【Mononoke Musume】Open to the public! !!
The comedy manga "Mononoke no Musume" set here in Hayakawa Town, Yamanashi Prefecture, was opened to the public on April 25 this year.
It is planned by "Town Hayakawa Town with a small No.1 in Japan population", and three companies, Town hall Hayakawa Town and Hayakawa Tourism Association, and the Southern Alps hometown Revitalization Foundation, are collaborating to plan and produce the work.
In the story, you will also see the history and lore of the Towns, Sightseeing spots and facilities of Tourist Association members! Spot may be familiar to you.
On the official "Mononoke no Musume" Official website, up to 15 episodes (as of 12/28) are being opened to the public. Please take a look!

【December 26, 2024 *Today's Hayakawa Town】
Illuminations of the Hayakawa Town Chamber of Commerce and Industry Youth Division this winter.
This year as well, the night along the prefectural road in front of the town hall is lively colored.
I was worried that part of it fell due to the strong wind before Christmas, but it has been repaired and is showing a beautiful appearance again.

"The Beginning of Midwinter in Okuyama"
It was as cold as if it had suddenly become the middle of winter from early winter.
Gari the temperature drops further at night, and stars of sharpened brilliance appear one after another in the eastern sky.
This winter's starry sky is even more lively and sparkling.
Every night in Okuyama, countless jewels Unfold on the roof, above the heads of those who look up.

Entries are now open for the Winter Triathlon to be held in Shinanomachi, Nagano Prefecture in March 2025! ⛷️🚴‍♂️🏃‍♀️
You might wonder what a Winter Triathlon is, so here’s a brief introduction 😊 Winter triathlon offers a fresh challenge set in a snowy environment! ✨
In a Winter Triathlon, you can enjoy the following events:
1️⃣ Snow Run: a run across the snow! 2️⃣ Cross-country skiing: glide through the snow on cross-country skis! ⛷️ 3️⃣ Mountain biking: tackle snowy trails on a mountain bike! 🚵‍♂️
We also include photos showing recommended clothing and gear for cross-country skiing, so be sure to check them out! ❄️
Whether you’re ready to take on the challenge or still deciding, come experience the appeal of Winter Triathlon and dive into a new world of sport! 🏅
https://www.shinano-machi.com/news/5289

Kami‑Suwa Onsen Winter Stay Campaign

Believe it or not, this is the ninth year! The Kami‑Suwa Onsen Winter Stay Campaign is back! Twelve ryokan and hotels belonging to the inn association offer carefully selected premium plans at great savings!!!

★ Great deals on stays
1. As a return gift for Furusato Nozei (hometown tax) from Suwa City, accommodation vouchers usable at Kami‑Suwa Onsen ryokan and hotels (from ¥10,000) have been set up, so please make a smart tax donation via your preferred travel site this winter and enjoy the savings.

2. A drive plan from NEXCO Central Japan called Hayatabi bundles a ¥10,000 universal accommodation voucher with roughly 50% off highway tolls. You can apply via the NEXCO Central Japan website.
Product name: Kami‑Suwa Onsen Drive Plan with Universal Accommodation Voucher

★ Guests who stay during the campaign period will be entered into a prize draw
Prize A: Accommodation subsidy voucher worth ¥10,000 usable at Kami‑Suwa Onsen【50 winners】
*Delivered as two ¥5,000 vouchers Valid through January 31, 2026 (planned)

Prize B: Admission tickets to the Suwa Lake Fireworks Festival on August 15, 2025【15 pairs, 30 people】
*Seating planned in front of the Suwa Lake Geyser Center

We hope this campaign encourages you to favor Kami‑Suwa Onsen! The onsen’s warm feeling after bathing really lasts!!! (A foodie, Kasai, speaking personally...) Refresh yourself in Suwa to shake off the fatigue of 2024 and start 2025 happily and energetically♨

Kasai the Foodie’s Recommended Winter Sightseeing Course
・Taste tour of the five Suwa breweries ⇒ Stay at Kami‑Suwa Onsen ⇒ New Year’s visit to Suwa Taisha ⇒ Suwa region’s midwinter eel tradition

★ Official Kami‑Suwa Onsen Winter Stay Campaign Website

https://kamisuwa-onsen.com

More details are available there, so please check it out!

The road connecting Wada in Nagawacho to Utsukushigahara along Japan National Route 178 (Dec. 20, 2024)
It snowed again this morning. More snow has accumulated on the road and it appears to be frozen.
Be sure to put on chains!!

Roadside Station Marumero No Eki Nagato
The current temperature is 9°C
Today is suddenly a warm day.
Thankful for the sun 🌞!!
Tomorrow the high will be 4°C again...
1st photo: Jizo statue at Nagakubo (intersection of Route 142 and Route 152)
2nd photo: Former Wada Junior High School

A kadomatsu with a bowl-shaped shimenawa😍
This style of New Year’s decoration is commonly used in this region. In the past, people say they used to place offerings inside it!
The kadomatsu and shimenawa of JA Shinshu Ueda Yodakubo South Branch.
Members of the local senior club are said to decorate it every year.

Here’s tourist information for Nagiso town!

📍 Kakizore Valley (Kakizore Keikoku)

Among the many gorges along the Kiso Road, this one is said to be especially beautiful. Massive granite boulders that fill the deep valley create stunning waterfalls, rapids, and pools.
The water’s beautiful emerald green never becomes muddy, even after rain.
In spring you can enjoy azaleas and rhododendrons, and in autumn the leaves turn brilliant colors.✨

Generally, visitors start from JR Junikane Station and follow a nature trail for 4.5 km to Ushigataki Falls, then continue farther along a forest road. For a short walk, the roughly 300 m promenade from Koiji Suspension Bridge to Ushigataki is recommended. The view of Ushigataki, where the main flow of the Kakizore River plunges through carved granite, is spectacular.
A 40-minute walk along the forest road brings you to viewpoints with refreshing views of Kirigataki, and you can also see Nijiga Falls and Kaminari Falls.

We ask for your cooperation with a maintenance contribution.
Please deposit it in the brown post box located at the entrance to Kakizore Valley.

Access
- By car: about 10 minutes from National Route 19 at the "Kakizore Valley Entrance" signal. Two free parking lots available.
- By JR: Get off at JR Nagiso Station and take a taxi for about 25 minutes.
Get off at JR Junikane Station and walk about 1 hour (taxis are not regularly available).

Other information
- Flush toilets are available at each parking area.
- Vending machines are located near the parking areas.
- You can download a brochure (map) from the Nagiso Town Tourism Association official website "Burari Nagiso."

Requests
- Camping, barbecues, and similar activities are prohibited within Kakizore Valley.
- Please take your trash home with you.
- Do not approach the river during rain or when water levels are high.
- If you play in the river, please take every safety precaution and enjoy responsibly.

Little by little...
In Daffodil Land, it has finally bloomed to the point where several flowers can be captured in one photo~.

As expected, it is a prefectural flower that represents the people of Fukui Prefecture.
The sight of flowers blooming even in the cold that makes your body shrink will give you energy!

If it looks like this, the Best time to visit will be in the middle Squid January, right?
Best time to visit the daffodil festival "Narcissus "Crab Fair" Held in on January 11 (Sat) and 12 (Sun)!

If you see daffodils in bloom, please upload them on social media!

◎ Echizen daffodil flowering status [Updated on Friday, December 27, 2024]
https://www.town-echizen.jp/news/detail.php?id=637

【Diamond Fuji traffic restrictions 🥰】

In the Takashita area of Fujikawa Town, the sunrise from the summit of Mt. Fuji
It is a Spot where you can peek in.

December 31, from 11 p.m.
Until 9 a.m. on January 1

Implementation of traffic restrictions.

On New Year's Day, it is expected to be very crowded.
Please be careful.

Nagawacho, photographed on December 20

A tengu suddenly appears along Route 178 heading from Wada in Nagawacho toward Utsukushigahara Highlands.
A tengu mask is enshrined at the Sekison Shrine in the mountains beyond.

It looks like it snowed again this morning, so it may be covered with a bit more snow now.

Hello 👋😃 This is Crystal Sound 👀 With just a little of this year left, we pray that next year will be a good one for everyone.

In Shosenkyo Gorge there is Kanazakura Shrine, famous as the birthplace of crystal in Japan. Many visitors come to pray there at New Year as a lucky spot for financial fortune, so why not pay a visit yourself.

There are many shops nearby selling crystals, so come and drop by✨
At Crystal Sound we carry lots of beautiful jewelry and crystals🫠
We have also received carved snakes for next year’s zodiac, so please come and take a look✨

All of our staff look forward to welcoming you from the bottom of our hearts.

Spectacular winter views you can only see in winter
The Limited Express Azusa that ran from Tokyo and the Northern Alps
Heading north from Hotaka Station toward the snowy country
A panoramic view of the Hakuba mountains seen from Azumino!

It's a nearby traffic light!

Hello everyone ⛄️
Christmas is over, and the year-end and New Year season has finally arrived 🎍
In Shinanomachi, snow is forecast from tomorrow onward, and snow removal has become daily exercise ⛄️💦
Now, here is an announcement about business hours during the year-end and New Year holidays!
⛄️ Shinanomachi Tourist Information Center · Roadside Station Information Center
We will be closed from December 30th to January 3rd 🙇‍♀️
(For taxi vouchers, please speak to the station staff at Kurohime Station)
🍜 Near Kurohime Station
We will be closed from December 31st to January 2nd 🙇‍♀️
We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your understanding.
We wish you a wonderful year-end and New Year! 🎍

The auction of the last Echizen Snow Crab of 2024 has begun!

Even in the rain and wind, they will be auctioned off one after another in a lively auction! 🦀

This is the end of this season's fishing for female Seiko crabs.
It will be available as long as it is available, so please purchase and Meals as soon as possible!

Fun for the first auction of the new year after the beginning of 2025! !️

◎ Restaurant serving the Popular "Echizen Seiko Crab Bowl" is here
➡https://www.town-echizen.jp/news/detail.php?id=353

I took a picture of my son and wife playing in the snow at the Saiko Healing Village in Kawaguchiko Towns.

【Cherry blossom planting experience 🥰 at Oboshi Park】

At Oboshi Park, one of the 100 best famous landmarks in Japan
Using Furusato Nozei Tax Payment to Plant Cherry Blossoms
I can.

The cherry blossom tree planting experience is the Sakura Festival in late March of 2025 (Reiwa 7)
It is scheduled to be held on one of the Saturdays and Sundays during the period.

As a memento of the experience, engrave your name on the plate.

[Echizen daffodil blooming status on Friday, December 20, 2024]

The weather has been cold for some time now, and the pace of flowering has slowed down.
It is beginning to bloom here and there, but as a whole, it is still almost before flowering.

It has been delayed for about 3 weeks, and the best time to see it is around the beginning of January.

◎ Echizen daffodil flowering status [Updated on Friday, December 20, 2024]
https://town-echizen.jp/news/detail.php?id=635

Azumino chilled to minus 6 degrees
The sun quietly hits the Northern Alps
The snowy ridgelines turn red
This is the view from Azumino Ohisama Road

Mt. Mt. Aoba, covered in snow, symbolizes ❄️ the winter scenery of Takahama

While the weather is getting colder day by day, today we can see a little sunny, and the blue sky spreads over the snow-covered Mt. Aoba. The contrast between the pure white snow and the clear blue sky is magical, and it is breathtaking. Even in the middle of winter, Takahama offers heartwarming and beautiful moments that visit and brighten up the seasons.

Nobeyama Highlands Today
This morning the temperature at Nobeyama Highlands was −13.4°C🌡️It felt colder than the number suggested🥶 The observatory’s 45 m antenna was unusually pointing toward the Yatsugatake Mountains📡🏔️
Snow has mostly melted from main roads, but shaded stretches like Ichibazaka remain damp on the surface even during the day❄️ Please take extra care when driving🚙🎅

About a 3-minute walk from JR Oito Line Hotaka Station

Snow has begun to fall at Hotaka Shrine, bringing a true winter feeling

Come visit for New Year’s Eve shrine visits or Hatsumode (first shrine visit of the year)

Visit Hotaka Shrine’s official website here
https://www.hotakajinja.com/

Visit Hotaka Shrine’s Instagram here
https://www.instagram.com/hotakajinja/

⛄️ It turned into a white Christmas 🎄
On the morning of Christmas Eve, Omachi experienced snowfall from night into morning ⛄️
The city’s conifers wore a snowy makeup, and many Christmas trees appeared 🎄
Some places have packed snow ❄️ Please take care with your footing when you come 😌
Official website “Shinano-Omachi Navi”
https://kanko-omachi.gr.jp/

【December 24, 2024 *Today's Hayakawa Town】
Okuyamanashi is the illumination of the Yakawa Oshima area.
Along the prefectural road, many small lights are coloring the dark night again this year. This winter, the illumination was also extended to the parapet of the Amehata Bridge.

📍Yokawa District

Photos 1 and 2 show Yokawa this morning (12.24) ☀
Last night’s snow left a light dusting on the roads and the Yokawa trail!
If you plan to walk, please wear winter gear.

Photos 3–5 are from Tsumago in the morning yesterday ❄

There is no snow on Route 19. This morning it was −1°C ❄
If you are coming from or heading to the Achi or Iida areas, watch for snow and ice on the Seinaiji Pass 🚗⚠

It looks like we’ll have good weather today and tomorrow ✨

Here is tourist information for Nagiso town!

Momosuke Bridge [Important Cultural Property of Japan]

Momosuke Bridge (Momosukebashi) is one of Japan’s largest wooden suspension bridges spanning the Kiso River, with a total length of 247 meters and a width of 2.7 meters, and you can still walk across it.
In Taisho 11 (1922), Momosuke Fukuzawa (the son‑in‑law of Yukichi Fukuzawa), known as a power magnate, built the bridge as a transport route for materials during the Kiso River hydroelectric development 🌲🚃
From Showa 25 (1950) the bridge served as a village road, greatly helping local transportation between the communities on both banks and the commuting of high school and middle school students. However, by around Showa 53 (1978) deterioration advanced and full repairs were not possible, leaving the bridge close to being lost. Because many people advocated for its preservation and use, it was restored as a modern heritage asset (a tangible cultural property of Nagiso town) together with the development of the surrounding Tenpaku Park.
In Heisei 6 (1994) it was designated as an Important Cultural Property of Japan.

Highlights✅
- A thrilling suspension bridge built at the widest part of the Kiso River!
- At the time, rails for a trolley used to transport materials ran along the center of the bridge; the restoration preserves traces of those rails so you can see them. Be sure to take a look ✨
- In spring you can also enjoy the cherry trees (Somei Yoshino) that bloom on the Nagiso Station side. On the hill of Tenpaku Park, where Momosuke Bridge stands, there is a azalea garden. Around early April about 400 azalea shrubs of six varieties, including the town flower mitsuba azalea, burst into bloom!
- From the observation deck opposite the azalea garden you can view Momosuke Bridge from above.
- You can go down from around the middle of Momosuke Bridge to the riverside park.
- The bridge is recommended in every season. Especially in spring, cherry blossoms, mitsuba azalea, and flowering peach trees bloom together 🌸
- The bridge is lit up, so you can walk it at night. It’s also a good spot for photographing with the stars. Please take care around your feet.

Access
- By car: Just off Route 19, free parking in Tenpaku Park (30 spaces); 3‑minute walk from the parking lot
- By JR: About a 5‑minute walk from JR Nagiso Station

Note: The carp streamer (koinobori) display shown in spring photos is not currently being held.

2024.12.03 Maruyasu Tanakaya Main Store

Once again, Kasai — a self-confessed foodie — was lured by the sweet aroma and paid a visit to Maruyasu Tanakaya's main store.

Despite his busy schedule, Mr. Tsuchihashi, the company's Managing Director, kindly spoke with us.
The main store sits near Lake Suwa, and they also operate a Kamisuwa Ekimae store near Kami-Suwa Station, giving them two locations in Suwa City. Maruyasu Tanakaya began in 1929 in front of Kami-Suwa Station. This year marks their 95th anniversary, making them a confectionery and cake shop with a proud history.
When you think of Maruyasu Tanakaya, the Cheesecake Entremet, available by mail order, comes to mind! Beauty advisor Chizu Saeki helped bring it wider recognition. The Cheesecake Entremet itself has been a beloved flagship product for 40 years. They offer nationwide shipping, so people across Japan can enjoy it.

Although Maruyasu Tanakaya is strongly associated with Western-style confections, they originally made Japanese sweets. The yokan (sweet bean jelly) preserves recipes from those early days. Because they previously supplied azuki beans and rice, they make yokan from carefully selected azuki beans—please enjoy it as well!
Mr. Tsuchihashi's top recommendation is "Shinano no Kuni" — a butter castella sponge cake studded with chopped chestnuts and coated in a refreshing lemon cream. Named after the prefectural song "Shinano no Kuni," it has been loved for about 50 years. On the side of the wrapping paper you can even see the old provincial name 'Jūshū' (literally 'Ten Provinces'), a reference to the line 'Shinano no kuni wa jūshū ni…' from the prefectural song. I love that packaging so much that I even use the previous design as teaching material (laughs).

Maruyasu Tanakaya offers many sweets and has a seating area. Come and enjoy tea time with friends and savor their treats.

★ Maruyasu Tanakaya Main Store
📍 3-1421-1 Takashima,
Suwa-shi, Nagano Prefecture
☎ 0266-52-0126
◎ Business hours: 10:00 – 19:00
◎ Regular holiday: Closed on Wednesdays
◎ Online shop: https://www.suwa-tanakaya.jp/products/list
◎ Homepage: https://www.suwa-tanakaya.jp/

They have another branch close to Kami-Suwa Station. They started in 1929, so this year is their 95th anniversary. Many Japanese traditional sweets shops have long histories. On this day, Mr. Tsuchihashi, the Managing Director, talked with me.
Their shop’s famous product is Cheesecake Entremet. It has been loved for 40 years. Numerous media and magazines have spotlighted the Cheesecake Entremet. They operate an online shop and offer nationwide shipping, so please enjoy it at home.

I had pictured Maruyasu Tanakaya making Western-style sweets like the Cheesecake Entremet, but I was mistaken. At the beginning, the shop produced Japanese traditional sweets. The yokan remains as it was back then.
Mr. Tsuchihashi’s recommendation is Shinano no Kuni. It is a butter sponge cake with finely chopped chestnuts inside, finished with lemon cream on the outside. Sounds delicious, right? Absolutely!

They offer many kinds of sweets. If you visit Suwa City, please try them—I’m sure you’ll like them!

★ Maruyasu Tanakaya Main Branch
3-1421-1 Takashima,
Suwa-shi, Nagano Prefecture
☎ 0266-52-0126
◎ Business hours: 10:00 – 19:00
◎ Regular holiday: Closed on Wednesdays
◎ Online shop: https://www.suwa-tanakaya.jp/products/list
◎ Homepage: https://www.suwa-tanakaya.jp/

https://www.suwa-tanakaya.jp/products/list
https://www.suwa-tanakaya.jp/

Takaibashi (タカイバシ takaibashi)

Entrance to Yamada Hot Spring in Takayama Village Takai Bridge is located at the gateway to the Matsukawa Valleys.
In the colors of the Valleys that change in the four seasons, it is always dignified with its unchanging appearance.

Nagano Prefecture is said to have a clear color of the four seasons. Takaibashi is a place where you can feel the four seasons at a fixed point.
Valleys, budding in Spring, deep green in summer, Autumn leaves in autumn, and snowy scenery in winter.
A red bridge that snuggles up to the four seasons of the Valleys.

The scenery of Takai Bridge in winter is just cool!　It is the world view of ink painting.

Powder snow in the middle of winter does not stick to the branches, and it is a view that can be seen during this Period when there is a lot of wet snow, such as snow from rain.
Also, the day when the sun shines on the pure white Valleys, the snow sparkles, and the sky turns bright blue is also "beautiful". This is also one of the scenes of Takaibashi that I want to show.
The scenery that can be seen when the conditions are right is also the charm of Nature.

Cool scenery in a cool season I would love to see it.