Hello 😃 This is Yamanashi Wine Kingdom Senga Falls Store. As Christmas approaches, the town fills with sparkle and warmth in this season. One place to visit in the crisp winter air is Shosenkyo Gorge, a scenic treasure of Yamanashi Prefecture. Steep rock formations and ravine beauty stretch through Shosenkyo, known as one of Japan’s premier gorges. In winter, its quiet and pristine beauty soothes the spirit. Located deep within the gorge, Senga Falls is the signature waterfall of Shosenkyo. The roughly 30-meter drop roaring down the rock face makes a powerful sight, and in the cold winter air the spray feels even more magical. If you’re lucky, frost will coat the rocks, letting you enjoy nature’s own winter artwork. For a special moment with someone dear before Christmas, consider visiting Shosenkyo and Senga Falls to be wrapped in nature’s grandeur and silence. They will help you weave a memorable winter experience. At Yamanashi Wine Kingdom Senga Falls Store, we carry many wines 🍷 recommended for Christmas and the New Year. Please find your favorite bottle with us.♪ We also offer rich grape juice 🍇 and pure peach juice 🍑 for children and those who do not drink alcohol. With the year drawing to a close, we look forward to welcoming you from the bottom of our hearts.

[Spectacular Views in Shobara City, Hiroshima Prefecture — This Is the Place!] Experience beautiful nature🍃 Top scenic spots in Shobara! Located in the center of the Chugoku region, Shobara covers a territory where 80 percent of the area is forest. This town, where people and nature live together in satoyama-style communities, still preserves natural wonders you won’t find in the city. Here are breathtaking vistas that remind you of the everyday, long-forgotten but precious gifts of vast nature and the kindness of its people. For more details, visit the Shobara Tourism Navi website🔽 https://www.shobara-info.com/spot/4019...

🌼We have updated the daffodil blooming report🌼 The daffodils throughout the garden are just beginning to bloom🌱 In some spots, you can already see clusters of blooms appearing✨ See the latest updates on our blog📖 Be sure to check it out👇 https://www.shimoda-city.info/post/20251223...

Lantern lighting has begun at Kawayu Onsen! 🏮 Lanterns now hang outside accommodations, restaurants, souvenir shops and other stores within the kawayu group facility district of Akan-Mashu National Park. Follow the gentle glow of the lanterns and enjoy Kawayu Onsen town at night. 💡 https://www.kawayu-onsen.com/feature/889/...

[Outdoor and Active Picks in Shobara City, Hiroshima Prefecture] Fun for everyone! 😍 Enjoy Shobara’s vast nature with these activities Blessed with expansive wilderness, Shobara is a summer retreat and home to Ogidani Auto Campsite, one of Hiroshima Prefecture’s largest campgrounds where you can even try rare snow camping in Western Japan during winter. Beyond camping, thrill-seekers can enjoy rafting, canoe and kayak experiences, and river walking. In winter, you can fully enjoy outdoor sports like skiing. For more details, visit the Shobara Tourist Navi website🔽 https://www.shobara-info.com/spot/4018...

The harmony of autumn leaves and shikizakura (four-season cherry blossoms) is beautiful. Aerial drone footage of Kawami Shikizakura-no-Sato was taken. Obara Village, Toyota City, Aichi Prefecture *Filmed in compliance with aviation law.

The Japanese archipelago!? There is a rock in Kouno that looks like the shape of the Japanese archipelago. Can you see the "Japanese archipelago"? You’ll find it about 400 meters south from Kono Elementary School along Route 305. It’s hard to spot, but give it a try!

Sure to delight visitors of all kinds. Lake Kussharo formed inside one of Japan’s largest calderas. Traces of a prehistoric mega-eruption remain visible today. Just pondering that history can make a day fly by— that’s what time feels like when you stay at Kussharo Prince Hotel. Why not spend a special time alongside Lake Kussharo, born from one of Japan’s largest calderas? You can book from the profile URL. https://www.instagram.com/kussharo_ph/... Winter season (limited) January 19, 2026 (Monday) – March 7, 2026 (Saturday)

At Kussharo Prince Hotel, Kussy welcomes you. Step into the elevator and you are moments away from the spectacular view of Lake Kussharo, the country’s largest caldera. We offer six room types. All rooms face the lake, letting you savor the Kussharo Caldera scenery in the morning, afternoon, and evening. You can make a reservation from the profile URL. https://www.instagram.com/kussharo_ph/... Winter season (limited) January 19, 2026 (Monday) to March 7, 2026 (Saturday)

Northern Alps Foothills🏔️ Omachi City December 19 — The sky is clear today☀️ and the snow-capped Northern Alps stand out against the blue sky🏔 So, I went around Omachi City to visit the best Northern Alps viewpoints😊 1. Omachi Park 2. Mikamachi Kita signal crossing 3. Kannon Bridge 4. Asahi-cho Pedestrian Bridge 5. On the Shinano-Ōmachi Station overpass Spots 1–3 are reachable by car from shinanooomachi station, and spots 4–5 are within a 10-minute walk😌 I would be happy if you could stop by when you visit🥰 🏂 Shinano-Ōmachi Navi🏔 https://www.kanko-omachi.gr.jp//

Gokase Highland Ski Resort OPEN ✨ Today (12/19), the southernmost ski resort in Japan, Gokase Highland Ski Resort, opened ❄ An opening ceremony was held from 10:00, and skiers and snowboarders who had been eagerly awaiting this day attended 🎿🏂 The slopes are limited to about half their usual width, but the snowpack is solid 💡 As temperatures drop and more snow accumulates, the slopes should reach even better conditions 😊 Come and visit Gokase Highland Ski Resort this winter 😍⛄

[Shimanto City, Kochi Prefecture] Must-try local ingredients in Shimanto City! [Part 2] Shimanto City offers so many recommended ingredients that it’s impossible to pick just one. Everything harvested from its rich natural environment is exquisite. You can enjoy the blessings of the Shimanto River, the bounty of the sea, and the fruits of the mountains and countryside—discovering Shimanto’s food culture and local cuisine. 〇 Shimanto’s seafood: Nakamura’s traditional flavor, Nakamura-style salt-seared bonito Bonito tataki is famous across Japan. While salt tataki often means simply sprinkling salt, Nakamura-style salt tataki from the Nakamura region of Shimanto City uses a salt sauce brightened with the juice of vinegar citrus to season the fish. Each restaurant has its own seasoning, creating a traditional flavor you can only taste here. Not only bonito but also fresh fish such as suma (suma-gatsuo) and hagatsuo are used depending on the catch. From March to May you can enjoy the light, refreshing first bonito and migrating bonito, while from September to November the fatty returning bonito and descending bonito are at their best. Salt-seared tataki made from seasonal fish is also available at other times of year. ・Seasonal sashimi Located at the heart of western Kochi Prefecture with abundant fishing grounds, Shimanto City offers fresh fish such as isegi, gure, and kourou at local shops, and bonito is served not only as tataki but also as sashimi. The thick, satisfying cuts of sashimi are a local specialty. 〇 A fish you can’t eat unless you visit Shimanto?! “Biri” bonito Bonito caught in the evening and served to customers about three hours after landing—before rigor mortis sets in—is called biri. It features a strikingly soft yet springy, chewy texture. This extreme freshness creates an addictive bonito that pairs perfectly with sake. (The Hata region dialect word “biri” means “the freshest of the fresh.”) 〇 Shimanto’s beef is delicious too! The legendary female-only “Shimanto Beef” Shimanto Beef is a rare product made exclusively from female kuroge wagyu (black-haired Japanese cattle), with only about 100 heads shipped each year. Its hallmark is sweet, light fat with a low melting point, characteristic of female cattle. Raised with great care at company-run farms, these cattle drink pure mountain water that feeds into the Shimanto River and are fed a special homemade feed blend, hay, and local rice straw. Raised stress-free in quiet mountain valleys with little traffic or people, Shimanto cattle develop intensely sweet, melt-in-your-mouth meat. The quality of the fat produces the sweet flavor and the melting texture in the mouth. The result is an exceptional taste—superb in umami, sweetness, and aroma.

Hello. This is Ryusuido. Winter is slowly deepening at Shosenkyo Gorge. In the clear air, the rock face of Senga Falls sometimes catches the sunlight and glows a golden color. The cliffs reveal expressions you won’t see in other seasons, offering dramatic sights unique to this time of year. December’s birthstones are four color gemstones that evoke a pristine winter sky. [Tanzanite] Named by Tiffany, this beautiful blue-violet gem is prized for its mysterious pleochroism, said to sharpen the mind and consciousness and guide one toward success. [Lapis Lazuli] Considered one of the oldest power stones in the world, it brings luck and success. It was also used as a pigment in paintings and is known as Vermeer blue. [Turquoise] Known for its vivid turquoise blue that recalls sky and sea, it delights with color variations and natural patterns that differ by source. [Zircon] A gem with brilliance rivaling diamond and a beautiful rainbow fire, zircon is also called the “stone of peace,” said to soothe the heart and unlock latent potential. We also offer a wide variety of other natural stones and accessories. Please stop by and enjoy the healing space woven by stones and the sound of the waterfall. The area above the falls has many spots where you can forget everyday life and simply enjoy yourself. Do visit! We sincerely look forward to the day we can meet your lovely smiles.

🌼The 60th Shimoda Onsen Narcissus Festival🌼 ＼2 days until the opening!／ Today (12/18) we carried out a cleanup at Cape Tsumeki🧹 About 60 people helped, and the park is now fully ready to welcome visitors✨ Planters of narcissus have also been placed at Izukyu Shimoda Station🚉🌼 📅 December 20th, 10:00 — Opening event ・Ribbon cutting ・Shimoda Taiko drumming performance🥁 ・Free kinmedai nigiri sushi for the first 100 visitors ・Ikenodan nitsumiso hotpot served to the first 200 visitors Current bloom status: “Starting to bloom”🌱 We will post occasional bloom updates on the blog during the festival📝 👉 More details here https://www.shimoda-city.info/post/20251218... Enjoy the delicate white narcissus in winter Shimoda❄️🌼

The other day the weather was nice, so I went to the Avenue of white birch trees. The contrast of the blue sky, the snow, and the white birches is beautiful, isn’t it! You can enjoy the beauty of the Avenue of white birch trees in every season, so do visit and see for yourself 😊

MtAriake, known as Shinano Fuji a trapezoidal mountain you can spot easily from Azumino a scene from a clear, frosty morning♪

When Azumino is under high pressure, the temperature drops, but you can see stunning views of the Northern Alps through the clear air!! You can enjoy such beautiful scenery in Azumino in winter too This is a straight road known as Ohisama Road In the distance, the symbol MtJonen rises majestically!

Meigetsuin Temple, famous for its hydrangeas This temple in the historic city of Kamakura also offers spectacular autumn foliage. Especially from the Satori Window, the view of the autumn leaves captures a timeless sense of old Japan.

Korankei’s autumn leaves, said to be the best in the Tokai region. The view from the sanmon gate of Kojakuji Temple. I love this view and often linger, but when the light comes in it fills with many people. I waited until the crowd thinned to take these photos.

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.

[Announcement of the 15th Teshikaga Photo Contest] The annual Teshikaga Photo Contest will be held again this year. Submissions are invited under the theme "Experience the volcanoes, forests, and lakes through the four seasons of Teshikaga," and the winners will be announced on the tourism information portal Teshikaga Navi. Please check Teshikaga Navi for the contest entry guidelines and details. We look forward to your participation. "Call for Entries: 15th Teshikaga Photo Contest" Entry Period November 1, 2025 (Saturday) to January 20, 2026 (Tuesday); postmarked by this date Categories Spring / Summer / Autumn / Winter / Open Prizes Grand Prize 1 entry…30,000 yen plus supplementary prizes (accommodation vouchers, Mashu Melon, etc.) Excellence Awards 3 entries…10,000 yen plus supplementary prizes / Honorable Mentions 5 entries…supplementary prizes / Special Prize and Tourism Association Prize: several awards ■ Thanks to the cooperation of local businesses, many supplementary prizes such as accommodation vouchers, meal vouchers, and local products are available. Organizer: Mashu Lake Tourism Association (local DMO) Supported by: Teshikaga Town, Teshikaga Town Board of Education, Lake Mashu 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/...

Winter has finally arrived. This photo shows the snowy scenery at Hirono Dam. Heavy snow can be troublesome, but seeing a snowy landscape always makes me feel, “Ah—this season has come.”

An article about the traditional Kawayu Onsen Caravan, held on November 26—"Good Bath Day"—and organized by the Kawayu Onsen Caravan Executive Committee, has been posted 🆙. The caravan, wearing happi coats of the hot-spring source faction and carrying Kawayu Onsen lanterns, ran across eastern Hokkaido; we present scenes of their journey 🏃‍♀️💨 Please take a look ✨ https://www.kawayu-onsen.com/feature/889/...

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

The ginkgo avenue along Sakuradoori is one of Nagoya's most representative and beautiful street trees in Nagoya City, Aichi Prefecture. The entire street turns a glorious golden hue, creating a striking urban autumn scene. Sakuradoori stretches for several kilometers, but the best view is famously from the pedestrian bridge at Nisshin-mae Crossing (where Sakuradoori meets Fushimi-dori). It is widely known as the prime spot to take in the whole avenue.

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.

Autumn Colors on the Mountain Pass An aerial drone view of Onyu Pass in a sweeping composition. Be moved by the vibrant fall foliage and the winding snake road! Onyu Pass, Takashima City, Shiga Prefecture November 2025