Photographed on December 23, 2025. This is the hanachozu (flower water basin) from Hara Florist. This is the last hanachozu of the year. Thank you for everything this year. 😊

Today I attended the Year-End Great Purification ceremony at Kawagoe Hachimangu Shrine. I purified the spiritual and physical impurities of sin. Feeling refreshed, I look forward to welcoming the New Year.🎍🐎

Illumination Event Announcement📣 Roadside Station Nakasatsunai hosts the "Roadside Station Winter Night Garden" through February 28, 2026 😊 The lights come on from around 4:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. during the event ✨✨ Colorful illuminations sparkle across the snow, creating a vividly lit, dreamlike space for you to relax and enjoy😍 Please enjoy this together with Tokachi's snowy landscapes🤗 https://kankou-nakasatsunai.com/spot/spot-75/spot-3242/...

Great deals and convenience! The Kikuchi Tourism Association has launched its official LINE account. We share tourism information about Kikuchi City and coupons you can use at local shops. Kikuchi City in Kumamoto Prefecture lies about 25 km northeast of Kumamoto City, in the central part of the prefecture. It is a nature-rich area where history and culture live on. The Kikuchi River runs through the city center, surrounded by mountains and rural landscapes. Kikuchi also offers many hot springs and tourist spots, making it a perfect place to unwind and refresh. The representative Kikuchi Gorge features beautiful ravines and clear streams, ideal for hiking and nature walks, and attracts many visitors. Kikuchi Onsen is also famous as a hot spring area; it first gushed in 1954 (Showa 29). The hot springs use 100% natural water, boast abundant flow, and are colorless, transparent, and alkaline. The gentle, soft waters maintain a source temperature of 45°C and are said to be beneficial for beauty, neuralgia, and rheumatism. Kikuchi Shrine is a historic shrine worshiped as the guardian deity of the area. Agriculture flourishes here, producing specialty rice, vegetables, and fruits. Numerous local product centers and eateries sell fresh local ingredients. Kikuchi City also hosts many traditional events and festivals where you can feel the local culture. We share Kikuchi’s many charms and offer coupons through the official LINE account to help you enjoy the city even more. More participating shops will be added over time. Please use the service when you visit Kikuchi. Be sure to add us as a friend and take advantage of the offers. For details, please visit the Kikuchi Tourism Association website. https://kikuchikanko.ne.jp/archives/featured/kikuchikanko-line...

Notice about New Year opening hours for the Manda Pit area. Today is the last day of operations for 2025. Thank you to everyone who visited in 2025. We will reopen on Sunday, January 4, 2026 at 9:30 AM. The winter light filtering through the brick scenery creates a quiet, photogenic moment. Don’t forget your camera. 🕘 Opening day Sunday, January 4, 2026 at 9:30 AM • Manda Pit Station • Manda Pit Site • Manda Coal Mine Museum • Marugoto Arao Bussankan Hours 11:00–16:30 Mornings, especially early hours, are often a peaceful time to explore, so we recommend them. All our staff look forward to welcoming you. Please add this to your plans #Arao City, Kumamoto Prefecture https://arao-kankou.jp/oshirase/16514/...

Photographed on December 21, 2025. This is LEC COFFEE’s black latte and a sweet potato Basque cheesecake.

Uenoshiba Station East Side Illumination When night falls, a glittering tree bathed in light welcomes you at JR Uenoshiba Station🎄✨ Enjoy the warm illumination created by local residents and volunteers❄ 📣Share your beautiful photos of the illumination in Nishi Ward on Instagram with #Nisshii-chan attached!💫 📅Event period: Until Saturday, January 31 🕐Lighting hours: 5:00 p.m.–12:00 a.m. 📍Location: East side of JR Uenoshiba Station (3-1 Uenoshibacho, Nishi Ward, Sakai)

The narcissus in Kyonan is now approaching its peak bloom. Narcissus have been placed inside Hoba Station and Awakatsuyama Station on the JR Uchibo Line to welcome visitors to Kyonan. For updates on the narcissus blooming status, please check the Instagram account maintained by the Kyonan Town Office, Regional Promotion Division (@kyonan_life). The weather has turned cold all at once. Wishing everyone a happy New Year. #Chiba Prefecture #Kyonan Town #Boso Peninsula #Hoba Station #Hota Coast #Suisen-no-Sato #Ezuki Narcissus Road #Sakuma Dam #Okuzure Narcissus Village

Photographed on December 21, 2022. This is LEC COFFEE’s sweet potato Basque cheesecake. It comes with homemade candied sweet potato sticks. 🍠 Today I am doing my last walk around Kawagoe for the year.

Photographed on December 21, 2025. This is a black latte from LEC COFFEE. What a lovely latte art. 😊

Winter at Lake Kussharo, the resort hotel on the Lake Kussharo shore The view from the guest room…a breathtaking panorama

Announcement for the illumination event📣 Now in its 24th year, the Obihiro Illumination Project lights up obihiro station’s landmark Harunire Tree, the street trees in Station Square, and a heart-shaped LED installation. This year we’ve added 2,000 bulbs with icicle-style lights to the tunnel illumination as well😊 The illumination runs through February 23, 2026. The gentle lights warm the heart in Obihiro’s crisp, clear winter✨✨ Please stop by and take a look when you’re nearby🤗 🔷The Obihiro Illumination Project is made possible by sponsorships from local businesses and by the Illumination Tentou Fund, which requests donations of 100 yen per bulb. https://www.city.obihiro.hokkaido.jp/tourism/kankouchi/1005842.html...

A restaurant offering Japanese, Western, and Chinese dishes side by side. The chef’s recommended roast beef is — “Yamakou grape salt” ✨ Made using Yamakou, a Hokkaido-grown grape cultivated for winemaking at the caldera winery right in front of the hotel, the grape is repurposed and finished into a wine-infused salt. It deepens the flavor not only on meat but also when served with tempura. 【Instagram】 https://www.instagram.com/kussharo_ph/...

Shimoda Onsen Daffodil Festival now underway 😊 This year marks the 60th festival, and the flowers have been growing well; they are expected to reach full bloom around early January after the New Year holidays. The sweet scent carried on the sea breeze makes you want to take a deep breath. The familiar Ho-ei stall returns to the daffodil festival venue again this year! Their local fish dishes are plentiful and popular with both visitors and locals. This year’s new menu is a hand-rolled sushi set 🍣 Try rolling your own and enjoy the fun and flavor♪ [How to make hand-rolled sushi] https://youtu.be/rhaxqNB9pwE?si=0PobDLptvHwZziBM... Enjoy Shimoda cuisine along with the scent and scenery of the daffodils (^○^)

About a 10-minute walk from Izukyu Shimoda Station. A 1-minute walk from Roadside Station Kaikoku Shimoda Minato, The Black Ship coffee☕ Perfect for a break during sightseeing or as a companion for a stroll to the sea. On sunny days, enjoy wandering the streets of Shimoda with a coffee in hand 😊 There is an eat-in space on the 2nd floor. It’s a small shop, so be careful not to miss it.

Photographed on December 21, 2025. This is LEC COFFEE’s hot sandwich set. It includes a hot sandwich with bacon, lettuce, and egg, a salad with homemade ham, daikon radish potage, and homemade bread.

Suwanomori Station Building Illumination The old station building of Suwanomori Station, a nationally registered Tangible Cultural Property, charms visitors with its small Taisho-era waiting room and a stained-glass window depicting the Hamadera shoreline🧣 This winter, come and see the station building transformed into a magical scene wrapped in Christmas lights🎄✨ 📣 For beautiful illumination photos in Nishi Ward, post them on Instagram with "#Nisshii-chan"!💫 📅 Event period: Until Saturday, January 31 🕐 Lighting hours: 5:00 PM–12:00 AM 📍 Location: Suwanomori Station building (2-78 Suwanomori-nishimachi, Nishi Ward, Sakai City)

Notice of Year-end and New Year Business Hours Thank you for always visiting Roadside Station Ashoro Ginga Hall 21. Our year-end and New Year business hours are as shown in the attached image. Thank you for visiting us many times this year. We look forward to your continued support next year.

🌼Narcissus blooming update🌼 Overall, the flowers are just starting to bloom, and some slopes are already turning white❄️🤍 I summarized the flowering scene with photos on my blog! https://www.shimoda-city.info/post/20251226...

Photographed on December 20, 2025. This is HK Tea’s grapefruit tea and Egg Waffle’s coffee chocolate. I love their citrus menu. 😊🍊🍋

Event Announcement 📣 “An Evening of Earth’s Bounty,” a one-night event bringing together five wineries and sake breweries from Tokachi, will be held at Hotel Nikko Northland Obihiro 😊 Enjoy pairings of a buffet featuring Tokachi ingredients, cheeses, and live cooking by the hotel’s chefs 🍷🍶 You can also listen to stories from the producers and take part in a raffle for a warm and delightful evening 🤗 📍Date: Sunday, February 8, 2026, 5:30 PM–7:30 PM (doors open at 5:20 PM) 📍Venue: 2nd-floor banquet hall, Northland Hall 📍Price: 12,000 yen per person (tax and service charge included) 🔶Reservations and Inquiries Hotel Nikko Northland Obihiro direct line TEL 0155-24-1301 (9:00 AM–6:00 PM) https://www.jrhotels.co.jp/obihiro/news/67618...

A quiet moment spent in the lobby. At Kussharo Prince Hotel, surrounded by nature, you might encounter Ezo squirrels, long-tailed titmice, and owls. Downstairs you will find a convenience shop and merchandise featuring Kusshy, a symbol of Kussharo. On the third floor we offer the Kussharo Onsen Large Public Bath, which is also available for day-use bathing. 【Instagram】 https://www.instagram.com/kussharo_ph/...

Kushiro Prince Hotel, offering a panoramic view of one of the world’s three great sunsets. Indonesia, the Philippines, and the only place chosen in Japan was "Kushiro." Travelers and sailors from around the world have praised its beauty, and since around 1965 Kushiro has become known as a city of sunset viewing spots. You must see it at least once in your life. All year round, you can enjoy sunsets showing many different faces. Reservations are possible from the profile URL. https://www.instagram.com/kushiroprincehotel/...

[Tokutoku Coupon 2026] Save with coupons at Kawayu Onsen! We’re launching the special Tokutoku Coupon campaign for guests staying in the Kawayu Onsen district! Guests who stay at Kawayu Kanko Hotel, Annex Suikazura, or KKR Kawayu will receive discount coupons worth a total of ¥2,000 usable at participating Kawayu Restaurants and Bars Association members!! Pick up your coupon at your hotel front desk and present it at participating shops marked on the MAP when dining to receive the discount. The campaign runs from January 15, 2026 through the end of March 2026, while supplies last. This is a great deal, so please take advantage of it as one of the pleasures of visiting Kawayu Onsen. [Coupon Distribution Period] Thursday, January 15, 2026 – through the end of March 2026 *Coupons will stop being distributed once supplies run out.

Did you know that some areas in Hiroshima Prefecture get heavy snowfall? ⛄ Shobara City, located in the heart of the Chugoku region at the northernmost part of Hiroshima Prefecture, is known as one of the prefecture’s major heavy-snow zones. You can ski and snowboard at three ski areas in Shobara—Hiroshima Kenmin-no-Mori Ski Area, Dogoyama Kogen Ski Resort, and Ringo Kyowakoku Ski Area—and some campers enjoy winter camping at local campgrounds, so you can get active and enjoy various snow activities. At the National Bihoku Hillside Park, the winter illumination event “Bihoku Illumi” is taking place. The display runs through Monday, January 12, 2026 (a public holiday). Enjoy a magical time with your loved ones as snow, light, and sound come together. ⛄ Also, on Sunday, February 1, a snowball fight tournament will be held. Spectators are welcome even if you don’t participate. Winter is the time to visit Shobara! Please come and see us…! ✨ For winter event details, see below🔽 https://www.shobara-info.com/event/133... Visit the “Shobara Tourism Navi” website🔽 https://www.shobara-info.com//

Chinda Falls Waterfall Resumes Flow Chinda Falls had been dry since late October 2025 due to construction, but the work finished ahead of schedule and the waterfall has resumed flowing from December 24, 2025. Location: Yada, Oonocho, Bungoono City, Oita Prefecture

From Sakai: A refreshing scent of green yuzu fills the air at the “Yuzukaralin Cafe” — A collaboration cafe between SAKAINOMA and Yuzukaralin — SAKAINOMA cafe and hotel Kuma (Sakai City, Osaka Prefecture) will host a special event, Yuzukaralin Cafe, in collaboration with the Kochi Prefecture yuzu-based seasoning brand Yuzukaralin for five days only, from Saturday, January 10 to Wednesday, January 14, 2026. We will offer lunch menus, sweets, and drinks that make the most of the green yuzu’s fragrance, gentle acidity, and the faint spiciness unique to Yuzukaralin. 🔍For more details, search “SAKAINOMA and Yuzukaralin collaboration cafe”! https://sakainoma.jp//

【🎍2025→2026 Year‑End and New Year Edition🎍】 Here is information about the year‑end and New Year holiday opening days and hours for Miyoshi City’s tourist spots and major facilities. Check them out! ◼︎Miyoshi Tourist Information Center Address: Tokaichiminami 1‑chome 2‑23, Miyoshi City Closed for the holidays: December 29 (Mon)–January 3 (Sat) Hours: 8:45–17:15 ◼︎Genso Okuda · Sayume Art Museum Address: 10453‑6 Higashi Sakaya Town, Miyoshi City Closed for the holidays: December 26 (Fri)–January 1 (Thu) Hours: 9:30–17:00 (last admission 16:30) ◼︎Yumoto Koichi Memorial Museum of Japanese Yokai (Miyoshi Mononoke Museum) Address: 1691‑4 Miyoshi Town, Miyoshi City Closed for the holidays: December 26 (Fri)–January 1 (Thu) Hours: 9:30–17:00 (last admission 16:30) ◼︎Hiroshima Miyoshi Winery Address: 10445‑3 Higashi Sakaya Town, Miyoshi City Closed for the holidays: December 29 (Mon)–January 1 (Thu) Hours: 9:30–17:30 ◼︎Torette Miyoshi Address: 10438 Higashi Sakaya Town, Miyoshi City Closed for the holidays: January 1 (Thu)–January 4 (Sun) Hours: 9:00–17:00 — check notes! Note: The buffet restaurant is closed on December 30 (Tue) and December 31 (Wed) ◼︎Miyoshi Mori no Pokke Address: 456‑2 Higashi Sakaya Town, Miyoshi City Closed for the holidays: December 29 (Mon)–January 3 (Sat) Hours: 9:30–16:00 (weekends and holidays 9:30–16:10) ◼︎Roadside Station Yumeland Funo Address: 661‑1 Shimofuno, Funo Town, Miyoshi City Closed for the holidays: January 1 (Thu)–January 3 (Sat) Hours: 9:00–16:00 — check notes! Note: The farmers’ market (vegetable market) is open until the morning of December 30 (Tue) The shop is open until the morning of December 31 (Wed) Regular hours resume from January 4 (Sun) ◼︎Kumita Onsen Mori no Izumi Address: 311‑3 Izumiyoshida, Kimitamachi, Miyoshi City Hours: 10:00–20:30 (last admission 20:00) Closed for the holidays: December 30 (Tue) ◼︎Foleo Miyoshi Plaza Address: 1‑1‑10 Tokaichi Naka, Miyoshi City, Hiroshima Prefecture Closed for the holidays: January 1 (Thu)–January 2 (Fri) Hours: 9:00–22:00 Holiday hours: December 31 (Wed) 9:00–20:00 January 1 (Thu) and January 2 (Fri) closed January 3 (Sat) 10:00–20:00 Regular hours resume from January 4 (Sun) ◼︎Sangreen Miyoshi Address: 4‑1‑30 Tokaichi Higashi, Miyoshi City Closed for the holidays: January 1 (Wed) Holiday hours: December 31 (Wed) 9:30–18:00 January 1 (Thu) closed January 2 (Fri) and January 3 (Sat) 10:00–18:00 Regular hours resume from January 4 (Sun) Note: Dakko Room Miyoshi (Miyoshi City Childcare Support Center) is open until noon on December 28 (Sun) for year‑end and reopens from 10:00 on January 4 (Sat) for the New Year Enjoy Miyoshi City during the year‑end and New Year holidays♪

Photographed on December 20, 2025. This is the TATSUMI special from Udon Tatsumi. I’m touring tasty spots. 😊

Photographed on December 20, 2025. This is Chabudai's morning set. It includes pumpkin soup, salad, carrot rêve (carrot salad), potato salad, and homemade bread. The bread is freshly baked and delicious.