This summer, head to Minami-Izu, where it's not too hot! 🌊☀️ ● About swimming and activities https://x.gd/Yiubz... ● Minami-Izu Town continues to have zero days of extreme heat (as of July 17)! https://x.gd/WewOB... ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ 🏖️ Yumigahama Beach ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ A stunning beach with white sand and green pines, selected as one of "Japan's Top 100 Beaches" and "Top 100 Swimming Spots"! This year, Yumigahama Splash Water Park is back! 🛟 Enjoy water activities and swimming together. 📅 From July 18 (Saturday) to August 23 (Sunday) * Yumigahama Splash Water Park will be open until August 23. ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ 🤿 Hirizo Beach (Nakagi) ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ A hidden beach accessible only by boat! 🚤 Thanks to the Kuroshio current, it boasts excellent visibility and is a paradise for snorkeling with abundant fish. 🐠 📅 From July 1 (Saturday) to September 30 (Wednesday) 🚢 Hirizo Beach swimming tour now accepting reservations! Departure dates: August 8-16, September 19-22 Adults 6,500 yen / Children 5,500 yen Sign up for the tour here: https://x.gd/ZH3a4... ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ 🎆 49th Yumigahama Fireworks Festival ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ The water fireworks viewed from the sandy beach are breathtaking! ✨ 📅 August 8 (Saturday) from 8 PM ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ 🏝️ List of summer swimming spots ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ 1️⃣ Yumigahama Beach July 18 - August 30 2️⃣ Koura Beach July 27 - August 16 3️⃣ Yagawahama and Tawarahama Ferry Crossing (Mera) July 18 - August 31 * Starting July 25! Izu the South 34°N: https://www.izu34n.jp// * Summer posters are also on sale! B1 (Ishimuro Shrine) 500 yen, B2 (Hammerhead Shark, two types of fireflies from Ihama) 300 yen (Free distribution to Minami-Izu residents) 📷 A photo contest is also underway! Winners will receive luxurious prizes. Apply here: https://x.gd/LRM7Q...

Gion Festival Points for Enjoyment Walking to See the Floats The centerpiece of the Gion Festival is undoubtedly the floats. Seeing the luxurious decorations and intricate designs up close is truly impressive. During the day, you can enjoy the overall grandeur, while at night, the lanterns create a serene atmosphere. Experiencing the Atmosphere of the Evening Festival The time when the floats are lined up makes walking around the city enjoyable. The stalls, the flow of people, and the bustling atmosphere of the float districts all combine to create a festive air that is quintessentially Kyoto. Taking a Close Look at the Townhouses and Decorations Not only the floats but also the surrounding townscape and shop arrangements are charming. Walking while admiring the hanging decorations and ornaments reveals the depth of the festival. Avoiding Crowds The popular time slots can get quite crowded. If you prefer to take your time, choosing early hours or times closer to weekdays makes for easier walking. Useful Items to Have Comfortable shoes Drinks and hats for heat protection A small bag for crowded times Rain gear in case of weather changes Is it true that you shouldn't eat cucumbers during the Gion Festival? This is related to the family crest of Yasaka Shrine, the deity of the Gion Festival. The family crest of Yasaka Shrine resembles the cross-section of a sliced cucumber. Because of this, the townspeople of Kyoto have had a tradition of not eating cucumbers during the Gion Festival.

Gion Festival... Pre-Festival Night On July 15th (Wednesday) and 16th (Thursday), during the evening festivities, certain areas will become pedestrian-only zones (car-free zones), lined with food stalls. The pedestrian zone hours, excluding some streets, are from 6:00 PM to 11:00 PM. The pedestrian areas include Shijō Street (from Higashioji Street to Horikawa Street), Karasuma-dori Street (from Oike Street to Takatsuji Street), Muromachi-dōri (from Sanjō Street to Takatsuji Street), and Shinmachidori (from Takoyakushi Street to Takatsuji Street). Bicycles are not allowed in the pedestrian-only zones. The Gion Festival nights can get quite crowded, especially around the floats and major streets, making movement difficult. Avoid going against the flow of people and steer towards less crowded streets. Parents with small children and elderly individuals should refrain from pushing into the crowded center. Stay hydrated and take measures against the heat. As evening falls, the sounds of "Konchikichin" resonate from each float district. The Gion music, played with bells, flutes, and drums, has long been cherished as a sound heralding the arrival of summer in Kyoto. Surrounded by the glow of lanterns, the time spent admiring the floats while listening to Gion music is truly enchanting. The lantern light adds a different kind of splendor compared to daytime. Due to the large crowds, stepping back to view the overall scene is also beautiful.

Taken on July 1, 26. This is Craft Juicy Peach Tea and a white peach & Earl Grey tart. I'm happy because I love peaches. 😊🍑

Notice of Change in Event Date📣 The "Makubetsu Summer Festa" scheduled for July 19 has been postponed to July 20 (Monday, a public holiday) due to rain forecasts!! http://www.makubetsu.jp/kankobussankyokai/?p=8237...

Taken on July 1, 2014. This is a windmill in front of the Otorii Gate at Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine. It was around 7:30 in the morning in the shrine grounds.

祇園祭2026年 京都の夏といえば祇園祭が真っ先に浮かびますね・・・ 祇園祭は、京都の八坂神社の祭礼で、疫病退散を祈る行事として平安時代に始まったと伝えられています。 現在は日本三大祭の一つとして知られ、豪華な山鉾や神輿、さまざまな神事が1か月にわたって行われます。 7月1日ごろ 吉符入など 祭の始まりを告げる神事 7月10日 神輿洗・お迎え提灯 鴨川で神輿を清める神事 7月14日〜16日 前祭・宵山 山鉾が建ち並び、夜の賑わいが最高潮 7月17日 前祭・山鉾巡行と神幸祭神輿渡御 7月21日〜23日 後祭・宵山 落ち着いた雰囲気で山鉾を見学 7月24日 後祭・山鉾巡行と花傘巡行 山鉾が再び都大路を進む日 7月31日 疫神社夏越祭 祭の締めくくりの神事 熱中症対策がとても大事な場面です。 通気性のよい薄手の服、帽子、(日傘巡行時はNG) 首元を冷やせるタオルや保冷剤 こまめに飲める水やお茶、スポーツドリンク 塩分タブレットなどナトリウム補給ができるもの 体調が悪い・・・人混みや長時間の観覧を無理しない トイレはコンビニなど使用できません・・・ トイレマップアプリで・・・

It took a year to finally complete it. I took photos of Doctor Yellow in the vicinity of Omi Nagaoka Nishiyama Castle Ruins throughout spring, summer, autumn, and winter. In spring, there are cherry blossoms; in summer, a blue sky; in autumn, the foliage; and in winter, snow.

Participants are now being recruited for the event! 📣 In Nakasatsunaimura, where the clear stream of the Saru River flows and a peaceful rural landscape spreads at the foot of the majestic Hidaka Mountain Range, we are a member of the "Most Beautiful Villages in Japan" alliance. 😊 We will hold a cycling event where you can freely explore the tourist spots of Nakasatsunaimura (partially in Obihiro City and Sarabetsumura) while enjoying this rich natural environment. 🚴🚴🚴 The route is flexible, allowing you to visit tourist spots at your own pace. This event will introduce the "NaviTabi" system for the first time‼ Points will be automatically added just by passing through checkpoints, enabling you to focus on a smooth and comfortable ride without stopping your bicycle. 😍 At the aid stations along the way, we will provide delicious local gourmet food. 🎵 This special day will feature special guests, former Olympic speed skating medalists Nana Takagi and Misaki Oshigiri. ✨✨ After the ride, there will be an award ceremony and a networking event (light meals will be provided), as well as a talk show by the guests. Feel the refreshing breeze and experience the unique scenery and culinary delights that can only be enjoyed by bicycle. We look forward to your participation! 🤗 🔶 Event Date: Sunday, September 6, 2026, from 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM (Networking event from 3:15 PM) *The event will be held rain or shine. In case of severe weather, announcements will be made on the official Nakasatsunaimura Gourmet Ride website. 🔶 Participation Fee 【Regular Price】Adults: 8,000 yen, Children (from elementary school age to under junior high school): 4,000 yen 【Village Resident Discount (for residents of Nakasatsunaimura)】 Adults: 4,000 yen, Children: Free (must be accompanied by a guardian) *1 The village resident discount is limited to those who currently have a residence certificate in Nakasatsunaimura. *2 Children cannot participate alone. They must participate with a guardian. *3 Children eligible are those "from elementary school age to under junior high school." 🔶 Application Period: From Wednesday, May 20, 2026, to Thursday, August 6, 2026. 🔶 Start and Finish Location: Nakasatsunaimura Cultural Creation Center Courtyard (1-3 Higashi 4-jo Minami, Nakasatsunaimura, Kawanishi District, Hokkaido) 🔶 How to Apply: Please apply via the URL below on Sports Entry. https://www.sportsentry.ne.jp/event/t/105583... 🔶 Contact Information Tokachi Nakasatsunaimura Gourmet Ride Executive Committee (Secretariat: Nakasatsunaimura Tourism Association) TEL: 0155-68-3390 https://gourmet-ride.com//

In early July, Tomakomai, where the highest temperatures were around 22 to 23°C, has seen temperatures exceed 25°C in recent days. The humidity has also increased. (However, it is still much more comfortable than in central Hokkaido, such as Sapporo.) The image shows Lake Utonai on July 16,✨ which can only be seen during the brief moments when the wind stops.✨ (Image provided by Roadside Station Utonai Lake)

【Limited-Time Food Sales at Kamu】 At Roadside Station Nishiokoppe "Kamu," we will be selling limited-time food items during the three-day weekend in July! Dates: Saturday, July 18th – Monday, July 20th (Public Holiday) Sales start at 10 AM. Menu: ＼Sandwiches made with locally sourced wheat from Bakery Ishida／ ◇Two types of dog sandwiches, each 600 yen (tax included) ・Sandwich with deer loin cutlet from Nishiokoppe and egg salad ・Sandwich with yakisoba and yangnyeom chicken ＼Assorted pasta with deer meat sauce／ ◇Lunch box 800 yen (tax included) ＼Japanese cuisine options available／ ◇Shrimp tempura maki sushi ◇Sekiro sushi ◇Roll sushi (natto, egg, cucumber, kanpyou) Each 600 yen (tax included) Additionally, we plan to sell Sekiro sushi and shrimp tempura rolls! All items are available in limited quantities, so please visit us early if you're interested. Also, at Kamu, we are currently selling soft serve ice cream made with grass-fed milk from Nishiokoppe! How about some for dessert after your meal? 🍦🤤 In the attached garden, summer flowers have started to bloom, and the grasses are growing tall, swaying in the breeze. Don't miss the garden when you visit Kamu! - 【Roadside Station Nishiokoppe "Kamu"】 Opening hours ▶ 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM Closed on ▶ Every Tuesday Admission ▶ Inside the roadside station: Free Flower park: 200 yen for high school students and above Contact ▶ 0158-87-2333 #Kamu #three-day weekend #limited menu

[Currently in Production] This year at the Woody Summer School, participants will be creating wooden tractors. The summer Woody School is like a 2-night, 3-day camp focused on making wooden crafts. This marks the 32nd edition of the event this year, which has been loved by many for many years. The woodworking instructor is currently making parts for the participants to use. In fact, it seems that one instructor is making parts for 20 tractors all by himself! 😳 Last year, we solidified ideas for this year's project and by December, we had produced a prototype. After fine-tuning while looking at the prototype, the drawings were completed by March this year, and in April, they were beautifully drafted in CAD. Since May, we have been in the process of making parts. Many innovations have been implemented to create parts with precision, and we were shown how this round contour is cut using this tool. The molds used for making wooden parts are also made of wood. The rounded board was created by gluing together four thin boards and applying pressure to bend them. We were constantly amazed by the skillful manipulation of various tools to create intricate parts during the workshop tour. To everyone planning to participate in the Woody School, please look forward to the day! ✨️ #Woodworking #Woody Summer School #Parts Production

Event Announcement📣 On Sunday, July 19th, the "Makubetsu Summer Festa 2026" will be held to celebrate summer in Makubetsu Town😊 At the venue, you'll find fun attractions, a bouncy dome, and stalls offering delicious local gourmet food🎵 Additionally, the Chamber of Commerce Youth Division will host a grand lottery with luxurious prizes, including JTB pair travel vouchers🎁🎁 The festival will conclude with approximately 3,000 beautiful fireworks lighting up the night sky🎆 Bring your family and friends and come join us at the venue🤗 🔶Date: Sunday, July 19, 2026, from 1:00 PM to 9:00 PM *In case of rain, the event may be postponed to Monday, July 20th (holiday). 🔶Venue: Makubetsu Undo Park Special Venue 🔶Contact: Makubetsu Town Office Economic Department Commerce, Industry and Tourism Division TEL 0155-54-2111 (Weekdays 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM) http://www.makubetsu.jp/kankobussankyokai/?p=8782...

Taken on July 1, 2026. This is the love fortune slip from Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine.

Taken on July 1, 2026. This is the Aitai fortune slip from Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine.

Photographed on July 15, 2014. These are the matchmaking wind chimes from Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine. Yesterday was the annual festival at Yasaka Shrine. We prayed for good health, had our heads bitten by the lion's head, and were fanned by Tengu-sama with a fan. We received cucumbers and amulets.

Kodai Fire Festival ❚ Held on August 14, 2026 The Kodai Fire Festival will take place in Ogata Town, Bungoono City, Oita Prefecture. The lights of the kodai (small torches) will emerge fantastically from the area around Harajiri Falls, illuminating the Ogata Plains. 【Event Date】Friday, August 14, 2026 ※Postponed by one day in case of bad weather 【Location】Around Harajiri Falls and the Ogata Plains ※Traffic regulations will be enforced from 18:30 on the 14th. Please follow the instructions of the staff. 【Ignition Time】19:30, simultaneous ignition 【Number of Lights】Approximately 10,000 【Flame Sculpture Exhibition】 Around the venue, local residents will create unique torii gates and stone bridges with torches, showcasing their beauty in a competition. 【Contact for Event Inquiries】 Ogata Branch, Bungoono City, Phone: 0974-42-2111 Harajiri Falls Roadside Station Co., Ltd., Phone: 0974-42-4140 ❚ What is the Kodai Fire Festival? A traditional event passed down since the Edo period. Its origins are unclear, but it is said to be related to the memorial for the Bon festival, the wish for a good rice harvest, and the memorial for victims of uprisings that occurred during the Edo period.

Today, I visited Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine. The wind chime for tying bonds on the bench has changed to a sky blue color. I was in high spirits because Spain won.😊🎐

Event Announcement📣 On July 19 (Sunday), the 15th Furusato Ginga Line Rikubetsu Railway Festival will be held😊 For nearly 100 years since 1910, this public railway has been running through Rikubetsu Town. After its closure in 2006, it was reborn in April 2008 as a tourist facility where visitors can experience actual train operations! To promote this historic "Rikubetsu Railway" and encourage more people to ride and experience it, we are hosting this event🎵 On the evening of July 18, about 2,000 fireworks will light up the summer night sky🎆 In conjunction with this, a special fireworks train will be operated, allowing passengers to enjoy the fireworks from inside the diesel train!! Passengers will receive local specialty products from Rikubetsu Town as a gift. Reservations are currently being accepted🚂 (Note: Fireworks train → Capacity 32 people, 1,500 yen) Additionally, stage shows featuring street performers and music performances by Backyard Music are also planned‼ During the stage event on July 19, we will welcome the popular Yoshimoto Kogyo comedians "Slim Club and Denjin Band" for a comedy stage performance. Moreover, in the "Special Train Experience Ride," we will extend the ride experience, which is usually limited to the station premises, as a special train for this event to Koi-yamagata Station in the suburbs. Those wishing to ride can register on the day of the event. (Note: Special train → Adults 500 yen, Elementary school students 300 yen) Don't miss this rare opportunity for a unique experience😍 Other activities include horseback riding experiences, a bingo tournament with a chance to win a Nintendo Switch 2, and dance performances by elementary school students from Rikubetsu, among various programs planned🎁🎁 Many vendors will also be present, so we invite everyone to come together and join us🤗 🔶 Date and Time <Pre-festival> July 18, 2026 (Saturday) 18:00–20:30 <Main Festival> July 19, 2026 (Sunday) 10:00–16:00 🔶 Venue <Pre-festival> Midori-machi Soccer Field <Main Festival> Inside Rikubetsu Railway Station & Multipurpose Square in front of the station 🔶 Fireworks Train Applications & Inquiries Furusato Ginga Line Rikubetsu Railway Festival Executive Committee Office (Rikubetsu Town Hall, Industrial Promotion Division) TEL: 0156-27-2141 https://www.rikubetsu.jp/kanko/event/tetsudoumatsuri/...

Taken on July 1, 26. Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine, this is a wind chime symbolizing the connection of the engawa (veranda). I'm curious about 🇪🇸🆚🇫🇷.

Taken on July 1, 2014. This is the matchmaking wind chime from Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine. I found a red thread wind chime.

On a summer day with light rain continuing, Kobe Meriken Park was a sight to behold. The fine rain fell and stopped intermittently, and the raindrops resting on the white petals that had fallen due to the wind were beautiful.

I love my hometown so much✨️ I want you to know its charm.

The "2026 Artisan Summer Asparagus Fair" starts on Tuesday, July 21! This year, 26 restaurants will participate!! Using the summer bounty of Engaru Town, "Engaru Nyokki-zu Summer Asparagus," participating restaurants will offer original dishes created with creativity and ingenuity at the "Asparagus Fair." This year, 26 restaurants are participating. Be sure to enjoy the original dishes at many establishments. When you order asparagus dishes, there will be special benefits at each restaurant, and you also have a chance to win "1 kg of Summer Asparagus" or "common meal vouchers for participating restaurants" for 30 lucky winners through a lottery! The event will be held from Tuesday, July 21, to Thursday, August 13! 🎶

Visiting Ichinomiya-ji in Kagawa Prefecture during the summer, aside from the usual pilgrimage, what I look forward to the most is the traditional summer event, the "Cucumber Blessing." As I step into the quaint temple, the first thing that catches my eye is the neatly arranged boxes of vibrant green cucumbers. Each cucumber is tied with a wish paper bearing the names and ailments of the devotees, creating a scene that is both novel and filled with a sense of sacred ritual. People firmly believe that through the master's spiritual power, they can temporarily entrust their internal pains and misfortunes to the cucumbers. Standing in front of the master's hall, I watch the devotees earnestly writing their wishes, with the rising incense and the deep, resonant chanting filling the air, even the summer cicadas seem to quiet down in this moment. The serene energy makes one naturally calm, and I silently pray for health and peace for myself and my family with my hands together. After the ceremony, these cucumbers, which carry the ailments of many, will remain at the temple, where they will be collectively buried in the Cucumber Mound. As the cucumbers naturally decay in the soil, the tormenting pains and misfortunes will also fade away into the earth. This seemingly simple tradition is wrapped in the most sincere and profound hopes of people for their health. For me, the Cucumber Blessing at Ichinomiya-ji is not just a special travel experience; it is a summer memory intertwined with the warm humanity and ancient beliefs of Shikoku.

Taken on July 1, 2024. These are the enmusubi wind chimes from Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine. 🎐

In Memuro Town, at Memuro Shrine, during the summer, it is beautifully decorated with flower water offerings, wind chimes, and pinwheels. Recently, there was a fireworks festival, and it was said to be illuminated as well.

Taken on July 1, 2014. These are the matchmaking wind chimes at Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine.

Enjoy the coolness of summer in the great outdoors! Here are some highland activities to try! <Don't forget to tap the "save mark" if you want to look back later!> 1. SUP (Stand Up Paddleboarding) in Shinshu Shinmachi If you want to fully experience the nature of Nagano City, SUP in Shinshu Shinmachi is highly recommended! Enjoy a leisurely walk on the water while taking in the beautiful seasonal scenery and refreshing atmosphere. With guided tours available, even beginners can feel at ease! 2. Forest Adventure Nagano Let's soar into the sky over Nagano! A thrilling glide 150m above the lake! Breathe in the refreshing winds of Nagano City and embrace the great outdoors!✨ With attentive support from instructors, everyone can enjoy themselves safely! 3. Togakushi Campground A refreshing campground surrounded by white birch forests, adjacent to Togakushi Farm. It's perfect for outdoor schools and family camping in the midst of nature. With over 350 auto camping sites (free sites), it's one of the largest in Japan! Facilities include cooking areas, outdoor stoves, hot showers, flushing toilets, and a shop. You can also enjoy river play in the stream flowing through the site. 【Operating Hours】April 25, 2026 - November 4, 2026 (tentative) From 9:30 AM to 4:30 PM (for day camp use) 【Reservations】Available by phone or through the official website 【Closed】Winter break 【Parking】Available (free) #Experience #Activities #Highland #Nagano City #Nagano Tourism

Taken on July 1, 2014. These are the matchmaking wind chimes at Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine.