Amakusa West Coast Spring Kiln Tour 🌸 ⁠ The Amakusa West Coast is famed as one of the world’s premier sources of porcelain raw material, Amakusa Pottery Stone. Against this backdrop, seven kilns dotted across the area will open their doors for the 30th Amakusa West Coast Spring Kiln Tour, held for five days from Friday, May 2 to Tuesday, May 6. We will share introductions to the participating kilns, so please take a look 💁‍♀️ 🌸 Uchida Sarayama Ware In the Meiji era, Naohiko Kiyama began mining with advice from Yukichi Fukuzawa, laying the foundations for the pottery here. In 1970, the third generation, Katsuhiko Kiyama, discovered an Edo-period kiln site and reopened production. Subsequent excavations revealed a history of porcelain production that began around 1650 and continued for about a century. Carrying that history into the present is Uchida Sarayama Ware. Now in the hands of the fourth generation, Kentaro Kiyama, the kilns still quarry Amakusa Pottery Stone and Shiki clay themselves. From materials nurtured by Amakusa’s land, they craft each piece with care. The lineup pairs traditional techniques with a modern sensibility. For this Spring Kiln Tour, you can expect seasonal treasures such as pieces decorated with raised itchin patterns that convey three-dimensional texture, and charming May picture plates made for Children’s Day. Take this opportunity to immerse yourself in the world of vessels shaped by Amakusa’s history and landscape. 📍 Uchida Sarayama Ware 554-1 Uchida, Reihoku, Amakusa District, Kumamoto Prefecture 863-2505 TEL: 0969-35-0222 Amakusa West Coast Spring Kiln Tour 🌸 During the event we will offer a variety of attractions, including exhibitions of new works and special discount sales. Please visit and enjoy the beautiful Amakusa porcelains from each kiln along with the splendid scenery of the Amakusa West Coast. Two stamp rallies will run simultaneously! * A digital stamp rally eligible for Kumamoto Health Points 📱 * A stamp rally where you can win products from your chosen kilns (entry forms are available at each kiln 📃) Period Five days from Friday, May 2, 2025 to Tuesday, May 6, 2025, 8:30 AM–5:00 PM Venues (Reihoku: 5 kilns) Uchida Sarayama Ware, Kobo Kaze, Mugen Kiln, Tenjiku Kiln, Unshu Kiln (Amakusa: 2 kilns) Takahama Ware Juho Kiln, Amakusa Karatsu Jurogama Inquiries: amakusa_pottery_stone_research_and_development_promotion_council_office (inside reihoku_town_hall Commerce and Tourism Division) TEL: 0969-35-3332

The nemophila field in 138 Tower Park is 🤤 in full bloom This is a nemophila field Located in in Aichi Prefecture. Flowers can be enjoyed here regardless of the season. It's even better 🤤 if you put the 138 tower, which is a symbol

The weather is fine and Carp streamers are swimming 🌼 comfortably in the sky The rape flowers are also in full bloom, so please come and visit us during Golden Week! Nagano City Nakajo "Alps Observation Square Dream Station" [Shooting date] 2025/4/30 Against the backdrop of the snowy Northern Alps, you can enjoy a bright rapeseed field that looks like a yellow carpet!

Fujiwara Palace Ruins in Nara Prefecture Due to work, I usually only have one Vacation a week on Weekdays, and most of the time I shoot when there are no people, but I can take a Sunday off only once a month, and it is a popular Spot Visit for family trips, so it was difficult to shoot like this. I gave instructions to my wife on my cell phone from quite a distance and waited for people to disappear, but I clicked the shutter at the moment when people stopped streaming more than I had imagined. I wanted to shoot in a horizontal composition, but I shot in a vertical position because people were reflected.

The ruins of Fujiwara Palace in Nara Prefecture I finally came to the place I wanted to visit and see, and it was Sunday, so I could imagine it to some extent, but it was a very popular Spot for tourists from overseas.

The famous Great Buddha of Tsubozaka Temple in Nara Prefecture was crowded with tourists from overseas with many languages flying around.

The famous Great Buddha of Tsubozaka Temple in Nara Prefecture was crowded with tourists from overseas with many languages flying around.

Best time to visit the Skunk cabbage in "Otaniji Wetland"! Other Information on flowering in the city please see our Home page!

It is the Ruins of the Castle Turrets of Kubota Castle in Senshu Park in Akita City, Akita Prefecture. The collaboration between the cherry blossoms and the horn Turrets was very beautiful ✨ From the observation deck of this corner Turrets, you can overlook Akita City. Spring is a famous landmarks 🌸 for cherry blossoms and azaleas There was a cherry blossom Festival in Senshu Park, and it was ❣️ a lot of fun to see a lot of stalls and Stalls It's within walking distance from Akita Station, so I think ❣️ it's very easy to go sightseeing It seems that you can enjoy various flowers not only in Springs but also throughout the four seasons, so I would 😃 like to go again if I have the opportunity

Kochi Yawata Shrine Azalea Hill (Gunsei) City Designated Natural Monument. Azaleas in the shade still remain. If you go up the stone steps of more than 200 steps, you will find the worship hall and the Main Shrine There are. 〒791-0507 Saijo-shi, Tanbara-cho, Kochi 729-1 About 15 minutes by Car from Iyo Komatsu IC

Nagoya Castle wrapped in wisteria This is Meijo Park Located in in Nagoya City, Aichi Prefecture. It is one of the few spots where you can see Nagoya Castle and wisteria shelf. I visited early in the morning, but it was 🤤 crowded with tourists Best time to visit continues 🤤 until the middle of GW

The wisteria shelves in Tennogawa Park were 🤤 in full bloom This is Tennogawa Park Located in in Aichi Prefecture. Since it was my first visit, I got lost 😅 in the cars parking lot, and it was a good walk after a week of making a 🥲 mistake in the pond Since it was GW, it was crowded with many people, but the place where you can take a reflection was even more crowded! But the reflection was 🤤 awesome

【Hokule'a Shonan|Water Photo Tour📸 Osezaki】 Hello! This is Hokule'a Shonan. The other day, at the popular Spot "Osezaki" in Nishi-Izu, we Held in 😁 a Water Photo Tour Speaking of Osezaki, it is a diving Spot where rich Nature spreads out that can be enjoyed by everyone from beginners to advanced divers. The transparency was high on this day as well, making it a perfect shooting day! What I would like to recommend this time is that when taking photos in water, "dare to take pictures of things that you usually tend to avoid." For example, seaweed. In normal diving, seaweed is often avoided as much as possible to create compositions, but by daring to incorporate it, you can 📷 take photos with a different atmosphere than usual With seaweed in the background, it creates a story in the photo, It makes the subject stand out more. By making good use of what is in nature, the range of water photography will Unfolds significantly. The photographic equipment used is a Tg-7+ ring light. While it is a compact digital camera that is easy to handle even for beginners, Authentic photos can be taken depending on the ingenuity of this camera, which is also an attraction 📷 The sea of Osezaki today is truly a treasure trove of photogenics! Colorful creatures, softly swaying seaweed, A fantastic scene with light... Please take your camera and dive in 👀✨ 🌸 If it's Hokule'a Shonan, We will do our best to support those who want to take their time shooting in the water! ✔ I want to take my time and shoot until I'm satisfied. ✔ I would like you to carefully teach me the basic operation of the camera. ✔ I want to enjoy photography without difficulty only in shallow areas. Such requests are also welcome 😊 "What is a photo tour like?" and "Can I do it?" If you are worried, please feel free to contact us first! Let's 📸 give shape to your "I want to take a picture!" together A piece that can only be found in the water world, just for you. In Hokule'a Shonan, we will bring you a special photo dive experience! #UnderwaterPhotoTour #OceanPhotography #DivingInJapan #UnderwaterAdventure #NaturePhotography #ExploreTheOcean #CaptureTheMoment #HokuleaShonan

【Hamanoura Rice Terraces】 The terraced rice fields of Hamanoura in Genkai Town are filled with water before rice planting, and they are in the best season. During the magic hour at dusk, the sunset is reflected in the Paddy Field of the terraced rice fields, creating a beautiful scene.

Late-blooming Double Cherry Blossom (Yae zakura) and Carp streamers The collaboration between Carp streamers swimming in the Spring breeze and Morimori's Double Cherry Blossom (Yae zakura) is wonderful "Hanedani Dandan Park" Kaizu City, Gifu Prefecture 2025/4

🚴‍♀️✨ Starting today! Bike rentals are now available! Based at Roadside Station Higashikawa Michikusa-kan, you can now rent bicycles! Choose from serious road bikes to electric-assist bicycles and reserve according to your needs 😊 📍Location: 1-1-15 Higashimachi, Higashikawa-cho, Kamikawa District, Hokkaido 🕘Hours: 9:00–17:00 📞Inquiries: 0166-68-4777 🔗 For details, visit the Higashikawa Tourism Association website!! Feel the breeze and go discover the charms of Higashikawa 🌿

[Notice] Taramaru Square 2025 is now open! First phase: April 26–27, April 29 Second phase: May 3–5 At the Roadside Station event plaza See the image for vendor information ↓

【Nakatsuna Lake Is in Full Bloom 🌸】 The Oyamazakura cherry trees around Nakatsuna Lake, famous for their reflections on the water, are now at their peak bloom🌸I went before dawn to capture the reflections😌There was a slight breeze so the water wasn’t a perfect mirror, but mist over the lake created a magical scene✨ Sakura bloom status is 🌸 https://kanko-omachi.gr.jp/news/88713/...

A world full of Japanese umbrellas This is Hotoku Temple Located in in Kiryu City, Gunma Prefecture. This is a Temple Famous for its floor maples. We hold events according to the season. 🤤

Kikuchi Gorge: a breathtaking retreat of fresh verdant beauty Kikuchi Gorge, a signature attraction of Kikuchi City in Kumamoto Prefecture, is a stunning canyon chosen as one of Japan’s Top 100 Forest Bathing Sites, Top 100 Famous Waters, and Top 100 Waterfalls. About 17 km east of central Kikuchi, it lies on the northwestern slopes of the Aso outer rim at elevations between 500 m and 800 m, spanning a vast 1,193 hectares of peaceful woodland. A cobalt-blue stream so clear that the trees reflect on its surface runs through the gorge. The average water temperature stays around 14°C year-round. On bright blue-sky days the water turns an even deeper blue as sunlight filters through the trees, creating a beautiful scene. In May the contrast between fresh green leaves, the sky, and the stream is especially striking. You can hear the gentle flow of the river and birdsong, and see many wildflowers in bloom. Well-maintained trails run through the gorge, with clear signs to guide you, so you can take a relaxed walk through the primeval forest. The gorge also features many waterfalls, including Shijusanman Falls, Reimei Falls, and Ryugafuchi, all selected among Japan’s Top 100 Waterfalls. Be sure to find your favorite. Rest facilities with a souvenir corner sell items such as coffee made with the gorge’s delicious water, allowing you to unwind while overlooking the canyon. In spring you can feel new life in the fresh green leaves after winter. Summer makes the gorge an ideal cool retreat, often described as a natural air conditioner with its crisp, cool air. Autumn brings colorful foliage, and winter offers a clear, bracing atmosphere. Please experience Kikuchi Gorge through all four seasons. ■ About Kikuchi Gorge ■ 〇 Open season: April 1–November 30 (typical) 〇 Hours: 8:30–17:00 〇 Maintenance cooperation fee: 300 yen per person for high school students and older ※ The receipt for the cooperation fee includes a 200-yen discount voucher usable at Kikuchi Onsen day-use baths. Parking First parking lot: approx. 80 spaces / 7 large vehicle spaces Second parking lot: approx. 45 spaces (open during busy periods only) Central parking lot: approx. 80 spaces (open during busy periods only) A free shuttle bus operates from the central parking lot during Golden Week and other busy periods. Parking fees Standard car: 300 yen Motorbike: 200 yen Microbus: 1,000 yen Large vehicle: 2,000 yen Kikuchi Sightseeing Shared Taxi A reservation-based shared sightseeing taxi links major Kikuchi City attractions (including Kikuchi Gorge) with the city center. It operates on Saturdays, Sundays, national holidays, substitute holidays, and Golden Week. Service is suspended during the New Year holidays (December 29–January 3). Take a deep breath at Kikuchi Gorge. Bask in negative ions and enjoy a leisurely moment in nature.

The wisteria of Kannon-do (Temple) is in Best time to visit. Please go out. 47 Kitagawa, Saijo City, Ehime Prefecture About a 10-minute walk west from JR Iyo Saijo Station. In the neighborhood, you can also Fun "Uchibuki" Famous Water and the parent Water area called Aquatopia Water. Take a stroll.

Announcement for the Honbetsu Sankeitsutsuji Festival 😍 The Honbetsu Sankeitsutsuji Festival takes place at Honbetsu Park, where Ezo-murasaki azalea and Ezo-yamazakura cherry trees bloom in full. 🎵 The event is packed with activities, including a jumbo Yoshitsune hotpot, a bingo tournament, a performance of the Honbetsu Yoshitsune Taiko drums, and a stage show by Oklahoma. The Tokachi Aozora Ladies will also participate. Bring your family and friends and come enjoy the festival. ■ Date: Sunday, April 27, 10:00 AM–2:00 PM ■ Location: In front of the Yoshitsune-no-Sato Honbetsu Park stage (Higashimachi, Honbetsu) ■ Stage guest: Oklahoma ■ Program 10:00 – Opening announcement; release of stream fish and river fishing Booths by the Chamber of Commerce Women’s and Youth Divisions; inflatable play area Azalea and other plant sales; various vendor booths Local performing arts: performance by the Honbetsu Yoshitsune Taiko drums Smoke experience (Honbetsu Fire Station) 10:30 – Opening ceremony 11:00 – Jumbo Yoshitsune hotpot 11:20 – Introduction of the Tokachi Aozora Ladies 12:00 – Azalea Festival Photo Contest and Model Photo Session Distribution of bingo cards (first 400 people) 12:45 – Stage show “Oklahoma” 13:30 – Bingo tournament 14:00 – Closing ceremony ■ Inquiries Tsutsuji Festival Executive Committee / Honbetsu Town Tourism Association Office: Honbetsu Town Future Creation Division TEL (0156) 22-2141 https://www.town.honbetsu.hokkaido.jp/sightseeing/fes/details/post_1.html...

Akebono azalea Blooming from mid-April and, if the season is long, into early May, the Akebono azalea is a very large deciduous broadleaf shrub in the rhododendron family that grows on rocky cliffs above 1,000 meters. Among high-mountain azaleas, it is the earliest to bloom. It grows wild in clusters near the west trailhead of MtMorotsukayama, and the sight of vivid pink flowers carpeting the spring mountains is spectacular. The Akebono azalea colony on MtMorotsukayama is located about a five-minute climb above the west trailhead torii gate⛩️. Because you can enjoy it without a full-scale climb, many people from around Kyushu visit to see this nature🍃. The Akebono azaleas on MtMorotsukayama are coming into their best viewing period! Everyone, please come and enjoy the flowers😊

The azaleas at Nezu Shrine are 🤤 in full bloom This is Located in, Tokyo It is Nezu Shrine. From mid to late April every year The azaleas are in full bloom. This is the only place in Tokyo where you can enjoy so many azaleas! Please come and visit us 😊

The season for fireflies has arrived again. Kikuchi City is a famous firefly spot known as “Japan’s number one firefly home.” You can see them along the Nikakiga River and the Watase River in the Asahi-shi area of Kikuchi City. The places where you can see fireflies in Japan are decreasing year by year. Fireflies do not only thrive where the water is pristine. They prefer places with gentle water flow, sandy or gravelly riverbeds, low ambient light, quiet surroundings, and the presence of freshwater snails such as kawanina. They favor these limited types of habitat. As global environmental issues worsen, the habitats where fireflies can live are also shrinking. Even so, you can still see many fireflies in Kikuchi City. Fireflies spend their larval stage growing in the water for about a year while storing food. They then pupate and emerge as adults. As adults, they live for about two weeks. In other words, out of the 365 days of the year, the period when you can enjoy fireflies is only about two weeks. Also, adult fireflies do not eat. They spend their adult lives without feeding. The fireflies we watch are living through a life that ends in a flash. Each year we can see them because, despite that short life, they reliably pass their life on to the next generation. We are very happy that fireflies can be viewed in Kikuchi City again this year. Please come and visit Kikuchi City to enjoy firefly viewing. □ Best viewing times ・Nikakiga River: mid-May ・Watase River: mid-May to late May □ Viewing areas ・Kikuchi City, Asahi-shi Obara (Obara district) ・Kikuchi City, Asahi-shi Fumoto (Takayanagi district) □ Parking…parking available in each district ・Obara district parking (Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays only, 200 yen) (May 11–early June) ・Takayanagi district parking (free) (May 17–early June) □ Viewing etiquette ・Do not shine flashlights or lights at the fireflies → Fireflies dislike strong light. Shining phone lights or using a flash can cause them to hide. It also disturbs other viewers. ・Do not make loud noises or cause disturbances → Loud noise will scare the fireflies and bother nearby residents. Please be considerate as viewing takes place at night. ・Do not catch or take them home → Adult fireflies can fly for only one to two weeks. Enjoy watching them living in the wild. ・Take your trash home with you → Fireflies live in clean environments. Let’s all protect the beautiful natural environment. ・Follow traffic rules → Viewing takes place at night. Please watch for people stepping onto roads. Road restrictions may be in place around viewing areas during the viewing season. Please cooperate to help keep viewers safe.

[Yamanashi Prefecture Drone Business Council established] Today, the Fujikawa Development Corporation with members and established the Yamanashi Prefecture Drone Business Council Have. In the future, the council will fly in the event of a disaster We will provide training and human resource development. As the second part, in the event of a disaster using a logistics drone We made a demonstration flight as expected.

Akimasu Observatory ◎First Viewing Point Akimasu Observatory has a first viewing point and a second viewing point. At the first viewing point, the surrounding trees 🌳 have grown tall so the view is no longer clear, but you can enjoy a pleasantly open space♪ ◎Second Viewing Point This 1,000 m–high panoramic platform offers a full 360° view, letting you see from Nobeoka as far as Aso in the distance. On clear days you can also spot Hyuga-nada and Mt. Osuzu, and even the Asahi Kasei smokestack with the naked eye. Facing the direction of the rising sun, it also attracts visitors who come to watch the first sunrise of the year 🌄. *All photos were taken from the second viewing point.* (Photographer: Masahiro Aya) With little light from buildings and a clear sky, some visitors come to photograph the starry night 🌟. ◎Parking If you do not turn toward the viewing points and continue straight, you will find a parking area 🅿️ at the end. Why not come to Akimasu Observatory to capture seasonal panoramic photos 📷 throughout the year? 🤗

[🌸Gokase Hanami 2025 Submitted Photos — Part 10🌸] The entries submitted to the “#Gokase Hanami 2025” held on the Gokase Tourism Association’s Instagram account have reached a pause for now as of today💪🌸 The photo contest is still open, so please do submit your entries🤗✨ @_yuta610 @fowafuwarin5 @meiko_ryu @tokotan2._.2 (in no particular order) This time we received many night cherry blossom photos👏 Even with a step ladder or whatever I try, I can’t take good night photos at all — how do people manage to capture such beautiful night shots like these?🤔 They’re truly wonderful!!! We’ll post again when more featured works have been collected🤗💡 -------------------------------------------------------------------- ≪#Gokase Hanami 2025 — How to Enter≫ Follow the Gokase Tourism Association Instagram account and post photos of flowers taken within Gokasecho on Instagram with the two hashtags #Gokase Hanami 2025 and #date of shooting (example: #March 20)🤳❤️‍🔥 Gokase Tourism Association Instagram account https://www.instagram.com/gokase_kanko/... [Period] From Thursday, March 20, 2025 to Sunday, May 11, 2025 ⚠️ Other rules are posted on the Gokase Tourism Association website. Be sure to read them before applying. https://www.town.gokase.miyazaki.jp/kanko/ivent/1962.html... ⚠️Please take great care to avoid accidents when photographing.

The Icelandic poppies in the forest park are 🤤 in full bloom This is the Musashi Hills National Forest Park Located in in Namerikawa Town, Saitama Prefecture. Flowers bloom throughout the year. Among them, the Icelandic poppy field is worth seeing. I think it will continue until GW, so please come and visit us 😊

Akebonoyama Agricultural Park is famous for its tulips. Photo opportunities are before and after the Sunrise rises. This year, I was also able to enjoy the cherry blossoms of the nearby Akebono Mountain.