Tower of the Sun 1-1, Expo '70 Commemorative Park (Senri Banpaku Park), Suita City, Osaka Prefecture Because the number of visitors and viewing times inside the Tower of the Sun are limited, entry is primarily by reservation (reservations accepted until the day before; however, same-day tickets may be sold if spaces remain). The Tower of the Sun, the symbol of Expo '70 (the 1970 Japan World Exposition), was closed to the public for some time, but following renovation work its interior reopened to visitors in March 2018. Inside the Tower of the Sun, photography is generally allowed only on the first floor (the Underground Sun Zone and the first exhibition floor of the Tree of Life). On the routes to the upper floors, smartphones and similar devices must be kept in bags for safety to prevent items from falling. However, you can rent a special smartphone case that allows you to take photos safely even on the upper floors. The rental fee is 500 yen per case; payment is cash only. Thirty-six types of living creatures are depicted. There are 150 steps to the top of the tower, but an elevator is available.

🎎The Hina Doll Festival is on now at Fashion Mail Plaza in front of Tomakomai Station!🎎 Around 800 hina dolls are praying for world peace and recreating scenes such as the Sapporo Olympics (1972) and a moment from the film "National Treasure."✨ Location Fashion Mail Plaza (Omotemachi 3-chome, Tomakomai City) Dates Open daily from 10:00 to 18:00 until Sunday, March 15 (closed Wednesdays)

I took part in an exchange event at Hachioji Municipal Dairoku Elementary School! Activities with the second graders and school lunches with each grade made for a very fun day 😊✨

Today I attended the Kinen-sai (Prayers for a Good Harvest) at Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine. These are the lanterns of Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine. Kinen-sai is a ritual to pray for a bountiful harvest that year, national peace, and the well-being of the people.

Hello, this is the Shosenkyo Gorge Tourism Association. Yesterday we enjoyed a clear blue sky. The first photo is Senga Falls. Even after mid-February it still wears ice, crashing down with a thunderous roar and an overwhelmingly powerful presence. A crisp, wintry beauty unique to the season spreads across the scene. The second photo is Kakuen Peak. Its silhouette, emblematic of Shosenkyo Gorge, looks like a sumi-e ink painting. Please enjoy the contrast of stillness and motion that stands out in the clear air. There are vistas you can meet only in winter. We sincerely look forward to your visit. #Shosenkyo Gorge #Senga Falls #Kakuen Peak #Yamanashi Tourism #Winter Scenery

Photographed on February 15, 2014. The 4th Koedo Imo Park was held at Kawagoe Castle Honmaru Goten. On the left is Matcha Arata’s hojicha koguma latte. On the right is IMOS cafestand’s baked sweet potato sugar-butter crepe. I enjoyed it thoroughly. 😊🍠

Event Announcement 📣 On Saturday, February 21, 2026, Makubetsucho will host “2026 Makubetsu Tsunagu Lantern” at Akenogaoka Park 😊 Each handmade lantern created by local residents has its own unique design, and they are delightful to admire 🎵 Please come and see the magical world lit by the lanterns’ gentle glow ✨ Be sure to dress warmly for the event 🧤🧣🧥 📍Date: Saturday, February 21, 2026 ※In case of severe weather, the event will be postponed to Sunday, February 22, 2026 ※If postponed, an announcement will be posted on Instagram. 📍Venues and Times 🔸Akenogaoka Park 17:30–19:30 🔸Makubetsu Park Plaza 17:30–19:30

Photographed on February 15, 2014. After visiting Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine, I relaxed at Starbucks Kanetsuki‑dōri Store. I had a chocolate mousse latte and a chocolate babka. Yesterday, I chatted with the people I always meet at the Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine monthly festival, and it was fun. 😊

February 15th I went to see the fukujusō on Mt. Kojo because fukujusō started blooming in my garden They grow in a cluster at the corner of the clearing just before the summit of Mt. Kojo Maybe it was still early, so only a few were blooming… Their color makes you feel the arrival of spring

Takase River flows from Omachi into Azumino It then meets two rivers and becomes the Saikawa Upstream lie MtShirouma and the ridgeline of the Northern Alps Sunlight pours down as if spring has arrived

February 15th A clear, bright sky over Azumino The view of the Northern Alps is stunning!! Temperatures are climbing today, making it perfect weather for sightseeing

Today I attended the monthly ritual at Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine. This is the shrine precincts at about 7:30 a.m.

Fukujusō in Morotsuka Village ✨ Shikoku fukujusō at Mombara in Morotsuka Village, designated a Natural Monument of Miyazaki Prefecture as the southernmost wild habitat. This photo was taken on Friday, February 13. Some buds still remain, but many flowers are already in bloom! A narrow road that is difficult to pass oncoming traffic leads to the wild habitat, and you should be careful because of the risk of freezing and snow accumulation. Please take great care when going to observe them.

Photographed on January 13, 2014. Kawagoe Kumano Shrine presents a New Year–style koi temizu (love hand-washing basin).

Photographed on February 7, 2014. This is the hanachōzu (flower water basin) at Kawagoe Hachimangu Shrine.

Photographed on February 7, 2014. This is the hanachozu (flower-filled ritual water basin) at Kawagoe Hachimangu Shrine.

Itami Sky Park 7-1-1 Morimoto, Itami Itami Sky Park is a vast park adjacent to Osaka International Airport (Itami Airport). It is known for offering close-up views of aircraft taking off and landing, and there are many ways to enjoy it both day and night. Itami Sky Park lets you watch aircraft take off and land up close, but there are several important precautions. 🚫 Prohibited Activities The following actions are prohibited, so please be aware. Ball games, frisbee, badminton, and similar activities: because they may interfere with aircraft operations. Erecting tents, tarps, or similar shelters: because they may interfere with aircraft operations. Bringing or riding motorbikes, bicycles, unicycles, etc.: please use the bicycle parking area. Bringing or using balance bikes (Strider), kickboards, J-boards. Fireworks. Flying kites: because they may interfere with aircraft takeoff and landing. Leaving trash behind: take your trash home with you. There are no trash bins in the park. Smoking: the entire park is non-smoking (including electronic cigarettes). Bringing pets: prohibited on lawns, in planting beds, and around fountains and water features.

Recruiting the 32nd Tokachi Blue Sky Lady ☀️ There is one week left until the Tokachi Blue Sky Lady application deadline!! We are seeking Tokachi PR ladies called Tokachi Blue Sky Ladies to promote Tokachi’s tourism and local products through events within Tokachi, product fairs inside and outside Hokkaido, media appearances, and more! Would you like to brighten Tokachi’s tourism with your cheerful smile? If you’re interested, please feel free to apply 🤗 We look forward to your applications!! 📌 Eligibility 📍Women aged 20 or older living in Tokachi who are physically and mentally healthy, agree to all the provisions and guidelines of the Tokachi Blue Sky Lady program, and can participate in tourism events and product fairs both inside and outside the region (married or single) 📍Holders of a valid ordinary driver’s license who have obtained approval from their workplace and family for Lady activities 📌 How to apply Please attach a photo to your resume, write your motivation for applying, and provide information verifying that you meet the eligibility criteria, then mail or deliver it to the Tokachi Tourism Federation Office by Friday, February 20. https://tokachibare.jp/20506/...

A long-tailed rosefinch nibbling on seeds. This charming wild bird is slightly smaller than a sparrow and is notable for the reddish coloring on its head. The bird in the photo is male, since both its head and chest are red. (Females have a white chest and only a red head.) (Image provided by Roadside Station Utonai Lake)

Photographed on February 7, 2014. This is the hanachōzu (flower basin) at Kawagoe Hachimangu Shrine. 🌸

Photographed on February 11, 2014. This is the hanachozu (flower basin) at Kawagoe Hachimangu Shrine’s omikuji distribution counter.

Event Announcement📣 On Sunday, February 15, 2026, Makubetsu’s Churui will host the 43rd Nauman All-Hokkaido Sled Competition 😊 Alongside the general division—where participants race on homemade cardboard sleds and are judged on sled craftsmanship and finish time—there will be an elementary school speed division and a parent-and-child speed division 🎵 Other activities include a “Treasure Hunt” inspired by the buried-gold legend of Churui Maruyama and a photo-movie contest for sharing fun memories from the sled competition ✨ 📍Date and Time: Sunday, February 15, 2026 📍Venue: Churui Hakugindai Ski Area 📞Contact: Tournament Office 01558-8-2111 http://www.makubetsu.jp/kankobussankyokai/?p=8682...

The fisherman fell in love with one of the world’s three greatest sunsets. Enjoy a landscape that changes with the seasons at Kushiro Prince Hotel. Unwind and savor moments that melt your heart, again and again. Reservations are available from the profile URL. https://www.instagram.com/kushiroprincehotel/...

Photographed on February 11, 2014. After the Kigen Festival at Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine, I relaxed at the Starbucks Kanetsuki‑dōri Store. I had a chocolate mousse latte and a chocolate babka. It was very cold yesterday. 🥶

Every February I go to Kushiro to see red-crowned cranes and the SL Winter Shitsugen train. The courtship dance of the red-crowned cranes, especially visible at the feeding grounds in Kushiro Shitsugen, reaches its peak in February. In the harsh winter snowfields I was able to see the males and females leap and spread their wings in a courtship dance that truly looks like dancing once again this year.

Today I attended the Kigen-sai at Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine. Kigen-sai is a festival that celebrates the accession of Emperor Jimmu, considered Japan’s first emperor, in 660 BC.

Event Announcement📣 On Saturday, February 14th, Roadside Station Ashoro Galaxy Hall 21 hosts "Wood Candle Night 2026" 😊 The day features wood education workshops such as ogacolor and deer-hide leather craft, plus a wooden toy corner where visitors can touch, play with, and make wooden items 🎵 You can also enjoy a food area, chocolate fondue with toasted marshmallows and strawberries, a collaboration café by Coffee Zamaya and an antique shop, and a mini concert by the duo Liricamente 😍 On this sacred night—Valentine’s Day—come to Roadside Station Ashoro Galaxy Hall lit by ice candles and illuminations 🤗 ❤️ At the Youth Section booth of the Town Employees’ Labor Union, donors will receive a complimentary cocoa. https://www.town.ashoro.hokkaido.jp/kanko/news/2026/wood2026.html...

The Nobeoka Toka Ebisu Festival takes place on February 10th and 11th!! Held each year on February 10th and 11th, the Nobeoka Toka Ebisu welcomes many worshippers from Miyazaki Prefecture and beyond. On the first day, visitors came to pray for business prosperity and the fulfillment of various wishes under pleasantly mild weather with no chill 😊 Tomorrow features a lucky rice cake toss and a Nobeoka kagura dedication, so bring friends and family and join us for worship!! ⁡ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 🗓️Date and time: Tuesday, February 10th and Wednesday, February 11th (national holiday) 📍Address: 3875 Yamashitamachi 1-chome, Nobeoka City, Miyazaki Prefecture (Imayama Ebisu Shrine) 📞Contact: 0982-21-4525

Photographed on January 23, 2014. Omiya Hikawa Shrine, an ema (votive plaque) for the Year of the Horse. 🐎 I enjoyed the winter break to the fullest. 😊