Taken on June 29, 2014. This is the matchmaking wind chime at Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine. I took this around 7 AM. When there are no people around, it's always a composition I challenge myself with. 🎐

🎤✨店舗エントリー受付中！！✨🎤 ＼あなたの歌声をステージで披露しませんか？／ 岩内観光協会では、怒涛まつり2日目（8月9日(日)）に開催するステージイベント 「選抜！歌うまコレクション」の出演者を募集しています！ 🎶 年齢・性別不問！ 🎶 ソロ・グループどちらでもOK！ 🏆 審査方法 ・カラオケ採点 ・審査員による審査 🎁 入賞者には豪華景品をご用意！ （町内飲食店で使える飲食券） 【応募方法】 町内店舗代表者によるエントリー必須！ ※個人での応募はできません。 店舗エントリーをお待ちしています😊 ぜひ自慢の"歌うま"さんをご推薦ください！ 一緒に怒涛まつりを盛り上げましょう！🎉 お申し込み・お問い合わせ 一般社団法人 岩内観光協会 ☎ 0135-63-1155（道の駅いわない内）

Taken on June 29, 2014. These are the matchmaking wind chimes at Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine.

Taken on June 29, 2014. The matchmaking wind chimes at Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine have begun. Among the approximately 2,000 wind chimes, there is one red thread wind chime, inspired by a single red thread. It is said that its location changes daily. You might find something good if you spot it.🎐

The landscape of Manda Pit is a memory of the site that supported modern Japan. Walking through the steel frames and bricks in the spacious area allows you to feel the size and weight of the coal mine. Take your time to touch history while taking photos. Even ordinary walls and corridors have an allure that has endured over a long period. 【Visiting Information】9:30 AM to 5:00 PM (last entry at 4:30 PM) / Closed: Mondays (the following weekday if a holiday) and during the New Year holidays / Admission: 410 yen for adults and university students, 310 yen for high school students, 210 yen for elementary and junior high school students / Manda Pit Station (free exhibition room and ticket sales) #Miike Coal Mine #Industrial Heritage #Historical Walks #Traveling Japan Through Photos #Travel Photography #Coal Mine Ruins #Modernization of Japan #MandaCoalMine #AraoCity #KumamotoTravel #JapanTravel #VisitJapan #WorldHeritage #IndustrialHistory #HeritageTravel

Ritsurin Park is the most representative scenic spot in Kagawa Prefecture and one of Japan's Special Places of Scenic Beauty, renowned for its expansive strolling garden. The park skillfully blends the natural landscape of Shiun Mountain with exquisite garden designs, showcasing different aspects in each season. No matter when you visit, you can appreciate the unique elegance of Japanese gardens. As I stroll along the park's trails, I first ascend Mount Hira, where I can see Nanko, the lush green pine forests, and the distant Shiun Mountain all at once. The scenery before me resembles a slowly unfolding landscape painting, with a gentle breeze and shimmering water that invite you to slow down and savor this garden's beauty, shaped by the passage of time. Next, I arrive at Kikugetsu-tei by the lakeside, where I order matcha and wagashi in the quaint and elegant tea room. Enjoying the garden view through the window while savoring the slightly bitter yet sweet matcha and delicate wagashi, time seems to slow down. There is no hurried itinerary, just the sounds of birds, a gentle breeze, and the pond water accompanying me, allowing me to fully immerse myself in the tranquil atmosphere. What attracts people to Ritsurin Park is not only the meticulously crafted landscapes but also the serene ambiance that allows one to relax and quietly experience the changing seasons. Reflecting on the time spent enjoying tea and the scenery at Kikugetsu-tei still brings endless delight.

The autumn leaves at Konzoin Temple in Sano City, Tochigi Prefecture, are stunning. When the maple trees along the approach turn bright red, it's truly magnificent. However, perhaps due to global warming, everything doesn't turn completely red anymore. Still, the maple tree next to the bell tower turns bright red, and I love seeing it basking in the morning sun.

This is Hanadaka Flower Hill Lookout in Takasaki City, Gunma Prefecture. This time, we showcase the autumn cosmos fields. In the background is Mt. Akagi. Being on a hill allows for a great view of the surroundings. As seasonal flowers are planted, the scenery changes, adding to the excitement.

In the flower fields of Agrostemma, the beautiful scenery of Mt. Nantai and Mt. Nyohou can be seen. The Agrostemma fields belong to a local farmer, and we are truly grateful. The sight of the Agrostemma swaying in the wind is a hidden gem that offers a refreshing summer atmosphere. The mountains in the background are the Nikkō Mountains, where you can capture stunning photos of beautiful peaks like Mt. Nantai and Mt. Nyohou.

The Sunflower Festival held in Nogimachi, Tochigi Prefecture, features a stunning display of sunflowers in full bloom. This year marks the 35th edition, and towering sunflowers will bloom in the fields where farmers have worked hard for many years. The event will take place on July 18th and 19th, 2026, but the sunflowers can be enjoyed even on days outside of the event.

At the Akagi Kogen Service Area on the downbound side of the Kanetsu Expressway, there is a park behind the shops. In spring, there are spots where tulips and other flowers are planted. On clear days, you can see the snow-capped Mt. Komagatake and Mt. Hotaka. While walking in the park, I spotted the snow-covered Mt. Komagatake between the red and white cherry blossoms.

栃木県足利市にある白髭神社です。小さな神社ですが、足利荘山川郷の鎮守として崇敬された神社だそうです。 春には、外側からハナモモが咲き中央には大きな桜の木があります。 この写真はハナモモと桜が満開の時期にちょうど訪れることができました。 ハナモモだけでも見ごたえ十分です。 余り知られていないハナモモの穴場スポットです。

Nogi Hofmann Hall, located in Nogimachi, Tochigi Prefecture, is designated as an Important Cultural Property of Japan and is a place where visitors can observe a brick kiln. Next to it, a row of dawn redwoods continues. In the evening, it is illuminated, offering a wonderful view. I was moved when the pathway turned red with fallen leaves. I believe it is a hidden gem that is not widely known.

Today is the Summer Purification Ceremony. We cleanse ourselves of sins and impurities from the past six months and pray for good health and safety for the remaining half of the year.

Taken on April 6, 26. This is the flower water at the omikuji (fortune-telling) distribution area of Kawagoe Hachimangu Shrine. I'm curious about 🇯🇵🆚🇧🇷.

Kanawa Island in Hinodecho, Oita Prefecture, appears to be an ordinary couple's rock from a distance, but as you get closer, a large hole created by wave erosion reveals itself. This formation, visible only during low tide, truly deserves to be called a "hidden gem of Japan." I took this photo to convey the beauty of the shapes carved by nature.

Taken on April 4, 2014. This is the flower water basin at Kawagoe Hachimangu Shrine.

Today's Northern Alps, Mt. Tsubakuro The queen of alpine plants, Komakusa, has started to bloom The Hakusan Ichige is also blooming beautifully😍 Today, we coincidentally encountered a family of rock ptarmigans♪ The best access to Mt. Tsubakuro is from Azumino City❗️

In Azumino, where the weather is unstable due to the approaching typhoon, I saw buckwheat flowers blooming in various places in the Misato District.

About an hour from Tokyo. In the sea, there is an unknown Japan. Manatsuru, which can be visited as a day trip from Tokyo or Yokohama. This small port town has special views known only to divers. This time, we visited "Iwa." It’s about a 40-minute drive from Hiratsuka. A convenient boat diving spot. It takes just a few minutes to reach the sea by boat. Once you enter the water, colorful soft corals spread out before you. Schools of fish swim slowly through the calm sea. The highlight of this place is the large iron frame reef sunk to the seabed. Originally used as scaffolding for bridge construction, it has now become a habitat for marine creatures and a popular spot for divers. Swimming between the massive structures feels like exploring underwater ruins. Soft corals sway above, and light filters through. Lionfish swim slowly, while small fish dart around them. The creatures you encounter change with the seasons. In summer, you see schools of fish. In winter, vibrant sea slugs. Throughout the year, you can enjoy different scenery with each visit. After diving, enjoying a leisurely lunch in Manatsuru or Shonan is also recommended. Just a little stretch from the city, a day like this awaits you. Japan's seas hold many undiscovered charms. On your next trip, why not visit the underwater Japan?

Taken on April 4, 2014. This is the flower water offering at Kawagoe Hachimangu Shrine.

The Ōoka River flows through Isezakicho in Yokohama. While Yokohama boasts many famous tourist spots like Chinatown and Minatomirai, the cherry blossoms here are equally breathtaking. With a moderate foot traffic and food stalls lined up, the view from this spot is a spring delight I look forward to every year.

Introduction of Tsuba from Wakedo Item Number: T380703 Title: Haryu zu Tsuba Signature: Seisendo Kashino Naonobu (kao) Certification: [N.B.T.H.K.] Tokubetsu Hozon Tousougu Dimensions: Length 86.5mm, Width 81.5mm, Thickness 4.8mm Period: Late Edo School: Hamano, Oguri Yoshinao school Description Kashino Naonobu was a disciple of Oguri Yoshinao from the Hamano school. Since Kashiwazaki in Echigo Province was under the domain of Kuwana Han, he became a court goldsmith for the Matsudaira family. Known as Seisendo, he was a skilled craftsman. The raised high-relief dragon in this piece is magnificent, showcasing excellent iron quality.

Taken on April 1, 2014. This is the flower water at the omikuji (fortune-telling paper) distribution area of Kawagoe Hachimangu Shrine.

Introduction of the tsuba from Wakeido Item Number: T380702 Title: Mouko zu Tsuba Signature: Kingyokudo myochin Hirosada (kao) Certification: [N.B.T.H.K.] Tokubetsu Hozon Tousougu Size: Length 72.7mm Width 65.5mm Thickness 4.5mm Period: Late Edo AD 1830–1860 School: Mito kinko Uchikoshi school Description Mito is one of the Tokugawa Gosanke and a castle town with a production of 350,000 koku. Here, a group known as Mito kinko flourished, forming the Mito carving style and producing numerous master craftsmen such as Motosuke, Ichiryu Tomoyoshi, Mikuru Tamagawa, Uchikoshi Hirosada, and Hagiya Katsuhira. Uchikoshi Hirosada is the foremost disciple of Hirosu and is known as Kingyokudo and Shugen-sai. He is skilled in high relief carvings of figures and plants, showcasing exceptional craftsmanship. This piece features a magnificent high relief of a fierce tiger on a quarter plate, and the carving of the river on the reverse side also demonstrates remarkable skill.

Introduction of Tsuba from Wakedō Item Number: E380701 Title: Ohsyukubai Tsuba Signature: Hohshinsai Toshikage Ganji koushi ki aki (kao) AD1864 Certification: [N.B.T.H.K.] Hozon Tousougu Dimensions: Length 66mm Width 58.5mm Thickness 2.5mm Period: AD1864 School: Touryusai school Explanation The Touryusai school was founded by Kiyotoshi Tanaka, who was born in the first year of the Bunka era and was known to have connections with Haruaki Hōgen. The school developed a clever style known as the Touryusai style, training many disciples, including Toshikage, Toshimune, and Toshimura. Toshikage, also known as Matsugorō Morikawa, used the names Hohshinsai and Hōmei-sai, creating animal and plant designs in the Touryusai style. His skills were high, and he was a fine craftsman of the Touryusai school. This piece is a tsuba depicting the Ohsyukubai (plum tree) in the Touryusai style, featuring a silver inlay with a carved design on the back, which is very characteristic of the Touryusai style. It showcases the craftsmanship of Toshikage and is a remarkable piece with significant age. Ohsyukubai During the reign of Emperor Murakami, the emperor ordered a magnificent plum tree from the residence of Ki no Tsurayuki's daughter because the plum tree in Seiryōden had withered. The daughter replied with a poem, saying, "If it is the emperor's command, I will gladly offer it, but what should I say if the nightingale that visits every year asks, 'Where is my home?'" The emperor was moved by this elegant response and returned the plum tree to its original garden.

Photographed on April 1, 2014. This is the flower water offering at Kawagoe Hachimangu Shrine.

Taken on April 1, 2014. This is the flower water offering at Kawagoe Hachimangu Shrine.

Photographed on April 15, 2014. This is the flower water basin at Hara Florist.

A special view of the sea in Japan that appears only in summer. In Higashi-Izu, Kawana, there is a special diving spot that can only be accessed during the summer. Its name is "Ubako Coral." Just three minutes from the port. The time spent heading out to sea on a small boat is also part of the joy of the journey. Once you enter the water, schools of fish greet you. Fish swimming around the reef transform the ocean view in every direction. Vibrant soft corals spread out, allowing you to not only watch the fish but also to slowly enjoy Japan's rich sea. Ubako Coral is available only until the end of August each year. It is a special view of the sea in Japan that you can encounter only in summer. There are still lesser-known seas in Japan. Why not encounter such views on your next trip?