Photographed 10/20/24. It is Hanachozu of Naritasan Kawagoe Betsuin.

Photographed 10/14/24. This is Kawagoe Hachimangu on the day of the Annual Grand Festival.

The Way of the Brush Along with the martial arts, many other arts flourished, including calligraphy, tea ceremony, tea bowls, poetry, incense, and Noh drama, and a samurai needed to have knowledge of both the sword and the brush in order to be seen as a cultured gentleman.

Hello everyone, I’m Ozaki from Nagashi Somen En'emon. The trees around the fountain have turned vivid colors, and the mountains of Shosenkyo Gorge are just beginning to change. I’m looking forward to seeing how the autumn foliage develops! It’s getting colder little by little, so warm up with a steaming bowl of hot houtou.

For those of us living in today's busy world, learning about the samurai spirit can give us insight into our attitude, attention, and focus, and foster the determination needed to achieve our goals to the fullest.

Photographed 10/21/24. This is Hanachozu of Chuin. Actually, there are many photos of the Kawagoe Festival...

Visited 10/24/24. Near Hon-Kawagoe Station, we visited the Pre-opening of Tatsumi Udon noodles. It is Udon noodles + toriten. Both Udon noodles and toriten are very delicious. 😊

The Way of the Brush Along with the martial arts, many other arts flourished, including calligraphy, tea ceremony, tea bowls, poetry, incense, and Noh drama, and a samurai needed to have knowledge of both the sword and the brush in order to be seen as a cultured gentlemen.

It is Ozegahara dyed in autumn colors. The balance between Mt. Hirigatake, the golden marshland, and the pond in the foreground was exquisite, and the scenery was truly beautiful.

It was 🍁 a beautiful autumn sunny day in Engaru Town today In the town Autumn leaves is progressing 🍁🍂 in various parts of the country It's going 🧣 to be cold from now on Please stay warm during the change of seasons ☺️

【Koiji Pass】 Koiji Pass on the border of Okuwa Village and Town/Village of Nagiso Town. It is 😍 a romance highway that is said to have been named after a man and a woman who fell in love across the mountain pass This time, from Okuwa Village to Nagiso Town! ↓ Head to the entrance of the pass to admire the beautiful view from the Athira Bridge, where the Atera Canyon in Okuwa Village is located. ↓ Follow the path shown in the second photo to the Observation decks You may even meet a sawa crab on the way! ↓ At the top of the pass, there is a stone monument of "Koiji Pass" and a heart-shaped "Bell of Fulfillment" There are. ↓ For the time being, please look sideways at the bell of fulfillment and climb up to the Observation decks first. If the weather is good, you can see the majestic mountains such as Komagatake. ↓ And to the bell of fulfillment! If you ring the bell after admiring the beautiful view from the observation decks, your wish will be fulfilled! 👏👏👏 ↓ After ringing the bell of fulfillment with a wish, go down the pass. ↓ What was waiting for me at the end of the descent was the superb view Spot "Kakizore Canyon" This view is a sight to 😮 behold every time It is a walking course of about 10 km from Nojiri Station through Koiji Pass to Jujikane Station. Of course, Nakasendo is also recommended, but Hiking this Koiji Pass is also recommended! !!

October 22, 2024 On that day, hungry me—Kawanishi the foodie—braved my appetite (laughs) and visited several of the city’s autumn leaf spots to take photos and share the much-requested “Suwa autumn foliage report.” The morning was sunny, but by the afternoon, perhaps because of my poor habits, it turned cloudy… please forgive me… The following are my impressions of each spot. They reflect my personal views, so I appreciate your understanding and acceptance. 1. Takashima Castle and Gokoku Shrine — The ginkgo trees showed no color yet and were still very green. The maples only showed the faintest hint of color. 2. Lake Suwa and the lakeside park — I felt the leaves were just beginning to change, but there’s still a long way to go. 3. Katakura-kan — The ginkgo trees are starting to take on a slightly yellow tint, but it still seems early. 4. Tateishi Park — Here, too, the leaves appear to be just beginning to change. The 23rd was rainy, but the high reached 23°C. Mornings have been warm; this week’s highs are around 20°C and the lows do not drop below 10°C. It seems the foliage may be later than usual by about a week. Today, I’m updating you about Suwa City’s recent autumn leaf situation. I received several inquiries, so I visited Suwa’s leaf-viewing spots on October 22. The morning was sunny, but I was unlucky—the afternoon turned cloudy. Please forgive me! Caution: these are my personal impressions; please understand. 1. Takashima Castle and Gokoku Shrine — The ginkgo trees remain very green; only a few leaves are turning yellow. 2. Lake Suwa and Kohan Park — I estimate about 20–30% of the trees have begun changing to yellow and red. 3. Katakura-kan — I estimate about 20–30% of the ginkgo trees around Katakura-kan are gradually turning yellow. 4. Tateishi Park — Similar to Katakura-kan, maples and cherry trees are shifting to red, about 20–30%. Yesterday was rainy in Suwa, but the temperature reached 23°C (74°F). It wasn’t cold at all—quite surprising. Normally in Suwa around November, temperatures fall below 15°C (59°F). I think this year’s autumn colors are delayed by more than a week compared with a typical year.

Photographed 10/24/24. I relaxed at the Starbucks Hon-Kawagoe Station store. Cappuccino and two kinds of apple custard apple pie from Aomori Prefecture. It's the autumn of appetite, isn't it? 🌰🎃🍎

Hello, this is Gen 👋 Shosenkyo Gorge is finally into the heart of autumn. At Shosenkyo Gorge, on Sunday, November 10, from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM. A big autumn event! The Crystal Mikoshi and Momiji Dance will be held❗️ A mikoshi is the vehicle that carries the deity through the neighborhood during festivals. At its center rests an 80-kilogram crystal sphere as the deity’s spirit seat, making this mikoshi popular for protection against evil and misfortune‼️ This mikoshi will be carried by professional bearers, Kai-Koma group, parading powerfully and tightly along Crystal Road, to Senga Falls and the area above the falls—the sight is truly spectacular‼️ A must-see‼️ Anyone who wants to carry the mikoshi can join in on the spot and take part 😃 During November, Gen is also holding an Amethyst Fair ✌️ We have everything from fist-sized amethysts to 200-kilogram-class specimens, so if you love amethyst or stones, please come and see them 👀 This is a rare opportunity you can only experience during the autumn foliage season 😃 If you have the time, please come and visit Shosenkyo Gorge‼️‼️‼️ We look forward to seeing you 😃

"The 41st East Iburi Bussan Festival Stalls (7)" For 3 days from 10/25~10/27, the "41st Higashi Iburi Bussan Festival" will be Held in at the West Court on the 1st floor of the AEON MALL Tomakomai store. We will introduce the Stalls in front of the Held in! 【Kanedai Ono Shoten】~Mukawa Towns~ It is a popular store that has been Stalls since the first edition of the East Iburi Product Festival. The "Raw Dried Shishamo", which is made by drying Hokkaido honshishamo overnight, is a popular item, and we also accept local shipments from the venue to all over the country. Fried shishamo, stewed shishamo honeydew, hokki curry, etc. We have a wide range of delicious products made in-house.

Afternoon tea from November 【Winter Afternoon Tea】 ☃ There are a variety ❄ of sweets such as "Cup de White Chocolate Short" and "White Glass" that are reminiscent of winter in Hokkaido For savory, we have prepared a "Roast Beef Sandwich". In addition to the popular "Push Activity Plan", the "Christmas Mini Parfait Plan" will also be available from December! Please ♪ enjoy a variety of winter sweets ❄menu❄ -Sweets- ・Cup de White Chocolate Short ・Stick ganache ・Croquis chocolate (caramel) ・Macarons ・White glass ・Choux caramel ・Ginger cookies -Savory- ・Roast beef sandwich ・Pickles ・Vegetable chips Reservations and details 📞011-222-1522 Or on the hotel's ✨ website

For those of us living in today's busy world, learning about the samurai spirit can give us insight into our attitude, attention, and focus, and foster the determination needed to achieve our goals to the fullest.

"The 41st East Iburi Bussan Festival Stalls Introduction (6)" For 3 days from 10/25~10/27, the "41st Higashi Iburi Bussan Festival" will be Held in at the West Court on the 1st floor of the AEON MALL Tomakomai store. We will introduce the Stalls in front of the Held in! 【Roadside Station Utonai Lake Plaisir】~Tomakomai City~ B1 Tonchan's pork buns and shumai at the pig farmer's directly managed store Thanks to you, we are celebrating our 21st anniversary! We also sell sausages and gyoza that you can conveniently eat at home. Please come and visit us!

Visited on 10/21/24. CAFE ANDON's homemade lemonade and caramel nut tart. It has a good atmosphere and is very tasty, so it is my favorite café. 😊

The autumn beauty of Toji temple in Kyoto. With illumination and reflection in water the scenery becomes more beautiful. One of my favorite tourist spots in Kyoto. The tradition and beauty truly reflects here.

Visited on 10/19/24. On the first day of the Kawagoe Festival, we visited LEC COFFEE. It is an original chai and a hot sandwich. The hot sandwich was very tasty. 😊

Hello to everyone watching Cool Japan Video—nice to meet you! This is Ina Town Tourism Association. Ina Town, Kitaadachi District, Saitama Prefecture, sits in the central-eastern part of Saitama Prefecture and boasts a beautiful natural environment. Known as the Rose Town, it attracts many visitors to the prefecture’s largest rose garden. Leave the city’s noise behind and enjoy a leisurely pace—Cool Japan Video brings you recommended sightseeing information for Ina Town in Saitama Prefecture. Thank you for watching! [Access from Tokyo to Ina Town, Saitama Prefecture] ▼ By car From central Tokyo, you can reach Ina Town in Saitama Prefecture in about one hour via the Shuto Expressway or the Tohoku Expressway. ▼ By train Train access is also convenient. From Tokyo Station, take the Ueno-Tokyo Line and transfer at Oomiya Station to the NewShuttle. The NewShuttle runs directly to Uchijuku Station, and the trip takes about one hour. Buses also run from ageo station and lotus field station, providing access into Ina Town. [Rose Town, Ina Town, Saitama Prefecture] Ina Town in Saitama Prefecture is widely known as the Rose Town. The town’s Town Establishment Memorial Park, opened in 1972, contains the largest rose garden in Saitama Prefecture. Some 400 varieties and 5,000 rose bushes bloom in a riot of color, delighting visitors. You can see Ina Town’s original varieties, including Ina Hime, a charming pink climbing rose that continues blooming into autumn; Ina Rose, a deep crimson large-flowered rose whose shape becomes antique-like as it opens; and Ina no Tsuki, a pale yellow medium-flowered rose created to commemorate the town’s 50th anniversary. The best viewing seasons are early May to early June and late October to mid-November. Rose-themed events and festivals are also held, letting you fully enjoy the charm of roses. Ina Town is a member of the Rose City Conference, which includes 29 municipalities nationwide (as of May 2024). In 2024, the 33rd Rose City Conference in Ina was held on a grand scale, welcoming municipal leaders from across Japan. [Popular sightseeing spots in Ina Town, Saitama Prefecture] ▼ Around the Ina Clan Residence Site The Ina Clan Residence Site is the former estate of Ina Bizen-no-kami Tadayoshi, a retainer of Tokugawa Ieyasu who was active from the Sengoku Period into the early Edo Period. Tadayoshi earned Ieyasu’s deep trust and contributed to flood control, civil engineering, and new paddy development, using Ina as a base to help lay the foundations of the Edo Shogunate. Earthen ramparts, moats, and roads from that time still remain, and the residence is designated as a prefectural commemorative monument (historic site). ▼ Green Trust Conservation Area No. 13 “Musenyama – KDDI Forest” Musenyama – KDDI Forest is a conservation area with rich nature, featuring a native deciduous broad-leaved woodland centered on konara oak. It hosts the cherry festival, and many hanami visitors come during peak season. ▼ Cultural properties of Ina Town Ina Town is home to many cultural properties. Representative examples include nationally registered tangible cultural properties (buildings) such as Oshima Family Residence Main Building and Saito Family Residence Main Building; Saiko-ji Temple’s wooden seated Amida Nyorai statue, designated as a prefectural tangible cultural property (sculpture); and the Shiku no Mikoshi, a town-designated tangible folk cultural property. Thanks to local efforts, these items remain today and hold high historical value. They are scattered throughout the town, so visitors can enjoy historical exploration and cultural property tours. [Local specialties of Ina Town, Saitama Prefecture] ▼ Wine A recommended souvenir from Ina Town is wine made from 100% locally grown Kyoho grapes or pears. These wines feature rich flavor and aroma and pair well with meals. ▼ Sake Another specialty is sake. This sake uses 100% Saitama-brand rice from Ina Town called Sainokagayaki as the polishing rice, producing a concentrated, rich rice flavor. It is brewed at Shinkame Shuzo in Hasuda City, a brewer famous nationwide for producing only junmai sake. [Events and festivals in Ina Town, Saitama Prefecture] ▼ Cherry Festival A lesser-known but beloved cherry spot, the cherry avenue in Green Trust Conservation Area No. 13 hosts an annual festival. On festival weekends, farm produce direct sales and various events take place. This area is called Musenyama because it once stood where the antenna array of Kokusai Denshin Denwa Co., Ltd., the predecessor of KDDI, soared. Although there are relatively few cherry trees, about 200 meters of tunnel is formed by ancient cherry trees over 80 years old, creating a breathtaking sight for visitors. ▼ Rose Festival The Rose Festival, held in May during the peak rose season at Town Establishment Memorial Park, is one of Ina Town’s signature events. Tree roses, climbing roses, old roses, and English roses bloom in a rainbow of colors, filling the park with a sweet fragrance that delights visitors. On weekends, programs such as rose weddings and mini concerts add variety to the festival. ▼ Ina Festival Ina Festival, held every August at the Town Establishment Memorial Park, is a major summer event enjoyed by families and tourists. Traditional taiko drumming, bon odori dancing, food stalls showcasing local specialties, and stage events provide plenty of entertainment. The festival concludes with a vivid fireworks display. ▼ Autumn Rose Festival – Rose Festa – The Autumn Rose Festival – Rose Festa –, held in late October, lets visitors savor the beauty and scent of autumn roses. Though autumn roses tend to be smaller, their fragrance is said to be stronger. Like the spring Rose Festival, it features various rose-related events, local vegetable sales, food stalls and kitchen cars, and stage performances. [Tourist information for Ina Town, Saitama Prefecture] Ina Town in Saitama Prefecture is an attractive town with beautiful nature and a rich history. With good access from central Tokyo and a reputation as the Rose Town, we bring you plenty of recommended information about Ina Town’s history, nature, and more. We hope you enjoy it!

On October 26 and 27, at the Shinsui Park venue, we will hold the 14th Atami Fish Festival (2024), where you can enjoy Atami’s delicious seafood on the spot. Event period: Saturday, October 26 and Sunday, October 27, 2024 Hours: 10:00–16:00 (until 15:00 on October 27) Venue: Shinsui Park Event Plaza (2018-8 Nagisa-cho, Atami City, Shizuoka Prefecture) Contact: Atami City Tourism Association 0557-85-2222 Fee: Free admission Parking: Municipal Shinsui Park P and others (paid) *The event may be canceled or changed due to weather or other reasons. Food and drink vendors Around 10 vendors, mainly local restaurants, are scheduled to participate. Dates/times: October 26, 2024 (Sat) 10:00–16:00; October 27, 2024 (Sun) 10:00–15:00 Grilled seafood on the beach (hamayaki) Dates/times: October 26, 2024 (Sat) 10:00–16:00 (reception until 15:00); October 27, 2024 (Sun) 10:00–15:00 (reception until 14:00) One table seats four (40 tables total, 160 seats) Hamayaki ingredient set: 3,000 yen (Each table must purchase one set. After purchase, individual ingredients may be bought separately.) *No advance reservations; reception is on-site only on the day. Dried fish workshop Date: October 26, 2024 (Sat) Participation fee: Adults 3,000 yen; children elementary school age and under 2,000 yen (both tax included) *Children elementary school age and under require a guardian to participate or accompany them because knives are used. Same-day take-home plan: 10:00–15:00 Fish filleting → salting → drying (2 hours) → completion Shipping plan: 13:00–15:00 Fish filleting → salting → drying (left to the professionals) → shipped after completion *Additional shipping fee applies (from 1,045 yen). Capacity: Each plan limited to the first 10 applicants Reservation deadline: By 17:00 the day before; if capacity is not reached, same-day participation is possible. Please contact the number below. What to bring / clothing: Apron and clothes that can get slightly dirty. *Wearing a mask is required. Reservations: Atami City Tourism Association, tel. 0557-85-2222 (9:00–17:00; closed on October 16) Stage program October 26 (Sat) 11:00–11:40 Kids’ dance (Eyes Dance School) 12:00–12:30 Band performance (Itokawa Ventures) 12:30–13:00 Character appearance (Atsuo, Mamekko) 13:00–13:30 Kayou show (Ami Mitsuya) October 27 (Sun) 11:00–11:30 Hula dance (Ka Fuakai Hula Studio) 11:45–12:15 Kids’ dance (Infinity Dance Studio) Special operation of the Sun Remo sightseeing boat Dates: October 26 and 27, 2024 Free service times (approx. 30-minute ride) October 26 (Sat): 8th voyage departs 15:00; 9th voyage departs 15:40 October 27 (Sun): 7th voyage departs 14:20; 8th voyage departs 15:00 Capacity: 50 passengers per voyage Inquiries: Sun Remo Sightseeing Boat tel. 0557-52-6657 *Tickets will be distributed on the day (October 26 from 14:30; October 27 from 13:50) at the sightseeing boat boarding area: Shinsui Park Third Pier. *Voyages 1–7 on October 26 and voyages 1–6 on October 27 will operate at the regular fare. (The 9th voyage on October 27 is reserved and not available for boarding.) *Please note that operations may be suspended depending on sea conditions on the day.

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The 13th Azumino Kamiakari Bamboo Lantern Festival 2024 — Held over 6 days Friday, November 29 to Sunday, December 1 Friday, December 6 to Sunday, December 8 Around 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. each day Hotaka Shrine (about a 5-minute walk from Hotaka Station on the JR Oito Line) Enjoy the gentle atmosphere of Hotaka Shrine, illuminated by about 10,000 bamboo lanterns Anyone may join the 4:00 p.m. lighting. Those who will light lanterns should bring a long-handled lighter Live performances take place at the Kagura Hall, and Azumino Terrace in the South Garden features food trucks and booths. In the North Garden, a special stage presents the traditional Hotaka dolls * Admission is free * Parking is limited; please use public transportation when possible

On October 14 and 19, we held the Atami Offshore Fireworks Festival! Thank you for attending. The next event is on Monday, November 4, 2024.

2024/10/19At the Tachi Taketa Kaikan Title: The Power of Tachi Taketa

2024/10/19At the Tachi Taketa Kaikan Title: The Threat of Tachi Taketa

2024/10/19At the Golden Cape on the Gono Main Line, Aomori Prefecture Title: The Brilliance of the Golden Cape

2024/10/18 Mt. Hakkoda in Aomori Prefecture was photographed.