A view of the morning mist dyed in orange.
A group of buildings covered in haze due to the beautiful sunrise and radiative cooling on a cold morning.

Shot on DJI MAVIC 3
Kiyosu City, Aichi Prefecture 2024/12

* Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Comprehensive Flight Permit has been obtained.
* Notification of flight plan and preparation of flight log book

12/30 Update on blooming at the 59th Shimoda Onsen Daffodil Festival!
https://www.shimoda-city.info/post/20241230

🏖️2024 Hokule'a Shonan Tour✨ Complete ✨
The last sea of the year is Manazuru [Iwa] in Kanagawa Prefecture. 🪨🪨
Thank you to all the guests we met in 2024, to everyone who supported us, and to the ocean for welcoming us safely and giving us many healing and inspiration.
We look forward to 🎍🌸 your continued support in 2025

⭐1/4 (Sat) Hatsushima Tour⭐
Due to popular demand, there are 😮 only a few vacancies left
Apply as soon as possible!

JR East’s "atami station" will celebrate its 100th anniversary on March 25, 2025.

Starting December 15, the “Atami Station 100th Anniversary Executive Committee,” made up of Atami station, the station building Lusca Atami, and others, launched a “countdown photo” campaign. The photos appear daily at the JR Atami station ticket gate exit and on Instagram through the day before the anniversary (March 24).
More than 1,000 local organizations and individuals from the city are participating in this “countdown photo” series. Each day a new face appears alongside the number of days remaining until the 100th anniversary.

Please take a look and join everyone in celebrating the 100th anniversary!

Atami Station 100th Anniversary on Instagram
@atamist100cd

The 59th Shimoda Onsen Narcissus Festival is now underway!
The photo shows a past peak scene from early January.
This year flowering has been about two weeks late, so mid-January is expected.
Currently the narcissus are just beginning to bloom and the landscape does not yet match the photo, but please visit peaceful Tsumekizaki.
#Narcissus Festival #Tsumekizaki #flower event

The 3rd Hosono Highlands Yamayaki Experience

🏔 What Hosono Highlands Is Like 🏔
Hosono Highlands spreads across the slopes of Mt. Amagi, which erupted between 800,000 and 200,000 years ago. The plateau covers about 125 hectares—roughly the size of 26 Tokyo Domes—and offers a majestic expanse of grassland. It is said to be a treasure trove of flora and fauna nurtured by volcanic terrain.
In spring, you can forage for mountain vegetables such as bracken amid fresh greenery. In autumn, vast stands of golden susuki (silver grass) create a spectacular display. From the summit you can see Sagami Bay and the Izu Islands, where meadow and seascape combine into a unique panorama.

Inatori Hosono Highlands has been recognized among the 100 Grassland Villages We Want to Preserve for the Future for the value of local knowledge, awareness, and skills accumulated through long interaction between people and nature.
Hosono Highlands conducts an annual yamayaki (controlled burn) to maintain the grassland. During walks you can observe grass-cutting work performed in preparation for the burn.
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🔥⛰ What “Yamayaki” Means ⛰🔥

Yamayaki is an essential annual practice to keep Hosono Highlands as open grassland.
By burning overgrown grasses and shrubs, the area is prevented from turning into forest, and the burned vegetation returns nutrients to the soil to sustain a rich grassland.

This yamayaki has continued every year at Hosono Highlands since the Edo period.

Because the plateau borders neighboring Kawazu Town, preventing fire from spreading across boundaries is critical, and the work must address elevation changes and steep slopes, so seasoned experience and

advanced fire-management know-how are required.
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● Event Overview

Yamayaki is an activity necessary to keep Hosono Highlands as grassland and has continued annually since the Edo period.
As a first trial in February 2023, we opened the yamayaki on a very limited basis and offered it as a guided tour for observation.
To help more people learn about this tradition in greater depth, we will hold the Yamayaki Experience again in 2025.
Please come and witness the overwhelming sight of the landscape ablaze.

● Event Schedule — Saturday, February 8, 2025
Date and time: Saturday, 2/8, 10:30–15:30 (scheduled)
10:30: Assemble and register at Inatori Hosono Highlands Parking Lot No. 2
11:00: Yamayaki viewing (guided yamayaki explanation, lunch provided)
14:00: Post-yamayaki walk (guided)
15:30: End of program and dismissal (Program order may change depending on yamayaki progress; please understand in advance.)
Meeting/registration location: Inatori Hosono Highlands Parking Lot No. 2 (parking spaces available)
➡ On the day of the yamayaki, general vehicles are not allowed into Parking Lot No. 1. Please park at the foothill Parking Lot No. 2.
There is no public transportation to the venue. Please use your own means of transport to access the site.

Participation Conditions
・Capacity is limited to 30 participants.
・Participants who are junior high school age or younger must be accompanied by a guardian.
・Please apply only if you fully understand the safety notes and on-site hazards.

Participation Fee
3,500 yen per person. Includes admission, consumption tax, local guide, lunch, insurance, and grassland management fee (1,000 yen).
※The participation fee is payable on site on the day of the event.
※We will contact you by email in advance and on the day about the event. Please note you cannot apply without an email address.

How to Apply
Please apply by entering the required information on the Higashiizu Town Tourist Association event page.
https://www.e-izu.org/?p=we-page-entry&spot=568220&cat=23649&pageno=3&type=spot
Or call the Higashiizu Tourist Association (TEL: 0557-95-0700) to register by phone.

● Notes and Precautions
About Participation in Work
This event is for observing the yamayaki. You may not take part in fire-starting or other operational tasks.
Cancellation Decisions
Yamayaki may be canceled on the morning of the event due to weather conditions (wind, humidity, rain, etc.). If yamayaki is canceled, this event will also be canceled. There are no substitute events. Please register only if you accept these cancellation conditions.
What to Wear on the Day
Yamayaki is a very dangerous operation, and flying embers or smoldering debris may be present.
Please wear flame-resistant clothing with minimal exposed skin.
All activities at the site are outdoors, so please prepare for cold weather.
Guide Language
Guidance is provided in Japanese only. Thank you for your understanding.

Cancellation Policy
If the event is canceled or you cancel, we will charge cancellation fees as follows.

If yamayaki itself is canceled due to severe weather (strong wind, dry conditions, rain, etc.), no payment will be charged.
If you cancel for personal reasons:
・Cancellation on the day or the day before → 100% of the event fee will be charged.
・Cancellation two days or more before → 0% cancellation fee.
・No-show without notice → 100% of the event fee will be charged.
*We may also claim actual communication costs or other damages where applicable.
For cancellations due to unavoidable events such as disasters, please contact the organizer.

If the organizer cancels for reasons other than weather, we will consult with participants and refund an appropriate amount.


Items to Bring
・Flame-resistant (fire-retardant) and warm clothing
・Clothes you don’t mind getting stained by sparks or soot
・Well-broken-in shoes
https://www.e-izu.org/?p=we-page-entry&spot=568220&cat=23649&pageno=3&type=spot

Yesterday, Wednesday, December 25, the standard Atami cherry tree along the Itokawa Promenade was confirmed to be in bloom!
Some trees began blooming in mid-December, but the standard tree has finally opened.

This Atami cherry is a variety of the cold-loving Kanzakura cherry, native to India, that typically blooms from early January through February. Around 1871, an Italian introduced it, along with lemon and date palm, to Atami. It was named “Atami sakura” during the 1965 Flower-Filled Movement, and on April 10, 1977 (the city’s 40th anniversary), it was designated as Atami City’s official tree.
Because the same branch can form early-blooming and later-blooming buds in two stages, the blossoms can usually be enjoyed for more than a month each year.

The Cherry Blossom Festival opens after the New Year together with the Plum Festival!
During the cherry blossom festival, you can expect nighttime illumination, servings of cherry blossom tea and green tea, street performances, sword dances, and band performances—so please come see the blossoms.

The 15th Atami Sakura Itokawa Cherry Blossom Festival runs Saturday, January 11 through Sunday, February 9, 2025.
https://www.ataminews.gr.jp/event/208

Regarding bloom updates, we will post them on the page above as soon as the city hall survey materials arrive, so please refer to that information.

The annual New Year's Events "New Spring Dogashima Mochi Throwing Tournament" will be held in from 10 a.m. on January 2, 2025.

About 8,000 rice cakes fly in the sky. A congratulatory gift will be given 🎁 to those who get a mochi with a winning ticket for "Daikichi Beni" and "Daikichi White"

We look ☺️ forward to seeing you there

Atami Yogurt Fermentation Shop
Grand opening today, 12/21! It’s in Nakamise Shopping Street in front of atami station.
I attended the pre-opening yesterday!
They use local Tanna milk and Izu aloe.
Yogurt comes in many varieties, including plain, rich strained, and a limited fresh Atami yogurt.
For eating while walking, try the drinkable yogurt, the "Yogurutto Pan" filled with Greek yogurt and plenty of yogurt butter cream, or the acai with Greek yogurt.
For souvenirs, they offer fresh yogurt butter sandwiches, busse, and souffle sandwiches.

It’s very delicious and very cute 🐤

Joining the lineup of popular Atami sweets—Atami Pudding, Atami Bata-an, Atami Square Cream Puffs, Atami Fruit King, Ichigo BonBonBERRY ATAMI HOUSE., Atami Mircheese, Atami Satori Main Store, and Montblanc Namaito—this new shop is the latest addition.

Please give it a try.

Atami Yogurt Fermentation Shop
https://www.atami-yogurt.com/

In the factory on a winter morning, the air is clear and clear, and you can take more beautiful pictures.

Yokkaichi, Mie Prefecture
2023/1

Hina dolls prayed to ward off misfortune from children and bring good fortune in life.
On the Izu Peninsula, hina dolls are displayed with various wishes tied into hanging decorations on both sides of the tiered doll platform.
This is a long-standing custom.

The 28th Hanging Hina Decorations Exhibition
🌞 January 20 (Monday) – March 31 (Monday) 🌞

🍑 In the Inatori area of Higashiizucho, there has been a custom since the Edo period of hanging a pair of suspended decorations on either side of the hina platform for the Girls’ Festival. 🍑

The Inatori Onsen hanging decorations have been passed down through generations. A charming sight unfolds as many types of hangings—such as crawling-baby dolls modeled on infants, sanbaso performers, and rabbits—link together and drape down. This scene, a winter-to-spring specialty of Inatori Onsen, invites you with a parent’s loving thoughts for their child.



Venue Information

Main venue / Cultural Park Hina Museum [Admission: 500 yen]
Sponsored exhibition venue / Naburatoto (February 15 – March 9) [Admission: 100 yen]
Futatsubori [Free admission]
Hachiman Shrine [Free admission]

Details
Address: 1729 Inatori, Higashiizu Town, Kamo District, Shizuoka Prefecture 413-0411
Phone: 0557-95-2901
Access: 20-minute walk from Izu-Inatori Station
Hours: 9:00–17:00 (last admission 16:30)
Parking: Cultural Park parking lot / flat rate 500 yen
Organizer: Inatori Onsen Ryokan Association
Event start date: 2025/01/20
Event end date: 2025/03/31

Yellow Leaf Reflection ✨

A large "Ginkgo" tree at Yen Tsuji Temple in Kuwana City. I tried to reflect on the roof of the Car parked in the Car parking lot. It has become a popular Spot. I'm worried about my manners in the future.

Kuwana City, Mie Prefecture "Yen Tsuji Temple"
2024/12

We are pleased to announce the annual “First Sunrise Cruise,” a refined way to welcome the New Year aboard a ship.
Enjoy an exquisitely luxurious moment as you watch the first sunrise rise from the horizon in the special, unobstructed setting of the open sea.
A geopark guide will once again provide commentary about the Izu Peninsula!
This event requires reservations, so please book below as soon as possible if you wish to join.

[From Atami Port: First Sunrise Cruise]
Boarding location / Atami Port (regular ferry terminal for Atami–Hatsushima service)
Date / Wednesday, January 1, 2025
6:00 Ticket sales begin (Atami Port counter)
Around 6:30 Depart Atami Port for a sightseeing cruise; the ship will stop so passengers can watch the first sunrise from on board (sunrise around 6:50)
Around 7:15 Return to Atami Port ※Cruise time approximately 45 minutes
Vessel / Ile de Vacances Premiere or Ile de Vacances III
Capacity / 250 passengers
Reservations / Required by phone: 0557-81-0541 ※Reservations open from December 2, 2024
※If cancellations occur on the day, those seats will be released for general sale.
Fees / Adults ¥2,600; elementary school students ¥1,300 (preschool children free); pets ¥1,300
※Depending on weather, the first sunrise or Mt. Fuji may not be visible; refunds cannot be issued in such cases.
※The cruise may be canceled due to poor sea conditions.
※The above information may change without notice for weather or other reasons. Thank you for your understanding.
https://www.ataminews.gr.jp/spot/181

Autumn leaves and seasonal cherry blossoms along the river.
I and a beautiful scenery that I didn't notice from the ground.

Haramura Village, Toyota City

Shot on DJI MAVIC 3
JAPAN Aichi Toyota 2023/12

* Flight notification has been submitted to the facilities manager.
* Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Comprehensive Flight Permit has been obtained.
* Notification of flight plan and preparation of flight log book

Kawaura Valleys
Japanese cedar Itatori, Seki, Gifu Prefecture

Autumn leaves and emerald green water are mysterious

Valleys with a total length of about 7 kilometers surrounded by Mt. Samon, Mt. Hinaga, and Mt. Takinami.

Elevation about 300~1400 Meter of water in the Kawaura area gathers, and there are many place names related to its steepness, such as "Laughing" and "Zatobuchi".

It was selected as one of the 33 best Autumn leaves in Hida and Mino, and in contrast to the majesty created by the sheer rocks of 40~50 meters, the rock azaleas bloom beautifully in Spring, the Autumn leaves are colored in autumn, and the mysterious world Unfolds together with the emerald green water surface.
The best time to see it is in early May, late October ~ early November.

Takaga Shrine Jinsuian

658-4 Todo Takaga, Seki-shi, Gifu Prefecture

Naoko Takahashi used it for water supply and became famous "Takaga Forest Water".

The place that serves as the water intake is "Takaga Jinsuian" in Seki City, Gifu Prefecture. It all started when the Ujiko (shrine parishioners) of Takaga Shrine, approach to the temple Local in 1996 (Heisei 8), dug a well about 50 meters underground at the side of Takaga Shrine (Takaga Yato) and Use it as water for the shrine.

More than 200,000 people gather every year to fetch this water, and it is a hanging water hermitage that Takaga Healing is proud of Township.

When you enter the hermitage, please pay the firstfruits fee of 100 yen.

You can pump up to 2 pieces at a time (up to 20 liters per container).

On Saturdays and Sundays, it is so popular that there is a line all day, and it is crowded with people carrying large plastic tanks.

There are also Sightseeing spot such as Takaga Shrine and Takaga Valleys in the vicinity, so Enjoy them together.

Takaga Shrine

Takaga Shrine has been rebuilt three times, from its founding in the Nara period (Yoro year), to the Heian period (Tenjo year), the Yoshino period (Keian year), and the Tokugawa period (Yasunaga year). The current Main Shrine was built about 280 years ago, and the Yawata Shrine, which is enshrined to the left facing the front, was built about 50 years before the Main Shrine. By the way, the current priest of Takaga Shrine is the 39th generation.

Nameless Pond (commonly known as Monet's Pond)

Nameless Pond in Itatori, Seki City, Gifu Prefecture (commonly known as Monet's Pond)
Monet's Pond is a reservoir located beside the approach to the temple to Nemichi Shrine in Itatori, Seki City, Gifu Prefecture. Maintenance was Used for irrigation around 1980 using the subterranean water of Mt. Takaga. Monet's Pond is a common name, not an official pond name. Local call it the Nemichi Shrine Pond or simply the Pond.

Water lilies blooming in highly transparent spring water are very beautiful,
The appearance of Nishiki carp swimming gracefully in the pond is like Monet's Representative "Water Lilies".

When is the best time to go to Monet's Pond?
Monet's pond can be enjoyed all year round. From the end of May to October, the water lilies begin to bloom, and from Spring to autumn, the amount of spring water entering the pond increases, so the transparency increases. November when the Autumn leaves change color and the silver Monet pond seen in the snow are also the best.

The location is difficult to understand, so when you come by Car
Please register the facilities in front of the pond "Flower Park Itatori" in the navigation system.

From Soto Recipes! As a special return to everyone who supported us through crowdfunding of the luxury retort "Izu no Gokumeshi" that fully uses high-quality ingredients from the three towns of Shizuoka and Izu, we Held in a social gathering to eat "Izu no Gokumeshi" together in Izu with our ambassador Izu no Nushi Fishing.
Izu Southwest Coast Tourism Promotion Council
Three towns: Nishi-Izu Town, Matsuzaki Town, and Minami-Izu Town
We received full cooperation in recipe development, etc.
Chiaki, Representative of Soto Recipe Co., Ltd.
Ambassador "Izu no Nushi Fishing"
With everyone who supported us
We enjoyed camping food unique to the southwestern Coast of Izu, such as "Dogashima barley wine", "Hon Wasabi and local fish", "Ghibier yakiniku", "natural eel kabayaki", "deep-fried ginaga shrimp", and "tide soup".
Souvenirs include "Hot Spring Melon", "Bonito Dashi Salt", and "Matsuzaki Rice".
There is a very much to everyone who participated.

138 Tower Park 138 Winter Illumination 2024
Held in period
November 16, 2024 – January 3, 2025
Held in time
17:00～21:00
Held in
Aichi Prefecture Ichinomiya City Komeiji Urasaki 21-3
price
Twin Arch 138 is charged separately Adult (15 years old and over) 500 yen, Child (6 to 15 years old) 200 yen, 5 years old and under free
Car parking free

An Illumination Events Held in every year at the National Kiso Mikawa Park 138 Tower Park in Ichinomiya City, Aichi Prefecture. The theme of the 2024 illumination is "STELLA ~Message from the Stars~". Illuminations with images of "stream stars", "North Star", "Aurora", and "constellations" shine throughout the park. Interactive illuminations that can be played with light also appear in various places. In addition, Christmas photo spots are also available. A huge Christmas wreath with a diameter of 3 meters can be photographed both during the day and at night. In addition, on Thursday, January 2 and Friday, January 3, 2025, it will be lit as "New Year Illumination".

On the 7th after the new year, I went ✨ to Matsubara in Thee scenic pine groves of Japan to take pictures
When I looked at the photo later, I saw a child fairy in a kimono!
This Japan and warm landscape photo is my favorite ♡♡

Overnight Castle Snow Scenery
Castles and snow look good

Sumimata Towns, Ogaki, Gifu Prefecture

If you come to Ito City, you can't miss the seafood dishes!
We visited Haruhiramaru Amimoto and had a delicious Kaisen Donburi.
You can find more information on Ito City's official Instagram!
Please refer to it if you ♪ like it

Every year from the end of October to the beginning of November, the chestnut tiger butterfly ✨ flies to Izu Matsuzaki Town
This is an image I took when I went out on the Suruga Bay ferry two years ago!
Fascination with ♡♡ the pattern of the body and feathers is very beautiful and mysterious

Ryozenji, an indispensable site in the history of Shimoda’s opening, sits a 10-minute walk from Izukyū-Shimoda Station.
On November 8, a new shop called Sushilabo 302 opened in the temple’s parking lot.

It’s a great stop when you want to tour compact Shimoda efficiently, grab a quick bite, enjoy lively conversation with the staff, or if you overdid the ryokan breakfast but still want sushi in Shimoda.(^^)/

The sushi chefs are several “side-job sushi artisans.” They trained for a few months and debuted when the shop opened.✨
They normally work in completely different fields, and some have come from other prefectures.

Sushilabo, a new style of sushi restaurant in Shimoda, was planned by the fourth-generation owner of the town’s popular sushi spot Mimatsu Sushi, who helped train these side-job sushi artisans and bring the shop to life.

When you stroll around town, please stop by and enjoy— you might even meet a favorite side-job sushi artisan!

Two winters ago, I took a picture of a tree in a nearby park!
In Japan, it is known ♡♡ as an auspicious tree to decorate for the New Year
Since it is a Christmas color, I have been enjoying framing this photo and hanging it on the wall from the Christmas season to the New Year!!

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.

In January of this year, I took a picture of the scenery spreading out in front of me from my hotel room at Lake Tanuki.
While retouching before posting, I found Mt. Fuji Ryu!! It has become a piece that can reaffirm the coolness of Japan, the country of the protection of the dragon god! !!

Winter in Shirakawa Township Photo taken on 2022.02.26

Shooting from the Hagijo Observation decks

Since it was free, chronic traffic jams began to occur due to Car parking for long periods of time, so parking spaces are currently Car Closed in Hagigi Observation decks. The usual parking lot near the Village Car closes in the evening, so I had to Accommodation to the Village and walk up to the Observation decks to take this view.

You can also use paid coin parking, so it would be nice to be able to go by Car.

This is a photo of the maple and gate of Oyada Shrine in Mino City, Gifu Prefecture
Autumn leaves bathed in sunlight were well photographed.

Photo taken on December 1st
The autumn leaves at Atami Plum Garden are now at their peak!

The garden has about 380 maple trees, and perhaps because of the mild climate they usually change color from late November through December, earning the reputation of being "the latest autumn leaves in Japan."
Early-blooming plum trees have already started flowering since mid-October, so searching for plum blossoms while enjoying the autumn foliage is a unique Atami experience.
During the Momiji Festival, the annual footbath opens, the Atami Plum Garden Momiji Festival Photo Contest is held, and the Momiji Light-Up takes place, among other events.

Event period / November 16 to December 8, 2024
Hours / Light-up (every night during the event) 4:30 PM–9:00 PM
Venue / Atami Plum Garden (8-11 Ume-enzaka, Atami City, Shizuoka Prefecture)
Phone / 0557-85-2222
Organizer / Atami City Tourism Association
Access /
■ From JR Atami Station, take the bus bound for Ainobara Danchi for about 15 minutes and get off at "Ume-en"
■ From Atami Station, take the Ito Line 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)
(Weekdays) 9:00 AM–5:00 PM (Saturdays, Sundays and holidays) 8:30 AM–5:00 PM
Standard car 300 yen · Motorcycle & bicycle 100 yen · Microbus 1000 yen