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🥰

Today, I had a morning activity.
It is milk tea with bread and espresso.

NEW OPEN on May 23! A new general store is opening in Shobara City, Hiroshima Prefecture☕🌳
Its name is bonheur poche (bonheur poche). In French it means "pocket of happiness." The owner, Mr. Motoyoshi, is from Osaka and has worked mainly as an interior coordinator, contributing to the creation of over 1,000 homes.

Driven by a long-held wish to run a café, Mr. Motoyoshi opened Satoyama Cafe An in October 2024. Families, café lovers, and visitors from afar keep returning to Satoyama Cafe An. The café, renovated from a 100-year-old traditional house, feels stylish and refined while holding a hint of nostalgia. He places particular care on creating a comfortable atmosphere. He sources everyday goods that blend into daily life and add a little richness to living. Bonheur poche will also host workshops in the future. Both Satoyama Cafe An and bonheur poche will continue to develop as places that visitors can enjoy.

For details, see the Editorial Report on the Shobara Tourist Navi site, Shobara Tourist Navi.

Basic information for bonheur poche
Opening date: Friday, May 23, 2025
Address: 89 Kamihara-cho, Shobara City, Hiroshima Prefecture
Hours: 11:00–17:00
Closed: Monday and Tuesday; Sundays irregularly closed
Parking: Available (shared with Satoyama Cafe An)
Contact: 0824-74-6994 (shared with Satoyama Cafe An)

"Introduction of cherry blossom Spots in Hokuryu In the town vol. FINAL」
Hello, this is 🌻 the Hokuryu Town Himawari Tourism Association
This is the last time we have been delivering cherry blossom scenery since early May
Finally, I will introduce the Spot omnibus that I have introduced so far.

Enjoy the beautiful Northern Dragon cherry blossoms you meet at each spot again!

I hope 🙏 that the beautiful cherry blossoms will bloom again next year

Thank you for 🌸 sticking with us until the end

Photographed 5/19/25.
CAFE ANDON's Lemon and Poppy Seed Shortcake. 🍋

Photographed 5/19/25.
This is CAFE ANDON's Andon chicken curry.

The 58th Oketo Summer Festival and the 48th Human Banba Competition will take place on Sunday, June 29th!

The “Human Banba” competition, now synonymous with Oketo Town, draws many teams from across Hokkaido, with about 50 teams taking part in this popular event. Last year it was a huge success, with teams filling the entry slots!
As you may know, the “Human Banba” reflects Oketo’s history of prosperity built on the timber industry, and for many years it has been held as a town-run festival that brings the community together.
The festival also features food stalls, festival games, the Oketo Kouta dance, guest stage shows, and a fireworks display—there’s plenty to enjoy!

For more details, please see the poster or Oketo Town’s website!
https://www.town.oketo.hokkaido.jp/shokai/kanko/natsumatsuri/

The Sacred Tree Festival: Once every 20 years, the sacred tree destined for dedication at Ise Jingu is felled in the Omomasahajime Ceremony, followed by the celebratory Sacred Tree Festival.
This grand festival, held once every 20 years, will take place in June 2025.

The Omomasahajime Ceremony on June 3 is part of Ise Jingu’s rituals and is not open to the public, but the Sacred Tree Festival from June 4 to 6 is open to everyone.
You can also enjoy dedication rituals and traditional performing arts.

You may join the rare and important tree-transport procession, the Okihiki, which carries the sacred tree to Ise Jingu. Registration closes once capacity is reached. For inquiries, contact Agematsu Tourism Association at 0264-52-1133 or check the website.

Exclusive original goods available for a limited time are on sale now. See the Kiso Tourism Federation website “Kiso Valley Trip” for purchase details.

Due to this event, Akasawa Natural Recreation Forest will be closed all day on June 3 and closed the morning of June 4.
Please note that entry to the park will be prohibited.

The sacred tree will also stop in Nagiso Town and other locations on June 6. If you live nearby, please come see it.
For full details, check the official Kiso Dedication Association website.