October 13: Early autumn, walking on the Highlands of the Asama Mountain Range This is the view from the middle of the routes from Yunomaru Highlands to Takamine Highlands. The colors of the trees had just begun, but I was fascinated by the changing appearance of the clouds rising from the mountain opposite.

Togakushi Kagami Pond Water Mirror 2024.10.27 It became a beautiful water mirror in almost no wind. Autumn leaves are in full bloom. From 8:30 in the morning, it will be a one-way street, so be careful.

【Koiji Pass】 Koiji Pass on the border of Okuwa Village and Town/Village of Nagiso Town. It is 😍 a romance highway that is said to have been named after a man and a woman who fell in love across the mountain pass This time, from Okuwa Village to Nagiso Town! ↓ Head to the entrance of the pass to admire the beautiful view from the Athira Bridge, where the Atera Canyon in Okuwa Village is located. ↓ Follow the path shown in the second photo to the Observation decks You may even meet a sawa crab on the way! ↓ At the top of the pass, there is a stone monument of "Koiji Pass" and a heart-shaped "Bell of Fulfillment" There are. ↓ For the time being, please look sideways at the bell of fulfillment and climb up to the Observation decks first. If the weather is good, you can see the majestic mountains such as Komagatake. ↓ And to the bell of fulfillment! If you ring the bell after admiring the beautiful view from the observation decks, your wish will be fulfilled! 👏👏👏 ↓ After ringing the bell of fulfillment with a wish, go down the pass. ↓ What was waiting for me at the end of the descent was the superb view Spot "Kakizore Canyon" This view is a sight to 😮 behold every time It is a walking course of about 10 km from Nojiri Station through Koiji Pass to Jujikane Station. Of course, Nakasendo is also recommended, but Hiking this Koiji Pass is also recommended! !!

October 22, 2024 On that day, hungry me—Kawanishi the foodie—braved my appetite (laughs) and visited several of the city’s autumn leaf spots to take photos and share the much-requested “Suwa autumn foliage report.” The morning was sunny, but by the afternoon, perhaps because of my poor habits, it turned cloudy… please forgive me… The following are my impressions of each spot. They reflect my personal views, so I appreciate your understanding and acceptance. 1. Takashima Castle and Gokoku Shrine — The ginkgo trees showed no color yet and were still very green. The maples only showed the faintest hint of color. 2. Lake Suwa and the lakeside park — I felt the leaves were just beginning to change, but there’s still a long way to go. 3. Katakura-kan — The ginkgo trees are starting to take on a slightly yellow tint, but it still seems early. 4. Tateishi Park — Here, too, the leaves appear to be just beginning to change. The 23rd was rainy, but the high reached 23°C. Mornings have been warm; this week’s highs are around 20°C and the lows do not drop below 10°C. It seems the foliage may be later than usual by about a week. Today, I’m updating you about Suwa City’s recent autumn leaf situation. I received several inquiries, so I visited Suwa’s leaf-viewing spots on October 22. The morning was sunny, but I was unlucky—the afternoon turned cloudy. Please forgive me! Caution: these are my personal impressions; please understand. 1. Takashima Castle and Gokoku Shrine — The ginkgo trees remain very green; only a few leaves are turning yellow. 2. Lake Suwa and Kohan Park — I estimate about 20–30% of the trees have begun changing to yellow and red. 3. Katakura-kan — I estimate about 20–30% of the ginkgo trees around Katakura-kan are gradually turning yellow. 4. Tateishi Park — Similar to Katakura-kan, maples and cherry trees are shifting to red, about 20–30%. Yesterday was rainy in Suwa, but the temperature reached 23°C (74°F). It wasn’t cold at all—quite surprising. Normally in Suwa around November, temperatures fall below 15°C (59°F). I think this year’s autumn colors are delayed by more than a week compared with a typical year.

The 13th Azumino Kamiakari Bamboo Lantern Festival 2024 — Held over 6 days Friday, November 29 to Sunday, December 1 Friday, December 6 to Sunday, December 8 Around 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. each day Hotaka Shrine (about a 5-minute walk from Hotaka Station on the JR Oito Line) Enjoy the gentle atmosphere of Hotaka Shrine, illuminated by about 10,000 bamboo lanterns Anyone may join the 4:00 p.m. lighting. Those who will light lanterns should bring a long-handled lighter Live performances take place at the Kagura Hall, and Azumino Terrace in the South Garden features food trucks and booths. In the North Garden, a special stage presents the traditional Hotaka dolls * Admission is free * Parking is limited; please use public transportation when possible

Shinyu Onsen L.P. has released “Suwa Taisha Navi,” an app for foreign visitors and domestic tourists. This in-shrine interactive app supports English, French, Traditional Chinese, and Japanese, and highlights the attractions of the four shrines of Suwa Taisha. The navigator is Suwahime, Suwa City’s official character, who introduces 84 monuments and buildings across the four shrines. Download the app and launch it on site to hear the explanations; locations you’ve heard are marked with a folding-fan icon. It makes a great travel memory. Shinyu Onsen L.P. launched the Suwa Taisha Navi app for foreign visitors and domestic tourists. The app supports Japanese, Traditional Chinese, French, and English and introduces the four shrines (Honmiya, Maemiya, Harumiya, Akimiya). The navigator is Suwahime, Suwa City’s official character, who explains 84 monuments and buildings across the four shrines. First, download the app and visit any of the four Suwa Taisha shrines. Enable GPS and go to a spot; Suwahime will begin the explanation. After a spot’s explanation, it is marked with a Japanese folding-fan stamp. It’s a lovely way to remember your trip to Suwa and Suwa Taisha—please give it a try!

Nishiki no Yuchi Honya "Asama Hot Spring" has been boiling for 1300 years in the Castle Town of Matsumoto City. Hot spring resort is Thereare a local bookstore. Nishiki-no-yu is called "spring water that promotes beautiful skin" and can be expected to have an outstanding skin-beautifying effect. A multi-course meal made with plenty of seasonal ingredients from Shinshu. A pure Japanese-style Inside the museum with a view of the proud Garden and the Northern Alps. We hope that you will take a break from your daily life and slowly fill your heart with the time you spend at the "local bookstore". Number of rooms Japanese-style rooms: 25 Founded: 1905 Group Acceptance Other Free Wi-Fi Separate smoke (smoking area: indoor) Address 浅間Hot Spring 3-14-6 Car parking 25 Nearest bus stop Asama Hot Spring TEL　0263-46-2332 FAX 0263-46-4665 Cashless payment: Credit card payment (Visa, Master, JCB), smartphone payment (PayPay)

Nagano Prefecture, Yunomaru Highlands, Ikenohira Marsh Walk I was able to see the clouds rising up close during a walk on the Highlands in early autumn. It was as powerful as if there was and fire. Yellow-colored trees, white clouds, and a refreshing blue sky! I think ♪ the Highlands are amazing

October 5, 2024 Kami‑Suwa Kaido Town Walk and Sake Stroll On that day, a major event took over the town of Suwa: the “Kami‑Suwa Kaido Town Walk and Sake Stroll.” Along a one‑kilometer walking radius from JR Kami‑Suwa Station along National Route 20, five of Suwa’s famous breweries stand side by side, and for the event the area from Suwa 2‑chome to the Motomachi traffic lights was turned into a pedestrian zone. The five breweries of Suwa proudly served their signature sakes🍶. This year, a cypress masu (wooden sake box) doubled as a passport, letting visitors enjoy the aroma of hinoki wood while sipping fine sake. The 3,000 tickets sold out by September 30, showing just how popular the event was!!! Compared with last year, more local restaurants offered snack stalls, and additional stalls were run by neighborhood groups!!! Although the weather was a little worrying that day, the ticket exchange at 11:00 at Swatchao was lively, and the city began to buzz toward the pedestrian zone start at 12:00. By the official start at 13:00, lines had formed in front of the five breweries as people queued for their preferred labels!!! After opening remarks by Suwa’s mayor and the head of the Chamber of Commerce, the stroll kicked off with Suwa’s customary kiyari work song, and the sake stroll began. The kiyari performers then walked along the kaido, responding to requests and singing until around 17:00🎶 From 14:00, local dance troupes energized the venue. Many guests joined in the dancing, and the sight of everyone enjoying themselves was memorable. The food stalls drew long queues: yakitori, grilled eel, karaage and sanzokuyaki (mountain warrior‑style fried chicken), chicken wings, game dishes, kushiyaki, candied apples, bento sellers, french fries, yakisoba, and more… The snack stalls were as busy as the sake booths! Good sake paired with delicious local dishes and snacks naturally brought smiles to people’s faces🎶 We met many smiling visitors—thank you very much. What surprised us most was how little trash there was. From the organizer’s perspective, we picked up litter from JR Kami‑Suwa Station to the far end of the venue just before the event ended, and there seemed to be very little trash on the streets. I believe that resulted from attendees properly sorting and disposing of their waste. As I walked around holding a bag and saying, “If you have any trash, please put it in this bag!” several visitors responded, “Wow, amazing! You even collect trash? Thank you so much.” Those words wiped away my fatigue! I was deeply moved😢 For the next event, our staff will continue striving to ensure guests are satisfied and have a great time, while gaining the understanding and cooperation of local residents so that Suwa’s town can become even more vibrant and lively.

That day, Kawanishi, known for his love of food, restrained his appetite and visited PMOA Co., Ltd., headquartered in Suwa. PMOA is the well-known company that created Suwa City’s official character, Suwa-hime. Yamaoka gave us a tour of the factory and offices. PMOA, headquartered in Suwa City, is the only hobby manufacturer in Nagano Prefecture. They had been manufacturing plastic molds and parts for automobiles and cameras, but when orders declined during the Lehman shock (the 2008 global financial crisis), the president began to consider whether the company's existing technology could be applied to other businesses. At the same time, the hobby boom—part of Akihabara culture (plastic models, figures, etc.)—was taking off. They created a plastic model of Takashima Castle, beloved by Suwa residents — this marked the beginning of PMOA's production of building plastic models. With about 40 employees, the company primarily uses plastic molding to manufacture items such as figures, fishing lures and plastic parts for a maker known for bicycle lights. In addition to molding, they also provide services such as signboard printing and vehicle wrapping. They have even wrapped Suwa City municipal vehicles, including one featuring Suwa-hime; some readers may have seen it. They also accept private car-wrap orders, so anyone wanting a truly one-of-a-kind vehicle should consider it. The company now has its own factory adjacent to the Chino facility, which makes production-stage feedback much smoother and enables rapid response—this is a key strength. The company's motto is 'Making Japanese towns cute and lively!' Expect them to keep producing many adorable figures and striking plastic models. ※ Factory tour Date & time: Every Friday at 13:30 Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes Group size: 2–20 people Elementary school children and younger: Free Junior high school students and older: 1,000 yen ◎ Please call at least one week in advance: 0266-78-6481 (Harada or Arai)

I cycled around the village and captured autumn scenery🚲 On sunny days, the rice ears glow golden before the harvest🌾 Across the Tenryu River rise the Central Alps. Peaks such as Mt. Utsugi and Minami-Komagatake all exceed 2,800 meters⛰️ And autumn fruit—apples🍎 Shinano Gold trees were heavy with fruit. At Toyooka Travel Time we offer rental bicycles and guided cycling tours. We can escort rental customers and show them scenic spots and easy-to-ride routes! For details, please see the Toyooka Travel Time website.

October 13, 2024 In the Hira Marsh of the pond of Yunomaru Highlands, Nagano Prefecture I was fascinated by the reflection in the Kagami Pond. It was a walk in the marshland after climbing Mt. Kashino in the morning. Autumn leaves and reflections are satisfying!

Asama Hot Spring New Soba (buckwheat noodles) Festival On November 2 (Sat) and 3 (Sun), the Annual event "The 18th Asama Hot Spring New Soba (buckwheat noodles) Festival" will be Held in at Asama Hot Spring. It will be held for two days with the participation of everyone who is proud of making Soba in the Matsumoto area. It is a Soba (buckwheat noodles) Festival where you can taste the new Soba (buckwheat noodles) harvested for the first time this year. In addition to Soba noodles, there are also available booths for product exhibitions, famous confectionery from Asama Hot Spring, and Fresh fruits and vegetables For sale of bandit grilling and beer. In addition, we will distribute a "Day-use Hot Spring discount ticket (100 yen)". Use 5 sponsored inns and facilities can usually be used at a low price.　 Spend an autumn day at Asama Hot Spring. We look forward to seeing you. Period: November 2 (Sat), 3 (Sun) Time: 2nd (Sat) 10 a.m. ~ 4 p.m. 　　　　　3rd (Sun) 10 a.m. ~ 3 p.m. Venue: Asama Hot Spring Plaza (commonly known as Hot Plaza Asama) Main events ◆ New Soba (buckwheat noodles) Festival 5 booths ◆ Hometown product exhibition 12 booths 　　　　　◆5 Hot Spring baths ◆Outdoor concerts 10 groups　 Transportation Alpico Kotsu Asama Hot Spring Line End point Asama Hot Spring bus stop in front of you 　　　　　If you are driving your own Car, please follow the instructions of the attendant. For inquiries, please contact: Asama Hot Spring New Soba (buckwheat noodles) Festival Executive Committee (within the Asama Hot Spring Tourist Association) 　　　　　　TEL:0263-46-1800 FAX:0263-46-0200 　　　　　　E-mail: asama-spa@po.mcci.or.jp

Vegetable Harvest Experience Guests enjoyed harvesting sweet potatoes, bell peppers, eggplants, and peanuts 😊 At the vegetable harvest experience, you can fill a bag with seasonal vegetables to your heart’s content! Reservations are recommended, but same-day registration is also available! As of October 14, sweet potatoes, burdock, radishes, and komatsuna are available for harvest. For details about the experience, please check the Toyooka Tabijikan website!

まだまだ、残暑が残る異常な感じですが。。。 僕が幼少の頃は、諏訪湖の花火(8/15)が過ぎるともう寒くもなり秋を感じる諏訪でしたが、今日も何故か最高気温３０℃。。。🥵 暑い日が続きます。 少し早いですが、食いしん坊河西の“食欲の秋”を我慢して、皆さんに諏訪の紅葉をご紹介させて頂こうと思います。 諏訪は、盆地もあり諏訪湖は山々に囲まれている都市です。 紅葉も、色んな種類の木々があり、同じ赤でも違った色を魅せてくれるのでが、紅葉の醍醐味ですね!!! イチョウも多く、“黄葉”なんて呼ばれてもおります。 諏訪湖の近く、千人風呂で有名な片倉館には、イチョウがあり、とても美しく黄葉が楽しめます。 霧ヶ峰では、ススキが皆様を迎えてくれます。 また、霧ヶ峰高原などの高原地帯も涼しくなると空気が澄んできますので、南アルプスや、北アルプス、中央アルプス、富士山、八ヶ岳など、名だたる山々が望めるのが霧ヶ峰の霧鐘塔や、薙鎌神社がオススメです🏔 是非皆さん、紅葉を観に諏訪にお越し下さい！ 是非、皆さんのオススメの諏訪の紅葉スポットを教えて下さい！ Instagramで #visitsuwaautumn で投稿して頂けると嬉しいです!!! It’s still hot in here Suwa city. It is abnormal!!! When I was child, after Lake Suwa’s firework festival gradually to change to autumn. But, today is still 30 Celsius… Hopefully, autumn should come soon!!! I’ll introduce to Suwa’s autumn leaves. The Suwa city is basin surrounded by mountains. We have so many kinds of trees. So, you can see many kinds of autumn leaves red color. Do you know what color will be change ginkgo leaf? It will be change to green to yellow. You can see ginkgo trees autumn leaves! It is also beautiful!!! Near the Lake Suwa, we have Katakura-kan(they are famous for building and hot spring) they have gingko tree and maple. You’ll see red(maple) and yellow(ginkgo) color harmony with historical building. How awesome spot it is!!! At the Kirigamine, you’ll see Japanese pampas grass all over the place. That’s seasonal tradition. At the Mushou tower or Nagikama shrine, you are going to see fantastic view. You may see Northern alps, Central alps, Southern alps, Yatsugatake peaks and Mt, Fuji!!! Can you believe that??? Trust me! “Seeing is Believing” If it is sunny, you’ll see all these mountains 360-degree view!!! I recommend to Mushou tower or Nagikama Shrine. Please come to see autumn leaves in Suwa. And tell me your favorite autumn leaves spot in Suwa. Then put #visitsuwaautumn to post to Instagram!!!

Cycling Guide Tour ✴︎Tour Details ◆Cycling to the farm ◆Shine Muscat grape harvesting experience ◆Autumn vegetable (sweet potato and peanut) harvesting experience ◆Buffet lunch at Vegful Kitchen Guided cycling and harvesting experience🍠 Everyone was surprised by the size of the Shine Muscat grapes and sweet potatoes. The sweet potato digging was especially fun, and participants eagerly dug in! After cycling, we enjoyed a buffet lunch at Vegful Kitchen inside Roadside Station Minami-Shinshu Toyooka Marche🥗🍽️ Since it coincided with the one-year anniversary fair, guests enjoyed special autumn dishes like matsutake rice balls and mushroom tempura! Thank you for joining us 😊

Sano-kaze Shinshu Teyaki Senbei Honpo On this day, food lover Kasai visited Shinshu Teyaki Senbei Honpo. This hand-baked senbei shop has been at this location for about 35 years. On the day, President Hiroko Kitahara, who also bakes the senbei, showed us around. Stepping inside, the first thing that struck me was the wide variety. For a true senbei fan like Kasai, the selection was almost bewildering 🍘. Among them were many kinds, including shimi senbei and lacquered senbei. Popular No.1 is nori No.2 is twice-dipped No.3 is apple senbei Next is nozawana wasabi Nozawana wasabi is quite unusual, isn’t it? You often see nozawana in prefectural souvenir shops, but “nozawana wasabi” is rare. Apple, nozawana, and wasabi are all Nagano specialties. Quince is a specialty of Suwa. Apricot, matcha, white sugar, brown sugar, shichimi, ichimi, miso, negi miso, walnut miso, garlic, and more… There may be more varieties here than anywhere else in Nagano Prefecture. Kasai’s recommendations are “garlic” and “twice-dipped.” The garlic offers a subtle garlic aroma, while the twice-dipped has a rich, well-infused flavor that lets you enjoy the savory depth of soy sauce. Because they are hand-baked, the texture is superb—this shop is recommended for those who like firm senbei. Among the standout items is “Fukutoku”!!! Some of you may recognize the name “Fukutoku.” It was made by President Kitahara’s grandfather. Unlike fortune cookies, Fukutoku contains a lucky charm inside!!! President Kitahara has apparently succeeded in reviving it in her generation, wanting to restore it somehow. And above all, Shinshu Teyaki Senbei Honpo is hand-baked and right in front of the Grand Shrine!!! They sell by hand, and the shop sits very close to the torii of the Main Shrine ⛩. When visiting Suwa Grand Shrine’s Main Shrine, be sure to look for your favorite flavor or souvenirs at Shinshu Teyaki Senbei Honpo, and take a stroll along the North Approach. ◎ Shinshu Teyaki Senbei Honpo 📍 201 Nakasu, Suwa City, Nagano Prefecture 392-0015 (Suwa Grand Shrine North Approach) ☎ 0266-58-1235 Hours: Weekdays 9:30 AM–4:30 PM (may vary) : Sat, Sun, and holidays 9:00 AM–5:00 PM ◎ Closed: Open year-round

Autumn feeds the horses and the sky runs high ☀️🐴 This morning the Nobeyama Highlands felt exactly like that 📡

On October 1, 2024, the cosmos at the National Alps Azumino Park Horikiné-Hotaka Area are at their best. A field of 180,000 cosmos plants featuring 12 varieties. You can enjoy the colorful blooms of cosmos through mid-October.

Hidden inn of the four seasons Fujinoyu Free private bath and in-room meals. A Adult Hot Spring inn to know gastronomy and taste. A small hot spring inn with a total of 8 rooms tucked away in the historic Asama Hot Spring. It is a inn related to the Matsumoto Castle Lord, and there is a calm Japanese space and an old-fashioned Japan inn here, where the hem received from the prince, the armor and old swords of the Edo period, and the antiquities that hide the history are exhibited. In the special room Minamoto there is a semi-open-air bath with a flowing spring, and you can relax and enjoy the Hot Spring to your heart's content. Meals in the morning and evening are served in your room. There is also a free tatami mat private bath with a Minamoto spring flowing from the source. I want to taste the historic hot springs to my heart's content. In addition, guests will be greeted by items that convey the history that lives in this area, such as items from the collection of Matsumoto Castle, which is a symbol of Matsumoto, and works of art that have been collected for generations. Number of guest rooms: Japanese-style rooms: 8 Group acceptance None Founded: Meiji 20 (1887) Other Free Wi-Fi Separate smoke (smoking area: outdoor) ID / Transportation system Address: Asama Hot Spring 3-13-5 Phone 0263-46-1516 Fax 0263-46-1518 Car parking 8 Nearest bus stop Asama Hot Spring Cashless payment credit card (Master, VISA, JCB) Smartphone payment (PayPay, LINE Pay)

"Hakuba's Three-Stage Autumn Leaves" 2021.10.30 Three-stage Autumn leaves seen from Hakuba Nohira This place is famous for its single cherry blossoms. Autumn also shows a stunning view.

A refreshing morning in Azumino Most of the rice has already been harvested, but some paddies still bear ears of rice, perhaps because of the variety In the distance, Mt. Jii-ga-take and Mt. Kashimayari rise tall

On the Toyooka Village cycling guided tour, guests can bring the fruit they harvest to the café and have it turned into desserts to enjoy! Right now, it’s shine muscat grapes. After that come apples, sweet persimmons, and Ichida persimmons. More seasonal fruits will follow! For details on the guided tours, please see the Toyooka Travel Time website. We also accept inquiries by phone! Toyooka Village Tourism Association (Toyooka Travel Time): 0265-49-3395

HOSTEL&SPA FAN! MATSUMOTO A slightly retro and Squid Minamoto spring flowing inn A completely new hostel with an original arrangement of Matsumoto's unique "Japan tradition". Become a fan of Matsumoto! Let's enjoy Matsumoto more (FUN)! There are encounters in travel. People who have visited Matsumoto for the first time, and people who have visited many times. This hostel is a place to share how to enjoy Matsumoto that each of you has experienced. Natural Asama Hot Spring. Asama Hot Spring opened about 1300 years ago. It has long been popular as an inner courtyard in the Castle Town of Matsumoto. Feel like a prince, take your time, and soak in. Number of guest rooms: 10 Japanese-style rooms Available for groups (up to 40 people) Other Free Wi-Fi Separate smoke (smoking area: outdoor) Restaurant on the first floor of the facilities 　　 Address 浅間Hot Spring 3-14-19 Car parking lot available (bus / Large Vehicles available) Nearest bus stop Yuzaka TEL 0263-46-0366 FAX 0263-46-0368 Cashless payment available Credit card (Visa, Master, JCB), smartphone payment (PayPay)

On this day, foodie Kawanishi visited Tokoro Terrace in Shiga Akanuma, Suwa, Nagano Prefecture. This stylish spot, known in Suwa for selling kanten, also houses a cafe and dining area.☕ Tokoro Terrace promotes making kanten part of everyday life with the motto “bringing kanten closer to you.” The person who introduced the shop that day was manager Kurane. Next to the shop and cafe is a factory specializing in tokoroten, so the tokoroten served here comes fresh from the adjacent factory!!! I dislike vinegar-and-soy dressing, and since I learned about kuromitsu I’ve been hooked♪ It’s virtually zero calories (excluding the kuromitsu lol)!!! Kanten comes in many forms—block kanten (bō kanten), string kanten, and powdered kanten—and it’s a versatile ingredient you can add to rice, miso soup, or salads. As a child, I couldn’t wait for the school lunch day with mandarin orange milk kanten and used to pace around the serving area... Kanten provides dietary fiber and doesn’t overpower other ingredients, so it shines in main dishes, appetizers, and desserts alike—truly the Shohei Ohtani of the ingredient world!!! That day I found a pack of 100 sticks of kanten; some customers buy that size a few times a year!!! The quantity and enormity were astounding lol At the cafe, they use that kanten in tokoroten, cream anmitsu (their most popular item), soft serve, and even the hugely popular pudding. They serve lunch (11:00–14:00), where a salad with added kanten enhances the flavors of the main dish. The place is welcoming to men and has counter seating, so you can easily enjoy a casual cafe visit or lunch.🍴 You can also enjoy coffee made from beans by Yuhigahama Coffee of Matsumoto alongside the sweets, so try them together.☕ The entire shop is barrier-free, so customers in wheelchairs can enter with confidence. Many visitors come in three generations—grandmother, mother, and grandchild—and enjoy the cafe together. Why not consider this as a souvenir from Suwa? ◎ Tokoro Terrace 📍 1545-1 Shiga, Suwa (5-minute drive from Suwa I.C. toward Lake Suwa; parking for 40 cars) ☎ 0266-52-1056 ◎ Hours: 10:00–18:00 ・ Shop hours: 10:00–18:00 ・ Cafe hours: 10:00–17:00 (Lunch 11:00–14:30) ◎ Closed: Thursdays and during the New Year holidays (Dec 31–Jan 2) ◎ Online shop available.

Nouvelle Bairindo Suwa Store (Confectionery House Nouvelle) On this day, foodie Kawanishi visited Nouvelle Bairindo Suwa Store (Confectionery House Nouvelle). It’s such a famous shop that virtually everyone in the Suwa area knows it! The exterior is stylish and, true to its name, evokes a charming confectionery house. Among Nouvelle’s offerings, the flagship item “Kurumi Yamabiko” is one of Kawanishi’s personal favourites. It uses fresh milk from the foothills of the Yatsugatake Mountains in Shinshu to make a slowly cooked special walnut caramel, which is wrapped in a crisp cookie. The cookie shell is not sweet, the walnut caramel inside is pleasantly sweet, and the balance between them is perfect!!! This treat is so addictive that you really can’t stop. Apart from my eldest son and second daughter, who have nut allergies, my whole family—including my parents—are huge, huge, huge fans www The company’s current president is said to be the creator of this hit product! Thank you so much for the supremely delicious Kurumi Yamabiko! It was released in 1985, so this year marks its 39th anniversary!!! The person who assisted us that day was Yudasaka, section chief of the administration department. According to him, Bairindo strongly values using local ingredients. Did you know each store also has shop-limited sweets? Here they are ↓ ・Suwa Store → Cream puffs ・Okaya Main Store → Waffles ・Shimosuwa Store → Shaved ice and pies (custard pie available at all stores plus a Shimosuwa-only original flavor) ・Chino Store → Soft serve ice cream (also sold at Okaya; Yamabiko soft is Chino-only) ・Cheesecake appears to be another store-limited sweet, so please do visit the stores! Hot on the heels of “Kurumi Yamabiko” is “Suwa no Tsuki.” The walnut caramel inside is the same as Kurumi Yamabiko, but here it’s mixed with white bean paste, making it extremely popular with elderly people who find Kurumi Yamabiko hard to swallow. Mixing in white bean paste improves the texture and throat feel, making it easier to eat than Kurumi Yamabiko — that’s why it’s so popular! It’s an impressive innovation. This conversation gave a glimpse of why it appeals to so many people. Ranking in the top three is Suwa Kurumi Caramel!!! It started with four designs representing nearby locations: Suwa → Karin, Shimosuwa → Manji stone Buddha, Okaya → Silk-rearing deity, Chino → Jomon Venus. The president was so eager to have representations for Hara Village and Fujimi that Hara Village’s celery and Fujimi’s tomato were created, completing characters for six neighboring municipalities. There’s actually a backstory behind Fujimi’s highland red ruby. A tomato grown by students in the horticulture department at Fujimi High School had been selected for judging at the Tokyo Olympics, but as everyone knows the Games were postponed by one year. When the president learned about the students’ tomatoes left without an outlet, he simply said, “Let’s use them as ingredients for the Highland Ruby!” That kind of manly decisiveness is electrifying. Those tomatoes continue to be sourced to this day. It made me think that the president’s commitment to local produce has produced these big hit items. Finally, Yudasaka’s top recommendation that day was the “Asaichi Cocco Sable.” The eggs come from chickens raised at Yatsugatake Central Agricultural Practical School in Hara Village. It’s a simple sable that remains soft while retaining a solid buttery flavour. Foodie Kawanishi’s personal top pick is the exquisite Kurumi Yamabiko!!! I learned for the first time that they also sell whole uncut loaves in their original shape, with wooden boxes or special knives included… it’s a dream product 🌟 If no one was watching, I’d probably bite straight into it www These appear only a few times a year!!! Maybe I’ll buy one as a birthday present 🎶 It’s an irresistible item for Kurumi Yamabiko lovers! Nouvelle Bairindo’s products also make wonderful souvenirs. Many sweets are inspired by or made with ingredients from the Suwa area. When my family brings souvenirs, Nouvelle Bairindo is our one and only choice w When people think of popular sweet souvenirs from the Suwa region, they think of Nouvelle Bairindo. If you visit the Suwa area or find their products at a retailer, please do buy and enjoy them!!! ◎ Nouvelle Bairindo Suwa Store (Confectionery House Nouvelle) 📍 1-2556-7 Jonan, Suwa, Nagano Prefecture 〒 ☎ 0266-54-7971 Hours & Closed days: 10:00–19:00 Closed only on New Year’s Day

The National Alps Azumino Park is a national park spreading at the foot of the Northern Alps in central Nagano Prefecture. The park has two areas: Omachi-Matsukawa in the north and Horikane-Hotaka in the south. The Horikane-Hotaka area lies about a 20-minute drive from Azumino Interchange on the Nagano Expressway. In the Horikane-Hotaka area, the yellow cosmos are now in full bloom. Eight hundred thousand yellow cosmos flowers cover 2.5 hectares of terraced rice fields in a spectacular display. The National Alps Azumino Park is broadly divided into two zones, and the yellow cosmos appear in the Satoyama Culture Zone, so please be careful not to use the wrong entrance. They should be enjoyable through late September. After that, in the Rural Culture Zone, you can see 180,000 cosmos of 12 different varieties. These are expected to peak from late September through mid-October. There are photo spots, and on clear days you can see Mt. Jonen. *Two pink cosmos photos are from last year.*

On Sunday, September 8th, the children’s festival at Hotaka Shrine featured child-drawn boats pulled from three town districts. Each boat was paraded through its district, and before noon they gathered at Hotaka Shrine to be offered in dedication. Children from the districts acted as pullers as the boat-shaped floats, called ofune, moved through the streets of Azumino. On September 26th and 27th, the Hotaka Shrine Ofune Festival takes place. On the 27th, a hands-on tour organized by the tourism association lets participants, together with local residents, pull a large adult boat weighing over five tons. For details, please check the official tourism association website.

Limited to October and November “A Taste of Autumn in Azumino! Harvest Seasonal Apples, Enjoy an Exciting Bike Ride, and Try Making Apple Pie in the Orchard” [AM 3-hour Course] When the bright red apples hang heavy on the trees, spend a special time in the vast apple orchards A limited-time tour lets you savor apples at their peak♪ We look forward to your participation♪ For details and reservations, visit the Azumino City Tourism Association website

Limited to this summer! “Azumino Summer Vegetable Curry” An original curry made with fresh, delicious summer vegetables from Azumino! Available at 13 local restaurants This project aims to introduce the summer vegetables grown locally to many people from both inside and outside the city Each restaurant adds its own twist—lightly frying or simmering pumpkins, eggplants, zucchini, tomatoes, and more You’ll find a wide variety of dishes, from curry rice to pasta and curry ramen A rich lineup of menu options awaits! Serving period: Until Monday, September 30, 2024 *Please note that this may change depending on each restaurant’s circumstances