This is the mouth of the Takase River in Shirahama, Wakayama Prefecture. A few small fishing boats that had returned from fishing were moored here. This place is also a peaceful haven for ducks.
At dusk, when a breeze stirs and the water turns a reddened hue, it is a time that soothes the heart.

Grand Front Osaka GRAND WISH CHRISTMAS 2025
(Gran Wish Christmas 2025)
Event Period
November 6, 2025 (Thursday) to December 25, 2025 (Thursday)
Event Hours
The main Christmas tree lighting show runs on weekdays from 4:00 p.m. to midnight and on weekends and holidays from 3:00 p.m. to midnight

The area around Umekita Plaza in front of JR Osaka Station, the Zelkova tree-lined street, and the ginkgo tree-lined avenue will glow in champagne gold with a record-setting approximately 480,000 LED lights. Also not to be missed is the illuminated ginkgo avenue between Grand Green Osaka and Grand Front Osaka, which began in 2024. The illumination is powered by renewable energy sourced in line with RE100, and energy-saving LED bulbs are used to support sustainability. Lights are on daily from 5:00 p.m. to midnight.

A small worshipper I met at Kusubian Kannonji Temple, the 20th site I visited on the Kawachi Saigoku 33-temple pilgrimage.

I visited Arashiyama Yusai-tei in Saga Kamenoocho, Ukyo-ku, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture.
The autumn leaves and their reflection seen through the round window
looked like a painting and made the place truly beautiful.
💕(∗❛ัᴗ❛ั∗)◞📷🍁

I went to the Kumano Kodo Kougen area to photograph an early winter landscape, and a lonely cat came up to rub against me and wouldn’t leave my side.
After a while it climbed onto the fence and struck a pose as if to say, “Use me as your model.”
I took a shot with the misty landscape in the background.

I took this at Hachiman-bori Canal in Shiga Prefecture.
The trees formed an arch and their soft reflections on the water left a strong impression.
This shot felt warm amid the quiet.

Good morning ☀
This morning in Tsukigase.

✨🍂Daisen Park Japanese Garden Special Autumn Evening Opening — Illuminated Autumn Leaves🍂✨

At Sakai City Daisen Park Japanese Garden, we will present a light-up of the garden dressed in autumn leaves.💫
Brilliant red maple leaves reflect on the surface of the garden pond, creating a magical scene.🍁🌠🍁

Event Dates
🔸November
・Saturday, November 15
・Friday, November 21 to Monday, November 24 (national holiday)
・Friday, November 28 to Sunday, November 30
🔸December
・Friday, December 5 to Sunday, December 7

Hours
5:00 PM to 9:00 PM (last admission 8:30 PM)

💁For details, please check the URL below.
🔗ttps://www.daisenteien.jp/event/r34omk9-7pf
🔍Search for “Daisen Park Japanese Garden autumn leaves”!


https://www.daisenteien.jp/event/r34omk9-7pf

Made in Sakai Fair 2025
📣 This weekend, on Saturday the 8th and Sunday the 9th…
Made in Sakai Fair 2025 will take place✨
It’s a fun event packed with the best of Sakai🙌

You might be able to buy a whole Chinese cabbage for 200 yen⁉️
That popular shop everyone’s talking about in Sakai and beloved sweets will gather in one place!🍴
There will also be cool fire trucks and police vehicles on display😮
Enjoy many hands-on activities like pop-up postcard making and tenugui (hand towel) dyeing!!
There are lots of great finds, so please come by 🤗

🎈Made in Sakai Fair 2025
📍Sakai City Industrial Promotion Center Event Hall and other venues
📅 Saturday, November 8 and Sunday, November 9, 10:00–16:00 (rain or shine)
🚃 Access: 5-minute walk from Nakamozu Station
※ Please use public transportation such as trains or buses to reach the event venue.

🔍 For details, search for “Made in Sakai Fair”!

https://madeinsakai.com/

Autumn leaves on floating islands

A floating island located at the Anegawa Dam in Shiga Prefecture.
The Autumn leaves season is spectacular.

<Tickets on sale now!> Hiroshima Kagura Kansai Performance in Sakai is coming!🎈

Hiroshima Kagura is coming to Sakai!!⸜❤︎⸝

Hiroshima Kagura offers rich storytelling, powerful dances and staging, and dazzling costumes and masks
Packed with elements that even first-timers will enjoy!!ꕤꕥꕤ

On the day, you can also try on costumes actually used on stage✨
We will also sell local specialties from various towns and cities, so please take this opportunity to visit us!✨

📅 Date and time: Saturday, December 6th, 10:00–18:10
📍 Venue: Fenice Sacay Grand Hall (@fenice_sacay)

🔍 For details, search “Hiroshima Kagura Kansai Performance”!
🔗 https://www.akitakata.jp/ja/shisei/section/syoukou/a103/

#Hiroshima Kagura #Hiroshima Kagura (alternate) #Sakai Taiko #Sakai Kagura #Fenice Sacay #stage #dance #Kansai Performance #Sakai City
https://www.akitakata.jp/ja/shisei/section/syoukou/a103/

Commemorating the Osaka-Kansai Expo: Kofun Summit 🌈

🔴In honor of the Osaka-Kansai Expo🔵, we will explore the value and appeal of the Mozu-Furuichi Kofun Group from an international perspective🌏, comparing them with sites such as Petra in Jordan and India’s stone tombs.
Attendees on the day will be entered into a lottery to win hot air balloon ride tickets✨ Please be sure to apply❁❁❁

📅 Date and Time: Saturday, November 29, 1:00 PM–3:30 PM
📍 Venue: Fenice Sakai Large Hall (2-1-1 Onihashi-cho, Sakai Ward)
Admission: Free
Capacity: 1,700 people (first-come, first-served application)

💁 For details, search for "Kofun Summit"!
🔗https://www.city.sakai.lg.jp/.../r07/r07kofunsummit.html

┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈
🔷 Concurrent Special Exhibition and Kofun Goods Sale (no registration required)
Location: Fenice Sakai Galleria
Time: 12:00 PM–4:30 PM
🔶 Concurrent Children’s Theater Park (no registration required)
Location: Fenice Sakai Onihashi Park
Time: 11:00 AM–6:00 PM


💁 More details here
🔗https://www.fenice-sacay.jp/event/31242/

#Osaka #Sakai #Sakai City #Sakai Higashi #Mozu-Furuichi Kofun Group #World Heritage #Kofun Summit #Kofun #haniwa #Haniwa Division Chief #Fenice Sakai #Kofun Goods #Expo #Osaka-Kansai Expo #Post-Expo
https://www.city.sakai.lg.jp/kanko/rekishi/sei/samazama_torikumi/r07/r07kofunsummit.html

It is a scenic spot in Shirahama Town, Wakayama Prefecture, Enzuki Island.
A large number of tourists come to watch the sunset over Engetsu Island.

🍂A Model Course to Savor Autumn Flavors🍂 🔸—Moat Area Central Section—🔸

The season for hearty autumn eating has finally arrived! ⋈😊⋈
Sakai’s Moat Area is full of not only tourist attractions but also shops serving seasonal sweets made with fluffy chestnuts, sweet potatoes, pumpkins, and autumn gourmet dishes featuring mushrooms like matsutake. 🌰🧡
Here we present a short model course to enjoy autumn gourmet food and sightseeing in the Moat Area central section. ⋆⸜ ⚘ ⸝⋆

📍"A course to visit shrines, temples, and shopping streets while enjoying autumn flavors (Central Area)"
① Ako Shrine ( @aguchijinja_official_ )
↓
② Sakai Yamanokuchi Shopping Street
↓
③ Taste the season: autumn flavors 🌰✨
・Rosier ( @rosier_fruits Mont Blanc parfait)
・D..labo ( @d_labo_ice Muscat parfait)
・Tenjinmochi ( @tenjinmochi Steamed chestnut yokan)
・Maruichi Confectionery ( @maruichikashiho Chestnut zenzai)
・SAKAINOMA ( @sakainoma Mushroom bagel sandwich)
・Cafe Lapin (mushroom stew hamburger, etc.)
↓
④ Myokokuji Temple

🔍For details, search for “Taste the Season: Autumn Flavors Special”!
🔗https://www.sakai-tcb.or.jp/feature/detail/96
https://www.sakai-tcb.or.jp/feature/detail/96

🍁Autumn Flavors Model Course🍁 ◽️– Moat Area, Southern Section –◽️

The season for hearty appetites has finally arrived! ୨୧😊୨୧
Sakai’s Moat Area is home not only to sightseeing spots but also to many shops offering autumn sweets made with fluffy chestnuts, sweet potatoes and pumpkin, as well as mushroom dishes featuring matsutake. 🌰🍱💛
Here is a short model course for enjoying autumn cuisine and attractions in the Moat Area’s southern section. ⋆⸜ ⚘ ⸝⋆

📍"A Route Tracing Rikyu’s Connections and Autumn Flavors (Southern Section)"
① Sakai Rishō no Mori (@rishonomori)
↓
② 868 Building (@hachirokuhachi)
↓
③ Savor Seasonal Autumn Flavors🌰✨
・Mimiu Sakai (shrimp and mushroom tempura soba)
・BLUE KETTLE (baked sweets: sweet potato, chestnut, pumpkin)
・Ume no Hana Sakai Rishō no Mori branch (special autumn kaiseki)
↓
④ Nanshu-ji Temple

🔍For details, search "Spotlight on Seasonal Autumn Flavors"!
🔗https://www.sakai-tcb.or.jp/feature/detail/96


https://www.sakai-tcb.or.jp/feature/detail/96

🍂Autumn Flavors Model Course🍂 🔸— Moat Area, North —🔸

The season for hearty appetites has finally arrived! ❊😊❊
Sakai’s Moat Area is full of shops offering not only tourist attractions but also sweets made with freshly roasted chestnuts, sweet potatoes, and pumpkin, plus autumn gourmet dishes featuring matsutake and other mushrooms. 🌰🤎
Here is a short model course (Moat Area, North) to enjoy autumn flavors and sightseeing⋆⸜ ⚘ ⸝⋆

📍"Ironworking History and Autumn Flavors Course"
1. Sakai Denshokan ( @sakaidensan )
↓
2. SAKAINOMA PLAZA Yanagi ( @sakainoma )
↓
3. Savor the Season’s Autumn Flavors🌰✨
・Tsuboichi Tea Main Shop ( @saryo.tsuboichi — chestnut parfait )
・Rosier Yanagi ( @rosier_fruits — autumn selected mixed parfait )
・Zelkova Shokudo ( @zelkova_shokudo — healthy lunch )
・Asahido Confectionery ( best in Senshu )
・Sorori ( @__sorori__ — Naruto Kintoki sweet potato )
↓
4. Teppou Blacksmith Residence ( @sakaimachiyamuseums )

🔍Search for "Savor the Season’s Autumn Flavors Special" for details!
🔗 https://www.sakai-tcb.or.jp/feature/detail/96



https://www.sakai-tcb.or.jp/feature/detail/96

📢 Happening this Sunday: Ebisu-jima Cote Riviere 🇫🇷

🍁 Come relax by the river in Ebisu-jima and enjoy shopping for antique goods, tasting gourmet treats, and listening to live music.

📅 Date and Time: Sunday, November 2, 2025, 10:00–16:00
📍 Venue: Ebisu-jima DOCK
Sakai-ku, Sakai City, Kushiyacho-nishi 1-1 west side, west of Xavier Park, riverside of Uchikawa
🚃 Access: About a 10-minute walk from Nankai Line Sakai Station; about a 5-minute walk from Hankai Line Hanadakuchi Station
🚩 Organizer: sakainoma

🔍 For event details, check @ebisujima.cote.rivi on Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/ebisujima.cote.rivi/?hl=ja

The former palace Nijo Castle is also torikyu ni jojo."

Kyoto, Kyoto-shi, Nakagyo-ku, Nijo-dori, Horikawa, Nishiiri, Nijojo-cho, 541

Nijo Castle is famous for the Ninomaru, which Tokugawa Yoshiyoshi declared the return of the Great Government, but although it was reduced in scale by Ieyasu's order, the site is vast. If you take a walk in the large garden, you can fully enjoy the cherry blossoms in Spring and the Autumn leaves in autumn. Why don't you go out?

Mika Nejinja Shrine
Kyoto, Kyoto-shi, Nakagyo-ku, Nishitoin-dori, Oikekami-ru, Oshisai-doin-cho, 614

Prayer visitors from all over the country visit this shrine in search of good luck.
In the city of Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto City, the golden Torii (shrine gate) gate between the buildings is the landmark "Mikane Shrine". The god of metals and minerals, Kanayama Bikomei, is the main God of worship, and Amaterasu and Tsukiyomi are enshrined. In this area, there was once a Kinza and Ginza set up by the Edo shogunate to mint and manage coins.

Mika Nejinja's "Lucky Wallet (2000 yen)" is a popular "Lucky Wallet" as a powerful talisman for increasing financial luck.

EXPO'70 Pavilion
Expo Commemorative Park (former site of the 1970 Osaka World Expo)
10-10 Senri Expo Park, Suita City, Osaka Prefecture

The exhibition hall of the 70th World Expo in the Expo Commemorative Park.
This is an exhibition of works from the 1970 Osaka Expo. The interior of the exhibition, which is based entirely on red, is reminiscent of Taro Okamoto. There were exhibits from around the world that would have been held at the Expo, but the one that stuck with me was one of Taro Okamoto's works of art in the photo.
And of course, the Tower of the Sun.

Expo Commemorative Park Rose Garden

1-1 Senri Expo Park, Suita-shi, Osaka
Location: Rose Garden of Peace
flowering season
Mid-May ~ Mid-June, Early October ~ Mid-November

Maintenance of the park is filled with many flowers and trees in each season.
It is easy to understand because there is a plate with the name.
It's very spacious, so you can take your time and take a leisurely stroll.

Expo Commemorative Park
Senri Expo Park, Suita City, Osaka Prefecture

At the "Flower Hill" in the Nature Cultural Garden, about 120,000 cosmos trees bloom all over the hill from early to late October every year, including popular varieties of Sensation Mix, pure white Sensation White that shines in the autumn sky, and vivid yellow cosmos.

📢 Sakai Tourism Concierges will take part in Czech Festival 2025! ✨

This year again, the Sakai Tourism Concierges will join the Czech Festival and promote Sakai tourism on stage. They will also carry out PR activities at the Sakai Convention and Tourism Association PR booth. ☺
Please come to the Czech Festival! We look forward to seeing you at the venue. ✨

🔍 Check the Czech Festival’s social media for event details.
🔍 For more information, search for “Czech Festival 2025”!
https://www.facebook.com/KansaiSakaiCzech/?_rdr

🌳 The 68th Sakai City Greening Festival will be held at Daisen Park 🌳

We are hosting an event at Daisen Park, Sakai’s signature park, to share the importance of greenery.
There will be plant sales, booths for children to enjoy, and food trucks on site, too 🍔🥤 Bring a picnic sheet and head to Daisen Park ☺

📅 Date and time: Sunday, October 26, 2025, 10:00–16:00
📍 Location: Daisen Park, Sakai City — Large Lawn Plaza and other areas
🔍 For details, search for “Sakai City Greening Festival”
https://www.sakai-park.or.jp/event/2025/08/68.html

📢 From October 4th, the gas balloon “Osaka Sakai Balloon” finally began operating at Daisen Park! 🎉
From about 100 meters above, you can see the Nintoku-tenno-ryo Kofun and other nearby burial mounds. ✨
🔍 For details, search for “Osaka Sakai Balloon”!
https://osaka-sakai-balloon.com/

🌰Autumn Flavors Spotlight — Moat Area

The season for hearty appetites has finally arrived!🍁🍂
Sakai’s Moat Area is home not only to tourist attractions but also to many shops offering autumn treats made with fluffy chestnuts, sweet potatoes, pumpkins, and seasonal mushrooms like matsutake.🌰🍠

Enjoy the Moat Area’s sightseeing while savoring the peak flavors of autumn♪🌈✨
🔍For details, search “Sakai Autumn Flavors Spotlight”!
https://www.sakai-tcb.or.jp/feature/detail/96

💡Registration open for the lecture series “Unpacking the Teppo Blacksmith House through Science”!
(A regional collaboration project between Sakai City and Kansai University)

🌈We will hold the lecture series “Unpacking the Teppo Blacksmith House through Science” at Teppo Blacksmith House!
Sakai City and Kansai University have conducted joint research on the Teppo Blacksmith House and shared the results widely through regional collaboration projects. In recent years, researchers from various fields beyond history have joined the investigations, conducting multifaceted analyses of the valuable materials preserved at the Teppo Blacksmith House.

This lecture series will present those research findings. In addition to history, experts in informatics and metallurgical engineering will explore the rich materials passed down at the Teppo Blacksmith House from multiple angles.✨

📅Dates:
① Sunday, October 12, 2025 — Finished
② Sunday, November 9, 2025
③ Saturday, December 6, 2025
⏰Times: 11:00 and 14:00 — about one hour each session
📍Venue: Teppo Blacksmith House
🕰Opening hours: 10:00–17:00 (last entry 16:30)
💰Admission: 500 yen
https://www.city.sakai.lg.jp/kanko/rekishi/bunkazai/bunkazai/oshirase/r7sakai_kandai.html

The Sakai Station Tourist Information Center offers plenty of Sakai goods that make perfect travel mementos.

Alongside classic sweets, you’ll find a lively selection of unique items inspired by the World Heritage kofun burial mounds!🔑 The standout is a collaboration keyholder featuring Hello Kitty and the kofun—available in two limited designs. Both are irresistibly cute, so be sure to grab them both!

🎨 The acrylic figure stand actually doubles as a keyholder in a convenient 2-way design—you can display it or attach it to your bag and take it with you.

📚 You’ll also find stationery useful for work or study, like sticky notes, clips, and masking tape, plus portable glasses cloths and popular magnets!
From practical items to collectible pieces, there’s something for everyone.😊

Be sure to pick up your Sakai souvenirs at the Sakai Station Tourist Information Center!

🍁Sunday, November 16 — “Morning Yoga at the Temple” — Now accepting participants!

As autumn deepens, why not spend a refreshing morning at Myōhōji Temple🍁☀️
At this seasonal change, when the autonomic nervous system can be unsettled, balance your body with yoga and a gentle rice porridge, and refresh your mind🌿

The deputy head priest will also serve matcha and wagashi as a warm gesture of hospitality🍡
We look forward to your reservation😊🎶

Date: Sunday, November 16
Venue: Myōhōji Temple (4-1-3 Nakanocho Higashi, Sakai-ku, Sakai)
Gathering time: 8:20 AM
Fee: ¥5,000 · With rental mat ¥5,100
For details, search “Sakai Morning Yoga”🔍

🎈Delving into the traditions and individuality of Sakai bamboo crafts! Two exhibitions at Sakai City Museum
/
Exploring the tradition and individuality of “Sakai bamboo crafts”!✨
＼
Featuring dynamic spatial art and other works by fourth-generation bamboo artist Takenabe Chikuunsai, whose pieces were also shown at Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai💫

📅: Saturday, September 20 – Monday, November 3 (public holiday)
📍: Sakai City Museum (@sakai_city_museum) and the tea room Shin-an
💰: Special exhibition admission fee
🔍For details, search for “Sakai City-Owned Artworks Exhibition”