Photographed on April 1, Heisei 26 (2014). Behind Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine are the Homare-zakura (誉桜) and boat rides on the Shingashi River.

[Late April] The sacred tree of Kanazakura Shrine, “Kanazakura,” is in full bloom 🌼 An announcement from Shosenkyo’s local mascot, Shosencat 🐱 Kanazakura Shrine is a deeply mystical shrine often called a power spot. The shrine’s sacred tree, Kanazakura, has long been famous in folk songs as the “money-bearing tree, Kanazakura” 😳 People say that if you worship the cherry blossoms at this season and receive a crystal charm, you will be blessed with good fortune for life ♪ Wanting money? You should definitely come, okay? Come to Shosenkyo for a spring or Golden Week outing! We’ll be waiting!

Photographed today, Wednesday, April 8: the wisteria at san remo park. There are white and purple wisteria trellises; the white is in full bloom while the purple has just begun to open. The azaleas are also coloring up, so please take a look if you are nearby. san remo park Address / Wadahaminamicho (next to Atami Port)

This week’s cherry blossom viewing reference! Cherry blossom bloom report from April 7 to April 8 🌸 ① Shoubu Pilgrimage Cherry Tree An Edohigan cherry tree estimated to be 700 years old. This giant tree stands about 18.2 meters tall, making it quite a sight! It is said to have received its name from its location on an ancient path leading to Togakushi from Koichi. 【Bloom Status】50% Blooming *Photo taken on April 7 【Location】3991 Shoubu, Nagano City ② Kourinji Temple This temple features a weeping cherry tree that is about 300 years old, along with other Somei Yoshino cherry trees. Many people come to photograph the impressive cherry blossoms and the temple. 【Bloom Status】Full Bloom *Photo taken on April 8 【Location】2329 Komatsubara, Shinonoi, Nagano City 【Parking】Available ③ Matsushiro Castle Ruins Matsushiro Castle, the residence of the Sanada clan, features about 100 cherry trees blooming beautifully in the castle grounds from the late Edo period! 【Cherry Blossom Illumination】April 4 (Saturday) to April 13 (Monday) from 18:00 to 21:00 【Bloom Status】Full Bloom *Photo taken on April 8 【Location】44 Matsushiro, Matsushiro-machi, Nagano City 【Parking】Available City-operated Tonemachi Tourist Parking: 7 large buses, 50 regular cars, 2 disabled parking spots Matsushiro Castle North Parking (5-minute walk from the north side of Matsushiro Castle): 10 large buses, 60 regular cars, 2 disabled parking spots ④ Kawanakajima Battlefield Historic Park This is a battlefield famous for the battles between Takeda Shingen and Uesugi Kenshin. Enjoy cherry blossoms with about 100 Somei Yoshino trees at this viewing spot! 【Cherry Blossom Illumination】After blooming until April 11 (Saturday) from 18:00 to 21:00 【Bloom Status】Full Bloom *Photo taken on April 8 【Location】1384-1 Oshimada, Nagano City 【Parking】Available (Expect congestion in the park's parking lot. Please refrain from unauthorized parking at nearby facilities.) ⑤ Shiroyama Park Located next to Zenkoji, this is Nagano City’s premier cherry blossom spot, featuring about 470 Somei Yoshino trees in full bloom. The cherry blossom tunnel during full bloom is incredibly beautiful! 【Bloom Status】Full Bloom *Photo taken on April 8 【Location】Hakoshimizu, Nagano City 【Parking】Available First Parking Lot (155 cars), Second Parking Lot (123 cars), Third Parking Lot (155 cars) 100 yen for the first 20 minutes, plus 100 yen for every additional 20 minutes *Those with a Nagano City Childcare Passport can park for free for up to 2 hours when visiting the park or zoo. ⑥ Sakuradote (Arks) About 60 Somei Yoshino trees line the banks of the Sai River near Arks. 【Bloom Status】Full Bloom *Photo taken on April 8 【Location】1-32 Arks, Nagano City, Nagano Prefecture ⑦ Unjouden About 650 cherry trees bloom along the cherry blossom slope and scenic road leading from behind Zenkoji to Unjouden. Being on a high ground, it offers a panoramic view of the city. 【Bloom Status】Full Bloom *Photo taken on April 8 【Location】1775-3 Hakoshimizu, Nagano City 【Parking】Available *The "Nagano Tourism Net" webpage is currently providing information on cherry blossom bloom in Nagano City! 🌸 Please make use of it as a reference for cherry blossom viewing 🌸 #cherry blossom #cherry blossom viewing #bloom #Nagano City #Nagano tourism

Introduction of Supporting Companies – The 15th Teshikaga Photo Contest The winning entries of the 15th Teshikaga Photo Contest have been announced, and prizes were presented to each winner. This Teshikaga Photo Contest is held with the cooperation of businesses in Teshikaga. On the official Teshikaga Navi Instagram, we will gradually introduce the sponsoring companies that have supported the contest. (In no particular order) This time we introduce Soba Dokoro Fukuzumi‼︎📝Teshikaga Navi carries a wide range of information, so please take a look✨Thank you very much to Soba Dokoro Fukuzumi for supporting this event🙇❣️ We appreciate your continued support for the Teshikaga Photo Contest and for Teshikaga Navi. https://www.masyuko.or.jp/news/photocon_r08/...

Photographed on April 1, 2014. This is Homarezakura along the Shingashi River, behind Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine.

Why not enjoy spring in Oozora-cho again this year?😊 This year’s Shibazakura Festival is scheduled from Sunday, May 3 to Sunday, May 31. Events will be held every Sunday, so be sure to check them out! The scenery turns pink as far as the eye can see—come and see it for yourself! For details on blooming conditions and more, please check Shibazakura Park’s website and social media.🌸

Photographed on March 25, 2014. This is Homarezakura by the Shingashi River behind Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine.

Photographed on April 1, 2014. Behind Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine, Honozakura and boat rides on the Shingashi River.

Event Announcement 📣 On Sunday, April 26th we will hold a one-day special cycling event across Horoka Pass, which links Lake Shikaribetsu and Lake Nukabira 😊 There are two starting points—Lake Shikaribetsu side and NukabiraGensenkyo side—so you can choose according to your level 🚴‍♀️ 1) From Lake Shikaribetsu (for beginner to intermediate riders) 14 km to the summit, 200 m elevation gain, and a gentle climb. Enjoy the relaxed beauty of the national park 🎵 2) From NukabiraGensenkyo (for those who like climbing) 8 km to the summit, 500 m elevation gain, with a series of steep slopes. The sense of accomplishment is unbeatable 🎶 Ride through the early-spring Taisetsuzan on your bike‼ We sincerely look forward to your entry 🤗 For registration and details, please check the Tokachi Cycle Network website. 📍Horoka Pass is part of the National Cycle Route Tokapuchi 400 🚵🚵‍♂️🚵‍♂️ http://tokachicyclenetwork.blog.fc2.com/blog-entry-144.html...

I rode the Matsukawa sightseeing boat in Toyama Prefecture. The weather wasn't great, but when cherry blossom petals floated on the water and the boat slipped under a bridge, the scene looked like a painting. At one moment, a plane took off between two stretches of cherry trees, creating a surreal view that made me snap a photo without thinking. I hope I can take the ride again next year when the weather is nicer.

Photographed on April 1, 2014. These are Homarezakura cherry trees along the Shingashi River behind Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine. Cherry blossom showers were swirling. 🌸

A spring scene in Reihoku: a photo of the cherry blossoms along the regional agricultural road! They looked to be in full bloom last weekend, but some may still remain. If you pass by, be sure to take a look! 📍 Location: Northern regional agricultural road on Amakusa Shimojima (the Reihoku to Amakusa City area) If you’ve driven this way before or think it’s beautiful, tell us in the comments 🌸

Photographed on April 1, 2014. This is Homare-zakura along the Shingashi River behind Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine.

Photographed on April 4, 2026. This is LEC COFFEE’s Sakura × Espresso Latte and a matcha Basque cheesecake topped with sakura.

Spring arrives quietly in Toyama… not with noise, but with fresh breath. In the blue hour, when day surrenders to night, the cherry blossom avenue awakens in soft golden light. Lanterns glow gently beneath blooming canopies, and people walk slowly, as if afraid to disturb the moment. Behind it all, the snow-capped Tateyama Range stands in silent majesty — timeless, unmoving, watching spring unfold below. The mountains hold the last light of the evening, their white peaks glowing softly against the deepening sky. In the foreground, the lake refuses stillness. Wind brushes across its surface, rippling reflections of blossoms and lights into fleeting fragments. The air turns colder after sunset, and yet the warmth of spring lingers in every step, every breath, every quiet glance. This photograph captures the delicate balance of spring — warmth and chill, movement and stillness, fleeting beauty and eternal mountains. A moment where nature whispers, and time gently pauses.

Guide to JR Hokkaido’s Ōzora and Tokachi trains 😊 JR Hokkaido’s limited express trains Ōzora and Tokachi connect Sapporo with eastern Hokkaido (Obihiro and Kushiro). The journey from sapporo station to obihiro station takes about 2 hours 30 minutes to 2 hours 50 minutes 🚊 From shinchitosekuukou station, take the Rapid Airport to minami chitose station and transfer to the limited express Ōzora or Tokachi. The travel time from shinchitosekuukou station to obihiro station is about 2 hours 30 minutes 🎵 Also, the trip from Kushiro Station to obihiro station on the Ōzora limited express takes about 1 hour 30 minutes to 1 hour 40 minutes. All seats on the limited express Ōzora and Tokachi are reserved, so please make a reservation in advance 🤗 https://www.jrhokkaido.co.jp/ekinet_jrticket/page.html#map...

The Great Cherry Blossom Buddha at Tsubosaka-dera Temple It was a day of on-and-off rain, but I enjoyed the cherry trees in full bloom. The cherry blossoms looked beautiful lit up at night. At Tsubosaka-dera Temple, there was a temporary observation platform—apparently only for this season—that let visitors enjoy views of the Cherry Blossom Buddha. I’m grateful for it. This year, the parking lot required a full reservation in advance.

From mid-April to May in early spring As the snow melts, Akan’s forests put on a show of flowers that delight the eye and richly color the woods. Why not take a walk along the boardwalk adjacent to the hot spring district and enjoy a picnic of wildflowers?

Today's Akanko Thanks to the rise in temperature, steam fog formed and created a magical scene. Some ice remains, but it is thin, so please do not go out onto the lake ice.

Introducing Our Sponsors – The 15th Teshikaga Photo Contest The winners of the 15th Teshikaga Photo Contest have been announced, and we presented prizes to each recipient. This Teshikaga photo contest is held with the cooperation of businesses based in Teshikaga. On the official Teshikaga Navi Instagram, we will gradually introduce the sponsoring companies that have supported us. (In no particular order) This time, we introduce Kussharo Prince Hotel‼︎📝 Teshikaga Navi offers a wide range of information, so please take a look✨ Thank you very much to Kussharo Prince Hotel for supporting this event🙇❣️ We look forward to your continued support for the Teshikaga Photo Contest and Teshikaga Navi. https://www.masyuko.or.jp/enjoy/k_princehotel/...

Photographed on April 4, 2026. This is LEC COFFEE’s matcha Basque cheesecake with cherry blossom topping. It smells of cherry blossoms. 😊🍵🌸

Would you like to visit Komu during Golden Week? At the Forest Museum Komu, we are holding the Golden Week Festival again this year🎉 The festival runs for three days from Sunday, May 3 to Tuesday, May 5. Activities change each day! - May 3 (Sun) Naruko (wooden clapper) workshop 🪚 These are the naruko used by dancers in the Yosakoi Festival. You will use a coping saw and hammer to make them, so please participate with a guardian. ① 11:00 AM / ② 1:30 PM Duration: about 30 minutes Capacity: 4 groups per session Fee: 500 yen; register on the day Location: Komu woodwork room - May 4 (Mon) 11:00 AM – Kihako Live♪ Location: Kim no Shima Kihako, who visited Komu in December 2024, returns! They plan to perform children’s songs and original pieces. You’re sure to be enchanted by Kihako’s gentle tones. - May 5 (Tue) Setoushi-kun coloring experience 🖍️ We offer several coloring sheets featuring Nishiokoppe Village’s character Setoushi-kun. The first 100 children (ages 3 to elementary school) will receive an original Setoushi-kun crayon as a gift! ① 10:00 AM–12:00 PM / ② 1:00 PM–2:00 PM A coloring area will be set up somewhere inside the Komu building. Entry and exit are free, so feel free to join anytime. - We look forward to your visit. - Forest Museum Komu Opening hours: 10:00 AM–5:00 PM Closed: every Tuesday *During Golden Week the museum is open through Wednesday, May 6. It will be closed on Thursday, May 7. Admission fees: High school and older: 500 yen 4th grade to middle school: 300 yen Ages 3 to 3rd grade: 100 yen Under 3: free Inquiries: 0158-87-2600 #Forest Museum Komu #GW Festival #Komu

Information about the 4-day valid “New Nissho Peninsula Story Ticket” 😊 The “New Nissho Peninsula Story Ticket,” valid for four days and connecting Tomakomai and Obihiro, can be purchased and used on your smartphone 🎵 You can choose either Tomakomai or Obihiro as your starting point 😍 Within the bus free area (Obihiro–Hiroo–Shizunai), Tokachi Bus and JR Hokkaido Bus offer unlimited boarding and alighting (one-way travel only; backtracking is not allowed). The reserved limited-express Tomamu-go is also available 🚌 Plus, the ticket includes great benefits redeemable at more than ten facilities along the route, including Roadside Station Nakasatsunai‼ Leave your busy routine behind, relax with local flavors and scenery, and take a free-spirited trip to discover your own favorite spots. Use this for planning your trip 🤗 Model itineraries are also posted, so please check the Tokachi Bus website for details. https://www.tokachibus.jp/kankou/#kippu...

Photographed on April 4, 2014. This is LEC COFFEE’s Cherry Blossom × Espresso Latte. It features espresso, milk, and cherry blossom sauce, topped with cherry blossom chocolate. The latte art shaped like a cherry tree is truly lovely. 😊☕️🌸

Today, after visiting Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine, I stopped by LEC COFFEE. I had the hot sandwich set. The hot sandwich was filled with tamagoyaki, bacon, and lettuce, served with a salad of homemade ham and a Fukaya negi potage. After some injuries and a bout of the flu, I treated myself to good food and took it easy.

One-day unlimited ride pass for Obihiro City buses 😊 Ride all Tokachi Bus city routes all day with no limits‼ Get off wherever you like and transfer as many times as you want 🎵 This value pass is perfect for strolling the town or hopping between sweets shops and cafes 😍 Make it your go-to for sightseeing around Obihiro City 🤗 For details, please check the Tokachi Bus website below. *Please note that airport shuttle buses, intercity buses, and other temporary services are not eligible for use.* 🔶Sales locations: Obihiro Station Bus Terminal Tokachi Bus ticket counter, Tokachi Bus Head Office 🔶You can purchase and use this pass on your smartphone. Download a transit app to make use of it. https://www.tokachibus.jp/obihiro1day/...

Hello. This is Waraji, a Koshu local cuisine restaurant. The news of cherry blossoms already in full bloom arrived earlier than in many other parts of the country, and though it’s the season that makes you feel spring’s arrival, here at Shosenkyo Gorge the trees need a little more time to reach full bloom 🌸 The gorge’s towering rock faces still hold a touch of chill, yet each day brings a gentler hint of spring filling the air. On clear mornings, the crisp air carries the bush warbler’s beautiful song, soothing the heart like a natural soundtrack 🎶 Against the grand scenery, these moments of slowly approaching spring feel like a luxurious experience unique to Shosenkyo Gorge ⛰️ If you feel a bit peckish during your stroll, please drop by our shop 😊 At this chilly time of year, we recommend Yamanashi’s specialty, houtou (thick vegetable noodle stew) 🍲 A gentle bowl brimming with pumpkin, root vegetables, mushrooms, and other plentiful vegetables warms you to the core and eases the heart ✨ Enjoy the comforting taste that soaks into a body chilled by the outdoors. Waiting at our entrance to greet you is Houtou no Tanuchan, our beloved houtou raccoon character, who is eagerly looking forward to meeting visitors 🐻‍❄️ (It’s a raccoon!) Its charming figure is sure to make you want to take a photo 📸 At Shosenkyo Gorge, where spring arrives slowly, come and enjoy a time that warms both heart and body. We sincerely look forward to your visit 🌿

[Notice 📣] The Hokkaido Roadside Stations Stamp Rally 2026 is scheduled to start on Saturday, April 18, 2026 🚗✨ The digital stamp service “MichiRepo” will launch at the same time! The stamp rally book will also go on sale that day 📖 For details, please check the Hokkaido Roadside Stations website ✔️ And… the stamp at roadside station iwanai was renewed the year before last 🐟✨ When you stop by, please take a look at the shop inside the facility 🙏

Photographed on April 3, 2014. These are the weeping cherry trees at Saiunji Temple.