Calligraphy masters apply Japanese kanji characters to the native language names of foreign customers. Since each kanji character has its own meaning, enjoy this traditional cultural experience, including the meaning of the kanji used in your name. You can take home the engraved wooden Dojo-fuda as a souvenir to remember your visit. #calligraphy #kanji #shodo #travelmemories #culturalexperience

The sword is the soul of the samurai; it cannot be sold even if it starves to death. Bushido made the sword a symbol of his power and valor. From an early age, one is taught how to use a sword. He started with a wooden sword, and when he reached the age of 15, he was allowed to carry a serious weapon. At that time, he became aware of his self-respect and sense of responsibility for carrying a dangerous weapon in the street

Fortune tellers are also autumn colors 2024.11.08 #Dazaifu Tenmangu

Photographed 11/6/24. This is Kawagoe Kumano Shrine's autumn pilgrimage. Even from the side, it is very pretty. 🍁 The priestess takes the time and effort to make Koitemizu every time. It is said that the autumn pilgrimage is until the second half of November.

At Engaru Shrine, also known as a famous landmarks for autumn leaves, You can still see 🍁 the beautiful Autumn leaves Today, 11/7 (Thursday) is winter. With the onset of winter on the calendar, it snowed this morning even ⛄️❄️ in Far Light The cold days will continue from now on, so while preparing for snow, Please 🧣 take care of your physical condition and stay warm

This morning, I went to see Yabusame at Izumo Ihabi Shrine. It was so fast that I couldn't take a picture of the arrow. 😭

Photographed 10/19/24. It is a one-year cheap sea bream lottery of Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine. It's a vermilion color for a limited time, but when mixed with red, it's hard to tell. 😅

[Notice of Temporary Parking Lots for Oyama Autumn Foliage Season 2024] * Weekends and public holidays from Saturday, November 2 to Sunday, December 1 * Oyama is expected to be very crowded during the autumn foliage season. On weekends, the Municipal No.2 Parking Lot may fill up as early as dawn. If you come by car, please note that temporary parking lots are available only on weekends and public holidays during the season from Saturday, November 2 to Sunday, December 1; check in advance. Allow plenty of time for your trip. Road congestion is expected, so please use public transportation whenever possible. Access: From Isehara Station North Exit, Bus Stop No. 4 (bound for the Oyama Cable), about 30 minutes by bus Get off at the final stop and walk about 15 minutes to the cable car station. The Odakyu-issued Tanzawa-Oyama Free Pass is very convenient to use. For details, visit the Isehara City Tourism Association website.

Today, I attended the Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine Monthly Festival. It is a one-year cheap sea bream lottery. It was taken on October 8th, and there were fewer yellow sea bream lottery tickets today.

Photographed 10/26/24. It is Hanachozu of Kawagoe Hachimangu Shrine. Pumpkins are Halloween-like. 🎃👻👿

Hello to everyone watching Cool Japan Videos! This is the Kikuchi Tourism Association in Kumamoto Prefecture! Kikuchi City in Kumamoto Prefecture sits upstream along the Kikuchi River in the northern part of the prefecture, surrounded by clear river waters and lush green scenery. With a population of about 45,000, Kikuchi City attracts many visitors with its hot springs, beautiful gorges, and long-standing historic sites. Known as a “town of water,” its pure spring water supports the production of many local specialties. [History of Kikuchi City, Kumamoto Prefecture] Kikuchi City has a long history: during the Sengoku period (1070–1532), the Kikuchi clan flourished in the region for roughly 450 years. Saigo Takamori, a statesman from the late Edo to early Meiji period whose statue stands in Uenokouen, is said to be a descendant of the Kikuchi clan. At their height, the Kikuchi clan controlled much of Kyushu and made their name known across the country. [Popular Tourist Spots in Kikuchi City, Kumamoto Prefecture] ■Kikuchi Gorge Kikuchi Gorge is one of Kumamoto Prefecture’s most beautiful natural attractions. You can enjoy pristine streams and seasonal scenery, with refreshing summers and autumn foliage as particular highlights. The gorge has earned recognition such as Japan’s Top 100 Forest Bathing Sites and Japan’s 100 Remarkable Waters. It’s ideal for forest bathing and hiking, offering a soothing experience on every visit. ■Kikuchi Shrine Kikuchi Shrine honors the famed warrior Kikuchi Takemitsu and lets visitors feel the depth of the city’s history. You can worship amid a beautiful shrine building and a solemn atmosphere that conveys historical weight. At the history museum, you can view cultural artifacts such as ancient documents related to the Kikuchi clan. ■Kikuchi Park Perched on a gentle hill, Kikuchi Park offers panoramic views over the city. It’s one of the city’s top cherry-blossom viewing spots, where around 3,000 cherry trees bloom in spring and draw many hanami visitors. ■Ryumon Dam Ryumon Dam ranks among the largest dams in Kumamoto Prefecture. This multipurpose dam on the Kikuchi River created Lake Hanjaku, which is maintained as a boating site. The lakeside plaza is set up for camping and events. Dam tours are also available. ■Kikuchi Onsen Kikuchi Onsen, discovered in 1954 (Showa 29), is famed for its smooth water, earning it nicknames like “bathing spot for beautiful skin” and “cosmetic bath.” A variety of facilities offer day-use baths and overnight stays for full relaxation. You can enjoy the hot springs alongside dishes made from local ingredients. ■Mt. Kuradake Mt. Kuradake rises to 1,118 meters and is popular for mountain climbing and hiking. From the summit you can take in spectacular views of Aso Mountain and the Kumamoto Plain, with panoramic scenery stretching far on clear days. It is listed among Kyushu’s 100 Famous Mountains and chosen for the National Top 100 Walks. ■Roadside Station Kyokushi Roadside Station Kyokushi, located along National Route 325, is a popular stop where you can buy fresh local produce and processed goods. A restaurant using Kyokushi beef and locally grown vegetables also offers takeout. [Local Specialties and Gourmet Foods of Kikuchi City, Kumamoto Prefecture] ■Kikuchi Rice Kikuchi City is also famous for its delicious rice. Kikuchi Rice, grown with abundant water and fertile soil, is known for its large grains and pronounced sweetness. It has earned high acclaim nationwide, including a gold prize at a past competition. ■Kikuchi Paddy-grown Burdock The popular local specialty “Kikuchi Paddy-grown Burdock” is cultivated in rice paddies, giving it a tender texture and strong sweetness. It tastes great simmered or as tempura and adds a distinctive touch to dishes. [Events and Festivals in Kikuchi City, Kumamoto Prefecture] ■Kikuchi White Dragon Festival The Kikuchi White Dragon Festival, traditionally held in August, was moved to October in 2024 due to warming temperatures. Two white dragons—the adult dragon and the young dragon—are carried by many bearers in a powerful performance. The festival culminates in a fireworks display that colors Kikuchi’s night sky. [Tourist Information for Kikuchi City, Kumamoto Prefecture] Kikuchi City in Kumamoto Prefecture is a charming area of rich natural scenery and deep history. With beautiful gorges, hot springs, and historic shrines, the city offers diverse attractions and fresh discoveries in every season. It is easily accessible—about 60 minutes from kumamoto station and about 30 minutes from Aso Kumamoto Airport. We will continue to share recommended information full of Kikuchi City’s attractions, so please follow us!

Photographed 10/26/24. It is Hanachozu of Kawagoe Hachimangu Shrine. It's Halloween 🎃👻👿.

Photographed 10/14/24. This is Kawagoe Hachimangu on the day of the Annual Grand Festival.

At Fushimi Inari.

Searching for Autumn in Gokase While taking photos for foliage updates, I went looking for autumn in Gokase🍁 Today I visited Gion Shrine in Kuraoka and three locations at Josenji Temple⛩️✨ ...but the leaves hadn’t changed color at all😂 Perhaps the lingering summer heat damaged the leaves and the small temperature differences are to blame🤔 Some maple-type trees showed partial color, but on closer inspection most leaves were blackened and withered in places😣 The maples at Josenji looked relatively pretty, but only in a few high-up sections, so overall it still feels like it’s just getting started💡 Josenji’s bamboo fence was repaired and looks fresh and neat👏 You can’t help but want to see that restored bamboo fence paired with beautiful autumn colors😭 Let’s pray the foliage progresses from here and keep watching over it🙏🙏🙏 The "Gokase Autumn Leaves 2024" event is also underway, so if you spot autumn colors in Gokase, please submit your photos🍁📸 For details, please see the pinned post titled "Gokase Autumn Leaves 2024" 🤗✨

The autumn beauty of Toji temple in Kyoto. With illumination and reflection in water the scenery becomes more beautiful. One of my favorite tourist spots in Kyoto. The tradition and beauty truly reflects here.

2024/10/18At Takayama Inari, Aomori Prefecture Title: Takayama Inari Senbon Torii (shrine gate)

A park in Tatsuno City, Hyogo Prefecture It was an old-fashioned small park, but it was a charming park with two large ginkgo trees on either side and seesaw

Shinyu Onsen L.P. has released “Suwa Taisha Navi,” an app for foreign visitors and domestic tourists. This in-shrine interactive app supports English, French, Traditional Chinese, and Japanese, and highlights the attractions of the four shrines of Suwa Taisha. The navigator is Suwahime, Suwa City’s official character, who introduces 84 monuments and buildings across the four shrines. Download the app and launch it on site to hear the explanations; locations you’ve heard are marked with a folding-fan icon. It makes a great travel memory. Shinyu Onsen L.P. launched the Suwa Taisha Navi app for foreign visitors and domestic tourists. The app supports Japanese, Traditional Chinese, French, and English and introduces the four shrines (Honmiya, Maemiya, Harumiya, Akimiya). The navigator is Suwahime, Suwa City’s official character, who explains 84 monuments and buildings across the four shrines. First, download the app and visit any of the four Suwa Taisha shrines. Enable GPS and go to a spot; Suwahime will begin the explanation. After a spot’s explanation, it is marked with a Japanese folding-fan stamp. It’s a lovely way to remember your trip to Suwa and Suwa Taisha—please give it a try!

Behold the eternal autumn within a window. Enkoji a perfect destination for autumn viewings. You will receive a warm welcome by the tradition and beauty.

Photographed 10/19/24. It is the Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine Shinko Festival. Hiko Saruta is waving his hand. 👋

Photographed 10/14/24. It is the Annual Grand Festival of Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine. It is held as the Minamoto of the Kawagoe Festival.

It is the second day of the Kawagoe Festival. It is a festival float of the Senba Jiro Yasu family in Senba Towns. At the Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine, I had an exorcism.

Photographed 10/19/24. It is the Shinko Festival.

Photographed 10/19/24. It is a festival float of Suzume in Ote Towns.

Today and tomorrow is the Kawagoe Festival. Prayer at Kawagoe Hachimangu Shrine, I heard a congratulatory song. It was a place where the people of Nantong Towns were being exorcised.

The Way of the Brush For those of us living in today's busy world, learning about the samurai spirit can give us insight into our attitude, attention, and focus, and foster the determination needed to achieve our goals to the fullest.

Photographed on 10/5/24. It is Hanachozu of Kawagoe Hachimangu Shrine.

Photographed on 10/5/24. It is Hanachozu of Kawagoe Hachimangu Shrine.

The red spider lililies blooming on the side of the stairs are wonderful. It blooms later every year, doesn't it? Ogaki City, Gifu Prefecture "Meiseirinji Temple"