Water wheel in Shinno, Kamikawa-cho, Hyogo Prefecture It is said that it has existed since before the 6th year of Genroku 1693, and 11 water wheels with a diameter of about 3 m are scattered in the waterway with abundant flow, and Ume Plum algae baikamo, which only lives in clear streams, can be seen nearby, and you can encounter a rural landscape rich in rich in nature and a beautiful original landscape that should be protected. There is 😌 a scene here that I want to visit many times in the past and connect from the history of the past to the future

Water wheel in Shinno, Kamikawa-cho, Hyogo Prefecture It is said that it has existed since before the 6th year of Genroku 1693, and 11 water wheels with a diameter of about 3 m are scattered in the waterway with abundant flow, and Ume Plum algae baikamo, which only lives in clear streams, can be seen nearby, and you can encounter a rural landscape rich in rich in nature and a beautiful original landscape that should be protected. There is 😌 a scene here that I want to visit many times in the past and connect from the history of the past to the future

Water turbine in Shinno, Kamikawa, Hyogo It is said to have existed since before the 6th year of Genroku 1693, and 11 water wheels with a diameter of about 3 m are scattered in the waterway with abundant flow, and Ume Plum flower algae baikamo, which only live in Clear streams, can be seen nearby, and you can encounter Rich in nature rural scenery and beautiful original scenery that should be protected. There is 😌 a scene here that I want to visit many times in the past and connect from the history of the past to the future

Katakura-kan, nationally designated Important Cultural Property This day-use bathing facility lies about a seven-minute walk from Kamisuwa Station. One of Suwa’s most famous baths, it served as a filming location for the movie Thermae Romae II. The deep 1.1 m bath called the “Sen-nin-buro” (Thousand-Person Bath) is meant for standing while you soak, which often surprises visitors. Smooth river pebbles cover the floor of the large bath, pleasantly stimulating the soles of your feet. It’s an ideal bath for tired bodies and is refreshing even in the height of summer—recommended for visitors to Kamisuwa Onsen♨ Day-use bathing is available here, so please enjoy the historic architecture along with the bath! Search keywords → Katakura-kan Sen-nin-buro

Hitachi Seaside Park 2024.04.25 Blue Sky and Nemophila I did my best at a little trot.

Ashikaga Flower Park 2024.04.25 Miraculous wisteria illumination

Imagine a time when samurai ruled the land and constructed magnificent forts. Himeji Castle, a UNESCO Cultural Heritage site, is a sight to behold. Its most striking feature is the daitenshu, the main donjon. This impressive structure stands at 31.5 meters tall with five stories on the outside and seven interior floors, reaching a total height of 46.3 meters. The castle is surrounded by three smaller keeps connected by roofed passages, adding to its grandeur. Designated as national treasures, the donjons and watariyagura are a testament to Japan's rich history and architectural ingenuity.

Niigata Twisted Cedar Thought-provoking history A long time ago, when the people of the village did not yet know how grateful the Buddha was, a monk passed by this village. It was a hot summer, so I was tired and thirsty. So I went into a house on the side of the road and asked for a glass of water, but at that house, I didn't even look at him while weaving grouper, and I didn't even say to him, "There is no water." Rejected by all the houses, he could not even drink a glass of water, let alone rice, even after nightfall. "I don't need food or water, but it is the people of this village who are pitiful, and I will never know how grateful the Buddha is," she said with tears in her eyes, "I want to at least let the people after me know that I have come. If you do that, one day you will take refuge in the teachings of the Buddha," he twisted a small Cedar tree beside him, said, "Keep going," and walked away. As the cedar twisted and grew as the monk suggested, the villagers learned about the great power of the Buddha for the first time and began to believe in the Buddha. And before long, the villagers began to cherish it, saying, "That's Kobo-sama's twisted cedar." Now. There are many small cedars growing at the base of the twisted cedar, but they are all twisted in the same way as the parent cedar. From "Nakazato Village History, First Volume", pp. 81-82 #History #Photo Contest

Himeji Castle, also known as the White Heron Castle, stands as the best-preserved castle in Japan. This stunning fortress is not just a Japanese National Treasure but also a World Heritage site. With its 400-year-old, seven-story castle keep and over 1,000 cherry trees that bloom in spring, the castle's grounds are a sight to behold.

Koiwai Farm 100 Years of Forest There are tours that allow you to enter places that you would not normally be able to enter. In front of the wasteland at the southern foot of Mt. of Iwate, Koiwai Farm is said to have been filled with regret for destroying many "beautiful rice fields and good fields" during his many years of involvement in the railway construction project. If this kind of wilderness is left untouched, I would like to at least make up for the loss of beautiful countryside by clearing it and opening up large farms. Isn't that what I should do for the public good? Inoue thinks so. Inoue confided in Yoshima Ono, who had supported Mitsubishi under Yataro Iwasaki, and asked for his help. At that time, Mitsubishi's younger brother, Yanosuke Iwasaki, was the second president of Mitsubishi after Yataro's death. Yoshima Ono immediately brings Inoue and Yanosuke together. It is said that Yanosuke was impressed by Inoue's lofty desire to open a farm in the wasteland for the national public, and readily agreed to invest on the spot. Thus, on January 1, 1891 Meiji 24, Inoue became the owner of the farm and Koiwai Farm was opened. The name Koiwai was created by taking one letter each from the surnames of Ono, Iwasaki, and Inoue. That's it. There is a 100-year-old forest in it. This forest is there to grow 99-year-old cedars.

Hirosaki Castle Flower Raft 2024.04.20 In Hirosaki Castle, there is a "Team Sakura Guard", and this team protects the cherry blossoms. Cherry trees that are over 100 years old also produce a lot of flowers thanks to this team. Gari will drop a lot of petals because it will have a lot of flowers, and this raft will be completed.

Snow-covered Kinkakuji Temple　 2021.12.18 Where I went with studless tires for the first time There was still snow from the night before.

Doll Memorial Service Suwa, Nagano Prefecture Onsenji Temple, Rinzai Myoshinji School On March 17, 2014, I visited Onsenji Temple. It is about a ten-minute walk from Kamisuwa Station. This temple performs memorial services for dolls and stuffed animals. It felt much like a funeral for dolls and stuffed toys. Onsenji holds a doll memorial service every March. In Japan, Boys’ Day falls on May 5 and Girls’ Day on March 3. Most grandparents give dolls to their grandchildren to pray for the child’s healthy growth. These are traditional Japanese dolls unique to Japan. As a result, many Japanese households own Japanese dolls. I believe dolls also have a spirit, like animism suggests. When your child owns a doll, the child plays with it. As the child grows up, they tend to move away from the doll. Most Japanese people do not simply throw away the dolls that watched over their children’s growth. That is because the dolls spent time with the child. Most Japanese think dolls have a soul. That is why they hold memorial services for dolls. That day, over 1,000 dolls were gathered. The chief priest chanted sutras for the dolls and stuffed animals for about 30 minutes. The priest offered thanks to the dolls with purifying salt. We prayed with the same feeling. It was a very mysterious experience. It was my first time seeing so many dolls and stuffed animals. Still, it was a deeply heartfelt Buddhist memorial for the dolls. I felt I could sense a little of Buddhist sentiment. That is why I love Japan!! Also, Onsenji is famous as a spot for autumn leaves. If you want to see beautiful foliage, please come and see the autumn colors at Onsenji.

It is one of the three major fire festivals in Japan and is designated as an important Intangible folk cultural property of Japan. It is spectacular to see 12 large torches weighing about 50 kg each parading along the approach. This year's ceremony will be held on July 14.

Narai-juku, located on the old Nakasendo road, is the longest post town in Japan, stretching about 1 km along the Narai River. This historic site features the Chinjin Shrine at the top of Torii Pass on its Kyoto end. Once a bustling hub for travelers, Narai-juku was known as "Narai Senken" Narai's Thousand Houses and was the busiest stop on the Kisoji road. The town still preserves architectural marvels from the Edo period, such as the eaves lights of the inns and the thousand latticed windows, reflecting the timeless grandeur of the area.

Matsumoto Castle on a heavy snowy day The Chuo Expressway was closed to traffic, so I took a big detour on the Kanetsu Road and entered Matsumoto on the lower road from Azumino. It took me 6 hours to get there in 3 hours laughs.

Matsumoto doesn't snow as much as Tokyo The day after the heavy snowfall was a blue sky. It was the first time I saw Matsumoto Castle with a frozen moat.

There is a tree grasping a large rock near Takijiri Oji and Oji Shrine on the Kumano Kodo Nakabe Road mountain trail. A large number of pilgrims start from Prince Takijiri and walk to the Hongu Taisha Shrine.

【Ōgahas】 The Giant Lotus is an ancient lotus that was discovered and bred in 1951 by a group led by botanist Dr. Ichiro Ohga. As a result of dating, it is known that it is a lotus that is at least 2,000 years old, and it is known as the world's oldest lotus that was excavated from an old stratum and successfully germinated and grown. This precious giant hath is rooted in about 250 places in Japan and overseas, and you can see its beautiful appearance in each place. Chiba City will be the "birthplace" of such a giant hasu. The lotus pond in front of the Lotus Pavilion in Chiba Park in Chiba City welcomes Renge Best time to visit from mid-June to July every year, and when there are more than 700 flowers, more than 700 flowers bloom, and many tourists Visit to see the graceful appearance of the giant lotus. There are walking paths and benches in the surrounding area, so you can spend a relaxing time with cherry blossom viewing. In addition to the beauty of the flowers, the historical background and the achievements of Dr. Ohga will allow those who visit to enjoy even more Impression. In addition, the flowers usually open from early morning to mid-morning and close around noon, so it is recommended to watch the giant hath in the morning! [Chiba Park] ■ Access: About a 10-minute walk from JR Chiba Station Chiba Park Exit or North Exit Get off in front of Chiba Monorail Chiba Park Station ■Address: 3-1-1 Benten, Chuo-ku, Chiba City

Kenninji Temple 2022.09 "Twin Dragon Ceiling" Junsaku Koizumi's masterpiece of heavenly painting It's also amazing to be able to shoot. It is the oldest Zen temple in Kyoto.

Hokokuji Temple 2021.06.12 The most relaxing place in Kamakura It was a walk in silence.

Matsumoto Castle, one of Japan's oldest castles, is famous for its unique black exterior. Located in Matsumoto City for over 400 years, it houses a remarkable collection of weapons and armor from the Warring States Period. Despite never witnessing battle, it's a must-visit in Nagano Prefecture, especially during twilight hours for a peaceful experience. The sight of swans on the moat against the castle and the blueish-purple horizon is unforgettable.

We’ll share the charms of Suwa City in Nagano Prefecture!!! ⇒ YouTube “Suwa City Official Channel” @TheCityofSuwa First, we start with “What kind of place is Suwa?!” — we hope this sparks your interest. Also, we’ve made an amazing promotional video!!! Suwa offers seasonal delights year-round. In spring, enjoy cherry blossom viewing and hikes amid fresh green mountains; Kirigamine offers spectacular views from Nagikama Shrine, and in summer you can admire daylilies (nikkokisuge). At the heart of the Suwa Basin lies the symbol, Lake Suwa. In summer you can kayak on Lake Suwa, take a sightseeing boat, or ride the new cycling road that even children can enjoy 🚵. Best of all is the Suwa Lake Festival’s lakeside fireworks display, one of Japan’s top events 🎆. In autumn, savor Suwa’s fermented gastronomy—miso—plus the local specialty, Shinshu Suwa miso tempura rice bowl. Enjoy sake from Suwa’s five breweries, made with Kirigamine’s exceptional spring water 🍶. In winter, experience the ice ridges called Omiwatari and try wakasagi smelt fishing 🎣. Warm up and soothe your tired body at Kami-suwa Onsen♨ Suwa truly offers the best all year round♪ In times of need, people turn to “Osuwa-sama.” There are over 10,000 branch shrines across Japan, and the head shrine, Suwa Taisha, is here ⛩. A roughly six-minute introduction video can’t cover everything... Suwa is more than just the Onbashira Festival!!! Come visit and experience Suwa for yourself♪ We look forward to seeing you!

Oshi Castle, located in Gyoda City, Saitama Prefecture, has a rich history dating back to the late 15th century. Despite facing numerous attacks, this formidable castle never succumbed. While the original structure no longer stands, visitors can still witness the earthen foundation of the main castle, the towering stone walls, the Korai Gate, and other fascinating ruins. The reconstructed "Three-storied Tower" from the Edo Period now houses captivating exhibits, offering visitors a glimpse into the past. Ascend to the observation room on the highest floor for a breathtaking view of Gyoda City. My visit at twilight revealed an eerily silent and empty atmosphere, evoking the enchanting aura of this ancient site.

Meigetsu-in Temple 2020.06.12 When a state of emergency was declared and I couldn't go out of the prefecture. Even at Meigetsu-in Temple, it was written that only people living in Kanagawa could enter. Thanks to this, I was able to take pictures that did not show many people.

Tauszvets Bridge 2022.08. The Tauszvets Bridge is submerged in August every year There is an Observation decks about 800m away, but if you want to get closer, you can take a tour or make a reservation in advance from the forest road gate key reservation page on the website of the Kamishihoro Town Tourism Association. The guide said that it is collapsing and will collapse someday.

It is the Fujiya Hotel in Hakone Miyanoshita. It is one of the classic hotels in Japan. The building, which has an unusual design that is a mix of Japanese and Western, makes you feel the history of Japanese hotels.

It is a tea house in Suwa in the Tomi Garden of the Imperial Palace. Anyone can enter the Tomi Garden for free, and some of them are the ruins of the castle tower of Edo Castle. Suwa no Chaya is a Japanese house located in Ninomaru Garden. Why don't you take a stroll?

It is a spectacle bridge on the former Shinetsu Main Line. From Karuizawa to Yokogawa, which is Famous for the Kamameshi of the mountain pass If you head there, you can see it. It is no longer used and has become a historical relic.

The sculptures at the Chichibu Treasure Climbing Shrine were gorgeous, and I couldn't help but take a picture. The fineness of the carvings and the vividness of the colors are all wonderful. It is a workmanship that makes you feel Cool Japan.