This is a meyer cat taken at Maruyama Zoo in Sapporo City, Hokkaido in July. It was impressive to see him leaning against the glass in the severe heat of Japan. Animals are hot, too!

Event and Call for Participants📣 On Saturday, September 20th, we will hold the “Mt. Memuro Climb” to celebrate the first anniversary of the designation of the Hidaka Mountain Range, Erimo, and Tokachi as a national park 😊 This climb takes place on Mt. Memuro, which spans Shimizu and Hidaka towns🎵🎵 Why not take this opportunity to challenge one of Hokkaido’s 100 Famous Mountains, Mt. Memuro⛰ Enjoy nature, relieve daily fatigue, and refresh both body and mind!! We look forward to your participation 🤗 📌Schedule 6:00 Gather at Shimizu Town Hall Mikage Branch (transfer to the trailhead by microbus) 7:30 Planned start of climb 📍Who can join: Physically fit hikers (if we judge that a participant cannot reach checkpoints in time, they may be asked to stop partway) 📍Capacity: 30 people (lottery if applications exceed capacity) 📍Attire: Standard hiking gear (including rainwear) 📌How to apply: By Tuesday, August 26, 2025, please call the contact below and submit the application form. 📍Contact Mt. Memuro Climb Executive Committee Office (Shimizu Town Hall Commerce and Tourism Division) Phone: 0156-62-1156 https://www.town.shimizu.hokkaido.jp/section/08/details/post_72.html...

BB Farm & BB SHEEP COFFEE A blueberry agritourism farm with a permanent kitchen car Opened in August 2024, this hands-on tourist farm lets visitors enjoy interactive experiences. Blueberries are available for about one month starting in August, but many other harvestable crops such as tomatoes and pumpkins are offered. You can also try baking pizza using vegetables you picked yourself, an activity suitable for both children and adults. The on-site kitchen car serves light meals and drinks, and in season it sells products made with fruit harvested on the farm. The kitchen car offers tasty drinks, pizzas, light meals, and sweets. There’s still time to join the blueberry and vegetable picking experiences, so give it a try✨ BB Farm & BB SHEEP COFFEE 3-64-19, Kawayu Ekimae, Teshikaga, Kawakami District, Hokkaido 088-3462 Phone: 090-8667-5805 Fees — Blueberry Picking ¥2,000 / Adult (junior high school students and older) ¥1,500 / Elementary school student ¥1,000 / Young child (age 4 and older) Parking: Available Closed: Thursdays Access: 10-minute walk from JR Kawayu Onsen Station Open season: June to November Hours: 10:00–16:00 Takeout: Available For more details, please contact BB Farm or BB SHEEP COFFEE directly. https://www.masyuko.or.jp/enjoy/bbfarm/...

Nishi-Izu's Tourist Information is [@nishiizu.kankou] __________________________________ Sunset No.1 in Japan Events a total of four days of fireworks over two weeks, Held in in Nishi-Izu Town and Dogashima Hot Spring Village. Against the backdrop of a beautiful sunset called the magic hour after sunset, a condensed Powerful Presence fireworks is launched in about 10 minutes. Enjoy the autumn fireworks in Dogashima with your family and friends. 〜Held in Information〜 [Held in days] Held in for 4 days! Saturday, September 27, 2025 and Sunday, September 28, 2025 Saturday, October 4 and Sunday, October 5 【Held in time】17:45~ about 10 minutes 【Held in】Dogashima Park 【Car parking lot】Approx. 200 cars Dogashima Park, Sunset Plaza Dogashima (2nd and 3rd Car Parking Lots), Former Rannosato Car Parking Lot [Remarks] Postponement in case of light rain or stormy weather to the day after the last day In case of Postponement, we will inform you on the Tourism Association social media __________________________________ 【Nishiizu Tourism Association】 2910-2 Nishina, Nishi-Izu Town, Kamo-gun, Shizuoka 📞0558-52-1268

🌳 Today at the “Tokachi Ranch Birch Avenue” 🌳 This birch avenue in Otofukecho has been designated a “beautiful forest.” Right now the leaves have turned a deep green, and the contrast of the blue sky with the white trunks is strikingly beautiful.🍃 Come experience this Tokachi-only landscape in person!

Aina: "I'm full... Next time, I'll play with a wooden stick."

Photographed on August 15, 25. CAFE ANDON's peach and lime Parfait. 🍑🍋‍🟩 The base is layered with sweet and sour framboise and peach sauce, vanilla crumble, lime panna cotta, heavy cream, and peach and lime confiture. I put forest/ranch soft serve ice cream on top and decorated with peaches, vanilla crumble, raspberries and mint. It is a very, very luxurious parfait. 😊

Photographed on August 15, 25. CAFE ANDON's hot sandwich set, tuna & onion.

Shirakawa Township on a family trip When you enter the wooden gassho building, the summer heat is as cool as a lie When I looked at the wall, I saw a gaping hole in the knot of the wood Immediately, the photo taken by my nephew in the sixth grade was so Traditional Charm that it reminded me of the late Township of Japan somewhere

Stamp Rally Touring Kumamoto’s World Heritage Sites! Collect stamps completed by visiting Misumi West Port, Manda Pit, Sakitsu Village, and more, and receive a clear file‼ To commemorate the 10th anniversary of the inscription of the World Cultural Heritage Sites “Sites of Japan’s Meiji Industrial Revolution,” we are holding a stamp rally that visits the World Heritage sites and component properties within Kumamoto Prefecture. Visit Manda Pit and Misumi West Port, component properties of the World Cultural Heritage Site “Sites of Japan’s Meiji Industrial Revolution,” and Sakitsu Village, a component property of the “Hidden Christian Sites in the Nagasaki Region and Amakusa,” and tour Kumamoto City to fully discover the charms of Kumamoto! Collect all the stamps to receive exclusive World Heritage goods. Please see below for details. Event Period From Saturday, July 19, 2025 to Sunday, December 28, 2025 Opening Hours and Closed Days for Each Facility Manda Mine Station: 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Closed: Mondays (if a Monday is a public holiday, closed the following weekday) Misumi-West Port Urashima-ya: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Closed: none Sakitsu Village Guidance Center: 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Closed days during the event period: none Stamp Locations (5 spots in total) Manda Mine Station (Arao City) Misumi-West Port Urashima-ya (Uki City) Sakitsu Village Guidance Center (Amakusa City) Waiting Room on the Shinkansen Platform Side at kumamoto station (Kumamoto City) Sakura Machi Kumamoto, 2nd Floor Concourse (Kumamoto City) ‼Those who complete the rally will receive exclusive World Heritage goods‼ If you collect all the stamps, please show the completed design to staff at one of the facilities below. You will receive exclusive World Heritage goods. Locations to Receive Limited Goods • Manda Mine Station • JR Misumi Station Tourist Information Center (note: different from the stamp location) • Sakitsu Village Guidance Center Participation Fee Free Inquiries Regional Development Division, Tourism and Cultural Exchange Division, World Heritage and Cultural Exchange Office Phone 0968-63-1274

Here are some recommended winter experiences. This private tour grants special access to Japan’s largest public ranch, which closes for the winter. On this fully booked private tour, the ranch becomes a vast snowy plain and you will travel to the summit in a 4WD vehicle fitted with crawler tyres. At the summit, you can go snowshoeing, ride snowmobiles, play in the snow, or simply do nothing at all. The tranquil private setting helps relax the body and mind and supports improved concentration and cognitive function. Enjoy this extraordinary environment at your own pace. For lunch, you will savor Tokachi Naita Wagyu while gazing over the Tokachi Plain. This well-marbled Wagyu is known for its light, melt-in-your-mouth texture and refined flavor. If you are interested, please apply via the URL below. Here are some recommended winter experiences. This private tour grants special access to Japan’s largest public ranch, which closes for the winter. On this fully booked private tour, the ranch becomes a vast snowy plain and you will travel to the summit in a 4WD vehicle fitted with crawler tyres. At the summit, you can go snowshoeing, ride snowmobiles, play in the snow, or simply do nothing at all. The tranquil private setting helps relax the body and mind and supports improved concentration and cognitive function. Enjoy this extraordinary environment at your own pace. For lunch, you will savor Tokachi Naita Wagyu while gazing over the Tokachi Plain. This well-marbled Wagyu is known for its light, melt-in-your-mouth texture and refined flavor. If you are interested, please apply via the URL below. https://slow-life-hokkaido.com/tour/naitai-highland-farm-snow-safari-wagyu-lunch/...

Photographed on August 15, 25. After Prayer to Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine, I relaxed at the Starbucks Bell Ring Street store. Chillax soda peach and peach & milk cake. 🍑

Date and Time ◆ Saturday, August 23, 2025 (Canceled in severe weather) ◆ Opening Ceremony: 7:15 PM ◆ Fireworks Display Time: 7:30 PM–8:30 PM Location ◆ Fukuda Fishing Port special venue Please check the Iwata City Chamber of Commerce website for details. ◆ About the Shuttle Bus ◆ A shuttle bus will run from the north exit of Mikurigaoka station to the area near the venue. For details, please check “About the Shuttle Bus Operation.” Contact ◇ Iwata City Chamber of Commerce (0538-36-9600) https://sci-iwata.or.jp/2024/06/20/%e3%81%84%e3%82%8f%e3%81%9f%e5%a4%8f%e3%81%be%e3%81%a4%e3%82%8a%e8%8a%b1%e7%81%ab%e5%a4%a7%e4%bc%9a/...

Komu Museum of Art’s Wood Play Experience Market A workshop festival celebrating the village’s 100th anniversary The “Wood Play Experience Market” was held at Komu Museum of Art! Vendors from across Hokkaido gathered for a hands-on making event using wood and natural materials. When the museum opened at 10:00, visitors came to the event space without pause. We offered six experiences. Make a wooden kaleidoscope Make a wooden clock Make BUG BUG from nuts and seeds Make wooden brooches and keychains Make a wood shaker Make mushroom magnets. @do.mono @tek_toys Visitors chose beads and peered into the finished kaleidoscopes, walked around with insects made from acorns and pipe cleaners, and shook bean-filled wood shakers. On the clock faces, participants decorated not only numbers but many other embellishments. In one corner, poisonous-looking mushrooms and irresistibly cute mushrooms sprouted in abundance. Animal keychains and brooches, each with its own expression, were adorable. Many people didn’t stop at just one experience but walked around to multiple booths, which made us very happy 😆 Including the reception staff, the day brought together people skilled in wood education and woodcraft 🏋️🏋️🏋️ Thanks to the staff who watched over and supported the participants, it became a truly lovely time ✨ Thank you very much!!! #Nishiokoppe Village #Hokkaido #Komu Museum of Art #Summer #Wood Play Experience Market #Hands-on experience #Workshop #Woodworking #Making things #Woody Summer School #August 2

We would like to introduce our recommended agricultural experience. This tour lets you discover the appeal of our signature products: beans and fresh vegetables. You will visit a farm that independently cultivates a variety of beans, including rare types. While walking through fields normally closed to the public, you will hear about the careful methods used to grow beans and take part in everyday farm work. You will also create an original spice blend that pairs well with beans, and prepare onigiri, an essential part of Japanese food culture, for lunch. In the afternoon, you will visit a vegetable farm and experience crops from a farmer’s perspective. In the evening, you will assemble hamburgers using a range of vegetables and compare the flavors of fried potatoes made from different potato varieties, a signature local product. Enjoy the distinctive tastes of each potato. For more details, please visit the URL below. We would like to introduce our recommended agricultural experience. This tour allows you to learn about the appeal of our representative products, “beans” and “fresh vegetables.” You will visit a farm that grows various beans, including rare varieties, on its own. While strolling through fields you normally cannot enter, you will hear stories about the careful cultivation of beans and try the day-to-day fieldwork the farmers do. You will make an original spice mix that pairs with beans and, for lunch, make onigiri, a staple of Japanese food culture. In the afternoon, you will visit a vegetable farm and engage with crops from the farmer’s viewpoint. In the evening, you will make hamburgers combining various vegetables and taste-test fried potatoes made from different potato varieties, a representative product of the region. Enjoy the differences in potato flavor. For details, please see the URL below. https://slow-life-hokkaido.com/tour/tokachi-beans-and-vegetable-farms-gastronomy-tour/...

Photographed on August 15, 25. It is a wind chime at the edge of Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine. The wind chimes on the veranda had changed to the color of love.

Here are some recommended eco-friendly tours. This is a two-day, one-night trip where you can experience organic farming that is gentle on the environment and your body. You will visit wine producers and farmers who practise organic farming, and see their farms where they grow their produce with care and attention, relying on the power of nature without using any chemical fertilisers or pesticides. You will enjoy tasting different organic wines and lunch and dinner made with plenty of vegetables, and experience the difference in flavour. Accommodation is in ‘glamping,’ a unique outdoor experience in Tokachi. The next day, you will create eco-friendly upcycled products using discarded vegetable peels and participate in traditional Japanese paper-making. This organic experience offers a valuable opportunity to reflect on the environment and health. We aim for participants to connect with producers they wouldn't normally meet, learn about the care and thought behind the ingredients, and savour the distinctive flavours of these foods. Through this experience, we hope participants will gain new insights and values, leading to a healthier and more fulfilling lifestyle. Those interested may apply via the URL below. We introduce a selection of eco-friendly tours. This is a one-night, two-day trip where you can experience organic cultivation that is gentle on both the environment and the body. You will visit wine and agricultural producers who practise organic farming, touring farms where they cultivate with dedication and care, relying on nature without any chemical fertilisers or pesticides. You will sample organic wines, enjoy lunch and dinner abundant in vegetables, and savour the difference in taste. Accommodation is glamping, a signature outdoor experience in Tokachi. The next day you will make eco-conscious upcycled products, using discarded vegetable peels, and take part in traditional Japanese papermaking. This organic experience provides a great chance to reconsider the environment and health. We hope participants meet producers they would not normally encounter, learn about the passion behind the ingredients, and taste thoughtfully produced food. Through the experience, participants can gain new discoveries and values that lead to a healthier, richer life. If you are interested, please apply via the URL below. https://slow-life-hokkaido.com/tour/tokachi-organic-farms-and-glamping-premium-tour/...

【👒Summer in Gokase 2025 Photo Submissions — Spotlight 1👒】 We are featuring photos submitted to the "#Summer in Gokase 2025" contest currently running on the Gokase Tourism Association Instagram account! @goto0619 @niidome2110 @sakai_0808 Thank you for your submissions 😆✨ We are still accepting entries!! How to enter (Submission period — through September 15) Follow the Gokase Tourism Association Instagram account (@gokase_kanko) and post with the hashtags "#Summer in Gokase 2025" and "#Gokase" 📸 We look forward to your entries 🙇‍♀️✨

Here are some recommended agricultural experiences. Okamoto Farm in Nakasatsunai Village is committed to environmentally friendly, sustainable farming and to producing safe, reliable crops. On this tour, you will harvest vegetables with your own hands and use the produce to make Hokkaido’s local dish, jingisukan. You will also learn how to prepare vegetables deliciously, taught by the farmers themselves. For dessert, you can enjoy cream puffs made with sweet, high-sugar tomato berries. Through these agricultural experiences, we hope participants will meet producers they would not normally encounter, learn about the thoughts behind the ingredients, savor the region’s flavors, and deepen their connections with producers. We also hope that through these experiences participants will discover new things and values and go on to lead healthier, richer lives. If you are interested, please apply at the following URL. We introduce these recommended farm experiences. Okamoto Farm in Nakasatsunai Village practices environmentally conscious, highly sustainable agriculture and grows safe, trustworthy produce. On the tour, you will harvest vegetables with your own hands and use the harvested vegetables to prepare the Hokkaido specialty jingisukan. The farmers will teach you their tips for enjoying vegetables at their best. For dessert, you can enjoy cream puffs made with tomato berries that are high in sugar and wonderfully sweet. We want these farm experiences to let you interact with producers you wouldn’t normally meet, to learn the care and thought behind the ingredients, to enjoy the region’s food, and to deepen your ties with producers. Through the experience, we hope you gain new discoveries and perspectives and live a healthier, more fulfilling life. If you are interested, apply from the URL below. https://slow-life-hokkaido.com/tour/okamoto-farm-harvesting-and-jingisukan-lunch/...

Photographed on August 15, 25. It is a kazaguruma in front of the Otorii Gate of Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine. I took it around 7 o'clock in the morning.

I found a wind chime with a red thread.

Here are some recommended experiences. Tokachi-Honbetsu Town has a large temperature difference between day and night and long hours of sunshine, making it ideal for growing high-quality beans. Why not try your hand at making tofu, an essential healthy food on Japanese tables, in Japan's leading bean-producing town? On this tour, you will join local farmers' wives in making tofu using traditional methods, and then make a salad using okara, the pulp left over from tofu production, ensuring that every part of the soybean is utilised. Tofu is a healthy food that also promotes beautiful skin. Through agricultural experiences, we want people to meet producers they would not normally encounter, learn about the care and intentions behind the ingredients, and taste the flavours of the local cuisine. We also hope these experiences will lead to new discoveries and values, helping people enjoy a healthier and richer diet. If you are interested, please apply at the following URL. Tokachi-Honbetsu is a town where the wide temperature swings and long hours of sunlight allow cultivation of high-quality beans. In Japan’s top bean-producing town, why not try making tofu, a healthy staple of Japanese dining? On this tour, you will work alongside local farmers’ wives to try time-honoured tofu-making methods, then prepare a salad using okara, the pressed soybean pulp left from making tofu, so that every part of the soybean is used without waste. Tofu supports health and also contributes to beautiful skin. These farming experiences let visitors connect with producers they normally could not meet, learn the intentions behind the ingredients, and taste the region’s food. Through the experience, we hope participants discover new insights and values that lead to a healthier, more fulfilling diet. If you are interested, please apply via the URL below. https://slow-life-hokkaido.com/tour/tofu-making-and-bean-rice-cooking-in-honbetsu/...

Held in the city's crown game "Kamagaya Day" in Kamasta! Held in "Kamagaya Day", the crown game of Kamagaya City, at ⚾ the official Eastern League match of the Fighters Kamagaya Stadium, the farm home of the Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters On the day of the event, the first 1,000 visitors will receive 🍐 a Kamagaya pear 🍐! In addition, the "Kamagaya Tree Education Workshop" to make colored pencils from pear branches will also be held in! (Subject: 4th ~ 6th grade elementary school students) Other Events also Held in, please ✨ come to ♪ Kamasta this summer Date: Saturday, August 23 【Venue】Fighters Kamagaya Stadium 【ＵＲＬ】 Events Details (Kamagaya City Home Page) https://www.city.kamagaya.chiba.jp/smph/kanko-bunka-sports/sports/Fightersrenkei/kamasutakamagaya-day.html...

Here are some recommended experiences. In Urahorocho, where forestry thrives, charcoal burning has been practiced for about 100 years. At one of the few remaining charcoal kilns in Japan, you can hear stories about charcoal from the producers and experience traditional Japanese techniques and culture. On this tour, you will visit shrines that convey Japanese history and culture, learn proper worship from a kannushi (Shinto priest), and after praying draw omikuji fortune slips and enjoy a tea ceremony as a form of Japanese hospitality. You will also take part in mochi-tsuki, the traditional ritual of pounding mochi offered to the gods, making and eating anko mochi (mochi with red bean paste) and ozoni (mochi soup) yourself. Mochi-tsuki is a Japanese ritual of giving thanks to the gods and receiving their blessing; because it is a cooperative activity done by several people, it also offers a chance to strengthen bonds among family and community. In the afternoon, you will try charcoal burning. In Japan, charcoal has long been produced by carbonizing wood using traditional techniques. Cooking over charcoal enhances the sweetness of ingredients and makes food more delicious. Charcoal also has other benefits, such as adsorbing impurities to purify water and removing odorous substances to deodorize. On this tour, you will taste the deliciousness of ingredients cooked on a charcoal barbecue. We want visitors to meet producers they would not normally encounter, learn about their thoughts, and experience the region’s culture and food. We hope these experiences lead to new discoveries and perspectives, helping people live healthier, richer lives. If you are interested, please apply at the following URL. We introduce some recommended experiences. In Urahorocho, where forestry flourishes, charcoal burning has been a livelihood for about 100 years. At one of the few remaining charcoal kilns in Japan, you can hear producers talk about charcoal and experience traditional Japanese techniques and culture. This tour visits places that let you feel Japan’s history and culture, including shrines where a kannushi will teach you the etiquette of worship directly. After visiting, you can draw omikuji and experience tea ceremony as Japanese hospitality. You will also try mochi-tsuki, making and eating anko mochi and ozoni yourself. Mochi-tsuki is a traditional Japanese ritual offering thanks to the gods and receiving their power; as a cooperative activity performed by several people, it provides an opportunity to deepen ties with family and local people. In the afternoon, you will experience charcoal burning. Using age-old traditional techniques, wood is carbonized to make charcoal in Japan. Grilling with charcoal brings out the sweetness of ingredients and cooks them deliciously. Charcoal also offers various effects, such as adsorbing impurities to purify water and adsorbing and removing substances that cause unpleasant odors to deodorize. On the tour, you will enjoy a charcoal-grilled barbecue to experience the food’s flavor. We want people to interact with producers they normally cannot meet, learn about their feelings, and taste the region’s culture and food. Through these experiences, we hope participants gain new discoveries and values and lead healthier, more fulfilling lives. If you are interested, please apply via the URL below. https://slow-life-hokkaido.com/tour/urahoro-charcoal-kiln-tour/...

#010 Long time no post!! Today I’ll introduce Tsuno Town’s fireworks display and river festival, held on Friday, August 22. Tsuno Citizens’ Fireworks Display Organized by the Tsuno Citizens’ Fireworks Display Executive Committee, this show launches from rice fields where the harvest is finished. No specific viewing areas are designated, so many watch from the concurrently held river festival site, while others enjoy clear views from farther away. The fireworks look different depending on where you watch, and about 3,000 shells will light up the night sky over Tsuno. The highlight is that you can look down on the fireworks from the hillside parking lot of Tsuno Winery. Why not come for a fireworks experience you can’t usually have? Date: Friday, August 22, 2025 Time: From 8:00 PM TEL: 0983-25-5501 (Tsuno Winery) If it rains, the event will be postponed to Sunday, August 24. Tsuno Town River Festival Held at the same time as the Tsuno Citizens’ Fireworks Display, this river festival is organized by the Tsuno Chamber of Commerce and Industry Youth Division. Food stalls line the Tsuno River Fureai Street beside Tono Shrine, and the event features plenty of fun stage programs for children. Date: Friday, August 22, 2025 Time: 3:00 PM–9:00 PM TEL: 0983-25-0200 (Tsuno Chamber of Commerce and Industry) Parking: Please use Roadside Station Tsuno. On the day of the event, Tsuno Winery and the area around Tono Shrine are expected to be crowded with cars and visitors from about one hour before the fireworks launch. Please take care when you come.

Summer calls for this hearty steak bowl!😋 Thick layers of beef steak completely cover the rice, so you can’t see a grain! You can enjoy this talked-about steak bowl at Oshokujidokoro Nagadote in Minamihatajiki‑cho, Miyoshi City. The beef used is Tokachi Wakagyu(R), a branded cattle from Hokkaido. Only steers are served here. They are low in fat with a tender texture.😊 They sear high-quality meat boldly and season it with homemade steak sauce. The savory sauce is poured generously until the meat gleams, whetting your appetite! The rich sauce clings just right, spreading the juicy flavor across your mouth. "They pile it so high you can’t see the rice!" "It looks exactly like the photos!" — it’s been a hit on social media. Many visitors are amazed by its volume and taste. The rice is 100% from Kamisugi in Miyoshi City. Vegetables for small side dishes and salads also come from local farmers. They actively use Miyoshi’s fresh, delicious ingredients. Nagadote is run by second‑generation owner Mr. Takemoto. He wants guests to be delighted when they come. With that single-minded dedication, he spares no effort in preparation and even pays close attention to how each piece of meat is grilled — a key reason for the great taste. To ensure smooth service, customers choose their menu before entering. You place your order first, then take a seat. Since social media became popular, more customers have come after seeing the photos. They attract diners from inside and outside the prefecture and even international travelers. Beat the summer heat with Nagadote’s top pick — a stamina-packed meal! Oshokujidokoro Nagadote @nagadote Address: 859-4 Minamihatajiki‑cho, Miyoshi City, Hiroshima Prefecture Open: Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun, and national holidays Closed: Mon, Tue (occasional irregular holidays; please check Instagram) Hours: 11:00–14:00 Phone: 0824-63-6452 Other: Reservations are not accepted. Payments are cash only. *The dishes and prices listed were accurate at the time of posting.*

Today, I attended the Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine Monthly Festival and the End of the War Memorial Festival.

Event Announcement 📣 On Sunday, August 17, 2025, the “Shihoro 7,000-People Festival” will take place 😊 The festival is packed with attractions, including food stalls, the Shihoro Highlands Taiko drum performance, hot-air balloon trial rides, and stage events. On stage you can enjoy a variety of performances, from a baton routine by the Shihoro Baton Mates and dance shows to Shihoro Ondo and Gujo Odori folk dances, yosakoi dance performances, and a calligraphy performance 🎵🎵 Don’t miss the spectacular “flower mikoshi” made with Mino washi paper, a specialty of our sister city, Mino in Gifu Prefecture! 🤩🤩 There are plenty of hands-on activities too, such as a tractor display, rainbow trout fishing, calf petting, fire truck rides, ranger experiences, and water-spraying demonstrations. On August 20, there will also be a children’s bon odori and a costume bon odori for individuals and groups. 😍😍 Join the unique local festivals in each area and enjoy the summer 🤗🎶🎶 📌 Main Festival 📍 Date and Time: Sunday, August 17, 2025, 10:30–16:00 📍 Location: Around Shihoro Town Community Plaza *The festival will go ahead in light rain; in heavy rain it will be held at the Comprehensive Training Center* 📌 Costume Bon Odori 📍 Date and Time: Wednesday, August 20, 2025, 18:00–21:00 *In case of rain the event will be postponed to the backup date, August 21* 📍 Location: Nishi 2-sen, Shihoro Town https://www.shihoro.jp/tourism/detail.php?content=126...

Adult Visiting the site Nagano Electric Railway and Nagano Prison Popular tour of Shinshu Suzaka! Enjoy an extraordinary experience Infiltrate the backstage of Nagano Electric Railway! We specially Visiting the site the inside of the Nagano Electric Railway's Car cars and the inside of the station, which are not usually seen. In addition, it is a valuable opportunity to experience cars and station staff. I can't stop being excited about the social Visiting the site approaching the back side of the railway~ Experience a prison that you seem to know but don't know After the Nagano Electric Railway, the next place to visit is Nagano Prison. Visiting the site of the correctional exhibition and a tour of the prison, there is also a corner where you can buy work products for inmates. Lunch is the Popular "Prison Bento"! Reproduction of the actual inmate menu Enjoy the special bento box. Date & Time: Saturday, October 4, 2025 8:45~14:45 Meeting point: Nagano Electric Railway Suzaka Station Silky Building 2nd Floor Shinshu Suzaka Tourism Association Meeting time: 8:45 Dismissal time: Around 14:45 Requirements: Junior high school students and above Capacity: 30 people (minimum 15 people) Notes: Nagano Electric Railway and Nagano Prison may be photographed for news reports. (On the day of the event, you will be asked to fill out a consent form for shooting at the reception.) If you are unable to take photographs, please let us know at the time of application. Application / Contact Shinshu Suzaka Tourism Association ☎026-215-2225 Nagano Prefecture Suzaka City Oaza Suzaka 1295-1 Silky Building 2nd Floor　 The walls (walls) of Nagano Prison are storehouse style according to the brewery town of Suzaka.

A Long-Awaited Hike up Mt. Shiraiwa 👟 From the 13th to the 17th, the town road Hon’yashiki–Hagisen reopened to regular vehicles, so I left my car at Gokasecho Highland Ski Area’s Ski Center and hiked up Mt. Shiraiwa 💪 Because the management road up to the ski area still prohibits ordinary cars, I first headed on foot for the Gobobatake trailhead ✨ About 30 minutes after starting, I reached the Gobobatake trailhead 💡 From there I set off on my long-awaited hike up Mt. Shiraiwa 😊 The trail was rough at first, but it was generally easy to walk and the cool weather made the climb comfortable ✨ At the summit I exchanged valuable information and learned about conditions on nearby peaks 👍 The photos show an asagi-madara butterfly and alpine wildflowers I encountered along the way 🥰 It felt great to hike Mt. Shiraiwa again and it was a refreshing experience 😆