I visited Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine. This is a limited-time kazaguruma (windmill). June 1st is considered "Mame Mando" day, and visiting Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine is said to grant benefits equal to a thousand visits.

At the end of the gently winding path, a view that seems to connect with the sky unfolds at Mt. Oomuro. Each step taken while holding hands feels as if you are getting closer to the sky. It is a hidden gem of breathtaking scenery that is still not widely known, where your heart can truly unwind.

In the corridor of Aobayuen, seasonal flowers trapped in transparent spheres shimmer under the summer light. A moment where I couldn't help but stop my feet in front of the colorful world that unfolds above. This captures the fantastical "hidden summer scenery" that exists right beside our everyday lives.

【Join us at GA.KOPPER on June 13th and 14th!】 The second weekend of June will host a wonderful event at the Nishiokoppe Guesthouse GA.KOPPER✨ 〇 PA and Recording Workshop The sound engineer GOK SOUND, active both domestically and internationally, is returning to Nishiokoppe Village this summer. During "Nishinikarishite," GOK SOUND set up a truck stage at the GA.KOPPER grounds and handled the PA. The talented Kondo from GOK SOUND will teach you everything from equipment setup to recording tips, for a thorough six hours!? On Saturday, June 13th from 1:00 PM to 7:00 PM Participation fee: 1,000 yen (free for middle school students and younger) at GA.KOPPER indoors - 〇 Outdoor Live in front of the Pit Dwelling Two groups, macaroom and Toshiaki Chiku, along with flight duration, will gather in front of the pit dwelling and other structures. Don't miss this opportunity. On Sunday, June 14th Doors open at 6:00 PM / Show starts at 6:30 PM Advance tickets: 4,000 yen / At the door: 4,500 yen (free for middle school students and younger) Behind GA.KOPPER *Event may be canceled in case of bad weather - For inquiries, please contact the Nishiokoppe Society. nishiokoppe.society@gmail.com Accommodation at GA.KOPPER is not available on both days. Thank you for your understanding. #GAKOPPER #LIVE #Sound

Hirasawa, Shizuoka Prefecture. This is a quiet sea in Japan that can be visited as a day trip from Tokyo. From late spring to early summer, a special scenery appears in this sea. A forest of seaweed extending to the water's surface. A gently swaying green world. Soft light filtering through. It feels as if a forest is spreading underwater. As you quietly swim between the seaweeds, small blue fish appear. In the shadows of the rocks, small lives grow in the spring sea. These seaweed areas are called "moba" in Japan. They are important places where many fish and marine creatures live. From spring to early summer, it is also the spawning season for the bigfin reef squid. The changing scenery of the sea with each season is one of the charms of Japan's waters. The sea of Hirasawa is a bit different from the tropical seas of Okinawa. It lacks flamboyance. However, it possesses a quiet beauty. Light filtering through the seaweed. A time when only the sound of waves can be heard. The slowly flowing underwater scenery. You can feel the gentle air typical of Japan's nature. At Hokule'a Shonan, we offer guidance centered around the sea of Kanagawa and Izu, which can be enjoyed as a day trip from the Tokyo area. With a small group, even beginners can feel at ease. English support is also available. Experience the time of Japan's sea that cannot be encountered just by visiting tourist spots. It is recommended for those looking for "an experience in Japan that is more than just diving." Related Keywords: Hirasawa Diving / Nishi-Izu Diving / Izu Diving / Diving Near Tokyo / Japan Diving / Dive Near Tokyo / Japan Diving / Hidden Japan / Japanese Ocean Experience / Tokyo Day Trip

Shiogamori Furusato Park, campsite, viewing platform This park is located near the summit of Shiogamori Mountain at an elevation of 525 meters, encompassing a zone with a diameter of approximately 750 meters that includes the "viewing platform," "campsite," "park," and "Shiogamori Mountain Summit." The "Shiogamori Furusato Park Viewing Platform" is a must-see for families with children. It features an athletic area and offers a fantastical atmosphere reminiscent of a foreign land. You can enjoy a grand panorama that extends all the way to the Chugoku Mountains. A stroll along the walking path to Shiogamori allows you to enjoy cherry blossoms and rhododendrons in spring, hydrangeas in summer, and autumn leaves in fall. The campsite within the park has a cooking facility. *When using the park for barbecues or camping, you must report your name, contact information, and date of use to the Toon City Urban Development Division Park Section (089-964-4412). This is for contact purposes in case of any issues, not for reservations. *For barbecues, please use a barbecue grill; open flames are prohibited, and take your trash and ashes home. Please be considerate of those around you. *The water from the taps in the cooking facility is natural water and is not suitable for drinking.

Saragamine The Saragamine hiking trail is popular for its lush paths and the colorful flowers that change with the seasons, offering various scenic views. Among them, the "Ryūjin-daira" that unfolds before you halfway up the mountain is a must-see. A gentle and vast wetland stretches out ahead, leaving first-time visitors amazed, thinking, "I can't believe such a view is so close by..." From Ryūjin-daira, you pass through a beech virgin forest to reach the summit. From the top, you can enjoy a panoramic view of Kumakogen town (to the south). While multiple routes exist, the one from the wind hole trailhead at Kamihayashi Forest Park in Toon City is the most popular.

This is Horokanaicho in Hokkaido. You can encounter nostalgic rural landscapes that tickle your memory.

This is Horokanaicho in Hokkaido. You can encounter nostalgic rural landscapes that tickle your memory.

A sunflower field in the city center, encountered right in front of the station. Located just next to Nagoya Station, the Dai Nagoya Building hosts a stunning sunflower field every summer, a hidden gem known to those in the know amidst the towering skyscrapers of the downtown area. The golden rows of sunflowers create a unique contrast with the modern glass buildings, offering a one-of-a-kind view that is distinctly Nagoya. Even passersby can't help but stop in their tracks, amazed that such a floral spectacle can be enjoyed right in front of the station without needing to travel far. During the event period, admission is free, making it an attractive stop to visit while shopping or having lunch. This is a delightful spot to quietly add to your summer sightseeing in Nagoya. 3-28-12 Meieki, Nakamura-ku, Nagoya City, Aichi Prefecture.

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...🥵

From the summit of a small mountain called Uomidake in Ibusuki City, Kagoshima Prefecture, you can see a landscape that feels like a foreign land. Since there are not many tourists, you can take your time.

On the first day of the marche, May 2nd (Saturday) to May 4th (Monday), the entrance of Roadside Station Kamu will be bustling with Nishiokoppe Marche. To coincide with the first day of the marche, we will hold a window art project where participants can paint on windows! The theme is "Flowers and Songs," and we invite you to decorate the windows inside the Roadside Station. Anyone, young or old, from inside and outside the village, is welcome to join. Participation is free of charge. Children under elementary school age must be accompanied by an adult. The event will take place from 10:30 to 11:30, but staff will be available until 15:00 when the marche vendors close, so feel free to ask if you'd like to draw! The materials used will be washable crayons. Additionally, in the hall where the karakuri organ is installed, the windows have been decorated in advance by local volunteers, so please look forward to that as well. The drawings you create will be displayed until mid-July. If you happen to pass by the Roadside Station, please stop by and take a look at the artwork!

The opening day of Forest Park is just around the corner! It will open on Wednesday, April 29th, at 9:00 AM! 🎉 This year, there will be no events during the Golden Week period, but on the opening day, all playground equipment will be available for just 100 yen per use, so please come and enjoy! The tent sites will take a little longer to prepare until the grass is ready. *Expected to open around late May. - 【Nishiokoppe Forest Park】 From April 29th (Wednesday, holiday) to October 18th (Sunday) *Open every day during this period. 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM Parking available (free) #Open #GW #Playground equipment 100 yen

Sen'en Ridge (仙塩尾根), Minami Alps National Park, Japan

Hokkaido Sapporo City Horomi Pass I visited in July. A sloping flower field blooms with a variety of colorful flowers. You can glimpse Sapporo’s cityscape through the trees, making it a very beautiful spot. It lies far from Sapporo’s urban center and is hard to reach by public transport, but it seems accessible by sightseeing bus.

MtKitahotaka

[Kochi Prefecture Shimanto City] Flowers That Color the Shimanto River Basin 1. Climate of Shimanto City Shimanto City enjoys abundant forests, the clear Shimanto River, and the pacific ocean to its southeast, offering a rich natural environment. From 1991 through 2020, the average temperature was 16.5°C and the average annual precipitation was 2,877.9 mm, giving the area a warm, Pacific-type climate. 2. Flowers Nurtured by the Mild Climate [Spring] 〇 Around late February, when the spring sun begins to warm the days, the Iruta Yanagi Grove in the Shimanto River lower basin turns a tender yellow-green as new buds swell, and some 10 million rapeseed flowers bloom across the willow groves like a yellow carpet. This is an iconic scene that announces spring in the Shimanto River watershed. 〇 By late March, the cherry trees at the hilltop viewing spot Tamesho Park come into full bloom. Lanterns are lit during the cherry blossom season, letting visitors enjoy the night blossoms as well. The Shimanto City Local Museum sits nearby, so while learning about local history you can also take in the views from its observation floor. (Shimanto City Local Museum opening hours/9:00–17:00, closed/Wednesdays) At Shimanto River Sakura Zutsumi Park, neatly planted cherry trees and well-kept lawns invite visitors to sit and enjoy hanami while admiring the spring-bright Shimanto River. In the Shimanto River lower basin, plowing of rice fields begins around this time and the frogs start to call. 〇 When the cherry blossoms fall and the trees turn to leaf, look toward Kōzan-ji Temple to see the city flower, wisteria, paint the slopes purple. Kōzan-ji is also popular for hiking and birdwatching, and a park with play equipment makes it a favorite spot for families on holidays. 〇 In breezy May, roses and lilies cultivated by local residents brighten the pastoral inland landscapes in the Nishitosa area. Omiya Rose Garden welcomes visitors with about 500 rose bushes, while Nishitosa Yabukachi greets them with roughly 12,000 lilies. 〇 At this time of year, Shimanto Dragonfly Park shows dragonflies dancing above waters edged with water lilies and irises. Established in 1985 as the world’s first dragonfly reserve, the park has recorded 81 species of dragonfly. The Shimanto River Museum Akitsuio, attached to the park, exhibits insect specimens from around the world including dragonflies, alongside fish that inhabit the Shimanto River. (Shimanto River Museum Akitsuio opening hours/9:00–17:00, closed/Mondays) [Early summer] 〇 Under rainy, cloudy skies in June, Yasunami Waterwheel Village delights visitors with the rhythmic clack of turning waterwheels while hydrangeas along the waterways blaze with color. Sheltered pavilions near the channels make it pleasant to sit and watch the hydrangeas and the rural scenery. In the inland parts of Shimanto City, summer heat can be intense; when northwesterly winds blow, the foehn effect can raise temperatures and sea breezes from the pacific ocean have difficulty reaching inland, causing high heat. On August 12, 2013, Egawazaki recorded Japan’s highest temperature that year at 41.0°C. [Autumn] 〇 In late September, when the sky seems a little higher, the Iruta Yanagi Grove is enlivened by clusters of red spider lilies (manjushage) that dye the area bright red, and autumn insects begin to call from the grasses. Around this time the severe summer heat gradually eases. 〇 In early November, when autumn deepens, beautiful fall colors appear along the ravines of the Kurozon River, a tributary of the Shimanto River. [Winter] Although Shimanto City benefits from a mild climate, snow does fall some winters in the mountain valleys and on plains opening toward the Bungo Channel, and mornings and evenings often dip below freezing. Daytime, however, tends to be mild with many pleasant, sunny winter days. 3. Events to Celebrate the Arrival of Spring The Iruta Yanagi Grove, introduced above, hosts the Nanohana Festival. At the Nanohana Festival, the rapeseed flower groves spread like a yellow carpet and a variety of events are planned, including sales of local specialty products and wind band performances by junior and senior high school students. Please come and enjoy Shimanto River sightseeing when the rapeseed flowers are in bloom.

The white-petaled lotus flower. The lotus comes in charming colors like pink and white and makes a lovely sight. It first blooms in mid-June and reaches its peak from early to mid-July. Some varieties close their petals in the morning, so visiting in the morning is recommended. https://www.minamiechizen.com/en/feature/80061/...