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.

Locomotive and VIP coach lit up! ✨🚂✨ This year marks the 30th anniversary since the Oji Light Railway (commonly called the Yamasen Line), which had been on display in Tokyo, returned to Tomakomai. About three thousand LEDs light up the Yamasen Line at Oji Acacia Park. Symbol Street Terrace has also started ✨ Enjoy exploring a variety of unique shops while taking in this special winter light scene ✨

[Advance Reservation Required] Winter 2026 “Teshikaga Eco Passport” Town Sightseeing Bus Now Running! We are announcing the Winter 2026 operation schedule for the Mashu–Kussharo Sightseeing Loop Bus, which visits the main scenic spots around Teshikaga. The loop bus ticket, the “Teshikaga Eco Passport,” is available again this year in two options: a 2-day pass and a 3-day pass. Please make a reservation in advance and take advantage of it. It is recommended for those who are uneasy about driving or who want to enjoy sightseeing around Teshikaga with ease. For details, check the link “Teshikaga Navi.” Operation Period Saturday, January 24, 2026 – Sunday, March 1, 2026 Fares Adult Child 2-day pass (2 days) 2,000 yen 1,000 yen 3-day pass (3 days) 3,000 yen 1,000 yen Contact Mashu Lake Tourism Association 3-3-1 Mashu 3-chome, Teshikaga, Kawakami District, Hokkaido 088-3201, Japan TEL: 015-482-2200 Email: masyu_as@peace.ocn.ne.jp https://www.masyuko.or.jp/news/2025winterecopassport/...

Winter has finally arrived. This photo shows the snowy scenery at Hirono Dam. Heavy snow can be troublesome, but seeing a snowy landscape always makes me feel, “Ah—this season has come.”

An article about the traditional Kawayu Onsen Caravan, held on November 26—"Good Bath Day"—and organized by the Kawayu Onsen Caravan Executive Committee, has been posted 🆙. The caravan, wearing happi coats of the hot-spring source faction and carrying Kawayu Onsen lanterns, ran across eastern Hokkaido; we present scenes of their journey 🏃‍♀️💨 Please take a look ✨ https://www.kawayu-onsen.com/feature/889/...

Last Saturday I went with friends from Tokyo to Sanuki Mannou Park in Kagawa Prefecture to see a breathtaking winter light show. I had expected only a few scattered displays, but as soon as we stepped through the gate we were met by a dazzling sea of LED lights that turned the whole park into a dreamlike scene. They say the installation used as many as 650,000 bulbs, and the scale left us amazed! This hilly area of about 3.2 square kilometers becomes a place of irresistible, camera-clicking beauty after dark. The stunning illumination is beloved by visitors and, thanks to its unique appeal, earned certification in 2024 as a Japan Night View Heritage Site in the Lighting Nightscape category. In the same year it also took fourth place in the Entertainment category at the International Lighting Design Awards. Facing such a striking winter nightscape, I assumed the entrance fee would be steep. To my surprise, this spectacular winter event is very affordable: children under 15 enter free, adult tickets cost just 450 yen, plus a 300 yen parking fee. Such great value made us exclaim with delight! The lights dominate your view no matter where you walk, so it’s no wonder they have been a winter fixture in Kagawa for twenty years. I’m so grateful to my friend for making it possible to experience this unforgettable show. The displays at Mannou Park may not be as varied or complex as those in big cities, but their ability to seize your attention and immerse you in a vast, romantic sea of lights makes the park an excellent winter destination worth a special trip.

Photographed on December 15, 2025. These are the autumn leaves at Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine. 🍁

Today I attended the monthly festival at Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine. I will be able to work in Kawagoe again next year. The practical exam I took in Tokyo last week ended with a disappointing result, but I will do my best again next year. Thank you for your encouragement. 😊

Photo taken on December 12, 2025. This is a caramel latte from LEC COFFEE. It features Christmas tree latte art. 🎄

Photographed on December 12, 2025. This is Hanatetsu's hanachōzu (flower water basin).

Event Announcement📣 On Sunday, December 14th, the 56th Hiroo Hair Crab Festival will take place😊 This is a gourmet event where you can savor plenty of Hiroo’s fresh seafood!! The main attraction is a live sale of boiled hair crab prepared in a two-meter cauldron!! You can also enjoy a hair crab speed-eating contest and delicious stalls offering snow crab miso soup, deep-fried shishamo smelt, seafood curry, and more🎵 At the direct-from-producer market you’ll find seasonal hair crab and shishamo, autumn salmon and hachikaku (sagefish), vegetables, and specialty products from Hiroo as well as local specialties from our sister cities Memuro Town and Saikai City in Nagasaki Prefecture, so please stop by if you like😀 The event’s finale is a fun raffle where Hiroo specialty products are awarded by lottery😍 Come and enjoy the flavors of the season🎶 It’s getting colder, so please dress warmly for the day🤗 https://hiroo-kanko.jp/2025/12/01/56-keganimatsuri/...

Photographed on December 8, 2025. This is the hanachozu (flower-filled basin) at Kawagoe Hachimangu Shrine.

Photographed on December 8, 2025. This is the flower-filled hand-washing basin (hanachozu) at Kawagoe Hachimangu Shrine. It features Christmas colors. 🎄

Photographed on December 8, 2025. This is the hanachozu (flower water basin) at Kawagoe Hachimangu Shrine.

Photographed on December 4, 2025. After the exam, I visited Akasaka Hikawa Shrine. I was fortunate to be able to pay my respects, so I offered a katashiro (paper doll) for the year-end purification ritual.

Toyamago Frost Month Festival Yudate kagura performed in the 11th month of the lunar calendar (Frost Month). It is thought to be a ritual that invites the gods from across the country around the winter solstice, when daytime is shortest and life force weakens, to welcome them with hot water and pray for the revival of the sun and life. ◆Schedule and details for the Frost Month Festival Toyamago Tourism Association Tel: 0260-34-1071 *Please also check the official website.

Photographed on December 3, 2013. This is the Tori-no-ichi fair at Kawagoe Kumano Shrine. A kumade decorated with beckoning cat charms that looks auspicious.

This year, various spots around Sakai City are once again brightened with illuminations✨ This time, we're featuring the illuminations at Sakai Risho-no-Mori! 👀 Don't miss its nighttime appearance♪ 🌟 "Sakai Risho-no-Mori Illuminations" ⛄ 📅 Period: Tuesday, November 18, 2025 – Monday, February 16, 2026 🎄 Lighting hours: 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM 📍 Location: In front of the main entrance of Sakai Risho-no-Mori (2-1-1 Shukuincho-nishi, Sakai-ku, Sakai) 📞 Contact: Sakai Risho-no-Mori (tel: 072-260-4386)

Window Art at Kamu On display until around noon on Friday, December 26th! 📍Roadside Station Nishiokoppe Kamu Throughout December, the windows inside the facility are filled with drawings.🖍 With a Christmas and sweets theme, children from the nursery, elementary and junior high students, and adults have decorated the windows. The windows beside the karakuri organ feature impressive works by five villagers! We hope you enjoy seeing how each piece combines Christmas and sweets. #Nishiokoppe Village #Hokkaido #window art #Roadside Station #Kamu #winter #Christmas #sweets #drawing

Enjoy a sparkling winter night! Introducing illumination events around Nagano City✨ Nagano Forest Village Decorated largely with natural materials, it offers a warm, gentle, and otherworldly atmosphere. "Forest Plays Christmas 2025" Period: Friday, November 21 to Thursday, December 25, 2025 Lighting hours: 4:00 PM–9:00 PM *Please see the official website for details* Zenkoji Omotesando Illumination Zenkoji Omotesando and the area in front of Nagano Station will glow with magical illumination✨ Period: Saturday, November 15, 2025 to Monday, February 23, 2026 *The Christmas tree will be on display until Thursday, December 25, 2025.* Lighting hours: 5:00 PM–10:00 PM Venue: Zenkoji Omotesando (Nagano Station Intersection to Zenkoji Intersection) *Please see the official website for details* #Illumination #Nagano City events #Nagano City #Nagano Prefecture #Nagano Sightseeing #Nagano Travel #Nagano #Nagano City

December 7th Azumino greeted a below-freezing morning The sendangusa, known locally in Nagano as "baka", was frosted by the river mist that formed in the early morning The frost will melt as the sun rises In the distance, the landscape of the Northern Alps

December 6th Azumino Cold Moon The full moon sinks behind the Northern Alps A December morning turned bitterly cold.

December 6th Good morning This morning in Azumino the sky is a crisply clear blue The summit of Mount Nagamine is minus 5 degrees… It’s a very cold morning, but the full moon, the alpenglow on the Northern Alps, and the sea of clouds together make an amazing sight!!

Photographed on December 3, Heisei 25. This is the Tori-no-Ichi fair at Kawagoe Kumano Shrine. Here is a kumade decorated for the Year of the Horse, the zodiac sign for next year. 🐎