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

Photographed on February 22, 2014. This is Chabudai-san’s morning set. It includes carrot potage, a salad, a fried egg, homemade bread, and natsu mikan jam. The natsu mikan jam and homemade bread go very well together. 😊🍊

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)

Delicious and fun! Sneaking into the Shobara Fan Festa! Fans from Shobara City in the nature-rich Hiroshima Prefecture gathered at Hirogin Holdings, Inc. "Tomorrow Square" in Naka Ward, Hiroshima City! We report on tastings of Hiba Beef and Yukiko (cheese), plus local sake sampling ✨ Read the article here🔽 https://www.shobara-info.com/report/5555...

Setsubunso in Shobara City, Hiroshima Prefecture is now in full bloom! 🌼💛 Setsubunso, a wildflower that heralds spring in Soryo town, Shobara City. It is said to be named because it begins to bloom around Setsubun, which corresponds to the lunar calendar’s New Year’s Eve.✨ Its small white blooms look charming, and it gives off a citrus-like fragrance. That sweet, refreshing scent is even called the "scent of first love"! 📌The public viewing period for the natural habitat runs until Sunday, March 8. For more details, see below🔽 https://www.shobara-info.com/event/5451... Please come and visit Shobara City, Hiroshima Prefecture✨ (Fukujusou, seribaouren and other flowers are also in bloom)

[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)

Photographed on February 22, 2014. I visited Chabudai in front of KAWAGOE COFFEE SELECTION. This is a HOT natsumikan. 🍊 By chance I ran into a follower, and it was fun. 😊

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

Photographed on March 1, 2014. This is the “Kai-awase and Hina Doll Tour” exhibition held at nakamachi sightseeing information center.

📢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‼︎

Photographed on March 1, 2014. This is a kai-awase shell-matching game from the "Kai-awase and Hina Doll Tour" held at nakamachi sightseeing information center.

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

Photographed on March 1, 2014. This is a kai-awase (shell-matching game) held as part of the “Kai-awase and Hina Doll Tour” at Nakacho Tourist Information Center.

[Isehara Flower Report] 2026.03.03 We report on the flowering conditions around Isehara City. Okame cherry blossoms along Ōyama New Road are at their best. Soft pink blooms line the roadside, hinting at the arrival of spring. In Maruyama Castle Ruins Park, a few almond flowers were seen in bloom, but many buds remain. We look forward to further flowering.

Photographed on March 1, 2014. I went to see the Nakamachi Tourist Information Center exhibition “Kai-awase and Hina Doll Tour.” Today is the Doll Festival. 🎎

#Untie the Ribbon Sakai 2026 MI-TE Sakai × Singapore Pavilion Enjoy a special moment tasting the lingering excitement of the expo along with a spectacular 80 m high view 🍵 At Sakai City Hall’s 21st floor MI-TE Sakai, the Singapore Pavilion (@visit_singaporejp) brings the wildly popular limited wagashi (Japanese confections) from Saikai Housen Confectionery (takamotimoti)! We will offer an adorable confection shaped like the official mascot Marley, a treat you can only find here 🦁🇸🇬 Plus, on Sunday the 22nd… Shamisen performances by Tsuruya Musical Instruments (@suruya_music_instruments) will also be held ✨ Relax and enjoy a luxurious time with a panoramic view overlooking the Tomb of Emperor Nintoku♪ 📅 Date and time: Friday, March 20th (national holiday) to Sunday, March 22nd, 10:00–16:00 📍 Location: MI-TE Sakai (21st-floor observation lobby, Sakai City Hall) 🍵 Participation fee: ¥800 (includes Marley wagashi) ✅ No reservation required (first-come, first-served on the day) 🪕 Shamisen performances: Sunday the 22nd at 11:30 / 13:30 / 15:30 🔍 For details, search “Untie the Ribbon Sakai 2026”! 🔗 https://www.sakai-tcb.or.jp/news/detail/20251217133435...

#Himo Tokeba Sakai Sakai City Teahouse Shin-an × Jordan Pavilion The sensibility of contemporary art and desert landscapes mingle in a historic teahouse🍵🏜️ At Sakai City Teahouse Shin-an, a limited wagashi confection made by Okashitsukasa Tenjinmochi ( @tenjinmochi ) served at a tea gathering hosted by the Jordan Pavilion ( @visitjordan ) makes its debut!🍡 Enjoy a dreamlike sweet inspired by desert spaces with special contemporary-artist tea utensils that were used at the Expo🌌 Plus, on Friday the 20th (national holiday)… There will also be a shamisen performance by Tsuruya Musical Instruments ( @tsuruya_music_instruments )✨ Spend a luxurious moment amid the atmosphere of the nationally registered tangible cultural property Shin-an♪ 📅 Date and time: Friday, March 20 (national holiday) and Saturday, March 21 📍 Location: Sakai City Teahouse Shin-an 🍵 Admission: 1,000 yen (includes wagashi themed on a desert space) ※cash only ✅ No reservation required (15 seats per session, first-come, first-served) ⏰ Zashiki tea service times: 10:00 / 11:00 / 12:30 / 13:30 / 14:15 🪕 Shamisen performances: 20th (Fri, national holiday) 10:00 / 12:30 / 14:15 ⚠️ The contemporary-artist tea utensils are limited in number. 🔍 For details, search “Himo Tokeba Sakai 2026”! 🔗 https://www.sakai-tcb.or.jp/news/detail/20251217133435...

Photographed on February 15, 2014. This is Hanatetsu's hanachōzu (flower hand-washing basin).

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/...

❄️Mori no Snow Park 2026❄️ Here is a brief look at the recent “Mori no Snow Park 2026 in Kawayu Onsen.” There were plenty of activities, including cross-country skiing, a tipi bonfire, an Akaezomatsu (Siberian fir) distillation workshop, slide talks, snow candles, and a variety of delicious foods!! This winter event is now an annual tradition, so if you couldn’t attend this time, please come next year. Look forward to it!

Photographed on March 1, 2014. After the monthly ceremony at Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine, I relaxed at Starbucks Kanetsuki‑dōri Store. I had an Earl Grey bouquet and a tea latte, and an Earl Grey Basque cheesecake.

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.

Today I attended the monthly ceremony at Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine. In keeping with the Hinamatsuri on March 3, I received amazake and a doll and had a ritual to ward off bad luck.🎎 Because Hinamatsuri is also called the Peach Festival, I took a photo of a pink aidaimeshi omikuji (love-shaped sea bream fortune).

Photographed on February 15, 2014. This is the hanachozu (flower-filled water basin) at Kawagoe Hachimangu Shrine.