The Atami Plum Garden Autumn Leaves Festival will be held from Saturday, November 16, 2024 to Sunday, December 8, 2024. Known as the earliest-blooming plum site in Japan, Atami Plum Garden is also a spot for autumn foliage. About 380 maple trees line the garden, and thanks to the warm climate they often change color from late November into December, making this place sometimes called the latest autumn foliage in Japan. Early-blooming plums begin to flower around mid-November, so you may see plum blossoms and autumn leaves at the same time. During the festival there will be a footbath, a photo contest, jazz performances, illumination, and a wildflower moss-ball (kokedama) workshop, among other events. Please take this opportunity to enjoy the red-hued Atami Plum Garden. *On November 16 (Sat) and 17 (Sun), the Japan–Korea Gourmet Fair 2024 in Atami will also take place.* Event period: November 16–December 8, 2024 Hours: Illumination daily during the period, 16:30–21:00 Venue: Atami Plum Garden (8-11 Umezonocho, Atami City, Shizuoka Prefecture) Phone: 0557-85-2222 Contact: Atami City Tourism Association Access: ■ From JR Atami Station, take a bus bound for Ainohara Danchi for about 15 minutes and get off at "Ume-en" (Plum Garden). ■ From Atami Station, take the Ito Line for about 3 minutes to Kinomiya Station, then walk about 10 minutes. Admission: Free Parking: 100 spaces in front of the Plum Garden (open only during the event period) (Weekdays) 9:00–17:00 (Sat, Sun, and public holidays) 8:30–17:00 Fees: Ordinary cars 300 yen; motorcycles & bicycles 100 yen; microbuses 1,000 yen

[Notice from Ekinaka Kururin House] Kururin fans and collectors, thank you for waiting! Introducing our new merchandise. Kururin canvas tote bag ***1,800 yen (tax included) Spacious with an inner pocket, it’s highly functional! It will make going out feel more cheerful. We look forward to seeing you! On the stairs at the north exit of Odakyu Line Isehara Station Ekinaka Kururin House (Isehara Station Tourist Information Center) OPEN 9:00–17:00 (open year-round)

The 48th Kashiwabayashi Park Festival was held! On Sunday, September 22, the 48th Kashiwabayashi Park Festival took place. Despite the unfortunate rain, many guests attended. Thank you very much!

Visited 9/25/24. After Prayer to Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine, we visited LEC COFFEE. It is an original chai and an apple tart. 🍎 It is very tasty. 😊

Hotel New Otani Patisserie SATSUKI's sweets are now in the capsule collection! Six types of sweets from "Patisserie SATSUKI", including "New Extra Super melon Shortcake", which can be said to be the Representative sweets of Hotel New Otani, are now available as capsule toys ✨ It is 💕 a cuteness that must be completed It is also installed in New Otani Inn Sapporo! It has become 😢 a small amount It will end as soon as it runs out, so be sure to purchase it as soon as possible 🏃💨. 🍰 Capsule Toy [Hotel New Otani Patisserie SATSUKI Suites Collection] 🍰 ✔ Fee 500 yen one time ⚠️It is a dedicated machine for 500 yen Jade. Currency cannot be exchanged, so please prepare in advance. ✔ Location: 1st floor restaurant, next to Rendezvous Lounge Aim for Complete 🍀

Photographed 9/25/24. It is Hanachozu of Naritasan Kawagoe Betsuin.

Isehara Flower Report — Hinata's Red Spider Lilies 2024.9.26 This year the blooms are not opening all at once as in past years; flowering varies by location. Many shoots with buds were seen. Depending on the temperature, they may bloom rapidly. Hinata Yakushi is running late and only about one third of the flowers are open now, but it’s worth a visit during your shrine visit! *Red spider lilies special: Yakushi Rurikō Nyorai Goshuin available* ※Limited to 500 copies (while supplies last) ¥500 Many people were taking photos and strolling around the Hinata Yakushi bus stop area again today. ※There are few buses, so please check schedules in advance. Parking lots may be crowded depending on the day and time. Please enjoy your walk while observing good manners. *Please use the Hinata red spider lily guide map placed inside the can by the restroom entrance in the Hinata Yakushi bus stop parking area and in the can in the back parking lot of the Skills Development Center (8:30–16:00).*

Iridou Kumo and Gifu Castle 🏯 The cloudy clouds that feel like summer are good ✨.

Matsue Water Township fireworks festival 🎆 I went there for the first time and it was 😍✨ insanely beautiful It's a fireworks festival that I want to go to again!

Speaking of summer, Kishiwada Danjiri Festival! A powerful, cool, and favorite festivals ♡ I'm glad I was able 😊✨ to go again this year

Summer in Japan never lets you down, although it's humid. The lush green nature, the sound of cicadas and wind chimes, light breeze, beautiful sunsets, and peaceful life make summer here calm and soulful. The vibrant and magnificent fresh green view from Furano are a of Hokkaido

Today, after renewing my license, I took a walk in Kawagoe. This is the love water of Kawagoe Kumano Shrine. It is an autumn specification. 🍁

Hibita Shrine Antique Flea Market (canceled in case of rain) Sunday, October 20, 2024, 9:00 AM–3:30 PM Venue: On the grounds of Sannomiya Hibita Shrine 1472 Sannomiya, Isehara A wide selection of antiques that captivate collectors will be on display. You might find a thrilling discovery or a real bargain! Enjoy lively performances of taiko drumming, food trucks, and a free plant giveaway of flower seedlings from 11:00 AM for the first 100 visitors (one pot per person), among other attractions! Contact: Sannomiya Hibita Shrine 0463-95-3237

Visited on 9/21/24. LEC COFFEE's original chai and coffee jelly. available always. 😊

Summer in Japan never lets you down, although it's humid. The lush green nature, the sound of cicadas and wind chimes, light breeze, beautiful sunsets, and peaceful life make summer here calm and soulful. Photo taken in koishikawa korakuene

Isehara Flower Report: Higanbana in Hinata – September 24, 2024 This year’s bloom was delayed by the extreme heat, and flowering now varies by location. Depending on temperatures, they may all burst into bloom at once. Hinata Yakushi is currently largely not in bloom. Around Arouzu, many buds remain, so you should be able to enjoy them for a while. Near the Hinata Yakushi bus stop, some areas are in full bloom and look lovely (with some salvia as well), and many visitors with cameras have been coming. Parking lots may be crowded depending on the day and time. Please enjoy your walk while observing proper manners. Please make use of the Hinata Higanbana guide map found inside the can by the restroom entrance in the Hinata Yakushi bus stop parking area and in the back parking lot of the Skills Development Center (8:30–16:00). ※ The shaded path is currently impassable due to typhoon damage. ※ Bus services are limited, so please check schedules in advance. ※ We appreciate your donations to the Higanbana fund.

50th Isehara Commerce and Industry Festival / 18th ISEHARA Sole The 50th Commerce and Industry Festival and the 18th ISEHARA Sole bring performers and audiences together in a celebration of dance across many genres. Held at the same time as Isehara’s biggest event, the 57th Isehara Tourism Dōkan Festival, on Saturday, October 5 and Sunday, October 6, the area around Isehara Station promises even more excitement! Venue: Around Odakyu Line Isehara Station Contact: Isehara Chamber of Commerce and Industry TEL: 0463-95-3233

Photographed 9/21/24. It is Hanachozu of Kawagoe Hachimangu Shrine.

This is the Asakusa Samba Carnival held near Sensō-ji Temple, one of the famous samba carnival of Japan. It was really a beautiful experience. Very lively enjoyable performances.

September 23 (Mon) Red spider lilies announcing the start of autumn 🍁 Hello everyone 🤗! Gokase Town had an intense thunderstorm yesterday ⛈️, and today dawned bright and clear with a refreshing breeze 😌☀️! The atmosphere has completely shifted to autumn 🍁 — it feels so pleasant… ✨ Along the roadside in Gokase Town, as autumn approaches, you can sometimes spot striking red flowers 👀 — red spider lilies ☺️💡 So today I photographed the red spider lilies blooming near Yuuhi-no-Sato Ohashi bridge in the Kuwanochi area 📸💫 As their name suggests, red spider lilies reach their peak around the equinoctial week and are known as flowers that announce the start of autumn; they are also called lycoris or manjusha-ge 🤔 Their vivid red color and distinctive shape really catch the eye 👏 When I was shooting, various swallowtail butterflies swirled around them, creating an incredibly beautiful scene 🥹✨ Because their bulbs are poisonous, people have long planted them around rice paddies, fields, and graves to deter moles, so they carry a traditional Japanese charm that stirs nostalgic feelings when you look at them 😌… Spring and autumn especially bring out the beauty of plants — they are wonderful seasons 🍁. Let’s continue enjoying Japan’s four seasons 🤩✨

Photographed 9/21/24. It is Hanachozu of Kawagoe Hachimangu Shrine. It's an autumnal color.

Photographed 9/21/24. It is Hanachozu of Kawagoe Hachimangu Shrine and yo-yo omikuji. On the left is the miraculous rice plant Isehikari. I put them all in.

Photographed 9/21/24. It is Hanachozu of Kawagoe Hachimangu approach to the temple. 🌻

[Hinata Spider Lilies Notice: Temporary Tourist Information Desk Closed Today, 9/22] 2024.9.22 Due to weather conditions, the temporary tourist information desk run by volunteers in the Hinata Yakushi Bus Stop Parking Area will be closed today, Sunday, September 22. Please feel free to take a copy of the Hinata spider lily guide, which is placed by the toilet entrance in the Hinata Yakushi Bus Stop Parking Area and inside a can in the back parking lot of the Skills Development Center. While parts of the Hyuga area are reaching peak bloom, please watch your step carefully and enjoy the flowers responsibly within your physical limits.

Visited on 9/15/24. It is a rice set (+ fried chicken) from Tomori Shokudo. The miso soup and side dishes with many vegetables are also delicious. It is a set meal with a good nutritional balance. 😊

Visited on 9/15/24. After the Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine Monthly Festival, we went to the Starbucks Bell Ring Street store. It was a Sunday, so it was crowded. It is a pumpkin spice latte and Mont Blanc with chestnuts and roasted green tea. 🎃🌰

CAMP at Kijiya on Wednesday, September 18th⛺ I tried a CAMP experience at Gokase Onsen Mori no Yado Kijiya🔥 We planned to start while it was still light, but the sun set early and we began at dusk🌆 Still, we had a lively barbecue with everyone while watching the sunset from Kijiya on the hilltop🥩 The autumn night breeze felt pleasant and there were fewer bugs, so this season is perfect for camping💡 Come and try camping at Kijiya—it's highly recommended✨

[Friday, September 13] Unoko Falls Today I visited the viewing platform at Unoko Falls. The waterfall had a strong flow today, and it looked impressive from the platform. Mt. Aso was clearly visible from the winery.

On October 13th, Tomakomai Tourism Ambassador and singer-songwriter Kanbayashi Manabu will hold a live performance in San Francisco, USA. He plans to perform a total of 12 songs, including English versions of “Sui Sui Sui Tomachop Water” and “Hokki no Uta.” If you live in San Francisco, please come. “The 8th Red and White Song Battle” (U.S. performance) ・Date: October 13, 2024 ・Venue: San Francisco Marin Center Showcase Theater ・Organizer: SFJ–Town New Year Kayo Festival (The image is a flyer for the farewell live concert to be held before his departure for the U.S.)

Hinata Yakushi 2024 Higan-bana Limited: Yakushi Rurikō Nyorai Goshuin Distribution ※Limited to 500 sheets (ends when sold out) Higan-bana Limited Yakushi Rurikō Nyorai Goshuin ¥500 Odakyu Line Isehara Station North Exit, Kanachu Bus Platform 3 Take the "Hinata Yakushi" bus for about 20 minutes, get off at the final stop, then a 15-minute walk via the approach to the temple ※Bus service is infrequent, so please check in advance. For details, please see the Hinata Yakushi website.