Koiwai Farm 100 Years of Forest There are tours that allow you to enter places that you would not normally be able to enter. In front of the wasteland at the southern foot of Mt. of Iwate, Koiwai Farm is said to have been filled with regret for destroying many "beautiful rice fields and good fields" during his many years of involvement in the railway construction project. If this kind of wilderness is left untouched, I would like to at least make up for the loss of beautiful countryside by clearing it and opening up large farms. Isn't that what I should do for the public good? Inoue thinks so. Inoue confided in Yoshima Ono, who had supported Mitsubishi under Yataro Iwasaki, and asked for his help. At that time, Mitsubishi's younger brother, Yanosuke Iwasaki, was the second president of Mitsubishi after Yataro's death. Yoshima Ono immediately brings Inoue and Yanosuke together. It is said that Yanosuke was impressed by Inoue's lofty desire to open a farm in the wasteland for the national public, and readily agreed to invest on the spot. Thus, on January 1, 1891 Meiji 24, Inoue became the owner of the farm and Koiwai Farm was opened. The name Koiwai was created by taking one letter each from the surnames of Ono, Iwasaki, and Inoue. That's it. There is a 100-year-old forest in it. This forest is there to grow 99-year-old cedars.

Hirosaki Castle Flower Raft 2024.04.20 In Hirosaki Castle, there is a "Team Sakura Guard", and this team protects the cherry blossoms. Cherry trees that are over 100 years old also produce a lot of flowers thanks to this team. Gari will drop a lot of petals because it will have a lot of flowers, and this raft will be completed.

Snow-covered Kinkakuji Temple　 2021.12.18 Where I went with studless tires for the first time There was still snow from the night before.

Doll Memorial Service Suwa, Nagano Prefecture Onsenji Temple, Rinzai Myoshinji School On March 17, 2014, I visited Onsenji Temple. It is about a ten-minute walk from Kamisuwa Station. This temple performs memorial services for dolls and stuffed animals. It felt much like a funeral for dolls and stuffed toys. Onsenji holds a doll memorial service every March. In Japan, Boys’ Day falls on May 5 and Girls’ Day on March 3. Most grandparents give dolls to their grandchildren to pray for the child’s healthy growth. These are traditional Japanese dolls unique to Japan. As a result, many Japanese households own Japanese dolls. I believe dolls also have a spirit, like animism suggests. When your child owns a doll, the child plays with it. As the child grows up, they tend to move away from the doll. Most Japanese people do not simply throw away the dolls that watched over their children’s growth. That is because the dolls spent time with the child. Most Japanese think dolls have a soul. That is why they hold memorial services for dolls. That day, over 1,000 dolls were gathered. The chief priest chanted sutras for the dolls and stuffed animals for about 30 minutes. The priest offered thanks to the dolls with purifying salt. We prayed with the same feeling. It was a very mysterious experience. It was my first time seeing so many dolls and stuffed animals. Still, it was a deeply heartfelt Buddhist memorial for the dolls. I felt I could sense a little of Buddhist sentiment. That is why I love Japan!! Also, Onsenji is famous as a spot for autumn leaves. If you want to see beautiful foliage, please come and see the autumn colors at Onsenji.

It is one of the three major fire festivals in Japan and is designated as an important Intangible folk cultural property of Japan. It is spectacular to see 12 large torches weighing about 50 kg each parading along the approach. This year's ceremony will be held on July 14.

Narai-juku, located on the old Nakasendo road, is the longest post town in Japan, stretching about 1 km along the Narai River. This historic site features the Chinjin Shrine at the top of Torii Pass on its Kyoto end. Once a bustling hub for travelers, Narai-juku was known as "Narai Senken" Narai's Thousand Houses and was the busiest stop on the Kisoji road. The town still preserves architectural marvels from the Edo period, such as the eaves lights of the inns and the thousand latticed windows, reflecting the timeless grandeur of the area.

Matsumoto Castle on a heavy snowy day The Chuo Expressway was closed to traffic, so I took a big detour on the Kanetsu Road and entered Matsumoto on the lower road from Azumino. It took me 6 hours to get there in 3 hours laughs.

Matsumoto doesn't snow as much as Tokyo The day after the heavy snowfall was a blue sky. It was the first time I saw Matsumoto Castle with a frozen moat.

There is a tree grasping a large rock near Takijiri Oji and Oji Shrine on the Kumano Kodo Nakabe Road mountain trail. A large number of pilgrims start from Prince Takijiri and walk to the Hongu Taisha Shrine.

Traditional Japanese straw raincoat in the coming season Nagoya, Aichi

Kenninji Temple 2022.09 "Twin Dragon Ceiling" Junsaku Koizumi's masterpiece of heavenly painting It's also amazing to be able to shoot. It is the oldest Zen temple in Kyoto.

Hokokuji Temple 2021.06.12 The most relaxing place in Kamakura It was a walk in silence.

Matsumoto Castle, one of Japan's oldest castles, is famous for its unique black exterior. Located in Matsumoto City for over 400 years, it houses a remarkable collection of weapons and armor from the Warring States Period. Despite never witnessing battle, it's a must-visit in Nagano Prefecture, especially during twilight hours for a peaceful experience. The sight of swans on the moat against the castle and the blueish-purple horizon is unforgettable.

Oshi Castle, located in Gyoda City, Saitama Prefecture, has a rich history dating back to the late 15th century. Despite facing numerous attacks, this formidable castle never succumbed. While the original structure no longer stands, visitors can still witness the earthen foundation of the main castle, the towering stone walls, the Korai Gate, and other fascinating ruins. The reconstructed "Three-storied Tower" from the Edo Period now houses captivating exhibits, offering visitors a glimpse into the past. Ascend to the observation room on the highest floor for a breathtaking view of Gyoda City. My visit at twilight revealed an eerily silent and empty atmosphere, evoking the enchanting aura of this ancient site.

Meigetsu-in Temple 2020.06.12 When a state of emergency was declared and I couldn't go out of the prefecture. Even at Meigetsu-in Temple, it was written that only people living in Kanagawa could enter. Thanks to this, I was able to take pictures that did not show many people.

Tauszvets Bridge 2022.08. The Tauszvets Bridge is submerged in August every year There is an Observation decks about 800m away, but if you want to get closer, you can take a tour or make a reservation in advance from the forest road gate key reservation page on the website of the Kamishihoro Town Tourism Association. The guide said that it is collapsing and will collapse someday.

Oarai Isosaki Shrine no Kamiiso no Torii shrine gate 2024.01.06 Here, for the first time, I was able to take a picture of the sun rising from the horizon. This is Daruma Asahi.

It is the Fujiya Hotel in Hakone Miyanoshita. It is one of the classic hotels in Japan. The building, which has an unusual design that is a mix of Japanese and Western, makes you feel the history of Japanese hotels.

It is a tea house in Suwa in the Tomi Garden of the Imperial Palace. Anyone can enter the Tomi Garden for free, and some of them are the ruins of the castle tower of Edo Castle. Suwa no Chaya is a Japanese house located in Ninomaru Garden. Why don't you take a stroll?

It is a spectacle bridge on the former Shinetsu Main Line. From Karuizawa to Yokogawa, which is Famous for the Kamameshi of the mountain pass If you head there, you can see it. It is no longer used and has become a historical relic.

The sculptures at the Chichibu Treasure Climbing Shrine were gorgeous, and I couldn't help but take a picture. The fineness of the carvings and the vividness of the colors are all wonderful. It is a workmanship that makes you feel Cool Japan.

It is a bamboo forest of Hokokuji Temple in Kamakura. Bamboo forests, which are not so rare for Japanese people, also seem to be popular with foreigners. However, the bamboo forest at Hokokuji Temple well maintained very beautiful, so why not go there?

It is the Imperial Palace Fushimi Tower. Cross the double-bridge Megane Bridge, turn around and cross the iron bridge, and you will see it on your left. It is one of the buildings that made up Edo Castle. Normally you can't see it, This photo was taken when I entered the castle as a general visitor.

It is the Marunouchi station building of Tokyo Station that everyone knows. It is a symbol of the history of Japan's railways. After completion in 1914, it was partially destroyed during the Pacific War, and restoration work was completed in 2012. I think the spirit of trying to restore historical buildings to their original state is cool Japan.

Sketch a national treasure. The five-story pagoda of Myo-in in Hiroshima Prefecture is the fifth oldest and most beautiful national treasure pagoda in Japan, and is designated as a national treasure along with the main hall.

Himeji Castle Himeji Castle after the major renovation of Heisei in 2015 As the name of the egret castle suggests, it was pure white. The plaster turns black in 3 years, so it is for a limited time.

Yajiyama Koshoji Temple on a moonlit night. The moon shines pale above the illuminated five-story pagoda.

View of Fuji from the Main gate. At Taiseki-ji Temple, located at the foot of Fuji, you can see the majestic Mt. Fuji on a clear day.

View of Kyoto Tower in the distance. Kiyomizu-dera Temple, located on a hill in Higashiyama, offers a panoramic view of the town of Giant Yang, but the view of Kyoto Tower is especially spectacular.

The hidden symbol of Ueno. The former Kaneiji five-story pagoda is located in Ueno Park and is about 36 meters high to the nine rings.