The other day, the tourist information staff held a year-end party. We had the T ateyama grilled seafood bowl with the original Hakkenden parfait from Hana Sohonten. The parfait is available only until Friday, December 13, so hurry if you want to try it! The Hakkenden movie gourmet stamp rally also runs until the 13th!

Calligraphy masters apply Japanese kanji characters to the native language names of foreign customers. Since each kanji character has its own meaning, enjoy this traditional cultural experience, including the meaning of the kanji used in your name. You can take home the engraved wooden Dojo-fuda as a souvenir to remember your visit. #calligraphy #kanji #shodo #travelmemories #culturalexperience

Prayer to Kawagoe Hachimangu Shrine before work. 💛 Ginkgo leaves.

"Hold on! Play! ｣

Photographed 12/4/24. At the Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine, a potato dedication ceremony was held. This is Kawagoe Imo Lottery. With the number enclosed in the fortune teller, you can receive a strip of the Imo Lottery Extra Edition. It seems that you can understand the potato language, potato knowledge, and lucky potato items.

[HOTEL NUPKA] At HOTEL NUPKA in Obihiro City, the CAFE & BAR serves Tokachi drinks, starting with the “Journey-Beginning Beer” crafted for visiting guests. Here are some Tokachi drinks you can enjoy at the CAFE & BAR. ● Hard cider made from apples grown in Ashoro Served by the bottle!! ↓ ● Aizawa Winery’s “Ryunosuke” (rosé) and “Sachirera” (red) ● Tokachi Regalo’s “Sanenkoro” (red and rosé sparkling) You’ll also find various Tokachi snacks—edamame, peanuts, cheese, sausages, popcorn—so please enjoy them with your drinks. NUPKA’s special “NUPKA Gyoza” comes in two types: pork gyoza made with Tokachi pork and vegetables, and chicken gyoza made with Tokachi mushrooms and cheese. Be sure to try both and compare!!

No matter when you come, it's always beautiful. Drum gate at Kanazawa Station

This is the scene at Onneto this morning, Friday, December 6. The temperature is relatively mild, and many hot-water pits toward the back of the lake have prevented the ice from forming there. The ice seems to be repeatedly freezing and thawing, making it extremely dangerous, so please exercise great caution when approaching the lake surface. Also, as I have reported several times recently, the Onneto Line road from Nonaka Onsen to the lake is closed today and is now closed to vehicles for the winter. If you walk to the lake, be sure to take proper snow and cold-weather precautions and avoid accidents. Onneto is now heading into full winter❄️

Photographed 12/3/24. At the Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine, a potato dedication ceremony was held. The Kawagoe Imo Lottery is handmade by everyone at the Kawagoe Imonoko Workshop.

Mt. Fuji from Hirabayashi, Fujikawa Town The Hirabayashi area, where terraced rice fields spread, is one of the 100 views of Fujimi in the Kanto region Selected

The Marugoto Kita-Tokachi Fair (North Tokachi Expo) will be held at Michi-no-Eki Otofuke "Natsuzora no Furusato" from December 9th to 15th! This event is packed with the charms of the four North Tokachi towns—Shikaoi, Shihoro, Kamishihoro, and Otofuke—including booths selling local specialty products and opportunities to take photos with characters. We hope to see you there! 😊 Roadside Station Otofuke "North Tokachi Expo" will take place from December 9th to 15th! It's an event full of the charms of the four North Tokachi towns—please stop by! 😊

Nov. 27th in 2024 Today, the gluttonous Kasai went to a Japanese sweets shop for research again!!! It's Engetsu-dou Hompo Fukushima branch! But, everyone, do you notice anything in the pictures? Look! Look!!! I was so excited to go to Engetsu-dou that I forgot to take a picture of the shop's exterior... I'm really driven by my appetite... I'm ashamed... I'll make sure to do it next time! I spoke with Mrs. Katagiri, the proprietress of Engetsu-dou Hompo! It seems that they started with a different shop name 78 years ago (Showa 21), before it became Engetsu-dou. At first, it was in front of Kamisuwa Station! Four years later, they expanded to Kowada, and eight years after that, to Shimizu. Now, they have the Shimizu store and this Fukushima store, which opened in 1992, offering Japanese sweets at two stores in the city!!! The proprietress's recommendations are the revived "Kojou Monaka" and "Kabuto Monaka"!!! There are about four types of Monaka, and there are many different kinds. According to the proprietress, "Each Japanese sweets shop has a different red bean paste, so it's fun to try and find your favorite!" Also, she said "Recently, the number of foreign customers has been increasing little by little, and I think they may be paying attention to red bean paste because it is lower in calories than Western-style cream." ◎ Engetsu-dou Hompo Fukushima branch 📍Nakasu-Fukushima, 5398-1 Suwa city, Nagano Pref. ☎ 0266-58-1547 ◎ Business hours: 9:00 ~ 19:00 ◎ Regular holiday: Shimizu and Fukushima stores, every Tuesday ◎ Engetsu-dou Hompo Shimizu branch 📍Shimizu 1-2-12 Suwa city, Nagano Pref. ☎ 0266-52-1543 ◎ Business hours: 9:00 ~ 19:00 Nov. 27th in 2024 Today I went to Engetsu-dou Hompo which is Japanese traditional sweets (Wagashi) shop in Suwa city! “Wa” means Japan. “Gashi” means sweets. So, Japanese traditional sweets call Wagashi? They have two shops in Suwa, Shimizu-machi area and Fukujima area. I went to Fukujima location. Don’t you notice about pictures??? Did you? I was focus for Wagashi… That’s why I forgot to take a picture about Engetsu-dou’s exterior… That’s big mistake! Horrible!!! I’m so sorry about that. I’m gluttony. Wagashi was right front of me, I lost from Wagashi’s temptation. So, I forgot took the shop’s exterior photo… Ms. Katagiri (landlady) introduce her shop and Wagashi. They founded in 1946. About 78 years. The shop was front of Kamisuwa station. They started with the different name of the shop. It became Engetsu-dou in 1950. Shimizu-machi branch opened in 1958. Fukujima branch opened in 1992. I asked her, “what is your recommendation Wagashi?” She told me Kojou Monaka and Kabuto Monaka. Monaka is a Japanese sweet that is bean‐jam‐filled wafers. Also, she said “You can enjoy Wagashi every season, and each shop has original sweetened red bean paste. So, you can enjoy to find your favorite shop. Now, gradually increasing foreign customers. I think they realized Wagashi is less than calories compare to cake.” ★ Engetsu-dou Hompo Fukushima branch 📍Nakasu-Fukushima, 5398-1 Suwa city, Nagano Pref. ☎ 0266-58-1547 ◎ Business hours: 9:00 ~ 19:00 ◎ Regular holiday: Shimizu and Fukushima stores, every Tuesday ★ Engetsu-dou Hompo Shimizu branch 📍Shimizu 1-2-12 Suwa city, Nagano Pref. ☎ 0266-52-1543 ◎ Business hours: 9:00 ~ 19:00

Photographed 12/3/24. We interviewed HK Tea Hong Kong Tea. It is a triple chocolate with lemon honey and egg waffles. Honey lemon tastes better when it is HOT. 😊🍋🍯

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 best of our ability. We must not only carefully consider the words of the Samurai, but we must also act on them. #samurai #katana #bushido #osakacastle

Autumn at Ooyama 2024 Maple Report 🍁 12.5 Here is the current view of Oyama Temple as of Thursday, December 5, and of the lower Ooyama Afuri Shrine and Fujimidai as of Tuesday, December 3. On clear days, the view of Mt. Fuji from Fujimidai is exceptional! The maple trees along Suzukawa, below the OyamaCableCar bus stop, are also beautiful. The peak of the autumn leaves has passed at this soothing spot of Ooyama, so please visit as soon as you can! ※Sunset comes early, so if you aim for the mountaintop, start early in the morning and allow plenty of time. Access: From Odakyu Line Isehara Station North Exit, Platform 4 Take the ‘For Ooyama Cable’ bus for about 30 minutes Get off at the last stop and walk 15 minutes to the cable car station

December 7th to December 21st "Fukushima Teppen Park Illumination 2024" will take place. The illumination at Fukushima Teppen Park, perched 805 meters above sea level, features a Christmas theme. Enjoy the collaboration with the night view! ■ Dates and times: Saturday, December 7th to Saturday, December 21st — lights on from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM ■ Location: Fukushima Teppen Park Organizer: Fukushima Teppen Park Event Executive Committee

Asiri Rui: "Hooray! ｣ It is full of energy even in the snow!

Photographed 12/3/24. After the Tori no Ichi market at Kawagoe Kumano Shrine, we visited Tatsumi of Udon noodles. Kitsune Udon noodles and Toriten. It's refreshing and delicious.

Photographed 12/3/24. Kawagoe Kumano Shrine is a Tori no Ichi market. It is a very auspicious rake such as a beckoning cat, a turtle, and an owl. It was early, so I couldn't see them. Next year, I will try to come in the evening.

The reason why foreigners are interested in the Japanese language is "The beauty of the Japanese language. I often hear that the reason why foreigners are interested in the Japanese language is "the beauty of the Japanese language. Using the calligraphy skills learned through the calligraphy experience, students write their favorite kanji characters on fans and hanging scrolls of their choice. The master calligrapher will then take the kanji back to your bag with his expert brush strokes. Since each kanji character has multiple meanings, it is important to know what other meanings they have. Knowing the meaning will make the bag shine. #brush #kanji #shodo #travel memories #cultural experience

In Hinomotoichi's Calligraphy Trial Plan, students do not pick up a brush and start writing immediately after the lesson begins.  Instead, we begin by explaining about the culture of calligraphy and the history of calligraphy in Japan. This is because it helps them to better understand the difference between Japanese calligraphy and caligraphy, which is a form of character decoration that also exists in other countries, and to appreciate the beauty of the Japanese language. #calligraphy #kanji #shodo

【Notice】 Japanese smelt fishing on ice is one month away! The Japanese smelt fishing venue on the Memanbetsu Lakeside is used by many customers every year because it is about 10 minutes by car from the airport and has very good access. Japanese smelt fishing equipment can be purchased and rented at the venue, making it easy for beginners to get started! If you are a first-timer, there is only one thing you need to prepare. Please dress warmly! Because you will be fishing on the ice for a long time, you will get cold from your feet. Therefore, it is even better if you have a sock warmer to put on the soles of your feet! We look forward to seeing you there! ［INFOMATION］ Venue: Ozora Town Memanbetsu Lake Abashiri Memanbetsu Lakeside Campground Behind Period: 2025 (Reiwa 7) January 5 (Sun) ~ Mid-March Time: 8 a.m. ~ 4 p.m. Fee: Adult 900 yen, Elementary school student 450 yen Other: Implementation of sales and rental *If you fish for Japanese smelt outside of the above hours, it is poaching. * The start and end dates vary depending on the ice conditions and weather, so please check the social media or website of the Ozora Town Tourist Association or contact the secretariat.

Photographed 12/3/24. Kawagoe Kumano Shrine is a Tori no Ichi market. It is a good luck charm for the zodiac sign of the coming year. 🐍

The practice of swordsmanship was intended above all to nurture the mind. The samurai, through diligent practice and extreme concentration, desired to attain a state of unthoughtfulness, free of attachment or preoccupation, and thus able to respond instantly. A warrior is prepared to die each morning. In the quiet moments of the morning, he imagines himself being struck by lightning, doused by fire, or cut to pieces with a sword or spear. It is hard to remember that one step outside the doorway is the world of death. #Honor #Bushido #samuraisord #katana

Photographed 12/3/24. Kawagoe Kumano Shrine is a Tori no Ichi market.

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 best of our ability. We must not only carefully consider the words of the Samurai, but we must also act on them. #samurai #katana #bushido #osakacastle

In Hinomotoichi's Calligraphy Trial Plan, students do not pick up a brush and start writing immediately after the lesson begins.  Instead, we begin by explaining about the culture of calligraphy and the history of calligraphy in Japan. This is because it helps them to better understand the difference between Japanese calligraphy and caligraphy, which is a form of character decoration that also exists in other countries, and to appreciate the beauty of the Japanese language. #calligraphy #kanji #shodo

Today, I took a walk in Kawagoe. On the approach to the temple to Kawagoe Hachimangu Shrine, pigeons were eating rice. Squid is a messenger of God, so it may be very auspicious. 🕊️🌾

Until Tuesday, December 24, the Izusan Local Museum is exhibiting the original Hokke Mandala. According to Izusan Shrine tradition, this Hokke Mandala was embroidered with the hair of Hojo Masako. A repair inscription on the back records that Hojo Masako used her own hair to stitch the Hokke Mandala to pray for the soul of her husband, Minamoto no Yoritomo, and that it was enshrined as the principal image of the Hokke Hall. The museum usually displays a replica, but the original is on temporary public view for the first time in two years and four months. Please take time to appreciate the three-dimensional Sanskrit characters made with hair and the subtle coloration of the backing that only the original can show. Atami City Izusan Local Museum Hokke Mandala Exhibition Period: Thursday, November 28, 2024–Tuesday, December 24, 2024 Address: 708-2 Izusan, Atami City, Shizuoka Prefecture (within the grounds of Izusan Shrine) Phone: 0557-80-4252 Access: From atami station, take a bus bound for Nanao for about 10 minutes and get off at Izusan Shrine-mae Hours: 9:00–16:00 Closed: Wednesdays (if a public holiday falls on Wednesday, closed the following day) Admission: Adults ¥180 (groups ¥120); junior and senior high school students ¥120 (groups ¥80); elementary school children and younger free Parking: Available (a few spaces at Izusan Shrine) Note: Group discounts apply to parties of 20 or more.

Request for cooperation in a tourism survey 2024 To all visitors to the Tanzawa–Ooyama area (Atsugi, Hadano, Isehara): We ask for your cooperation in a tourism survey. *Survey period* Until Sunday, December 22 After completing the survey, if you show the response screen you will be eligible to receive one free Kururin sticky note at one pickup location only, one per person. One of the pickup locations, Isehara City Tourism Association (weekdays only, 9:00–17:00), will distribute one Kururin sticky note free of charge. We appreciate your cooperation!! Saving an image of the completion screen will make pickup smoother. Odakyu Line Isehara Station north exit · on the stairs Isehara City Tourism Association (general incorporated association) TEL 0463-73-7373 9:00–17:00 (weekdays only; closed on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays)