Event Announcement 📣 On Saturday, October 24th, the earliest Christmas tree lighting ceremony in Japan, "Hiroo Santa Land Tree Lighting Ceremony 2026," will take place. 😊 In addition to the "Santa Land Christmas Market," a variety of events will be held, including a sound festival featuring the Hiroo Santa Land Jazz School and the ensemble group "Sogaku." 🎵 During the lighting ceremony, children from Hiroo Nursery School and Toyone Nursery School will perform Christmas songs. At the moment the lights are turned on, approximately 150,000 lights and about 10,000 wooden lanterns will illuminate the venue, creating a romantic Christmas atmosphere. ✨✨ Additionally, fireworks will be launched to conclude the event, and special Christmas gifts will be distributed to children under elementary school age who attend. 😍 Enjoy an early Christmas with your family and friends! 🤗 🔶 Date: October 24, 2026 (Saturday) starting at 14:00 🔶 Venue: Daimaruyama Forest Park *In case of inclement weather, the event will be held at the Hirocho Children's Welfare Hall. 🔶 The illumination will be on display from 16:00 to 22:00 and can be enjoyed until March 31st. 🔶 Contact: Hirocho Fisheries and Commerce Tourism Division TEL: 01558-2-0177 https://www.town.hiroo.lg.jp/santa_land/...

Taken on October 17, 2026. This is Ieyasu's float, rotating in front of Atre Kawagoe.

Reflected in the red umbrella is the traditional beauty of Kyoto. Autumn in Arashiyama, Kyoto. Standing amidst the vibrant autumn leaves is Aoi Tayū from Shimabara, Kyoto. The Shimabara Tayū carries on a tradition that dates back to the Edo period. Her luxurious kimono, unique Japanese hairstyle, and hairpins embody Japan's aesthetic sense and the craftsmanship of artisans. The vivid autumn leaves and the elegant figure of the Tayū, passed down through time. I captured a moment where the autumn scenery unique to Kyoto overlaps with Japan's traditional culture. I hope that such culture and beautiful forms will be passed down to future generations. Location: Arashiyama, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture Model: Aoi Tayū from Shimabara, Kyoto.

【Happy Halloween】 Entering the Forest Art Museum "komu," the atmosphere was different than usual! It feels a bit mysterious, yet somehow cute. But it might be a little scary too. Enjoy the limited-time Halloween display! 🎃 【Forest Art Museum "komu"】 On Friday, October 30th, it's Halloween Night 🌙 Have you decided what costume to wear? Of course, you don't have to dress up! On this day only,✨ from 18:00 to 20:00, admission is free for everyone. We are preparing Halloween events and looking forward to seeing you! Contact: 0158-87-2600 #Nishiokoppe Village #komu #Halloween #Display #I want some sweets.

In a garden glowing with autumn colors, enjoy a cup of tea. On a night illuminated by the Mid-Autumn Moon. The pure Japanese garden, Korakuen, was lit up as if the moonlight had descended, allowing us to relish the night foliage instead of night cherry blossoms. Walking along the path of light from the garden entrance, we could see the illuminated autumn leaves and pavilions on both the right and left. Without the prepared lighting, the night Korakuen would be so dark that one couldn't distinguish between the soil and the roots of the trees. The sight of leaves, stones, moss, and lanterns floating in the darkness due to the various lights was truly wonderful. The redness of the autumn leaves was more vivid than during the day and burned into the back of my eyelids. On the night of the illumination, a tea ceremony was held at the tea room, Korakutei, within the garden. The tea utensils were adorned with autumn leaves, and the sweets and tea bowls also revealed the essence of autumn. While savoring the sweetness of the sweets and the warmth of the tea, we fully enjoyed the autumn tea ceremony. - This illumination project was held for the third time, following last autumn and this spring. Thanks to this event, we met many villagers visiting Korakuen for the first time, those who look forward to coming every time, and visitors from nearby towns, among others. May this wonderful garden continue to be a cherished place for many in the future. Korakuen will be closed for the winter, so in the remaining few days, I would be delighted if you could come and visit.

Photographed on October 17, 2026. The first day of the Kawagoe Festival. This is Ieyasu's float passing under the overpass in front of Atre Kawagoe.

Taken on October 17, 26. It's the first day of the Kawagoe Festival. This is the float of Wakitamachi and Ieyasu departing.

The Autumn Festival at Fukuōji Shrine is a festival that features a portable shrine passing through the Imperial Gate of Ninna-ji, showcasing the fusion of Shinto and Buddhism. This year, after seven years, the Kenboko (spear-like decoration) was presented within the grounds of Ninna-ji. The highlight is the magnificent procession of the Senkan portable shrine! In front of the Nio Gate at Ninna-ji, there will be performances of taiko drums, lion dances, and the "lifting" and "turning" of the portable shrine, creating a lively atmosphere for the festival. Additionally, the normally closed Imperial Gate of Ninna-ji will be opened, providing a rare opportunity for solemn ceremonies to be held in front of the Shin-den. This year marks the return of the Kenboko presentation after seven years within the grounds of Ninna-ji. 📅Every year on the third Sunday of October 📍Procession of the Portable Shrine Starting from Fukuōji Shrine, it will pass through Narutaki, Yamagoe, Uzumasa, Tokiwa, and Omuro, then return to Fukuōji Shrine via Ninna-ji. 📸 Recommended Viewing Spots Around 14:30｜In front of the mountain gate of Ninna-ji Around 15:30｜Fukuōji Intersection This autumn festival in Kyoto is filled with the enthusiasm and traditions of the local people.

【Announcement of Lecture】 The Trees of Hokkaido and Our Lives Since ancient times, people have lived by discerning the right materials for the right places. Eiaki Nishikawa, who has written numerous books on trees and wood, and is also a researcher of chairs, shares the wisdom of those who have understood the properties of wood and utilized them appropriately. What does Nishikawa-san have to say about the trees of Hokkaido and our lives? Date: November 28, 2026 Time: 13:30-15:30 Admission: Free (No registration required, first 80 attendees) Venue: 2nd Floor, Kawayu Visitor Center Kawayu Visitor Center (TEL 015-483-4100) 2-2-6 Kawayu Onsen, Teshikaga, Kawakami District, Hokkaido October: 8:00-17:00, November: 9:00-16:00 / Closed on Wednesdays Organizer: Kussharo Caldera Nature Interaction Promotion Council

Taken on October 18, 26. It's the second day of the Kawagoe Festival. This is LEC COFFEE's lemonade soda and napolitan bread.

The Kawagoe Festival has concluded.

It's the second day of the Kawagoe Festival. The Nasori float is about to depart.

Photographed on October 17, 2026. On the first day of the Kawagoe Festival, I visited LEC COFFEE. I had a hot sandwich with egg, lettuce, and bacon, along with a dirty chai.

Taken on October 17, 2014. It was the first day of the Kawagoe Festival. The moment the floats turned was impressive.

It's the first night of the Kawagoe Festival. In Shintomi-cho 2-chome, the mirror lion float and in Suehirocho, the Takasago float are crossing each other.

The Kawagoe Festival has begun.

It's the first day of the Kawagoe Festival. Preparations are underway in Minamitoorimachi.

Taken on October 14, 2026. This is a café latte from CAFE ANDON and a cinnamon crumble tart with marmalade.

In 2027, the travelogue "Five Pairs of Shoes," representing Amakusa literature, will celebrate its 120th anniversary since its publication. This symposium will examine and discuss the role of this precious literature left in the region, while tracing the achievements of editor Utarō Noda, who brought "Five Pairs of Shoes" back into the world. It will explore how to utilize this literature for education, local culture, and tourism. We will also hold an exhibition titled "Amakusa Literary Walk by Utarō Noda," showcasing valuable photographs and related materials taken by Utarō Noda. We sincerely look forward to your participation. 【Event Overview】 Date: Sunday, November 29, 2026, from 1:30 PM to 4:00 PM (Doors open at 1:00 PM) Venue: Shiki Community Center (Reihokumachi Town Hall) Address: 444-1 Shiki, Reihokumachi, Amakusa District, Kumamoto Prefecture Participation Fee: Free (Capacity: 200 people) Organizer: Reihokumachi and Reihokumachi Board of Education Co-organizer: Amakusa Reihoku Tourism Association Support: Noda Utarō Literary Museum, Kyushu Asahi Broadcasting Co., Ltd., KBC Mooov Planning: Dot Works 【Program Content】 Part 1: "Understanding Utarō Noda and His Achievements" - Exploring the connection with "Five Pairs of Shoes" and the meaning of "Literary Walk." Part 2: "Considering the Region Through Utarō Noda's Perspective" - Questioning how to utilize the literary treasures left in the region for society, education, and tourism. Speakers Takami Yamabe (Member of the Utarō Noda Commemorative Association) Masashi Nishikido (Director of Reihokumachi Education Board) Katsuhiro Noda (Chairman of Reihokumachi Neighborhood Association) Tadao Inoue (Secretary-General of the Amakusa Reihoku Tourism Association) Hideki Ohnita (Moderator / Regional Revitalization Entrepreneur in Reihokumachi) Concurrent Exhibition: "Amakusa Literary Walk by Utarō Noda" - An exhibition of valuable photographs and related materials taken by Utarō Noda. 【Application and Inquiries】 Contact Phone Number: 0969-31-1136 The pre-registration form for participation can be found in the "Notice" section of the Amakusa Reihoku Tourism Association website. *Although same-day participation is possible, space is limited, so pre-registration is recommended. *This symposium is being conducted with the support of the "Kumamoto Future Creation Startup Subsidy for the 8th year of the Reiwa era."

The 45th Yusaku Tourism Maple Festival ❚ Held from November 3 to November 23, 2026 The 45th Yusaku Tourism Maple Festival will take place at Yusaku Park in Asaji Town, Bungoono City, Oita Prefecture. Yusaku Park, the venue, originated as a villa given to a senior retainer by the lord of the Oka domain during the Edo period. It is said that Tanomura Chikuden and Rai San'yō also visited, and over 500 maple and kaede trees will change color around the heart-shaped pond. The trees, dyed in red and yellow, reflect beautifully on the surface of the water. During the festival, rice cakes and other items will be sold, and for five days, the area will be illuminated from sunset until 9 PM, allowing visitors to enjoy the night scenery of the autumn leaves wrapped in light. On Saturday, November 14, there will be daytime dance and karaoke, along with an evening performance of Yusaku Night Kagura "Mizukagami." Feel free to visit at your preferred time. 【Period】 From November 3 (Tue, Holiday) to November 23 (Mon, Holiday) 【Schedule】 Illumination: November 7 (Sat), 13 (Fri), 20 (Fri), 21 (Sat), 22 (Sun) *From sunset to 9:00 PM Dance and karaoke: November 14 (Sat) 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM (canceled in case of rain) Yusaku Night Kagura "Mizukagami": November 14 (Sat) starts at 3:45 PM (postponed to the next day in case of rain) 【Location】 Yusaku Park (Kameozuka, Asaji Town, Bungoono City) 【Admission】 Free entry 【Access】 About 50 minutes by car from Oita Merah IC 【Parking】 Available (free) 【Contact】 Bungoono City Asaji Branch 0974-72-1111 ■■Access from Fukuoka Prefecture and Kumamoto Prefecture to the center of Bungoono City■■■ About 3 hours by car from JR Hakata Station in Fukuoka Prefecture About 2 hours by car from JR Kumamoto Station in Kumamoto Prefecture About 1 hour and 20 minutes by car from JR Beppu Station in Oita Prefecture About 1 hour and 20 minutes by car from JR Yufuin Station in Oita Prefecture ■■■■■■■■■■■■ Introducing recommended sightseeing spots in Bungoono City, Oita Prefecture, Kyushu ■■■■■■■■■■■■

Taken on October 14, 2026. This is the cinnamon crumble tart with marmalade from cafe andon.

Nestled along the charming Perry Road is Shimoda Kaisen Kuriya 🍽️ This time, I enjoyed the "Deluxe Seafood Chirashi Set"! This set allows you to indulge in luxurious seafood delights, including rich sashimi and abalone 😌 For dessert, there's also the rich "Homemade Kuriya Pudding" 🍮🤎 Why not visit while enjoying the cool night breeze and strolling along Perry Road at night? 🌙🍂 📍Shimoda Kaisen Kuriya For more details, click below👇 https://www.shimoda-city.info/post/20261006...

Taken on October 14, 26. This is the special Neapolitan pasta with tomato sauce from cafe andon. 🍝

The international bicycle road race "Mynavi Tour de Kyushu 2026 Oita-Kumamoto Stage" started in front of Bungoono City Hall in Bungoono City, Oita Prefecture, on Sunday, October 11th. The starting venue at Bungoono City Hall was bustling with people from the morning. As the player introductions began, the atmosphere in the venue heightened, and cheers erupted. The athletes raced through the town on a course of approximately 128 kilometers, receiving loud cheers from the spectators along the route. A special stage featured performances by Shigekix, a breakdancer representing the Paris Olympics, and a talk show by Kiminori Wakasugi, a manga artist from Bungoono City. Local gourmet vendors were also thriving from the morning, keeping the venue lively throughout the day. We look forward to the day when this race comes back to our town. ■■Access to the center of Bungoono City from Fukuoka Prefecture and Kumamoto Prefecture■■■ About a 3-hour drive from JR Hakata Station in Fukuoka Prefecture About a 2-hour drive from JR Kumamoto Station in Kumamoto Prefecture About a 1 hour and 20-minute drive from JR Beppu Station in Oita Prefecture About a 1 hour and 20-minute drive from JR Yufuin Station in Oita Prefecture ■■■■■■■■■■■■ Introducing recommended sightseeing spots in Bungoono City, Oita Prefecture, Kyushu ■■■■■■■■■■■■

Taken on October 14, 2026. This is the Halloween flower water offering at Naritasan Kawagoe Betsuin.🎃

Event Announcement 📣 On Sunday, October 18th, the "Sarabetsu Great Harvest Festival 2026" will be held in Sarabetsumura, where the food self-sufficiency rate exceeds 7,000%. This year, the festival will feature even more exciting offerings! 😊 Enjoy delicious and affordable locally produced agricultural products, along with gourmet treats that can only be tasted here‼ There will be a live demonstration and sale of Sarabetsu Wagyu steak by Chef Mabu from "Makine," and a large pot of ginger-flavored Sarabetsu Wagyu will be available, with 1,000 servings prepared! 😍 Additionally, you can savor sweets like the "Pumpkin Cream Puff" created in collaboration with JA Sarabetsu Seinenbu and Nishiyama Confectionery! ✨✨ On stage, the "Sarabetsu Food Summit 2026" will feature the participation of the competitive eater Angela Sato! A prediction quiz will also be held at the venue to guess the winning team. Enjoy vibrant performances by the local folk art group "Sarabetsu Kashiwadaiko" and the Sarabetsu Baton Mates, as well as a luxurious prize lottery with exciting giveaways. The program is packed with fun! A gourmet stamp rally will also take place inside the venue! 🎵 Moreover, there will be popular attractions for children, including the "Tanuranger's Large Fluffy Playground" and a "Dog Run." Be sure to enjoy the delicious gourmet offerings and fun events unique to Sarabetsumura! 🤗 🔷Date: Sunday, October 18, 2026, from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM (Doors open at 9:30 AM) *The event will be held rain or shine. 🔷Venue: Sarabetsu Village Furusato-kan Special Venue 🔷Parking - Special parking lot next to Sarabetsu Village Furusato-kan - Free shuttle bus service between the town hall parking lot and the venue (9:30 AM to 2:00 PM) https://www.sarabetsu.jp/sightseeing/event/shukakusai/...

This is the autumn foliage at Fukuhara Sanso in Shikaoicho, Hokkaido. Although it is private land, it is open to the public during the autumn foliage season, attracting many tourists. There are many maple trees here, and when the leaves start to fall, a beautiful red carpet is formed, making it very popular.

In Teshikaga, we promote "sustainable tourism" under the slogan "To the town you want to go, to the town you want to live in," ensuring happiness for both residents and visitors. This autumn, we are holding four seminars to learn about sustainable tourism. This time, we welcomed Akihiro Shugo, the representative director of Food Diversity, Inc., to conduct the "Diversity in Food Seminar & Cooking Class." We will share a photo report of the participants, including many businesses in the area and beyond that frequently welcome international guests, such as restaurants and accommodations. Through clear lectures on how to meet various dietary needs, such as vegan and halal, and hands-on cooking experiences, everyone had a great time 🍚✨ #Teshikaga #Kawayu Onsen #Hokkaido

[For Those Heading to the Eastern Region] The Kawayu Accommodation Discount for Winter 2026 is now on sale!! Enjoy a discount of 2,000 yen for adults and 1,000 yen for children per night! The eligible period is weekdays and Sundays from November 1st to March 26th of next year. This offer is available at Kawayu Kanko Hotel, KKR Kawayu, and Oyado Kinkiyu Annex Suikazura. This winter, be sure to visit Kawayu Onsen!♨️✨

Hello 😊 This is Crystal Sound 💎✨ As October begins, we are enjoying pleasant weather in Shosenkyo Gorge ☀️ Autumn is a season when Shosenkyo becomes particularly vibrant with colors 🍁 It is still a bit early for the peak of the autumn foliage, but the leaves on the trees are gradually starting to change, revealing hints of yellow and red among the greenery 🌿🍂 Against the backdrop of a clear blue sky, majestic rocky mountains, and the soothing sounds of the flowing stream ✨ Taking a leisurely stroll while admiring the scenery in the gentle autumn breeze and mild temperatures is a unique way to enjoy this season 😊 Surrounded by nature, why not spend a healing moment that you can't easily experience in your daily life? 🌳 Now, when we think of October's birthstone, it's "opal" 💎🌈 The meanings of the stone are ✨ Hope ✨ Good fortune ✨ Purity ✨ Patience The charm of opal lies in its beautiful colors that change depending on the angle from which you view it 🌈 Its brilliance, reminiscent of a rainbow captured within small gemstones, is captivating enough to make you stare in awe 😍 Please enjoy the fantastical colors of opal along with the gradually vibrant autumn foliage of Shosenkyo 🍁💎 At Crystal Sound, we offer a wide variety of captivating natural stones, including opal! While strolling through the autumn Shosenkyo, we invite you to stop by and find your favorite natural stone ☺️ All of our staff sincerely look forward to welcoming you 🍀 🌿 A final request to everyone 🌿 There are no trash bins in Shosenkyo. To continue protecting this beautiful nature, we would appreciate it if you could bring a plastic bag to take your garbage back with you when you visit 🛍️ Thank you for your warm cooperation ☺️