We did a general cleaning of the school the other day! The roads at Nishi Hachioji Station were also cleaned by everyone. It looks like you're going to have a good start to the new year.

The Way of the Brush

Along with the martial arts, many other arts flourished, including calligraphy, tea ceremony, tea bowls, poetry, incense, and Noh drama, and a samurai needed to have knowledge of both the sword and the brush in order to be seen as a cultured gentleman.

For those of us living in today's busy world, learning about the samurai spirit can give us insight into our attitude, attention, and focus, and foster the determination needed to achieve our goals to the fullest.

#kangi #calligraphy #kimono #osakacastle

Hello. This is the Hokuryu Towns Himawari Tourist Association.

It's snowing all the way outside, and it's minus temperatures every day.

This photo was taken before the snow fell, but it is a photo of the street lights in our Towns.

It is based on a sunflower motif and has been installed since 1990 (Heisei 2).

There are many other sunflower motifs,
I would like to introduce you.

I hope you can enjoy the atmosphere of coming to the sunflower town
I think.

2024.12.03 Maruyasu Tanakaya Main Store

Once again, Kasai — a self-confessed foodie — was lured by the sweet aroma and paid a visit to Maruyasu Tanakaya's main store.

Despite his busy schedule, Mr. Tsuchihashi, the company's Managing Director, kindly spoke with us.
The main store sits near Lake Suwa, and they also operate a Kamisuwa Ekimae store near Kami-Suwa Station, giving them two locations in Suwa City. Maruyasu Tanakaya began in 1929 in front of Kami-Suwa Station. This year marks their 95th anniversary, making them a confectionery and cake shop with a proud history.
When you think of Maruyasu Tanakaya, the Cheesecake Entremet, available by mail order, comes to mind! Beauty advisor Chizu Saeki helped bring it wider recognition. The Cheesecake Entremet itself has been a beloved flagship product for 40 years. They offer nationwide shipping, so people across Japan can enjoy it.

Although Maruyasu Tanakaya is strongly associated with Western-style confections, they originally made Japanese sweets. The yokan (sweet bean jelly) preserves recipes from those early days. Because they previously supplied azuki beans and rice, they make yokan from carefully selected azuki beans—please enjoy it as well!
Mr. Tsuchihashi's top recommendation is "Shinano no Kuni" — a butter castella sponge cake studded with chopped chestnuts and coated in a refreshing lemon cream. Named after the prefectural song "Shinano no Kuni," it has been loved for about 50 years. On the side of the wrapping paper you can even see the old provincial name 'Jūshū' (literally 'Ten Provinces'), a reference to the line 'Shinano no kuni wa jūshū ni…' from the prefectural song. I love that packaging so much that I even use the previous design as teaching material (laughs).

Maruyasu Tanakaya offers many sweets and has a seating area. Come and enjoy tea time with friends and savor their treats.

★ Maruyasu Tanakaya Main Store
📍 3-1421-1 Takashima,
Suwa-shi, Nagano Prefecture
☎ 0266-52-0126
◎ Business hours: 10:00 – 19:00
◎ Regular holiday: Closed on Wednesdays
◎ Online shop: https://www.suwa-tanakaya.jp/products/list
◎ Homepage: https://www.suwa-tanakaya.jp/

They have another branch close to Kami-Suwa Station. They started in 1929, so this year is their 95th anniversary. Many Japanese traditional sweets shops have long histories. On this day, Mr. Tsuchihashi, the Managing Director, talked with me.
Their shop’s famous product is Cheesecake Entremet. It has been loved for 40 years. Numerous media and magazines have spotlighted the Cheesecake Entremet. They operate an online shop and offer nationwide shipping, so please enjoy it at home.

I had pictured Maruyasu Tanakaya making Western-style sweets like the Cheesecake Entremet, but I was mistaken. At the beginning, the shop produced Japanese traditional sweets. The yokan remains as it was back then.
Mr. Tsuchihashi’s recommendation is Shinano no Kuni. It is a butter sponge cake with finely chopped chestnuts inside, finished with lemon cream on the outside. Sounds delicious, right? Absolutely!

They offer many kinds of sweets. If you visit Suwa City, please try them—I’m sure you’ll like them!

★ Maruyasu Tanakaya Main Branch
3-1421-1 Takashima,
Suwa-shi, Nagano Prefecture
☎ 0266-52-0126
◎ Business hours: 10:00 – 19:00
◎ Regular holiday: Closed on Wednesdays
◎ Online shop: https://www.suwa-tanakaya.jp/products/list
◎ Homepage: https://www.suwa-tanakaya.jp/

https://www.suwa-tanakaya.jp/products/list
https://www.suwa-tanakaya.jp/

"GET! Pokélid Stamp Rally in Saito, Koyu" Held in
This is an announcement from the Saitokoyu Tourism Network.

"GET! Pokélid Stamp Rally in Saito, Koyu" is currently being held in.
Enjoy the Sightseeing spots and delicious gourmet food of Saito Koyu while touring the poke lid!
If you collect all the Poké lid Stamps installed in the 7 cities and towns of Nishi City, Shintomi Town, Takanabe Towns, Kishiro Towns, Kawaminami Towns, Tsuno Towns, and Nishi Rice Village, and apply, you will be selected by lottery to win Nassy's original acrylic stand and an assortment of Specialty Products from each city and Town/Village!

■ Duration
Saturday, December 14, 2024 ~ Sunday, March 2, 2025

■ How to apply
Please collect all the Stamps of Poké lids and product shops installed in Saito and Koyu Districts and post them in the application box attached to them. Winners will be replaced by shipping.
* Mounts are distributed at the Stamp installation location.

■ Installation location
Takanabe Towns (Pokélid: Mosquito Seaside Park, Stamp: VIVA CAGUCCI, Takanabe Hot Spring Meirin-no-yu)
Shintomi Town (Pokélid: Sannashiro Plaza, Stamp: Shintomi Hot Spring Saint Lupine, Shintomi Town Agricultural and Livestock Products Direct Sales)
Kishiro Towns (Pokélid: Kishiro Hot Spring Kan Yurara, Stamp: Kishiro Hot Spring Kan Yurara, Kishiro Towns Agricultural Products Sales Office Nabaya)
Nishi Rice Village (Pokélid: Nishi Rice Hot Spring Yuta~, Stamp: Nishi Rice Hot Spring Yuta~, Village Products Museum)
West City (Pokélid: Aisome Plaza, Stamp: Machinaka Gallery Yumetamago, JA Saito Ichaga Plaza)
Kawaminami Towns (Pokélid: San A Kawaminami Culture Hall, Stamp: San A Kawaminami Culture Hall, Kawaminami PLATZ)
Tono Towns (Pokéfuta: Roadside Station, Stamp: Roadside Station)

■ Inquiries
Saitokoyu Tourism Network Secretariat (in the Commerce, Industry and Tourism Division, West City Office) TEL 0983-42-4068

#Saitokoyu Tourism Network
#Pokélid Stamp Rally in Saito Koyu
#Nassy Resort in Miyazaki
#Nassy Resort
#Nassy
#Alora Nassi
#Miyazaki Daisuki Pokemon
#West City
#Shintomi Town
#Takanabe Towns
#Kijo Towns
#Kawaminami Towns
#Tono Towns
#Nishi Rice Village
#Stamp Rally
#Poké lid
#Pokemon
#Pokemon Local Acts
#Campaigns
#Miyazaki Prefecture

Photographed 12/21/24.
This is Udon noodles Tatsumi's COEDO bukkake.
It is a soy sauce broth with pork and potato heaven.
The kake Udon noodles were also delicious, but the bukkake Udon noodles were not too thick and tasted just right. Imo Heaven is also delicious. 😊🍠

Come to 🎄 Cocoon for Christmas the day after tomorrow

This is Saitama New Central Tokyo in Saitama City, Saitama prefecture.
Held in Christmas market until December 25th, the day after tomorrow.

Be sure to 🥹 visit

SAMURAI Armor
Samurai fought fair and square in one-on-one battles, which was the samurai way of fighting. During this time, it was not acceptable for the adversary to initiate a fight. If they did, they were considered "cowards.

#osakacastle #samurai #calligraphy #katana

Photographed on December 15, 24.
It is a one-year cheap sea bream lottery of Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine.
Orange is my favorite color, so I'm happy.

Oarai Towns, Ibaraki　
Oarai Isosaki Shrine Torii (shrine gate) of Kamiso
Period in winter, rough seas are powerful

Calligraphy masters apply Japanese kanji characters to the native language names of foreign customers.

Since each kanji character has its own meaning, enjoy this traditional cultural experience, including the meaning of the kanji used in your name.

You can take home the engraved wooden Dojo-fuda as a souvenir to remember your visit.

#calligraphy #kanji #shodo #travelmemories #culturalexperience

[Gokase Town, Miyazaki Prefecture — Accommodation] Potunto Detached House Kuraoka

"An escape from the everyday that still lets you enjoy rural daily life"

I want to try living in the countryside. I want to relax in a quiet place.
I want to focus quietly on work for a few days.
I want a day that makes me forget everything.

A nostalgic place like the grandmother’s house I visited as a child.

This is an accommodation where you can experience that kind of deep-mountain lifestyle. A home for lovers of mountains and rural life.

From October 2024, a newly opened whole-house simple lodging, Potunto Detached House Kuraoka, is available for rent. Come and take a leisurely taste of country living!

↓For detailed rates and other information↓
https://potnt-kuraoka.com/#contents

Contact
3959-2 Kuraoka, Gokase, Nishiusuki District, Miyazaki 882-1201
TEL: 0982-83-0522

Hello! Today, I would like to introduce a little bit of the autumn and winter scenery of Shakotan. When the summer season of June ~ August ends, the number of customers drops sharply in Shakotan, but for those who want to go sightseeing slowly and calmly rather than the crowded summer season ~ we recommend sightseeing after September. If the weather is good and the sun is out, it is not as Squid as the summer season, but you can see the beautiful color of the sea of Shakotan Roux. In front of the cape, pampas grass shines, and there is also an autumn scenery such as a larch highway like a movie location and a landscape with silos. Also, in winter, the waves crashing against the rocks are so beautiful that they are sometimes compared to ink paintings. Sometimes a cat greets you in front of an old stone warehouse in the port, and I hope you can enjoy the scenery of Shakotan not only in the summer season.

Takaibashi (タカイバシ takaibashi)

Entrance to Yamada Hot Spring in Takayama Village Takai Bridge is located at the gateway to the Matsukawa Valleys.
In the colors of the Valleys that change in the four seasons, it is always dignified with its unchanging appearance.

Nagano Prefecture is said to have a clear color of the four seasons. Takaibashi is a place where you can feel the four seasons at a fixed point.
Valleys, budding in Spring, deep green in summer, Autumn leaves in autumn, and snowy scenery in winter.
A red bridge that snuggles up to the four seasons of the Valleys.

The scenery of Takai Bridge in winter is just cool!　It is the world view of ink painting.

Powder snow in the middle of winter does not stick to the branches, and it is a view that can be seen during this Period when there is a lot of wet snow, such as snow from rain.
Also, the day when the sun shines on the pure white Valleys, the snow sparkles, and the sky turns bright blue is also "beautiful". This is also one of the scenes of Takaibashi that I want to show.
The scenery that can be seen when the conditions are right is also the charm of Nature.

Cool scenery in a cool season I would love to see it.

【Costco Wholesale Southern Alps Warehouse Store (tentative name)】Minami-Alps City

Construction is steadily progressing toward the opening of Costco next Spring.
The other day, I found the "COSTCO" logo! It's becoming a reality.
What! Mt. Fuji is above Costco... Fun the unique scenery of Minami-Alps City.

Photographed 12/21/24.
This is GLIN COFFEE Honkawagoe Pepe store.
Ono Buncha × GLINCOFFEE This is a premium hojicha latte with a sansho scent from the Kawagoe tea series. Aroma of sansho is very nice. It also contains white chocolate and honey, which is indulgent.
The Honkawagoe Pepe store will close on December 28th. I'm sad because I was often taken care of when I walked around Kawagoe. 😭

Honoring the Samurai girl

The more onago is bullshit, the more the world will be bullshit.
The stronger you are, the calmer you will be. 
The more you can hang your head and bow low, the more genuine nobility and strength you will acquire.
#osakacastle #samuraigirl #harakiri #bushido #katana

The Way of the Brush

Along with the martial arts, many other arts flourished, including calligraphy, tea ceremony, tea bowls, poetry, incense, and Noh drama, and a samurai needed to have knowledge of both the sword and the brush in order to be seen as a cultured gentleman.

For those of us living in today's busy world, learning about the samurai spirit can give us insight into our attitude, attention, and focus, and foster the determination needed to achieve our goals to the fullest.

#kangi #calligraphy #kimono #osakacastle

Prayer at Kawagoe Hachimangu Shrine today.
The giant ema of the Year of the Snake was completed.
I was preparing for the announcement of this year's one-letter event. Unfortunately, because it was work, I couldn't see a single letter.

Hello! This is the Shakotan Tourism Association. 2024 is just around the corner! Speaking of Shakotan Shakotan we tend to focus on the color of the sea in the Roux and above all, the taste of summer "sea urchin", but in fact, from autumn to winter, seafood such as Haliotis, cod, monkfish, yellowtail, soy, pretend, hokke, etc. are also Landings many. Why don't you enjoy Haliotis sashimi and hot pot with ≪tansui≫ a Local Sake made with Shakotan water? "Autumn and winter are good, come once, Shakotan".

Omachi City character Omapyoun desktop calendar
The New Year is about ten days away✨ How about placing an Omachi City character Omapyoun desktop calendar on the corner of your desk for 2025?
Sales are at Iezura Omachi Specialty Shop (until January 7) and Okumura Printing📆
It comes with a bonus running through March 2026✨
https://kanko-omachi.gr.jp/news/90521/

Atami Yogurt Fermentation Shop
Grand opening today, 12/21! It’s in Nakamise Shopping Street in front of atami station.
I attended the pre-opening yesterday!
They use local Tanna milk and Izu aloe.
Yogurt comes in many varieties, including plain, rich strained, and a limited fresh Atami yogurt.
For eating while walking, try the drinkable yogurt, the "Yogurutto Pan" filled with Greek yogurt and plenty of yogurt butter cream, or the acai with Greek yogurt.
For souvenirs, they offer fresh yogurt butter sandwiches, busse, and souffle sandwiches.

It’s very delicious and very cute 🐤

Joining the lineup of popular Atami sweets—Atami Pudding, Atami Bata-an, Atami Square Cream Puffs, Atami Fruit King, Ichigo BonBonBERRY ATAMI HOUSE., Atami Mircheese, Atami Satori Main Store, and Montblanc Namaito—this new shop is the latest addition.

Please give it a try.

Atami Yogurt Fermentation Shop
https://www.atami-yogurt.com/

Photographed 12/16/24.
On the way back from the beauty salon, I visited HK Tea.
It is a double chocolate of honey lemon and EGG WAFFLE.
I like lemon honey and sometimes I take it easy.

Morning burn at Korinji Temple in Kanagawa Prefecture.
With the five-story pagoda of Korinji Temple in the background
This photo is mainly of cherry blossom branches.

Observation decks of Cape Futtsu
The air is clear and the gradation from evening to night is beautiful 🌆.

The morning when I stayed in the car for the first time
Mt. Fuji was beautiful, so I took a 🗻 picture

From today, the lighting of "Welcome Shintoku Illumination" has started in front of Shintoku Station.
On the first day, about 40 people, including children from kindergartens and nursery schools in In the town and their parents, participated in the Lighting ceremony, and when the was Held in and lit up all at once during the children's countdown, a cheer of "Wow~" erupted.

It started in 1987 (1987 (Showa 62)) and was Held in every year, but the re-Maintenance work around the area in front of the Shintoku Station began in June last year, and unfortunately it was canceled last year, but this year we were able to Held in it because the sidewalk in front of the station was completed.
Although the scale of the content is smaller than in the past, we plan to expand the Volume from the next fiscal year onwards with the completion of surrounding facilities.
As the first step, a new Yezo deer illumination object appeared this year.
Deer, which is about 2 meters long and 2 meters high, is quite powerful when you see it up close! !!
And beside her, a female Deer in the form of eating grass snuggles up to her.

Everyone who comes to Shintoku, please take a look at the new "Welcome Shintoku Illumination".

#Hokkaido #Tokachi #Shintoku Town #Shintoku Tourism Association #Shintoku Station #Illumination #Welcome #Shintoku Illumination #Yezo Deer #japan #hokkaido #tokachi #shintoku #welcomeshitoku #illumination #shintokustation

One shot from December 19, 2024

Jōnen-dake, one of Japan’s 100 famous mountains
This photo was taken near the Jōnen Dōsojin
The winter blue sky and snow-capped ridgeline make a beautiful scene
The cold, dry air has settled over Azumino for the season.

[Northern Alps from Omachi Park 🏔️]
Today in Omachi City, the sky has been clear since morning ☀️ From Omachi Park, located in front of the Mountain Museum, the snow-capped Northern Alps could be seen beautifully 🏔️ Visitors taking photos cheered with delight ✨
For sightseeing in Omachi City, see below 🔽🔽🔽
https://kanko-omachi.gr.jp/

This scene makes me 😊 smile