Exploring Japan goes beyond just stunning landscapes; it’s a journey steeped in rich traditions. Experiencing traditional Japanese style tea ceremony and making Wagashi with friends in Kimono or Yukata is just a wonderful experience which I will remember my whole life. This is the other side of cool Japan beyond the Natural beauty and mouth watering food. We enjoyed it in Asakusa area of Tokyo.

Hello everyone—this is the Yamato City Event and Tourism Association. We talked about a temple the other day, so today we will introduce a shrine in Yamato. Fukami Shrine is a shrine located about a 15-minute walk from Yamato Station on the Odakyu Enoshima Line and the Sotetsu Line. The enshrined deities are Takemikazuchi no Kami and Takeminakata no Kami. Takemikazuchi no Kami is also known as the deity of Kashima Shrine, the head shrine Kashima Jingu, often called Kashima-sama. Both deities are powerful war gods associated with martial prowess, and they are indispensable for prayers for victory. Fukami Shrine is the only shrine in the city listed in the Engishiki Jinmyocho, a register compiled in the Nara and Heian periods, making it one of the Engishiki-designated shrines. It has been recorded as one of the region’s representative shrines since ancient times. Fukami Shrine is also known for its harunire tree, selected as one of Kanagawa’s 100 notable trees and designated as a Yamato City historic site, scenic spot, and natural monument. This harunire reaches about 30 meters in height, which is rare in lowland areas like Yamato. Because its species was once unknown, locals originally called it the “nanjamonja tree,” and that familiar local name still endures. Nestled in a quiet residential neighborhood, Fukami Shrine makes a lovely stop on a walking route. Fukami Shrine 3367 Fukami, Yamato City, Kanagawa Prefecture https://www.fukamijinjya.com//

It’s still cold, but spring is definitely approaching! Early-blooming cherry trees around the region are at their best right now. https://www.kanagawa-kankou.or.jp/theme_list/hayazaki_cherry_blossom...

Kiyosato, Uryu Falls Located in the Kawamata River Valleys at the foothills of Mt. Yatsugatake, Water is a mysterious waterfall where water streams down like silk threads from between the rocks. Fresh greenery in Spring and Autumn leaves in autumn are also beautiful, and the feeling of coolness in summer is also exceptional.

Kiyosato, Uryu Falls Located in the Kawamata River Valleys at the foothills of Mt. Yatsugatake, Water is a mysterious waterfall where water streams down like silk threads from between the rocks. Fresh greenery in Spring and Autumn leaves in autumn are also beautiful, and the feeling of coolness in summer is exceptional.

Daylily of Kirigamine In July, daylily is in full bloom on the Kirigamine Highlands along the Venus Line. The photo was taken of the daylily communities of Kirigamine Fujimidai. During the flower season, the Venus Line is congested.

Daylily of Kirigamine In July, daylily blossoms in the Kirigamine Highlands along the Venus Line. The photo was taken of the daylily communities of Kirigamine Fujimidai. During the flower season, the Venus Line is congested.

Oga Hasu When botanist Dr. Ichiro Ohga sowed the seeds of a lotus found in a stratum 2,000 years ago, they succeeded in germinating and flowering, and the divided Oga lotus blooms in the lotus pond of Anayama Flower Valley in Nirasaki City, Yamanashi Prefecture. Flowering is in July.

Mt. Meshimori's Daylily Mt. Meshimori, located on the Nobeyama Highlands at the foothills of Mt. Yatsugatake, has an elevation of 1643 m and the elevation of Shishiiwa at the trailhead is 1457 m, making it a mountain suitable for Hiking that even children can climb. The Mt. Meshimori is located on the Water ridge of the Sea of Japan and the Pacific Ocean, and if the weather is good, you can enjoy the view of Mount Fuji, Southern Alps, Yatsugatake, and Mt. Asama. Mt. Meshimori, the daylily are in full bloom in July. It is a superb view point that you should definitely visit.

[Mori no Hall Final Event "Thank You. And Please Continue to Support Us."] Mori no Hall, a hugely popular cafe that draws devoted fans not only from the town but from across Japan, will close its doors on March 30, 2025. To celebrate the finale, shops and artists who have been involved over the years will come together for a two-day event!! ✴︎✴︎ Orchard Grass Venue ✴︎✴︎ On certain days (cafe): Masao Takahata (general goods), Chihiro Nishi (general goods), Ai Kawai (workshop “Draw Forest Animals in Chalk Art!” and general goods) The workshop costs 1,500 yen per session (about 30 minutes). Participants can sign up on site at any time. ✴︎✴︎ Mori no Hall Venue ✴︎✴︎ Mori no Hall (cafe and cakes), gusco (baked sweets), Tegamisha Zakkaten (handmade goods), Mawarimichi (bread and baked sweets), Yoroushi Yamamotobokujo (milk and baked sweets), TEGAMISHA CAFE & BREWERY (desserts and craft beer) Please come and enjoy the event with us! We sincerely look forward to your visit 🧸🍰🍬 Mori no Hall Final Event "Thank You. And Please Continue to Support Us." Saturday, March 22, 2025, 10:00–17:00 and Sunday, March 23, 2025, 10:00–16:00 Venues: Mori no Hall and Orchard Grass (Kawayu Onsen, Hokkaido), area around JR Kawayu-Onsen Station Address: 2-1-2 Kawayu Ekimae, Teshikaga, Kawakami District, Hokkaido Phone: 015-483-2906 (Mori no Hall) Note: Closed days in March are the 4th, 5th, 10th, 11th, 12th, 17th, 18th, 19th, 24th, 25th, and 26th. Please be aware these dates differ from the usual schedule. Illustrated by Masao Takahata

Mr. Jizo in Sakyo Ward, Kyoto City Many of them are simple paintings that look like eyes and noses in chaos

Today I will tell you a story about the stone statues at Josenji Temple in Yamato City and how incredibly cute they are. Josenji is a well-known temple in Yamato City, famous as the "Temple of Flowers." Its trees and blossoms soothe the mind throughout the seasons, making it a peaceful retreat. Scattered across Josenji’s grounds are rakan statues and kappa. Each one wears a vivid expression that sparks all kinds of imagination: "What are they thinking?" "They look so close and heartwarming," "They seem to be having fun together." Perhaps they, too, enjoy watching the visitors who come to the temple. These lively stone figures are truly full of personality and utterly charming. Temple of Flowers Josenji 2176 Fukuda, Yamato City, Kanagawa Prefecture http://www.jousenji.com//

The 14th Teshikaga Photo Contest Winning Entries 5/5 The Teshikaga Photo Contest has reached its 14th edition this year. While digital submissions and SNS entries have become common in recent years, the Teshikaga Photo Contest keeps a classic format by judging printed works. For this edition, we invited Takeshi Mizukoshi, a Teshikagacho resident and internationally known mountain photographer, as a special judge to help select the winners. For the 14th contest, we accepted entries in four categories—Starry Skies, Sea of Clouds, Activities (Experiences), and Open—from November 1 to December 25, 2024. Out of 154 submissions, 20 works won prizes! Here we present five Special Prize winners and the Organizing Committee Special Prize. With this announcement, we have published all the winning works of the 14th Teshikaga Photo Contest. Thank you to everyone who participated in the contest! Congratulations to the prize winners 🎊 ✴︎Special Prizes✴︎ "Kiriwataru" (Mist Spreading) Shizuo Murakami "Bridge of Hope for the Future" Maruni Urata "Ice Opening in the Bitter Cold" Yoneko Tazawa "Moonlit Lake Mashu" Noriyuki Hatahashi "Reunion" Yui Amy Murakami ✴︎Organizing Committee Special Prize✴︎ "The Call Within the Silence" Go Kan-iku

Soup cafe bliss sits along the embankment in Higashi-Hongo, where Somei Yoshino cherry trees burst into bloom each spring. You can relax and eat inside or take your food to go! When the weather warms, about 200 Somei Yoshino trees in front of the shop come into flower. Enjoying cherry blossoms with a bowl of soup—what a lovely idea (≧▽≦) *The fourth photo is from a past year.* #Shimoda #Cherry blossoms, cherry tree row, sakura #Photogenic https://r.goope.jp/soupcafebliss/...

Dawn at Agebonoyama Agricultural Park Agebonoyama Agricultural Park is It is also one of Famous landmarks of flowers, but it It is also one of a beautiful park at dawn. The wind Car was reflected in the Water mirror to reflect the sunrise sky.

Tateishi of Akitani The standing stones of Akitani seen from Tateishi Park in Yokosuka on the Saikai coast of the Miura Peninsula, and a huge rock 12 m high stands upright on the Coast. It is also one of a scenic spot for sunsets. When it is clear, you can see Mount Fuji in the distance.

Photo taken on March 5: The Okanzakura (Okan cherry blossoms) in the Waterside Park have come into full bloom They are now at their best 🌸

🌊March 5th is Coral Day! Protecting 🪸 the future of coral reefs Today, March 5th, is [Coral Day]! 🌍 Named after a pun on the words "3 (san)" and "5 (go)", the anniversary aims to raise awareness of the importance of coral reefs and raise awareness of conservation efforts. 🐠 What is a coral reef? Why is it important? 🌊 Coral reefs are an integral part of the marine ecosystem. Not only does it create a beautiful seascape, but it also serves as a habitat for many marine life. It also plays a role in purifying sea water, absorbing carbon dioxide, and cushioning the impact of tsunamis, making it a very important part of the global environment. ⚠️ However, in recent years, coral reefs around the world have Located in in crisis due to climate change, marine pollution, overfishing, and other factors. In particular, coral bleaching due to rising sea water temperatures is a serious problem. 🌏 It's important for each of us to start with what we can do. 🏝️ Three important roles played by coral reefs 1️🐟 ⃣ A paradise for marine life Coral reefs, also known as the "cradle of the sea," provide a rich environment for a wide variety of organisms, including tropical fish, sea turtles, and sharks. 2️🌎 ⃣ Nature's filters to protect the ocean and the planet Corals absorb carbon dioxide and purify sea water. In coastal areas, it also absorbs the energy of waves and reduces the damage caused by tsunamis and storm surges. 3️🛫 ⃣ Attractiveness of Tourist Resources and Ecotourism The coral reef waters are a popular Spot for tourists who enjoy diving and snorkeling. It also serves as a base point for ecotourism and is an important Minamoto to support the local economy. 🌱 5 Things You Can Do to Protect Coral Reefs ✅ 🛍️ Opt for eco-friendly products 　For daily necessities and cosmetics, consider that they will stream into the ocean, and choose environmentally friendly ingredients. In particular, it is important to choose an anti-UV cream with "coral-friendly" ingredients. ✅ 🚯 Reducing plastic waste and keeping our oceans clean 　Try to reduce single-use plastics and pick up trash on the Coast. Plastic waste has a serious impact on marine life. ✅ ♻️ Be aware of actions to prevent Global Warming 　Coral bleaching is caused by rising sea water temperatures. Be aware of actions that contribute to Global Warming measures, such as saving electricity, using renewable energy, and eco-Drive. ✅ 🤿 Observe good manners when diving and snorkeling 　When diving or snorkeling, be careful not to damage the coral. If you kick it with your fins or touch it unconsciously, the coral can easily be damaged. ✅ 💙 Participate in coral reef conservation efforts 　Participating in environmental groups and local cleanup efforts can help protect coral reefs more directly. Online donations and coral farming support are also options. 🌊 Let's 🪸 connect beautiful coral reefs to the future In order to protect the future of coral reefs, it is essential for each of us to be aware of and take action. Whether you enjoy diving or not, protecting the marine environment Gari protects our entire planet. 💡 Let's be aware of "what we can do today" and act together to connect beautiful coral reefs to the future! 🌍 What actions do you take to protect corals? Think about it! ---------------------- 😍 The ocean connects the 🌎✨ world Let's embark on a journey into a world that has not yet been seen! 🇯🇵🗻
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Wisteria shelves at Ashikaga Flower Park You can see a variety of flowers all year round at Ashikaga Flower Park, but the best is probably the wisteria flower, and the wisteria flowers hanging on the large wisteria shelf are stunning. The best time to visit is from the second half of April to the beginning of May.

Lake Smoking in the Fog Shirakoma Pond in Kita Yatsugatake, the fresh greenery season is relatively quiet, unlike the Autumn leaves season. The foggy lake is fantastic.

Poppy in the Sky The poppies in the sky at the Aya no Kuni Fureai Ranch in Minano Town, Saitama Prefecture, and such a superb view on the mountain are Spots that you want to visit at least once. Best time to visit is May.

Spring at the foothills of Mt. Yatsugatake Yamanashi trees at the foothills of Mt. Yatsugatake, Nobeyama Highlands, pure white flowers bloom. Yatsugatake with residual snow, blue sky and white clouds, fresh greenery green and yellow dandelions herald the arrival of Spring on the Highlands. The flowering of the Yamanashi tree is in May.

Horizon at the foothills of Mount Yatsugatake May is a beautiful season Spot photographing twin trees where you can see the fresh greenery meadows of Mt. Yatsugatake foothills Nobeyama Highlands and the Southern Alps of the remaining snow in the distance beyond the horizon.

Nagano Prefecture Matsumoto Castle Scene Projection Mapping (3rd Phase) On this day, snowfall and wind were blowing during the Time Slot / Time of Day of the first projection, which was not suitable for shooting, but the snow and wind stopped around the third lap, and I was able to take reflections

Winter Activity 2025 MOMBETSU Lake Komuke & Native Flower Garden Snow Trekking Stroll through Lake Komuke and the Komuke Native Flower Garden on snowshoes with an expert guide. Why don't you feel the scenery and charm that is different from the green season? For details, go to the official website "Monbetsu Tourist Information Center"

Water mirror in a rice field The water mirror of the rice field in front of the rice plant, which can be said to be the original scenery of Japan, and the remaining snow of Kaikomagatake are reflected in the water mirror, and the JR Koumi Line climbs the foothills of Mt. Yatsugatake. The JR Koumi Line is a Highlands-row Car that runs on JR's most Elevation line Car and the scenery from the window is also spectacular.

Spring at the foothills of Mt. Yatsugatake In Spring at the foothills of Mt. Yatsugatake Nobeyama Highlands, dandelion flowers bloom in the fresh greenery meadow, and the remaining snow of Yatsugatake is beautiful

Spring Highlands In Spring at the foothills of Mt. Yatsugatake Nobeyama Highlands, dandelions bloom in the meadows and the remaining snow of Yatsugatake is beautiful

Yokohama Marine Tower at night The landmark Marine Tower in the Port of Yokohama is a bewitching Light up at night and is an old and new Sightseeing spot.

Night Cherry Blossoms and Minato Mirai Night View The night view of Yokohama Minato Mirai seen from the rows of cherry blossom trees on the Yokohama Car road, the Yokohama Landmark Tower and Queen's Square Yokohama's skyscrapers and night cherry blossoms somehow harmonize and become an oasis in the city.