The 28th Minami no Sakura and Nanohana Festival Finale

Town’s 70th Anniversary Commemoration “Night Cherry Blossoms ☆ Shooting Stars”
Period: Friday, February 27, 2026; Saturday, February 28, 2026; Sunday, March 1, 2026
Time: 6:00 PM–7:30 PM
Release section: a 400 m stretch from Harumachi Bridge to around Kinomiya Bridge
※The event may be canceled due to rain or other conditions.
※The Inoriboshi® will be released a little upstream from the Roadside Station.
※This event is expected to be very crowded.

↓If you want to avoid crowds, please join the tour below.↓
・Tour organized by Minamiizu Town Tourism Association: Night Cherry Blossoms ☆ Shooting Stars Tour (until 2/28)
Reserve/Apply here → https://x.gd/EGMCM

・Vendors will be located behind the Tourist Information Center and Yunohana Chokubaijo (Yunohana Farm Stand).
There will be special vendor stalls during the Night Cherry Blossoms ☆ Shooting Stars event from 2/27 to 3/1.

※The posted images are from 2015.
※The Milky Way Project🄬 is a registered trademark, so unauthorized use is prohibited. Commercial use by entities other than individuals is also prohibited.

【The 28th Minami no Sakura and Nanohana Festival】
Held from February 1 to March 10

🌸About “The 28th Minami no Sakura and Nanohana Festival”
https://x.gd/8BXol

🌸Bloom status (updated regularly)
https://x.gd/iyca6

🌸Parking status (updated regularly)
https://x.gd/zbToA

🌸Live camera
https://x.gd/smGtI

Tsukigase Plum Valley Plum Festival
Now underway!
More areas are coming into full bloom♪
Please come and visit!

Photo credit: Yasunori Okamoto

This was photographed at Hinode Bridge on the Biei River in Biei, Hokkaido. On a subzero morning I went to capture the sunrise, and in the cold so intense that even batteries stopped working, I saw others waiting for the sunrise besides myself.

The illumination of the World Heritage site Shirakawago is held only a few times a year. Lately it has become hard to get reservations, and even when you can, finding heavy snow is rare. I managed to go there twice to shoot: the first time there was almost no snow. The second time, however, I succeeded in photographing Shirakawago in such heavy snowfall that walking was difficult. I take landscape photos with gratitude for those encounters.

I went to Oshino Village in Yamanashi Prefecture for a photo shoot one early morning in February. The sky was clear, and I was able to see the magnificent Mount Fuji. The temperature was below freezing; there was no snow, but a white frost covered the ground. Corn cobs were hung out to dry and gleamed in the morning sun, so I took a shot with Mount Fuji in the background. Japan’s number one Mount Fuji shone brilliantly.

Nagano Prefecture Kirigamine Venus Line.

A snowy plain landscape.
Deer tracks led across a deep, untouched snowfield where no people had ventured.

Crystals of light dancing in Taisho-era romance

■Location
Ginzan Onsen, Yamagata Prefecture

■Background and thoughts behind the work
Ginzan Onsen sits quietly in the deep mountains of Yamagata. On a night when snow piled softly on the streets steeped in Taisho-era romance, I attempted something for the first time.

I used the built-in flash to capture the “expressions of snow invisible to the eye.” Until then I had cherished natural light, but that evening I felt a strong urge to make each drifting snowflake shine like a jewel.

The instant the flash fired, pure white snow crystals appeared against the dark, and the warm orange glow of the gas lamps contrasting with the cold snow created a dreamlike scene. In the subzero cold I kept shooting until my fingertips went numb, and when I saw the glittering snow on the preview screen, I felt an indescribable emotion.

Through my first strobe shoot, I rediscovered the beauty of movement dwelling within frozen time. This photograph is an unforgettable and precious image for me.

Tsukigase Plum Valley Plum Festival
Now ongoing!
More areas are coming into full bloom♪
Please come and visit!

Photo credit::Mr. Yasuki Okamoto

The moment you open the door, a gentle aroma spreads through the lobby.

Experience a moment of relaxation as you take in the scenery.

Would you like to experience Kushiro at Kushiro Prince Hotel?
You can book via the profile URL.
https://www.instagram.com/kushiroprincehotel/

This view takes on a completely different expression from June… ✨

☁️ Lake Kussharo Sea of Clouds Guided Tour at Tsubetsu Pass ☁️
Starting again this year from June! A grand sea of clouds that blankets the entire lake.

The magical moment when the summit slowly clears is a luxurious experience only early risers will encounter.
Join a guide and enjoy a “miraculous morning” woven by nature.

📅 Season: June to October
🚐 Guided tour departing from hotels
🌄 We will take you to the Tsubetsu Pass observation facility

Make this summer an unforgettable sea-of-clouds journey.

Open-house-style presentations on the redevelopment of the Kawayu Onsen district will be held.

Notice from the Tourism and Commerce Division, Kawayu Onsen District Redevelopment Office
In Teshikaga Town, as we promote tourism—the town’s core industry—we have been advancing the redevelopment of the Kawayu area. In October 2023, we adopted the Kawayu Onsen District Town Development Master Plan to guide the revitalization of the Kawayu Onsen district.


At the times below, panels and other displays will be available, and staff will be on hand to explain the progress of the Kawayu Onsen district redevelopment whenever you visit.
No specialized knowledge is required. Please feel free to drop by!


Venue
Kawayu Furusato Hall
2-3-40 Kawayu Onsen

Dates and times
Sunday, March 1, 2026 — 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM
Monday, March 2, 2026 — 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM
No advance registration is required; if you wish to attend, please come directly to the venue.
The program will be the same on both days.


Organizer
Teshikaga Town
Contact
015-482-2940
https://www.kawayu-onsen.com/news/1034/

The winning entries of the 15th Teshikaga Photo Contest have been announced! This time, we present three Special Prize winners and the Executive Committee Special Prize.

✶ Special Prize ✶
Erisa Nitta "The Back of MtKamuinupuri"
Takashi Kuroda "Rime in May"
Koji Yajima "Standing at Dusk"

✶ Executive Committee Special Prize ✶
Taiga Takahashi "Ice"

The winning entries of the 15th Teshikaga Photo Contest were announced recently. Here we present the special prize winners 👀✨ Enjoy.

— ⋆⋆✶ Special Prize — ⋆⋆✶
Noriyasu Masuda "Overwhelmed by Vast Nature"
Nobuyuki Yamamoto "go!go!go!"
Takahiro Kori "Intermingling Plume and Cloud"
Hieeda Hiromi "A World of Silence"



For other winners and winning works, please check Teshikaga Navi. Congratulations to all the prizewinners‼︎ Thank you to everyone who participated‼︎ We appreciate your continued support for the Teshikaga Photo Contest and Teshikaga Navi 🙇❣️

https://www.masyuko.or.jp/news/photocon_r08/

The winning works of the 15th Teshikaga photo contest were announced recently. Today we present the selected entries for your viewing👀✨ Enjoy.

— ⋆⋆✶ Selected — ⋆⋆✶
Shoichi Koike "Rays of Light"
Fumiaki Nishikawa "Solitary Thoughts in the Morning Mist"
Murakami Grace "Dripping Winter"
Urata Marunī "Dragon’s Mist"
Rie Ishida "Reflection — Capturing Summer"



You can check other winners and winning works on Teshikaga Navi. Congratulations to all the prize winners‼︎ Thank you to everyone who participated‼︎ We hope you will continue to support the Teshikaga Photo Contest and Teshikaga Navi🙇❣️
https://www.masyuko.or.jp/news/photocon_r08/

Good morning ☀
This morning in Tsukigase
Tsukigase Plum Valley Plum Festival
Now on! In full bloom!
February 14, 2026 – March 29, 2026
Photo: Yasuki Okamoto

If you stay in Kushiro.

A location with views of one of the world’s three greatest sunsets.
A port town’s scenery seen from guest rooms.
A front-row moment that stretches from dusk into night.

A place where the stay itself becomes a travel memory.

📍Kushiro Prince Hotel
Reservations available from the profile URL.
https://www.instagram.com/kushiroprincehotel/

Two patches of the native spring flower setsubunso, which signal the arrival of spring, are now in full bloom in Soryo Town, Shobara City, Hiroshima Prefecture! 🌼

Other spots are progressing and are about 30% in bloom, too—so come and see! The Setsubunso Festival will be held on Sunday, March 8, 2025. We hope you can join us!

▶ Event details here
https://www.shobara-info.com/event/5451

▶ Setsubunso bloom updates (updated regularly)
https://www.shobara-info.com/special/4467

▶ Featured in our editorial report!
Published 2025.03.06 “The Scent of First Love” Visiting Setsubunso: Exploring the wild colonies and nearby lunch spots
https://www.shobara-info.com/report/4967

Access: About a 15-minute drive from Shobara IC on the Chugoku Expressway 🚗

Drifting ice off the coast of Shiretoko (Rausucho)
is home to drift ice and Steller's sea eagles.

When dozens of Steller's sea eagles and white-tailed eagles gather, their large size creates a truly dramatic sight.

Off the coast of Shiretoko (Rausucho)
Here are the drift ice and a Steller's sea eagle.

This weekend it was warm in Hokkaido
and a southerly wind blew,
so I was worried the drift ice might be pushed away,
but the ice band remained.

The drift ice will be gone next month,
and from late April you can see orcas and whales.

Mount Fuji Day 2/23

Today's temperature in Minami-Alps City is an astonishing 22°C
Springlike weather 🌸
Unfortunately, Mount Fuji is hidden during the daytime today…

In honor of Mount Fuji Day, please enjoy photos of Mount Fuji taken in the past as seen from Minami-Alps City 🗻

This is Gokayama Ainokura Gassho-style Village in Ainokura, Nanto City, Toyama Prefecture.
The scene created by Ainokura’s gassho-style houses and the snow-covered fields
is truly a timeless image of Japan.
As evening fell and the houses’ lights began to glow,
the steadily falling snow created a magical atmosphere.
(୨୧❛ᴗ❛)📷 ☃️❄️🏡🏔️

Mount Kaikoma in winter
The dawn atmosphere and the faint mist created a magical scene.

Hello, this is Ryūsuido 🌸 The birthstone for February, amethyst 💎, is one of the more powerful varieties of quartz, known for its mystical purple color.
Known not only for bringing good luck and fortune, it also offers healing and protection from harm,
and is celebrated as a guardian stone of love 😊

At Shosenkyo Gorge it has been mild the past few days, and you can begin to feel the first hints of spring.

Clear skies, rugged rock faces, and sunlight spilling onto the water—
that contrast is stunning and soothing to the soul ✨
One of Shosenkyo’s charms is the changing scenery each season brings ❗️

The Takinoue area offers many spots where you can forget everyday life and simply enjoy yourself 🌿
Please do visit when you can‼️
We truly look forward to the day we can see your wonderful smiles 😊✨

Notice of Reopening of the Ponpon Mountain Trail
We would like to inform you about the reopening of the Ponpon Mountain Trail.

The Ponpon Mountain Trail, which is currently closed, will reopen on Saturday, February 28, 2026.
Please note that the Doba area connected to the trail will remain closed to private vehicle parking until December 30, 2026, because it will be used for forest maintenance work. Please check nearby public parking lots and use those facilities.

We appreciate your understanding and cooperation.

Contact: Konsen Western Forest Management Office, Kawayu Forest Management Office
Tel:015-482-2469

Good morning ☀
#This morning in Tsukigase
#Satoyama landscape
#Blooming is progressing
#A village of flowers, greenery, and water
#I want to connect with people who like photography
#Nara Prefecture #Nara City #Nara tourism
#tsukigase baikei plum festival
February 14, 2026 to March 29, 2026
Photograph by Yasuki Okamoto

Hello, this is the Shosenkyo Gorge Tourism Association. Yesterday we enjoyed a clear blue sky.
The first photo is Senga Falls. Even after mid-February it still wears ice, crashing down with a thunderous roar and an overwhelmingly powerful presence. A crisp, wintry beauty unique to the season spreads across the scene.
The second photo is Kakuen Peak. Its silhouette, emblematic of Shosenkyo Gorge, looks like a sumi-e ink painting.

Please enjoy the contrast of stillness and motion that stands out in the clear air. There are vistas you can meet only in winter. We sincerely look forward to your visit.

#Shosenkyo Gorge #Senga Falls #Kakuen Peak #Yamanashi Tourism #Winter Scenery

Good morning ☀
This morning in Tsukigase
Tsukigase Plum Valley Ume Festival
Now on
February 14, 2026 – March 29, 2026
Photo: Yasunori Okamoto

February 15th
A clear, bright sky over Azumino
The view of the Northern Alps is stunning!!
Temperatures are climbing today, making it perfect weather for sightseeing

【Clear skies today ☀️ The Northern Alps look beautiful 🏔】
On February 14th, Valentine’s Day, Omachi City enjoyed clear weather, and the snow-capped Northern Alps stood out against the blue sky ✨
I took photos from Omachi Park through Mikkamachi, across Renge Ohashi Bridge, and behind Omachi City Culture Hall 📱 The temperature rose into the teens Celsius, making the day feel like the first hint of spring 🌱

Itami Sky Park

7-1-1 Morimoto, Itami

Itami Sky Park is a vast park adjacent to Osaka International Airport (Itami Airport). It is known for offering close-up views of aircraft taking off and landing, and there are many ways to enjoy it both day and night.


Itami Sky Park lets you watch aircraft take off and land up close, but there are several important precautions.
🚫 Prohibited Activities
The following actions are prohibited, so please be aware.

Ball games, frisbee, badminton, and similar activities: because they may interfere with aircraft operations.
Erecting tents, tarps, or similar shelters: because they may interfere with aircraft operations.
Bringing or riding motorbikes, bicycles, unicycles, etc.: please use the bicycle parking area.
Bringing or using balance bikes (Strider), kickboards, J-boards.
Fireworks.
Flying kites: because they may interfere with aircraft takeoff and landing.
Leaving trash behind: take your trash home with you. There are no trash bins in the park.
Smoking: the entire park is non-smoking (including electronic cigarettes).
Bringing pets: prohibited on lawns, in planting beds, and around fountains and water features.