Nice to meet you! This is the Omachi City Tourism Association. Omachi City in Nagano Prefecture sits in the northwest of Nagano. Surrounded by Northern Alps peaks over 3,000 meters, lakes and ski resorts, Omachi City offers plenty of nature-based activities. Here are our recommended travel tips from Omachi City! ■■■ What is Omachi City, Nagano Prefecture? ■■■ Omachi City in Nagano Prefecture faces the majestic Northern Alps to the west, including MtKashimayarigatake and MtJiigatake, and draws many climbers as a mountain tourism city. It is also known as the Nagano-side gateway to the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route. Visitors enjoy attractions year-round, from the towering snow corridor called Yuki no Otani in spring to the Kurobe Dam water releases from summer into autumn. ■■■ Tourist spots in Omachi City, Nagano Prefecture ◇ Lake Kizaki Three lakes lie in the north of the city, known collectively as the Nishina Three Lakes. At Lake Kizaki, you can enjoy SUP, canoeing, boating and wakasagi smelt fishing. The water tends to be relatively warm and shallow in places, so swimming in the lake is possible. This is a rare lake where wakasagi fishing can be enjoyed year-round. There are hot spring facilities along the shore, perfect for soothing tired muscles. ◇ Lake Aoki The northernmost of the Nishina Three Lakes, Lake Aoki is the third largest lake in Nagano Prefecture. Water springs from the lakebed, giving the water exceptional clarity, and fireflies appear in early summer. A campground on the shore offers a peaceful place to relax. ◇ Lake Nakatsuna Lake Nakatsuna is a beautiful lake surrounded by quiet woodland. In spring, many photographers come to capture the deep cherry-pink of oyamazakura reflecting on the surface. Anglers also enjoy bream fishing and wakasagi hole fishing, making it a popular fishing spot. ◇ Takase Valley Takase Valley features Takase Dam, the tallest rock-fill dam in Japan, and the remote Kuzu Onsen, famed as a secret hot spring. In autumn it is renowned for colorful fall foliage. Beyond Takase Dam lies the nationally designated natural monument Funto-kyū, a place where you can feel nature’s mystery. ◇ National Treasure Nishina Shinmei Shrine One of only five national treasure shrines in Nagano Prefecture, this shrine dates back to the Heian period and is the oldest example of shinmei-zukuri style architecture in Japan. Traditional rituals such as archaic opening ceremonies and kagura dance during the autumn grand festival have been carefully preserved and are a must-see. ◇ Omachi Alpine Museum / Omachi City Mountain Museum Japan’s first museum devoted to mountains, it showcases the nature and mountaineering history centered on the Northern Alps. From the third floor you can enjoy sweeping views of the Northern Alps. The attached zoo and botanical garden let you see species such as the rock ptarmigan and serow. ◇ Omachi Park About a five-minute drive from JR Shinano-Omachi station, Omachi Park sits in front of the Omachi Alpine Museum and offers panoramic views of the Northern Alps. The trailhead for Mt. Takagari, a popular short-mountain trekking course, is nearby. ◇ Nakasayama Kogen Nakasayama Kogen is a highland area with sweeping scenic views and seasonal flowers in bloom. In early autumn, fields of soba blossoms create white carpets, and in late October local soba restaurants serve the new-season buckwheat noodles. ◇ Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route, Kurobe Dam and Yuki no Otani Opened in 1971, the approximately 90-kilometer-long Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route links Nagano Prefecture with Toyama City in Toyama Prefecture. From Ōgizawa Station in Omachi City, the Nagano-side starting point, it takes about 16 minutes by electric bus to reach Kurobe Dam. The Kurobe Dam’s spectacular tourist water releases run from June 26 to October 15. The Alpine Route is packed with attractions, from the famous snow corridor Yuki no Otani to the TateyamaRopeway, where you can admire carpets of autumn color. ◇ Hot springs in Omachi City, Nagano Prefecture Hot spring facilities dot Omachi City, making it easy to relax in an onsen after activities like climbing or skiing. Omachi Onsenkyo, convenient for Kurobe Dam sightseeing, offers a dozen or so ryokan and hotels as well as day-use onsen facilities. ◇ Water tour At the foot of the Northern Alps, Omachi City is a town rich in water. Walking the shopping street that continues from JR Shinano-Omachi station, you’ll find water-drawing spots offering men’s spring water Otokomizu from the Northern Alps and women’s spring water Onnamizu from the satoyama countryside, letting you taste and compare both. ◇ Shoryudo Route The Shoryudo Route is a sightseeing route that imagines the Chubu and Hokuriku regions (Toyama, Ishikawa, Fukui, Nagano, Gifu, Shizuoka, Aichi, Mie, and Shiga) as a dragon rising to the sky. Omachi City is included in the Shoryudo Route as an access point for the Alpine Route and nearby ski resorts. ■■■ Local specialties of Omachi City, Nagano Prefecture ◇ Soba noodles Omachi City is famous as a producer of delicious soba. Its cool climate and pure water help grow flavorful buckwheat. Local soba restaurants serve hand-cut soba that many visitors come to enjoy. ◇ Kurobe Dam Curry Kurobe Dam Curry is a local specialty of Omachi City, Nagano Prefecture. Designed to resemble Kurobe Dam, with rice as the dam and curry sauce as the water, it is popular for both its striking appearance and great taste. ◇ Local sake Omachi City is also known for excellent local sake. The pure water rising from the Northern Alps produces high-quality brews. At the three breweries Hokuan Daikoku, Usui Shoten (Hakuba Nishiki) and Ichinoya (Kinran Kurobe), you can enjoy uniquely flavored local sake. ■■■ Festivals and events in Omachi City, Nagano Prefecture ◇ Wakaoji Festival The Wakaoji Festival is a traditional Omachi event held every July. One of its attractions is yabusame horseback archery, considered one of Japan’s three major yabusame events, and it also features a rare children’s yabusame performance. ■■■ Tourist information for Omachi City, Nagano Prefecture Omachi City, Nagano Prefecture, invites you to experience the beauty of nature. Every visit brings new discoveries and moving moments—enjoy a wonderful trip in Omachi City, Nagano Prefecture. Cool Japan Video will continue to share more recommended information we couldn’t cover this time. Look forward to it!

Photographed on June 1, 24. It is a one-year cheap sea bream lottery of Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine. It has a light mauve color.

It is located in Maki Manoon Nature Park, Daisen City, Akita Prefecture Summerless Waterfall Fallen trees and you can feel the long age. It's a very cool place because I don't know summer.

Koshu Katsuragawa sweetfish stewed with honeydew and confit. The Katsura River starts at At the foot of Mt. and stream the county area of Yamanashi Prefecture. In particular, the Katsura River, which stream through Uenohara City, is an important Tourist Resources that can be proud of both inside and outside the city, stream the sight of the spectacular scenery that you see is magnificent. In addition, since the Edo period, sweetfish from the Katsura River has gained popularity among people traveling along the Koshu-kaido as a Specialties of Uenohara. This sweetfish, which was once lost due to the construction of the Sagami Dam, has been revived in modern times thanks to the hard work of the Local Katsura River Fisheries Cooperative. Even now, many anglers visit the Katsura River during the season, bringing liveliness to the city. Using the wonderful scenery of the Katsura River and Uenohara's Specialties of Sweetfish as an opportunity, we would like to deliver the charm of the city to even more people. I want to liven up the community. Specialty products have been developed from such thoughts.

Spend a blissful time in a beautiful town, Kawazu Town When you visit and In the town Accommodations surrounded by the nature of the sea and mountains! The inn I would like to introduce this time is "Family Hotel Alice's Room". ・ Kawazu is fun ippai! Kawazu cherry blossoms in Spring, many beaches in summer, diving and fishing can be enjoyed all year round. ◆Detailed Information◆ 【Spot Name】Family Hotel Alice's Room 【Address】Kawazu-cho Hama, Kamo-gun, Shizuoka Prefecture 407-39 Phone number: 0558-32-1005 Check-in/Check-out is 15:00, Check-out 12:00. [Total number of rooms] 10 【Pick up and drop off】Consultation required 【Parking lot】10 cars

The Azumino City Tourism Association, a public interest incorporated association, shares the present charm of Azumino, a garden city spreading at the foot of the Northern Alps. Azumino City, Nagano Prefecture sits near the center of Nagano, nestled between Matsumoto to the south and Hakubamura to the north. Home to Japan’s largest wasabi fields and blessed with clear water and air, Azumino promotes its appeal through Cool Japan videos. [What is Azumino City, Nagano Prefecture?] Azumino City, Nagano Prefecture is a city surrounded by the mountains of the Northern Alps and blessed with beautiful nature. Its population is about 92,000 (April 2024), and it is a place where history and culture live alongside a rich natural environment. The city’s seasonal scenery enchants visitors, especially cherry blossoms in spring, fresh greenery in summer, autumn foliage, and snowy landscapes in winter. Since around the Meiji era, wasabi cultivation has flourished here. That tradition continues today, and Azumino is known as one of Japan’s leading wasabi-producing regions. [Notable sightseeing spots in Azumino City, Nagano Prefecture] ・Daio Wasabi Farm Daio Wasabi Farm is one of Azumino’s signature tourist attractions. Spanning an area equivalent to more than ten Tokyo Domes, it is one of Japan’s largest wasabi farms, and its picturesque waterways are spectacular. Visitors can tour the wasabi fields and enjoy a variety of wasabi-based gourmet offerings. ・Hotaka Shrine Hotaka Shrine is said to be a power spot in Azumino. Historically worshipped as a guardian of the Japanese Alps, it is widely revered for traffic safety and industrial safety. ・National Alps Azumino Park (Horikane Hotaka area) This park is one of six national parks in the Kanto Koshinetsu region. It is a vast natural park popular with families and couples. The park features seasonal flower beds, playground equipment for children, barbecue areas, and day-camping zones. ・Azumino Chihiro Art Museum The Azumino Chihiro Art Museum exhibits the works of picture book artist Chihiro Iwasaki. Set in a quiet environment surrounded by beautiful nature, it offers a warm and comforting picture-book world. It is a soothing destination for families and art lovers. ・Roadside Station Alps Azumino Horigane no Sato Located at the foot of the Northern Alps, this roadside station offers a wide selection of fresh, safe, and carefully made farm products. Local Azumino souvenirs focused on fresh vegetables and fruits are recommended. ・Outdoor activities To fully enjoy Azumino, try activities such as clear stream boat rides, rafting, and clear-bottom boats. There are mountain-biking courses where you can ride while gazing up at the Northern Alps. Other options include horseback riding and F1, offering a variety of ways to have fun. ・Hands-on and indoor experiences A rich variety of hands-on programs is available, including soba noodle making, glassblowing, glass stamp making, pottery, and traditional chopstick crafting. Choose according to your interests and give them a try. ・Northern Alps mountaineering The Northern Alps comprise some of Japan’s premier mountain ranges, with peaks around 3,000 meters. Azumino City, located at the foothills of the Northern Alps, also serves as a recommended base for alpine climbing. It is known as a gateway to popular peaks featured among Japan’s 100 Famous Mountains such as MtJonen, Mt. Tsubakuro, MtYarigatake, and as a viewing point for the Hotaka Mountain Range from Mount Chō. [Specialties of Azumino City, Nagano Prefecture] ・Wasabi Azumino City is renowned as one of Japan’s top wasabi-producing areas. Clear water and a cool climate suit wasabi cultivation, and its quality is highly regarded both domestically and internationally. Enjoy wasabi-based dishes and processed products when you visit. ・Rainbow trout Rainbow trout farmed in Azumino’s pristine waters is another local specialty. In recent years, “Shinshu Salmon,” bred from rainbow trout and brown trout, has become popular. [Festivals and events in Azumino City, Nagano Prefecture] ・Ofune Festival The Ofune Festival, held every September, is a traditional event centered at Hotaka Shrine. Boat-shaped floats parade through the town as locals unite to enliven the festival. [Azumino City sightseeing recap] Azumino City, Nagano Prefecture is a region full of charm, surrounded by beautiful nature and rich history. Please visit Azumino City and experience its attractions for yourself. We will continue to share recommended sightseeing information and the latest updates so that Azumino can become a memorable page in your travel diary.

【Oga Lotus Festival】 Held in every year from mid to late June, when the Ōga Lotus is in full bloom. When there are many, as many as 900 giant lotuses bloom all over the place. Why don't you wake up earlier than usual and go see the graceful pale red giant lotus? Around the lotus pond in Chiba Park, there are many events related to the giant lotus! Enjoy it. 〇What is Ogahas? It is an ancient lotus discovered in 1951 by Dr. Ichiro Ohga and other Roux in the Kemigawa River in Chiba City, and is the oldest lotus in the world that was excavated from an old stratum and successfully germinated and grown. As a result of ancient measurements, it is known that it is a lotus that is more than 2,000 years old. ■ Venue: Chiba Park Lotus Pavilion, around Lotus Pond Period: Saturday, June 15, 2024 and Sunday, June 23, 2024 ■Reception hours: 8:00~13:00 ■ Access: ・1 minute walk from Chiba Monorail "Chiba Park" Station ・10 minutes walk from JR Chiba Station Chiba Park Exit left after exiting the central ticket gate ■Address: 3-1-1 Benten, Chuo-ku, Chiba City ■ Organizer: Chiba City ★ The schedule differs for each event, so please visit the website for ♪♪★ details. ★ During the period, "Hiking from the Station" will be held in to walk around the city, including Chiba Park.

Jo Takeda 2019.11.23 Takeda Castle shrouded in a sea of clouds This is a photo taken from a little below the second Observation decks of Ritsuunkyo It is a photo shoot to avoid the crowds.

Shuri Castle Park and Shuri Castle under restoration / Shuri Castle is said to have been built around the end of the 14th century by the first king of the Ryukyu Kingdom, Shohashi. It is a unique mixture of Chinese, Japanese and Okinawan cultures. In fact, Shuri Castle was burned down three times during the Ryukyu Kingdom, the Battle of Okinawa and this time, for a total of five times. However, it has been preserved with the passion of the people. I think Shuri Castle is a symbol of Okinawa. I Can't wait to see it again ^^ It is scheduled to be completed in 2026.

Shuri Castle main hall under restoration / Visiting the site inside the bare roof I saw the restoration work of the main hall of Shuri Castle, which was destroyed by fire in October 2019, because it is a special Opening to the public and you can Visiting the site during the period. The craftsmen of the palace carpenter are working hard to rebuild. But it was a pity that I couldn't see the craftsmanship because it was a Sunday. Okinawa has many typhoons, and construction is carried out in a temporary building called a "bare roof" to prevent rain and wind. The main hall is completely covered, so it's very big ^^ This is the face of the main hall of Shuri Castle, which is being restored in the center of the temple. I'm looking forward to seeing a dragon on top of this. It is scheduled to be completed in 2026.

Shuri Castle main hall under restoration / Visiting the site inside the bare roof I saw the restoration work of the main hall of Shuri Castle, which was destroyed by fire in October 2019, because it is a special Opening to the public and you can Visiting the site during the period. The craftsmen of the palace carpenter are working hard to rebuild. But it was a pity that I couldn't see the craftsmanship because it was Sunday. In Okinawa, there are many typhoons, and construction is carried out in temporary buildings called "bare roofs" to prevent rain and wind. The main hall is completely covered, so it's very big ^^ This is the roof part at the top, and at both ends of this 3-meter dragon sits as the guardian deity of the main hall. By the way, the pillars of the main hall are made of Cypress trees from Nara Prefecture, and the scent of Cypress trees is good. It is expected to be completed in 2026.

Shuri Castle main hall under restoration / In October 2019, Shuri Castle burned down overnight. Currently, construction work is being carried out in this temporary building called "bare roof" for reconstruction. There are many typhoons in Okinawa, so we work to prevent rain and wind. I remember when I saw Shuri Castle burning on TV in the middle of the night, I couldn't believe it was real and didn't say anything、、、 it's been about four and a half years since then, and I'm steadily rebuilding it. The place where I am photographing is called "Azuma no Azana" A Gari no Azana, and it is a viewing platform located on the easternmost side of Shuri Castle Park and at the highest Elevation. From here, you can panoramic the cityscape of Shuri, the East China Sea, and the city of Naha. Shuri Castle seen from here will be on the back side, but I'm looking forward to its majestic appearance again ^ ^

The road to the main hall of Shuri Castle / Shuri Castle Park Walk along this street to the main hall of Shuri Castle. So far, you can come in for free. Okinawa is Ume Plum Rain and it is a pity that it rained on this day, and the main gate that you can see at the far end is the main gate "Kankaimon" that enters Shuri Castle, and you will dive through 6 gates including the gate of Shuri Castle.

The World Heritage Site "Sonohiya Takemitake Stone Gate" is a prayer gate / I went to Shuri Castle in Shuri, Naha City, Okinawa Prefecture. As soon as you pass through the gate of Morirei, you will find the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Sonohiya Takemitake Stone Gate. It is a gate built in 1519 and is used as a place of worship for the royal family, and it is said that when the king went out from Shuri Castle, he prayed for safety on the way at this stone gate. This gate is not a gate for people to pass through, but a sanctuary spreads out behind the stone gate and is a place to pray. The stone gate was destroyed during the Battle of Okinawa, but was restored in 1957. Most of Okinawa's valuable buildings have been destroyed in the war. A precious heritage to protect!

Photographed on June 1, 24. It is a kazaguruma in the square of the Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine direct meeting hall. From the other side, I took it.

Heart-shaped Teppei Stone East of Kamisuwa Station toward the Kirigamine side stands Arc Suwa. In front of it, a sidewalk paved with Suwa’s specialty, teppei stone, contains a small heart-shaped piece of teppei stone. Four of those heart-shaped teppei stones are also arranged together to form a four-leaf clover. In Japan, the four-leaf clover is a symbol of good luck, so look out for it🍀 Nearby you can also find a manhole cover depicting the Suwa Lake fireworks and Suwa’s floating castle, Takashima Castle. Try to find that one too! Teppei stone (teppeiseki) is a pyroxene andesite with well-developed tabular jointing that is widely distributed in the Suwa and Saku regions of Nagano Prefecture. It splits easily into plates, and teppei stone peeled into slabs about 2–3 cm thick is widely used as interior and exterior building stone.

Just like ringing a bell when praying at a shrine, the sound of a bell has been believed since ancient times to have the power to connect gods and people and bestow blessings. This year, I would like to express my wishes to God and Held in wind chime Dedication so that you can continue to live with hope and peace in the future. Please write your wish on a strip of wind chime and offer it to God with the sound of a pure wind chime. During the summer until the end of August, wind chimes are hung throughout the corridor of the Precincts. We will also distribute wind chime Dedication Limited Time wind chime shuin stamps this year as well. Please come to the reception desk of the company office within the period. Last but not least, under the divine virtue of the great god of Oi Shrine, I would like to pray for your continued happiness and good health. 〔Dedication acceptance period〕　　 June 1st ~ August 20th *Wind chimes will be displayed until August 31st Daily 8:30~17:00 　

A red Torii shrine gate ⛩️ gate photographed at Mt. Hotayama Soeiji Temple in Shizuoka Prefecture The weather was cloudy, but the darkness added to the silence On the way, we had Dango with a history of more than 150 years

When you visit go sightseeing in the Kawazu cherry blossoms town of "Kawazu Town" and Please enjoy the exquisite gourmet of Kawazu Town! This time, I would like to introduce "Sushi Shin". ・ Sushi restaurant loved by Locals We will cook seasonal fish in Rich in nature Local Kawazu, and aim to be a sushi restaurant that will be loved by customers more and more in the 25 years since our founding. ◆Detailed Information◆ 【Spot Name】Sushi Shin 【Address】Yatsu, Kawazu-cho, Kamo-gun, Shizuoka Prefecture, 321-8 Kawazu-cho, Kamo-gun, Shizuoka Phone number: 0558-34-0773 【Business hours】17:00~22:00 【Regular holiday】Closed on Monday 【Parking lot】Yes 5 cars

Notice: Oyama Cable Car Suspensions and Saryo Sekison Closure in June *Cable car suspension for routine inspection Suspension period: Monday, June 3, 2024 – Friday, June 7, 2024 June 10, 2024 (Monday) – June 12, 2024 (Wednesday), eight days total *Note: The cable car will operate normally on Saturday, June 8 and Sunday, June 9. During the suspension, please use the Onna-zaka hiking trail to reach Oyama-dera and Afuri Shrine Lower Shrine. It takes about 20 minutes from Oyama Cable Station to Oyama-dera. It takes about 40 minutes to reach Afuri Shrine Lower Shrine. *You cannot reach Oyama-dera via the Otoko-zaka trail (steep slope). Inquiries: Oyama Kanko Dentetsu Co., Ltd. 0463-95-2135 Oyama Cable Station 0463-95-2040 *Saryo Sekison closed for renovation Reopening: Sunday, June 30, 2024 – Nagoshi no Oharae (Summer Purification Ceremony) Closure period: Saturday, June 1, 2024 – Saturday, June 29, 2024 *Some menu items served at Sekison, such as masu tiramisu, will be offered on Saturdays and Sundays in June at Senshinkaku, the assembly hall on the grounds of Afuri Shrine Lower Shrine. Inquiries: Saryo Sekison 0463-94-3628 We apologize for the inconvenience to those planning a visit and appreciate your cooperation.

Notice: Public restrooms temporarily closed due to repair work at Sannomiya Hibita Shrine Closure period: Monday, June 3, 2024 to Saturday, June 8, 2024 *Schedule may change due to weather or other factors We apologize for the inconvenience and appreciate your cooperation. Sannomiya Hibita Shrine (1472 Sannomiya, Isehara) By train: Odakyu Odawara Line, Isehara Station From Isehara Station by bus Take the bus from North Exit platform 1 (bound for Kurihara via Sekidai) → Get off at Hibita Shrine (about 15 minutes) → short walk Take the bus from North Exit platform 4 (bound for Isehara Depot via Tonomura and Ishikurabashi) → Get off at Sannomiya-shita (about 12 minutes) → about 5-minute walk Take the bus from North Exit platform 1 (bound for Tsurumaki Onsen via Osumidai) → Get off at Gōdo (about 12 minutes) → about 12-minute walk By car: About 5 minutes from Isehara-Oyama Interchange on the Shin-Tomei Expressway

[Hiking & Walking Event 2024 from the Station] Implementation will be held in Chiba City to visit famous places in Chiba, such as Oogahas viewing, Chiba Town New Spot "Chiba Park Shiba Garden", Chiba Castle, Chiba Minato, etc.! Participation is free! ■ Mountain trail title: Viewing the world's oldest flower "Ogahasu" & Exploring new Spots, history and culture in Chiba Town Period: Saturday, June 15, 2024 and Sunday, June 23, 2024 ■ Reception hours: 8:30~11:00 *Please finish by 15:00. ■ Required time: Approximately 4 hours including Visiting the site time at the facility ■ Walking distance: about 10.0 km ■ Start: Chiba Station East Exit / Chiba City Tourist Information Center ・Passing points: Chiba Park Renkatei, Shibaiwa, Chiba Shrine, Chiba City Museum of Art, Chiba Castle, Hagoromo no Matsu, Chiba City Science Museum, Chiba Port Square, Chiba City City Office New Government Building, Chiba Prefecture Museum of Art, Chiba Port Tower, K's Harbor ■ Goal: Chiba Minato Station ■ Fee: Free * Additional costs such as facility admission fees may be incurred. * During the period, the "Oga Lotus Festival" will be held in around Chiba Park Renkatei and Lotus Pond and around the multipurpose plaza. 〇What is Ogahas? It is an ancient lotus discovered in 1951 by Dr. Ichiro Ohga and other Roux in the Kemigawa River in Chiba City, and is the oldest lotus in the world that was excavated from an old stratum and successfully germinated and grown. As a result of ancient measurements, it is known that it is a lotus that is more than 2,000 years old. 〇What is "Hiking & Walking Event from Station"? A walking event sponsored by JR East. It is characterized by the fact that you can easily participate while enjoying the superb scenery points of the four seasons. Details of the event can be found by searching for "Hiking Chiba from Station 2024".

Photographed on June 1, 24. It is a kazaguruma in the Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine Naokaiden Square.

Fireworks 🎆 in the sky of Odaiba "STAR ISLAND 2024" will be the first Held in in Tokyo Events Held in around the world have landed in Tokyo for the first time! The history of Odaiba is that the Edo shogunate, which felt threatened by Perry's arrival in Japan in 1853 Kaei 6, built six daiba artillery batteries. In the process leading up to the present, the 3rd Daiba and the 6th Daiba have been preserved, and the 3rd Daiba is preserved as a park, and the 6th Daiba is preserved on the Ocean as a historical site rich in nature and valuable academically! I'm 🤤 looking forward to next year

Osaka Castle, also known as "Osaka-jo" in Japanese, is a five-story iconic symbol of Japan with a history spanning nearly 450 years. It stands as a testament to Japan's rich past and is a must-visit for travelers seeking to immerse themselves in the country's history and architectural wonders. This popular landmark attracts both local and international visitors year-round, offering a glimpse into Japan's fascinating past and captivating with its timeless beauty.

Yesterday, I attended the Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine Monthly Festival. The Precincts were decorated with mauve and light mauve kazaguruma and wind chimes. At Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine, 6/1 is said to be the day of 10,000 degrees of beans, and it is said that it has the same benefits as Prayer at 10,000 degrees.

[Giant Setoushi-kun Appears!?] Roadside Station Kam sits along National Route 239. At its entrance a giant Setoushi-kun appears for a limited time! We were able to borrow hay rolls wrapped in white plastic from local dairy farmers in the village, so we decided to go all out and paint Setoushi-kun. When only orange and green were used, passersby puzzled over whether it was a pumpkin or a mandarin… (laughs) Once the eyes were added, it instantly looked like Setoushi-kun! Please stop by and take a look when you pass through! We’ve also included before-and-after photos *^-^* #Nishiokoppe Village #Hokkaido #local mascot #Setoushi-kun #oversized #hay roll #limited time #Roadside Station #Kam

Photographed 5/31/24. It is a hydrangea of Kawagoe Hachimangu. 🤍Is.

This is a photo taken on the mountain trail at the top of the Great Seto Bridge toward Okayama.