The 14th Teshikaga Photo Contest Winning Entries 4/5 The Teshikaga Photo Contest celebrates its 14th year this time. While recent years have favored digital submissions and entries via social media, the Teshikaga Photo Contest follows a classic format, judging printed works. For this edition, we invited Takeshi Mizukoshi, an internationally known mountain photographer who lives in Teshikagacho, to serve as a special juror. For the 14th contest, we accepted entries from November 1, 2024, to December 25, 2024, across four categories: Starry Skies, Sea of Clouds, Activities (Experiences), and Open. From 154 submissions, 20 works won awards! Today we present five Special Prize winners. Congratulations! 🎊 The final installment will appear in the next post. Stay tuned📸♪ ✴︎Special Prize✴︎ “Morning Awakening, In the Calm” Hazuki Yamada “As in Ancient Times” Masao Kainuma “A Night of Complete Ice Cover” Masaru Murakami “Nature’s Vitality” Tadashi Takeda “Charge” Toshikazu Yanagihori

🧵Unraveling the Mystery of the Tea Room – Hideyoshi’s Golden Tea Room and Rikyu’s Taian Sen no Rikyu, born in Sakai, perfected the tea ceremony culture 🍵 This event focuses on the tea room and features a special lecture by a curator along with an exhibition-guided tour visiting two tea rooms ✨ 📢“Untie the Cord: Exploring Sakai’s Mysteries 2025” 🎉 🗓️ Saturday, March 22 and Sunday, March 23 📍Sakai Risho no Mori; reservations open from Saturday, March 1! 🔍For details, please check the announcement on the Sakai Tourism Guide website 📬Apply via the Sakai Risho no Mori reservation site 📞Inquiries: 072-260-4386

🌷Manda Pit Spring Festa 2025🌷 Delicious gourmet food, handmade goods, and food trucks! Also featuring “Manda Elementary Kids Guide” collaboration: Challenge from Manda Pit ver.3! For details, please visit the Arao City Tourism Association website 💁‍♀️ ◆Date and Time Sunday, March 9, 2025 10:00–15:00 ※Event will proceed in light rain ◆Location Manda Pit Lawn Plaza, 200-2 Haramanda, Arao City Free admission! ※The paid area of Manda Pit remains charged as usual. ◆Program ・Petting zoo ・Challenge from Manda Pit ver.3 (quiz rally) ・Bubble Time (teambub) ・Gymnastics workshop by acrobat performance team VIVO ・Gourmet and craft market with over 30 vendors ◆Organizer Manda Pit Station @akane.0604k93 #Kumamoto Prefecture #Arao #Event #Spring Festa #Manda Pit #Gourmet #Food truck #Crafts #Handmade #Zoo #Petting zoo #Quiz rally #Challenge from Manda Pit #Tamana #Omuta #Nagasu #World Cultural Heritage #World Heritage

Photographed on February 27: The plums at Atami Plum Garden are still largely in full bloom! Atami Plum Garden Plum Album https://www.ataminews.gr.jp/features/46... The 81st Atami Plum Garden Plum Festival https://www.ataminews.gr.jp/event/355...

[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

🏔 I visited photo spots in the Northern Alps📷💨 On February 25th, Omachi City was clear and sunny from morning☀️ Thanks to radiational cooling, the temperature fell to nearly -10°C, making for a very cold morning❄️ I bundled up every part of my neck🧣🧤 and went around the photo spots📷 The snow-capped Northern Alps stood out against the blue sky🏔 I hope this helps when you visit Omachi City☺ ⭐️ Omachi City Tourism Association Official Website ⭐️ https://kanko-omachi.gr.jp//

【❄️Introducing Photos Submitted for Winter Gokase 2025 — Part 6❄️】 Although days have warmed noticeably, mornings and evenings remain bitterly cold in Gokase Town 🥶 We’re grateful that entries for the “#Winter Gokase 2025” campaign on the Gokase Tourism Association’s Instagram have been accumulating, so here are some of the submissions 🙌✨ @donguri223103 @xitiannaiyang4 @goto0619 @irnoarkoa @yamabico_san @satoshi.misaki @thusandleavis @fowafuwarin5 (in no particular order) While many winter scenes come from the Kuraoka area, this time we received a snow photo of Josenji Temple in the Sanko area as well 👏✨ Even within snowy landscapes, the lively atmosphere of the ski resort, the calm winter mood of Kuraoka, and the sacred, quiet presence of Josenji each have their own charm — they’re all wonderful ☺️💫 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- There’s only a short time left before this campaign closes ✨ Please feel free to enter with any small winter photo — we’d love to see your submissions 🤗🎶 How to enter (deadline: Friday, February 28, 2025) Follow Gokase Tourism Association on Instagram (@gokase_kanko) and post with the hashtags “#Winter Gokase 2025” and “#photo location (for example: #Unoko Falls)” 📸 Gokase Tourism Association Instagram https://www.instagram.com/gokase_kanko/... ※Snow accumulation and icy roads can be dangerous. Please prioritize safety and take care to avoid accidents when photographing⚠️

Daidoin and Former Yoshida Family Residence Historical Park are Held in the 2025 Hananoi Hinameguri! Held in date and time, please check below. ・Daidoin Gallery: February 1 (Sat) ~ March 3 (Mon), 2025 　　　　　　　　　 　　　１０：００～１６：００ ・Former Yoshida Family Residence Historical Park: February 1 (Sat) ~ March 2 (Sun), 2025 　　　　　　　　　　　　９：３０～１６：３０　 　　　　　　　　　　　　* Closed every Monday * Both of the above locations are free of charge

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

[Saturday, March 25] Motorcycle and meat Events "RIDE & MEAT @UBUYAMA PLACE" Held in decided! Admission is free. Kitchen Car, BBQ of meat, motorcycle test ride, etc., it is a day that you can enjoy on the stage of Aso in early Spring. Location: UBUYAMA PLACE (formerly Ubuyama Ranch)　 Date: Saturday, March 25, 9:00-15:00 (In case of rain, it will be postponed to the next day) Admission: Free * Participants will receive a "Kumamon Sticker"! * Manufacturers that can be test-driven ・YAMAHA ・BMW Motorrad ・Aprilia ・Royal Enfield ・MUTT #UBUYAMAPLACE #Spring Aso #Yamanami Highway #After open burning #Ubuyama #Aso is a sacred place for motorcycles #Bikes #Delicious Beef #Spring Events #Kids can also enjoy it #Kitchen Car

【Junki Yarinome Photo Exhibition Sense of Wonder】 At present, Kawayu Visitor Center is hosting "Junki Yarinome Photo Exhibition Sense of Wonder." An artist talk will take place on March 1, and applications are now being accepted. Please take this rare opportunity to join us ⛰️❄️ Outdoor lovers and photography fans will be treated to Junki Yarinome’s wonderful stories♪ 【Junki Yarinome Photo Exhibition Sense of Wonder】 Saturday, March 1, 2025 Kawayu Nature Salon Vol.3 "Artist Talk" Venue: Kawayu Visitor Center lecture room Time: Doors open 13:00 Talk 13:30–15:00 Admission: Free Capacity: 15 people (advance registration required, junior high school students and older, first-come, first-served) ...Junki Yarinome (Yarinome Junki)... Born in Abashiri, Hokkaido. Born in 1992. He completed graduate studies at Hokkaido Bunkyo University Graduate School. After graduating, he moved to Teshikagacho in 2017, began working as an outdoor guide (canoeing, trekking), and made regular trips to snowy mountains his life’s work. Since 2021 he has worked independently as Outdoorguide YARINOME, combining guiding and photography work. He is also active as a rider for MOSIRITA Snowboard.

【Mt. Fuji 🥰 from Fujikawa Town Ashirindo Road】 Diamond Fuji Spot Fujikawa Town Takashita The Ashifurin Road is an extension of the area and Mt. Fuji. As in the Takashita area, around the winter solstice in December, You can see Diamond Fuji.

The 14th Teshikaga Photo Contest Winning Entries 1/5 This year marks the 14th Teshikaga Photo Contest. While digital submissions and entries via social media have become common in recent years, the Teshikaga Photo Contest follows a classic format by judging printed works. For this edition, we welcomed Takeshi Mizukoshi, an internationally known mountain photographer who lives in Teshikagacho, as a special juror to help select the winners. For the 14th contest, we accepted entries in four categories—Starry Skies, Sea of Clouds, Activities (Experiences), and Open—from November 1 to December 25, 2024. Out of 154 submissions, 20 works won awards. The Grand Prize went to Koshirou Murakumo’s “Enchanting Lake Surface.” Congratulations 🎊 We will present all the winning entries over five installments starting this week, so please look forward to them 📸♪ *Grand Prize* “Enchanting Lake Surface”: Koshirou Murakumo

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

Neighborhood Diving! 🚙✨ Enjoy it in Enoura! Today, I enjoyed diving in Enoura, the sea of Kanagawa, which is only 35 minutes away from the store! 🏝️✨ 📍 江之浦, 小田原市, Kanagawa I'm really happy 😊 that the sea is so beautiful even though it's so close 🏖️ < There are plenty of diving Spot that can be reached in less than 1 hour!> From the Hokule'a Shonan shop, you can access many dive sites such as Enoura, Iwa, Fukuura, Zushi, Shizuura, etc.! 🚙💨 Today's schedule is truly a luxurious day ✨ ☀️ Leisurely dive 🤿 in the morning 🍽 Enjoy a delicious lunch on the way back ⏰ Before you know it, it's only 14 o'clock! What to do after this? In this way, you can enjoy both diving and private time, which is the charm of neighborhood diving! 📍 < Transparency 15m> Today, we were divided into a fun dive team and an underwater mapping team! 🔦 Swim between tetrapods and feel adventurous! 📍 The underwater mapping team is also practicing on the surface of the water to improve their skills! 💪 Growing to become a Divemaster! Acclaimed, followed by ✨ the best seas Let's dive together! 🐠😊 📩 For reservations and inquiries, please contact DM! ---------------------- 😍 The ocean connects the 🌎✨ world Let's embark on a journey into a world that has not yet been seen! 🇯🇵🗻
 🤿 Dive Shop Hokule'a Shonan 🏝️ ⭐️ Experience Diving
 ⭐️ Snorkeling
 ⭐️ Sense acquisition
 ⭐️ Fun Diving

 We have a program that everyone can enjoy, from beginners to professional divers! 
 Small group size, so even beginners can feel safe and secure ✨ PADI 5-Star Certified Center🏅

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 🤿 Dive Shop Hokule'a Shonan 🏝️
 🏠1 hour from JR Tokyo Station + 30 seconds 🚶 ♀️ walk from JR Hiratsuka Station

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

Photographed on February 24 at Itogawa, the Atami cherry blossoms Some trees have passed peak bloom, but they are still beautiful. The light-up ends today, February 24 (4:30 PM–11:00 PM) Atami Cherry Blossom Album https://www.ataminews.gr.jp/features/47... The 15th Atami Cherry Blossom Itogawa Festival (2025 concluded; light-up only until February 24) https://www.ataminews.gr.jp/event/208...

Photos taken on February 23 and 24: the plum blossoms at Atami Plum Garden are at their best. The 81st Atami Plum Garden Plum Festival https://www.ataminews.gr.jp/event/355...

A cold snap hits the Tsukigase Plum Valley Plum Festival! The plum blossoms haven’t opened yet, but a spectacular bloom of snow flowers has appeared ❄️ Photo: Yasuki Okamoto

Tsukigase Plum Valley Plum Festival is now underway! At Romantopia Tsukigase, Yumekko Cafeteria is open♪ At Romantopia Tsukigase, enjoy the proud "irori set" cooked over a sunken hearth: you grill Tsukigase-grown log shiitake mushrooms, homemade konnyaku, and yomogi rice dumplings over charcoal yourself! Cover them generously with our special yuzu miso and enjoy♪ We also recommend our udon dishes, made with carefully prepared dashi broth!! The meat udon features Iga beef plus shiitake, spinach, and thinly sliced mochi for a luxurious bowl! We carry many souvenirs not only from Tsukigase but from neighboring areas as well! A cold snap has arrived, so the plum blossoms still haven't opened much yet... For now, food beats flowers♪ When the blossoms are at their peak, every teahouse gets extremely crowded! Come now for the food while you can♪

Winter in Kamishihoro Town in February Roux is the Scene of the ban. The hot air balloon seen under the blue sky is colorful It's worth seeing. Next up is a big tournament in August.

🌺 The 10th Nobeoka Flower Story 🌺 [Period] Saturday, February 1, 2025 – Sunday, April 6, 2025 The annual spring event “Nobeoka Flower Story” runs from Saturday, February 1 to Sunday, April 6, 2025! This event succeeds the former Tenkaichi Himuka Cherry and Rapeseed Blossom Festival. It was renamed “Nobeoka Flower Story” in 2014 and, though some years were canceled due to the coronavirus, we are grateful to celebrate its 10th anniversary this year. Local residents who wanted to beautify the Gokase River embankment, the event site, began planting Kawazu cherry trees and rapeseed flowers. Their efforts have created a spectacular display of blooms for everyone to enjoy. After a gourmet TV show featured the Kawazu cherry trees at the venue last year, we received many inquiries asking where that magical spot in Nobeoka City is located. [Main Events] 🌿 Hontoji Ei Nichiume (Eini-ume) The weeping plum known as “Eini-ume,” with a trunk older than 240 years, blooms splendidly each year. Fifty white plum trees and five red plum trees color the temple grounds this season.🌺 As of February 20, 2025, they are in full bloom and at their best! 🌸 Konohana Walk 📅 Saturday, February 22 and Sunday, February 23 Three hundred Tenkaichi Himuka cherry trees along the Gokase River embankment and one million rapeseed flowers will spread a carpet of spring color.✨ A special stage will showcase local performing arts and song acts, and the riverbed will host the Nobeoka Delicious Food Market.🌿 Local seafood and mountain produce from Nobeoka City will be on offer, and proud specialty vendors from Kumamoto and Oita prefectures will also attend. The popular annual Mini Sasuke Course Challenge will feature Sasuke Legend led by Makoto Nagano, a native of Nobeoka City. We will give a case of flowers used for the “flower lettering” to the first 200 visitors as a gift.🎁 There will also be seed-dumpling giveaways that kids and adults can enjoy! 💡 WaiWai Flower Story 2025 📅 Thursday, March 20 (national holiday) – Sunday, April 6 At Nobeoka Castle Hill and Shiroyama Park, enjoy Somei Yoshino cherry blossoms and one of Japan’s three great wild camellia groves. Highlights include the WaiWai Gourmet Expo on Saturday, March 22, and the enchanting WaiWai Hanayoi Story, which features beautiful illuminated cherry blossoms—this series of events brings the Nobeoka Flower Story to a close. Enjoy the magical atmosphere created by the night-lit cherry blossoms and the stone walls of Nobeoka Castle.✨ 📍 For bloom updates and event details, please see the “Nobeoka Flower Story 2025 Official Website.” *Images are from last year.* Inquiries ▷▶ 0982-29-2155 (Nobeoka Flower Story Executive Committee)

Photographed on February 20: Itokawa Promenade "Atami Sakura" As the season reaches its later stage, the calyxes have turned noticeably red, making the trees appear a deep pink from a distance.

Kawayu Onsen Oyster Fair! An oyster fair featuring Akkeshi oysters will take place in Kawayu Onsen at Kawayu Kanko Hotel and O宿 Kinkiyu Bettei Suikazura, running for about one month from March 1. This is your chance to taste oysters shipped directly from the Akkeshi Fisheries Cooperative’s farm shop, a region renowned for its oysters. Enjoy their rich sweetness and plump, springy texture. During the fair, guests at Kawayu Kanko Hotel and O宿 Kinkiyu Bettei Suikazura will receive one original dish using oysters sent directly from the Akkeshi Fisheries Cooperative’s shop in addition to the regular dinner menu. Come and eat the delicious Akkeshi oysters (Tabete), soak in the strongly acidic hot springs (Tsukatte), and revive both body and spirit (Fukkatsu)! We look forward to your reservations!! Tabete Fukkatsu 2025! Akkeshi Oyster Fair in Kawayu Onsen ■ Period: Saturday, March 1, 2025 – Monday, March 31, 2025 * Please note that fair periods vary by facility. ■ Participating facilities: ・Kawayu Kanko Hotel (fair runs through March 31) ・O宿 Kinkiyu Bettei Suikazura (fair runs through March 29) ■ Reservations: Please contact each facility via their official website or by phone. (At Bettei Suikazura, oysters will be offered as part of the buffet plan.)

【Fujikawa Town Dafa Master Sakura Festival Held in 🥰】 Period: Saturday, March 29 – Sunday, April 6, 2025 Location: Oboshi Park Time: 9 a.m. ~ 10 p.m. (Light up) In Oboshi Park where you can see Mt. Fuji and cherry blossoms at the same time Please come and visit us.

Hawk crab 🦀 × Strawberry 🍓 × Diving 🤿 📍 Ida, Nishi-Izu, Shizuoka It's that time of year again! ✨ Annual event, Winter Accommodation Tour in Ida! Of course, you can enjoy diving in the sparkling sea with a transparency of 20 meters, but speaking of the Fun of after-dive... Gourmet! 😋 Suruga Bay, which stretches out on the west side of the Izu Peninsula, is the deepest bay in Japan. Surrounded by green mountains and quiet coves, Ida is a lovely and laid-back place with 🌿✨ rape fields in full bloom in early Spring And! Speaking of Suruga Bay... 🦀 One of the world's largest crabs! Precious crabs that can only be eaten here are luxuriously served at the inn that takes care of them every year! 🤩 Takaashi crab that appears in a surprising volume, heaping sashimi, Cooked fish... Anyway, I can't eat it all! If you eat it with crab miso that seems to overflow, it's already too good ... 🤤✨ And the next day... Strawberry picking 🍓✨! In Izu, you can enjoy 😍 not only seafood, but also sweet and juicy strawberries Eat freshly picked ripe strawberries to your heart's content and be very satisfied with the tour until the end! This year, everyone will eat, drink, dive, laugh, "I can't stop diving because of this!" is a big Gari! 😁🎶 For Hokule'a Shonan tours, please 👍 leave not only diving but also sightseeing and gourmet food A special tour where you can spend a luxurious time while enjoying the seasonal flavors unique to winter. ✨ We will ✨💡 provide you with the best day ---------------------- 😍 The ocean connects the 🌎✨ world Let's embark on a journey into a world that has not yet been seen! 🇯🇵🗻
 🤿 Dive Shop Hokule'a Shonan 🏝️ 
⭐️ Experience Diving
 ⭐️ Snorkeling
 ⭐️ Sense acquisition
 ⭐️ Fun Diving

 We have a program that everyone can enjoy, from beginners to professional divers! 
 Small group size, so even beginners can feel safe and secure ✨ PADI 5-Star Certified Center🏅

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 🤿 Dive Shop Hokule'a Shonan 🏝️
 🏠1 hour from JR Tokyo Station + 30 seconds 🚶 ♀️ walk from JR Hiratsuka Station

Are you Pikachu? 📍 Osezaki, Nishi-Izu, Shizuoka Would you like to search for Pokemon in the ocean with us? 🌊✨🤩 ---------------------- 😍 The ocean connects the 🌎✨ world Let's embark on a journey into a world that has not yet been seen! 🇯🇵🗻
 🤿 Dive Shop Hokule'a Shonan 🏝️ 
⭐️ Experience Diving
 ⭐️ Snorkeling
 ⭐️ Sense acquisition
 ⭐️ Fun Diving

 We have a program that everyone can enjoy, from beginners to professional divers! 
 Small group size, so even beginners can feel safe and secure ✨ PADI 5-Star Certified Center🏅

 ----------------------
 🤿 Dive Shop Hokule'a Shonan 🏝️
 🏠1 hour from JR Tokyo Station + 30 seconds 🚶 ♀️ walk from JR Hiratsuka Station

Hinamatsuri at Kannonji Temple Hinamatsuri will be held at Kannonji Temple in Kamogawa City on February 22 (Sat) ~ March 3 (Mon), Reiwa 7). Thereare each carefully made ornament has its own expression. It is very close to Kamogawa Station, so please stop by. Kannonji Temple Kamogawa City Yokonagisa 1133 5 minutes walk from JR Awa Kamogawa Station

Would you like to try some craft beer? 🍺 From IWANAI BREWERY & HOTEL their craft beer “Malty” has a best-before date of March 20, so it’s available at a lower price than usual. 🙏 Why not take this chance to try some craft beer? 🍺 It’s on sale at the Roadside Station shop. 🙏🙏 Thank you!

Candy Color When I looked at Mt. Yoshino in Spring, it looked 😊 sweet * Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism unmanned aerial vehicle flight permission has been obtained. * Notification of flight plan and preparation of flight log book