Bamboo clams that only come in this season. You can't buy it in the supermarket, and if you want to eat, you can only dig it yourself.

I have fond memories of Kanazawa. And the JR station is very different to others I have been to. Took this around 6:40pm, was rushing to dinner, otherwise I would have waited for the darkness.

Shot in Shirakawa-go in Gifu Prefecture. My dream is to take pictures of the snowy scenery of Shirakawa-go, and this is my first time visiting it. Here are the best shots I took while desperately trying to warm up in Cairo in sub-zero temperatures! The electricity in the room where you can feel the activities of people overflows from the window. Streetlights reflecting off the snow. Snow continues to fall. I'm very satisfied to be able to take a photo that looks like it appeared in an old story!

Shonan coast. 15 minutes bike ride from home, my view. Mt. Fuji at sunset and waves crashing on the shore. Lovers walking on the beach holding hands with families playing with children, walking with dogs. Whether you're happy or sad, this scenery gives you calm. This scenery has a vividness of colors, grandeur of nature, and beauty of Japan that cannot be conveyed even in photographs, but I wanted to convey the beauty of the Shonan coast to the world by capturing it in as small a lens as possible.

During the autumn foliage season, tourists concentrate National Route 45 is congested every year. Shooting location: Matsushima, Miyagi Equipment: DJI Mini 3 Pro

Went to a nice little cafe/restaurant in Higashi-Ogu the other day. They had a really tasty pork sautee and all sorts of healthy vegetables It tasted great and I felt really healthy after eating it. It was quite reasonably priced as well. I believe this cost 900 yen or so. The place was called Oaikodou おあいこ堂

Introducing the photos posted on "Minna no Post"! This is a pickup post on the inbound tourism information SNS "COOL JAPAN VIDEOS". Today, I would like to introduce Taketaro's post "Tsumagojuku in Nagano Prefecture". It is an impressive photo of a traditional Japanese house illuminated by the shining light. Located in Nagiso Town, Kiso District, Nagano Prefecture, Tsumago-juku is one of the five highways built in the Edo period. While the traditional townscape disappeared with the passage of time, we succeeded in preserving the old townscape for the first time in Japan. In recognition of these efforts, it was 1976 Showa 51 selected as an Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings. The Terashita area, where the townscape preservation activities were first carried out, can be said to be the origin of Tsumago-juku. Wakihonjin Okutani, which has a hearth and allows you to experience the atmosphere of that time, was designated as an important cultural property of the country in 2001 Heisei 13. From November to February, you can see a fantastic sight of light pouring down from the lattice. Tsumago-juku has plenty of accommodation. "Onjuku Daikichi" is a guest house that harmonizes tradition and modernity. You can enjoy hinoki baths, Daikichi original dishes, chirashi soba sushi, ancient rice rice, etc. Located along the Nakasendō, Hanaya is a convenient ryokan with a large public bath and a private shower room, making it a popular ryokan for overseas tourists. Typical gourmet foods around Tsumago-juku are soba noodles and gohei mochi. We recommend Gohei mochi made with buckwheat flour from "Restaurant Kongoya" and Gohei mochi with sauce made with local mountain gurumi from "Shinya". At the restaurant "Otoyoshi" and the ryokan "Fujioto", you can taste local cuisine. ◆Tsumago-juku◆ 【Access】 From JR Nagiso Station Bus about 10 minutes / Taxi about 10 minutes Nagiso Town Regional Bus Timetable using Magome Line and Hojin Line About regional buses and shared taxis Nagiso Town Hall About 40 minutes on foot via Nakasendō or National Route 19/National Route 256 side road sidewalk

Located in Haebaru Shinkawa, there are vending machines for [Wagyu beef broiled sushi] and [horse sashimi] in the environmental forest fureai facility. Since it is handed over frozen, it is nice to be able to carry it to your home in a cold state.

Haebaru, we will introduce vending machines. Egg vending machine ^o^ at the entrance of Churatama Poultry Farm and Castle Store Chicken eggs raised at our own poultry farm have a dark yolk color and are fresh ☆ And sweets using those eggs are also recommended! My favorite is the caramel pound cake! You can purchase from this vending machine ☆☆

<Miokuri> The first send-off fire in three years. People who put their hands together and people who stare intently. It was each summer.

Summer is all about cider.

Shot in a townhouse in Kyoto. Summer in Japan is not only lively, but also moist and quiet.

"Adera Valley" in Ōkuwa Village, Kiso District, Nagano Prefecture A tributary of the Kiso River, a first-class river, the turquoise-tinted valley is also called "Adera Blue". Because the river is clear, it is deeper than it looks, and it is colder than you think, making it a perfect place for summer. You can stay cool surrounded by mountains.

Nagano Prefecture Ina City Misuzu Kasahara's "Cherry Blossoms on the Banks of the Six Roads" This photo was taken on April 10, 2022. Compared to Takaen Castle Ruins Park, there are fewer people and you can spend a relaxing time. You can see the rows of cherry blossom trees, lush ponds, and snow-covered Komagatake. The point of this photo is the co-starring of cherry blossoms and Nishikigoi. SONYα7Ⅱ FE59mm 1/2000s f5 ISO320

[English/Japanese] Japanese law will change drastically from April, and those who come to Japan to study at the age of 18 need to be well informed about the new law. So what are the major changes? Do you know? 1 Change in the age of adulthood Until now, the age of adulthood in Japan has been 20. However, as of April 1, the age will change to 18. With the age of adulthood at 18, people will be able to sign contracts for apartments, credit cards, and other agreements that were previously allowed only from age 20. In addition, women were previously allowed to marry at 16, but that age has also been changed to 18. 2 Things to be aware of Some things do not change when the age of adulthood becomes 18. These are smoking, drinking, and gambling. In Japan, the minimum age for smoking, drinking, and gambling remains 20, even though the age of majority has changed. Even if you do not smoke or drink yourself, you cannot purchase such items. Please be careful. The rush of foreign students entering Japan will start in April. International students should make sure to understand Japan’s rules. Japanese people, these are international students who have been waiting up to two years to study in Japan. We would appreciate it if you could watch over them warmly. From April, Japanese law will change significantly. Those who come to Japan to study at 18 must be well informed about the new law. So what will change greatly? Do you know? ① Change in the age of adulthood Until now, Japan’s age of adulthood was 20. However, from April 1 it will change to 18. With the age of adulthood at 18, contracts for apartments, credit cards, and other agreements that were previously allowed only from age 20 will become possible. Also, women, who could marry from 16 until now, will now be able to marry from 18. ② Things to be careful about Some things will not change even when the age of adulthood becomes 18. These are smoking, drinking, and gambling. In Japan, smoking, drinking, and gambling are allowed from age 20, and that remains unchanged even though the age of majority has changed. Even if you do not smoke or drink, you cannot purchase these items. Please be careful. From April there will be a rush of international students entering the country. International students should make sure to understand Japan’s rules thoroughly. Japanese people, these students have waited up to two years to study in Japan. We would be grateful if you would watch over them warmly.

[English／日本語] February 22 is "Cat Day" in Japan. In Japan, February 22 is "Cat Day", and there is a lot of excitement as people upload pictures of cats on social media. Do you like cats? Or do you prefer dogs? In this article, I would like to talk about the pet situation in Japan. 1 Cat boom In Japan, many people have always owned dogs, but in 2017, the number of cat owners surpassed the number of dog owners. The reason for this is that Japan is an aging society. Dogs have to be accompanied on walks, and elderly people who are worried about their physical strength tend to choose cats that don't need to be walked. Also, more and more people are keeping pets because they are spending more time at home due to the influence of Corona. I wonder if it's the same in your country? 2Can international students have pets? Very few international students have pets. To own a dog, you have to pay several hundred thousand yen at a pet store and also have to get shots. In addition, most apartments in Japan do not allow pets. However, sometimes people keep hamsters, which are relatively cheap and do not have as long a life span as dogs and cats. I heard a story about a Japanese language school that had a problem with a student who suddenly decided to return to his home country and asked them to take in his turtle. Pets are life. It is important to keep them responsibly. 3 If you miss your pet... Some people who used to have pets in their home countries may become stressed out because they cannot interact with their pets during their long stay in Japan. Recently in Japan, there has been an increase in the number of cafes with cats and dogs, where you can casually interact with cats and dogs for just a fee and a drink. In addition to cats and dogs, some of these animal cafes also have birds and reptiles. Please try to use them. Our school does not allow pets in the dormitories. However, there are cat cafes and dog cafes around the school. There is also a zoo just a few stops away from the school. If you are an animal lover, I think you will enjoy your study abroad experience at our school. February 22 is "Cat Day" in Japan. Shops selling miscellaneous goods put cat illustrations on products, and people get excited posting them on social media. Do you like cats, or do you prefer dogs? This time, I will talk about the pet situation in Japan. 1 The cat boom In Japan, many people have traditionally kept dogs, but in 2017 the number of cats kept exceeded the number of dogs. One reason is Japan's aging population. Because dogs need to be taken for walks, elderly people who worry about their strength tend to choose cats that do not require walks. Also, because people have been spending more time at home due to the impact of COVID-19, more people are getting pets. Is it the same in your country? 2 Can international students keep pets? Very few international students keep pets. To buy a dog at a pet shop costs several hundred thousand yen, and vaccinations are also required. In addition, most apartments in Japan prohibit keeping pets. However, some people sometimes keep hamsters, which are relatively inexpensive and do not live as long as dogs or cats. I heard a story about a Japanese language school that was troubled when a student who suddenly had to return home asked them to take in his turtle. Pets are lives. It is important to keep them responsibly. 3 If you miss your pet... Students who had pets in their home countries can become stressed during a long study abroad period if they cannot interact with animals. Recently in Japan, cat and dog cafes have increased, allowing casual interaction with cats and dogs for just an entrance fee and a drink. Some of these animal cafes also feature birds and reptiles as well as cats and dogs. Please give them a try. Our school forbids keeping pets in the dormitories. However, there are cat cafes and dog cafes near the school. There is also a zoo a few stations away from the school. If you love animals, I think you will enjoy studying abroad at our school.

Currently, most people are wearing masks because of the coronavirus, but in Japan many people have long worn masks from February to April, so foreign tourists are often surprised. The reason for wearing masks is "hay fever." Especially at this time of year, people allergic to cedar wear masks. Many international students are troubled by hay fever. This time, I will tell you about this hay fever. 1. One in three international students develops hay fever? According to some data, one in three international students develops hay fever for the first time after arriving in Japan. Also, among international students who develop hay fever, those in their third year rank first, followed by first-year students in second place. International students may have no one around them with hay fever in their home country and may not know what hay fever symptoms are like, so at first they may mistakenly think they have a prolonged cold. Unlike a cold, hay fever causes strong runny nose symptoms, itchy eyes, and an itchy nose. If this sounds familiar, first consult a teacher at your school. 2. Hay fever relief products So how do Japanese people get through hay fever season? Most people take prescription or over‑the‑counter medication. Besides medication, many products to relieve hay fever symptoms are sold in stores at this time of year—for example, pollen-blocking glasses and soft, high-quality tissues that won't irritate the nose. Sales of air purifiers also increase at this time. For people who do not have money or who do not have time to go to a hospital, some people find that applying a little petroleum jelly inside the nostrils can help ease symptoms. Also, lack of sleep and alcohol consumption are said to worsen hay fever symptoms. Be careful to maintain a healthy lifestyle. ★Extra: In Tokyo, it is said that one in two people has hay fever. The topic of hay fever is also a chance to become friends with Japanese people. When someone who never had hay fever before gets it, people who have had hay fever for many years are said to say, "Welcome ☺." Please try talking to them!

On the occasion of Chinese new year the Yokohama China town was well decorated during pre corona situation in 2019. It was my first chance to enjoy Chinese new year in China Town. It was really a great fun. Wish after corona it will be back in full form.

[English/Japanese] Snow is predicted to fall in Tokyo this week. In Japan, many tourist destinations like Hokkaido are popular for winter sports, but snowfall in Tokyo is relatively rare and the city is not prepared for it. As a result, even a 5 cm accumulation of snow can cause various problems. In this article, I will explain how to cope with snow in Tokyo. 1 Transportation When it snows, train schedules are often disrupted. Trains may be cancelled or services reduced, so you may be late for work. On snowy days, try to leave home earlier than usual. Roads can also become congested, and few people buy snow tires for such infrequent snowfall. Consequently, many people drive with regular tires on snowy days, which can lead to slipping accidents. Try to avoid walking close to cars on snowy days. 2 The day after it snows Unlike in Hokkaido, snow that falls in Tokyo has a high moisture content. For that reason, roads are often icy the day after snowfall. With so many buildings in Tokyo, sunlight may not reach some streets and the snow may not melt even after a week. Some people slip on the frozen roads and suffer serious injuries. On the day after snowfall, try to walk along sunlit routes. 3 What to wear What you wear the next day matters more than what you wear while it is snowing. Roads become very slippery, so wear long boots or other slip-resistant shoes. Also wear gloves because ice can cut your hands if you slip and catch yourself with them. A hat is necessary to protect your head. A backpack or other hands-free bag is also a good idea. If you don’t have boots, a life hack to reduce slipping is to stick adhesive bandages to the soles of your sneakers. Give it a try. Many students at our school come from warm countries. Some, seeing snow for the first time, have overdone it playing in the snow and caught colds. Enjoy snow play in moderation. This time, we plan to spread a snow-melting agent in front of the dormitory. If neighbors are struggling with shoveling, let’s help them out — it’s also a chance to make friends with Japanese people. Also, it’s best not to go outside too much on snowy days, so finish your shopping as early as possible! Snow is predicted to fall in Tokyo this week. In Japan, many tourist destinations such as Hokkaido are popular for winter sports, but snowfall in Tokyo is not that common, so the city is not set up to handle snow. Because of that, even just 5 cm of snow can cause various problems. This time, I will tell you how to deal with snow in Tokyo. 1 Transportation When it snows, train timetables often get disrupted. Trains may be suspended or their frequency reduced, so you might be late for work. On snow days, try to leave home early. Roads can also get congested. Very few people buy snow tires for snowfall that may or may not occur in a year. For that reason, many people drive on ordinary tires on snowy days, and some cause slip accidents. On snowy days, avoid walking close to cars whenever possible. 2 The day after it snows Snow that falls in Tokyo differs from that in Hokkaido in having a higher water content. Therefore, the day after snowfall, roads are often frozen. Tokyo’s many buildings block sunlight, and snow may not melt even after a week. People sometimes slip on frozen roads and sustain serious injuries. On the day after snow, choose streets with sunlight when you walk. 3 Clothing What you wear the next day is more important than what you wear while it is snowing. Roads are very slippery, so wear wellingtons or other slip-resistant footwear. Also wear gloves because ice can cut your hands if you fall and use them to brace yourself. A hat is necessary to protect your head. For bags, a backpack or similar hands-free option is best. If you don’t have wellingtons, there’s a life hack: sticking adhesive bandages to the soles of your sneakers makes them less slippery. Try it out. At our school, many students come from warm countries. For some, seeing snow for the first time led them to play too much and catch colds. Keep snow play moderate. We plan to spread de-icing agent in front of the dormitory this time. If neighbors are having a hard time shoveling snow, let’s help — it’s also an opportunity to become friends with Japanese people. Also, because it’s better not to go out much on snow days, complete your shopping early!

[English/Japanese] The Tokyo Metropolitan Government decided last week to apply priority measures to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus, and Tokyo residents will refrain from activities for about three weeks. Since 2020, people have increasingly spent their days off at home as "stayhome" because of the new coronavirus. How do Japanese people spend their vacations? Let’s take a look together with aspects of Japanese culture. 1 Games Japanese games became popular worldwide during the COVID-19 pandemic. For example, games where you build your own room or town and interact with friends, or games that have you run and stretch like in a gym, are especially popular. Board games have also moved online, expanding the possibilities for gaming. With the recent establishment of high schools focusing on e-sports in Japan, it is clear that games are becoming important cultural content. 2 Bath time Japanese people love soaking in the bathtub. Many travel to hot springs during long vacations, and those who gave up travel because of stayhome reportedly buy various bath salts to recreate a holiday feeling at home. As a result, some companies reportedly recorded their highest-ever sales of bath salts last year. Do people in your country use bath salts? I hope you will try them when you come to Japan. 3 Plastic models Have you heard of plastic models? Plastic models are figures made of plastic that you assemble and paint yourself. In Japan they have long been sold as children’s toys, but since the pandemic they have become popular with adults as well as children. Anime plastic models are especially popular. If you visit Japan someday, you might want to buy one as a souvenir. Extras A character became famous during the coronavirus pandemic: Amabie. Amabie has appeared in books for the past 150 years as a yokai that wards off epidemics. Before the coronavirus, Amabie was known only to a few yokai enthusiasts, but after the virus spread its recognition rose mainly through social media, and now most people in Japan know about it. In town you can see many products featuring Amabie’s image. Please try to look for them. Our school also offers online classes. Beyond regular lessons, we provide online yoga, online origami classes, and other enjoyable activities. If you are interested, contact us and we will explain the school via Zoom. Feel free to get in touch. The Tokyo Metropolitan Government decided last week to apply priority measures to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus, and Tokyo residents will refrain from activities for about three weeks. Since 2020, people have increasingly spent their days off at home as "stayhome" because of the new coronavirus. How do Japanese people spend their vacations? Let’s take a look together with aspects of Japanese culture. 1 Games Japanese games became popular worldwide during the COVID-19 pandemic. For example, games where you build your own room or town and interact with friends, or games that have you run and stretch like in a gym, are especially popular. Board games have also moved online, expanding the possibilities for gaming. With the recent establishment of high schools focusing on e-sports in Japan, it is clear that games are becoming important cultural content. 2 Bath time Japanese people love soaking in the bathtub. Many travel to hot springs during long vacations, and those who gave up travel because of stayhome reportedly buy various bath salts to recreate a holiday feeling at home. As a result, some companies reportedly recorded their highest-ever sales of bath salts last year. Do people in your country use bath salts? I hope you will try them when you come to Japan. 3 Plastic models Have you heard of plastic models? Plastic models are figures made of plastic that you assemble and paint yourself. In Japan they have long been sold as children’s toys, but since the pandemic they have become popular with adults as well as children. Anime plastic models are especially popular. If you visit Japan someday, you might want to buy one as a souvenir. Extras A character became famous during the coronavirus pandemic: Amabie. Amabie has appeared in books for the past 150 years as a yokai that wards off epidemics. Before the coronavirus, Amabie was known only to a few yokai enthusiasts, but after the virus spread its recognition rose mainly through social media, and now most people in Japan know about it. In town you can see many products featuring Amabie’s image. Please try to look for them. Our school also offers online classes. Beyond regular lessons, we provide online yoga, online origami classes, and other enjoyable activities. If you are interested, contact us and we will explain the school via Zoom. Feel free to get in touch.

[Englsih/Japanese] esterday, 27 years have passed since the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake. 6,434 people died in this earthquake. Also, over the weekend, there was a massive volcanic eruption in Tonga and there are reports of tsunami damage. Last summer, many people from Tonga visited our school's Facebook page. We sincerely hope that everyone is safe. Japan is famous in the world as a country with many earthquakes. For this reason, schools and companies conduct disaster drills on a regular basis. Today I would like to tell you about the disaster drills held at schools. Number of times held Schools with small children hold disaster drills every month, high school students hold drills four times a year, and companies hold drills twice a year. We mainly learn how to escape from earthquakes and fires. Earthquake drills The school broadcasts a message that an earthquake has occurred. Students immediately go under their desks, hold the legs of their desks, and wait until the shaking stops. When the shaking stops, students will follow the teacher's instructions to evacuate to a large area near the school school grounds or park. The students will also learn what to be careful of during the evacuation process in advance. The catchphrase to watch out for is "O ka shi mo". This catchphrase may vary from region to region. ・ "O" →[Osanai] "Don't push" When escaping, try not to push people. ・ "Ka" = [Kakenai] "Don't run." When running away, act calmly because running is dangerous. ・"Shi"→[Syaberanai] "Don't talk." Don't miss important information. ・"Mo"→[Modoranai] "Don't go back" Don't go back to dangerous places even if you have forgotten something. 3 Firefighting training, AED training, first aid practice During the evacuation drills, students take various classes at the same time. For example, how to use a fire extinguisher and AED, and how to perform first aid. In some areas of Japan, there are facilities called "Bousai-kan" where you can learn about disaster prevention, and you can visit them all year round. 4 Evacuation goods In Japan, where disasters occur frequently, it is customary to prepare in advance what is needed in case of a disaster. In Japan, where disasters occur frequently, it is customary to prepare in advance what you will need in the event of a disaster, including a three-day supply of food, water, blankets, helmets, and flashlights. These items are sold at home centers as disaster prevention goods. For international students, the school may buy them with the school's reserve fund. Please check with your school for details. International students do not have to worry too much because evacuation drills are held at school. However, this is not the case for foreign tourists. If you are a foreign tourist, you may be worried about how to move if the disaster strikes. For those people, there is an app for foreign visitors to Japan. Please download it when you come to Japan. Yesterday marked the 27th anniversary of the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake. 6,434 people died in the earthquake. There was also a large eruption in Tonga over the weekend, and tsunami damage has been reported. Last summer, many people from Tonga visited our Facebook page. We sincerely pray for your safety. Japan is famous in the world as a country with many earthquakes. For this reason, schools and companies regularly conduct disaster prevention drills. Today, I would like to tell you about the disaster prevention drills held at the school. 1 Number of implementations Schools with small children conduct disaster drills every month, high school students four times a year, and companies hold disaster drills about twice a year. You will mainly learn about how to escape earthquakes and fires. 2 Earthquake drill The school broadcast says that an earthquake has occurred. Students quickly get under the desk, hold the desk legs, and wait until the shaking subsides. When the shaking subsides, follow the teacher's instructions and evacuate to a large area near the school school grounds or parks. In addition, you will learn what to be careful about when evacuating in the pre-class. What you should be careful of is the catchphrase "Oh, ka, shi, mo". This tagline varies by region. ） "O" → "Don't push" When you run away, don't push people. "Ka" → "Don't run" When you run away, it is dangerous to run, so act calmly. Don't miss important information → "don't speak" Even if there is something forgotten that "also" → "will not return", do not return to a dangerous place. 3 Fire extinguishing training, AED training, first aid practice During evacuation drills, students take various courses at the same time. For example, how to use a fire extinguisher or AED or how to provide first aid. In some areas, Japan there is a facility called the "Disaster Prevention Hall" where you can learn about disaster prevention, which you can visit all year round. 4 Evacuation goods In Japan where disasters are frequent, it is customary to prepare in advance what is necessary in the event of a disaster. The contents include "food, water, blankets, helmets, and flashlights for three days." These items are sold as disaster prevention goods at home centers. International students may be purchased by the school with the school's reserve. Please check with your school. International students don't have to worry much because evacuation drills are conducted at school. However, this is not the case for foreign tourists. You may be worried about how to move if you are affected by a disaster. There is an app for foreigners visiting Japan for such people. Please download it when you come to Japan.

[English/Japanese] Last year was a difficult year for international students who are looking forward to studying in Japan. Fingers crossed that I can enter the country this year! In this article, I would like to introduce the measures we take in Japan to prevent coronas in stores. 1 What to do at the entrance At the entrance of a store, there is a thermometer and disinfectant. Some of these are done by shopkeepers for customers, and some are done automatically. Also, there is a sign posted that says "Masks strictly prohibited" and you cannot enter the store without wearing a mask. In the case of public facilities such as museums, you may be asked to fill in your name and address. 2 What to do in a restaurant More and more restaurants are reducing the number of seats in their establishments. Each seat is separated by a transparent plastic sheet, and there are posters warning people to wear masks except when eating. The system used to be to order from a menu list, but recently more and more restaurants have tablets at each table, and you can order from the tablet. In some restaurants, you can even get a mask case as a service. In addition, there is a ventilation time every few tens of minutes, where the staff calls out to the customers to open the windows and doors of the restaurant. In winter, the ventilation time can be a bit chilly, so wear warm clothes even inside the store. 3 What to do when you leave the store When standing in line at the cash register, there are markers on the floor to help you keep your social distance. Make sure to line up along them. In order to prevent infection, more and more stores are starting to accept cashless payments. In some cases, there are campaigns that offer points for cashless payment, so please take advantage of them. Our school is also taking measures against coronas. We disinfect thoroughly and take care of students' physical condition. Even if you are infected with corona, we can support you because our dormitory is located on the third floor of the school building. We are looking forward to welcoming international students to our country. Last year was a difficult year for international students who are looking forward to studying abroad Japan. I pray that I will be able to enter the country this year! This time, I will introduce corona countermeasures at stores that are in Japan. 1 What to do at the entrance There is a thermometer and disinfectant at the entrance of the shop. There are those that the shop staff makes to the customer and those that are done automatically. In addition, there is a sticker that says "Masks strictly prohibited", and you cannot enter the store unless you wear a mask. In the case of public facilities such as museums, you may be asked to fill in your name and address. 2 What to do in the store The number of restaurants and other establishments has been reduced. Each seat is separated by a transparent plastic sheet, and there is a poster warning you to wear a mask except when eating. Until now, it was a system to place orders by looking at the menu table, but recently there are tablets placed on each table, and the number of restaurants where you can order from tablets has increased. Depending on the store, you may be able to get a mask case at the service. In addition, there is a ventilation time several tens of minutes, and the clerk calls out to the customer and opens the windows and doors of the store. In winter, ventilation time can get a little cold, so wear warm clothes in the store. 3 What to do when leaving the store When you go to the cash register, there are landmarks on the floor to observe social distancing. Try to line up along with it. In addition, an increasing number of stores are starting cashless payments that do not transfer money to prevent infection. In the case of cashless payment, there may be campaigns that offer benefits such as points, so please take advantage of it. Our school is also taking measures against corona. We carry out thorough disinfection and physical condition management of students. Even if you are infected with Corona, we can support you because the dormitory is located on the third floor of the school building. We are looking forward to the entry of international students.

It snowed more than usual, and children jumped from the roof. I was scared at first, but I was able to do the numbers and jump vigorously!

Funabashi Daijingu

[English/Japanese] Happy New Year to you all! I hope to see you again this year. In Japan, the new year begins on January 1st. What do you do at the beginning of a new year in your country? This time, I would like to introduce the Japanese New Year. 1 Nengajo（New Year's card） A letter sent between January 1 and January 7 to wish someone a happy new year is called a nengajo. Recently, many people have been using social networking services instead of letters. Also, New Year's greeting cards cannot be sent to family members or relatives who have passed away in the previous year. Please be careful with this. 2 Hatsuhinode（First sunrise） The sunrise on the first day of the year is called the "first sunrise" and is considered to be a very good omen. Did you see it? 3 Hatsumode（First visit to a shrine） A New Year's visit to a shrine to pray for the safety of the year is called "Hatsumode". At Hatsumode, people draw omikuji fortunes to tell their fortune for the year and buy good luck charms. 4 Otoshidama（New Year's gift） Onyedama is money that children can receive on New Year's Day. It is a fun event for children. 5 Osechi cuisine Osechi-ryori is a New Year's feast. Each of these treats has its own meaning. For example, prawns have a meaning of "long life" because of their bent waist. Also, yellow food is believed to bring good luck with money. This is eaten from January 1st to the 3rd, which also means that you don't have to do any housework for the three days of the New Year. 6 Hstuyume（First dream） What kind of dream did you have at the beginning of the year? In Japan, it is said to be good luck to dream of "Mt. May this year be a wonderful one for all of you! Happy New Year! We look forward to working with you again this year. The new year begins on January 1 for Japan. What do you do at the start of a new year in your country? This time, I would like to introduce the New Year of Japan. 1 New Year's card Letters sent between January 1 and January 7 to convey New Year's wishes are called "Nengajo". Recently, more and more people are doing it on SNS instead of letters. In addition, New Year's cards cannot be sent to people who have lost their family or relatives in the previous year. Please be careful. 2 First sunrise The sun that rises on January 1 is called the "first sunrise." This first sunrise is considered very auspicious. Have you seen it? 3 First visit Visiting a shrine to pray for the safety of the year on New Year's Day is called "first visit". At the first visit, you draw fortunes to predict the fortune of the year and buy amulets. 4 New Year's Ball New Year's money is money that children can receive on New Year's Day. It can be said that it is a fun event for children. 5 Osechi cuisine Osechi ryori is a feast eaten on New Year's Day. Each of these treats has its own meaning. For example, shrimp have a bent waist, which means "you can live a long life". In addition, yellow food is said to increase fortune. This is something to eat from January 1 to 3, and there is also the point that you do not have to do housework for three days on New Year's Day. 6 First dream What dreams did you have at the beginning of the year? In Japan, dreaming of "Mt. Fuji", "Falcon" and "Eggplant" is considered auspicious. May this be a wonderful year for all of you!

"Horse Festival" held in Honsu City, Gifu Prefecture It is an annual festival of Nagaya Shrine held on August 1 and 2 every year. It is said to have been held since the shrine was built. It is designated as an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Gifu Prefecture. Dance of children, floats are towed. At the end of the festival, riders dressed in layers of haori hakama ride horses, open flower umbrellas and fans, and run around the precincts. The layered haori is gradually taken off and scattered with confetti. Although it was canceled for two years due to Coronavirus pandemic, the sight of local high school students running looks brave.

New Year's Holidays Our school will be closed from December 29th to January 3rd. Thank you all for your support this year. Have a Happy New Year. Year-end and New Year holidays The school will be closed from December 29th ~ January 3rd. Ladies and gentlemen, thank you very much for your hard work this year. Wish you a happy New Year.