❄️ Introducing Photos Submitted to Winter Gokase 2025 — Part 1 ❄️ We are showcasing photos submitted to the Winter Gokase 2025 contest, currently running on the Gokase Tourism Association Instagram account 🤩🎉 @goto0619 @thusandleavis *Order is not indicative of ranking* These shots capture everyday moments in wintertime Gokase Town with a nostalgic feel 😌✨ Thank you for your submissions!! ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Over the past few days, daytime temperatures in Gokase Town have often felt mild ☀️ But it is still winter! In the mornings frost has turned gardens completely white. Here are places that froze over. You can even see animal tracks in the remaining snow! Please feel free to share any simple winter discoveries with us in the same easygoing spirit — we look forward to your entries!!! How to Enter (Submission Period through February 28) Follow the Gokase Tourism Association Instagram account (@gokase_kanko) and post with the hashtags "Winter Gokase 2025" and the name of the shooting location (for example: Uno no Ko Falls) along with your photo 📸 ※Snow accumulation and icy roads can be dangerous. When taking photos, please ensure your safety and take care to avoid accidents ⚠️

Famous Winter tradition in Hokkaido It is jewelry ice. Frozen ice in the Tokachi River Swept away to the sea and washed by the waves The ice washed up on the beach, Local photographer named it The season has only just begun You can enjoy it for about a month from now. Pick up a piece of ice that is in good shape. Wash with the water or hot water you brought with you Remove sand and snow to clean it Stack or stand up There are a lot of people who take pictures. Nature is what I like best.

The Mountain Name 🏔 Omachi City has enjoyed several sunny days recently, and daytime temperatures have been relatively warm for this season☀️ The mountains look striking against the blue sky🏔 The mountain range visible from Omachi City is officially the Hida Mountains, commonly called the Northern Alps. From the Toyama Prefecture side it lies behind the Tateyama Range, so it is also referred to as the Ushered Tateyama Range (Ushiro-Tateyama Range)😌 Personally, it seems that the informal name "Northern Alps" has gained popular acceptance among residents on the Omachi side😊 ⭐️Official website "Shinano Omachi Navi"⭐️ https://kanko-omachi.gr.jp//

Fuji seen from Lake Kawaguchi

Fuji in the Water Mirror Fuji in the water mirror seen from Lake Kawaguchi

Iijima Jinya ＼Tourist information for Iijima, Nagano Prefecture／ Iijima Jinya served as the magistrate's office for the shogunate-appointed administrators who governed much of the Inadani Valley under direct Tokugawa rule. Iijima Town has deep historical roots: during the Edo period it hosted Iijima Jinya, which administered the shogunate lands in the Shinshu Inadani Valley, and in the Meiji era the site was carried over to become the prefectural office of Ina Prefecture, the first prefecture established in Shinshu. Address: 2309-1 Iijima, Iijimamachi, Kamiina County, Nagano Prefecture Phone: 0265-86-4212 Opening hours: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM (last admission 4:30 PM) Closed: Mondays and the day after national holidays (open if that day falls on a Saturday or Sunday); winter season from December 15 to March 14 Admission fee: General: 300 yen (250 yen per person for groups of 20 or more); high school students and children under 18: free Website: https://www.town.iijima.lg.jp/soshikiichiran/kyoiku/s_gakusyu/rekiminkan/149.html...

January 20 — Shimoda Onsen Suisen Festival blossom status [50% in bloom] They're nearing full bloom! https://www.shimoda-city.info/post/20250120...

Today's quiz: What is the title (name) of the doll that wears a facial expression showing laughing and getting angry in the hina display? According to the calendar, today marks the start of Daikan (the coldest period)! Brrr—so cold. On the blog, we introduce Omachi City's sake breweries. If you read to the end, you'll find the answer to the quiz. Do drop by and take a look! Daikan starts today. (Blog) ▽▽▽ https://kanko-omachi.gr.jp/blog/90718/... There are many ways to warm your body in the cold, but what do you think is the best?? It's walking! Walking-tour tickets are now on sale. Even in the cold, or precisely because it's cold, let's walk! Then enjoy delicious food to warm yourself from the inside. Walking-tour tickets now on sale (Event) ▽▽▽ https://kanko-omachi.gr.jp/event/90055/... Thank you as always for reading!

[ Taiki Town ’s Unremarkable Scenery — Winter ] To residents it’s an ordinary view, but looking again reveals the quiet beauty of Taiki Town’s landscape! This photo shows an evening scene from mid‑January this year. There’s surprisingly little snow…! Wide skies and open land, a straight road, and neatly aligned windbreak trees are my favorite points. Find more Taiki Town tourist information here!↓ https://visit-taiki.hokkaido.jp//

🌳 Is this a fairytale world? 🌳✨ When I look back at the photos of the shop, I am always amazed that such a fairytale-like scenery is spread out in the sea so close to me! The photo shows Nishi-Izu 🌳 in Spring. The seaweed grows as beautifully as a forest, and the soft Spring light shines through the water, and the breath of life is overflowing 🌸✨. The sea of Japan has a rich expression of the four seasons, and new discoveries There are every time you visit. I would be happy 🇯🇵 if I could share with everyone who reads it the opportunity to love the sea of Japan even more ------------------------------------- 💬 Let us know in 😃 the comments Would you like to feel the charm of diving in the waters of Japan? 🌸🐠🐢 Tag your ocean-loving friends and plan your next adventure together! ------------------------------------- Let's 😍 enjoy diving together Hokule'a Shonan offers hands-on courses that even beginners can participate in with confidence, a PADI certification program that allows you to qualify in three days, and special tours that allow you to fully enjoy the charm of the sea in all four seasons. The Izu Peninsula, Manazuru Peninsula, and Shonan area can be participated in even on a day trip! Why don't you enjoy the beautiful scenery and encounters with creatures in the water with outstanding transparency? Now it's time to take the first step towards an unforgettable diving experience! 🌸✨

Mild Seven Hill that you visit every time you go to Biei There are two, and this is the hill of the new Mild Seven. All seasons are beautiful, but the snowy scenery in winter is the best. Especially in the afternoon when the sun goes down

🏝️ Tokyo's Paradise: Izu Oshima Island ✨ From the night of January 8th to January 11th, I went to Izu Oshima Island! It's 🏝️ a paradise just 90 minutes from Tokyo The transparency of the sea is outstanding, and the visibility is ✨ more than 30 meters In addition, the miracle 🐢🩵✨ of encountering sea turtles at all points In total, we were able to see 18 sea turtles! 🤩 Try 🌙 night diving The fantastic beauty of the light looking up from the water soothed 👏 my heart It was a fulfilling three days of diving, eating, and resting 💤. I enjoyed 9 dives! 😆🤿 Unfortunately, the boat did not leave the originally planned Shikinejima...... It was changed to the Izu Oshima Island tour in a hurry, Thanks to everyone who participated, it was a 👍 great tour There is a really! 🙌 ----------------------------- 🐠 [Next Announcement] 🌟 Shikinejima Revenge Tour is scheduled to be held in in April! Ladies and gentlemen, let's ♨️ go together 🌟 Izu Oshima Island tours are also being requested! Please let us know 👌 your preferred dates

A cold morning so chilly even the Takase River froze ☀️ This morning Omachi City woke to a bitter cold that neared double-digit negatives ❄️ A thin layer of ice lined the banks of the Takase River 🧊 The Northern Alps, once hidden by clouds, gradually came into view 🏔 The sky cleared to blue, making it a perfect day for winter fun like skiing, snowboarding, and sledding ⛷🏂🛷 Omachi City activities are below 🔽🔽🔽 https://kanko-omachi.gr.jp/spot/spot_cat/cat02/...

Hello 😊 This is Ryusuido. The rock walls around Senga Falls and Hachiju Pond in Shosenkyo Gorge have become glazed with frozen droplets, creating a winter-only landscape. When the sunlight hits, they glitter and sparkle beautifully! Garnet, the birthstone for January 💎, symbolizes friendship, passion, and fruition. Also known as the “stone of victory,” it is famed for helping efforts bear fruit and guiding people to success. We recommend it to anyone working hard at exams, job hunting, sports, or similar challenges.‼️ We also carry a variety of other natural stones and accessories, so please stop by to enjoy a soothing space where gemstones and the sound of the falls intertwine. We look forward to the day we can see your wonderful smiles 😊

Sunset on the Kushiro River with lotus leaves and ice drifting In the brackish waters of the mouth of the Kushiro River, lotus leaf ice can be seen during the extremely cold season The Kushiro River, which opens its mouth to the west, is a perfect sunset viewing Spot Lotus leaf ice streams through the Kushiro River dyed by the setting sun

Kushiro Marsh in winter Frost covers the trees, the Kushiro River meanders widely, and the marshland becomes a snowfield of silver and white If you look closely, you can see a herd of deer grazing under the snow in the frozen marshland Feel the workings of Nature

SL Winter Marshland running again this year! The SL Winter Marshland is an SL sightseeing train Car that makes one round trip per day on weekends between Kushiro and Shibecha on the Kusami Main Line. Boarding can also be reserved. Please come and see the brave figure running through the white and silver Kushiro Marshland.

Kitahama Station on the Kusami Main Line along the Sea of Okhotsk Looking at the peaks of the Shiretoko Peninsula in the distance over the Sea of Okhotsk This is the station closest to the Sea of Okhotsk Drift ice is about to come ashore

With the silver Shiretoko mountain range in the background, the Kusami Main Line runs along the Sea of Okhotsk This is a hill between the Kusami Main Line and Hamakoshimizu A large view of the Shiretoko mountain range over the Sea of Okhotsk The Car on the Kusami Main Line goes along the Sea of Okhotsk Drift ice has not yet docked

【Dondoyaki 2025】Ashian District This is the Scene of the Little New Year's Festival "Dondoyaki" held the other day. Although there are differences in decorations from region to region, Dango made of Rice flour (Mayu Balls) are attached to branches and burned over a fire, and they pray for a year without illness or disaster, a bountiful harvest of five grains, and the safety of the family.

【Ubuyama Mountain Bike 100 Minute Endurance Ride Party】 Held in: Saturday, February 8, 2025 Set in the vast grasslands adjacent to "UBUYAMA PLACE (formerly Ubuyama Ranch)" located on the mountain foothills of the Kitagai Ring Mountains, we will Held in an endurance race-style Events in which mountain bikes are used to compete for how many lap Course s of about 1,500 meters per lap can be completed within a set time (100 minutes in total)! You can participate solo or in pairs, and in addition to normal MTBs for rental, electrically assisted cars are also available, so even those who do not have a rotating Car can participate! In addition, we also have a kids' MTB (corresponding height 122 cm to 150 cm), so we are looking forward to your entry as a parent-child team! The pit space is a large glass-walled facilities, with chairs and tables inside, so you can take a comfortable break while surviving the wind and snow. The glass-walled facilities are open to those who do not participate in the race, so it's good to cheer with your family! Of course, you don't have to keep running all the time in time. If you're tired, grab a cup of warm coffee and take a break. Enjoy a Meals at UBUYAMA PLACE with the team and the whole family who came to support us. You can bring your own ingredients, but we plan to sell Meals that will keep you warm at the venue. [Endurance ride method] ・100-minute endurance ride The number of laps that can be completed within the 100-minute time limit is tallied while taking turns solo (1 person) or pair (2 people) on a lap course of about 1,500 meters per lap. (The purpose is not to compete for speed.) ） You don't have to keep running all the time. Enjoy lunch and tea time with the whole team. The first 50 minutes will be switched to the right lap and the second 50 minutes will be switched to the left lap, so you will be able to enjoy the ride without getting bored until the end! In addition, there will be a 20-minute break (Course Maintenance) between the first and second halves, so take a break during this time to rest and replenish your energy and prepare for the second half. * One rental bike per team, one for Adult and one for children. * We also offer free rental of electric MTBs. Each team can use the electric MTB provided by the tournament for up to two laps, so please use it to conserve your physical strength. (Exclusive rentals are also available, and additional Fees will be charged separately) 〜Recruitment Overview〜 【Events Overview】 Held in: Saturday, February 8, 2025 Fee: Solo Adult: ¥ 3,000 (12-18 years old ¥2,000) Pairs Division 1 Team ¥5,000 Participation fee includes: Race participation fee, Facilities Use fee (toilet, etc.) fee, shared electric MTB, insurance, consumption tax Separately required: If you wish to rent lunch fee, drink fee, occupancy ~ Normal MTB (1,000 / unit) Electric motorcycle (2,000 yen / unit) Number of applicants: 50 Minimum number of participants: 10 [Time Schedule] 9:00-10:00 Entry reception / rental reception (former Ubuyama Ranch BBQ facilities), Course test run 10:00-10:15 Opening Ceremony and Competition Briefing 10:30-11:20 Ride start, endurance ride (first 50 minutes clockwise) 11:20~11:40 General Break and Course Maintenance 11:40-12:30 Ride restart, endurance ride (counter-clockwise for the second 50 minutes) 12:30-12:40 End of ride 12:40-13:00 Announcement of results, commemorative photo, return of rental 13:00 Closing and ending of Events 【Reception and meeting place】 UBUYAMA PLACE Car (formerly Ubuyama Ranch) Website> Kumamoto Prefecture Aso District Ubuyama Yamaga 2100-3　 〜How to Pay the Participation Fee〜 Please pay in cash on the day. 〜Cancellation Policy〜 ・ Events cancellation regulations The Aso Kuju Cycle Tour is a rain or shine event for all plans. However, if it is expected that it will be difficult to run safely due to bad weather the day before Held in tour, the Events will be canceled. In that case, we will contact you by e-mail by 20 o'clock the day before. On the day of Events, the Events may be canceled due to sudden changes in the weather. ・ About cancellation If you wish to cancel, please contact us at least 3 days before the scheduled date and no cancellation Fee will be charged. In case of cancellation after 3 days, the following cancellation fee will be charged. About cancellation fee ◇ If you cancel at least 3 days before the date of use: No cancellation fee will be charged ◇ If you cancel after the final confirmation email is delivered, or if you do not come on the day: 100% of the Fee will be charged Fee will not be charged in the following cases. 1 When the Events Held in is canceled due to bad weather, etc. * Please note that refunds will not be possible in the case of cancellation in the middle. 2 Held in for public reasons such as preventing the spread of coronavirus infection.

Horse chase at Tokachi Ranch Winter at Tokachi Ranch, a horse chase with horses running through snowy baba in winter

Harunire at dawn The sun rises from the frigid snowfield, and the Sunrise illuminates Harunire

Nusamai Bridge in the afterglow The sunset in Kushiro is beautiful, and the Nusamai Bridge over the mouth of the Kushiro River is a sunset viewing spot

Yezo sika deer and ice floes Yezo sika deer, drift ice, and drift ice on the Notsuke Peninsula stream from the Sea of Okhotsk side to the Pacific Ocean

Drift Ice and Hamakoshimizu Station The Kushiro Main Line, which connects Kushiro and Abashiri, runs along the Sea of Okhotsk from Shiretoko Shari to Abashiri, and in winter you can see the drift ice from the Car window. The photo shows the rapid Shiretoko Mashu departing from Hamakoshimizu Station on the Kusami Main Line, and the Sea of Okhotsk with drift ice docking Unfolds on the left. If the weather is good, you can see the Shiretoko mountain range in the distance.

🪸 Amazing Zushi diving! !️ Only 1 hour from Tokyo! 🌊 The sea of Zushi is a rich underwater world 🦐✨ where you can enjoy colorful soft corals, schools of squirrels, and very rare gorgonian shrimp Recommended for beginners and advanced users! 🤿🐟 📖 Check out the highlights on the slides! 👉

Lake Mashu in winter Lake Mashu boasts a depth of No.1 in Japan and is the second deepest lake in the world after Lake Squid Caldera, and it is suddenly deep, and due to its transparency, there is little reflection of light other than blue, and you can see Lake Mashu's Roux, which is especially blue and deep indigo in clear winter. The mountain in the background is Mt. Shari, and Kamuish Island can be seen in the foreground

[💧Icefalls are beginning to form❄️] I went to see whether icefalls might be forming at Yasaka Great Falls in the Yasaka area of Omachi and at Heno Falls, also called Kumaso Falls, in the Miasa area after several cold days in Omachi City 😌 Both falls were still developing, but I was able to see them❄️ Late January through early February is the coldest time of year in Omachi City❄️ They look likely to grow even more from now on 😊 ⭐️For sightseeing in Omachi City🔽🔽🔽 https://www.kanko-omachi.gr.jp//

【Fan Terraced Rice Fields】 Ogi Terraced Rice Fields have been selected as one of the 100 best rice terraces in Japan and one of the 100 best Rice growers. It is made by clearing the eroded land in the mountains, and is made in a contour shape by taking advantage of the fan-shaped terrain. Fascination by the scenery of the 16 rice terraces and 3 Japanese cedars attracts many photographers. * The surrounding area is private land and cattle are grazing. The road is narrow and there is no Car parking space, so please observe manners when visiting or taking pictures. Address: Kumamoto Prefecture Aso District Ubuyama Ubuyama 2621-8