🌞 The snow has melted 🌞 Today in Tomakomai the weather is fine and the temperature is warm 💁‍♀️ The snow that fell on Friday the 16th melted in no time 😲 Most roads are dry now, making walking easier! 🚶‍♀️🚶‍♂️

【大阪城 梅林公園】 2024年2/20 現在 開花情報：天気は悪いが一部満開 samuraihonor.com Osaka Castle Umegorin Park As of 2/20/2024 Flowering information: Partially in full bloom despite poor weather

This is the Minami-Alps City Tourism Association. We will share lots of appealing information about Minami-Alps City, Yamanashi Prefecture, through Cool Japan Video. ◇What is Minami-Alps City, Yamanashi Prefecture?◇ Minami-Alps City covers about 5.9 percent of Yamanashi Prefecture and has a population of around 70,000. Located in the western part of Yamanashi, the city sits embraced by the majestic Southern Alps. In 2003, six towns and villages—Hatta Village, Shiranecho, Ashiyasu Village, Wakakusa-cho, Kushigata Town, and Kosei Town—merged to form Minami-Alps City. In 2014, the entire city was designated the Minami-Alps UNESCO Eco Park. The Southern Alps surrounding Minami-Alps City span Nagano, Yamanashi, and Shizuoka prefectures and form Japan’s largest mountain range. It includes 3,000-meter peaks loved by climbers, such as MtKitadake, Senjogetake, Houou Sanzan, and Kai-komagatake. ◇Tourist attractions in Minami-Alps City◇ ・Ecopa Inagako Located on the slopes of MtKushigata, Ecopa Inagako offers nature classes, the Forest Science Museum, camping and BBQ facilities, and other hands-on experiences. It is a popular spot for families to enjoy time in nature. ・Yukyari no Sato Juen Yukyari no Sato Juen is a multi-purpose facility that features 100% natural hot spring baths, accommodations, barbecue areas, and tennis courts. It also serves as a base for mountain climbing. ・Roadside Station Shirane Farm Products Direct Sales Market Renovated in April 2023, the spacious market offers a relaxed shopping experience. Visitors can buy fresh local fruits, vegetables, and specialty products, making it a popular destination for people from inside and outside the prefecture. ・Yashagami Pass This pass at the southern end of the Houou Sanzan offers sweeping views of the Southern Alps. You can reach the pass in about an hour, making it suitable for family hikes. ◇Local specialties and gourmet foods of Minami-Alps City◇ Minami-Alps City is known for abundant fruit production, including cherries, plums, peaches, grapes, persimmons, kiwifruit, and Shine Muscat grapes. When these fruits are in season, you can enjoy fruit picking at orchards across the city. Cherry picking and Shine Muscat harvest experiences are especially popular with families and couples. These fruits are also popular choices for hometown tax return gifts. ◇Rich nature and hot springs in Minami-Alps City◇ The city offers seasonal natural beauty and plentiful hot spring resources. You will find many hot spring facilities, from day-use baths to hotels and ryokan, catering to a wide range of needs. Please take time to refresh your body and mind in the hot springs. Minami-Alps City, Yamanashi Prefecture, is filled with rich nature and delicious local products that create lasting memories for visitors. We look forward to welcoming you to Minami-Alps City. Stay tuned to Cool Japan Video for recommended information about Minami-Alps City!

Kamikami Ume Plum Station on the Watarase Canyon Railway. I cut out the drooping cherry blossoms with a telephoto lens.

The famous shooting location of the Watarase Canyon Railway. The cherry blossoms shone in the afternoon light.

Near Kobe Station on the Watarase Canyon Railway. This is when the morning air still feels cold.

"The 34th Kawazu Cherry Blossom Festival" is being held. About 850 cherry trees bloom along the Kawazu River, and about 8,000 cherry trees in total! In this post, we will introduce sightseeing spots in Kawazu Town that you can enjoy together with the Kawazu Cherry Blossom Festival! This time, I would like to introduce "Zenkoan". ・ Eleven-sided Kannon statue that can be seen up close The eleven-sided Kannon of the main temple is made of cypress and is a designated cultural property of the prefecture. ◆ Detailed information ◆ 【Spot name】Zenkoan 【Address】400 Mine, Kawazu Town, Kamo-gun, Shizuoka Phone number: 0558-32-0290 Kawazu Tourism Association 【Parking Available】None 【Other】If you want to visit, you need to make a reservation in advance. ◇ ◆ ◇ Parking information for those who come to the Kawazu Cherry Blossom Festival by car ◇ ◆ ◇ ◆ About the parking lot ◆ Business hours:8:30~21:00 ・Regular car ●Regular car 4~13 parking lot to Ekimae Venue about 700~800m, to Mine Onsen Venue about 700~800m [Daytime] 8:30~17:00・・・1 car / 1,000 yen [Night] 18:00~21:00・・・1 car / 200 yen ・Large vehicles ●Large 1 and 2 parking lots to the Ekimae Venue about 700~800m, to the Mine Onsen Venue about 700~800m [Daytime] 8:30~17:00・・・1 car / 5,000 yen [Night] 18:00~21:00・・・1 car / 1,000 yen

November 2023. Noshimazaki Lighthouse in Minamiboso. The waves breaking on the shore were spectacular. It was windy.

Lake shikotsu ice festival is a very popular tourist attraction. During February every year this festival being held. Unfortunately this due unexpected warm weather the festival time waste shorten until 13th February instead of 29th February. I am lucky to witness this year's festival. The icicles were illuminated during this festival. The view is really good.

The 34th Kawazu Cherry Blossom Festival in 2024 will be held until Thursday, February 29! Please enjoy the early arrival of Spring. When you visit Kawazu Town for the Kawazu Cherry Blossom Festival, please enjoy Kawazu Town's exquisite gourmet food together! This time, I would like to introduce "Kichimaru". ・ Morning cuisine because it is local Morning, fresh, fisherman's shop. ◆ Detailed information ◆ 【Spot name】Kichimaru 【Address】149-4 Hama, Kawazu Town, Kamo-gun, Shizuoka Phone number: 0558-32-1913 【Business hours】11:00~14:30 17:30~22:00 【Regular holiday】Thursday Closed / Wednesday Not open 【Parking lot】Yes 6 cars ◇ ◆ ◇ Parking information for those who come to the Kawazu Cherry Blossom Festival by car ◇ ◆ ◇ ◆ About the parking lot ◆ Business hours:8:30~21:00 ・Regular car ●Regular car 4~13 parking lot to Ekimae Venue about 700~800m, to Mine Onsen Venue about 700~800m [Daytime] 8:30~17:00・・・1 car / 1,000 yen [Night] 18:00~21:00・・・1 car / 200 yen ・Large vehicles ●Large 1 and 2 parking lots to the Ekimae Venue about 700~800m, to the Mine Onsen Venue about 700~800m [Daytime] 8:30~17:00・・・1 car / 5,000 yen [Night] 18:00~21:00・・・1 car / 1,000 yen

It is a rape flower field in Ninomiya Azumayama Park. From the top of the mountain, when the early-blooming rape flowers are in full bloom It is a scenic spot where you can see the snow-covered Mt. Fuji, Sagami Bay, and Izu Oshima.

The 34th Kawazu Cherry Blossom Festival in 2024 will be held until Thursday, February 29! Every night during the exhibition period, the cherry blossoms are lit up at night and you will be enveloped in a fantastic scenery. This time, we will introduce the lodging facilities that you want to visit when sightseeing at the Kawazu Cherry Blossom Festival. Have a blissful time with hot springs and fresh cuisine from Kawazu! The lodging I would like to introduce this time is "Yu lodging Sakurazaka". "It is a natural hot spring lodging with only 3 rooms where you can stay with your dog." 　 It takes about 5 minutes by car to the Kawazu cherry blossom tree, and if you stretch your legs a little, you will find Shirahama Beach. Natural hot spring open-air bath and rooftop Dog Run in a bamboo forest. It is such a lodging that both dogs and owners can enjoy throughout the year in the rich nature of Izu. ◆ Detailed information ◆ 【Spot name】Yu lodging Sakurazaka 【Address】1325-486 Mine, Kawazu Town, Kamo-gun, Shizuoka Phone number: 0558-32-3255 Check-in/check-out is 3:30 p.m. and check-out 10:00 a.m. [Total number of rooms] 3 No shuttle service 【Parking lot】Yes 5 cars ◇ ◆ ◇ Parking information for those who come to the Kawazu Cherry Blossom Festival by car ◇ ◆ ◇ ◆ About the parking lot ◆ Business hours:8:30~21:00 ・Regular car ●Regular car 4~13 parking lot to Ekimae Venue about 700~800m, to Mine Onsen Venue about 700~800m [Daytime] 8:30~17:00・・・1 car / 1,000 yen [Night] 18:00~21:00・・・1 car / 200 yen ・Large vehicles ●Large 1 and 2 parking lots to the Ekimae Venue about 700~800m, to the Mine Onsen Venue about 700~800m [Daytime] 8:30~17:00・・・1 car / 5,000 yen [Night] 18:00~21:00・・・1 car / 1,000 yen

【Akashi City, Hyogo Prefecture】 The Akashi Kaikyo Bridge is also called one of the world's largest Suspension Bridges. The panoramic view from up close is very impressive. The illumination that changes with the seasons, the light that shines like a pearl, is very mysterious.

It is a hydrangea and torii gate on the approach to Shirawase Shrine in Fukushima City. It is located in a quiet place and is washed by the chirping of birds and the sound of trees.

It is Tatsuzawa Fudo Falls in Aizu Inawashiro, Fukushima Prefecture. In the summer, it is cool with negative ions, and in the fall, the autumn leaves and the huge icicles in the 🍁 winter are a masterpiece

仁とは、人としての思いやり、他者への憐れみの心のこと。 “武士の情け”には、仁の精神が内在している。 他者への思いやりを忘れてはならない。 仁の精神は、人の上に立つ者の必須項目である。 Jin is the human spirit of compassion and sympathy for others. The spirit of benevolence is inherent in "samurai compassion. We must not forget compassion for others. The spirit of benevolence is essential for those who stand above others.

The 34th Kawazu Cherry Blossom Festival in 2024 will be held until Thursday, February 29! Enjoy the early blooming cherry blossoms of Kawazu for three consecutive weekends! In this post, we will introduce sightseeing spots in Kawazu Town that you can enjoy together with the Kawazu Cherry Blossom Festival! This time, we will introduce "Kawazu Hachiman Shrine". ・ Power Spot full of power Saburo Kawazu, the father of the Soga brothers, known for "The Tale of Soga," one of Japan's three great revenge stories, is said to be the inventor of "Kawazu Kake," one of the 48 moves of sumo. In the precincts of Kawazu Hachiman Shrine, there is a hand ball stone that is said to have been used to test strength. The word "tetamaishi" comes from the word "to take a cue ball". In addition, there is a statue of "Kawazu Saburo Rikiishi" by Goto Hakudo, a sculptor from Kawazu Town, and the title of the famous yokozuna Futabayama calligraphy is engraved. The shrine enshrines Saburo and the Soga brothers as deities, and a children's sumo wrestling tournament is held at the grand festival in October. ◆ Detailed information ◆ 【Spot name】Kawazu Hachiman Shrine 【Address】375 Kamo-gun, Shizuoka Prefecture Kawazu Town Yatsu Phone number: 0558-32-0290 Kawazu Tourism Association 【Business hours】9:00~17:00 【Regular holiday】Open open all year 【Parking lot】Yes 1 passenger car ◇ ◆ ◇ Parking information for those who come to the Kawazu Cherry Blossom Festival by car ◇ ◆ ◇ ◆ About the parking lot ◆ Business hours:8:30~21:00 ・Regular car ●Regular car 4~13 parking lot to Ekimae Venue about 700~800m, to Mine Onsen Venue about 700~800m [Daytime] 8:30~17:00・・・1 car / 1,000 yen [Night] 18:00~21:00・・・1 car / 200 yen ・Large vehicles ●Large 1 and 2 parking lots to the Ekimae Venue about 700~800m, to the Mine Onsen Venue about 700~800m [Daytime] 8:30~17:00・・・1 car / 5,000 yen [Night] 18:00~21:00・・・1 car / 1,000 yen

"I can't 😪 eat anymore." He looked very satisfied!

This time, too, the keepers in charge of dolphins I'd like to share with you some of my favorite photos! The last is the #Kou 🐬 of the Dolphin I'm always doing my best!!

😍 New Product 🐧 Original Drip Coffee 🐧 Original drip coffee is now available ☕ 1 pack ¥ 350 tax included It is 😍 a very easy coffee to drink The design of the package is a confident work ❣️ that was conceived by all members of STAFF It is sold at the shop Little Vikky. We are looking forward to your visit~! !️

Haruichiban🌸 This photo was taken at the Matsudayama Herb Garden in Kanagawa Prefecture. Both the Kawazu cherry blossoms and rape blossoms are already in full bloom and crowded with many people! As for the parking lot, we recommend 😆 that you park near Matsuda Station Until next week, it will continue, so be sure to visit!

【大阪城 梅林公園】 2024年2/18 現在 開花情報：梅が綺麗だ🌸 samuraihonor.com Osaka Castle Umegorin Park As of 2/18/2024 Flowering information: Beautiful plum blossoms🌸

Mikan picking (October–December) In Atami, you can enjoy mikan picking from October through December. The golden mikans you pick yourself taste absolutely delicious! In Atami City, you can enjoy it in the Minami-Atami (Shimotaga) area and the eastern Izu-san area, where orchards are full of mikan. Bring the whole family or a group and head out for a fun day. Nishijima Farm (Shimotaga) From JR Atami Station take the Ito Line for about 15 minutes → get off at JR Ajiro Station → about a 10-minute walk Marufuku Garden (Izu-san) From JR Atami Station take a bus toward Yugawara for about 20 minutes → get off at Kamigo Shimizu → about a 10-minute walk

TODA KOSHIRO Picture Book Museum A picture book museum themed on "Living in Harmony with Nature" Nestled in a quiet villa district of Atami City, the TODA KOSHIRO Picture Book Museum, themed on "Living in Harmony with Nature," was entirely designed by picture book author Toda Koshiro to express the world of picture books through the building, garden, and every detail. The museum displays many original picture book illustrations by Toda, educational and creative picture books, and picture book adaptations of classics such as Osamu Dazai’s Run, Melos. Visitors can read loaner picture books on the lawn, listen to birdsong, and enjoy seasonal scenery while spending a relaxed time. The attached café also offers stunning views of the sea and surrounding mountains. This is a place where Atami’s nature and Toda Koshiro’s spirit come together. Address / 1055-30 Kamitaga, Shizenkyo, Atami City, Shizuoka 413-0101 Phone / 0557-67-1107 Access / About 20–30 minutes by taxi from Atami Station (JR Atami Station) *Please note that there is no taxi stand at JR Izu-Taga Station.* Opening hours / 10:00–16:30 (last admission at 16:00) Closed / Every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. Open on public holidays (open daily during the New Year holidays, Golden Week, and summer season) Admission / Adults 800 yen, elementary school children and younger 400 yen, free for children under 3 Parking / 10 spaces (free)

Atami Yamaguchi Art Museum Atami Yamaguchi Art Museum opened in Atami City in December 2020. The collection includes many works by famous artists such as Renoir, Picasso, and Taro Okamoto. The museum offers a variety of experiences beyond simply visiting the galleries. ・Admission includes one drink (you may choose to have matcha served in a vessel by a Living National Treasure craftsperson) ・Admission includes a mug-painting experience (you can finish it in about 10 minutes and take it home) ・Unlike many museums, photography is allowed in the galleries (only flash is prohibited) ・Some works can be touched, including pieces by Taro Okamoto ・Two Buddhist statues designated as Important Cultural Properties of Japan are on display Address / 24-1 Nagisa-cho, Atami City, Shizuoka 413-0014 Phone / 0557-27-2411 Access / From JR atami station take a bus bound for Atami Port for about 10 minutes, get off at Shinsui Park, then walk 3 minutes Hours / 10:00–16:30 (last admission 16:00) Open year-round Admission fees / General 1,400 yen, university and high school students 1,200 yen, junior high school students and younger 500 yen (includes a drink; preschool children free) Parking / None (use nearby paid parking)

暖かくなって花見の季節🌸 海外から団体のお客様 VS 侍 抜刀術でいざ！尋常に勝負⚔ #OsakaCastle #SAMURAIHONOR Warmer weather and cherry blossom viewing season🌸 Group visitors from overseas VS. Samurai Now it's time to use Battoujutsu sword fighting! A battle of wits ⚔.

PICA Hatsushima “PICA Hatsushima” is a resort area on the island built around an island theme, ・A graceful large public bath heated with seawater, “~Kaisen-yoku~ Shima no Yu” ・“Asian Garden R-Asia,” where you can enjoy hundreds of tropical plant species (with a café restaurant and Asian shop) ・An island-only seaside camping facility, Island Camp Villa, with ocean views ・A seasonal seawater swimming pool available in summer ・SARUTOBI, a nature activity facility that lets you traverse the treetops using a harness ・VOTAN, an athletic course of 10 attractions including mazes and suspension bridges These facilities offer the unique experiences of an island resort. Relax and forget the everyday while savoring Asian food and tropical drinks, enjoying the leisurely pace unique to an island resort. Address: 413-0004 Hatsushima, Atami City, Shizuoka Prefecture Phone: 0557-67-2151 Access: From JR Atami Station take a bus bound for Atami Port/Korakuen for about 15 minutes and get off at Atami Port → take the ferry to Hatsushima for about 30 minutes → about a 10-minute walk from Hatsushima Port *Please note that hours and fees vary by facility; check the official website for details.

Bougainvillea Along the Itokawa River that runs through central Atami City, between Onaribashi and Itokawabashi (about 180 meters), bougainvillea vines arch over and cover the stream. These bougainvillea produce tropical, vividly colored bracts—red, magenta, purple and more—from May through October each year. Near Itokawabashi, a staircase leads down to the river, creating a hidden photo spot. Yellow Hypericum ‘Hidecoat’ adds a splash of color and makes the scene even more lovely. The display peaks around the same time as the jacaranda, from late May to mid-June, so be sure to visit then as well. <Bougainvillea> A tropical shrub in the Nyctaginaceae family native to Brazil in South America. While it blooms year-round in tropical regions, in Japan it flowers from May to October. What looks like the flower is actually the bract; three bracts gather together, and the small white true flower blooms at their center. The bracts show leaf veins and resemble leaves. Because the bracts are thin, they flutter in the wind. Bract colors include red, white, pink, orange, yellow, and various bicolors. Address / Ginza-cho and Chuocho, Atami City, Shizuoka Prefecture Phone / 0557-86-6218 (Atami City Parks and Greenery Division) Access ■About a 20-minute walk from JR atami station ■About a 10-minute bus ride from JR atami station toward Atami Port → get off at “Ginza” → a few minutes’ walk

The 26th Minami Cherry Blossoms and Rape Blossom Festival February 17 Evening Cherry Blossom Lighting and Bamboo Lantern Night Photo by Tokiya Otsuka