Fujiwara Palace Ruins in Nara Prefecture Due to work, I usually only have one Vacation a week on Weekdays, and most of the time I shoot when there are no people, but I can take a Sunday off only once a month, and it is a popular Spot Visit for family trips, so it was difficult to shoot like this. I gave instructions to my wife on my cell phone from quite a distance and waited for people to disappear, but I clicked the shutter at the moment when people stopped streaming more than I had imagined. I wanted to shoot in a horizontal composition, but I shot in a vertical position because people were reflected.

The ruins of Fujiwara Palace in Nara Prefecture I finally came to the place I wanted to visit and see, and it was Sunday, so I could imagine it to some extent, but it was a very popular Spot for tourists from overseas.

〈Sunayu〉 Dig a hole in the sand and an open-air bath appears before you. This exciting little spot, Sunayu, offers that exact thrill. Swans sometimes visit, so it’s delightful no matter when you come. This time, we’re reintroducing Sunayu! For more details, please see Teshikaga Navi. https://masyuko.or.jp/enjoy/sunayu/...

The famous Great Buddha of Tsubozaka Temple in Nara Prefecture was crowded with tourists from overseas with many languages flying around.

The famous Great Buddha of Tsubozaka Temple in Nara Prefecture was crowded with tourists from overseas with many languages flying around.

Nagoya Castle wrapped in wisteria This is Meijo Park Located in in Nagoya City, Aichi Prefecture. It is one of the few spots where you can see Nagoya Castle and wisteria shelf. I visited early in the morning, but it was 🤤 crowded with tourists Best time to visit continues 🤤 until the middle of GW

2025/4/19〜21 A solo trip to Shiraho on Ishigaki Island for 3 days and 2 nights. I found ♡ a cute Squid Fe near the inn Red and yellow flowers shine against the blue sky. On the second day, we took a ferry to Kuroshima. Stared at by a cow, I'm not a bad person. Send telepathy. Today, the Shiraho Coast is beautiful Thanks for the 1 beach cleanup a month. It's full of sparkle and vitality. The sea, the sky, the greenery, with warm and kind people I want to cherish it together for a long time. If you were thinking about such a thing, By the time I left, I missed Osaka. To everyone who has met and been involved, Thank you very much. I want to go see the blue sea again someday.

The wisteria shelves in Tennogawa Park were 🤤 in full bloom This is Tennogawa Park Located in in Aichi Prefecture. Since it was my first visit, I got lost 😅 in the cars parking lot, and it was a good walk after a week of making a 🥲 mistake in the pond Since it was GW, it was crowded with many people, but the place where you can take a reflection was even more crowded! But the reflection was 🤤 awesome

Ipponzakura in Hakuba Village Plain, Nagano Prefecture You can take pictures with the remaining snow of the Northern Alps in the background. The cherry blossoms in Hakuba Village bloom late in late April.

【Hamanoura Rice Terraces】 The terraced rice fields of Hamanoura in Genkai Town are filled with water before rice planting, and they are in the best season. During the magic hour at dusk, the sunset is reflected in the Paddy Field of the terraced rice fields, creating a beautiful scene.

Late-blooming Double Cherry Blossom (Yae zakura) and Carp streamers The collaboration between Carp streamers swimming in the Spring breeze and Morimori's Double Cherry Blossom (Yae zakura) is wonderful "Hanedani Dandan Park" Kaizu City, Gifu Prefecture 2025/4

🚴‍♀️✨ Starting today! Bike rentals are now available! Based at Roadside Station Higashikawa Michikusa-kan, you can now rent bicycles! Choose from serious road bikes to electric-assist bicycles and reserve according to your needs 😊 📍Location: 1-1-15 Higashimachi, Higashikawa-cho, Kamikawa District, Hokkaido 🕘Hours: 9:00–17:00 📞Inquiries: 0166-68-4777 🔗 For details, visit the Higashikawa Tourism Association website!! Feel the breeze and go discover the charms of Higashikawa 🌿

Hello! This is the tourism association staff ☆ Today, as Golden Week begins, the Nojiri Lake opening ceremony for the 2025 fiscal year was held to pray for the safety and prosperity of visitors this season at Lake Nojiri. On this fine day, Lake Nojiri bustled with people strolling the lakeshore and bass anglers! The season has started at Lake Nojiri—please come and visit♪ Also, the cherry blossoms on the surrounding mountains in Shinanomachi are now at their best♪ Come and feel the spring that arrives later in Shinanomachi (^^♪) We look forward to seeing you! ※About the Nojiri Lake regular ferry…operations are currently suspended due to the lowered water level of Lake Nojiri. For service updates, please check the Nojiri Lake regular ferry website or contact them directly. https://www.nojiriko.co.jp//

【Nakatsuna Lake Is in Full Bloom 🌸】 The Oyamazakura cherry trees around Nakatsuna Lake, famous for their reflections on the water, are now at their peak bloom🌸I went before dawn to capture the reflections😌There was a slight breeze so the water wasn’t a perfect mirror, but mist over the lake created a magical scene✨ Sakura bloom status is 🌸 https://kanko-omachi.gr.jp/news/88713/...

A world full of Japanese umbrellas This is Hotoku Temple Located in in Kiryu City, Gunma Prefecture. This is a Temple Famous for its floor maples. We hold events according to the season. 🤤

Hello, this is the Shosenkyo Tourism Association 🌸【The sacred tree at Kanazakura Shrine is in full bloom】🌸 The sacred tree at Kanazakura Shrine is now reaching its peak bloom. Its pale golden petals look as if wrapped in light, elegant and beautiful, and simply watching them lifts the spirits. The sacred space, wrapped in fresh green leaves, offers a beauty that seems to cleanse both mind and body. Why not visit Kanazakura Shrine during Golden Week for an outing? Spend a moment soothed by nature and its energy 🍃

Hello, this is Waraji, a local Koshu cuisine restaurant. Shosenkyo Gorge is now wrapped in dazzling fresh green that gently embraces the valley, welcoming a pleasant season. Come and spend a relaxing time healed by nature.🍃 After your walk, take a break at Waraji.😌 Our unaju features plump, fragrant domestic eel grilled to a golden finish and generously coated with our secret sauce. Its rich aroma and tender texture make it a true travel treat. Celebrate Golden Week with the grand nature of Shosenkyo Gorge and a luxurious moment. All our staff sincerely look forward to welcoming you.😊

Kikuchi Gorge: a breathtaking retreat of fresh verdant beauty Kikuchi Gorge, a signature attraction of Kikuchi City in Kumamoto Prefecture, is a stunning canyon chosen as one of Japan’s Top 100 Forest Bathing Sites, Top 100 Famous Waters, and Top 100 Waterfalls. About 17 km east of central Kikuchi, it lies on the northwestern slopes of the Aso outer rim at elevations between 500 m and 800 m, spanning a vast 1,193 hectares of peaceful woodland. A cobalt-blue stream so clear that the trees reflect on its surface runs through the gorge. The average water temperature stays around 14°C year-round. On bright blue-sky days the water turns an even deeper blue as sunlight filters through the trees, creating a beautiful scene. In May the contrast between fresh green leaves, the sky, and the stream is especially striking. You can hear the gentle flow of the river and birdsong, and see many wildflowers in bloom. Well-maintained trails run through the gorge, with clear signs to guide you, so you can take a relaxed walk through the primeval forest. The gorge also features many waterfalls, including Shijusanman Falls, Reimei Falls, and Ryugafuchi, all selected among Japan’s Top 100 Waterfalls. Be sure to find your favorite. Rest facilities with a souvenir corner sell items such as coffee made with the gorge’s delicious water, allowing you to unwind while overlooking the canyon. In spring you can feel new life in the fresh green leaves after winter. Summer makes the gorge an ideal cool retreat, often described as a natural air conditioner with its crisp, cool air. Autumn brings colorful foliage, and winter offers a clear, bracing atmosphere. Please experience Kikuchi Gorge through all four seasons. ■ About Kikuchi Gorge ■ 〇 Open season: April 1–November 30 (typical) 〇 Hours: 8:30–17:00 〇 Maintenance cooperation fee: 300 yen per person for high school students and older ※ The receipt for the cooperation fee includes a 200-yen discount voucher usable at Kikuchi Onsen day-use baths. Parking First parking lot: approx. 80 spaces / 7 large vehicle spaces Second parking lot: approx. 45 spaces (open during busy periods only) Central parking lot: approx. 80 spaces (open during busy periods only) A free shuttle bus operates from the central parking lot during Golden Week and other busy periods. Parking fees Standard car: 300 yen Motorbike: 200 yen Microbus: 1,000 yen Large vehicle: 2,000 yen Kikuchi Sightseeing Shared Taxi A reservation-based shared sightseeing taxi links major Kikuchi City attractions (including Kikuchi Gorge) with the city center. It operates on Saturdays, Sundays, national holidays, substitute holidays, and Golden Week. Service is suspended during the New Year holidays (December 29–January 3). Take a deep breath at Kikuchi Gorge. Bask in negative ions and enjoy a leisurely moment in nature.

We would like to inform you about bus services on Prefectural Road Yarigatake-Yamura Line (commonly called Nakabusa Line), which leads to the Nakabusa Trailhead. Due to a shoulder collapse that occurred on Monday, April 14, 2025, bus operations to Nakabusa Onsen will change; please be aware of this change. Beyond the Miyagi Gate, the Nakabusa Line is closed to all vehicles except those with permits. The collapsed section is closed to vehicle traffic, so passage will be on foot; please walk with great care. Details about regular bus operations are posted on the Azumino City Tourism Association’s official website; please check there for more information. https://azumino-e-tabi.net/archives/2474... Please check the latest information.

Ricefield tilling has begun here and there across Azumino, and the rice-planting season has arrived. Next, after the fields are flooded and leveled, the seedlings will be planted. During this rice-planting period you can see Azumino’s miraculous spectacle, the “water mirror”.

Komadeike Campground is OPEN 👏 Komadeike Campground, nestled in the sublime natural beauty of Yachiho Kogen, opened for the 2025 season on Friday, April 18th, 2025! Komadeike Campground is a site embraced by what is said to be Japan’s finest birch forest, where people of all ages can enjoy truly comfortable, memorable moments. Choose from five free-site settings around the pond or along the stream, or relax in the spacious auto sites that offer sunny or shaded options. We also offer bungalows and cottages, plus a full lineup of day-trip activities. "We want you to enjoy a peaceful outdoor life with the people who matter most." This is the concept and heartfelt wish of Komadeike Campground. Come and visit us!

The azaleas at Nezu Shrine are 🤤 in full bloom This is Located in, Tokyo It is Nezu Shrine. From mid to late April every year The azaleas are in full bloom. This is the only place in Tokyo where you can enjoy so many azaleas! Please come and visit us 😊

Three Ways to Enjoy the Akajomatsu Forest Stroll through the woods, sometimes stepping close to a tree, sometimes stepping back to take it all in… If you use not only your sight but also your hearing, smell, and touch, one surprising discovery after another awaits. Notice the seasonal changes and your walk in the forest becomes even more delightful. Behind the Kawayu Visitor Center there are two walking trails centered on a natural stand of Akajomatsu firs. This time, we created this text with reference to and excerpts from part of the "Akajomatsu Forest Guidebook" available at the Kawayu Visitor Center. The brochure describes many more ways to enjoy the forest beyond these three. For more details, please see the brochure mentioned above.

Hello to everyone watching Cool Japan Videos! We are the Shobara Tourism Promotion Organization (Shobara DMO) from Shobara City, Hiroshima Prefecture. Located in the northeastern part of Hiroshima Prefecture, Shobara City is a sightseeing destination blessed with nature where you can enjoy the scenery of all four seasons. In spring, there are cherry blossoms; in summer, fireflies and fresh greenery; in autumn, colorful leaves and trekking; and in winter, snowfall. You can enjoy local food, agriculture, outdoor activities, and nature walks. Please follow and check us out as a travel reference! ✨ If you want to learn more about the nature-rich Shobara City in Hiroshima Prefecture, please see our basic profile and the Shobara Tourist Navi website. 😍

The season for fireflies has arrived again. Kikuchi City is a famous firefly spot known as “Japan’s number one firefly home.” You can see them along the Nikakiga River and the Watase River in the Asahi-shi area of Kikuchi City. The places where you can see fireflies in Japan are decreasing year by year. Fireflies do not only thrive where the water is pristine. They prefer places with gentle water flow, sandy or gravelly riverbeds, low ambient light, quiet surroundings, and the presence of freshwater snails such as kawanina. They favor these limited types of habitat. As global environmental issues worsen, the habitats where fireflies can live are also shrinking. Even so, you can still see many fireflies in Kikuchi City. Fireflies spend their larval stage growing in the water for about a year while storing food. They then pupate and emerge as adults. As adults, they live for about two weeks. In other words, out of the 365 days of the year, the period when you can enjoy fireflies is only about two weeks. Also, adult fireflies do not eat. They spend their adult lives without feeding. The fireflies we watch are living through a life that ends in a flash. Each year we can see them because, despite that short life, they reliably pass their life on to the next generation. We are very happy that fireflies can be viewed in Kikuchi City again this year. Please come and visit Kikuchi City to enjoy firefly viewing. □ Best viewing times ・Nikakiga River: mid-May ・Watase River: mid-May to late May □ Viewing areas ・Kikuchi City, Asahi-shi Obara (Obara district) ・Kikuchi City, Asahi-shi Fumoto (Takayanagi district) □ Parking…parking available in each district ・Obara district parking (Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays only, 200 yen) (May 11–early June) ・Takayanagi district parking (free) (May 17–early June) □ Viewing etiquette ・Do not shine flashlights or lights at the fireflies → Fireflies dislike strong light. Shining phone lights or using a flash can cause them to hide. It also disturbs other viewers. ・Do not make loud noises or cause disturbances → Loud noise will scare the fireflies and bother nearby residents. Please be considerate as viewing takes place at night. ・Do not catch or take them home → Adult fireflies can fly for only one to two weeks. Enjoy watching them living in the wild. ・Take your trash home with you → Fireflies live in clean environments. Let’s all protect the beautiful natural environment. ・Follow traffic rules → Viewing takes place at night. Please watch for people stepping onto roads. Road restrictions may be in place around viewing areas during the viewing season. Please cooperate to help keep viewers safe.

Osaka Festival! — EXPO2025 Spring Showcase The Osaka Festival — EXPO Spring Showcase will take place at the Osaka-Kansai Expo EXPO Arena. Around 40 floats and platforms gathered from across Osaka, including danjiri, yagura, and taiko-dai, will come together in one place! A vibrant lineup of energetic festivals will open Osaka Week. From Sakai City, the Keana-cho danjiri and the Shinzaikehama futon taiko will be demonstrated and exhibited. 📅 Dates and times: Friday, May 9 — Danjiri Keana-cho (Naka Ward) Saturday, May 10 — Futon Taiko Shinzaikehama (Sakai Ward) 🔴 Registration: No advance registration required Anyone attending the Osaka-Kansai Expo is welcome to join. 🏠 Venue: Osaka-Kansai Expo EXPO Arena 🔍 For details, search “Re-Discover”! 🔍 Also be sure to check the Sakai Tourism Guide Expo special site (If you come to Expo, please come to Sakai too). We look forward to seeing you there!😄

We present outing information for Minamiizu Town during Golden Week. ◆Tuesday, April 29 (National Holiday) ・14th Charity Bazaar for the Great East Japan Earthquake Recovery Event 10:00–15:00 Shimogamo Tropical Botanical Garden Food, crafts, local vegetables and more on sale, specialty products from Minamisoma City, Fukushima Prefecture, and photo exhibits https://www.minami-izu.jp/?p=we-page-event-entry...... ・Bridle Experience Day 10:00–15:00 Izu Shimoda Riding Club Session 1: 10:00–12:00, Session 2: 13:00–15:00 https://www.minami-izu.jp/?p=we-page-event-entry...... ◆Saturday, May 3 ・Irozaki Fashion Park 2025 10:00–16:00 at Irozaki Ocean Park Dress up and gather at Irozaki! Various stalls will be available ◆Monday, May 5 (National Holiday)–Tuesday, May 6 (National Holiday) ・Roadside Station Shimogamo Onsen Yunohana Golden Week Event 10:00–15:00 at Roadside Station Shimogamo Onsen Yunohana Ring toss, super ball scooping, and various stalls ◆Until April 30 — Ongoing ・Ihama Margaret Flower Picking https://www.minami-izu.jp/?p=we-page-event-entry...... ◆Until May 5 — Ongoing, inquire for details ・Bamboo Shoot Harvesting (Takenoko Shokudo) Ichijo Bamboo Shoot Village https://www.minami-izu.jp/?p=we-page-event-entry...... ◆Until May 6 — Ongoing, inquire for details ・Strawberry Picking at Baby Berry Farm https://www.minami-izu.jp/?p=we-page-event-entry......

Akimasu Observatory ◎First Viewing Point Akimasu Observatory has a first viewing point and a second viewing point. At the first viewing point, the surrounding trees 🌳 have grown tall so the view is no longer clear, but you can enjoy a pleasantly open space♪ ◎Second Viewing Point This 1,000 m–high panoramic platform offers a full 360° view, letting you see from Nobeoka as far as Aso in the distance. On clear days you can also spot Hyuga-nada and Mt. Osuzu, and even the Asahi Kasei smokestack with the naked eye. Facing the direction of the rising sun, it also attracts visitors who come to watch the first sunrise of the year 🌄. *All photos were taken from the second viewing point.* (Photographer: Masahiro Aya) With little light from buildings and a clear sky, some visitors come to photograph the starry night 🌟. ◎Parking If you do not turn toward the viewing points and continue straight, you will find a parking area 🅿️ at the end. Why not come to Akimasu Observatory to capture seasonal panoramic photos 📷 throughout the year? 🤗

[🌸Gokase Hanami 2025 Submitted Photos — Part 10🌸] The entries submitted to the “#Gokase Hanami 2025” held on the Gokase Tourism Association’s Instagram account have reached a pause for now as of today💪🌸 The photo contest is still open, so please do submit your entries🤗✨ @_yuta610 @fowafuwarin5 @meiko_ryu @tokotan2._.2 (in no particular order) This time we received many night cherry blossom photos👏 Even with a step ladder or whatever I try, I can’t take good night photos at all — how do people manage to capture such beautiful night shots like these?🤔 They’re truly wonderful!!! We’ll post again when more featured works have been collected🤗💡 -------------------------------------------------------------------- ≪#Gokase Hanami 2025 — How to Enter≫ Follow the Gokase Tourism Association Instagram account and post photos of flowers taken within Gokasecho on Instagram with the two hashtags #Gokase Hanami 2025 and #date of shooting (example: #March 20)🤳❤️‍🔥 Gokase Tourism Association Instagram account https://www.instagram.com/gokase_kanko/... [Period] From Thursday, March 20, 2025 to Sunday, May 11, 2025 ⚠️ Other rules are posted on the Gokase Tourism Association website. Be sure to read them before applying. https://www.town.gokase.miyazaki.jp/kanko/ivent/1962.html... ⚠️Please take great care to avoid accidents when photographing.

The Icelandic poppies in the forest park are 🤤 in full bloom This is the Musashi Hills National Forest Park Located in in Namerikawa Town, Saitama Prefecture. Flowers bloom throughout the year. Among them, the Icelandic poppy field is worth seeing. I think it will continue until GW, so please come and visit us 😊