town.🙇 Also, the 4th Amashin Photo Contest is currently open! Please check the Notices section on our website for details.📸 🏯【Contact】Reihoku Jatto Festival & Tomioka Castle Festival Executive Committee, Photo Contest Section Address: 4535-2 Kamitsufukae, Reihoku Town, Amakusa District, Kumamoto Prefecture 863-2502, inside the Reihoku Chamber of Commerce TEL: 0969-37-1244 E-mail: pc@amakusa-kankou.com

The "From the Information Desk" section on the Kawayu Onsen website has been updated 📝🆙 "Calm your mind and take a fresh look. Autumn at Kawayu Onsen." has been posted. With poor weather across the prefecture right now, take a breather and have a slow look 👀✨ You may rediscover how to enjoy the healing waters of Kawayu Onsen. https://www.kawayu-onsen.com/feature/autumn/...

Early morning on December 14 at Lake Akanko I quite like the crisp cold — I might even love it.

The best season to visit Yōki-sō is unquestionably autumn. The maple trees in the garden turn vivid red, creating a striking contrast with the historic buildings; you can enjoy a unique autumn scene where the red of Taisho-era romantic architecture and the red of the maples come together.

Horyuin Temple is close to Higashiyama’s famous autumn foliage sites like Ginkaku-ji Temple, the Philosopher's Path, Anrakuji, and Eikando Temple, yet it sees few tourists; in the early morning you can enjoy quiet moments and even have this painterly gradation of autumn colors all to yourself.

The charm of Horyuin Temple lies in its moss and thatched gate. From the approach, the gradation of autumn colors seen beyond the thatched gate looks like a painting framed by the gate.

The highlight of autumn leaves at Daikakuji is undoubtedly the scenery around Osawa Pond. Around Osawa Pond, Japan’s oldest promenade-style garden, about 700 maple and cherry trees have been planted. At the peak of the fall colors, the pond’s surface becomes a beautiful mirror, vividly reflecting the red and yellow foliage and the vermilion Heart Sutra Pagoda floating on the water. This “water mirror” scene is Daikakuji’s most photogenic sight.

Gionji Temple is famous as a Kyoto spot for autumn leaves not because of the crimson beauty of the trees themselves, but for the way the fallen leaves form a truly red carpet across the moss as they drop.

Today I attended the monthly festival at Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine. I will be able to work in Kawagoe again next year. The practical exam I took in Tokyo last week ended with a disappointing result, but I will do my best again next year. Thank you for your encouragement. 😊

Photographed on December 12, 2025. This is LEC COFFEE’s Basque cheesecake inspired by tarte Tatin.

Photo taken on December 12, 2025. This is a caramel latte from LEC COFFEE. It features Christmas tree latte art. 🎄

The autumn colors in Mizumoto park in Tokyo looks amazing during sunrise. The early morning view of the metasequoia forest with the soft sunlight looks amazing. Its a Mystic view. I had an amazing experience during my trip to the Mizumoto park.

Introducing the third installment of our alcohol tourism series 😊 On Saturday, January 17, 2026, we will host “Taste the Terroir (Day Trip): A Wine, Gin, and Beer Tasting Tour with a Choice of Lunch.” At Aizawa Winery, you will tour the vineyards and winery set in expansive nature and learn about the grapes and winemaking traditions nurtured by the Tokachi soil 🎵 At Tokachi Plain Distillery, known for its craft gin, you will observe the distillation process and sample its aromatic gins 😍 The tour concludes with lunch at CAFÉ＆BAR NUPKA 🍴 Pairing three drinks that color the journey—beer, wine, and gin—you will experience Tokachi’s craft alcohol culture with all five senses 🤗 https://tokachibare.jp/sake-museum/news/taxi-tour02-04/...

Photographed on December 12, 2025. This is LEC COFFEE’s quiche plate. It includes a spinach, shrimp, and bacon quiche, a prosciutto cheese ball and salad, daikon potage, and homemade bread.

Photographed on December 12, 2025. This is Hanatetsu's hanachōzu (flower water basin).

Today, the Kawagoe Tea Festival in Rinsinji Temple is running until 3:00 PM. I bought Chabudai’s chai and a Taiwanese castella from Sweets Workshop Hiro. 😊☕️

Event Announcement📣 On Sunday, December 14th, the 56th Hiroo Hair Crab Festival will take place😊 This is a gourmet event where you can savor plenty of Hiroo’s fresh seafood!! The main attraction is a live sale of boiled hair crab prepared in a two-meter cauldron!! You can also enjoy a hair crab speed-eating contest and delicious stalls offering snow crab miso soup, deep-fried shishamo smelt, seafood curry, and more🎵 At the direct-from-producer market you’ll find seasonal hair crab and shishamo, autumn salmon and hachikaku (sagefish), vegetables, and specialty products from Hiroo as well as local specialties from our sister cities Memuro Town and Saikai City in Nagasaki Prefecture, so please stop by if you like😀 The event’s finale is a fun raffle where Hiroo specialty products are awarded by lottery😍 Come and enjoy the flavors of the season🎶 It’s getting colder, so please dress warmly for the day🤗 https://hiroo-kanko.jp/2025/12/01/56-keganimatsuri/...

Photographed on December 8, 2025. This is the hanachozu (flower-filled basin) at Kawagoe Hachimangu Shrine.