Photographed on June 1, 25.
This is Kazaguruma of Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine.

On the way to TOTTEI park with a photo buddy
Representing Kobe, which suddenly caught my eye
Tower🗼
If you look at it from a different perspective than usual
Draws you in
I felt a different goodness!

Photographed 4/20/25.
It is Hanachozu of Kawagoe Hachimangu Shrine.

Photographed on April 19, 25.
It is Hanachozu of Kawagoe Hachimangu Shrine.

Scenery of Japan. Scenery of Japan people.
Encounters of history in Kyoto.
The heart of Japan is here.

From Japan to the world. Welcome.

Higashikawa-cho will have a booth at Hibiya Music Festival 2025!

We will exhibit at Hibiya Music Festival 2025, a two-day, free, borderless music festival open to everyone, held on Saturday, May 31 and Sunday, June 1, 2025.

■ Hibiya Music Festival 2025 Overview
Name: Hibiya Music Festival 2025
Date and Time: Saturday, May 31, 2025, 10:30–20:30
Sunday, June 1, 2025, 10:30–20:30
Venue: Hirakawachou Park (Hibiya Park, 100-0012 Chiyodaku, Tokyo Metropolis)
Admission: Free ※Some food stalls and programs require payment
Organizer: Hibiya Music Festival Executive Committee
Planning and Production: Seiya Co., Ltd. (Higashikawa-cho official partner company) / THE FOREST

▼ For details, see the official website
https://hibiyamusicfes.jp/2025/

■ Higashikawa-cho Booth: Music × Photography × Furniture! Have your photo taken to commemorate Hibiya Music Festival!
Local photographers from Higashikawa-cho will offer free photo sessions with chairs from Higashikawa-cho. Commemorative photos and the digital files will be provided free of charge at the special booth.
※Higashikawa-cho: Exhibit at Kusachi Hiroba!

▼ Photo Schedule
Three sessions each day.
Session 1: 10:30–12:30 Session 2: 13:30–15:00 Session 3: 16:00–17:30
Photographers living in Higashikawa-cho will take the photos!
Hokuto Wada (instagram:@hokutowada)
Ryo Yasui (instagram:@prophoto_sou_yasui_makoto)


Higashikawa-cho Economic Promotion Division
TEL 0166-82-2111 (ext. 134)

https://hibiyamusicfes.jp/2025/

Today, May 30th, is "Kominka Day"!🏘
Shobara City in Hiroshima Prefecture is blessed with vast nature and retains many traditional wooden houses, ranking third in the nation for kominka preservation. To address vacant-house issues, several renovated inns that evoke the satoyama (rural mountain landscape) by showcasing the buildings' original materials have appeared.

setouchi kominka stays hiroshima introduces three houses—chojaya, furousen, and kozako forest—and this time we present a newly renovated inn focused on the outdoors with maximum openness.

Its name is kusamura.

This is a private-rental tent sauna and an entire kominka available for exclusive use, boasting perhaps the most striking presence in Japan. Housed in a 150-year-old renovated kominka with plenty of outdoor features, one highlight is the BBQ. About a 15-minute drive away, shokusai-kan shobara yume sakura sells Hiba Beef and fresh vegetables, so you can buy ingredients there and bring them for a lively group meal.

Second, enjoy a tent sauna that offers a strong sense of privacy for you and your friends. Cooling off outdoors on the engawa (veranda) feels great and provides a unique, deeply relaxing experience.

Third, you can have a bonfire. Gather around the flames and enjoy conversation. The sleeping area includes four single beds, one air mattress, and one hammock. The place is equipped with essentials such as a refrigerator, stove, and towels.

Happily, pets are allowed, so consider staying with your dog.

Please note that guests under junior high school age cannot stay overnight, so be careful when booking.

Address: 2765 Kawakitacho, Shobara City, Hiroshima Prefecture
Price: From JPY 16,200 per night
Reservations: Book via Airbnb or Booking.com
Hours: Check-in from 15:00 / Check-out by 11:00

It is "Taiyo-no-Oka Engaru Park" on May 30th.
"Renge azalea" is blooming ♪ beautifully
The "Moss Phlox" in Moss Phlox Park is in Best time to visit, but the "Moss Phlox" on the other side of the road is still in Best time to visit ♬

Photographed 4/20/25.
It is Hanachozu of Kawagoe Hachimangu Shrine.

Photographed 4/20/25.
This is Hanatetsu's Hanachozu.

Photographed 4/20/25.
It is Hanachozu of Naritasan Kawagoe Betsuin.

Photographed on April 18, 25.
This is Hanachozu from Hara Flower Shop.

Local views.
The sky changes with the time of day.
Favorite color and favorite place.
Nara Park is also nearby, so please stop by.

Photographed 5/26/25.
LEC COFFEE's caramel nut semifreddo and cold yellowtail cream.

A photo of the sunset in Kizugawa City, my Township, where I was born. The rice fields Unfolds all over and you can see the beautiful sunset.
Nara Park is also nearby, so why don't you stop by when you come for sightseeing?
You can also touch history such as Joruri Temple and Fujiwara Kyo Ruins.
I've always liked the scenery. I would like to share it with all of you.

June is almost here! In Shobara City, Hiroshima Prefecture, blessed with great nature, you can see fireflies.

At Hotaru-mi Park in Kuchiwa Town, Shobara City, Hiroshima Prefecture, many visitors gather every year. The fireflies fly from around 8:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., with a peak 30-minute period from about 9:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

About 300 meters downstream from Hotaru-mi Park there is a spot where Genji fireflies appear. This year’s best viewing time is expected to be later than usual because cherry blossoms bloomed late.

Hotaru-mi Park has a campsite, and around July you can see Hime fireflies. Hime fireflies glow more quietly than Genji fireflies, and people who have gone camping at Hotaru-mi Park report the rare experience of seeing many fireflies gather in front of their tents.

Hotaru-mi Park has few lights, making it an excellent place for firefly watching.

At the “Firefly Viewing Gathering” held on Saturday, June 21, all lights in the management building and campsite will be turned off for one minute starting at 9:00 p.m., so you can enjoy only the fireflies’ glow. You just have to go…!
Food trucks and stalls are also planned for the day.

Please come visit Shobara City, Hiroshima Prefecture—see you by car!

● Basic information for Hotaru-mi Park
Address: 2-1 Otsuki, Kuchiwa-cho, Shobara City, Hiroshima Prefecture
Phone: 0824-87-2513
*The manager is on duty from 8:00 to 17:00*
*If no one answers, the manager will call you back*
Parking: Available, about 30 spaces

● Event information for the Firefly Viewing Gathering
Venue: Hotaru-mi Park, Moomoo Local Products Hall, Shingetsu Marche (former Mikami residence)
Address: 2-1 Otsuki, Kuchiwa-cho, Shobara City, Hiroshima Prefecture
Date and time: Saturday, June 21, 2025, from 6:00 p.m.
(Firefly viewing hours: 6:00 p.m. onward)

There are many other spots and events where you can see fireflies.
For details, please see the Shobara tourist information site, Shobara Tourist Navi.

Photographed 5/26/25.
After Prayer to Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine, we visited LEC COFFEE. It's a semifreddo with caramel nuts.
Semifred is an Italian word that means half cold. It's an ice cake.

At Kawagoe Hachimangu Shrine, 🤍 I found a hydrangea of.

Photographed 5/26/25.
It is Hanachozu of Kawagoe Hachimangu approach to the temple.
It's already hydrangea season.

It was already 5 o'clock on the Hokuriku Shinkansen to Toyama that day, the weather was very good like going to shoot the sunset, the first time I arrived in Toyama, I was attracted by the train next to the station and decided to sit over, but because the first time I got on the train, I found that I was sitting in the opposite direction, and it was almost dark when I turned back to the station, and I was afraid that I would take the wrong seat again and decided to use it, and after walking for about 10 minutes, I finally caught the beautiful blue hour, and pressed the shutter under the breeze of the spring evening to record this beautiful moment.

Today, it's Mr. 168's breakfast.
Taiwanese rice balls and citrus soy milk 🍋.
Taiwanese rice balls contain mustard greens, meat noodles (Lawson), fried eggs, takwan (fried bread), and yujo (fried bread). In addition, black Rice is used. Citrus soy milk contains lemon and is very tasty.
Thank you for opening early in the morning. 😊

Photographed on April 12, 25.
Before Prayer to Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine, we visited LEC COFFEE. Cold onion soup, salad, latte and Neapolitan. 🥗☕️🍝

Photographed 5/22/25.
Prayer to Meiji Jingu Shrine.

We present the official tourism association website that packs together the charms of Sakuhomachi in Nagano Prefecture—tourist information, access details, dining spots and more♩

It's convenient for checking before your trip!
Be sure to take a look☺

▶Visit the Sakuhomachi Tourism Association website here
https://yachiho-kogen.jp/

In Sakuhomachi, Nagano Prefecture, the noble prince azalea (Tougoku mitsuba azalea) is reaching its peak bloom.
Against the soft fresh greenery, the vivid pink stands out, and just walking through it lifts your spirits in this season.
Come see this fleeting scenery while it lasts ☺

Photographed 5/22/25.
We Prayer the Higashi Township Shrine in Hara inn.

56th Takashima Castle Festival
Hello everyone! The hot weather continues. 💦
This weekend the forecast is uncertain, but the Takashima Castle Festival will take place on Sunday the 25th.
The festival commemorates the 1970 reconstruction of Takashima Castle’s keep. Along with Taiko drumming, a dragon-god dance, and kiyari work chants, the grounds will host a Suwa City recommended souvenir exhibition and sale, among other events.
・Date and time ⇒ Sunday, May 25, 2025, 9:00–15:00
・Location ⇒ Takashima Park
・Attractions ⇒ Stage performances and various vendors
・Parking ⇒ Suwa Lake Event Plaza (for visitors)

For details, please check the URL below!
https://suwacci.or.jp/suwayoiteko/lp/takashimajousai/

At the ‘‘Kokuei Bihoku Hillside Park’’ in Shobara City, Hiroshima Prefecture—situated almost in the exact center of the Chugoku region—the rose garden has reached peak bloom starting Wednesday, May 21, 2025!
Colorful roses are in full bloom, and each one is beautiful.

This rose garden was newly established in 2020 on roughly 400 square meters and features 118 varieties and 206 repeat-blooming rose shrubs. To enliven the north area and enhance the garden’s appeal, we began collaborating with rose enthusiasts from Shobara City in July 2024 to improve fertilization, perform detailed pruning, and train plants on arches and fences as part of ongoing cultivation and maintenance.
We have added varieties such as Michelangelo and Christian Dior to further enrich the rose garden. The garden is expected to be at its best from mid-May through late July and again from mid-October through late November.

Blooming information (as of May 21)
Name: Roses
Varieties currently in bloom: Peace, Queen Elizabeth, and many others
Bloom condition: Peak bloom
Blooming period: Mid-May to late July; early October to late November

Basic facility information
Location: Inside Kokuei Bihoku Hillside Park, Satoyama Station Shobara Furari
Address: 4-10 Mikkaichicho, Shobara City, Hiroshima Prefecture 727-0021
Contact: Kokuei Bihoku Hillside Park TEL 0824-72-7000
Website: For details, check the official Kokuei Bihoku Hillside Park website!

Photographed 5/22/25.
I went to Omotesando bread and espresso at approach to the temple.
It's a moo toast set.
They are moo toast, salad, deli, fried eggs, bacon and yogurt. 🍞🥗🍳🥓
The word "mou" means "soft" in French. Moo toast is tender and delicious. 😊

🌸"Gokase Hanami 2025" Voting Now Open🌸【Until Friday, June 6, 2025!】

Thank you all for entering "Gokase Hanami 2025"!
We held a strict first-round screening by the tourism association staff and selected 12 entries from all submissions🙏✨

From these 12 entries, we would like you to vote to decide the final winners🤩👏

Among those who vote, 10 people will be chosen by lottery to receive local specialties from Gokasecho as a gift🎁💫 We appreciate your participation🙇‍♀️

Here is how to vote💡

【Voting period: Until Friday, June 6, 2025】
⚠️You may vote by only one of the methods below, one time per account or one time per person.

<If voting via Google Form>
・Go to the "voting form" using the URL below
https://forms.gle/uBpw7C7xFDsDKBo2A
・Enter your email address (required). You may optionally provide your name.
・Choose one of the 12 entries, check the box for that entry, and submit your response.
⚠️No login is required, but an email address is mandatory, so please note this in advance.

<If voting via Instagram>
・Follow the Gokase Tourism Association Instagram account.
https://www.instagram.com/gokase_kanko/
・From the post with the hashtag #Gokase Hanami 2025 Voting, choose one of the 12 featured entries and send the photo number by direct message or comment✍
⚠️If you do not follow our account, message exchange may be unreliable and you will be excluded from the gift lottery. Please be aware.

<If voting at a polling location>
・Vote at polling stations set up at Gokasecho Town Hall, Gokase Onsen Mori no Yado Kijiya, or the mobile vendor "Gokase Marche" truck.
・Choose one of the 12 entries, write the entry number, your name, and your email address on the voting slip, and place it in the voting envelope.

Additionally, a polling station will be set up at Gokase Secondary Education School in collaboration with the Gokase Sakura Project, and students will also be participating in voting💪✨

⚠️If your email address is missing or illegible due to poor handwriting, you will be excluded from the gift lottery. Please understand.

Please be sure to view the original posts by the entrants before you vote🤗

1 @sokoatari.urouro (photo 1)
2 @fowafuwarin5 (photo 2)
3 @ 920cherry71 (photo 3)
4 @_yuta610 (photo 4)
5 @1230fuukeinoturishi (photo 5)
6 @8215dr72 (photo 6)
7 @code_name_cross_fire (photo 7)
8 @sakai_0808 (photo 8)
9 @reoron001219 (photo 9)
10 @hisabou1958 (photo 10)
11 @landscape133_22 (photo 11)
12 @omilove.1203 (photo 12)

We look forward to receiving many votes from everyone🥰