It’s around 6:30 a.m. at Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine.

It is about 6:00 a.m. at Kawagoe Kumano Shrine.

Snow Trees Rime ice covering the trees at Gozaisho Ropeway Summit. One of the few places in Mie Prefecture where you can see rime ice on trees. Gozaisho Ropeway, Komonocho, Mie Prefecture

I woke up early to visit the shrine for my first prayers of the year. This is the Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine’s Kawagoe sweet potato fortune. 🍠 I received a New Year’s morning ceremony blessing, and fortunately I was also given a matchmaking charm. I hope good things come to you in a chain like sweet potato vines. 😊🍠

Happy New Year! This year I again photographed the first sunrise from the waterfront park. There was no wind and it was not as cold as in past years, but a warm layer of clouds on the horizon kept the sky dull and dim even after the scheduled sunrise time of 6:51. Around 7:05 the edges of the clouds began to glow, and just after 7:20 the sun finally appeared! As every year, many residents and tourists gathered early at the waterfront park to watch the first sunrise of Reiwa 8. May Reiwa 8 bring you a year full of happiness. We appreciate your continued support of Atami Onsen this year as well.

Happy New Year! 🎍🐎 Wishing you a wonderful year ahead.

Photographed on December 28, 2025. This is LEC COFFEE’s original chai and a gateau chocolat.

Photographed on December 28, 2025. This is a gateau chocolat from LEC COFFEE. We are grateful to everyone at LEC COFFEE for their help this year. We look forward to your continued support next year.🙇‍♀️

Notice of an illumination event 📣 The illumination at Hiroo Santa Land in Hirocho runs through January 4, 2026 😊 Lights are on from 4:00 PM to 10:00 PM ✨✨ The park glows with illumination and wood lanterns, creating a festive atmosphere 😍 Please consider stopping by during your New Year holidays outing 🤗 https://www.santaland.or.jp//

Announcement of the illumination event 📣 "Sara Illumi" will be held in Sarabetsumura through Saturday, February 16, 2026 (planned) 😊 Lights are on from 5:00 PM to 9:30 PM. A workshop for local residents shaped the designs, which are expressed with about 40,000 bulbs 🎵 Handmade village lights brighten the freezing winter nights with vivid color 🤗 https://www.sarabetsu.jp/sightseeing/event/illumination/...

I visited CAPO Ooyachi! Ooyachi sits in Atsubetsu-ku, Sapporo City. A shopping complex directly connected to Ōyachi Station sits there. Its name is CAPO. From Friday, December 12th to Monday, December 15th—a four-day span— a market gathered delicious foods from around Hokkaido. Nishiokoppe Village took part during the first two days. Across from us, Rankoshi-machi displayed tempting rice. When I cooked the rice I bought and tried it at home, its sweetness filled my mouth and I smiled. Staff from neighboring Shikaoicho offered samples of kiriboshi daikon (dried daikon) and yogurt, making our booth a soothing spot. What proved popular at the Nishiokoppe booth was, of course, wild mountain vegetables. Murata Foods, Nishiokoppe’s mountain vegetable factory, removes bitterness and pre-cooks mountain vegetables harvested in the village, so they’re ready to use in dishes right away—an attractive feature. Canned venison and bear meat also drew customers’ interest. They are seasoned, so you can simply place them over rice and eat, making it easy to enjoy venison and bear meat. In the refrigerated case, dairy products from Milk Design used grass-fed milk produced in Nishiokoppe were on show. We also displayed standard souvenirs and wooden toys brought from the forest museum Mokumu, offering a wide variety of items across the booth. I especially feel happy when visitors pick up villagers’ handmade wooden cars or pinecone Christmas trees. One of the joys of these kinds of events is encountering tasty and interesting products from other towns and villages. The Naumann Elephant was adorable. Thank you to everyone who visited the Ōyachi CAPO Marche! #Ōyachi CAPO #CAPO Marche #Delicious

[Nishiokopper Live] Friday, December 19 A Christmas live held at Nishiokoppe Guest House GA.KOPPER. From the smallest villagers to the biggest villagers everyone performed their chosen acts, watched, and enjoyed the evening.☆ The venue was the dining room warmed by a wood stove. Many paintings decorated the stage window and the corridor windows, and festive lights twinkled here and there. At Nishiokopper Live, as usual, homemade sweets were on sale, and food like tacos and okowa (steamed glutinous rice), drinks, and desserts were served, so our stomachs were treated as well. People danced, played kendama, did readings, conducted experiments, and made music…. The night closed with samba. - Did everyone receive a present from Santa? Setoushi‑kun received a lovely present and somehow his fur looks shinier. #Christmas Live #GA.KOPPER #Nishiokopper #Live #homemade sweets

Photographed on December 23, 2025. This is the hanachozu (flower water basin) from Hara Florist. This is the last hanachozu of the year. Thank you for everything this year. 😊

Today I attended Kawagoe Hachimangū's year-end Ōharae (Great Purification) ceremony. I had my body and mind purified of sins and impurities, and I feel refreshed and ready to welcome the New Year. 🎍🐎

Illumination Event Announcement📣 Roadside Station Nakasatsunai hosts the "Roadside Station Winter Night Garden" through February 28, 2026 😊 The lights come on from around 4:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. during the event ✨✨ Colorful illuminations sparkle across the snow, creating a vividly lit, dreamlike space for you to relax and enjoy😍 Please enjoy this together with Tokachi's snowy landscapes🤗 https://kankou-nakasatsunai.com/spot/spot-75/spot-3242/...

Photographed on December 21, 2025. This is a black latte from LEC COFFEE. What a lovely latte art. 😊

Winter at Lake Kussharo, the resort hotel on the Lake Kussharo shore The view from the guest room…a breathtaking panorama

Announcement for the illumination event📣 Now in its 24th year, the Obihiro Illumination Project lights up obihiro station’s landmark Harunire Tree, the street trees in Station Square, and a heart-shaped LED installation. This year we’ve added 2,000 bulbs with icicle-style lights to the tunnel illumination as well😊 The illumination runs through February 23, 2026. The gentle lights warm the heart in Obihiro’s crisp, clear winter✨✨ Please stop by and take a look when you’re nearby🤗 🔷The Obihiro Illumination Project is made possible by sponsorships from local businesses and by the Illumination Tentou Fund, which requests donations of 100 yen per bulb. https://www.city.obihiro.hokkaido.jp/tourism/kankouchi/1005842.html...

I want to end the year at my favorite spot on the Kumano Kodo Pilgrimage Route, the rainy Hosshinmon Oji Shrine. If you have the chance someday, please visit. Why not walk the Kumano Kodo and let your mind roam back to ancient times? You will encounter dreamlike scenery and meet people who live in the area.

Photographed on December 20, 2025. This is the TATSUMI special from Udon Tatsumi. I’m touring tasty spots. 😊

Photographed on December 20, 2025. This is Chabudai's morning set. It includes pumpkin soup, salad, carrot rêve (carrot salad), potato salad, and homemade bread. The bread is freshly baked and delicious.

Winter haze over the waters off Kobe Airport. A large crane ship looked small in the distance.

Merry Christmas! Have you already made plans for the New Year? Many facilities will be closed for the New Year holidays, so please check each shop’s and facility’s opening hours before you visit. We apologize for any inconvenience and thank you for your understanding. Also, the Uwajima Bullfighting New Year Tournament will take place on January 2. Advance tickets are on sale online and via FamilyMart Tickets! Please come and join us.

Photographed on December 20, 2025. This is Chabudai-san’s chai. I noticed it at the Tea Festival and visited for the first time.

Photographed on December 20, 2025. This is a Christmas-themed hanachōzu (floating flower water basin) at Naritasan Kawagoe Betsuin. 🎄

Shimenawa-style arrangements completed They turned out absolutely lovely We created shimenawa-style arrangements! A workshop was held to decorate shimenawa with dried flowers, foliage, and berries. Mr. Sato drove all the way from Kitahiroshima to onesmanorgarden, braving winter roads once again. He brought a large supply of materials, so it was fun just to look and fun to choose. While making them, people worried and struggled when things didn’t go as planned, but it was still enjoyable. Seeing a neighbor’s piece, you’d think, “That arrangement works too!” or “That color combination is amazing!”—reactions that escaped everyone’s lips. Even before finishing, imaginations ran wild with thoughts like, “Next time I’d like to try making it this way.” There were three lessons over two days: early afternoon, evening, and the next morning. A total of 18 people took part. Thank you very much 🌿 The next time we’ll see Mr. Sato will be next year――― I wonder when that will be. We’re looking forward to what he’ll create next and what flowers and foliage we’ll encounter… Can’t wait! shimenawa decoration arrangement lesson dried flowers year-end New Year

A tiny bird even smaller than a sparrow, with round, charming eyes—the subspecies of long-tailed tit known as the shiraneaga (shimaenaga). Found only in Hokkaido, this wild bird is beloved by birdwatchers and nicknamed the "snow fairy." In winter it grows a fluffy, pure-white plumage and looks just like a snowball! It mainly lives in forests and woodlands; with leaves gone in winter it becomes easier to spot, and it is often seen along the Lake Utonai lakeside. (Image courtesy of Roadside Station Utonai Lake)

Photographed on December 22, 2025. This is cafe andon's Christmas-limited strawberry and chocolate shortcake.🎄 The combination of strawberries and chocolate goes really well together.😊🍓

The "From the Information Desk" section on the Kawayu Onsen website has been updated 📝🆙 "Calm your mind and take a fresh look. Autumn at Kawayu Onsen." has been updated. With poor weather across Hokkaido right now, take a breather and have a slow peek 👀✨ You might rediscover how to enjoy the soothing Kawayu Onsen. https://www.kawayu-onsen.com/feature/autumn/...

Photographed on December 18, 2025. This is Hanatetsu’s flower temizu (flower hand-washing basin).