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).

Ashikaga Flower Park's hanachozu (flower basin) The Christmas version runs until the 25th. There are photo spots throughout the park. The illumination area opens at 3:00 PM and lights up at 4:00 PM. This year’s illumination let visitors enjoy the scent of wisteria as well.

Photographed on December 18, 2025. This is the hanachozu (flower basin) from Hara Florist. 🌹

Winter in Tomakomai often makes both sidewalks and roads icy and slippery. Shoes with non-slip soles—such as those with glass fiber reinforcement, built-in spikes, or wraparound spike bands—are essential. Use sand where available and pay attention to how you walk.

Photographed on December 15, 2025. This is the hanatemizu at Naritasan Kawagoe Betsuin. It is decorated for Christmas. 🎄❄️

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 😍⛄

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 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 😊

Photographed on December 13, 2025. This is the hanachōzu (flower basin) at Kawagoe Hachimangu Shrine.

Photographed on December 15, 2025. After the monthly ceremony at Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine, I relaxed at Starbucks Kanetsuki‑dōri Store. I had a gingerbread latte and an Earl Grey scone.

Yesterday, Tuesday, December 16, the standard tree of the “Atami cherry blossoms” on the Itokawa Promenade was confirmed to be in bloom! These “Atami cherry blossoms” are a type of kanzakura (winter cherry) originally from India that normally bloom from early January through February. Around 1871, an Italian brought them to Atami along with lemon and date palm, and they were named “Atami cherry” during the Flower Everywhere campaign held in 1965. On April 10, 1977 (the 40th anniversary of the city’s founding), they were designated as the official tree of Atami City. Because the same branch develops two tiers of buds—some that bloom early and others that bloom later—the flowers can usually be enjoyed for more than a month each year. Starting the New Year, the Plum Festival and Cherry Blossom Festival will open together on Saturday, January 10! During the Cherry Blossom Festival, activities such as light-ups, servings of cherry blossom tea and tea, street performances, kenbu (sword dance), and band performances are planned, so please come and enjoy the blossoms. The 16th Atami Sakura Itokawa Cherry Blossom Festival: January 10, 2026 (Saturday) to February 8, 2026 (Sunday) *Regarding bloom conditions, the city hall’s survey data will be posted on the page below as it becomes available, so please refer to it.* https://www.ataminews.gr.jp/event/208...

Photographed on December 15, 2025. This is the koi-temizu (romantic hand-washing basin) at Kawagoe Kumano Shrine.❄️

Christmas is finally just a week away 🎄 In Amakusa City, light-ups are taking place across the area under the name Amakusa Romantic Fantasy 2025, and here is information about the illuminations you can see in Reihoku ✨ This time we introduce Hama-yū Rehabilitation Center. The entire entrance to the facility is lit up as a Christmas illumination 💡 (remarkably, the staff made it by hand 👀) When you visit, be sure to take a look ☺️ Here is the place we introduced👇 Hama-yū Rehabilitation Center (1215 Shiki, Reihoku, Amakusa District, Kumamoto Prefecture 863-2503)

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.