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.

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 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?

Photographed 5/25/24. It is Hanachozu of Kawagoe Hachimangu Shrine.

2024.01.01 First sunrise Diamond Fuji

Hachimantai's Dragon Eye 2024.05.18 I was able to see the dragon eye that had been opened. It's like opening your eyes once and then closing them. The best time to see it is until the end of this month. It was unusually early this year.

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.

The Milky Way of the Star Pass Water enters the rice paddies, and the stars are reflected in the rice paddies. It is a superb view for a short time before rice planting.

I started helping farmers this year! For the first time, I learned that most of the famous lily root takes a lot of traditional manual work, and it takes five years to eat. And the young Indonesians I work with. Although we don't speak the language, we are important friends ^^ who work together to cherish historic specialties

Cherry blossoms on the approach to Makari Shrine. And farmers during the busy season? Cycling with my daughter every year! Pray to God for safety!

It is a wonderful approach to Makari Shrine near my house, ^^ Annual event to cycle here! Pray to God for my daughter's safety!

Photographed 5/24/24. The weather was nice, so we took a walk in Kawagoe. It is Hanachozu of Kawagoe Hachimangu Shrine.

Hyogo Prefecture Tamba Sasayama City Losing Kirai Inari If you climb the stone steps lined with the red Torii shrine gate gates of Mt. Tamba Sasayama and Mt. Oji, you will find the Heizaemon Inari Shrine enshrined on the Dohyo sumo ring, which is called "Makekirai Inari". It is widely believed that he is the god of good luck, disaster removal, prosperity in business, protection of victory, and success from the name of "defeat".

Photographed 5/17/24. This is Hanachozu from Hara Flower Shop.

Photographed 5/17/24. This is Hanachozu from Hara Flower Shop.

Hiroshima City　 Recommended Spots in Hiroshima Golden Mountain Filming Location JMETS training sailing vessel "Nippon Maru" One piece 📸 on the Nippon Maru Departure from Hiroshima Port When I learned that the Nippon Maru was Departure, I took a picture from Mt. Gangane, and it would have been great if they had spread the sails, 😊 but I am grateful that I was blessed with the 😊 weather.

Today I attended the opening festival of Kirigamine. The weather was fine and surprisingly warm. In the second photo, majestic Mt. Fuji also peeked out to welcome us. Even so, just climbing up to the Kirishōtō bell tower made me sweat profusely.💦 For the first time in three years, the opening ceremony returned outdoors.🏔 Many people attended, and we were able to hold the festival. At the opening, members of the Kirigamine Glider Association launched a glider right at 9:00.🛩 It climbed to about 1,900 meters shortly after takeoff. Because it was a glider, it lifted off very quietly.🛫 If there were no weight limits, I would love to try it at least once!!! At the ceremony, the head priest of Tenaga Shrine prayed for the safety of visitors, everyone who passes through Kirigamine, and all those connected to Kirigamine. Please be sure to visit the Kirigamine Nagikama Shrine, one of Suwa’s hidden scenic spots I introduced before! When you come to Kirigamine or Suwa, please drive safely.🚙=3

Notice: Oyama Afuri Shrine Saryo Sekison Saryo Sekison, located within the precincts of Oyama Afuri Shrine Lower Shrine, will be temporarily closed for renovation work from Saturday, June 1. We apologize for any inconvenience to those who had planned to visit, and ask for your understanding and cooperation. Contact: Saryo Sekison 0463-94-3628 There’s still time to enjoy Oyama’s fresh green leaves in May!! Please come and take in the spectacular views.

Photographed 3/30/24. This is Hanachozu of Chuin.

Nayoro Asparagus Festival will be held this weekend! Date: Sunday, May 26, 2024 Location: Nayose Street Shopping Street Special venue ▼Details▼ 1 Asparagus direct sales In the direct sale of the featured project, 500g each of seasonal asparagus L size and 2L size will be sold at a special event price! Sales are scheduled after the Opening Ceremony around 11:30, but may change before or after. 2 Asparagus Gourmet About 30 shops Stalls from Town/Village neighboring cities! Enjoy ♪ the event-limited asparagus gourmet 3 Asparagus Athletic Race Clear various obstacles to reach the goal and get asparagus and sweets! 4 Asparagacha An asparagus gacha with a good deal on asparagus will be set up at some time! 5 Various stages Don't miss the spectacular stage project, such as performances by circles and groups! One day ♪ of annual asparagus Please come to the venue!

Photographed on April 18, 24. This is Hanatetsu's Hanachozu.

When I visited Takashima Castle around Golden Week, local junior high students were there sketching the castle. Approaching the wisteria, a wonderfully sweet scent filled the air. Before I knew it, honeybees and carpenter bees had come to gather nectar🐝—even I, as a person, was drawn in by that lovely fragrance!!! I don’t understand why the demons in Demon Slayer would be afraid of such beautiful flowers, haha. I think they’re gorgeous. I recommend taking shots from beneath the wisteria trellis!!! Surprisingly, I didn’t know—despite being a local—that wisteria blooms were even in the pond... Takashima Castle, I’m sorry... Looking at the whole display of wisteria that day, to my amateur eye it seemed about 70% in bloom. On the grounds stands a rare Gokoku Shrine⛩ whose architecture resembles that of Suwa Taisha. It seems to have some unusual carvings. I think Golden Week is generally the best time to visit every year, when you can see them at their most beautiful. The castle, the park, and the wisteria—please come and visit next year; we’ll be waiting for you!

Visited 5/20/24. Lec Coffee's chai and carrot cake. ☕️ On the day of the event, it was raining and cool, but thanks to the chai, it became warm. I love anything that has cinnamon or ginger in it. 😊 Thank you for letting me relax every time.

The roses were 🌹 also in full bloom in Moroyama Town This is the Takinoiri Rose Garden in Moroyama Town, Saitama Prefecture. It seems that it was started about 10 years ago, and at that time the locals used to go there for fun. Many roses bloom in the park, making you 🤤 feel Spring

Hiroshima City　 Recommended Spots in Hiroshima #Hiroshima City Botanical Gardens 👈 Today is a photo 📸 from the rose garden of the Hiroshima City Botanical Garden This rose was carefully cared for by the staff and all the roses were very beautiful.

This is higashichaya district. A chaya is basically “tea house “... during the edo period this place was crowded with rich people who came here for entertainment. Mainly geisha performance were the prime attraction. there are two more chaya districts popular in kanazawa. The other two are nishichaya and kazuemachi.. love that experienced and highly recommended place to visit in 2023.

Photographed 5/20/24. This is Hanatetsu's Hanachozu.

At last, on April 1, 2024, the Lake Suwa Cycling Road has been completed. The route circles Lake Suwa for about 16 km. This lake has long been loved by local people. I remember when I was in sixth grade, my friends and I rode our bikes around the lake for the first time. I think many locals have their own first-time Lake Suwa cycling stories. Now that the path has been newly improved, it should be easier to ride and offer lovely scenery. I’m getting more excited about sunny weekend rides! #LINEBREAK###"No way, I’m not ready to own a bike yet…" "What kind of bike should I get now?" If you’re wondering that, or asking "What’s an electric-assist bicycle like?", why not take this chance to rent a bike around Lake Suwa and enjoy a relaxed ride with your family or friends? ※Please check each provider’s website for closing days and business hours. ・Activity Base Cogue ・JBT Suwa Rent-a-Cycle ・Lake Suwa Rental Cycle ・SUWA Glass Village #LINEBREAK###Electric-assist bicycles make climbing hills easy! You can even ride to the famous Tateishi Park and to Kirigamine Highland, a pride of Suwa, by bike!!! With the completion of the Lake Suwa Cycling Road, please consider bringing your own bike to ride around the lake or renting an electric-assist bicycle to challenge the full loop of Lake Suwa and Kirigamine Highland! If you get tired, there are parks, cafes, and footbaths♪ I don’t think many places in Japan are blessed with such facilities. Cafes and parks along cycling routes are common, but footbaths are rare, I think. If you bring a towel, you can use a footbath easily. It will blow away your fatigue♨ Also, do you know about Swaichi? If you cycle around Lake Suwa and take photos of three spots in Suwa, Shimosuwa, and Okaya with your smartphone, then go in person to the tourist information centers at kamisuwa station, shimosuwa station, or okaya station and show the three photos, you will receive a Swaichi certificate and a commemorative badge (badge color cannot be chosen). Try this challenge with your children or friends. It’s a great way to mark a Lake Suwa circuit and make a memory with Swaichi! ※Photo courtesy of Activity Base Cogue The seventh photo is my favorite scenic spot!!! See if you can find it!

Nagikama Shrine⛩ The other day I visited Nagikama Shrine on Kirigamine for the first time. Last year I heard about Nagikama Shrine, which had replaced its wooden torii with a stone monument, and I had planned to visit after the snow melted. A passing comment from my wife, who loves Kirigamine, finally prompted us to go. As someone who loves the Onbashira festival, I’ve grown fond of visiting shrines, and I had long wanted to see Nagikama Shrine, so I took my camera and headed for Kirigamine at last. We parked in the lot below the ski area and followed directions toward the Glider Museum, but unsure of the way and hesitating, I spotted a small sign in front of the museum reading Nagikama Shrine 0.5 km and followed it. It felt a bit farther than expected. Together with my wife and our two children, we walked for several minutes, enjoying Kirigamine’s nature, until we saw the stone monument marking Nagikama Shrine. As a shrine, a torii would feel more fitting, but the stone monument had its own charm. The approach was neatly covered with wood chips, making for a very pleasant walk. When we reached the small shrine, the view took my breath away. It was a scene that excited me like I hadn’t felt in a long time. The clear weather that day only amplified the spectacle. Below stretched the Suwa Basin, the serene Lake Suwa sat beautifully, the Central Alps rose ahead, the Northern Alps to the right, the Southern Alps to the left with sacred Mt. Fuji beside them, and Yatsugatake behind to the left. A shrine that offers a view of so many mountains at once may be rare in Japan, I thought.🏔 As a self‑declared Seeker of Suwa’s Best Views, this vista immediately made my list of top spots. Tateishi Park offers a sweeping view of the Suwa plain and is very scenic, but Nagikama sits at a higher elevation and has an indescribable beauty. I felt it would be a shame to keep this to myself, so I’m sharing it here. The shrine’s goshuin (stamp) is newly available, so anyone touring Suwa’s shrines or visiting Kirigamine should definitely stop by. If the weather is clear, you won’t regret it! ・Enshrined deities: Takeminakata no Okami, also known as Osuwa‑sama: god of martial valor and abundant harvests ・Oyamatsumi no Okami: god of industry and maritime affairs, and further revered as the ancestral deity of sake brewing ・Ashinazuchi no Okami and Tenazuchi no Okami ⇐ Kushinadahime: parents of Kushinadahime, wife of Susanoo no Mikoto A nagikama (a sacred implement shaped like a sickle) discovered at the ruins of the former Misayama is dedicated here. After the main pillars for the Onbashira are selected, the nagikama is hammered onto those pillars. Curiously, this practice occurs only on the Onbashira of Suwa Taisha Upper Shrine. The nagikama has a shape resembling a rooster’s head and is considered one of Suwa Taisha’s sacred treasures. The nagikama is enshrined inside the hokora, so please take a look along with the spectacular view. Suwa Taisha also offers nagikama amulets♪