During the summer, a Taiwanese student staying in Tateyama experienced the Tateyama Bay Fireworks Display. We received some lovely photos, videos, and impressions from them, and we’re pleased to share them here! Xiangyun’s impressions The Tateyama fireworks festival was incredibly exciting. I was astonished that Japanese fireworks last for a whole hour, whereas major events in Taiwan—such as New Year’s Eve—only last about five minutes; that contrast surprised me greatly. What sets Tateyama’s fireworks apart is that they are launched over the sea, creating a vast spread that blooms everywhere at once, so you don’t know where to look; it felt fresh and spectacular. Watching from the sand, with most people lying back comfortably, was very pleasant. I was swept up in the romantic atmosphere of the moment and felt that the Tateyama fireworks festival contained everything needed for romance. The festival food stalls heightened the dreamlike mood, their colorful displays and rich aromas making everything tempting. There were many takoyaki vendors, and I ended up buying a box to taste. The vendors were very kind and warm toward me even though we couldn’t speak the same language, which touched my heart. Walking around made me smile naturally, and those delicious flavors made the night even more unforgettable. The Tateyama Fireworks Festival is truly exhilarating. I was amazed that Japanese fireworks can last for a whole hour, especially compared to major celebrations in Taiwan—like New Year’s Eve—that only last about five minutes. This difference really shocked me. What makes the Tateyama fireworks special is that they explode over the sea, creating a vast display that bursts in all directions at once, making it hard to know where to look. It’s both novel and spectacular. Watching from the beach, where most people lie down comfortably, adds to the relaxing atmosphere. The romantic mood at that moment is intoxicating, as if the Tateyama fireworks festival embodies all the elements needed for romance. The food stalls at the festival add to the dreamlike feeling, with their colorful displays and enticing aromas making everything tempting to eat. There were many takoyaki (octopus ball) vendors, and I couldn’t resist buying a box to try. The vendors were very friendly, warmly interacting with me despite the language barrier, which made me feel especially welcomed. As I strolled around, I found myself smiling unconsciously, and the delicious tastes made the evening even more unforgettable. The Tateyama fireworks festival thrilled me. I was shocked that Japanese fireworks can last up to an hour, compared with Taiwan’s major celebrations—like New Year’s Eve—that last only about five minutes. The special thing about Tateyama’s fireworks is that they bloom over the sea, covering a wide area and exploding in every direction at once, leaving you unsure where to look; it felt both novel and magnificent. Watching on the beach, where nearly everyone lies down to view them, felt especially relaxing. The romantic atmosphere of that moment was intoxicating, as if the Tateyama fireworks festival gathered all the elements needed for romance. The stalls at the festival added to the dreamlike feeling, colorful and fragrant, making everything look tempting to eat. There were especially many takoyaki stalls, and I couldn’t help buying a box to taste. The vendors were very enthusiastic and interacted kindly with me despite the language barrier, making me feel warmly welcomed. While walking around, I found myself smiling unconsciously, and the flavors of those foods made the night even more memorable.

Part 2: During the summer, a Taiwanese student staying in Tateyama experienced the Tateyama Bay Fireworks Festival. We received wonderful photos, videos, and impressions, so here they are! Shixin ✨ Pure joy beneath the summer night sky 🌌🎆 The Tateyama Fireworks Festival in Chiba was absolutely magical — even more spectacular this year! The highlight? Definitely the underwater fireworks 🌊💫 — shimmering bursts that danced across the sea’s surface like something out of a dream. My favorite moment was watching the golden willow-shaped fireworks drift gently down, like glowing branches swaying in the breeze… truly breathtaking. And of course, no festival is complete without tasty treats — the butter-fried potatoes were crispy, golden, and totally addictive 🥔😋 Huge thanks to the amazing staff and organizers for making this unforgettable night possible. Already counting down the days until next year! 📍 Tateyama, Chiba | Tateyama Bay Fireworks Festival 🗓️ Held every August 8th — a must-see summer tradition in Japan! ✨ Feeling pure joy under the summer night sky 🌌🎆 The Tateyama fireworks in Chiba were truly like a dream. This year felt more grand than ever! The standout was without doubt the underwater fireworks 🌊💫 — sparks twinkling on the sea like a dream. What moved me most was the sight of golden willow-shaped fireworks slowly descending, like shining branches swaying in the wind… absolutely breathtaking. And of course, festival food is essential. The butter-fried potatoes were crispy and golden — utterly addictive 🥔😋 Many thanks to the wonderful staff and organizers; I’m already looking forward to next year’s festival! 📍 Tateyama City, Chiba Prefecture | Tateyama Bay Fireworks Festival 🗓️ Held every August 8th — a summer hallmark of Japan! ✨ Pure joy under the summer night sky 🌌🎆 The Tateyama fireworks in Chiba were truly like a dream, even more spectacular than before! The highlight of the night was definitely the sea fireworks 🌊💫 — glittering sparks dancing on the water, as if from a dream. My favorite moment was seeing the golden willow-shaped fireworks drift down slowly, like shining branches swaying in the breeze — a breathtaking sight. Of course, no festival is complete without delicious snacks. The creamy fried potatoes were crispy outside and tender inside, impossible to stop eating 🥔😋 A heartfelt thanks to all the staff and organizers for making this unforgettable night happen. I can’t wait for next year’s fireworks! 📍 Tateyama, Chiba | Tateyama Bay Fireworks Festival 🗓️ Held every August 8th — a traditional summer event in Japan!

On the stage of the red shrine, The dancers danced slowly to the music. The fan shimmered in the light, It's like jumping the story into the night, Telling tradition with steps, condensing a moment of eternity between light and shadow. ⛳ : Tsuruoka Hachimangu Shrine, Kamakura City, Japan 📷：#SONY A7IV

Take a boat ride at night. I took a picture in a place where the buildings of Tokyo and the Sky Tree are located.　　Each light was cool in the dark.

Go to Shikoku by Tsar. The second day was Awa Odori in Tokushima. The bleachers were in the back, so I asked a Local at the front to let me take a picture for a while. The yukata was cool and I felt the power of the dance.

I don't think the hand-held fireworks in Niimachi, Shizuoka Prefecture in July are as famous as Toyohashi, but you can get close to the stage and feel the realism and power. I arrived around noon, secured a place, and took a picture at the position of the spark thread.

Photographed on August 9, 25. Vacation at a teahouse on a mountain in the Precincts of Atago Shrine. It is an amulet ice. 🍧 It is covered with Ume plum syrup and seems to ward off evil.

Photographed on August 9, 25. Vacation at a teahouse on a mountain in the Precincts of Atago Shrine. Lemon squash.

Photographed on August 9, 25. It is the staircase of Success in life of Atago Shrine. Without looking down, I climbed in one fell swoop. Success in life is something that only God knows.

Event Announcement📣 The Ashoro Furusato Bon Odori and Ryogoku Fireworks Festival is coming😊 About 8,000 fireworks will light up the night sky at Ashoro’s summer festival🎵 The program is packed with events like costumed Bon Odori, a comedy live show, a kayōkyoku (popular Japanese ballad) performance, and a magic show!! There will also be a beer garden and a children’s festival, making it a fun day for everyone. This year, starting at 10:00, Ashoro High School Brass Band and high school bands will present a music event called “Ashorock.”😍😍 Bring your family and friends and come make summer memories together🎶🎶 📍Date and Time: Friday, August 15, 10:00–21:00 (Fireworks launch time: scheduled 19:30–20:10) 📍Location: Riverbed south of Ryogoku Bridge over the Riberetsu River (fireworks launch site) Green space and parking in front of the Townspeople Center (vendor stalls and Bon Odori event site) https://www.town.ashoro.hokkaido.jp/kanko/event/event-2.html...

View from Hakuba Goryu Alpine Botanical Garden The queen of alpine plants, Lycaenidae, made me feel the summer of Hakuba.

Photographed on August 9, 25. This is Bacon & Eggs from ZTTo morning. Mu, a cube-shaped bread, is popular. 🍞

Would you like to eat lotus while admiring the lotus flowers? We recommend the local specialty “hasu udon,” a subtly green noodle made with lotus leaf. It has a faint lotus aroma, thin noodles, and a nice chew. Even if the heat has left you a bit drained this summer, you can slurp it down with ease!

The 32nd Sugao Stone Buddha Fire Festival ❚ Held on August 24, 2025 The Sugao Stone Buddha Fire Festival takes place at Sugao Stone Buddha Plaza in Mie Town, Bungoono City, Oita Prefecture. The rooster-crowing imitation contest, inspired by a local legend, is a delightfully fun event where participants perform rooster calls while wearing handmade costumes (of course, costumes are optional) or delivering unique acts. Smiles fill the venue. Date and Time: Sunday, August 24, 2025 Location: Sugao Stone Buddha Plaza (Mie Town, Bungoono City, Oita Prefecture) Parking is in front of Sugao Elementary School’s pool. A free shuttle taxi runs between the parking area and the venue. Event Schedule 15:00 Shinto rituals and Buddhist ceremonies 15:10 Welcoming the demon 15:20 Opening ceremony and mochi-throwing 15:30 Toyuyukai taiko drumming 16:00 Rooster-crowing imitation contest 17:00 Torch throwing 18:00 Matsuo kagura performance 20:00 End ▶ Rooster-Crowing Imitation Contest — Participants Wanted Participation fee: Free (participation prizes available) Application deadline: Thursday, August 21, 2025 Prize money: 1st place 30,000 yen, 2nd place 20,000 yen, 3rd place 10,000 yen Additional prize: Roadside Station Mie gift certificates Apply via the Sugao Regional Promotion Council Organizer / Contact Sugao Regional Promotion Council ❚ About the Sugao Stone Buddha Fire Festival Local residents organize the festival to boost community revitalization and promote awareness of the Sugao cliff-carved stone Buddhas. The rooster-crowing imitation contest is based on a local legend. According to the tale, a troublesome demon settled in the area and demanded, "Give me the village maiden as a bride!" The troubled village headman consulted a monk, who told the demon, "If you carve five stone Buddhas on the cliff in one night, I will give you the maiden as a bride; if you cannot, you must leave the village." Worried villagers checked at night and found the demon carving the fifth statue. They had the village’s rooster-call master imitate a rooster, and the demon mistook the sound for dawn and fled. ■■■ Access to Bungoono City central area ■■■ About a 3-hour drive from JR Hakata Station, Fukuoka Prefecture About a 2-hour drive from JR Kumamoto Station, Kumamoto Prefecture About a 1 hour 20 minute drive from JR Beppu Station, Oita Prefecture About a 1 hour 20 minute drive from JR Yufuin Station, Oita Prefecture ■■■■■■■■■■■■ Introducing tourism and recommended spots in Kyushu’s Bungoono City, Oita Prefecture ■■■■■■■■■■■■ https://sato-no-tabi.jp/news/20250813event-mie/...

Photographed on August 9, 25. It is a café latte at ZTTo morning, just a short distance from Nagatacho Station. It is a morning specialty exhibition of "bread and espresso".

Event Announcement📣 The 29th Churui Furusato Bon Odori Festival will be held 😊 Along with the dancing, you can enjoy costumes filled with many creative ideas at this Bon dance event 🎶🎶 Luxurious prizes await the winners 🎁🎁🎁 On the day, children’s Bon Odori and the Churui Ondo are open to everyone, so why not take this chance to join in and dance? 🤗 Also, this year there will be a fish-catching event for elementary and junior high school students before the festival, so please join enthusiastically 🎵 📍Date and Time: Thursday, August 14, 2025, from 6:00 PM ※ The event will go ahead in light rain. It may be canceled in severe weather depending on conditions. 📍Venue: Churui Fureai Center, Fukujyu Special Event Area 📍Event Schedule 5:00 PM – Fish catching (for elementary and junior high school students) ※ Those wishing to participate should come to the main tent between 4:30 PM and 5:00 PM. 6:00 PM – Food and stall area opens Distribution of fun raffle tickets begins (one per person, first 1,000 people) 6:30 PM – Children’s Bon Odori (participation prizes available) 6:45 PM – Churui Ondo 7:00 PM – Solo dance performances (general participation) Costume contest (individual and group categories) 8:20 PM – Fun raffle Bread toss http://www.makubetsu.jp/kankobussankyokai/?p=8557...

○○ Hana Hasu Park ○○ In summer, about 130 varieties of lotus bloom, creating a calm and elegant landscape. The park features walking paths, an observation deck, and rest areas, and many visitors come each year for the annual Hasu Festival. You can also enjoy lotus-based gourmet dishes and local specialties. Address 64-41 Nakagoya, Minami-Echizen Town, Nanjo District, Fukui Prefecture 919-0214

Photographed on August 9, 25. This is the Suzu Araragi wind chime of Tokyo Daijingu Shrine.

Photographed on July 9, 25. This is the Suzu Araragi wind chime of Tokyo Daijingu Shrine.

Event Announcement 📣 The 78th Obihiro Plain Festival will be held from Thursday, August 14 to Friday, August 15, 2025 😊 The festival features a variety of events, including a drum festival, Bon Odori dances, a Tokachi Kouta singing contest, and street performances by buskers 🎶🎶 This year, marking the 80th anniversary since the end of the war, high school students will present a "Postwar 80th Anniversary Peace Concert." The concert blends poetry readings and other elements to express hopes for a peaceful, war-free world. 📍Yumefuri-ya Thursday, August 14, 7:00 PM–8:00 PM This festival aims to have young people give thanks for nature’s bounty and the achievements of their predecessors, pray for a bountiful harvest, foster love for their town and homeland, and inspire dreams and energy for tomorrow. Men’s and women’s portable shrines will parade through the streets, and performers will march while playing four-person taiko drums. The festival’s climax includes the offering of golden ears of grain and the throwing of dream breads. The soft glow of the mikoshi lights will color Obihiro’s night streets 😍😍 📍The 27th Obihiro Taiko Festival Friday, August 15, 3:20 PM–5:10 PM *Official start time is 3:20 PM* *In case of rain, the event will be held at Obihiro Civic Cultural Hall from 1:30 PM* Taiko teams from across Hokkaido will gather, filling the air with powerful drum sounds 😍😍 📍Obihiro Bon Odori Friday, August 15, 7:00 PM–8:45 PM *Canceled in case of rain* Dancers will perform to live music of "Hokkai Bon Uta." Watch for the creative costumes and choreography from each participating team 👘👘 Please check the flyer or the official website for other events. Make summer memories by visiting the Obihiro Plain Festival, one of Obihiro’s three major summer festivals 🤗 https://obikan.jp/page-7621/page-7623/...

Roro Kurofune, a confectionery about a 10-minute walk from Izukyu-Shimoda Station, has just won the top prize at the National Confectionery Expo °˖✧◝(⁰▿⁰)◜✧˖° The award-winning item is the Kaikoku Caramel Monaka. It’s a personal favorite of mine: homemade caramel densely packed with walnuts delivers an irresistible bite. I highly recommend it for anyone puzzling over souvenirs ✨ Although they are wagashi artisans, Roro Kurofune also creates sweets with a Western feel, and they offer seasonal limited items that make you want to keep coming back. Another must-try is the wasanbon pudding. Also fun is the Kuro-Mona, where you inject sweet bean paste into a crispy monaka shell yourself (the paste is added just before eating so it stays crunchy), and bite-sized cookies dusted with wasanbon sugar called "Koko Shimoda"... the recommendations never end 💦 The shop is lined with many other confections (≧▽≦) When you visit Shimoda, please stop by and discover your own Roro Kurofune sweets!

Photographed on August 9, 25. This is the Suzu Araragi wind chime of Tokyo Daijingu Shrine. I found a pink wind chime. 🎐

Photographed on August 9, 25. It is the boar's eye of the Tokyo Daijingu Shrine. It is said to bring amulets and good fortune.

Event Announcement📣 The All-Japan Mamachari Endurance Race will take place at Tokachi Speedway😊 About 100 teams from across the country will gather for this mamachari bicycle race, from serious athlete groups to friends joining for the memories🚴‍♀️🚴‍♀️🚴‍♀️🚴‍♀️🚴‍♀️ Teams will unite their spirits and keep riding mamachari for six hours in this endurance race!!🚴🚴🚴🚴🚴 Enjoy the competition and the extraordinary atmosphere as you aim for the finish, relieve everyday stress, and refresh your body and mind!!😍😍 Watch out for mamachari riders who will liven up the venue with cheerful performances!!🤗 Date and Time: Monday, August 11, 2025 Location: Tokachi Speedway https://www.sarabetsu.jp/sightseeing/event/mama_chari/...

August 8, 2025 Cycling Guided Tour – Fruit Sweets Plan On a recent tour, we cycled out to a peach orchard🚴 Guests also enjoyed peach picking and peach shaved ice! This year’s peaches were especially sweet and juicy compared with the past few years! We were delighted to hear how much everyone enjoyed the shaved ice made with peaches from Toyooka Village. Sweets are served at the local eatery Cafe & Dining en in Toyooka Village. It features a kids’ play area, so families can relax and enjoy their time. Tour details below https://www.vill-nagano-toyooka-kanko.jp/tourism/guide-tour/cycling-guide-tour-02/5975/...

Imajō-juku is a post town that retains the atmosphere of the Edo period. Its stone-paved streets and rows of white-walled houses evoke history and offer a tranquil ambiance. It holds high cultural value and has been designated as an Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings. Hands-on tourism is plentiful, including soba noodle-making experiences and guided town walks. Nearby you will find a museum, cafés, and lodging in renovated traditional houses, where you can enjoy a graceful time steeped in history. Access A five-minute walk from Happy Line Fukui Imajō Station / a 10-minute drive from the Hokuriku Expressway Imajō IC https://www.minamiechizen.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/imajojuku-guidemap-en.pdf...

Photographed on August 9, 25. Prayer at Tokyo Daijingu Shrine. Unusually, there were no people, so I photographed the Main Shrine.

Event Announcement📣 'Yukata Night' will be held at Tokachigawa Onsen Yunosato Hall on Sunday, August 10th😊 This is a renewed version of the annual Tokachigawa Onsen Summer Festival🎵🎵 The main events are the Log-Sawing Race and the Yukata Contest!! The winner will receive a 20,000-yen accommodation voucher for Tokachigawa Onsen!! We have other fabulous prizes prepared as well, and we look forward to everyone joining us🤗 📍Entry for the Log-Sawing Race is 500 yen (a bath salt gift is provided as a participation prize) ※Limited to the first 18 men and 18 women 📍The Yukata Contest is free to enter!! There are couple and married-pair categories👘 There will also be a children’s festival corner, food trucks, and vendors so you can fully enjoy the summer festival😍😍 Wear a yukata to the festival and make the most of the summer celebration🎶🎶 Let's go to Tokachigawa Onsen Yunosato Hall!! https://www.tokachigawa.net/news/detail/230...

This is a view taken from the elevator of the Hotel on the afternoon of 8/8. The weather has been dull for the past few days, but it is ☀ a good feeling to see the clear sky again From the Hotel elevator, you can overlook the cityscape of Kushiro like this. Be sure to take in 💭 the scenery when you arrive, go out, or leave

Today, I took a walk around Tokyo. Prayer at Tokyo Daijingu Shrine.