This is one of the evening views of the cherry blossom trees in front of the Ueno Grace Park Ninja Pond. The pale light of the evening fell on the cherry blossoms, and it was a very beautiful and soothing scenery. Onlookers who come to see the cherry blossoms are walking happily while looking at the cherry blossoms on both sides. While looking at such a scenery from a distance, I took pictures of the moment when I felt emotion when I saw the people and the cherry blossoms beautifully illuminated by the Sunset.

NICE TO MEET EVERYONE WHO WATCHES COOL JAPAN VIDEOS! It is the Tourism Development Association of Otoyo Town, Nagaoka District, Kochi Prefecture. Otoyo Town is located in the central part of Shikoku, north of Kochi Prefecture, and is a mountainous area surrounded by the rich nature of the Shikoku Mountains. With this Account, we will deliver the charm of Otoyo Town to everyone. Thank you very much! ■How to Access to Otoyo Town, Nagaoka District, Kochi Prefecture The Otoyo is located just a short distance from Kochi Expressway Otoyo Interchange, There is a it is very convenient to Access in Car. Use Osugi Station and Otaguchi Station on the JR Dosan Line are also available, and it takes about 30 minutes from Kochi City. 【Access by plane】 ・From all over Japan to Kochi Ryoma Airport ・From Tokyo (Haneda): Approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes ・From Tokyo (Narita): Approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes ・About 55 minutes from Nagoya (Chubu) ・About 1 hour from Nagoya (Komaki) ・ About 45 minutes from Osaka (Itami) ・About 45 minutes from Kobe ・About 50 minutes from Fukuoka 【Time required to JR Osugi Station (approximate)】 ・ About 2 hours from Tokushima Station ・From Takamatsu Station: Approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes ・ About 2 hours from Okayama Station ・From Tokyo: Approximately 5 hours and 15 minutes ・From Shin-Osaka: Approximately 2 hours and 50 minutes ・From Hiroshima: Approximately 2 hours 35 minutes ・From Hakata: Approximately 3 hours and 40 minutes ・From Kagoshima: Approximately 5 hours and 10 minutes ・About 30 minutes from Kochi Station 【Access by Car to Otoyo Interchange】 ・From Nagoya IC: Approximately 5 hours and 30 minutes ・From Suita IC in China: Approximately 3 hours and 35 minutes ・From Okayama IC: Approximately 1 hour and 25 minutes ・From Hiroshima IC: Approximately 2 hours and 50 minutes ・ About 6 hours from Fukuoka IC ・From Tokushima IC: Approximately 1 hour and 40 minutes ・ About 1 hour from Takamatsu Chuo IC ・From Matsuyama IC: Approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes ・ About 25 minutes from Kochi IC ■Basic Information of Otoyo Town, Nagaoka District, Kochi Prefecture The population of Otoyo is about 2,900 (as of April 2025), and about 90% of the town is made up of mountain forests, and the Yoshino River that stream the In the town, the beautiful Valleys and the scenery of terraced rice fields make it a town where visitors can feel the Healing and Impression, and the tranquility and the change of the seasons away from the hustle and bustle of the city. ■History of Otoyo Town, Nagaoka District, Kochi Prefecture Otoyo Town has prospered as an important place for transportation since ancient times. In particular, the Toyonaga and Otaguchi districts were crowded with people and Supplies as Post Towns of the Tosa Domain during the Edo period. Buraku Temple Yakushido, founded in 724, and many other spots where you can feel the taste of history. In 1955, "Higashi-Toyonaga Village", "Nishi-Toyonaga Village", "Osugi Village", and "Amatsubo Village" merged to form "Otoyo Village", and the town was named after the "Dai" of Large cedar and the "Toyo" of Toyonaga. ■Recommended Sightseeing spots in Otoyo Town, Nagaoka District, Kochi Prefecture ・Japanese cedar Great Cedar Tree Special Natural Monument of the country. With a circumference of 13.5 m and a height of 56 m, it is one of the largest giant trees in Japan, boasting an estimated age of 3,000 years, and is a symbol of Otoyo Town. There is also a Song Monument of singer Hibari Hibari Misora, and it is a popular Spot for fans. ・Buraku Temple Yakushido The Heian period architecture remains intact, and it is the only national treasure building in Kochi Prefecture. The hall, tucked away in the mountains, calms the hearts of those who visit. ・Kajika Forest Elevation Mountain Climbing Spot of 1,400 m. And Kajika Forest, a mountain villa at the 8th station, has an astronomical observatory and is popular for stargazing, camping, and trekking. ・Yone rice terraces Beautiful terraced rice fields that can be said to be the original scenery of Japan. The Water in Spring, the golden Rice Ears in autumn, and the superb scenery of the Four Seasons Unfolds. ・Yutorist Park Otoyo Spot where you can enjoy Barbecue and camping in Nature. It is also recommended for families and groups. ■Introduction to Roadside Stations in Otoyo Town, Nagaoka District, Kochi Prefecture The "Roadside Station Osugi" is very close to the Japanese cedar Great Cedar Tree, There is a is a convenient resting Spot where you can get Local Specialty products and Tourist Information. Goishicha tea, ginburo beans, and other items unique to Otoyo Town are also available. ■ Gourmet and specialty products introduced at a roadside station in Otoyo Town, Nagaoka District, Kochi Prefecture 【Gourmet】 ・Tachikawa Soba Hand-made Country Soba with a high aroma of 100% Soba flour. You can taste it at Meals or Roadside Station in the In the town. ・Konchin A simple local sweets that makes use of the flavor of burdock. It is a nostalgic taste of home. 【Specialty products】 ・Goishicha tea Tea made by completely fermenting tea leaves. Ands has a unique sour taste and aroma, and it is also attracting the attention of health-conscious people. ・Ginburo beans A rare bean that is said to be a symbol of longevity. It is processed into boiled beans and Japanese sweets, and is perfect as a souvenir. ・Yuzu products Ponzu sauce and jam made with yuzu harvested in Otoyo Town are popular. It is also popular as a thank-you gift for Furusato Nozei tax payment. ■Events and festivals in Otoyo Town, Nagaoka District, Kochi Prefecture ・Adonis Flower Festival 【Held in period: mid-February to early March】 It is festival to be Held in at the time when the town flower "Adonis Ramosa Flower" reaches its Best time to visit. You can enjoy a leisurely stroll through the flowery village. ・Otaguchi Yakushi Summer Festival, Noryo Fireworks Display 【Held in: August 19】 In addition to a variety of programs such as accordion playing, hula dancing, and Yosakoi Naruko Dance, the summer night will be colored by a fireworks festival. ・Segaki Lantern Floating 【Held in: August】 The shape varies from region to region, but it is a fantastic Buddhist event in which bamboo is erected in the center of a boat-shaped lantern and 200~300 lanterns are lit around it. ■To Otoyo Town, where Nature and culture come to life Spring flowers, summer starry sky, autumn rice terraces, winter game dishes. Otoyo, where Nature and history and culture fuse, is an ideal destination where you can refresh your mind and body. Please come and look for the scenery and experiences that can only be encountered here. We will continue to Broadcasting the charm of Otoyo Town, so please follow us!

✨🍴Hiroshima Prefecture — New Restaurant News🍴✨ In spring 2025, a new cozy kominka café opened in Shobara City, Hiroshima Prefecture 😍 Its name is “Tsuchinoko-tei.” Owner Yuki Watanabe, together with her husband and local friends, spent a year renovating the old house, and it has finally opened. Built in Taisho 5 (1916), the 110-year-old kominka blends seamlessly into Shobara’s landscape. The recommended dish is Tsuchinoko-tei’s homemade ramen (750 yen à la carte / 900 yen with coffee). The soy-sauce–based broth offers a comforting richness that appeals to all ages. The handmade chashu is light and easy to eat. The husband, Ippei, is in charge of the cooking; his experience working in restaurants inspired this homemade ramen. Also popular is the daily set meal, limited to 10 servings per day (1,000 yen / +200 yen with coffee). Going forward, they plan to use locally grown Shobara green onions and eggs and vegetables from their home garden. They are also planning to add a bath and sauna on the property, plus accommodations, a BBQ area, and karaoke space — so stay tuned for future developments! 😍✨ For more details about Tsuchinoko-tei, please visit the Shobara Tourist Navi website, the official tourism site for Shobara City, Hiroshima Prefecture ✅

Today, I attended the Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine Monthly Festival. The azaleas in front of the hall were very beautiful. 🌺

Ohori Park Tombi dancing in the blue sky

Underwater Torii (shrine gate) gate in Tara Town I took it at twilight! The contrast of red, blue, and yellow is a nice match

In search of cherry blossoms, I went to Kairakuen Garden in Water City, Ibaraki Prefecture. What I found there was the beauty of a gorgeous garden.

Photographed on April 7, 25. CAFE ANDON's Moke Chocolate and Strawberry Butter Sandwich. 🍓 On warm days, terrace seating is also good.

The nemophila field in 138 Tower Park is 🤤 in full bloom This is a nemophila field Located in in Aichi Prefecture. Flowers can be enjoyed here regardless of the season. It's even better 🤤 if you put the 138 tower, which is a symbol

#001 Hello! This is the Tsunocho Tourism Association. Tsunocho belongs to Koyu District in Miyazaki Prefecture and sits in the prefecture’s central region. To the east lies the Hyuga-nada Sea, and to the west stretch the ridges of MtOsuzuyama, one of Japan’s 200 famous mountains. Known as the “town of mountains, waterfalls, and fruit,” it’s rich not only in nature but also in agricultural, livestock, and marine products. On the Tsunocho Tourism Association account, we’ll share information to make you want to visit Tsunocho, so please follow along! For our first post, we’ll introduce what kind of town Tsunocho is, the key points we want to convey, and a bit about the Tsunocho Tourism Association. Access to Tsunocho By plane and by car Haneda to Miyazaki: about 1.5 hours; from Fukuoka: about 4 hours Itami to Miyazaki: about 1 hour; from Kumamoto: about 3 hours Fukuoka to Miyazaki: about 40 minutes; from Kagoshima: about 2.5 hours From Miyazaki Airport By JR Nippō Main Line to tsuno station: about 1 hour By car via the Higashi-Kyushu Expressway to Tsuno IC: about 1 hour 10 minutes What kind of town is Tsunocho? First, here’s an introduction to Tsunocho. Tsunocho has a total population of about 9,300 (April 2025) and is a town with very active agricultural and livestock production. The town is also working to revitalize the fishing industry through an onshore aquaculture initiative called the Fisheries Dream Future Project. Tsunocho preserves many historic sites, including the venerable Hyuga Province Ichinomiya Tsuno Shrine, listed in the Engishiki register of shrine names, and the Akagi Family Residence, a valuable house that served as lodging for feudal lords and government officials in the Edo period. Every year on August 1 and 2 the town holds its largest summer event, the Tsuno Shrine Summer Festival, when a golden mikoshi and four neighborhood taiko floats parade through town. Visitors come not only from within the town but also from other cities and prefectures. Town tree: ginkgo. Town flower: Osuzu winter orchid. Town bird: Japanese white-eye. A brief history of Tsunocho Next, a short look at Tsunocho’s history. The modern Tsunocho formed in 1889 (Meiji 22) when Tsuno Town and Kawakita Village merged to create Tsuno Village. Thirty-one years later, in 1920 (Taisho 9), Tsuno was established as a town, and in 2020 (Reiwa 2) it celebrated the 100th anniversary of its town status. The old village name Kawakita still appears today as a ward name. Tsunocho sightseeing spots Next are Tsunocho’s sightseeing spots. The town has many famous and lesser-known attractions. Here are two carefully selected highlights. 1. Hyuga Province Ichinomiya Tsuno Shrine Affectionately called Ichinomiya Shrine by locals and indispensable to telling the Miyazaki myths, Hyuga Province Ichinomiya Tsuno Shrine exudes a solemn atmosphere and feels powerful. Legend says that six years before Emperor Jimmu’s accession, he stopped in this area while moving eastward, prayed for national peace, safe seas, and lasting military fortune, and enshrined the deities here. The shrine’s principal deity, Ōkuninushi no Mikoto, is associated with blessings such as fertility, because he took many wives and fathered many children; recovery from illness, due to establishing medical practices and helping many people; and business prosperity, among other benefits. 2. Roadside Station Tsuno Opened in 2013 to help revitalize a town worn down by the 2010 foot-and-mouth disease outbreak, Roadside Station Tsuno showcases the agricultural town’s proud selection of fresh vegetables, fruits, and seafood. The station also sells original local products made from regional ingredients. The most popular item, the tomato twisted fry, draws repeat customers from both inside and outside the prefecture. Packed with Tsuno’s charms, Roadside Station Tsuno is well worth a visit. Tsunocho specialties and gourmet foods Next are Tsunocho’s specialty products and local cuisine. The town offers numerous specialty agricultural and livestock products. Here are three highlights. 1. Tomatoes Tsunocho offers an ideal environment for growing tomatoes. Tomatoes grown here benefit from the Osuzu Mountain Range’s water, the sea breeze from the Hyuga-nada Sea, and a mild climate, producing exceptional flavor. The town grows many varieties, including the much-sought-after Nigo 25 and the honey-sweet Furutika, so comparing varieties is a delight. 2. Grapes Tsunocho produces more than 30 grape varieties, including Shine Muscat, Sunny Rouge, and Kyoho. Recently, a variety called Suzuka, sometimes called the black muscat, has attracted attention for its refreshing muscat-like taste and aroma when you bite into it. 3. Tsuno Wine Speaking of grapes, Tsuno Wine is made from the grapes introduced above. Committed to using 100% grapes from Osuzu (around Tsunocho), these wines express the local terroir. A rosé made from the Campbell Early grape was selected for Wine Report’s “World’s Top 100 Wines” in 2004, and many other Tsuno wines have won domestic and international awards. Tsuno wines are so delicious they attract repeat visitors from abroad as well as within Japan. Tsunocho Tourism Association Finally, about our tourism association. We use social media to promote Tsunocho and handle everything from preparing to running local events. Recently, we have offered rentals for Osuzu Campground on MtOsuzuyama and electric bicycles. Through Cool Japan initiatives, we work to share Tsunocho’s charms and provide useful information to help visitors enjoy their stay. We appreciate your support!

Photographed on April 7, 25. This is a hot sandwich of CAFE ANDON's stick chicken.

Go to Shobara City, Hiroshima Prefecture in May! 🏃 Have you already decided where to go for Golden Week? Here are five events currently taking place or planned in Shobara City, Hiroshima Prefecture. (In no particular order) Please join any events that catch your interest 😍 1. 31st Ancient Tatara Ironmaking: Recreating Japan’s Traditional Steelmaking Technique Since the opening of the National Bihoku Hillside Park in 1995, the community-led "Ancient Tatara Ironmaking" project has been held continuously; this year marks its 31st edition. We continue this work to pass down the tatara steelmaking technique, a symbol of the Chugoku Mountain region’s culture, to the next generation. Date: Saturday, May 10 and Sunday, May 11, 2025 Venue: Hiba-no-Sato Ancient Tatara Workshop, National Bihoku Hillside Park Details: We will recreate the full process of the ancient Japanese steelmaking technique tatara steelmaking, using the kera pressing method to extract kera—the raw material that becomes tamahagane, the high-quality steel used for Japanese swords and other premium blades. [Instructors] Holder of the Selected Preservation Technique 'Tamahagane Production (tatara blowing)' — Murashita Shoku (chief tatara operator) and Kaoru Horio (堀尾 薫; overall supervisor). Participants: Around 100 people (including general participants and partner organizations) Fee: Free to observe (park admission fee required separately) Note: Paid overnight two-day hands-on experience reservations have closed. Contact: National Bihoku Hillside Park, 4-10 Mikkaichi-cho, Shobara City, Hiroshima Prefecture 727-0021 TEL: 0824-72-7000 FAX: 0824-72-7828 2. Shobara Satoyama Open Garden 2025 Spring This annual event lets visitors tour gardens ranging from imaginative home plots to authentic Japanese gardens, where seasonal flowers are in bloom. Dates: Saturday, May 10–Sunday, June 15, 2025 Times: 10:00–12:00 / 13:00–16:00 Venue: Various locations in Shobara City Contact: Shobara Flower Conference Office, Shobara Tourism Promotion Organization (Shobara DMO) (inside Satoyama Station Shobara Furari, 4-10 Mikkaichi-cho, Shobara City, Hiroshima Prefecture) TEL: 0824-75-0173 FAX: 0824-75-0172 For the latest information, check the official Shobara Flower Conference website or the Instagram account @satoyamaopengarden. 3. Shobara Satoyama Marche at Hiroshima Station From April 2025 this event will be held on the third Wednesday of every month! Operated by JR West Properties, Roadside Station Takano, and Shobara Tourism Promotion Organization (Shobara DMO), this market at Hiroshima Station’s north exit on the first floor offers fresh vegetables, processed goods, and seasonal ingredients from the popular Roadside Station Takano in Takano Town, Shobara City. Visitors come every month looking forward to this market—be sure to stop by at least once. Date: Wednesday, May 21, 2025 Time: 11:00–15:00 Venue: Hiroshima Station North Exit, 1st floor, next to ekie Kitchen (1-2 Matsubara-cho, Minami Ward, Hiroshima City, Hiroshima Prefecture) Contact: Roadside Station Takano TEL 0824-86-3131 4. Bihoku Flower Picnic (Now On) The Bihoku Flower Picnic is taking place at the National Bihoku Hillside Park in Shobara City, Hiroshima Prefecture. ✨ Spring flowers such as daffodils, cherry blossoms, tulips, and nemophila will reach their best viewing times during the period. There are also many spring-themed workshops and local spring cooking events, offering plenty of ways to enjoy the season. Note: Flowering conditions may vary depending on weather and temperatures. Dates: Through Sunday, May 11, 2025 Time: 9:30–17:00 (park entry until 16:00) Venue: National Bihoku Hillside Park (4-10 Mikkaichi-cho, Shobara City, Hiroshima Prefecture) Fees: Regular and light vehicles 400 yen, large vehicles 1,200 yen, motorcycles 200 yen Contact: National Bihoku Hillside Park (4-10 Mikkaichi-cho, Shobara City, Hiroshima Prefecture 727-0021) TEL: 0824-72-7000 FAX: 0824-72-7828 5. Sakura Shokudo Children’s Day Marche Sakura Shokudo, which opened new in December 2024, is a farm-run eatery inside the Shokusai-kan Shobara Yume Sakura Hall and is operated directly by Shigehara Farm. To celebrate Children’s Day on Monday, May 5, the marche will bring together delightful and delicious vendors from inside and outside Shobara and Miyoshi Cities. A kids’ space will also be available for children to enjoy. Date: Monday, May 5, 2025 (national holiday) Time: 10:00–16:00 Venue: Farm-Run Sakura Shokudo (291-1 Shinjo-cho, Shobara City, Hiroshima Prefecture) Contact: Farm-Run Sakura Shokudo (291-1 Shinjo-cho, Shobara City, Hiroshima Prefecture) TEL: 0824-75-4516 Notes: ・Exhibitors may change, so please be aware in advance. ・Admission is free, but workshops, hands-on activities, and purchases are chargeable. ・Please take your trash home with you. That’s five recommended events for May! For more details, please see the Events list on the Shobara Tourist Navi, the official tourism information site for Shobara City, Hiroshima Prefecture 😍

Photographed on April 7, 25. During the cherry blossom season, you can enjoy cherry blossom viewing from CAFE ANDON's terrace seats.

Fujiwara Palace Ruins in Nara Prefecture Due to work, I usually only have one Vacation a week on Weekdays, and most of the time I shoot when there are no people, but I can take a Sunday off only once a month, and it is a popular Spot Visit for family trips, so it was difficult to shoot like this. I gave instructions to my wife on my cell phone from quite a distance and waited for people to disappear, but I clicked the shutter at the moment when people stopped streaming more than I had imagined. I wanted to shoot in a horizontal composition, but I shot in a vertical position because people were reflected.

The ruins of Fujiwara Palace in Nara Prefecture I finally came to the place I wanted to visit and see, and it was Sunday, so I could imagine it to some extent, but it was a very popular Spot for tourists from overseas.

Photographed on April 7, 25. It is a boat trip on the Shingashi River behind the Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine. The cherry blossoms fell and a flower raft was formed.

Photographed on April 7, 25. It is the honorary cherry blossom of the Shingashi River behind the Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine.

Photographed on April 7, 25. It is the honorary cherry blossom of the Shingashi River behind the Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine.

Photographed on April 7, 25. It is the honorary cherry blossom of the Shingashi River behind the Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine.

The famous Great Buddha of Tsubozaka Temple in Nara Prefecture was crowded with tourists from overseas with many languages flying around.

The famous Great Buddha of Tsubozaka Temple in Nara Prefecture was crowded with tourists from overseas with many languages flying around.

Photographed 4/27/25. This is LEC COFFEE's quiche plate. It is a chicken and burdock quiche, a salad with roast pork, and a cold onion soup.

Best time to visit the Skunk cabbage in "Otaniji Wetland"! Other Information on flowering in the city please see our Home page!

It is the Ruins of the Castle Turrets of Kubota Castle in Senshu Park in Akita City, Akita Prefecture. The collaboration between the cherry blossoms and the horn Turrets was very beautiful ✨ From the observation deck of this corner Turrets, you can overlook Akita City. Spring is a famous landmarks 🌸 for cherry blossoms and azaleas There was a cherry blossom Festival in Senshu Park, and it was ❣️ a lot of fun to see a lot of stalls and Stalls It's within walking distance from Akita Station, so I think ❣️ it's very easy to go sightseeing It seems that you can enjoy various flowers not only in Springs but also throughout the four seasons, so I would 😃 like to go again if I have the opportunity

Nagoya Castle wrapped in wisteria This is Meijo Park Located in in Nagoya City, Aichi Prefecture. It is one of the few spots where you can see Nagoya Castle and wisteria shelf. I visited early in the morning, but it was 🤤 crowded with tourists Best time to visit continues 🤤 until the middle of GW

Photographed 4/27/25. After Prayer to Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine, we visited LEC COFFEE. COLD BREW CREAM. It is recommended to drink it without mixing. It is moderately sweet and delicious.

2025/4/19〜21 A solo trip to Shiraho on Ishigaki Island for 3 days and 2 nights. I found ♡ a cute Squid Fe near the inn Red and yellow flowers shine against the blue sky. On the second day, we took a ferry to Kuroshima. Stared at by a cow, I'm not a bad person. Send telepathy. Today, the Shiraho Coast is beautiful Thanks for the 1 beach cleanup a month. It's full of sparkle and vitality. The sea, the sky, the greenery, with warm and kind people I want to cherish it together for a long time. If you were thinking about such a thing, By the time I left, I missed Osaka. To everyone who has met and been involved, Thank you very much. I want to go see the blue sea again someday.

The wisteria shelves in Tennogawa Park were 🤤 in full bloom This is Tennogawa Park Located in in Aichi Prefecture. Since it was my first visit, I got lost 😅 in the cars parking lot, and it was a good walk after a week of making a 🥲 mistake in the pond Since it was GW, it was crowded with many people, but the place where you can take a reflection was even more crowded! But the reflection was 🤤 awesome

Ipponzakura in Hakuba Village Plain, Nagano Prefecture You can take pictures with the remaining snow of the Northern Alps in the background. The cherry blossoms in Hakuba Village bloom late in late April.

Today, I took a walk in Kawagoe. I found a jasmine flower. Aroma that I like very much.