The countryside has vast rice paddies, so when it snows they turn into a wide white plain. It’s three minutes from my home, and straight ahead at the end of the road is Lake Biwa.

Photographed on February 7, 2014. The 19th Koedo Kawagoe Amateur Chindon Festival took place.

The 60th Tomakomai Skating Festival is now open! The festival is packed with attractions, including the ever-popular ice mega-slide, snow sculptures, food stalls, and a lively stage program. Of course, the famous shibare-yaki is also available At the tourism association booth, we have a Tomachop lottery and drinks ready, so please stop by ⛸

Photo taken on February 2, 2014. This is a hanachōzu (flower basin) from Hara Florist.

Jewelry Ice at Otsu Coast in Toyokorocho, Hokkaido Ice that formed on the Tokachi River drifts out to sea and the waves polish it into transparent, jewel-like pieces of ice. Visitors aiming for standout photos select well-shaped pieces, carry them, pour hot water or rinse them to remove sticking snow and sand, and arrange the ice by stacking or standing it to create artworks for shooting, but they are beautiful just as they are in nature.

Photographed on February 1, 2014. This is a black latte from LEC COFFEE and a chocolate Basque cheesecake.

Photographed on February 1, 2014. This is a black latte from LEC COFFEE. It features very beautiful latte art.☕️✨

Photographed on February 1, 2014. This is a chocolate Basque cheesecake from LEC COFFEE.

Photographed on February 1, 2014. This is the quiche plate from LEC COFFEE. It features a spinach, chicken, and basil quiche, homemade pork ham with salad, a white vegetable potage, and homemade bread. The basil gives off a lovely aroma. 😊

Snowplow Dozer Has Arrived Around 4 a.m. on a winter morning. When I hear a loud peep, peep!, I groggily realize that a lot of snow has fallen. That loud sound is the warning signal a snowplow makes when it backs up. On days when snow piles up thick, snowplows start working before dawn. By the time many people head to school or work, both the roadway and the sidewalks have been cleared and look neat. The other day, during daylight hours, a snow-dozer arrived at the parking lot of the tourist information center the Rizumu. Because the parking spaces are smaller than usual, we asked them to shave down the snowbanks a bit, and they came the next day. Snow-clearing machines come in many sizes, but this snow-dozer was really huge! The bucket on the front was big enough for an adult to lie down in completely. The snowplow itself looked cool, (just seeing a big vehicle gets your spirits up), and the operator who handles such heavy machinery looks cool, too. If we had scooped and carried the snow with handheld shovels, it would have taken half a day, but the snowplow cleared it smoothly in about an hour. With the parking area widened, parking and turning around became much easier, and driving grew more comfortable. - In a post by the neighboring town Takinoue Town account "Takinoue Biyori," which shares the lives of local people, their interview with the town’s snow-removal center explains the snow-clearing system in detail. It was interesting to read about how they use technology to check roads in summer and how different snow-removal contractors coordinate with each other. - We are grateful to the snow-removal crews who support safe, comfortable winter living. Thank you always. #Snow removal #Snow-dozer

Lake Tanuki in Fujinomiya City, Shizuoka Prefecture Mount Fuji around 5:00 PM on January 31 Bathed in the setting sun, the lake’s surface was relatively calm and the reflections were beautiful. It’s the classic upside-down Mount Fuji scene that makes you want to take a photo.

Photographed on January 31, 2014. This is the hanatemizu (flower water basin) at the omikuji distribution booth of Kawagoe Hachimangu Shrine.

Event Announcement 📣 On Saturday, February 7, 2026, Memuro Town’s big winter event, Ice Candle Night, welcomes visitors 😊 About 2,500 ice candles will light up Meimuro Park, creating a soft, glowing atmosphere 😍 The venue offers a variety of attractions, including Tokachi Pro Wrestling, a strike-out game, footbaths, and handheld fireworks. Fireworks will be launched from 7:30 PM to brighten the winter night sky ✨ Enjoy a space shaped by winter’s cold, where beautiful ice and warm light come together 🤗 📍Date and Time: Saturday, February 7, 2026, 1:30 PM–8:30 PM 📍Location: Meimuro Park 📞Contact: Memuro Town Roadside Station TEL: 0155-66-6522 https://town.tonxton.com/event/hyotoya2026/...

Photographed on January 31, 2014. These are the floral water displays at Kawagoe Hachimangu Shrine.

February 3rd In the morning, snowflakes drifted over Azumino The sky cleared and the Northern Alps stretched into the distance as far as Hakuba The OitoLine runs toward Hakuba

The Karasukawa flows through Nagano Prefecture's Karasugawa Valley Green Space It carries snowmelt from Mt. Jonen in the Northern Alps As it flows, it nourishes Azumino

Photographed on January 31, 2014. This is the hanachozu (flower water basin) at Kawagoe Hachimangu Shrine.

Event Announcement📣 The 7th Shimizu Shakkoi Festival will be held🎵 This year we plan to bring back the ever-popular Snow Treasure Hunt game and candy toss😊 There will also be festival stalls offering target shooting and raffle draws, plus food trucks😍 We promise a fun day and look forward to welcoming everyone🤗 🔶Date: Sunday, February 8, 2026 🔶Time: 9:30 AM–3:00 PM (canceled in severe weather) 🔶Venue: Shimizu Central Park and Shimizu Town Cultural Center 📞Inquiries: 0156-62-2208 (Shimizu Town Chamber of Commerce and Industry) https://www.town.shimizu.hokkaido.jp/section/08/details/post_75.html...

Photographed on January 31, 2014. These are the flower-filled water basins at Kawagoe Hachimangu Shrine.

Photographed on February 1, 2014. This is the Setsubun floral chozu (flower water basin) at Naritasan Kawagoe Betsuin.

Gala Yuzawa is one of my favorite ski destination near Tokyo. Its not only a good ski resort but also a fabulous sightseeing spots. The snow-capped mountain peaks looks very beautiful and during sunset time creates an unforgettable moments.

Event Announcement📣 From February 7 to February 8, Japan’s coldest town, Rikubetsucho, will host the 42nd Shibare Festival😊 Over two days, the festival will feature stage shows, local idol live performances, comedy acts, a children’s raffle, gaming tournaments and many other attractions🎵 The “Human Cold Endurance Test,” where you can experience Japan’s coldest conditions, draws participants from across and beyond Hokkaido every year. Participants stay overnight in a balloon mansion (an ice kamakura) and endure a brutally cold night in this extreme challenge! (Registration for this year is closed) There are no stoves; the only permitted source of warmth for challengers is the festival’s symbol, the giant fire storm, which helps warm participants🔥 The venue also hosts numerous food stalls where you can enjoy local cuisine😍 You can try venison dishes made from Ezo deer raised in Rikubetsu’s great outdoors, stylish cafe menus, and festival classics like yakitori and curry🤗 📍Date and Time: Saturday, February 7, 2026, 6:00 PM–9:00 PM Sunday, February 8, 2026, 9:30 AM–2:00 PM 📍Location: Event Square (Uenbetsu, Rikubetsu Town) 📍Contact: Shibare Festival Executive Committee Office (Rikubetsu Town Office, Industry Promotion Division, Commerce and Industry Promotion Section TEL:0156-27-2141) https://www.rikubetsu.jp/kanko/event/shibare/...

Lake Kussharo in winter. A place where warmth lives within the stillness. The lakeshore views, visible breaths, and crisp air. Enjoy this special time that comes only in this season. ❄️ Winter season only: January 19th through March 7th 📍Kussharo Prince Hotel https://www.instagram.com/kussharo_ph/...

Photographed on February 1, 2014. After visiting Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine, I relaxed at Starbucks Kanetsuki‑dōri Store. I had a cacao mousse latte and a chocolate tart. 😊🍫

Event Announcement📣 On Friday, February 6, join us in Shihorocho for a one-night candlelit evening called “Shihoro on ICE,” featuring ice candles made by the community😊 The evening will include candle art by the Shihoro Town Central Junior High School Art Club, and—weather permitting—snow sculptures created by local volunteers may make an appearance!?⛄️ Warm snacks and beverages will be available at the venue☕️ 📍Date and Time: Friday, February 6, 2026, 4:30 PM–7:30 PM 📍Location: In front of Town Plaza 📞Contact: Shihoro on ICE Organizing Committee (Hattori: 080-1897-4728) 🔶Ice Candle Drop-off Period Tuesday, February 3–Thursday, February 5, 2026, 5:30 PM–7:30 PM: Committee members will collect ice candles at Town Plaza, so please make them at home and bring them by✨We look forward to seeing your creations🤗 🔶Volunteers Wanted Volunteers are needed on Friday, February 6 from 1:00 PM to help with venue setup and lighting—join us in making the event shine🎵

Today I attended the monthly festival at Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine. This is the shrine grounds around 7:30 a.m.

Photographed on January 21, 2026. This week's lunch at le bilboquet in Akasaka is chicken thigh and Chinese cabbage simmered in a ginger cream sauce. With ginger 🫚 in the dish, it warms the body.

The 63rd Obihiro Ice Festival The 20th National Ice Sculpture Exhibition Winter Obihiro Competition This was my personal favorite ice sculpture of the year.

Photographed on January 21, 2014. These are the hana-chōzu (flower water basins) at Akasaka Hikawa Shrine.

Photographed on January 21, 2014. This is the dog-year omikuji from Akasaka Hikawa Shrine. It has a lovely retro vibe. 😊