Photographed on December 18, 2025. This is Hanatetsu’s flower temizu (flower hand-washing basin).

Photographed on December 18, 2025. This is the hanachozu (flower basin) from Hara Florist. 🌹

Photographed on December 18, 2025. I passed a certification exam on November 30, so I celebrated. I enjoyed a gingerbread latte and a strawberry and chocolate tart.

Photographed on December 15, 2025. This is the hanatemizu at Naritasan Kawagoe Betsuin. It is decorated for Christmas. 🎄❄️

Photographed on December 15, 2025. cafe andon’s café latte and a Tangy Red Apple (Kogyoku) apple pie.

The "Tanada no Akari" rice terrace lights at Daisen Senmaida in Kamogawa City, Chiba Prefecture can be seen until January 12, 2026. (Every day from sunset until around 8:00 p.m.) They are not flashy, but they are soothing.

Photographed on December 15, 2025. This is “Kogyoku Apple Pie with Shinrin no Bokujo Farm Soft Serve” from CAFE ANDON. It also contains my favorite cinnamon. 😊

Photographed on December 25, Heisei 25. This is CAFE ANDON’s Andon Chicken Curry.

Photographed on December 13, 2025. This is the hanachōzu (flower basin) at Kawagoe Hachimangu Shrine.

Photographed on December 15, 2025. After the monthly ceremony at Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine, I relaxed at Starbucks Kanetsuki‑dōri Store. I had a gingerbread latte and an Earl Grey scone.

Photographed on December 15, 2025. This is the koi-temizu (romantic hand-washing basin) at Kawagoe Kumano Shrine.❄️

Meigetsuin Temple, famous for its hydrangeas This temple in the historic city of Kamakura also offers spectacular autumn foliage. Especially from the Satori Window, the view of the autumn leaves captures a timeless sense of old Japan.

Photographed on December 15, 2025. This is the ai-tai omikuji at Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine.

Autumn colors in Tokyo Metropolitan Mizumoto park. Where the autumn colors looks completely different than the other spots in Tokyo. The sunrise view from the metasequoia forest looks amazing.

Photographed on December 15, 2013. This is the Ichinen An-tai Omikuji from Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine. The orange omikuji is vermilion.

Photographed on December 15, 2025. These are the autumn leaves at Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine. 🍁

Sunrise view of Mizumoto park in tokyo park. The metasequoia forest looks amazing during sunrise.

A cluster amaryllis photographed at Onrin-ji Temple in Oramachi, Ōra District, Gunma Prefecture. It was my first visit this year, and the flowers were so beautiful that the area truly lives up to its longtime reputation as the village of cluster amaryllis. Several stone Buddhas stand there, and in one photo one seemed to be saying, “The world is content.”

Today I attended the monthly festival at Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine. I will be able to work in Kawagoe again next year. The practical exam I took in Tokyo last week ended with a disappointing result, but I will do my best again next year. Thank you for your encouragement. 😊

Photographed on December 12, 2025. This is LEC COFFEE’s Basque cheesecake inspired by tarte Tatin.

Photo taken on December 12, 2025. This is a caramel latte from LEC COFFEE. It features Christmas tree latte art. 🎄

Gurutto Daffodil Stamp Rally is now underway. A QR stamp rally is currently taking place in Kyonan Town. There are seven stamps placed around the town. Participants who collect all of them will receive a small gift. Guests staying overnight will receive a gift after collecting one stamp. If you collect stamps from 30 participating shops around town and submit your entry, you will receive an original tote bag on the spot (first 200 people). As a second chance, a lottery will award local specialties and other prizes. Small gifts are distributed at Michi-no-Eki Kyonan Information Center (closed December 31 and January 1), Hota Station Tourist Information Center (closed December 31 and January 1), and Michi-no-Eki Hota Elementary School. The event runs until February 1. Entry sheets are available at Hota Station Tourist Information Center and Awakatsuyama Station Tourist Information Center.

Photographed on December 12, 2025. This is LEC COFFEE’s quiche plate. It includes a spinach, shrimp, and bacon quiche, a prosciutto cheese ball and salad, daikon potage, and homemade bread.

Photographed on December 12, 2025. This is Hanatetsu's hanachōzu (flower water basin).

Today, the Kawagoe Tea Festival in Rinsinji Temple is running until 3:00 PM. I bought Chabudai’s chai and a Taiwanese castella from Sweets Workshop Hiro. 😊☕️

Because the weather was fine, everyone enjoyed the brightly colored maple leaves from early morning🍁 November 12, 2025 Mount Gaun Eugenji Temple

Photographed on December 8, 2025. This is the hanachozu (flower-filled basin) at Kawagoe Hachimangu Shrine.

[Notice of Ooyama Star Festival (Tounen-seki Memorial Service)] At Daisenji Temple, a star festival will be held to honor the nine planetary stars (tounen-seki) that govern the year’s fortunes and to pray for turning misfortune into blessing in the coming year. Date and time: Monday, December 22, 14:00– Prayer fee: from ¥1,000 (postal applications accepted) How to apply: Please inquire by phone (applications accepted until December 21) Phone: 0463-95-2011 For details, please see Daisenji Temple’s website. https://oyamadera.jp/other/%e3%80%90%e5%a4%a7%e5%b1%b1%e3%81%ae%e6%98%9f%e3%81%be%e3%81%a4%e3%82%8a%ef%bc%88%e5%bd%93%e5%b9%b4%e6%98%9f%e4%be%9b%ef%bc%89%e3%80%9112-21%ef%bd%9e12-22/...

Photographed on December 8, 2025. This is the flower-filled hand-washing basin (hanachozu) at Kawagoe Hachimangu Shrine. It features Christmas colors. 🎄

Photographed on December 8, 2025. This is the hanachozu (flower water basin) at Kawagoe Hachimangu Shrine.