🌸For a spring outing🌸 Take a leisurely tour of Sakai’s old highways and relax at Kokoan with views of the Mausoleum of Emperor Hanzei🍵 How about a stroll around Sakai’s old highways during cherry blossom season?🚶‍♀️🚶‍♂️🚶 A sightseeing volunteer guide accompanies the tour, so you’ll learn many new things✨ After the walk, unwind at Kokoan next to Hochigai Shrine⛩️ with sweets and tea🍡🍵 Enjoy a tranquil time in a lovely location overlooking the Mausoleum of Emperor Hanzei😌 Discover the charms of nearby Sakai you might not know, together with the cherry blossoms🌸 *Photo of the cherry blossoms at the Former Kosenji Temple Akai Site: taken on March 29, 2025* 📅 Date and time: Every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Meet at 9:50 or 12:50. Reservations required at least three days in advance 💰 Fee: 4,000 yen (includes Kokoan voucher) 📍 Meeting place: Sakai City Hall 21st-floor observation lobby *On Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays one person may join. From Monday to Thursday we accept requests for groups of two or more.* 🔍For details, search “Sakai old highway tour” https://www.sakai-tcb.or.jp/tourism/detail/201...

[Komaide Pond Campground Reservations Open] Komaide Pond Campground sits in a stunning stand of white birch often called the most beautiful in Japan, offering a superb location for camping 🏕️ Reservations for the 2026 season are now open! Season opens: Friday, April 24 Bookings open: Tuesday, March 10 at 10:00 AM To reserve, search for "komaide pond campground" on the NAP site for campground reservations. Komaide Pond Campground official site https://yachiho-kogen.com/camp/...

＼👧All children enter free👦／ From Wednesday, March 25 to Tuesday, March 31, for seven days, Noah Dolphin Dome celebrates its first anniversary by offering free admission for children (ages 4 through elementary school)🎊 We have many other special anniversary programs lined up just for the occasion📢 Of course, our regular animal-interaction programs will run as usual! Make wonderful spring memories at Noah Dolphin Dome…🌸 Admission fees ◯ Regular rates Adult (junior high school and older): ¥1210 Child (ages 4 through elementary school): ¥770 ◯ Night time (entry from 17:00) Adult (junior high school and older): ¥770 Child (ages 4 through elementary school): ¥550 *Children aged 3 and under are free all day* Opening hours 10:00–20:00 (last entry 19:30) Parking None (please use nearby coin-operated parking; no partner parking available) 🔍 Search for "Noah Dolphin Dome" for details! 🔗 Website: https://www.dolphindome.jp//

Tsukigase Plum Valley Ume Festival Now ongoing! Thanks to the cold weather, the plum blossoms are likely to last longer✨ The area around Lakeside Village Tsukigase is at its best, too✨ Photo courtesy of yasunori okamoto

Introducing Our Sponsors: The 15th Teshikaga Photo Contest The winning entries of the 15th Teshikaga Photo Contest have been announced, and we have presented prizes to each winner. This Teshikaga Photo Contest is held with the support of businesses located in Teshikagacho. On the official Teshikaga Navi Instagram, we will gradually introduce the sponsoring companies that have supported us. (Order is random) Today we are pleased to introduce Kawayu Kanko Hotel, a long-established inn in Kawayu Onsen‼︎📝 For more detailed information about the facilities, please check Teshikaga Navi✨ Thank you very much to Kawayu Kanko Hotel for supporting this event🙇❣️ We appreciate your continued support for the Teshikaga Photo Contest and Teshikaga Navi. https://www.masyuko.or.jp/enjoy/kawayukankou/...

Introducing Our Sponsors — The 15th Teshikaga Photo Contest The award-winning entries of the 15th Teshikaga Photo Contest have been announced, and we have presented prizes to each winner. This Teshikaga Photo Contest is held with the support of businesses located in Teshikaga. On the official Teshikaga Navi Instagram, we will gradually introduce the sponsoring companies that helped make this possible. (In no particular order) Today we introduce Poppotei Co., Ltd. / Cafe Poppotei, located in front of Mashu Station!📝 Detailed information is available on Teshikaga Navi, so please check it out.✨ Thank you very much to Poppotei Co., Ltd. / Cafe Poppotei for their cooperation with this event.🙇❣️ We appreciate your continued support for the Teshikaga Photo Contest and Teshikaga Navi. https://www.masyuko.or.jp/enjoy/poppotei/...

Introducing Our Sponsors: The 15th Teshikaga Photo Contest The winning entries of the 15th Teshikaga Photo Contest have been announced, and we presented prizes to each winner. This Teshikaga Photo Contest is held with the support of businesses located in Teshikaga. On the official Teshikaga Navi Instagram, we will gradually introduce the sponsoring companies who have supported us. (In no particular order) Today, we are pleased to introduce Deshigakashiinko Co., Ltd., the operator of Lake Mashu Kamuy Terrace and Iozan MOKMOK Base! For more detailed facility information, please check Teshikaga Navi. We extend our heartfelt thanks to Deshigakashiinko Co., Ltd. for their cooperation with this event. We hope you will continue to support the Teshikaga Photo Contest and Teshikaga Navi. https://www.masyuko.or.jp/enjoy/masyuresthouse/...

Tsukigase Plum Valley Plum Festival Now underway! At its peak♪ Please come and visit! This Sunday looks like it will be busy again. Saturday, which we worried about weather-wise, looks fine✨ Photo courtesy of Yasunori Okamoto

Hello, I’m Gen 😊 It’s March, and Shosenkyo Gorge is getting warmer by the day, making the arrival of spring more noticeable 🌸☘️ The sight of beautiful waterfalls cascading between sheer rock faces and the peaceful valley views will become even more appealing in the coming season 🏞️✨ Shosenkyo offers a special place to stroll slowly while feeling the power of nature, refreshing both body and mind 😊 The photo shows Amethyst 'Egao' (Smiling Mouth) 💎 This stone is notable for its shape that looks like an open, smiling mouth, and it is said to "invite good fortune and gather positive energy," making it a very auspicious natural gem 😃 At Gen’s shop, we carry many good-luck items, including impressive amethyst geodes and quartz crystals 🔮✨ When you visit Shosenkyo, please drop by Gen as well 😊 All our staff look forward to welcoming you sincerely! ✨

Photographed on March 4 The early winter cherry trees near Ginza Street, at the Sakimicho curve, are now in full bloom and catching the eyes of passersby. Of the three trees, the one at the top is called the "Sakamachi Temple Cherry". It is said to be one of the trees planted in the grounds of Iou-ji Temple, which once stood here in the early Meiji period. The tree is over a hundred years old. It survived the Honcho great fire of 1944 and the Atami great fire of 1950, making it a precious cherry tree. Sakamachi Temple Cherry — Address: Sakimicho, Atami City (opposite Hotel Kan-ichi) About 20 early winter cherry trees in Shinsui Park are also continuing to bloom, so please visit if you are in the neighborhood. Shinsui Park — Address: Nagisacho, Atami City (Shinsui Park Daiichi Kouku to Shinsui Park Second Section)

[Reihoku Sunset Marche] March Event Announcement📣 [Reihoku Sunset Marche] March Event Announcement📣 Hello everyone! Reihoku Town is preparing for the Hatsu-uma Grand Festival next week, and we’re pleased to announce the Reihoku Sunset Marche taking place in March♪ 👀Highlights of this Sunset Marche👀 ❣At the Reihoku Sunset Marche, where Reihoku’s farm produce, processed goods, and prepared dishes are sold, asparagus shipments will begin this time! Seasonal citrus like Shiranui and dekopon will also be on sale🍊 We’ll also offer a fill-your-own bag of out-of-spec onions, the limited-season hanahajiki, and outdoors there will be a flea market and a grilled gyoza stall❣ We look forward to seeing you 😊 Don’t forget to bring your own shopping bag🛍✨ [Produce Planned for Sale] ・Asparagus (green, white, purple) ・Turnips🫜 ・Sun-dried winter daikon ・Cabbage ・Rice🌾 ・Taro ・Snap peas ・Daikon ・Onions🧅 ・Tomatoes (Aiko, mini) ・Broccoli🥦 ・Bell peppers ・Mandarin oranges🍊 (Hinoho, Shiranui) ・Lettuce (sunny) 🥦🍅🥕🍠🥬🧅🫑🌽🌶🫛🍆🫚🥔 Reihoku Sunset Marche [Date] Sunday, March 8, 1:00 PM–3:00 PM [Location] Amakusa Reihoku Tourist Association (Reihoku Town Tourist Information Center, Kamitsufue, Reihoku Town 4535-1)

Tsukigase Plum Valley Plum Festival Now underway! At its peak♪ Please come during a quiet weekday moment! It looks like this Sunday will be crowded again. The weather is a concern, but visitors who come on Saturday will likely be able to enjoy it more leisurely✨ Photo credit: Yasunori Okamoto

📢Program Broadcast Notice📢 Teshikaga will be featured on STV Sapporo Television Broadcasting’s Dosanko Weekend on Saturday, March 7, starting at 9:25 AM👀✨ The crew filmed on location around the town and will introduce many aspects of Teshikaga from various perspectives. Look forward to it❣️ Please be sure to watch‼︎

Tsukigase Plum Valley Plum Festival Now on! At peak bloom♪ Please come during a calm weekday time! On the hill opposite the Plum Museum stands a splendid weeping plum tree✨ Photo courtesy: Yasuki Okamoto

On Friday and Saturday, March 6 and 7, we from Reihoku will also exhibit at the “Kikuchi City and Reihoku Joint Product Fair in Fukuoka (Budoubatake),” held at the agricultural products direct sales shop Budoubatake in Minami Ward, Fukuoka City. The seasonal best of Reihoku’s sea and mountains comes together in Fukuoka! On the day, we will offer many of Reihoku’s proud specialty products. 🎁Fun Feature At the venue, customers spending 1,000 yen or more can enter a prize drawing! 📅Event Details Date and Time: Friday and Saturday, March 6 and 7, 2026, 10:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Venue: Agricultural products direct sales shop Budoubatake (2-1-1 Nakao, Minami Ward, Fukuoka City) Program: Specialty product sales, tourism PR, prize drawing, support from Kumamon, and more. Please feel free to come and visit us ✨

Expo '70 Commemorative Park Myakumyaku Senri Banpaku Park, Suita City, Osaka Prefecture Two Myakumyaku monuments, the official mascot of Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, have been relocated to Expo '70 Commemorative Park and are now on display. 📍 Exhibition Location and Period Location Inside Expo '70 Commemorative Park, near the Tower of the Sun Two figures named "Irasshai" and "Wakuwaku" (literally "Welcome" and "Excitement") Period From February 21 to the end of May 2026

National Museum of Ethnology Suita City, Osaka Prefecture, senri banpaku park The National Museum of Ethnology (commonly known as Minpaku) was established in 1974 as a joint university research institute for cultural anthropology and ethnology, and it opened in 1977 on the site of Expo Memorial Park in Senri, Osaka. As one of the world’s largest ethnology museums, it integrates research in cultural anthropology and ethnology with museum activities. The National Museum of Ethnology holds some 345,000 items—everyday tools, traditional clothing, and more—collected by researchers from around the world. Its exhibitions are organized into nine regional displays covering the globe, alongside cross-cultural exhibits on music and language.

This is a spring scene viewed from Motohakone in Kanagawa Prefecture. The combination of Mount Fuji, Lake Ashi, fresh green foliage, and a torii (shrine gate) looks like a painting.

Event Announcement 📣 This one-day-only event lets you enjoy natural wines from Aizawa Winery, where grapes are lovingly cultivated as close to nature as possible.🍇 Taste a variety of wines alongside handmade pizza, pasta, and cheeses.🍷 📍Date and Time: Sunday, March 8, 2026 📍Hours: 2:00 PM–8:00 PM 📍Venue: Pontise shop, 16 Nishi 3 Jo Minami 10 Chome, Obihiro City 📞Inquiries and Reservations: TEL: 0155-63-7723, Email: info@aizawanouen.com https://tokachibare.jp/sake-museum/...

The 87th 'Kurofune Festival' crowdfunding campaign opened for contributions on Sunday, March 1st! 🚢✨ This project aims to bring everyone together to make the Kurofune Festival even more exciting🤝🌊 We offer a variety of rewards depending on the donation amount🎁✨ We sincerely appreciate your support! 🙇‍♀️🔥 *If you visit the site and add the project to your favorites, it will be featured as a highlighted project⭐ For details 🔍 Search for "CAMPFIRE Kurofune Festival" 〈Crowdfunding page〉 https://camp-fire.jp/projects/918377/view... 〈Contact〉 Kurofune Festival Executive Committee Office (Shimoda City Tourism and Exchange Division) 0558-22-3913

My first visit to Japan turned magical when I found a lone Sakura at the entrance to Ueno Park, blooming early on the first day of March. Locals, tourists, people of all ages, and even birds were enjoying the symbol of Spring. To immortalize their joy, I simply had to photograph the birds enjoying the blossoms. I feel proud of this photo, and very lucky to have witnessed such a magical Spring moment in the heart of Tokyo.

Nana Field Road 2026 in Kamogawa City, Chiba Prefecture runs through Sunday, March 8, 2026. Feel spring in a field of four million rapeseed flowers. Stay at a partner hotel in Kamogawa City to receive a free flower-picking ticket (10 stems). It takes about two hours from Tokyo Station by train, express bus, or car. It is an 18-minute walk from Awa-Kamogawa Station.

Tsukigase Plum Valley Plum Festival Now underway! More areas are coming into full bloom♪ Please come and visit! Photo credit: Yasunori Okamoto

This was photographed at Hinode Bridge on the Biei River in Biei, Hokkaido. On a subzero morning I went to capture the sunrise, and in the cold so intense that even batteries stopped working, I saw others waiting for the sunrise besides myself.

Nagano Prefecture Kirigamine Venus Line. A snowy plain landscape. Deer tracks led across a deep, untouched snowfield where no people had ventured.

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.

📣 "Himo Toke ba" Sakai Cycle Stroll will take place 🚲 Explore the moated area and other spots by bike using the limited "Himo Toke ba Sakai 2026 Stamp Passport" ✨ 🚩Meet the conditions and receive a "Myaku Myaku × Haniwa Chief collaboration pin badge" as a later gift! 🎁 📅 Date and time: Sunday, March 15, from 9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. 📬 Applications: Until Tuesday, March 10 🔍 For details, search for "Himo Toke ba Sakai Cycle Stroll"! 🔗 https://www.city.sakai.lg.jp/kurashi/doro/jitensha/sansou/himotokebasakaisansou.html...

Tsukigase Plum Valley Plum Festival Now ongoing! More areas are coming into full bloom♪ Please come and visit! Photo credit::Mr. Yasuki Okamoto

The moment you open the door, a gentle aroma spreads through the lobby. Experience a moment of relaxation as you take in the scenery. Would you like to experience Kushiro at Kushiro Prince Hotel? You can book via the profile URL. https://www.instagram.com/kushiroprincehotel/...