Today, I attended the Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine Monthly Festival. This is Kawagoe Imo Lottery. 🍠

When I visited a wooden joinery in Oita Prefecture, I received a kumiko set. Kumiko can be incorporated without using a single nail. It has existed since the Asuka period and is said to be used in shrine architecture. I'm just amazed at Japan's technology (laughs).

A radiant smile graces her face as she experiences the joy of wearing a kimono for the first time, posing gracefully in front of Sensoji, one of Tokyo's most iconic tourist destinations. The vibrant colors and intricate patterns of her kimono contrast beautifully with the lush greenery and ornate architecture surrounding the temple. Sensoji evokes a unique blend of emotions; it is a place steeped in rich traditions, where the scent of incense wafts through the air, inviting visitors to partake in centuries-old customs. At the same time, the area buzzes with contemporary energy, filled with trendy shops and lively street vendors, creating a remarkable fusion of the old and the new that captivates both locals and travelers alike.

When it comes to introducing a country and its vibrant culture to newcomers at the airport, making thoughtful choices about what to showcase is essential because first impressions matter. During my recent trip, I stumbled upon Edo-koji, a charming Edo Market Place in the international terminal at Haneda Airport. The area is adorned with quaint, wooden shops that evoke the spirit of an Edo-era village, complete with a small stage that occasionally features captivating cultural displays. On this visit, I was drawn to a stunning pair of two-folded byōbu (folding screens) featuring an enchanting painting of the Wind God and Thunder God. This remarkable piece, crafted by the renowned Rinpa artist Ogata Kōrin, is a replica of an exquisite work by Tawaraya Sōtatsu, illustrating Raijin, the tempestuous god of lightning and storms, alongside Fūjin, the gentle god of wind. Honestly, what could be cooler than this? It’s a perfect representation of Japan’s rich artistic heritage right at the heart of the airport!

I went to Zen Rinji Temple (Eikando) in Kyoto. This is one of the pictures I took because I thought that the spiral staircase called Uryu Corridor, the trees growing next to it, and the shadows reflected on the stairs would be a picture.

The view from a mountain temple in Yamagata Prefecture. The view at the end of more than 1,000 steps was spectacular. It was a very quiet and quaint place.

Today, I attended the Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine Epoch Festival.

📣 March 5 only! Enjoy sumo and Shinto at Ohtori Grand Shrine 🏯💪 A rare experience plan lets you watch Arashio-beya’s morning sumo practice at Ohtori Grand Shrine and attend a special talk by a Shinto priest titled “Shinto and Sumo.” ✨ 👀 This is your chance to see rikishi train up close with the same intensity as in competition! The talk on the deep ties between Shinto and sumo will make watching matches even more enjoyable. 🎤 🗓️ Date: Wednesday, March 5 💰 Fee: 5,500 yen (about 3.5 hours) 📬 Registration deadline: One week before the event date ✨ Participants will also receive commemorative gifts from Ohtori Grand Shrine and Arashio-beya! 🔍 For details and to apply, check the “Experience Tours & Plans” section via the URL in our profile.

Autumn Festival in Sakyo Ward, Kyoto City. The world of Shuji Terayama.

Photographed 2/3/25. It is Hanachozu of Kawagoe Hachimangu Shrine.

Photographed 2/3/25. It is Hanachozu of Kawagoe Hachimangu Shrine.

Photographed 2/1/25. It is Hanachozu of Kawagoe Hachimangu Shrine.

Setsubun on the Snowy Day In Japan, it is customary to sow beans the day before the Spring (seasonal milestones There are Do you know why beans are used in the first place? It is said to be derived from the word "mame", which destroys demons Since ancient times, various rituals have been performed to drive away demons, which are considered to be a general term for bad things One of them is this "mamemaki (bean throwing)" Hit the "Mame", which is the eye of the demon, with beans to make it "Mame" At first glance, it looks like a play on words, but Japan have believed that words have a spirit inn words Therefore, this custom is part of Japan culture, and it is a snowy day Setsubun In Japan, it is customary to sow beans the day before the Spring (seasonal milestones There are Do you know why beans are used in the first place? It is said to be derived from the word "mame", which destroys demons Since ancient times, various rituals have been performed to drive away demons, which are considered to be a general term for bad things One of them is this "mamemaki (bean throwing)" Hit the "Mame", which is the eye of the demon, with beans to make it "Mame" At first glance, it looks like a play on words, but Japan have believed that words have a spirit inn words Therefore, this custom has taken root in Japan culture

Photographed 1/27/25. It is Hanachozu of Kawagoe Hachimangu Shrine.

Photographed 1/27/25. It is Hanachozu of Kawagoe Hachimangu Shrine.

Photographed 1/27/25. It is Hanachozu of Kawagoe Hachimangu Shrine.

An abandoned company in Shirakawa City, Fukushima Prefecture, which I visited last summer. Komainu is written by Kazuhei Kobayashi. It is a world where the Great Devil is likely to appear.

Setsubun Festival on February 2, 2025 On Sunday, February 2, 2025, the Setsubun Festival was held at Ōyama Afuri Shrine Lower Shrine, Sannomiya Hibita Shrine (guests: sekitori stablemasters Takadagawa, Ryurai, Shonan no Umi, Teru; rakugo storyteller Sanyūtei Yukichi), and Isehara Daijingu. The morning brought unfortunate rain, and snow fell in the cold at Ōyama Afuri Shrine Lower Shrine, but many worshippers still gathered. At the customary bean-throwing, everyone chanted “Fuku wa uchi, oni wa soto!” to drive away demons and welcome good fortune. There was also a lottery exchangeable for koban coins and other draws, with lovely prizes awarded, making the event very lively!

It is Japanese cedar shrine in Rice City, Yamagata Prefecture

In the early morning of January 1, I went to Kyoto Fushimi Inari Shrine Hatsumode. They were orderly and considerate of each other, so they went well without being pushed. It's the first time I've done it. A lot of choboti

Today, I attended the Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine Monthly Festival. It is Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine around 7:45.

Photographed 1/30/25. The October cherry blossoms at Kawagoe Hachimangu were in full bloom. 🌸

Photographed 1/10/25. It is Hanachozu of Kawagoe Hachimangu Shrine.

Photographed on January 4, 25. It is Hanachozu of Kawagoe Hachimangu Shrine.

Dousojin along the Nakasendo in Wada, Nagawacho Along the Nakasendo in the Wada Area, you can see several dousojin 😊 Are those children enjoying a shishimai dance...? Their faces are so adorable 🥰💕

Photographed 1/21/25. It is Hanachozu of Kawagoe Hachimangu Shrine.

Photographed 1/24/25. It is Hanachozu of Kawagoe Hachimangu Shrine.

Photographed 1/21/25. It is Hanachozu of Kawagoe Hachimangu Shrine.

Nagawacho Furumachi Toyouke Taijingū Annual Festival “Otaya Festival” At the festival, each district presents a “dashi” that depicts a scene from folktales, legends, or historical stories. Themes change each year, and handcrafted figures and sets are built to near life-size for that year’s display. Though called “dashi,” these are not the pullable or carriable floats people often imagine; instead, they are stationary decorative stages called okiyama placed on five stages around the shrine. They blend with the surrounding scenery and draw you into the story they represent. This year (2025) features five displays: “Bunbuku Chagama Tightrope,” “Dōjōji The Maiden Who Became a Serpent,” “The Nine-Tailed Fox (Tamamo-no-Mae) Legend,” “Chūshingura Vendetta,” and “Kōmon and His Party Traveling Through Shinano.” The festival is held every year on January 14 and 15, when the shrine conducts the Senrei Ceremony, a dedication of the Urayasu no Mai dance, and a performance of Yanagato and Fudō Taiko drums. Food stalls line the area around the shrine, and fireworks are set off at night.

This month's geotour will take us around the Matsudome area, where Yosano Akiko liked to stay. There are several outcrops and facilities that should be considered active cultural heritage, such as the Matsudome Power Plant. Let's talk over a glass of wine or coffee afterwards. The meeting time has been changed.