Create special memories with your family near Tokyo 🤿☀️ This time, we visited Usami in Higashi-Izu. It's a seaside area in Japan that you can access from Tokyo in a day. In the morning, we departed the city, heading towards Izu while enjoying the coastal scenery. The landscape gradually changes. Time flows slowly. Just that alone allows you to feel a different side of Japan compared to Tokyo. On this day, we participated in a PADI Open Water Diver course as a family. At first, they seemed a bit nervous, but once they entered the water, smiles began to appear. Seeing the same ocean, watching the same fish, and being moved by the same scenery. Diving offers such special moments. The waters of Higashi-Izu are a popular diving area for international guests as well. The scenery changes with the seasons, allowing you to enjoy schools of fish and the serene blue underwater world. "I can't believe there's such a sea near Tokyo." It's not uncommon to hear such remarks from first-time international visitors. Obtaining a diving license is not just about getting a qualification. It's about challenging yourself to enter a new world together. It's about spending the same time in Japan's waters. That experience itself will remain as a memory of the journey. It's another side of Japan that you won't encounter just by visiting tourist spots. That is the charm of "Dive Near Tokyo." At Hokule'a Shonan, we offer small-group beginner-friendly diving tours and license courses. We can accommodate English speakers, making it a great option for international travelers and foreigners living in Japan. Why not spend a slightly special day during your trip to Tokyo?

The sunset at Taga-cho, Shiga Prefecture, was perfect on this day!

Event Announcement📣 On Sunday, May 24th, the 46th Hirocho Azalea Festival will be held at Daimaruyama Forest Park😊 Approximately 12,000 Ezo Yamazutsujis will beautifully decorate the venue🎵 On that day, Yasu from HBC Radio's "Car Navigation Radio Afternoon First!" will serve as the host, energizing the venue. A variety of programs will be available, including Tokachi Port's Soran Dance, a special balloon show by the clown Gucci, a BINGO tournament with luxurious prizes, and a quick-eating contest called "Shishamon Pick" featuring local specialties‼ In the gourmet corner "Full Belly Market," delicious offerings from various shops will be sold. You can also enjoy fresh seafood purchased on-site using the grilling station. Additionally, you can taste the "Hakkaku Oyakata's hometown Chanko Nabe" provided by the Women's Promotion Council of three organizations in Hirocho😍 Shuttle buses will operate from Hirocho Elementary School to the venue, ensuring that elderly guests and those with small children can attend comfortably🤗 Date: May 24, 2026 (Sunday) 9:30 AM - 3:00 PM Venue: Special Venue at Daimaruyama Forest Park https://www.town.hiroo.lg.jp/kankou/event/...

A carefully curated buffet featuring Hokkaido ingredients. Enjoy as much as you like, both morning and night. A limited-time fair filled with strawberries is also underway 🍓 Available from Saturday, April 25, 2026, to Sunday, May 31, 2026. Save this if you're interested 👇 Reservations can be made through the profile URL. 📍Kussharo Prince Hotel https://www.instagram.com/kussharo_ph/...

In Zushi, Kanagawa Prefecture, the sea is home to some of the largest schools of fish in Japan.🐟 It takes about 40 minutes by car from Hiratsuka, where Hokulea Shonan is located. This popular boat diving area can even be visited on a day trip from Tokyo.🚗 On the way to the sea, you can enjoy a small cruise while taking in views of Enoshima and Mt. Fuji.🛳️ Once you arrive at the dive site and enter the water, you'll be greeted by an overwhelming number of red sea bream. At first, it may look like the water is murky. But as you get closer, you'll realize it's all a school of fish. Countless small fish fill the water. More and more schools of fish continue to appear. It's a mysterious sight, as if the underwater world itself is alive.✨ The density of fish is astonishing, making it hard to believe you're underwater. Divers who see this view for the first time often gasp in amazement. There are still special seas near Tokyo that are not widely known.🇯🇵 This is another aspect of Japan that you won't encounter through tourism alone. In the tranquil sea, you can feel the energy of nature all around you. Hokulea Shonan offers small group diving tours centered around the Shonan and Izu areas. They also provide beginner-friendly tours and English-speaking diving support.🌊 #Tokyo Area #Nature Experience #Day Trip #Local Travel #Japanese Scenery

The clusters of twinflower in Azumino While Kamikochi is famous for twinflower, Azumino also has beautiful spots One such place is the Mitsumata Trailhead leading to Mt. Chogatake Along the trail from the trailhead to the Godzilla Tree, twinflower blooms abundantly on both sides!! In the morning, the flowers are closed, but when they soak up plenty of sunlight, they spread their beautiful petals Other flowers like Sanakayou, wild wasabi, and Enreisou are also blooming!!

On May 18th Mt. Jonen bathed in the morning sun and a water mirror The morning glow of the Northern Alps reflected beautifully in the rice field water!! This is the scenery of Azumino, a town that makes you love the morning.

May 17 In the satoyama of Azumino, the azaleas of Mount Hikarujo are in bloom Colorful azaleas are blooming at the summit From the summit, you can enjoy the view of the Northern Alps and the water-filled fields of Azumino!!

May 16th The usual scenery A tranquil moment

The "Murmuring Stream Path" located along the riverbed of Yorozuigawa flowing through Azumino is a pleasant walking trail that served as a filming location for the East Japan Railway Company's Adult Holiday Club and the serial TV drama "The Sun"!! The false acacia along the trail is blooming with white flowers.

Experience the famous water of Azumino at the Azumino Wasabi Fields Spring Water Group. Meltwater from the Northern Alps flows as underground water, with an estimated daily volume of 700,000 tons. Even in midsummer, the water temperature never exceeds 15 degrees Celsius. It is located near Azumino Village, where Village Azumino is situated.

April 26, 2018, Agematsu Town, Akasawa Natural Recreation Forest Currently, Kiso has transformed into a season of fresh greenery after the cherry blossoms have fallen. The entire area is green, showcasing a different side of Kiso compared to March and April! As we transition from spring to summer, it is getting hotter...🥵

On April 26, 2025, the Yozakura Festival will take place in Okuwa Village. Every year, the Yozakura Festival is held in Okuwa Village. There are many stalls, allowing visitors to enjoy cherry blossom viewing at night!

April 26, 2024 Kiso Town – The Cherry Blossoms The cherry blossoms behind Kiso Hospital were in full bloom and looked beautiful! I wonder if they can be seen from the ward? They are blooming in a lovely spot.

April 26, 2016, Narai Inn, Shiojiri City: Cherry Blossom View Narai Inn was as lively as always. The riverside is very beautiful with fully bloomed cherry blossoms. Sennen-ji offers a great view of the cherry blossoms from above, making it a recommended spot.

April 26, 2009: Cherry Blossom Viewing in Kiso Town, Hiyoshi Tokon-ji, the family temple of Kiso Yoshinaka located in Hiyoshi, Kiso Town, becomes surrounded by cherry blossoms in spring, creating a stunningly beautiful scene!

April 9, 2026, Agematsu Town Cherry Blossom Appearance Bringing you the spring of Agematsu Town!

On April 26, 2003, here's how the cherry blossoms looked in Nagiso town. I apologize for the late post... Although I am late, I bring you the sights of spring in Kiso! Midono inn (Midono-juku) and Tsumago inn (Tsumago-juku)

Long time no see. At the end of last month, the potatoes in the field were blooming with lovely flowers. The combination of soft gradient purple and the orange in the center is really beautiful✨️ The season is definitely heading towards early summer.

The magpie often seen in Tomakomai. In Japan, it had been breeding for many years in limited areas like Saga Prefecture, but it has started to be seen in Tomakomai for about 20 to 30 years. About the size of a pigeon, it has a stylish black and white body with long tail feathers that shimmer blue to green depending on the light✨. You might find it perched on power lines near the Tomakomai Tourist Information Center, so be sure to look for it! (Image provided by Roadside Station Utonai-ko)

[Announcement] Taking place in 2023! Introducing the "Togakushi Shrine Shikinen Grand Festival"✨ "Togakushi Shrine Shikinen Grand Festival" [Event Period] April 25 (Sunday) to May 25 (Tuesday), 2023 *This is a special opportunity that occurs once every seven years in the traditional calendar. [What is the Togakushi Shrine Shikinen Grand Festival?] This is the largest festival at Togakushi Shrine, held once every seven years. In the past, the portable shrine would be carried to the Okusha, but now the deity of Hōkōsha visits the deity of Nakasha, their father, allowing for a reunion between father and son. [Main Event Schedule] *2023 April 25 (Sunday) "Shikkō Hōkoku-sai" May 9 (Sunday) "Togyo no Gi" May 15 (Saturday) "Okusha Hōkoku-sai" May 23 (Sunday) "Kango no Gi" May 25 (Tuesday) "Shūryō Hōkoku-sai" "Taidai Kagura" Performed daily at the Nakasha Shrine (excluding May 9 and May 23) "Riyama Butsuri Return Viewing" At Hōkōsha daily during the event period (excluding May 9 and May 23) #Togakushi Shrine Shikinen Grand Festival #Togakushi Shrine #Togakushi #Nagano City #Nagano Tourism

The rice planted in the fields is growing steadily in Azumino. Beyond the beautiful rows, the scenery of Azumino unfolds!♪ We welcomed a refreshing morning.😊

One of my favorite waterfalls located in Kozagawacho, known for its many waterfalls, is Nakatsudani Falls, which has a height of 93 meters and consists of seven tiers. From below, you can see up to the third tier, which is 45 meters high. It’s a beautiful waterfall, but after rain, it becomes inaccessible.

Scenery I want to preserve in Japan. Yotsuya Senmaida, selected as one of the top 100 rice terraces. The moist air after the rain created an emotional atmosphere and was very pleasant. May 2026, Yotsuya Senmaida, Shinshiro City

Hello 😊 This is the Yamanashi Wine Kingdom Main Building 🍷 Thank you so much to everyone who visited Shosenkyo Gorge during the Golden Week! ✨ How did you all spend your Golden Week? With the holiday over, a sense of calm is gradually returning to Shosenkyo 🍃 In this season, why not take some time to relax in the nature-surrounded Shosenkyo? 😊 First, let's visit "Senga Falls," which has been selected as one of Japan's top 100 waterfalls. Feel the negative ions and enjoy a healing time ✨ The fresh greenery is becoming more beautiful, and the scenery is becoming more vibrant 🌿 This year as well, the dogwoods in the garden of the wine kingdom have started to bloom 🤍 I look forward to seeing them bloom even more beautifully 😊 When you visit Shosenkyo, please take your time to enjoy the garden of the wine kingdom as well ✨ Also, this season is perfect for BBQs 🍖 For such moments, I recommend "Koshu Orange Wine," which pairs well with any meal 🍷 We sincerely look forward to your visit! ✨

Maboroshi no Taki, located in Kozagawacho, Wakayama Prefecture, is a famous waterfall with a drop of 63 meters. Delicate Himerenga flowers adorned the waterfall. It is recommended to visit when the water volume is high due to rain, but please be careful of your footing as the rocks can be slippery near the waterfall's base.

Located at the foot of the mountains in Azumino, Kuriosan Mangan-ji This is a famous spot for azaleas Although only a few azaleas are blooming, the temple grounds have a serene atmosphere.

Water has filled the rice fields in Azumino, and rice planting is in full swing. From the top of Mount Nagamine, the rice fields illuminated by the setting sun look radiant.

On May 12th in Azumino Mizukagami 😄 You can still find rice paddies where the rice hasn't been planted yet. Why not explore by renting a bicycle...

Daio Wasabi Farm A beautiful contrast between the blue sky and the water's surface A place to fully enjoy Azumino A place to feel the flow of time through the ages