I took a picture of the round window of Meigetsu-in Temple in Kita-Kamakura. Famous as a hydrangea temple, the iris garden behind the round window is also wonderful. It's cool Japan to make a window with such a design.

I looked up at Himeji Castle. You can see the multi-layered roof and the structure of the eaves, and it is not only beautiful. You can get a glimpse of the original appearance of the sturdy castle, and the people who made it in the past are the very essence of Cool Japan.

When I took a picture of Himeji Castle with the front shifted, the height of the castle walls and the presence of the castle tower stood out. It's a place you want to visit at least once.

The landscape "Otaru Canal" Representative of Otaru. Along the gently curved 1,140-meter-long canal, stone warehouses and historic buildings are lined up, and no matter where you cut it, it will be picturesque Unfortunately, the sky was cloudy on this day, but it was a piece that made me feel a little nostalgic.

From the Hiroshima Atomic Bomb Dome. It makes me think often that no matter how much the economy develops, no matter how many times go on, no matter how much life becomes richer, there are some histories that should never be forgotten or repeated.

Funaya in Ine, Kyoto Whenever I look at it, I feel that it is amazing to be able to maintain this scenery even though it is close to the sea, and it seems that the reason why Ine Bay is less affected by disasters is because Qingdao, which becomes a bay, protects it.

This is one of the mountain trails in Hyogo Prefecture, the former Fukuchiyama Line Abandoned railway lines! It used to be a coal mine, and the site where the railway was used as a transportation route is now known as a mountain trail full of nature. While it is an abandoned railway line and you can feel the history and remnants of the past, it is an easy-to-walk mountain trail with plenty of nature and not many ups and downs, so I personally would like to recommend it to those who want to enjoy hiking with parents and children.

This is the ceiling painting "Twin Dragon Ceiling" taken at Kenninji Temple, which I visited on a walk in Kyoto sometime. When I heard about the photo contest on Japanese history being held in 2024 Year of the Dragon, this photo was the first thing that came to mind. Dragons have been the subject of worship and worship since ancient times! Kyoto, dragons, temples, and other elements are all suitable for the subject of Japanese history, so I decided to post it.

The Yomeimon Gate at the Nikko Tosho-gu shrine. We arrived towards the closing time of this shrine and yet this gate made me stand and stare at the gorgeous detail of the artist's work. Very symbolic of the beautiful Japanese history. The cherry on the cake was that beyond this gate, we could walk up to the final resting place of Tokugawa Ieyasu, someone who I admire and had read about so much before arriving in Japan.

Photographed at the former Main Building of the Kyoto Prefectural Government Office The Shidarezakura weeping cherry blossoms in the courtyard is said to be the grandson of the first "Gion Shidarezakura weeping cherry blossoms" in Maruyama Park.

"Presence"

「Tokyo Tower」 I have been photographing Tokyo Tower from Azabudai Hills. Tokyo Tower, seen from the tallest building in Japan, felt a little small, and I felt the change of times in Japan.

【Open to the public once every 33 years】Hattasan Choukokuji Temple 3 days from March 16 ~ 18, 2024. Once every 33 years, the secret Buddha, the eleven-sided Kannon statue, was opened to the public. Harashichigo Kanseon Bodhisattva, which was called the guardian Kannon of Hara Nanago, has been worshipped by people since ancient times. During the three days of the open to the public, many people crowded with prayers. In addition, the main hall has been designated as an important cultural property of Japan as a valuable building that preserves the architectural style of the Muromachi period. This year also marks the 500th anniversary of the reconstruction of the main hall.

Namako-kabe The term namako-kabe (sea cucumber wall) comes from a technique of affixing flat roof tiles to a wall and building up the mortar joints with white plaster to resemble the sea creature called a namako. This exterior wall method offers excellent fire resistance, thermal insulation, and moisture control, and was commonly seen from the Meiji era through the early Showa period. However, it has declined year by year due to deterioration and rebuilding. Today it can still be found in Izu — notably in Matsuzakicho and Shimoda City — and elsewhere in Japan, such as Kurashiki City in Okayama Prefecture and Higashihiroshima City in Hiroshima Prefecture. Matsuzakicho still retains over 190 such buildings, preserving their traditional charm. Namako-kabe has become rare nationwide. The town treats it as an important resource and actively works to preserve it. Skilled plasterers who can still create namako-kabe carry out restorations, helping to pass on the craft and maintain the streetscape, while a local volunteer group, Matsuzaki Kura-zukuri-tai, promotes conservation and awareness. Although namako-kabe may seem commonplace, it survives today because of the dedication and efforts of these craftsmen and townspeople to pass this regional resource on to the future.

Deep Spots in Taiki Town 📍Site of the Former JNR Hiroo Line Taiki Station In Taiki Town, you can still find the remains of the station building from the Hiroo Line, the railway that linked Obihiro and Hiroo and ran until 1987. Taiki Station opened in 1930, and at its peak it reportedly handled more than 1,000 passengers a day. The former track area is now a plaza called Taiki Traffic Park, but the station building still stands. You cannot enter the building, but looking through the windows you can see the ticket gate and waiting room still preserved inside. The platform area still shows the station sign and a signal lever. In Hakubayashi Park, north of Taiki Town Hall, a steam locomotive, No. 59611, which served around Hokkaido and ran on the Hiroo Line until 1975, is on display. It was installed thanks to efforts by local steam locomotive enthusiasts. Why not come and feel the traces of the railway that once ran through Taiki Town?

I photographed Inuyama Castle on a summer night. The illuminated Inuyama Castle, the full moon, the lights of the buildings and towns, and the reflection of the water surface created a very beautiful scene.

Soukakisha The residence where Shoyo Tsubouchi, a Meiji literary master also famed for his translations of Shakespeare, lived for fifteen years from 1920 (Taisho 9) until his death in 1935 (Showa 10). Tsubouchi lived for about nine years in Arayado (present-day Ginzacho), where he translated Shakespearean plays and wrote dramas such as The Lingering Moonlit Night and The Last Days of Yoshitoki. As the once-quiet Arayado grew noisy and no longer suited his writing life, he built this new house in Minaguchicho. It became known as Soukakisha, named after two great persimmon trees said to be over 300 years old. On the grounds you can see a tower-shaped study and a monument to writing implements, and a notable highlight is the gate plaque penned by Aizu Yaichi. ※You can tour the garden and the study. <Middle Gate> The inscription reading “Soukakisha” was written by Aizu Yaichi (Shūsō Dōjin) and carved by Terayama Takuboku (Taisho 12). <Main Building (Guest Room and Study)> The tea room, the couple’s living room, and the study on the second floor of the main building were used for creative work and special calligraphy sessions. <Persimmon Trees> Of the old persimmon trees that inspired the name Soukakisha, one was toppled by a typhoon in 1979 (Showa 54). “In the winter garden the gaunt guardian stands; the two-trunked persimmon makes a curious sight.” “Two persimmons dye the gate along with the evening sun.” ※Because the remaining tree had also gone into decline, in February 1999 (Heisei 11) a Hachiya persimmon was donated and planted from Tsubouchi’s birthplace, Minokamo City in Gifu Prefecture. <Monument to Writing Implements> Erected by his wife on the third anniversary of Tsubouchi’s death in 1937 (Showa 12). The stone is natural Tsukuba stone. Beneath it are Tsubouchi’s brushes and fountain pen stored in a granite box. The inscription on the monument is by Aizu Yaichi. <Monument to Fuku no Yu> Erected at Minaguchien in 1932 (Showa 7) and relocated to Soukakisha in 2007 (Heisei 19). It is made of Nebu River stone, measuring 207 cm high, 122 cm wide, and 22 cm thick. When the hot spring drilling succeeded in 1928 (Showa 3), Tsubouchi named the spring Fuku no Yu. Later, in 1932 (Showa 7), at the request of Minaguchien owner Yoshio Mizutani, he wrote the title plaque and the inscription describing its origin. “Long ago this area had scarcely any fields to see; then multistoried thickets grew hereabouts. When the village’s large house moved and Mizutani the owner considered how to use the land, in the early part of Taisho 11 a portion was turned into a pleasure garden and later run as an inn. In the autumn of Showa 2 further drilling began, and by July of the following year the work was completed as intended. Naming the hot spring Fuku no Yu, I was asked to record its origin in an inscription. The land west of the Hatsu River was believed to lack spring veins; even trial drillings usually failed. That our garden’s owner should alone complete such a feat — is this not a wondrous heavenly blessing? Alas, such heaven-sent fortune may spur this garden to flourish; indeed may the spring well up like this very bath — with such celebratory feelings I name the spring.” Dated an auspicious day in August, Showa 7. The neighboring house’s persimmon tree and a bald brush record this. <Raku-style Kiln-like Incinerator> Made by Fukuoh Ikuta. “This is the raku kiln; it knows no hardship, made by Fukuoh’s own hands.” “Plum blossoms — who peers into the kiln? Two sweet potatoes.” <Yabu Camellia> On the sixtieth memorial of Tsubouchi’s death in 1995 (Heisei 7), a Yabu camellia was gifted from his birthplace in Minokamo City, Gifu Prefecture and planted here. <Tsubouchi’s Study House> Completed in 1928 (Showa 3). Tsubouchi designed it himself in a fusion of Japanese, Chinese, and Western styles. The tower’s shaft and roof express Japanese style; the balustrades and turtle-back base express Chinese style; the rooftop battlements express Western style. The tower’s weather vane, a kingfisher and its olive leaf, was made by Aida Tomiyasu. The kingfisher references a line from Shakespeare’s King Lear. <East Wing (Detached)> Built as his wife’s retreat; completed in 1934 (Showa 9). ----------------- <Shoyo Tsubouchi’s Gravesite> Kaizo-ji Temple — a three-minute walk south from Soukakisha. Posthumous Buddhist name: “Soshin-in Shijo Shoyo Koji.” Address / 11-17 Minaguchicho, Atami City, Shizuoka Prefecture 413-0016 Phone / 0557-86-6232 (Atami City Lifelong Learning Division, Cultural Exchange Office — weekdays only) Access / ■From JR atami station take a bus bound for Ainohara about 10 minutes → get off at kinomiya station mae → about a 10-minute walk ■From JR atami station by taxi about 10 minutes Opening Hours / Open only on Saturdays and Sundays, 10:00–16:00 Admission / Free Parking / None

Former Hinata Family Atami Villa (Former Hinata Villa) Rihei Hinata, who prospered in Asian trade, completed this detached villa in 1936 (Showa 11) as an annex to his main residence. The two-story wooden main building was designed by Jin Watanabe, known for projects such as Wako in Ginza, Tokyo, the Tokyo National Museum in Ueno, and the Aichi Prefectural Office. The basement’s interior was designed by the world-renowned German architect Bruno Taut, making this the only surviving architectural work he left in Japan. The villa comprises three main rooms: a social room richly furnished with bamboo and paulownia wood, a Western-style room with an interior staircase as part of the room, and a Japanese-style tatami room. The design consciously reflects Japanese aesthetic traditions such as the Katsura Imperial Villa and Ise Grand Shrine. After the death of the Hinata family head, the villa was carefully used as a corporate retreat. Faced with the threat of demolition in 2004 (Heisei 16), Atami City acquired the property thanks to a donation from a philanthropist living in Tokyo. In 2006 (Heisei 18), it was designated as an Important Cultural Property of Japan. More than 80 years after its completion, deterioration and the urgent need to improve seismic performance made repairs critical. From fiscal 2018 (Heisei 30) to fiscal 2021 (Reiwa 3), large-scale conservation and repair work was carried out. In August 2022, the villa reopened to the public after preserving and reproducing its original condition as much as possible. ※Visits require advance reservation only (online reservations only). For details and reservations, please check the Atami City official website. Address／8-37 Kasuga-cho, Atami City, Shizuoka Prefecture 413-0005 Phone／0557-86-6232 (Atami City Lifelong Learning Division, Cultural Exchange Office: weekdays only) Access／About a 10-minute walk from atami station Opening days／Wednesdays, Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays 9:00–17:00, shift schedule ※online reservation required Admission／Adults 1,000 yen; junior and senior high school students 700 yen Parking／None

Kiunkaku Kiunkaku began as a villa built in 1919 (Taisho 8) and was praised as one of Atami’s "three great villas." Reborn as a ryokan in 1947 (Showa 22), it welcomed many guests as one of Atami’s representative inns and was beloved by Japan’s leading writers, including Yamamoto Yuzo, Shiga Naoya, Tanizaki Junichiro, Dazai Osamu, Funahashi Seiichi, and Takeda Taijun. It is now open to the public as a cultural property of Atami City. A lush garden that feels far removed from the town center. The main building (Japanese wing) and detached annex retain the beauty of traditional Japanese architecture. A Western-style building blends decorative elements and styles from Japan, China, and Europe, creating a unique atmosphere. These elegant facilities will be preserved as historical and cultural heritage for future generations. Please visit and see it for yourself. Address / 4-2 Showa-cho, Atami City, Shizuoka Prefecture 413-0022 Phone / 0557-86-3101 Access / ■From JR atami station: take a bus bound for Ainohara Danchi, Umezono, Nishiyama, or Hakone (or the Shimizu-machi loop) for about 10 minutes and get off at Kiunkaku-mae. ■From JR atami station: take a bus for Momijigaoka for about 10 minutes and get off at Tenjin-cho, then walk about 2 minutes. ■By Yu-Yu Bus: get off at Kiunkaku West Entrance and walk about 2 minutes. Hours / 9:00–17:00 (last admission 16:30) Closed / Every Wednesday (open on public holidays), year-end (Dec 26–30) Admission / Adults 610 yen (460 yen for groups); middle and high school students 360 yen (240 yen for groups); elementary school age and younger free. Parking / 37 standard car spaces (free). Medium buses up to 9 m are permitted; large buses are not allowed.

Thatched village in Miyama, Kyoto It is a famous composition and a classic, but it is a place that can be said to be the gateway to Miyama I would like to see this wonderful scenery for many years to come, but when I come to the countryside, I always feel that it can be preserved forever, especially in areas with a large number of elderly people due to the declining birthrate, and I have been to the museum, but it is difficult to maintain it, and I feel that it is very difficult for the people who will inherit this history to pass it on to future generations.

Thatched village in Miyama, Kyoto This place is a proper observatory, but it is not well known or there were no 😅 footprints

Thatched village in Miyama, Kyoto There were not many Japanese tourists, but it was crowded with tourists from overseas. There was a lot of excitement in making it, but some of it looked like some kind of sculpture, which was a strange sight, but I was glad that it looked like art.

Keyakizaka winter illumination is one of the most popular illumination in Tokyo. I enjoyed this beautiful winter illumination on a hop on bus. I enjoyed the beautiful view of tokyo tower from the bus as well. It was a really a memorable day for me.

2024 Kobe Luminarie A light shining for the future From Kobe to the ⛴️ world yes, yes, I think it's good. See statue It's a trading town.

2024 Kobe Luminarie A light shining for the future I like the view from here and have taken pictures before, but Meriken Park has changed a lot from the past, and the number of tourists has increased and it has become lively.

2024 Kobe Luminarie A light shining for the future From this year, it will also be held at Meriken Park for a fee.

2024 Kobe Luminarie A light shining for the future Light for the first time in about 4 years

We would like to express our deepest sympathies on the occasion of the recent Noto earthquake. Before I took the high school entrance exam, I also prayed from the bottom of my heart not to give up hope for those who were victims of the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake, whose houses were destroyed, and who were evacuated to the gymnasium of my junior high school and the houses of relatives. A light shining for the future 2024 Kobe Luminarie

Autumn landscape in Japan. "Autumn leaves" photographed with beautiful buildings. It is a landscape that I want to leave for future generations.

Local symbol: Akashi Kaikyo Bridge At the Dream Lens Hyogo Prefecture Kobe City Akashi Kaikyo Bridge I'm used to seeing it, so I don't shoot much, but from the camera lens, I can see it through the dream lens.