You can see Mt. Yotei in front of our house! Mt. Yotei tells us about the change of seasons from summer to autumn. The sky is still summer clouds, but in the fields at the foot of the mountain, farmers are working from early in the morning during the autumn harvest. "It's going to snow soon!" said my daughter, who is in the Alpine Boys' Club, and is excited now!

The sunflowers at Mito Farm in Otofuke are in full bloom! This is a sunflower field sown as a green manure on the field after the wheat harvest. The sunflowers stretching across the vast grounds are a spectacular sight! You can see them here until the end of September. For location details, please check the notices on the TokachigawaOnsen Tourism Association website. *Please do not enter the field to prevent the introduction of pathogens!*

Wheat harvesting has begun, and straw rolls can now be seen across the fields. These round bales will become beds for the cows! A landscape typical of Tokachi in Hokkaido stretches out. ※This is a farmer’s precious field. Please do not enter it.

The 10th Mugi-Kan Festival will take place! You can enjoy freshly harvested wheat with all five senses. There will be plenty of fun events, including freshly baked wheat bread for sale, a Mugi-Kan roll-rolling contest, and tractor rides! Date and time: Saturday, August 19, 2023, 10:00–14:00 Location: Takenaka Farm wheat fields Admission: Adults 1,500 yen, elementary and junior high students 500 yen *Canceled in case of rain

At the beginning of June the wheat fields that were still green turn golden, and harvest is about to begin. Otofuke, Japan’s top wheat-producing town. After the harvest, straw rolls rise up in the fields to become beds for cows. The harvested wheat is reborn as delicious bread and udon. Tokachi is full of excellent bakeries and pastry shops. Prices are very reasonable, with bread in the 100-yen range and cakes in the 200-yen range. Seeing the crops being grown like this naturally brings a feeling of gratitude for the food we eat.

I rode along the Otofuke Melody Line! That doesn’t mean music plays along the road. (I thought so at first too 😊) The name belongs to a town road connecting TokachigawaOnsen and central Otofuke, and it was named after the “Oto” in Otofuke Town. You’ll find rural scenery typical of Otofuke, a straight road leading toward the mountain range, and sunflower fields in autumn—many lovely views. At about 15 km long, it’s a wonderful road for driving or cycling! Because there are ups and downs, an electric-assist bicycle is recommended for cycling. The tourism association provides assist bicycles! Be sure to try riding the Otofuke Melody Line♬ ⛔Please do not enter the fields.

[English/Japanese] Across the street from the amanatto sweet bean shop introduced previously is a public bathhouse that is famous in Hachioji. At the bathhouse, vegetables are sold unattended. At this sales place, rare vegetables from the Tama area are sold, and there is a wide variety of them, so it is fun just to look around 😊International students often take advantage of these unattended vegetable sales. The principal of our school also has a farm in Hachioji City, and he is often asked by foreigners to sell their produce. When I asked the students about it, they said it looks fresher and tastier than the ones sold in supermarkets. I encourage everyone to try these rare vegetables that can only be found in the Tama area. Across from the amanato shop I introduced earlier is a public bath that is famous in Hachioji. The public bath sells vegetables unmanned. This sales office sells rare vegetables from the Tama area, and it is fun just to look at them with a wide variety. 😊 The principal of our school also has a farm in Hachioji City, and foreigners often ask him to sell it. When I asked the students, they said that it looked fresher and tastier than the ones sold at the supermarket. Please try the rare vegetables that can only be harvested in the Tama area.

Early morning on January 8, 2023 Sunny -1°C Daily records of the copse Thanks for watching. It records the changes in nature and trees. #Forest #Autumn Leaves #Photography #Nature #Morning #Light #Shadow #Color #Four Seasons

January 7, 2023 Sunny 1°C Daily records of the copse Thanks for watching. It records the changes in nature and trees. #Forest #Autumn Leaves #Photography #Nature #Morning #Light #Shadow #Color #Four Seasons