Neighborhood scenery

Crystals of light dancing in Taisho-era romance ■Location Ginzan Onsen, Yamagata Prefecture ■Background and thoughts behind the work Ginzan Onsen sits quietly in the deep mountains of Yamagata. On a night when snow piled softly on the streets steeped in Taisho-era romance, I attempted something for the first time. I used the built-in flash to capture the “expressions of snow invisible to the eye.” Until then I had cherished natural light, but that evening I felt a strong urge to make each drifting snowflake shine like a jewel. The instant the flash fired, pure white snow crystals appeared against the dark, and the warm orange glow of the gas lamps contrasting with the cold snow created a dreamlike scene. In the subzero cold I kept shooting until my fingertips went numb, and when I saw the glittering snow on the preview screen, I felt an indescribable emotion. Through my first strobe shoot, I rediscovered the beauty of movement dwelling within frozen time. This photograph is an unforgettable and precious image for me.

Winter silence reflected in a circular window ■Shooting location Kiyotsu Gorge Tunnel "Light Cave", Niigata Prefecture ■Background and thoughts behind the work I have long been deeply interested in contemporary architecture and geometric form, and I wanted to capture this space by architect Ma Yansong through my own lens. In the severe cold of February, a silver world spread beyond the tunnel. What I aimed to express in this image was the contrast between the clinical stainless steel walls, the rugged snow-covered mountains of nature, and the water-mirror that blurs the boundary between them. I paid particular attention to the placement of the figure and the balance of symmetry. In the quiet, blue space, a single human step adds a moment when a "story" is born within frozen time. My fingertips felt numb in the subzero air, but when the perfect circle and its reflection aligned through the viewfinder, I felt an indescribable exhilaration. This photograph is a precious memory from a winter trip that closed my study abroad life in Japan, taken while confronting my own sensibility.

Photographed on February 13, 2014. This is HK Tea’s lemon honey and a chocolate-banana egg waffle. Chocolate and banana go so well together. 😊🍫🍌

Photographed on February 13, 2026. This is HK Tea’s lemon honey. 🍋🍯 I love it. 😊

Photographed on January 19, 2014. These are the hanachōzu (flower-filled hand-washing basin) at Kawagoe Hachimangu Shrine.

Daiichi Nagisa Park at Lake Biwa, where early-blooming rapeseed flowers blossom. The contrast between the white snow and the yellow flowers is striking.

Photographed on January 19, 2014. These are the floral hand-washing basin displays at Kawagoe Hachimangu Shrine.

Photographed on January 19, 2014. These are the flower-filled handwashing basins at Kawagoe Hachimangu Shrine.

Drifting ice off the coast of Shiretoko (Rausucho) is home to drift ice and Steller's sea eagles. When dozens of Steller's sea eagles and white-tailed eagles gather, their large size creates a truly dramatic sight.

Off the coast of Shiretoko (Rausucho) Here are the drift ice and a Steller's sea eagle. This weekend it was warm in Hokkaido and a southerly wind blew, so I was worried the drift ice might be pushed away, but the ice band remained. The drift ice will be gone next month, and from late April you can see orcas and whales.

The Otaru Canal in winter’s magic hour. On the right bank, stone warehouses weigh down with snow in silence, while on the left bank the warm glow of gas lamps lights the snow white. Countless candles floating on the water trail long tails of light across the cold surface, gently swaying. People strolling along the promenade, captured in long exposures, become blurred light afterimages, visualizing the dense passage of time within the still scene. The cold air and the fires that seem to melt it coexist, etched together in vivid contrast.

Photographed on February 15, 2014. This is LEC COFFEE’s chocolate Basque cheesecake and a black latte. I’m looking forward to the Kawagoe Coffee Selection. 😊

Mount Kaikoma in winter The dawn atmosphere and the faint mist created a magical scene.

Photographed on February 15, 2014. This is a black latte from LECCOFFEE. The latte art is lovely. 😊🩷 LECCOFFEE will be exhibiting at KAWAGOE COFFEE SELECTION tomorrow, February 22.

Photographed on February 15, 2014. This is a chocolate Basque cheesecake with strawberries from LEC COFFEE.

Hello, this is Ryūsuido 🌸 The birthstone for February, amethyst 💎, is one of the more powerful varieties of quartz, known for its mystical purple color. Known not only for bringing good luck and fortune, it also offers healing and protection from harm, and is celebrated as a guardian stone of love 😊 At Shosenkyo Gorge it has been mild the past few days, and you can begin to feel the first hints of spring. Clear skies, rugged rock faces, and sunlight spilling onto the water— that contrast is stunning and soothing to the soul ✨ One of Shosenkyo’s charms is the changing scenery each season brings ❗️ The Takinoue area offers many spots where you can forget everyday life and simply enjoy yourself 🌿 Please do visit when you can‼️ We truly look forward to the day we can see your wonderful smiles 😊✨

2026 Ice and Snow Lantern Festival February 15, Okuwa village Okuwa Village Sports Park

2026 Ice and Snow Lantern Festival February 14, 2026 Nagisomachi Tsumago inn Tsumago-juku

2026 Ice and Snow Lantern Festival February 11 — Nezame-no-Toko, Agematsu Town

<Scenic Night 2026 in Kimobetsu is coming!> Scenic Night 2026 in Kimobetsu, an event that lights the town with snow candle glow, will take place. We have planned children’s games, snow candle making, and a midwinter fireworks display, so please come dressed warmly! At the midwinter food court we will sell pork miso soup and takoyaki, and at the midwinter beer garden we will offer draft beer, pork skewers, chicken skewers, and more. We look forward to seeing you. Date and time: Saturday, February 21, 2026 13:30 Children’s games registration 15:00 Snow candle making, midwinter food court, and midwinter beer garden open 17:00 Snow candle lighting 18:30 Midwinter fireworks display 20:00 Scheduled end (Program may change due to weather or other reasons) Location: Around Hotto Kimobetsu Roadside Station, Kimobetsucho Organizer: Kimobetsu Scenic Night Executive Committee, NPO Kimobetsu WAO

This is Diamond Fuji seen from Tokyo DisneySea with Tokyo Gate Bridge in the foreground.

Photographed on February 15, 2014. This is Hara Florist’s Valentine’s Day hanachozu (floating flower basin). 🩷🌹

Photographed on February 17, 2014. After visiting Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine, I relaxed at the Starbucks Kanetsuki‑dōri Store. I had a chocolate mousse latte and a chocolate tart. SAKURA starts today. 🌸

Today I attended the Kinen-sai (Prayers for a Good Harvest) at Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine. These are the lanterns of Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine. Kinen-sai is a ritual to pray for a bountiful harvest that year, national peace, and the well-being of the people.

Photographed on February 15, 2014. The 4th Koedo Imo Park was held at Kawagoe Castle Honmaru Goten. On the left is Matcha Arata’s hojicha koguma latte. On the right is IMOS cafestand’s baked sweet potato sugar-butter crepe. I enjoyed it thoroughly. 😊🍠

The lantern festival that decorates Nagasaki in winter is beautiful not only at night but also during the day. About 15,000 red lanterns hang throughout the city center, and their vivid colors stand out against the bright sky, catching the eye even in daylight. Originally begun as the Chinese Lunar New Year spring festival, it has become a signature winter sight of Nagasaki. Lanterns seen in daytime offer a pleasing contrast with the blue sky, revealing a radiant charm different from the night.

Event Announcement 📣 On Saturday, February 21, 2026, Makubetsucho will host “2026 Makubetsu Tsunagu Lantern” at Akenogaoka Park 😊 Each handmade lantern created by local residents has its own unique design, and they are delightful to admire 🎵 Please come and see the magical world lit by the lanterns’ gentle glow ✨ Be sure to dress warmly for the event 🧤🧣🧥 📍Date: Saturday, February 21, 2026 ※In case of severe weather, the event will be postponed to Sunday, February 22, 2026 ※If postponed, an announcement will be posted on Instagram. 📍Venues and Times 🔸Akenogaoka Park 17:30–19:30 🔸Makubetsu Park Plaza 17:30–19:30

Limited time only — until March 20, 2026. Tsurui Crane Guided Tour with an expert guide. Meet them at the best time, in the best place, for unforgettable moments. Experience the nature of Kushiro more deeply. Reservations available from the profile URL. https://www.instagram.com/kushiroprincehotel/...

On a snowy morning in Sagamihara City, I photographed a winter maple and a park slide with an apartment building in the background.