Photographed 11/1/25.
After Prayer to Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine, I relaxed.
Strawberry Mousse & Joyful Medley Tea Latte and White Mocha Cake.

You should definitely see the flowers on rainy days at Seumo Park!
It is the droplets that have gathered on the lotus leaves.
Lotus leaves are highly water-repellent, so they collect water neatly.
The rainwater floating on the lotus leaves sparkles like a work of art.

Photographed 11/1/25.
It is a one-year cheap sea bream lottery of Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine.
It is yellow and vermilion.
Vermilion has a color close to orange.

Photo from my father.
2025.11.01

[Shimanto City, Kochi Prefecture] Savoring the River! Ayu, Unagi, River Shrimp, Gori! Traditional Fishing Methods That Live Alongside the Shimanto River

Introducing the traditional river fishing methods passed down by river fishers on the Shimanto River. This highlights the important local culture of living close to the river and gratefully receiving its bounty.

〇Traditional Fishing Methods of the Shimanto River
The Shimanto River’s traditional fishing methods have been carefully preserved by local river fishers. While their form has gradually changed with environmental shifts, they still remain part of daily life. The river’s abundant gifts—ayu (sweetfish), unagi (eel), tenaga-ebi (long-arm shrimp), and aosa nori (green seaweed)—brighten family meals with the seasons. Skilled chefs in Shimanto City also prepare them into delicious dishes for visitors, and various processed forms are enjoyed as souvenirs.

〇See the River, Taste the River
A slow walk along the Shimanto River reveals traps for catching eels and long-arm shrimp seen from chinkabashi bridges, partly submerged in the water. Depending on the season, you may encounter people fishing for ayu or working from traditional river boats. Along the banks you might spot stone-lined devices for catching gori, and at the river mouth workers harvesting green seaweed. If you look closely at the Shimanto River, you’ll discover human lives intertwined with the river. In the evening, taste the very ingredients caught with the traps you saw, slowly savored at a local restaurant. It’s a distinctive, insider way to enjoy the Shimanto River.

〇Introduction to Traditional Fishing Methods
・Ayu Fire-Swinging Fishing
Nets are set across the river in advance, and at night a boat swings torches from the deck. Startled by the dancing bands of flame, ayu panic and are driven into the nets. Today this practice often uses LED lights, but the principle remains the same as the traditional method. Ayu are also caught by cast nets, angling, and other methods.

・Long-Arm Shrimp Fishing
From a chinkabashi bridge looking toward the water’s edge, you can see PVC pipes spaced at regular intervals. These are korobashi, traps for catching long-arm shrimp. Once made of wood, they have changed to more convenient materials over time. Long-arm shrimp are commonly enjoyed deep-fried whole, producing vibrant colors, and are treasured as a local flavor—some grow large enough to resemble cucumbers.

・Unagi (Eel) Fishing
You may see pieces of styrofoam or PET bottles floating in the river without drifting away; they can mark korobashi used to catch eels. Sensitive to smell, eels avoid resin traps, so wooden korobashi are still widely used.

・Gori Fishing
If stones are lined along the riverbank to dam the water, they may form the setup for gori’s noborio-toshi-ue fishing. In the Shimanto River, juvenile Numachichibu fish are called gori and are enjoyed as a spring to early-summer delicacy. They are typically eaten deep-fried or simmered in soy-based preserves.

〇Important Notices
Fishing on the Shimanto River is subject to fishing rights. Purchasing an angling permit is required when you fish.
Also, closed seasons are established to protect resources.
Please be aware of these regulations.

Today, I attended the Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine Monthly Festival.
Shichi-Go-San.

Photographed 10/27/25.
This is Hanatetsu's Hanachozu.

A very yellowtail Limited Time Hokusei Line.

At this time of year, the cosmos field in front of the railroad tracks
It colors the Hokusei Line.

Morning at Biwashima Shrine (Kanazawa-ku, Yokohama City, Kanagawa Prefecture)

Saturday, November 1, 10:00–15:00
◆Ishirouzaki Lighthouse Public Opening
The interior of Ishirouzaki Lighthouse will be open to visitors.
This is a rare opportunity that only happens a few times a year, if at all!
There will be various special features on the day.
The Japan Coast Guard’s character Umimaru and Minami Izu Town’s official mascot Irozaki Baron will also make appearances!

Saturday, November 1–Sunday, November 2
◆Minami Izu Taiko Festival
In October, the month known as Kannazuki, the gods gather at Izumo Taisha from across the country for a matchmaking council, leaving only the local guardian deities behind. When the gods return in November, the month is called Kamikizuki or Kamikuduki, and although many communities scaled down celebrations during the COVID-19 pandemic, grand festivals praying for a bountiful harvest are held throughout Minami Izu Town.

[Notice]
From November our hours change to winter hours!

Thank you for always visiting Roadside Station Iwanai.
We appreciate your support.

Our facility will be open from November 1 through April 20 of the following year.
Opening hours are 9:00 to 17:00.
The facility is closed every Monday.
※If Monday is a public holiday, the following Tuesday will be closed.

Please note that the stamp rally stamps will follow the same hours and closed days stated above.

We look forward to welcoming you during the winter season 😊

Roadside Station Iwanai🐟

Photographed 10/27/25.
This is Hanachozu from Hara Flower Shop.
Hanachozu for Halloween. 🎃

Autumn colors in the satoyama and the JR Shinonoi Line
The countryside of Azumino is beginning to show its colors.

Autumn colors of the Northern Alps viewed from near the No. 2 parking area at the Mitsumata trailhead
Is that Choyari standing sharply in the distance…?
The mountainside foliage was at its peak!!

Mayumi Pond in Fall Colors
This pond lies along the Karasu River forest road heading to the Mitsumata trailhead
Its name preserves the old name for Mt. Jonen, which used to be called "Mayumi-dake"
Sitting at 1,170 meters, the autumn colors have descended noticeably toward the lowlands!

Autumn of the Sangi Railway

Along the Sangi Railway line in Inabe City, red spider lililies bloom in autumn.

Photographed 10/27/25.
This is LEC COFFEE's café latte.
Latte art is Halloween specification. 👻

Autumn sky.
A photo of my father's LINE confirmation of survival.

2025.10.30

November is almost here 🍂✨
This time, we introduce six autumn foliage spots in Shobara City, Hiroshima Prefecture! 🍁
Be sure to dress warmly and come to Shobara City, Hiroshima Prefecture 💛🎶

🍁🍁🍁Here are the highlights of the six autumn leaves spots🔽🍁🍁🍁

1. The Nursing-Rooting Giant Ginkgo of Mt. Kamitakano 🍁
[Address] Takano-cho, Shinichi, Shobara City, Hiroshima Prefecture
[Highlights] This giant ginkgo stands in the precincts of Tenman Shrine, with a trunk circumference at chest height of 9.6 meters, ranking first in the prefecture. It is said to have been planted as a sacred tree when Takemikazuchi-no-kami was enshrined here in the first year of Tenpyo (729). Aerial roots called "breasts" hang down from the main trunk, and it is designated as a prefectural natural monument. ※Please note that conditions may vary depending on the weather.
[Access] About an 8-minute drive from Takano IC on the Onomichi–Matsue Expressway or from Roadside Station Takano
[Typical viewing period] Early to mid-November

2. Mt. Azuma 🍁
[Address] Moriwaki, Hiwa-cho, Shobara City, Hiroshima Prefecture
[Highlights] Mt. Azuma belongs to Hiba-Dogo-Taishaku Quasi-National Park and lies about 35 km north of Shobara City in northern Hiroshima Prefecture. The Azuma Lodge of Kyukamura closed in 2020. Restroom facilities are available at the former campsite public toilets. ※Please note that conditions may vary depending on the weather.
[Typical viewing period] Late October to early November

3. Hiba Mountain Range 🍁
[Address] Yuki, Saijo-cho, Shobara City, Hiroshima Prefecture to Shimane Prefecture
[Highlights] A series of mountains around 1,200 meters high, with the area near Hiba-san Goryo covered by a nationally designated natural monument of pure beech forest. Please note that conditions may vary depending on the weather.
[Access] To Hiroshima Prefectural Citizens’ Forest Park Center
About 40 minutes from Shobara IC
About 40 minutes from Tojo IC
[Typical viewing period] Late October to early November

4. Dogo Mountain Range 🍁
[Address] Misaka, Saijo-cho, Shobara City, Hiroshima Prefecture to Tottori Prefecture
[Highlights] One of Japan’s 300 Famous Mountains and featured in Sumie Tanaka’s New 100 Famous Flowers of the Mountains. Enjoy 360-degree views from the summit, stone embankments from former ranches, and the large pond built as a water source for tatara ironmaking. ※Please note that conditions may vary depending on the weather.
[Access] About a 45-minute drive from Shobara IC to Tsukimigaoka
About a 30-minute drive from Tojo IC to Tsukimigaoka
[Typical viewing period] From early November

5. Taishakyo Gorge 🍁
[Address] Tojo-cho, Shobara City to Jinseki Kogen Town, Jinseki District, Hiroshima Prefecture
[Highlights] A gorge spanning Tojo-cho in Shobara City and Jinseki Kogen Town. Designated a National Scenic Spot in 1923 and listed among Japan’s Top 100 Landscapes. ※Please note that conditions may vary depending on the weather.
[Access] About a 15-minute drive from Tojo IC on the Chugoku Expressway
[Typical viewing period] Late October to early November

6. The Iroha Maple Group of Kamichi 🍁
[Address] Inakusa, Soryo-cho, Shobara City, Hiroshima Prefecture
[Highlights] The Iroha maple group of Kamichi includes remarkably large trees, the largest having a trunk circumference at chest height of 3.25 m, and nine others exceeding 2 m in circumference—an unusually large cluster even on a national scale. ※Please note that conditions may vary depending on the weather.
[Access] About a 15-minute drive from Shobara IC on the Chugoku Expressway
[Typical viewing period] Early to mid-November

For autumn foliage information for 2025, see🔽
https://www.shobara-info.com/special/4758

For an article summarizing the highlights, see🔽
https://www.shobara-info.com/report/5312

Photographed 10/27/25.
It comes with LEC COFFEE's chai Basque cheesecake and jack-o-lantern cookies. 🎃
I like chai, so it's a nice menu. 😊

Photographed 10/27/25.
This is a hot sandwich set from LEC COFFEE.
Lettuce, bacon, hot sandwich with fried egg, salad, Butter nut pumpkin soup.

The Tsuya River in the Sunset

Aerial photograph of red spider lililies blooming on the embankment of the Tsuya River in Kaizu City, Gifu Prefecture.
October 2025

Kiyomi Temple in Shizuoka Prefecture. The Tokaido Line passes right in front of the Temple. It's ✨ a very idyllic place

I will never forget the shock of seeing the scenery of Kamikochi live even now
It's a memory that will last a lifetime.

Photographed 10/18/25.
This is the Kawagoe Festival, Yoiyama.

Photographed 10/18/25.
This is the Kawagoe Festival, Yoiyama.
From the lion's head, a little bit appeared.

The 15th Atami Fish Festival will take place on Saturday and Sunday, November 1–2.
Held at the Shinsui Park Event Plaza, you can enjoy freshly grilled seafood on the spot with the “hamayaki” experience, along with food and drink vendors and special free sailings on the pleasure boat Sanremo.
Come taste Atami’s seafood!

15th Atami Fish Festival
Dates and times: Saturday, November 1 and Sunday, November 2, 2025, 10:00–16:00 (until 15:00 on November 2)
Venue: Shinsui Park Event Plaza (pleasure boat boarding at Shinsui Park Third Pier)
https://www.ataminews.gr.jp/event/198

Note: Hamayaki cannot be reserved in advance; it is first-come, first-served on the day.
Note: For the special free sailings on the pleasure boat (only for the 8th and 9th sailings each day), boarding tickets will be distributed at the boarding area from 14:30 on the day.
Note: Check the detailed page below for full event details.

On Sunday, November 2, the Bōei-Bōsai Festa and Firefighting Plaza will take place at Nagisa Elementary School Park across from the Third Section of Shinsui Park, and the Marine Festa Atami 2025 will be held at the Atami Port 7.5 Seismic-Resistant Quay.

The Sai River flowing through Azumino receives the Hotaka River and the Takase River here.
This spot is the confluence of the three rivers.
Many rivers that flow down from the Northern Alps merge into a single river at this point.

Photographed 10/18/25.
This is the Kawagoe Festival, Yoiyama.
The lion's head is dancing.

This photo was taken at Isahaya Shrine in Nagasaki Prefecture.

The stylish transparent amulet was impressive, so I took a picture of the shrine in the background.
The heat of midsummer was over, but the wind Car of the many was swirling with the wind, and there was a cool atmosphere in the air.