July 25, 2025 Pothole Tour Although the weather threatened to cancel the event, a clear blue sky appeared by the time the tour began. The sight of children repeatedly diving into the sunlit, sparkling plunge pool was especially memorable. We would be very happy if this became a wonderful summer memory for your family. Thank you very much for joining us. ✴︎About the Pothole Tour✴︎ This plan takes you deep into Toyooka Village to enjoy stream hiking and river play at one of Japan’s largest pothole sites. A guide with professional outdoor first-aid qualifications will support your experience. The tour is scheduled to run through early September. We are still accepting reservations, so please feel free to contact us. You can find tour details on the Toyooka Tabi Jikan website. https://www.vill-nagano-toyooka-kanko.jp/pothole-tour/...

🌸Shinyan and Nyanko’s Layered Stamp Rally Tour 🌸 Extended due to popular demand!! Event period Friday, August 1, 2025 – Friday, October 31, 2025 Extended period Friday, August 1, 2025 – Wednesday, December 31, 2025 Join Shimanto City Tourism Association’s official characters, Shinyan and Nyanko, for a stamp rally that lets you enjoy Shimanto City! This isn’t just any stamp — these are layered stamps. As you stack each stamp, by the end…ta‑da! A single piece of art appears✨ Turn your completed sheet into a postcard! It’s perfect as a travel keepsake or a gift for friends💌 Why not create your own Shimanto art? How to enjoy — it’s super easy♪ 1. Get a stamp sheet! → Sheets are distributed in limited numbers at each facility. If one place runs out, another might still have them! 2. Stack and stamp five stamps! → Stamps 1–5 share the same design in either area. The final image is the same even if you don’t stamp in order! 3. Once all stamps are in place, a cute Shinyan art piece is complete🎨 → You can take it home as a postcard✨ 4. Show your completed sheet and… → The first 500 visitors receive an original cotton tote bag as a gift🎁 Two areas — start anywhere you like Stamp spots form one design across the Nakamura Area and the Nishitosa Area. Because stamps 1–5 are common, collecting them in either area yields the same final image♪ Nakamura Area🐾 1. Shimanto River Museum Akitsuio — Admission required A facility where you can learn about the creatures of the Shimanto River. With dragonfly and insect specimens and displays of fish from the Shimanto River basin, it’s fun for adults and children alike! Hours: 9:00–17:00 (Closed Mondays) 2. Shimanto River Sightseeing Boats (Yakatabune) — Boarding required Three sightseeing boat operators participate; whichever operator you board will stamp your sheet. Enjoy a relaxing cruise on the beautiful Shimanto River♪ Hours: 9:00–16:00 (Advance reservation recommended) 3. Shimanto City Local Museum — Admission required A castle-shaped museum on a small hill. Learn Shimanto City’s history and culture, and take in city views from the tower for a castle‑lord feeling! Hours: 9:00–17:00 (Closed Wednesdays) 4. harenoba cafe n2 (Cafe N2) — Purchase or dine required Located around the middle of Tenjinbashi Shopping Street, it’s the perfect stop to rest during sightseeing. Hours: 11:00–18:00 (Closed Mondays) 5. Shimanto City Tourism Association — Cotton bag pick‑up location — Visit required A hub for travel information on Shimanto City and the Hata Region. They offer rental bikes (¥1,000 and up) and discounted sightseeing boat tickets! Hours: 8:30–17:30 (Open year‑round) The Nakamura town center is easy to explore by rental bike, so you can take a leisurely stroll and collect stamps! Nishitosa Area🐾 1. Roadside Station Yotte Nishitosa — Visit required A popular spot with local specialties and souvenirs. Enjoy grilled natural ayu (sweetfish) from the Shimanto River and sweets made from local ingredients — ideal for a break or shopping! Hours: 7:30–18:00 (No holidays during the event period) 2. Shimanto River Station Canoe Hall — Purchase, experience, or stay required A facility offering canoe experiences, SUP, and rafting, with an adjacent campsite so you can fully enjoy the outdoors! Hours: 8:30–17:30 (No holidays during the event period) 3. Iwami Chaya (near the sinking bridge!) — Visit required Right next to Iwami Sinking Bridge, this spot sells homemade bento and unique handmade goods made by locals. Fans should also check out the “Shimanto River” monument by Hiroshi Miyama with parking available! Hours: 10:00–15:00 (Closed Mondays) 4. Hotel Seira Shimanto — Stay or day‑use hot spring required In addition to lodging, the hotel has a restaurant and day‑use hot spring, perfect for soothing travel fatigue. At night, the stargazing guide by the star attendant is highly recommended! Hours: 9:00–17:00 (Open year‑round) 5. Shimanto River Furusato Guide Center — Cotton bag pick‑up location — Visit required The Nishitosa tourist information desk located right by the station. You can also rent Rinrin Cycles here! Hours: 8:30–18:00 (Closed Wednesdays) Driving is recommended in Nishitosa! Enjoy a scenic drive along the Shimanto River while taking in nature♪ Note: Opening days and hours may vary. Please check each facility’s website for the latest information. (Information current as of July 2025) Key point! Stamps 1–5 share a common design, so collecting them across Nakamura and Nishitosa will still complete the same image! (For example: either Nakamura’s Shimanto River Museum Akitsuio or Nishitosa’s Roadside Station Yotte Nishitosa for stamp 1 is fine) When you collect all the stamps… 🎉 The first 500 participants will receive ＼an original cotton tote bag／ Show your completed stamp sheet at one of the following locations👇 • Nakamura: Shimanto City Tourism Association • Nishitosa: Shimanto River Furusato Guide Center This cute, exclusive bag features Shinyan artwork and is only available here🐾✨ Who are Shinyan and Nyanko? Shinyan and Nyanko are local cat characters of the Shimanto City Tourism Association. There are five cats in total, each inspired by the Shimanto River’s nature, traditional fishing methods, and local culture. In this stamp rally, those Shinyan cats appear together as art♪ 🎨 Character designs are by Junya Inoue, a popular manga artist from Shimanto City and a tourism ambassador (best known for BTOOOM! and Kaiju Jieitai). Come play around Shimanto City with the Shinyan cats! Don’t just press stamps — enjoy the fun of layering them to complete the art. Explore nature, history, food, and adorable characters on a Shimanto City tour. We’re sure your very own special piece will take shape✨ We look forward to your participation!

Today, we visited CAFE ANDON. It is a café latte and campagne. It fits very, very well.

July 25 — Atami Offshore Fireworks Festival 🎆 Thank you for attending the first fireworks festival of this summer! Before the fireworks, we held a stage event in the Waterside Park called “Play in Atami! Play with Fireworks!”, with energetic performances by chiitan☆bombers, Kamen Joshi, and TOMOCA RIRIKA Yuuri to liven up the crowd! https://www.ataminews.gr.jp/event/8/...

Photographed on June 28, 25. It is a wind chime at the edge of Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine.

Event Announcement📣 The annual beer garden “Tarunama Beer Aya” returns to Honbetsu on Saturday, July 26th 🍺 Along with beer, a wide selection of alcoholic drinks such as chu-hai and sake will be available 😊 Local foods will be lined up so you can enjoy gourmet bites with your drinks 🎵 The program is packed with attractions, including a performance by the Yoshitsune Taiko drummers and a HIPHOP dance show by local children!! A raffle may award luxurious prizes like travel vouchers and hot-spring hotel stays 🎁🎁 Grab a beer and beat the summer heat with us～🎵🎵🤗 Date and Time: Saturday, July 26, 2025, from 15:00 Venue: Parking lot in front of Honbetsu Town Hall Contact: Honbetsu Chamber of Commerce and Industry TEL: 0156-22-2529 https://www.town.honbetsu.hokkaido.jp/sightseeing/fes/details/beerfes.html...

I took a picture of the Light up Diamond Veil of Tokyo Tower from the Tsukiji Bridge. I'm shooting with a telephoto lens in a long second of 20 seconds. The moment when I switched from the regular white orange Light up to this diamond veil color was cool and emotionally beautiful.

Photographed on June 28, 25. It is a wind chime at the edge of Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine.

Photographed 6/29/25. It is a wind chime at the edge of Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine.

Photographed on July 9, 25. Light up of the Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine rim musubi wind chime. I forgot to take a picture of the wind chime at the edge of the northern approach to the temple, so if I have a chance, I will go back and take a picture.

Event Announcement 📣 On Saturday, July 26, Tokachi–Shimizu Town will host the Seiryu Festival 😊 This beloved event returns for its 47th year!! The stage program is packed with YOSAKOI dance, jazz dance, and performances by Shimizu and Mikage Middle School brass bands, among others!! A bingo tournament and a fun prize drawing could award luxurious prizes!? You can also ride in and see working vehicles such as aerial work platforms and patrol cars on display!! The Chamber of Commerce Women’s and Youth Divisions, the Shimizu High School Sanroku Club, and local restaurants will host booths so you can enjoy regional gourmet treats 🎵 📌Date and Time: Saturday, July 26, 2025, 12:00–20:30 📌Venue: Event plaza next to JR Tokachi-Shimizu Station *In case of severe weather, the event will be postponed to the following day 📌How to participate in the prize drawing Only those who purchase the advance “Lucky Coupon with Lottery Ticket” usable at the Chamber of Commerce Youth Division booth are eligible. 📌Inquiries Seiryu Festival Executive Committee (Shimizu Town Chamber of Commerce) TEL: 0156-62-2208 It’s been hot lately, so please take care of your health and enjoy the summer festival 🤗 https://www.town.shimizu.hokkaido.jp/section/08/details/47.html...

Photographed on July 9, 25. It is the Otorii Gate gate of Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine and the "clouds on the ground" that appear from time to time.

I'm a countryman, but I really like the cityscape of Hatagaya. The divinity of early summer, I like it very much 🌳

This is Gunma 🌻 and Saitama Blue and yellow very beautiful There was a 🍏 signal that summer had begun

This is one of the photos at the 2025 Summer Festival in Ueno Grace Park. Now the lotus flowers in the pond are in full bloom and the flowers are closed because it is nighttime, but I thought that the buds slightly illuminated by the yagura lighting specially set up for Appreciation were also beautiful. The sleeping lotus leaves and buds are in the foreground, and the Temple in the back is the main subject. Summary it into a summery night view photo.

Photographed on July 9, 25. Light up of the edge musubi wind chime of Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine.

Commemorating the 70th anniversary of Reihoku Town’s municipal status, the 37th Reihoku Jatto Festival took place 🎊 Last weekend, the Reihoku Jatto Festival and the Dragon Boat (Peiron) Races were held successfully, drawing many visitors to Reihoku Town ✨ Spectacular fireworks launched right overhead 🎆, fiercely competitive Peiron races and hands-on Peiron experiences 🌊 energized the crowd, and the two days flew by in no time‼️ (By the way, this post’s author joined the festival for the first time this year, participating as both festival staff and a Peiron paddler. I was truly amazed by the close-up drama of the fireworks and the exhilarating rush of paddling a Peiron boat 👀) If you couldn’t make it this year, please come to the Reihoku Jatto Festival next year 🔥

[Feel the Festival Atmosphere at Kimu!] When I visited the Forest Museum Kimu after a long time I found festival booths spreading out! Handmade by Kimu staff, there were goldfish scooping, a shooting gallery, and a fishing corner, with stuffed animals welcoming visitors. With temperatures in Hokkaido topping 30°C, don’t forget to stay hydrated while you play. ***** Friday night, July 25th, is Culture Night! The museum stays open late from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM. Admission is free for everyone during these hours. At 5:30 PM there will be a concert by the Nishiokoppe Junior High School brass band. At 6:30 PM the puppet-theater group Doremi will perform. For inquiries, contact the Forest Museum Kimu. TEL: 0158-87-2600 We look forward to your visit. #Nishiokoppe Village #Hokkaido #Forest Museum Kimu #Summer #Festival booths #Culture Night

Photographed on July 9, 25. It is a wind chime at the edge of Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine. I found a wind chime with a red thread.

When daylily blooms around Lake Notari, you realize that summer has arrived.

July 20, 2025 The lower world is extremely hot, exceeding 35 degrees Celsius! The summit of Hakone Komagatake was 17 degrees Celsius, which was more than cool! The 360-degree panorama is worth seeing! The contrast between the green of the summer grass and the blue of the sky! The former shrine of Hakone Shrine ⛩️ on its border The scenery that convinces you of the legend of the Hakuba faith is truly spectacular! It's Cool Japan, ♪ Mt. Fuji is just around the 🗻 corner!

Speaking of summer flowers, sunflowers! Representative that makes you feel summer blooming towards the sun

This is a photo of Tokyo Tower seen from the Tsukiji Bridge. The blue-white Light up bridge and the illuminations of Tokyo Tower are very cool. The bridge shakes quite a bit when big trucks come and go outbound, so aim for the interval when no cars come It was taken with a long exposure. This photo was taken with a wide-angle zoom lens of 30mm, but next time I would like to aim with a little more telephoto.

In the morning, while preparing the pool in the garden. If you say, "Don't go in yet!", at least with your hands! And I'm playing like this. After this, my foot slipped and I dived forward and got soaked! Delicious chilled Squid is ready Gari (^^)

This is a summer recommendation from the Saikai City Tourism Association in Nagasaki Prefecture♪ This year’s rainy season ended early, and a string of extremely hot days has followed. Here are Saikai City spots to help you beat that heat. ◎ Tsugane-Otoshi Waterfall Address: Yukinoura Kadori, Oseto, Saikai City※After passing Shinko-ji in Yukinoura village, you will see a signboard. 〇 Free admission, restrooms available ♪ Tsugane refers to the mud crab; the name comes from the sight of crabs being swept down with the falling water. There is no plunge pool; water slams onto the rocks and creates a natural mist shower♪ ◎ Yukinoura Seaside Park Address: 615-14 Shimokamagō, Yukinoura, Oseto, Saikai City 〇 Open all day, free admission; restrooms and hot-water showers (100 yen per use) available. ※No open flames allowed ♪ The white sandy beach stretches about 400 m and is perfect for rockpooling and surfing♪ ◎ Yanaginohama Seaside Park Address: 2394 Taira Sotogō, Oseto, Saikai City 〇 Free admission; restrooms, hot-water showers (100 yen per use), and changing rooms available. ※No open flames allowed ♪ This seaside park borders a very shallow sea that reveals a vast mudflat at low tide. It’s ideal for summer beach fun and enjoyable for both young children and adults♪ ◎ Saiwomono River Park Address: Yukinoura Saiwomono, Oseto, Saikai City 〇 Free admission, restrooms available.※No open flames allowed ♪ Recommended for those who prefer rivers to the sea!※Please be careful of sudden deep spots and rising water levels. ◎ Nanatsugama Cave (Seven Cauldrons Limestone Cave) Address: 2541-1 Nakaura Kitagō, Saikai Town, Saikai City 〇 April–September 9:00–18:00 (last entry 17:30) October–March 9:00–17:00 (last entry 16:30) Admission: Adults ¥800, Junior high ¥400, Elementary ¥200, Preschool ¥100 (group discounts for 20+ people) ♪ The cave maintains a temperature around 15°C year-round, making it especially cool in summer♪ We also recommend the “cooling platform” that uses the cave’s breeze and the “cold footbath” that uses chilled water♪ Saikai City is full of spectacular views, historic sites, and hidden gems♪ Come and enjoy Saikai City this summer♪

Photographed on July 9, 25. Light up of the Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine wind chime corridor.

Photographed on July 9, 25. It is a wind chime at the edge of Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine. I went outbound to shoot at night.

Photographed on July 19, 25. This is LEC COFFEE's Original Chai.

Tokyo Bay's largest 2-shakudama Fireworks over the water! The 10th Futtsu Citizens Fireworks Festival will be held in! The Futtsu Citizens Fireworks Festival, which started in 2015 (Heisei 27) with the idea of "Holding in a fireworks festival by the hands of citizens", reached its 10th milestone this year through the collaboration of Citizens and Futtsu City. This year, we plan to launch about 5,000 more missiles than last year. Implementation will also feature laser beams, sound effects, and Fireworks over the water, the largest 2-shaku ball in Tokyo Bay. On the south side of Cape Futtsu, which juts out into Tokyo Bay, Futtsu Beaches is all open for free viewing. Pull a seat on the spacious Coast and enjoy it leisurely with your family or groups. If you look at it a little farther away from the tournament headquarters, you can see the fireworks, fireworks over the water, and laser beams overlapping, so it is recommended! Enjoy the fireworks while being blown by the cool sea breeze of Tokyo Bay. 【Tournament Name】 "Promotion of Construction of Tokyo Bay Exit Road" The 10th Futtsu Citizens Fireworks Festival 【Held in】 Saturday, July 26, 2025 (Reiwa 7) Cancelled due to stormy weather [Time] 15:00~Start of sales in the food and beverage sales Zone 17:00~ Pre-Events, karaoke competition, etc. 19:00~Opening Ceremony 19:15~20:15~Fireworks launch [Viewing location] Futtsu Beaches [Launch] 5,000 rounds Effects of laser beams, etc. Tokyo Bay's largest 2-shakudama Fireworks over the water 【Organizer】 Futtsu Citizens Fireworks Festival Executive Committee [Co-organizer] Futtsu City, Futtsu Tourism Association, Futtsu City Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Kisarazu Corporation Association [Sponsorship] Futtsu City Council [Transportation] Nearest Train Station JR Uchibo Line Aobori Station Temporary Train Aohori Station 21:10 depart (Kisarazu Station Outbound)　 【Shuttle Bus】 JR Aobori Station ~ Venue (Futtsu Beaches) Fare: 300 yen one way for elementary school students and older Depart from Aohori Station 16:00~19:00 Departure 19:00~22:00 【Cars】 1,500 vehicles (Use Chiba Prefecture Futtsu Park and Futtsu Coast Siohigari Field) * Use is expected to be crowded, so we recommend using public transportation and Shuttle Bus. 【Inquiry】 Futtsu Citizens Fireworks Festival Secretariat (Futtsu City Commerce, Industry and Tourism Division) 0439-80-1291

Photographed on July 19, 25. After Prayer to Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine, we visited LEC COFFEE. It's a quiche plate. It is a quiche with dried tomatoes, bacon and onions, and a cold corn soup.