Stars orbiting the North Star Here at Nobeyama Highlands Elevation There are Nobeyama Radio Observatory National Astronomical Observatory of Japan Highlands of 1300~1500m. In winter, the air is clear and it is a perfect place for stargazing. Looking at the stars orbiting the North Star, you can't help but feel the profundity of the universe.

Dawn on the Nobeyama Highlands Fuji and the Southern Alps seen from the Shinshu Nobeyama Highlands, the clouds hanging over the Southern Alps are dyed red by the Sunrise, and the sun is about to rise

Lost Landscapes

Kurama Station

Fuji Waiting for Dawn Fuji at dawn seen from the Shinshu Nobeyama Highlands

Yatsugatake dyed in the Sunrise Morgenroth of Yatsugatake seen from the Yatsugatake Observation decks Shishiiwa on a winter morning At sunrise, it turns red from the top of the mountain, and as the sun rises, it gradually turns toward the base.

Temple on a snowy day

Today, I attended the Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine Monthly Festival.

Three venues in Yamato City are currently hosting Hinamatsuri events. The Joint Three-Venue Exhibition “Hinamatsuri in Old Houses” is held at Tsurumai no Sato Historical Museum Shimo-Tsuruma Furusato-kan and the Local Folk House Garden, where visitors can enjoy the Hinamatsuri atmosphere in traditional house settings. Colorful hanging hina dolls and chirimen (crepe fabric) crafts are also on display, offering many encounters with various hina dolls. This event runs through Sunday, March 9. https://www.city.yamato.lg.jp/gyosei/bunka_sports/bunka_geijutsu/rekishi_bunkazai/11825.html...

Photographed on 2/23/25. This is Hanachozu from Koedo Kurato.

Demonstration against Shinzo Abe's state funeral

Scenery of Someday

Ise no Tsukijo!! Local castles and the moon were photographed with a super telephoto.

I came to Toyama for sightseeing, but unfortunately it snowed If it's snowing, you can't just go out to see the snowy scenery, so you can walk from the hotel to the Takaoka Great Buddha On a snowy night, while no one was around, the Light up Takaoka Great Buddha was quite handsome.

★Lake Suwa / Kami-Suwa Onsen — A Ryokan with Delicious Food: Hama no Yu ※Kami-Suwa Onsen: The Yutama Legend At Kami-Suwa Onsen there is a “Yutama” legend that says the goddess of Suwa Taisha was carrying bathwater for her makeup on cotton as she moved from the Upper Shrine (Kamisha) to the Lower Shrine (Shimosha). Some of that water fell along the way and formed the hot spring known as Yutama. Now, in this cold season don’t we all want to soak in a warm onsen? Food lover Kasai turns into “steam-emitting Kasai” when he sweats in winter, with steam rising from his head, haha. Lately I’ve actually gotten hooked on onsens! First, I’d like to introduce the local Kami-Suwa Onsen!!! For the first feature, we received cooperation from Hama no Yu!!! Above all, Hama no Yu’s baths let you enjoy the garden view, and their baths are made from the now-rare black granite. And the ultimate feature is their heat retention!!! This heat retention is one of their strongest points in the whole country!!! Please stay with them and enjoy their baths, which are available 24 hours a day!!! • Men’s Bath There are four baths: a black granite bath, a cypress bath (bubble bath), a rock open-air bath, and a herbal bath. Men can relax and recover from fatigue in the herbal bath♨. A dry sauna and cold plunge are available. The large public bath is open 24 hours! • Women’s Bath There are four baths: a black granite bath, a cypress bath (bubble bath), a rock open-air bath, and a lavender bath. In the women’s bath you can especially enjoy the lavender bath♨, with its delightful fragrance and excellent relaxing effect. A mist sauna and cold plunge are available. The large public bath and the lavender bath are open 24 hours! ☆ Private Bath “Asa no Yu” A private bath is available where families can soak together in private, so if you have small children you can enjoy the onsen without worry, just like at home♨. Fee: 45 minutes / 2,200 yen (tax included) • Source: Nanatsugama Source (a mixed spring of Shin-Mitsugama No.1 source, Shin-Mitsugama No.2 source, Ayame source, and Yanaginami source) • Water Quality: Simple sulfur spring (weakly alkaline, hypotonic, high-temperature spring) • Indications: Neuralgia / Muscle pain / Joint pain / Frozen shoulder / Motor paralysis / Joint stiffness / Bruises / Sprains / Chronic digestive diseases / Hemorrhoids / Sensitivity to cold / Convalescence / Recovery from fatigue / Health promotion Everyone, please consider staying at Hama no Yu to enjoy this proud onsen and the ryokan’s pride—its delicious meals!!! https://www.hamanoyu.co.jp//

Photographed on 2/23/25. This is Hanachozu from Koedo Kurasato.

Photographed 2/28/25. CAFE ANDON's Cafe Latte and Foret Noir (French: Black Forest). It is a winter cake with cocoa sponge sandwiched between fresh cream and cherry jam. It also goes well with a latte. Of course, it is very tasty. It seems to be until today.

Iwamotoyama Park (Shizuoka) Located in the southwestern part of the city Elevation the Nature Park is a Use of a hilly area of more than 193 meters. In addition to the Lawn square, Ume Plum garden, and Nature observation Zone, Hiking Course are also Maintenance in the park, and from the Observation decks you can see the Fuji River to the west, the Izu Peninsula from the oceanic Suruga Bay to the south, and Fuji to the north, and you can Unfolds the best view of the East Sea. Especially in early Spring, about 300 Ume Plums bloom, making it an excellent photo point for "Mt. Fuji and Ume Plums". Famous as a superb view point for night views, you can see a beautiful illumination from Fuji City to Shimizu Port. Famous cafes are also located in the park, where you can eat fluffy pancakes.

Half of a snail Vacant house in Escargot

Photographed on 2/24/25. This is a café latte from CAFE ANDON. It's very, very nice latte art. ☕️

[Thorough Guide to the World Cultural Heritage Site: Manda Pit!] Manda Pit, located in Arao City, Kumamoto Prefecture, is one of the coal mine ruins that supported Japan’s modernization. It is registered as a component of the World Cultural Heritage site "Sites of Japan’s Meiji Industrial Revolution" and holds great significance in Japan’s industrial history. Highlights of Manda Pit One of Japan’s Largest Shaft Facilities Manda Pit served as one of the Miike Coal Mine shafts, producing high-quality coal from the Meiji era through the early Showa era and supporting Japan’s modernization. The massive steel headframe symbolizing Meiji- and Taisho-era mining technology and the winding engine house are must-sees. Well-Preserved Industrial Heritage Many mine facilities and equipment used from the Meiji through Showa eras remain at Manda Pit, allowing visitors to feel the atmosphere of the time. The red-brick buildings and the imposing steel-frame structures are especially popular photo spots. Guided Tours to Learn Mine History Specialist-guided tours at Manda Pit explain the history and workings of the mine in detail. You can see the machinery and equipment that were actually used up close. Display of Mine Trains Manda Pit also exhibits the mine trains once used there. You can view the trains used to transport coal and for local transport up close, and running demonstrations are held on the second and fourth Sunday of every month. Recommended Nearby Spots Arao Tidal Flats (a nature-rich tidal flat registered under the Ramsar Convention) Greenland (one of Kyushu’s largest amusement parks) Yotsuyama Shrine (a historic shrine beloved by Arao residents) Coal Industry Science Museum (a science museum about energy from coal) Access Information About 10 minutes by car from JR Arao Station About 1 hour by car from Fukuoka City About 1 hour by car from Kumamoto City #Manda Pit #World Cultural Heritage #Coal Mine Ruins #Kumamoto Sightseeing #Arao City #Historical Exploration #Industrial Heritage #Photo Spot

Photographed on 2/24/25. This is a hot tuna onion sandwich from CAFE ANDON. I visit you from time to time. 😊

Photographed on 2/24/25. Outside of CAFE ANDON, there is Squid. It's almost March. 🎎

The 14th Teshikaga Photo Contest Winning Entries 3/5 This year marks the 14th Teshikaga Photo Contest. While digital submissions and social media entries have become common in recent years, the Teshikaga Photo Contest preserves a classic format by judging printed works. As a special juror, we welcomed Takeshi Mizukoshi, an internationally known mountain photographer who lives in Teshikagacho, to help select the winners. For the 14th contest, we accepted entries in four categories—Starry Sky, Sea of Clouds, Activities (Experiences), and Open—between November 1 and December 25, 2024. From 154 submissions, 20 works won awards! Today we present five winning entries. Congratulations! 🎊 Next up is 4/5—stay tuned 📸♪ ✴︎Winning Entries✴︎ “Love at First Sight” Yasunori Kobayashi “Dawn” Naoya Andachi “Lake Kussharo in Winter” Miki Furusawa “River at Dawn” Kejiro Suzuki “Ehehe” Rie Ishida

Photographed on 2/24/25. This is Hanachozu of Chuin.

Photographed on 2/24/25. It is a white Ume plum in the middle of the hospital.

Photographed on 2/23/25. This is Hanachozu from Hara Flower Shop.

Shot in Ajigasawa Town, Aomori Prefecture, where there is snow

On February 23rd, I went camping at a campsite with a view of Mt. Fuji for 3 days and 2 nights. Dad's favorite daughter I'm inviting my father to make a bonfire in the morning. Father: Oh my gosh. Watching from behind Mt. Fuji. A peaceful start to the day

Rainy Coast Sunrise　 A place where you can see the 3000m-class mountain range over the sea