I took this photo at Kita Asaba Sakura Zutsumi in Saitama, where I celebrated the arrival of spring on the day of the vernal equinox. In my country, we celebrate this time with natural colors and spend time with loved ones. The ritual symbolizes how nature becomes colorful at this time of the year, and so we celebrate it. In Japan, people also enjoy this season with their loved ones. While I was there, I saw a mother and her daughter with their family, having a great time and taking photos as memories. This entire scene reminded me of my childhood, when my mother also embraced me with the same emotion that is reflected in this image.

Was there such a beautiful place in Saitama Prefecture、、、 It made me think A superb view of spring that spreads quietly in the mountains Momogen Township in Ogawa Town, Saitama Prefecture

When the Somei Yoshino cherry trees bloom each year, we Japanese are reminded just how much we truly love cherry blossoms, and our hearts dance as we look forward to the mountain-dyeing yamazakura and the cherry-lined banks of the Aono River. Please enjoy a relaxed, countryside-style hanami in Minami-Izu from a kayak, a very different experience from the urban cherry-viewing in central Tokyo. For lunch we provide the annual chirashi sushi—let’s eat beneath the cherry trees. After lunch we will, of course, head out for strawberry picking. This year we welcome participants from elementary school age. ◆Event period: Saturday, March 23, 2024 to Sunday, April 7, 2024 ※The schedule may change depending on cherry blossom conditions. ※There is no cancellation fee for date changes or cancellations due to flowering conditions. ◆Meeting time and place ・Meeting place: SURFACE office ・Meeting time: 10:00 ◆Schedule 10:00 Meet and travel to Yumigahama (start from Aono River depending on weather) 10:30 On-land briefing on paddling and safety, then launch from Yumigahama toward the Aono River 12:00 Land at Deai Bridge (near the rape blossom field) for chirashi sushi lunch 13:00 Drive from the landing site to strawberry picking 13:30 Return to the kayaks and head back to Yumigahama 15:00 Finish ◆Fees (tax included) ・Rental participation: ¥12,100 ・Elementary school students: ¥7,700 ・Bring-your-own-kayak participation: ¥8,800 ※Included in the price: kayak rental, kayak guide, instruction, lunch, and strawberry picking fees, etc. ※Boot rental: ¥500 (Please tell us your size in advance. We may not be able to accommodate same-day requests.) ◆Who it’s for ・Beginners welcome ・Junior high school students and older (single-person kayak) ・Elementary school students (two-person sit-on-top kayak) ・Families with elementary school children will use two-person sit-on-top kayaks. ※If an adult feels anxious, we can provide a two-person sit-on-top kayak—please let us know. ◆What to bring Clothing suitable for sea kayaking: clothes that can get wet, a lightweight fleece, rain jacket, rain pants, and boots. ※If you plan to shop during the landing, bring money. ※Because the two-person sit-on-top kayak in particular will get your seat wet, please be sure to bring rain pants. Address: 961-1 Minato, Minami-Izu Town, Kamo District, Shizuoka 415-0152 Phone: 0558-62-2114

<Strawberry Picking> Baby Barry Farm They raise their adorable strawberries as carefully as if they were babies. Nestled in Minami-Izu Town’s great outdoors, they want everyone to enjoy fully ripe, deep-red Benihoppe strawberries. The high-bench cultivation lets visitors pick strawberries while standing, so anyone can enjoy the experience without strain. They pay close attention to fertilizers, growing strawberries that are gentle for people and kind to the environment. ◆ Strawberry picking period: December 31, 2023 to May 6, 2024 *The above period is tentative and may end once berries run out. ◆ Opening hours: Last admission 10:00–15:00 *Closed on Tuesdays (open during the New Year holidays, public holidays, and the cherry blossom festival). ◆ Experience time: 60 minutes ※All-you-can-eat ◆ Pricing information ○ Period 1: December 31–April 15 ¥2,500 (adult), ¥1,800 (ages 2–elementary school; ages 65 and over) ○ Period 2: April 16–May 6 ¥1,800 (adult), ¥1,800 (ages 2–elementary school; ages 65 and over) *Children ages 3 through elementary school are charged the child rate. *Children under 3 are free. *Group discount: 10% off for groups of 20 adults or more. *Furusato gratitude vouchers can be used. ◆ Notes ・The site is barrier-free, so strollers and wheelchairs can enter without difficulty. ・The restrooms are not barrier-free. ・When the weather is warm, the greenhouse can become very hot; wear layers that are easy to remove and consider bringing a hat. ・Condensed milk and similar items are not provided, but you may bring your own. ・The experience may end depending on crop conditions or when strawberries run out, so please inquire in advance. Address: 96 Ishii, Minami-Izu Town, Kamo District, Shizuoka 415-0306 Phone: 090-7300-1115

In 2024, “Takenoko Picking” and the “Takenoko Eatery” will start from Saturday, March 30! Challenge yourself to forage spring mountain treasures and dig fresh bamboo shoots in a vast bamboo grove! Savor freshly dug bamboo shoots you can only taste here! If you miss the season, they’ll turn into bamboo. Admission: Adults 650 yen, Children 300 yen * You must purchase any bamboo shoots you harvest. * Rubber boot rental (50 yen) and work gloves (50 yen) are available for purchase. * Depending on bamboo shoot growth, the picking experience or the eatery may close or have a shortened season. * The Takenoko Eatery operates daily from April 1 to May 5 (around 10:30–14:30), though service may end when supplies run out. * Takenoko dishes are also available for takeout. * “Kusamochi making by reservation” is offered only on Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays. * Bamboo craft workshops (reservation required). * The takenoko picking experience may be canceled once bamboo shoots run out. Address: 717 Ichijo, Minami-Izu Town, Kamo District, Shizuoka 415-0301 Phone: 0558-62-1583

The boatman wearing a hat and the cherry blossoms made the scene reminiscent of the original scenery of Japan. * Trimmed mainly by the boatman Mie Prefecture Matsusaka City Kasamatsu Kawazu Cherry Blossoms Road * Permission to fly over the boatman has been granted * Confirmed by the management office * Notify the local police station of the flight. * Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Comprehensive Flight Permit has been obtained. * Flight plan report and flight log book have been prepared.

Yotsuba Dairy Factory Tour Located in Otofuke, Tokachi, Hokkaido, the Yotsuba Dairy Tokachi Main Factory offers a tour facility called Tasty Straight Pavilion. In addition to watching milk and butter being produced, visitors can enjoyably learn about dairy farming and the dairy industry. Yotsuba milk really is delicious! I learned that their ongoing efforts to improve quality are what make such tasty dairy products possible. On the tour you receive one tasting bottle (milk or café au lait) and a mini eraser as a souvenir.✨ If you visit Tokachi, why not stop by the Yotsuba Dairy factory tour?😊 Yotsuba Dairy Tokachi Main Factory Tour Admission: Free Schedule: Monday–Friday, three times a day Duration: About 60 minutes Reservations and inquiries 0155-42-2121

The cherry blossom front is finally in the Kanto region Kawazu cherry blossoms and Saitama also gave off color to the cherry blossom embankment Sakado City, Saitama

There was a graduation ceremony on March 15th! Students who go on to higher education and students who get a job all go their own way.

Iwakuni, Yamaguchi Recommended places to visit in Yamaguchi Prefecture #錦川清流線 👈 @seiryu.nishiki Today, one piece 📸 from Iwakuni City in neighboring Yamaguchi Prefecture on the Nishikigawa Seiryu Line I took this photo from the rape flower spot Minamikawachi Station. There were not many rape flowers this year, but it was a pink fold 🚃 that I was grateful for in spring!

Kawazu cherry blossoms× tulips 🌸 This is one in Mie Prefecture "Nabana no Sato". I took a picture of early blooming Kawazu cherry blossoms and tulips. It's nice during the day, but the cherry blossoms are also beautiful 🤤 at night

Takehara Pale Ink Cherry Blossom This time last year, it was almost in full bloom, but this year it was just beginning to bloom. The lower one was beginning to bloom here and there, and the upper one had many buds. I wonder if next week will be the best time to see it? Shot on iPHONE 11 PRO 26mm JAPAN Mie 2024/3/18

♥🌸 Kawazu cherry blossoms× This is one at "Nabana no Sato" in Mie Prefecture. I found it 😆 by chance when I was walking upwards I couldn't help but stop at the heart made of Kawazu cherry blossoms and click the shutter.

Niigata Prefecture is famous for its beautiful beech forest, and in the beautiful forest, drosophila flowers were blooming without losing to the snow.

Spring in the terraced rice fields of Gamo, Tokamachi City, Niigata Prefecture. There was a fuki on the ridge of the terraced rice fields where the snow remained.

The rape field where you can see Mt. Mt. Chokai in Akita Prefecture is a symbol of spring in Japan.

Late spring visit Mt. Chokai foot of Mt. in Akita Prefecture, and I was looking forward to spring through the snow that remained in the fresh green forests Mizubasho was showing his face.

The beech forest of the spring snow on the Daigonji Highland in Niigata Prefecture was shining with fresh green leaves.

It is a hand-made Soba noodle made by my father. It's quite a taste, It's becoming a specialty in our house.

※There is a possibility of cancellation due to wind conditions, so please inquire in advance. A fireworks cruise will operate for the first 150 guests on a first-come, first-served basis on Wednesday, March 20, 2024, to coincide with the Atami Offshore Fireworks Festival. With no obstructions and from the extraordinary setting of a ship, why not watch 3,000 fireworks light up Atami’s night sky? It’s a perfect addition to your spring break memories. We look forward to welcoming you aboard. Date and time / Wednesday, March 20, 2024 Depart 19:50 – Fireworks viewing (20:20–20:40) – Return to port around 20:50 Boarding location / Atami Port (ticket booth for Hatsushima departures) ※Ticket sales begin at 19:10 (limited to the first 150 guests on the day) Fare / Adults ¥2,800, Children ¥1,400 ※Preschool children free How to purchase tickets / Tickets will be sold at the waiting area ticket window on the day. Please visit the window between 19:10 and 19:40. Vessel in service / Ild Vacances Premier ※The event may be canceled due to weather or other circumstances on the day. Thank you for your understanding. Inquiries / Fujikyuu Marine Resort Tel 0557-81-0541

On Saturday, March 16, we released firefly larvae into Hatsukawa within Atami Plum Garden. As an annual tradition, children from Umeenomachi helped us again! Japan is said to be home to around 50 species of fireflies. The species released in Atami is Japan’s representative firefly, the genji-botaru. We hatch the larvae, feed them kawanina (freshwater snails) about once a month while raising them, and release the final-instar larvae when they reach 2–3 centimeters. These larvae leave the river on humid nights from mid to late April, burrow into the soil, and form oval “soil cocoons.” Inside those soil cocoons they pupate and emerge as adults from late May to early June. This year we will hold “Evenings for Firefly Viewing” from Saturday, June 1 through Sunday, June 9. Please come and see the pale glow of the fireflies that can be seen only during this season.

Tokachigawa Onsen in the morning Hello! It’s March and getting a little warmer, but mornings here in Otofuke are still quite cold. The temperature at 5:00 a.m. on the day of the shoot was -12.1°C. River mist formed and Tokachi Chuo Bridge was hidden. After sunrise the river mist cleared and the bridge stood out clearly! By 7:00 a.m. we could see the majestic Hidaka Mountains clearly 😊 There was no wind that day, so we also saw hot air balloons rising. Even when it’s cold, seeing scenes like this lifts your spirits! Please come and see these seasonal views while you can 😊

Spring morning in Otogawa Okazaki City, Aichi Prefecture Otogawa

Hiroshima Fukuyama Yabu Camellia and Narcissus Village Recommended spots in Hiroshima #Yabu Camellia and Daffodil Village 👈 @bingolife8 A piece 📸 bathed in the Morning Sun through a gap in the Kawazu cherry blossoms I took a picture 📸 from the top of the stepladder aiming at the gap between the cherry blossoms The mimosa was also blooming 😊 very beautifully

Ogaki Castle and Kawazu cherry blossoms Ogaki City, Gifu March 2024 iPHONE 11 PRO

Around the parking lot of a nearby nursing school Cute white flowers were blooming.

The pomegranate fruit that I was planting in the garden of my grandma's house became a pomegranate, so I captured it on camera.

I took a picture of the Japanese-style preserved flowers I received with my home doll. Location: Home

Isehara Flower Report for March 14 The ume (Japanese plum) at Hyuga Yakushi is still viewable The almond blossoms at Maruyama Castle Ruins Park are in bud The weeping cherry at Mishima Shrine is in bud The Okame cherry along Oyama Shinmichi has passed its peak Temperatures are rising, and spring is finally arriving The long-awaited days for flower viewing are just around the corner Our staff predicts that many spots will reach peak bloom around the 20th A resident cat was running around the grounds of Hyuga Yakushi

Title: Gungun no Biro!