I enjoyed the autumn leaves and the sea of clouds at Naegi Castle Ruins. I filmed aerial footage at Naegi Castle Ruins, the filming location that drew attention for the movie Black Showman. Nakatsugawa City, Gifu Prefecture November 2025

【Notice of Winter Road Closures for Reiwa Year 7】 【Winter Road Closure Notice 2025.10.31】 The following roads in the Mashu Area will be closed for winter starting today, October 31, Reiwa Year 7. ・Prefectural Road 52 Kussharo Lake Shore Line (Third Observation Deck) from 15:00 ・Prefectural Road 150 Mashu Lake Nakashibetsu Line (Uramashu Observation Deck) from 9:00 Access to Lake Mashu is possible from the Teshikaga Town side to Lake Mashu Kamuy Terrace (First Observation Deck) via Prefectural Road 52. ・Prefectural Road 588 Kussharo Tsubetsu Line (Tsubetsu Pass) from 10:00 The winter detour for Tsubetsu Pass will be Japan National Route 243 (Bihoro Pass). ・Prefectural Road 587 Atosato Koshimizu Line (from near the top of Mokoto Pass to Koshimizu Town, 9.8 km) from 10:00 For updates on the lifting of winter road closures, please check Teshikaga Navi. We apologize for the inconvenience and appreciate your understanding and cooperation.

Northern Alps, MtJonen and the Great Ginkgo The bright yellow ginkgo leaves stood out against Azumino’s clear blue sky!! You can see it as you drive up to the Central Entrance Parking of National Alps Azumino Park, Horigane-Hotaka Area.

November 9th The Bell Ringing Hill Assembly Hall in Azumino is a historic building that served as the setting for the NHK radio drama "The Bell Ringing Hill." The autumn leaves were just at their peak!

Kiso is now at peak autumn color, and the scenery is truly beautiful. The mountains and roadside trees have turned vivid reds and yellows, creating landscapes that look like paintings. Be sure to experience this seasonal natural beauty while it lasts.

Fujikawa Town today📷✨ Here is Fujikawa Town from Yakumoike Park today😊 The autumn leaves are starting to change color (photo taken on October 30) You can relax and spend a quiet time here✨

I visited the famed Toohoku peak MtAdatara (1,700 m). From the Okudake Trailhead I took the ropeway to the Summit Station, passed MtYakushi (1,322 m), and reached the summit of MtAdatara. I was moved by the stark volcanic landscape of the explosion crater (Numanodaira Crater), then continued to Mount Yahazu (1,673 m) and enjoyed autumn colors painting the slopes of MtTetsu (1,709 m). Location: Nihommatsu City, Fukushima Prefecture

Japan’s most relaxed full marathon with a 9‑hour time limit! Enjoy Minami-Izu Town’s breathtaking views, 12 local michikusa (side‑trip) specialties, and delicious aid stations that make it feel like a journey! Take it slow, unwind, and pace yourself in this easygoing full marathon. Finishing within five hours disqualifies you! Perfect for first‑time challengers. ------------------------------- The 2nd Minami-Izu Town Michikusa Bochibochi Full Marathon is here! Date: Saturday, November 15 Start & Finish: Aonogawa Furusato Park Event hours: 8:00 AM–5:00 PM *Note: Finishes within five hours (after 1:00 PM) are not accepted. Details for the 2nd Minami-Izu Town Michikusa Bochibochi Full Marathon https://www.minami-izu.jp/?p=we-page-event-entry&event=554274&cat=18736&type=event...

Autumn leaves in Gokasecho🍁 The autumn colors in Gokasecho have suddenly deepened over the past few days🍁 The foliage in front of Shirataki Falls in Kuraoka District is not fully colored yet, but overall the area is at peak color✨ I also visited Myoken Shrine and other spots in Kuraoka District; the maples there still need a bit more time to peak💡 Some areas will continue to change color, but how about a drive to see Gokase’s autumn leaves this weekend?😊 ⚠Notice⚠ The road to Shirataki is a forest road with poor conditions. There is little space for cars to pass. We do not recommend driving if you lack confidence, are in a large vehicle, or are driving a low-clearance car.

Teshikaga Night Sky Enjoyment Workshop Thanks to your support, we have reached the 12th Teshikaga Night Sky Enjoyment Workshop. This year’s theme is the much-anticipated Geminids meteor shower. The program includes a classroom lecture and an observation session. Why is Teshikaga’s night sky so stunning? How should we protect and make the most of this night sky? What exactly is a meteor shower? What are tips for enjoying it? Which astronomical events should you watch for next year? This workshop is packed with answers and insights. If the sky is clear, we will go outside and observe the meteor shower. We hope you get to see bright meteors that can compete with the waning moonlight. To register, contact Teshikaga Town Community Center. 015-482-2340 We look forward to your participation🌌✨

Good morning ☀ This morning in Tsukigase.

Yuzu Picking Volunteers Wanted! We are recruiting yuzu picking volunteers in Fujikawa Town, Yamanashi Prefecture, one of the leading yuzu-producing areas in the Kanto region. Come and try it for yourself!

Panoramic view from the summit of Mount Nagamine The chilly Azumino valley lies under a sea of clouds, with the Northern Alps towering beyond You can only see a scene like this on an Azumino morning!

Azumino Full Moon This is the Harvest Moon setting behind the Northern Alps On cold mornings a sea of clouds spreads below, and the view of the Northern Alps from Mount Nagamine is spectacular!!

[Notice: Applications Open for Isehara Ooyama Sky Lanterns] We have opened applications for the Ooyama Sky Lanterns, an event where participants release lanterns bearing their wishes into the sky from the grounds of Oyama Afuri Shrine Lower Shrine, located midway up Ooyama at about 700 meters above sea level. Against a backdrop of breathtaking night views, sky lanterns carrying heartfelt wishes will rise into Ooyama’s night sky, creating a magical scene. Come and experience this enchanting moment this winter. Event Date and Time Saturday, January 17, 2026 and Saturday, January 24, 2026 Launch Time Scheduled for 5:30 PM Location Grounds of Oyama Afuri Shrine Lower Shrine For application details, deadlines, and other information, please see the official tourism association page. https://isehara-kanko.com/osl2025/...

[Special offer for Michihigashi residents: “Use and Revive” Kawayu Stay Discount — Winter plan now on sale!] This winter, revive your body and spirit with a budget-friendly stay at Kawayu Onsen, Teshikaga. The “Use and Revive” Kawayu Stay Discount (Winter), available to residents of Michihigashi, went on sale on October 20 at three properties affiliated with the Kawayu Onsen Ryokan Association. As autumn ends and the calm of winter approaches, why not stay at Kawayu Onsen during the deep cold and come back refreshed? Kawayu Stay Discount (Winter) ・Eligible period Weekdays and Sundays from Sunday, November 2, 2025 through Sunday, March 29, 2026 ・Eligible area Residents of Michihigashi: Kushiro, Nemuro, Okhotsk, and the Tokachi region ・Participating properties Oyado Kinkiyu Bettei Suikazura, Kawayu Kanko Hotel, KKR Kawayu (members of the Kawayu Onsen Ryokan Association) *Oyado Kinkiyu will be closed from November for the time being and is not eligible. ・Discount amount Adults ¥2,000, children ¥1,000 (no limit on consecutive nights) ・How to book Via each property’s official website, by phone, etc. This offer ends when the budget runs out, so neighbors, please take advantage of it. https://www.masyuko.or.jp/news/syukuhakuwariwinter25/...

[Kawayu Visitor Center Lecture Announcement 📣] Tomorrow, Saturday, 10/25, Professor Mitsuhiro Nakagawa, who has conducted long-term research in this field, will give a lecture titled "Why is Lake Kussharo so shallow? The secrets of Mount Atosanupuri revealed by the latest research." The venue is Kawayu Visitor Center and admission is free. We look forward to your visit ⛰️✨ Lecture "Why is Lake Kussharo so shallow? The secrets of Mount Atosanupuri revealed by the latest research." We will welcome Mitsuhiro Nakagawa, Specially Appointed Professor, Faculty of Science, Hokkaido University. Date: Saturday, December 6, 13:30–15:30 Venue: Kawayu Visitor Center, second floor Admission free (no registration required; capacity 50) We hope this talk offers a chance to encounter the grand natural story behind the familiar landscape of Lake Kussharo, so you can learn more about the lake and the park and feel proud of them. https://www.masyuko.or.jp/news/kawayuvcfureai2/...

I visited the famous Toohoku peak MtAdatara (1,700 m). I took the ropeway from Okudake Trailhead to Summit Station, passed MtYakushi (1,322 m), and reached the summit of MtAdatara. Then I was moved by the stark volcanic landscape of the explosion crater (Numanodaira Crater), continued to Mount Yahazu (1,673 m), and enjoyed the autumn colors painting the slopes of MtTetsu (1,709 m). Location: Nihommatsu City, Fukushima Prefecture

I visited Mt. Kurikoma (elevation 1,626 m), the celebrated Tohoku peak praised as the "carpet of the gods." At the temporary shuttle bus stop, Kurihara City staff warned that "bears have been appearing on the trail for four consecutive days!" and, ringing bear bells loudly, we made the ascent. By the grace of the gods, we encountered no bears and were treated to truly stunning autumn foliage. Thank you. Location: Kurihara City, Miyagi Prefecture

Nobeyama Highlands Today This morning the lowest temperature at Nobeyama Highlands was -7.0°C, the third coldest in the country. The sky has been clear since dawn, showcasing full Yatsugatake blue. Yatsugatake received its first snowfall of the season over this three-day weekend. The maple trees in front of Nobeyama Station are in peak autumn color, and along Route 141 through the village the yellow foliage is at its height.

Azumino was pleasantly warm, but a sudden passing shower arrived… When I looked up at the sky, there was a double rainbow

Divine glow ✨ On the way back from photographing Shirataki Falls, the pampas grass lit by sunlight looked divine, so I took a picture 📷 You can see gleaming pampas grass around town right now 👀 The temperature swings between morning and evening have deepened the autumn colors 🍁 Peak foliage may still be a little way off, but you can already feel the autumn scenery and breeze beyond the leaves 🌰

Mindfulness tourism was held at Kikuchi Gorge in Kikuchi City, Kumamoto Prefecture. We offered the ultimate retreat in nature’s clear streams to maximize mental and physical performance. Away from everyday noise, participants enjoyed a special experience that sharpened the five senses while feeling the breath of nature. The program featured mindfulness walking incorporating meditation and breathing techniques. Participants walked through Kikuchi Gorge together with a resident priest. At each spot, people quietly faced nature—lying on rocks, sitting in zazen, or otherwise pausing in reflection. In the calm atmosphere, attendees refreshed their minds and bodies and seemed to find new insights. On the first day, we held “Mindfulness Walking and a Tea Ceremony.” A tea master conducted a tea gathering within Kikuchi Gorge. The water of Kikuchi Gorge was used for the tea. In the silent morning space, guests settled their minds and quietly enjoyed delicious tea. On the second day, participants experienced “Mindfulness Walking and a Breakfast Gathering.” They ate breakfast in the crisp morning air while sensing the surrounding nature. They enjoyed their meal in a relaxed, peaceful state. The dishes used the soft water from Kikuchi Gorge, offering clay-pot rice and meals made with local Kikuchi ingredients. Everyone seemed to enjoy the experience in their own way. By walking and touching nature in the morning, many said they were able to forget work worries and busyness. The matcha tea ceremony eased tired bodies, and the sound of the clear stream sharpened both hearing and taste. Meditating in nature with the murmur of the river and the cool air felt pleasant. Freshly cooked rice in a clay pot and nameko mushroom soup warmed body and soul; the dishes were elaborate, truly delicious, and left guests very satisfied. These were among many comments we received. It was a luxurious time to experience Kikuchi’s food, nature, and moments of self-reflection with the five senses. Instead of letting a day pass by unnoticed, participants seemed to appreciate spending time in nature solely for themselves.

In Kono in Minami-Echizen Town, a summer fireworks festival is held every year. The dynamic sound that reverberates off the mountains is breathtaking!

Autumn leaves on floating islands A floating island located at the Anegawa Dam in Shiga Prefecture. The Autumn leaves season is spectacular.

You should definitely see the flowers on rainy days at Seumo Park! It is the droplets that have gathered on the lotus leaves. Lotus leaves are highly water-repellent, so they collect water neatly. The rainwater floating on the lotus leaves sparkles like a work of art.

Shimoda Photography Club 10th Anniversary Photo Exhibition Now Open✨! The Shimoda Photography Club has been capturing Shimoda’s landscapes and everyday life. To celebrate its 10th anniversary, a special exhibition of about 2,000 photographs is on display📸✨ The exhibition spans three areas: 🚉 Inside the station (Izukyū Shimoda Station ticket gate) 🏬 Downtown street (Renjaku-cho Street to Ise-machi Street) 🖼️ Downtown gallery (Oyokocho Fujita Building) November 1st (Saturday) – November 9th (Sunday) on view🏞️🎨 Take a stroll through town and rediscover Shimoda’s charm through these photos🌿 👉 More details here https://www.shimoda-city.info/post/20251101...

[Shimanto City, Kochi Prefecture] Savoring the River! Ayu, Unagi, River Shrimp, Gori! Traditional Fishing Methods That Live Alongside the Shimanto River Introducing the traditional river fishing methods passed down by river fishers on the Shimanto River. This highlights the important local culture of living close to the river and gratefully receiving its bounty. 〇Traditional Fishing Methods of the Shimanto River The Shimanto River’s traditional fishing methods have been carefully preserved by local river fishers. While their form has gradually changed with environmental shifts, they still remain part of daily life. The river’s abundant gifts—ayu (sweetfish), unagi (eel), tenaga-ebi (long-arm shrimp), and aosa nori (green seaweed)—brighten family meals with the seasons. Skilled chefs in Shimanto City also prepare them into delicious dishes for visitors, and various processed forms are enjoyed as souvenirs. 〇See the River, Taste the River A slow walk along the Shimanto River reveals traps for catching eels and long-arm shrimp seen from chinkabashi bridges, partly submerged in the water. Depending on the season, you may encounter people fishing for ayu or working from traditional river boats. Along the banks you might spot stone-lined devices for catching gori, and at the river mouth workers harvesting green seaweed. If you look closely at the Shimanto River, you’ll discover human lives intertwined with the river. In the evening, taste the very ingredients caught with the traps you saw, slowly savored at a local restaurant. It’s a distinctive, insider way to enjoy the Shimanto River. 〇Introduction to Traditional Fishing Methods ・Ayu Fire-Swinging Fishing Nets are set across the river in advance, and at night a boat swings torches from the deck. Startled by the dancing bands of flame, ayu panic and are driven into the nets. Today this practice often uses LED lights, but the principle remains the same as the traditional method. Ayu are also caught by cast nets, angling, and other methods. ・Long-Arm Shrimp Fishing From a chinkabashi bridge looking toward the water’s edge, you can see PVC pipes spaced at regular intervals. These are korobashi, traps for catching long-arm shrimp. Once made of wood, they have changed to more convenient materials over time. Long-arm shrimp are commonly enjoyed deep-fried whole, producing vibrant colors, and are treasured as a local flavor—some grow large enough to resemble cucumbers. ・Unagi (Eel) Fishing You may see pieces of styrofoam or PET bottles floating in the river without drifting away; they can mark korobashi used to catch eels. Sensitive to smell, eels avoid resin traps, so wooden korobashi are still widely used. ・Gori Fishing If stones are lined along the riverbank to dam the water, they may form the setup for gori’s noborio-toshi-ue fishing. In the Shimanto River, juvenile Numachichibu fish are called gori and are enjoyed as a spring to early-summer delicacy. They are typically eaten deep-fried or simmered in soy-based preserves. 〇Important Notices Fishing on the Shimanto River is subject to fishing rights. Purchasing an angling permit is required when you fish. Also, closed seasons are established to protect resources. Please be aware of these regulations.

Sugao Magaibutsu ❚ Oita Bungoono Geopark Sugao Magaibutsu stands in Mie Town, Bungoono City, Oita Prefecture. Its full, gentle face and softly rounded shoulders show a beautifully three-dimensional carving. Its craftsmanship is exquisitely detailed, comparable to wooden Buddhist statues in Kyoto and Nara. Sugao Magaibutsu is thought to date from the end of the Heian period. It is carved into welded tuff from the Aso pyroclastic flow about 90,000 years ago. It has been designated a National Important Cultural Property and a Historic Site. Location: 466 Asase, Mie Town, Bungoono City, Oita Prefecture About a five-minute drive from Sugao Magaibutsu is Roadside Station Mie, which offers a panoramic view of Enaito no Kei. It’s a good spot to take a break. ■■■ Access to central Bungoono City ■■■ From JR Hakata Station, Fukuoka Prefecture: about 3 hours by car From JR Kumamoto Station, Kumamoto Prefecture: about 2 hours by car From JR Beppu Station, Oita Prefecture: about 1 hour 20 minutes by car From JR Yufuin Station, Oita Prefecture: about 1 hour 20 minutes by car ■■■■■■■■■■■■ Kyushu — Bungoono City, Oita Prefecture (Bungoono City) Introducing sightseeing and recommended spots ■■■■■■■■■■■■

Hello from Crystal Sound 😃✨ The weather has been refreshingly pleasant, making this the perfect season for outings 🎶 The autumn colors are gradually advancing in Shosenkyo Gorge, and the mountains are turning brilliant hues of red and gold, creating truly beautiful scenery ✨ Bring your camera and you’ll capture many lovely photos 📸 The museum has also received many new items in stock ✨ The photo shows a dazzlingly gleaming pyrite specimen 💎 Please stop by when you go out 😊 All of our staff warmly look forward to your visit 🌈