Even after Hon-Kawagoe PePe closes, the Starbucks Hon-Kawagoe Station store will remain open. I'm so happy. 🥹

It was around 6:30 a.m. at Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine.

It’s around 6:30 a.m. at Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine.

Melted Gouda cheese served right before your eyes 🧀 Thanks to the open kitchen, you can enjoy it freshly made. You may find yourself reaching for another plate… You might feel that way. Of course we offer Hokkaido’s signature soup curry. Kussharo Prince Hotel makes food as much a star as its natural setting. 【Instagram】 https://www.instagram.com/kussharo_ph/...

Photographed on January 1, 2014. After visiting Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine, I relaxed at the Starbucks Kanetsuki‑dōri Store. I had a gyokuro matcha latte and a rich matcha tiramisu. I fully enjoyed the New Year atmosphere. 🍵🎍

It is about 6:00 a.m. at Kawagoe Kumano Shrine.

New Year Greetings Happy New Year. We extend our heartfelt thanks for your warm support and cooperation in promoting the charms of Tsukigase over the past year. Tsukigase, shaped alongside the plum trees, has matured into a countryside that quietly refreshes visitors’ spirits while showing different faces through the seasons. This year as well, we hope it remains a place where nature and people live close together and gentle exchanges thrive. The annual Tsukigase Plum Grove Plum Festival, which heralds the arrival of spring, will be held again this year. About 13,000 plum trees color the mountainside, and with river mist rising in the valleys, a scene like a page from an illustrated scroll unfolds. During the festival, you can enjoy peaceful moments close to nature, from walking the trails to shopping for local specialties. The fragrance of the plums swaying in the soft breeze will gently renew body and spirit after the long winter. This year, the Tsukigase Tourism Association will continue to cherish warm connections with visitors while protecting the area’s attractions. We humbly ask for your continued support and sincerely pray that this year will be peaceful and fruitful for everyone, offering these New Year greetings. Chairman: Toshiaki Nishioka Photo credit: Kuraya eto Shuji

Snow Trees Rime ice covering the trees at Gozaisho Ropeway Summit. One of the few places in Mie Prefecture where you can see rime ice on trees. Gozaisho Ropeway, Komonocho, Mie Prefecture

I woke up early to visit the shrine for my first prayers of the year. This is the Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine’s Kawagoe sweet potato fortune. 🍠 I received a New Year’s morning ceremony blessing, and fortunately I was also given a matchmaking charm. I hope good things come to you in a chain like sweet potato vines. 😊🍠

Happy New Year! This year I again photographed the first sunrise from the waterfront park. There was no wind and it was not as cold as in past years, but a warm layer of clouds on the horizon kept the sky dull and dim even after the scheduled sunrise time of 6:51. Around 7:05 the edges of the clouds began to glow, and just after 7:20 the sun finally appeared! As every year, many residents and tourists gathered early at the waterfront park to watch the first sunrise of Reiwa 8. May Reiwa 8 bring you a year full of happiness. We appreciate your continued support of Atami Onsen this year as well.

Happy New Year! 🎍🐎 Wishing you a wonderful year ahead.

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.

These are the Best Nine of 2025. 1️⃣The rise-up steps at Atago Shrine 2️⃣3️⃣Kakigori fortune slips and yo-yo omikuji at Kawagoe Hachimangu Shrine 4️⃣Tanabata at Tokyo Daijingu Shrine 5️⃣Hydrangeas at cafe andon 6️⃣The great torii and pinwheels at Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine 7️⃣Enmusubi wind chimes at Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine 8️⃣9️⃣Sea bream omikuji at Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine Thank you for all your support in 2025. I look forward to your continued support in 2026. 😊

I thought the autumn leaves were already over in mid-December, but when I went shopping in Chiba on the Boso peninsula, I stopped by a water mill while exploring the sights and found a beautiful display of autumn leaves. There was no parking lot, and the water mill caught my eye. The maple leaves were a vivid red, and the fallen leaves were beautiful too, so I enjoyed the last bit of autumn this year. Yoshii Ooido Water Mill

A photo taken during a trip to Shikoku. Taken on November 26 at Ritsurin Park in Kagawa. It was peak autumn foliage, and the contrast of red, yellow, and green looked wonderful. The weather was calm with no wind, and the trees reflected beautifully on the water. Once December arrives, it gets colder, and viewing night scenes becomes an experience of shivering in the cold. At the end of November, the temperature was pleasantly mild, so I enjoyed the autumn colors and took photos before the real winter set in.

☆Notice of Closure☆ ⁡ We will be closed from December 31st to January 1st. We will resume normal business hours from January 2nd for the New Year period!

Photographed on December 28, 2025. This is LEC COFFEE’s original chai and a gateau chocolat.

Photographed on December 28, 2025. This is a gateau chocolat from LEC COFFEE. We are grateful to everyone at LEC COFFEE for their help this year. We look forward to your continued support next year.🙇‍♀️

Notice of an illumination event 📣 The illumination at Hiroo Santa Land in Hirocho runs through January 4, 2026 😊 Lights are on from 4:00 PM to 10:00 PM ✨✨ The park glows with illumination and wood lanterns, creating a festive atmosphere 😍 Please consider stopping by during your New Year holidays outing 🤗 https://www.santaland.or.jp//

Kushiro, famed as one of the world’s top three sunset cities, actually offers unmissable sunrises as well. At Kushiro Prince Hotel, you can enjoy a luxurious sunrise and a sumptuous morning meal at the top-floor restaurant. Using kombu from the Nemuro Strait, the light soy-flavored Kushiro ramen and the fresh seafood rice bowl come with unlimited servings. Even Kushiro’s indulgent gourmet offerings include plenty of lighter options for morning diners who prefer a milder start. 【Instagram】 https://www.instagram.com/kushiroprincehotel/...

Toyama Prefecture Tateyamamachi Shomyo Falls Snow fell late at night, letting the autumn leaves and snow perform together Standing close to Shomyo Falls, Japan’s tallest waterfall by drop, the roar of the water is overwhelming

Tateyamamachi, Toyama Prefecture Akashiro no Kabe Snow fell late at night, and around Shomyo Falls I saw a duet of autumn leaves and snow I arrived early in the morning, and some forest roads were frozen I photographed Akashiro no Kabe with a fisheye lens

Please visit Izu Shimoda Onsen in 2026 (^○^) 🌼 Shimoda Onsen Narcissus Festival The flowers are expected to be at their best around mid-January ♬ After the narcissus, 🌸 Minamiizucho "Minami no Sakura and Rapeseed Blossom Festival" 🌸 Kawazu Town "Kawazu Cherry Blossom Festival" Both are about a 30-minute drive from Shimoda City. Stay at Shimoda Onsen and enjoy the early spring flower relay ✨ Right now, JTB’s website is offering "discount coupons usable at Shimoda Onsen accommodations" (＼(^o^)／) Right now, JTB’s website is distributing great discount coupons usable at Shimoda Onsen accommodations (＼(^o^)／) No minimum fare required: 10% OFF ✨ (maximum discount 5,000 yen) Limited quantity! Take this chance to visit Shimoda Onsen ♨️ https://www.jtb.co.jp/kokunai-hotel/list/22219/?multiarea=22219&suggestkeyword=%E4%B8%8B%E7%94%B0%E5%B8%82&godate=&checkindate=&staynight=1&dateunspecified=1&roomassign=m2&room=1...

We would like to inform you of the Saijo Tourism & Exchange Center’s opening hours during the New Year holidays. December 31, 2025 (Wednesday) and January 1, 2026 (Thursday, national holiday): 9:00–16:00 On all other days: 9:00–18:00 (retail until 17:30) Open year-round Please note that both the Shinji Sogo Memorial Museum and the Shikoku Railway Cultural Center on the same premises will be closed all day on the above two dates. Thank you very much to everyone who visited us this year. We look forward to your continued support next year.

Photographed on December 28, 2025. This is a set from Tomori Shokudo featuring domestic chicken spice karaage and a bamboo shoot and taro gratin. It also includes a hearty miso soup, steamed daikon with yuzu miso, simmered tamakonnyaku (ball-shaped konnyaku), and pickles—plenty to enjoy. 😊 On weekends, it’s best to make a reservation.

Photographed on December 28, 2025. This is Chabudai-san’s morning dish. It has been changed to a baked pot-au-feu. I hear the ingredients are being sautéed. It has a sweet flavor.

Announcement of the illumination event 📣 "Sara Illumi" will be held in Sarabetsumura through Saturday, February 16, 2026 (planned) 😊 Lights are on from 5:00 PM to 9:30 PM. A workshop for local residents shaped the designs, which are expressed with about 40,000 bulbs 🎵 Handmade village lights brighten the freezing winter nights with vivid color 🤗 https://www.sarabetsu.jp/sightseeing/event/illumination/...

A direct service from Kushiro Airport to Kushiro Prince Hotel. Choose from a variety of room types, and this time we introduce the Twin Room. Every room offers sweeping views of Kushiro. With well-equipped amenities and facilities, you can relax with peace of mind. At Kushiro Prince Hotel, come experience a time that soothes the heart. 【Instagram】 https://www.instagram.com/kushiroprincehotel/...

Komu Museum of Art Christmas Festival Thank you to everyone who visited the Komu Museum of Art Christmas Festival! 🎄🧑‍🎄 Although the planned performance by the Nishinaka High School brass band was canceled, we enjoyed a warm Komu time listening to a reading by Sumikko Sumi-chan and a live set by Riku Nakanishi. Sumikko Sumi-chan read many Christmas and winter picture books and kamishibai in her clear, pure voice. She changed her tone for each character, and children who had been absorbed in block play were suddenly captivated. Riku Nakanishi has visited Nishiokoppe several times through connections with Local Friends. Alongside original songs, he mixed in Christmas tunes, letting his gentle voice and guitar fill the space with a Santa-world atmosphere. Setoushi‑kun also appeared that day, giving visitors sweets and handmade keychains as gifts! The Christmas decorations placed throughout the museum were lovely. - There are about ten days left in the year. Komu is open through Monday, December 29. The museum reopens on Sunday, January 4. We look forward to your visits on event days and any other days. #Komu Museum of Art #December 6 #Setoushi‑kun #Riku Nakanishi #Sumikko Sumi-chan #Board of Education

[Mayu Kondo] Introduction video of Nishiokoppe Village [②] - The introduction video of Nishiokoppe Village has been released ② - Mayu Kondo, a singer-songwriter who also works as a YouTuber. Her first visit to Hokkaido was, surprisingly, Nishiokoppe Village!? From Tokyo HanedaKuukou to Okhotsk Monbetsu Airport. A roughly one-hour drive from the airport brings you to Nishiokoppe Village. The first place she visited was Okhotsk Musical Instrument Industry Co., Ltd., which manufactures electric guitar bodies. In Kondo’s video, she gives a detailed report on the factory work and the body-making process🎸 Other highlights include Forest Park, where you can bat and go bouldering, Komu – Forest Art Museum, an indoor facility with wooden playground equipment and toys, the dining spot Kuuraku inside Forest Park, and Nishiokoppe Guesthouse GA.KOPPER. Soothing narration by Kondo guides you through this video full of must-see spots until the end. Mayu Kondo Thank you for coming to Nishiokoppe Village! #Settlement promotion #Introduction video #Mayu Kondo #Influencer #Singer-songwriter #Eat #Stay