Autumn of the Sangi Railway

Along the Sangi Railway line in Inabe City, red spider lililies bloom in autumn.

Photographed 10/27/25.
This is LEC COFFEE's café latte.
Latte art is Halloween specification. 👻

Autumn sky.
A photo of my father's LINE confirmation of survival.

2025.10.30

November is almost here 🍂✨
This time, we introduce six autumn foliage spots in Shobara City, Hiroshima Prefecture! 🍁
Be sure to dress warmly and come to Shobara City, Hiroshima Prefecture 💛🎶

🍁🍁🍁Here are the highlights of the six autumn leaves spots🔽🍁🍁🍁

1. The Nursing-Rooting Giant Ginkgo of Mt. Kamitakano 🍁
[Address] Takano-cho, Shinichi, Shobara City, Hiroshima Prefecture
[Highlights] This giant ginkgo stands in the precincts of Tenman Shrine, with a trunk circumference at chest height of 9.6 meters, ranking first in the prefecture. It is said to have been planted as a sacred tree when Takemikazuchi-no-kami was enshrined here in the first year of Tenpyo (729). Aerial roots called "breasts" hang down from the main trunk, and it is designated as a prefectural natural monument. ※Please note that conditions may vary depending on the weather.
[Access] About an 8-minute drive from Takano IC on the Onomichi–Matsue Expressway or from Roadside Station Takano
[Typical viewing period] Early to mid-November

2. Mt. Azuma 🍁
[Address] Moriwaki, Hiwa-cho, Shobara City, Hiroshima Prefecture
[Highlights] Mt. Azuma belongs to Hiba-Dogo-Taishaku Quasi-National Park and lies about 35 km north of Shobara City in northern Hiroshima Prefecture. The Azuma Lodge of Kyukamura closed in 2020. Restroom facilities are available at the former campsite public toilets. ※Please note that conditions may vary depending on the weather.
[Typical viewing period] Late October to early November

3. Hiba Mountain Range 🍁
[Address] Yuki, Saijo-cho, Shobara City, Hiroshima Prefecture to Shimane Prefecture
[Highlights] A series of mountains around 1,200 meters high, with the area near Hiba-san Goryo covered by a nationally designated natural monument of pure beech forest. Please note that conditions may vary depending on the weather.
[Access] To Hiroshima Prefectural Citizens’ Forest Park Center
About 40 minutes from Shobara IC
About 40 minutes from Tojo IC
[Typical viewing period] Late October to early November

4. Dogo Mountain Range 🍁
[Address] Misaka, Saijo-cho, Shobara City, Hiroshima Prefecture to Tottori Prefecture
[Highlights] One of Japan’s 300 Famous Mountains and featured in Sumie Tanaka’s New 100 Famous Flowers of the Mountains. Enjoy 360-degree views from the summit, stone embankments from former ranches, and the large pond built as a water source for tatara ironmaking. ※Please note that conditions may vary depending on the weather.
[Access] About a 45-minute drive from Shobara IC to Tsukimigaoka
About a 30-minute drive from Tojo IC to Tsukimigaoka
[Typical viewing period] From early November

5. Taishakyo Gorge 🍁
[Address] Tojo-cho, Shobara City to Jinseki Kogen Town, Jinseki District, Hiroshima Prefecture
[Highlights] A gorge spanning Tojo-cho in Shobara City and Jinseki Kogen Town. Designated a National Scenic Spot in 1923 and listed among Japan’s Top 100 Landscapes. ※Please note that conditions may vary depending on the weather.
[Access] About a 15-minute drive from Tojo IC on the Chugoku Expressway
[Typical viewing period] Late October to early November

6. The Iroha Maple Group of Kamichi 🍁
[Address] Inakusa, Soryo-cho, Shobara City, Hiroshima Prefecture
[Highlights] The Iroha maple group of Kamichi includes remarkably large trees, the largest having a trunk circumference at chest height of 3.25 m, and nine others exceeding 2 m in circumference—an unusually large cluster even on a national scale. ※Please note that conditions may vary depending on the weather.
[Access] About a 15-minute drive from Shobara IC on the Chugoku Expressway
[Typical viewing period] Early to mid-November

For autumn foliage information for 2025, see🔽
https://www.shobara-info.com/special/4758

For an article summarizing the highlights, see🔽
https://www.shobara-info.com/report/5312

Photographed 10/27/25.
It comes with LEC COFFEE's chai Basque cheesecake and jack-o-lantern cookies. 🎃
I like chai, so it's a nice menu. 😊

Photographed 10/27/25.
This is a hot sandwich set from LEC COFFEE.
Lettuce, bacon, hot sandwich with fried egg, salad, Butter nut pumpkin soup.

The Tsuya River in the Sunset

Aerial photograph of red spider lililies blooming on the embankment of the Tsuya River in Kaizu City, Gifu Prefecture.
October 2025

Kiyomi Temple in Shizuoka Prefecture. The Tokaido Line passes right in front of the Temple. It's ✨ a very idyllic place

I will never forget the shock of seeing the scenery of Kamikochi live even now
It's a memory that will last a lifetime.

Photographed 10/18/25.
This is the Kawagoe Festival, Yoiyama.

Photographed 10/18/25.
This is the Kawagoe Festival, Yoiyama.
From the lion's head, a little bit appeared.

The 15th Atami Fish Festival will take place on Saturday and Sunday, November 1–2.
Held at the Shinsui Park Event Plaza, you can enjoy freshly grilled seafood on the spot with the “hamayaki” experience, along with food and drink vendors and special free sailings on the pleasure boat Sanremo.
Come taste Atami’s seafood!

15th Atami Fish Festival
Dates and times: Saturday, November 1 and Sunday, November 2, 2025, 10:00–16:00 (until 15:00 on November 2)
Venue: Shinsui Park Event Plaza (pleasure boat boarding at Shinsui Park Third Pier)
https://www.ataminews.gr.jp/event/198

Note: Hamayaki cannot be reserved in advance; it is first-come, first-served on the day.
Note: For the special free sailings on the pleasure boat (only for the 8th and 9th sailings each day), boarding tickets will be distributed at the boarding area from 14:30 on the day.
Note: Check the detailed page below for full event details.

On Sunday, November 2, the Bōei-Bōsai Festa and Firefighting Plaza will take place at Nagisa Elementary School Park across from the Third Section of Shinsui Park, and the Marine Festa Atami 2025 will be held at the Atami Port 7.5 Seismic-Resistant Quay.

The Sai River flowing through Azumino receives the Hotaka River and the Takase River here.
This spot is the confluence of the three rivers.
Many rivers that flow down from the Northern Alps merge into a single river at this point.

Photographed 10/18/25.
This is the Kawagoe Festival, Yoiyama.
The lion's head is dancing.

This photo was taken at Isahaya Shrine in Nagasaki Prefecture.

The stylish transparent amulet was impressive, so I took a picture of the shrine in the background.
The heat of midsummer was over, but the wind Car of the many was swirling with the wind, and there was a cool atmosphere in the air.

Memories of Summer Enbara River 2025.08.16

The cold water of the underground water warms up with the warmth of summer, and river fog is generated, and the sun shines on it, creating a beam of light.

[Torii Pass - toriitoge-]

Overview
A roughly 6 km mountain trail linking Narai inn on the Kiso Kaido with Yabuhara inn.
In the Edo period it was famous as one of the Nakasendo’s toughest stretches, a place that made straw-sandalled travelers limp with pain.
Today it is a popular, atmospheric trekking route. Hikers from Japan and abroad walk this pass in large numbers.
From the summit you can look west to Mitakesan and east to Kiso Komagatake. Along the old road you will find numerous haiku and waka monuments and stone Buddhas, including those honoring Matsuo Bashō.
The pass saw battles between the Kiso clan and the Takeda clan in the Sengoku era, and in the late Edo period Princess Kazunomiya passed through here on her marriage procession.

Free loan of hinoki conical hats and bear bells!
This service lets walkers experience the look of Edo-period travelers, especially those walking between Yabuhara and Narai on the Nakasendo.
The traditional original hinoki (cypress) hats, hand-painted with kanji, make perfect travel companions and evoke the spirit of Edo travelers.
They’re great for the experience and for photo opportunities.

What is a hinoki hat?
A hinoki hat is one of Kiso region’s traditional crafts. It remains popular with locals and visitors as a practical fashion item and as a sunshade that traces its roots to the Edo period.

How to try them
You can try them at the tourist information centers listed below. We refund the full deposit when you return the items.
⚠ The deposit will not be refunded if the item is lost or damaged. (Items may be wet without issue.)

Loan locations: ① Narai-juku Tourist Information Center ② Yabuhara-juku Nigiwai Hiroba Enkan
③ Kiso Village Tourist Information Center

Addresses: ① 497-3 Narai, Shiojiri City ② 1019-1 Yabuhara, Kiso village ③ Lot 196, Yabuhara, Kiso village

TEL: ① 0264-34-3160 ② 0264-36-3020 ③ 0264-36-2543

Opening hours: ① 9:00–17:00 ② 8:30–17:00 ③ 9:00–17:00

Closed: ① During the New Year holidays ② Every Tuesday ③ Every Monday

Refundable deposit: 2,000 yen per item

Payment method: Cash only

A long three-day weekend is coming soon✨
This time, we introduce autumn events and traditional festivals held in Shobara City, Hiroshima Prefecture!✨

🔽🔽🔽We’ve picked five highlights to help you plan your three-day weekend outing!🔽🔽🔽

1⃣ The 32nd Bingi Tojo “Otoori” Parade
Date and Time: Until Sunday, November 2, 2025, starting at noon (12:00)
Location: Starting at Tojo Elementary School Ground
About: Known as the “Otoori,” this event has been organized by the Otoori Preservation and Promotion Association since 1993. The procession features a daimyo procession, warrior procession, and groups carrying horo and hanawarabe, presenting each year in early November a bold and splendid historical pageant.

Event details URL: https://www.shobara-info.com/event/5310
Highlights: https://www.shobara-info.com/report/4841

2⃣ The 18th Taishaku Autumn Leaves Festival
Date and Time: Sunday, November 2, 2025, 10:00–15:00
Location: Taishaku Community Promotion Center
About: A commemorative project for the 20th anniversary of Shobara City’s municipal merger!
Music Plaza
10:15 Niimi Wind Ensemble
11:15 Shobara City 20th Anniversary Stage Part 1 — Ryo Sasaki
12:15 Stage Part 2 — Issei Minami
13:30 Kendama performance
14:00 Singing contest
14:45 Lottery
*Performance times may vary slightly.

Food Plaza
Frankfurters, fried chicken, beef udon, sweet red-bean soup (zenzai), grilled chicken skewers, french fries, yakisoba, beef bowl, teppan-grilled game meat, vegetable tempura, deep-fried maple leaf-shaped cakes, croquettes, coffee, Yotsuba Kobo cookies, sale of locally fresh vegetables, local products, earthenware bells, and a shooting game stall.
Details URL: https://www.shobara-info.com/event/5322

3⃣ Autumn Beef Terrace | Taishakukyo Scola Plateau
Date and Time: Sunday, November 2, 2025, 10:00–15:00
Location: Spice Hall 2F Open Terrace
About: An event where you can enjoy the elusive Jinseki beef at reasonable prices.

Barbecue Set
Set Includes:
Jinseki beef, vegetables, and rice balls

Also happening:
Minna no Marche Hiroshima (market stalls)
Details URL: https://www.shobara-info.com/event/5317

4⃣ Tojo Whole-Town Festival
Date and Time: Monday, November 3, 2025 (National Holiday), 12:00–20:30
Location: Tojo Station and surrounding facilities and downtown areas
About: Besides a music event on the platform inside Tojo Station, the festival offers art and cultural programs that make use of the town’s historic streetscape, bringing together the charm of the Geibi Line and Tojo Town.

Details URL: https://www.shobara-info.com/event/5341

5⃣ The 22nd Children’s Festival
Date and Time: Monday, November 3, 2025 (National Holiday), 10:00–14:00
Location: National Bihoku Hillside Park North Entrance, Satoyama Station Shobara Furari
About: A children’s festival spreading smiles across the Bihoku Hills—everyone gather for the Children’s Festival!
To commemorate the 20th anniversary of Shobara City’s merger, the stage will feature a Remick🎶 concert!
Enjoy hands-on experiences, crafts, and a stamp rally!

Details URL: https://www.shobara-info.com/event/5338

✨🎪 Five Autumn Traditions and Events in Shobara City, Hiroshima Prefecture 🎪✨
Enjoy the full bounty of autumn at cheerful events held again this year!

From gourmet treats and hands-on experiences to stage shows and markets,
there are plenty of autumn rewards for the whole family to enjoy all day.

Please come visit Shobara City, Hiroshima Prefecture!

1⃣ Hiba Mountain Sky Peak Hunt in Hiroshima Prefectural Forest 2025
[Date] Until Monday, November 3, 2025
[Location] Hiroshima Prefectural Forest (registration, start, and finish locations)
[Details]
Same-day registration available! ✨
A mountain event that visits 10 summit points across the Hiba mountain range!
Participants will hunt points by checking summit checkpoints themselves.

[Details URL 🔽]
https://www.shobara-info.com/event/5176

2⃣ Tojo Stroll and Townscape Gallery
[Date] Saturday, November 1, 2025 – Wednesday, November 5, 2025
[Location] Kaido Tojo Road, a certified Yumekaido Renaissance district
[Details]
・Opening ceremony and events
・Townscape gallery
・Townscape marche
・Town sake festival
・Special exhibition at the nationally registered tangible cultural property Sanrakuso (held at Sanrakuso)
・The 32nd Bingo Tojo “Otoori” procession

[Details URL 🔽]
https://www.shobara-info.com/event/5320

3⃣ Autumn Lunch Buffet 2025 | Kyukamura Taishakukyo
[Date] Saturday, November 1, 2025 – Sunday, November 9, 2025
[Location] Kyukamura Taishakukyo
[Details] Following the popular Obon period service, we will hold an autumn lunch buffet!
This event again features the oven-baked pancake beloved at the breakfast buffet, rice accompaniments, handmade sandwiches, and original dishes for guests of all ages.

Enjoy Taishakukyo in autumn alongside the fall foliage.

[Details URL 🔽]
https://www.shobara-info.com/event/5324

4⃣ Winter Illumination 2025–2026 Bihoku Illumi | National Bihoku Hills Park
[Date] Saturday, November 1, 2025 – Monday, January 12, 2026 (national holiday) ※closed certain days during the period
[Location] National Bihoku Hills Park ※parking and admission fees apply
[Details] Spend a special night in a shimmering world of light! Following last year’s success, the Flower Plaza (special area) returns with the “Mirror Bola” dreamlike new world.

[Details URL 🔽]
https://www.shobara-info.com/event/5326

5⃣ Sanchaya Festival | National Bihoku Hills Park
[Date] Saturday, November 1, 2025
[Location] Shobara — Sangenchaya
[Details] A festival celebrating the second anniversary of the regional family learning space will be held!

[Details URL 🔽]
https://www.shobara-info.com/event/5321

Photographed 10/18/25.
This is the Kawagoe Festival, Yoiyama.
The lanterns on the festival float are lit and the song is performed.

Shiojiri’s Two Signature Local Dishes: Sanzoku-yaki and Shinshu Soba

-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sanzoku-yaki
Actually born in Shiojiri! The bold, dramatic sanzoku-yaki that’s a hit on social media

Sanzoku-yaki, a whole fried chicken thigh served with theatrical flair, actually traces its roots to a restaurant called Sanzoku in Shiojiri City.
After much trial and error, the founding couple perfected the cooking method.
They named the shop “Sanzoku” (bandit) and the dish “sanzoku-yaki” because a scene in the then-popular film Seven Samurai showed bandits tearing into a chicken, the shop stood near a mountain pass, and—believe it or not—the couple themselves looked like bandits.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Soba
For soba lovers: the birthplace of “sobakiri” (cut soba) — Motoyama-juku in Shiojiri

In earlier times, “soba” referred to a dumpling-like food similar to what we now call sobagaki.
The long, thin noodles we picture today are called sobakiri (cut soba) and were distinguished from the dumpling form.

The place where sobakiri first appeared is Motoyama-juku in present-day Shiojiri City.

As a post town on the Nakasendo, Motoyama-juku welcomed many travelers, and sobakiri born there is said to have spread across the country along those routes.

Shiojiri’s climate, with large daily and seasonal temperature differences, has long suited high-quality buckwheat cultivation, so soba has been grown here for ages. The oldest written reference to Motoyama-juku’s sobakiri appears in the haibun anthology Fuzoku Bunsen compiled by Morikawa Kyoro in Hōei 2 (1705). It records: “Soba-kiri originally came from Motoyama-juku in Shinano Province and was widely popular throughout the provinces.”

This is a photo taken of the Ono turtle on Sado Island in June.

It was the time of year when the flowers called daylilies were in full bloom, and it seemed to be one of the most beautiful seasons of the year.
I Outbound it for the first time, but just taking a walk makes me feel happy, I highly recommend it!
The weather was great on this day and it was and to drive the Car to go. I would like to outbound in another season.

Photographed 10/18/25.
This is Yoiyama of the Kawagoe Festival.
A raccoon was giving sweets to a child.

Photographed 10/18/25.
It is the Kawagoe Festival and the Shinko Festival.

This photo was taken at Takayama Inari Shrine in Aomori Prefecture.
There is a thousand Torii (shrine gates) here, and you can see it from the high ground.
It shows various expressions in Four Seasons, but this photo is not from a high ground, but from a Torii (shrine gate).
The wonderful curves were impressive, and Impression of the superb view that unfolded ahead was aroused.

🍁Autumn foliage updates for Shobara City, Hiroshima Prefecture are being posted from October!🍁
There are six maple-viewing spots in Shobara City in total!✨

In autumn, Shobara City fills with colorful leaves. The foliage in Hiroshima Prefecture starts changing early here, so you can enjoy the colors for a long time. This time, we introduce six autumn-leaf viewing spots within Shobara City.

1. The Great Ginkgo of Chichisagari on Mt. Kamitakano
2. Mt. Azuma
3. The Hiba Mountain Range
4. The Dogo Mountain Range
5. Taishaku Gorge
6. The Iroha Maple Cluster in Kamichi

Find features and highlights here 👇
https://www.shobara-info.com/report/5312

This year’s autumn foliage information is here 🔽
https://www.shobara-info.com/4758

Taste Japan’s best ayu in Shobara City, Hiroshima Prefecture!🐟

Wild ayu raised in the pristine Seijo River in Shobara City, Hiroshima Prefecture, offer a supreme flavor that delights ayu lovers across the country.
In fact, they won the Grand Prix at the “Ayu Tasting Contest” held in 2024 and were chosen as Japan’s top ayu!🥇

When you visit Shobara City, Hiroshima Prefecture, be sure to try the wild ayu from the Seijo River.

A uniquely fragrant and delicate taste awaits you here✊

Find retailers here🔽
https://www.shobara-info.com/5200

＼ Autumn flavors from Shobara City, Hiroshima Prefecture — a town of farming! 🍎

Crisp and delicious!
Want to grab freshly picked apples ✊

This time, we introduce seven apple farms with farm shops🍎

"I don’t have time for apple picking, but if I’m visiting Shobara I’d like to buy fresh apples to take home!" For those people, here are several apple farms with on-site farm shops to recommend!

Why not drive around and visit several distinctive apple farms 🚗🎶

Find out more here 🔽
https://shobara-info.com/report/5318

It's getting cooler, isn't it?
Photograph of 📸 my father's confirmation of his survival LINE
2025.10.27

Gohbara-juku (Gohbara-juku) Location: Gohbara, Hirooka, Shiojiri City

Gohbara-juku was the first post town on the Zenkoji Kaido after it branched from the Nakasendo at Seba-juku. It was established in Keicho 19 (1614) when Hidemasa Ogasawara, lord of Matsumoto Castle, developed the Zenkoji Kaido (the Hokuriku side route) to connect Nakasendo’s Seba-juku with the Hokkokukaido.
Rather than an existing settlement becoming the post town, Gohbara’s original village lay on the east bank of the Narai River in the Ueno land division. When the post station was laid out, the settlement was moved around Genna 5 (circa 1619) to its present site together with the Kataishi hamlet, which had been on the west bank, to create the new post town.

Highlights of Gohbara-juku
Houses were laid out with wide frontages of five to six ken, featuring main gabled roofs with the short side facing the street and sparrow deterrents on the ridges.
Each house has a forecourt with planted trees, creating an attractive streetscape, and shop names are displayed at every residence. Sōetsu Yanagi, called the father of the mingei (folk craft) movement, praised Gohbara-juku in his essays, saying the entire post town was “a single splendid work of art.”

On the north side of the post town stands Gofuku-ji, which served as a resting place for Emperor Meiji during his imperial tour in Meiji 13 (1880).

Read more about the Nakasendo and the five post towns in the city here↓