【Chiba City Museum of Art】 A museum that is nationally acclaimed for its exhibitions with a unique perspective, focusing on ukiyo-e prints, Edo paintings, and contemporary art. With the renovation in July 2020, it has been reborn as a facility that is familiar to a wide range of age groups, including a permanent exhibition room where you can see ukiyo-e and Edo paintings at Anytime, and an atelier where children can work and create together in a space created by artists. In addition to the permanent exhibitions, we Held in special exhibitions and a variety of Events based on specific themes, so you There are discover something new every time you visit. 〇 Held in special exhibitions "Edo Paintings Vertical and Horizontal! First semester: June 28 Fri ~ July 28 Sun Second Semester: July 30 Tue ~ August 25 Sun "Akiki Okamoto: The Edo Painter Who Challenged the Hundred Flowers and Hundred Birds" Okamoto Shuki 1807-62 was a painter of the late Edo period who made a name for himself as a master of rich and brilliant flower and bird paintings, especially peacocks. First semester: June 28 Fri ~ July 28 Sun Second Semester: July 30 Tue ~ August 25 Sun * For details, please search for "Chiba City Museum of Art". 〇Sayado Hall A hall that contains modern architecture in the neo-Rene Mr./Ms. style that preserved the former Kawasaki Bank Chiba Branch built in Showa 2 about 90 years ago. Used as a cultural property of the city, its historic appearance is used as a venue for concerts and exhibitions, and is also popular as a filming location for commercials. ■ Access: ・About a 6-minute walk from Chiba Monorail Yoshikawa Park Station ・ About 15 minutes on foot from JR Chiba Station ■Address: 3-10-8 Chuo, Chuo-ku, Chiba City ■ Admission: Paid ■ Parking lot: Restrooms available charged Attractive Spot There are such as Chiba Shrine, Chiba City Science Museum, and Chiba Castle Chiba City Township Museum are within walking distance. After visiting the museum, Enjoy together as you stroll through these facilities.

Oyama Summer Jazz & Latin Friendship Concert “Oyama of Performing Arts and Culture” at the Noh Stage of the Oyama Afuri Shrine Office The Oyama Sekison Arts Festival’s "Oyama Jazz & Latin Friendship Concert," a beloved blend of tradition and innovation and a fusion of Japanese and Western sounds that many music fans look forward to each year, returns this year! Saturday, October 12, 2024 — Doors open 12:00, Concert begins 13:00 Venue: Noh Stage, Oyama Afuri Shrine Office Access: From Isehara Station north exit, Platform 4 (bound for the Oyama Cable Car) Get off at the "Shamukyoku Entrance" stop; the venue is immediately nearby. Admission: Adults ¥1,500 (advance) / ¥1,800 (door) Junior and senior high school students ¥500 — elementary school children and younger free Tickets are also on sale at Ekina Kururin House Isehara Station Tourist Information (0463-95-5333)! Inquiries Oyama Summer Jazz Concert Executive Committee 090-8441-5467 (Nakamura)

Tofukuji Temple - The painting on the ceiling is wonderful Thereare this temple is located along the prefectural road Ito Nishi-Izu Line, in front of the clear streams of the Nishina River, behind the Yamamon Bell Tower. It was established as Tenfukuji Temple in the year of Tenfuku about 750 years ago, and was later called Tofukuji. On the ceiling of the main hall, there are Thereare 500 arhats painted with plaster by a craftsman commonly known as Nonbei Yasu Mr./Ms. at the end of the Taisho period. 【Business hours】8:30~17:00 【Regular holiday】None Restrooms available Phone number: 0558-52-0549 ■Address 24-1 Naka Nishi-Izu Town, Kamo-gun, Shizuoka

Imagine a time when samurai ruled the land and constructed magnificent forts. Himeji Castle, a UNESCO Cultural Heritage site, is a sight to behold. Its most striking feature is the daitenshu, the main donjon. This impressive structure stands at 31.5 meters tall with five stories on the outside and seven interior floors, reaching a total height of 46.3 meters. The castle is surrounded by three smaller keeps connected by roofed passages, adding to its grandeur. Designated as national treasures, the donjons and watariyagura are a testament to Japan's rich history and architectural ingenuity.

The question is, do you know where this is?? It's a lot of northern Kanto lol.

10th Anniversary Isehara Artistic Fireworks Festival – Held in light rain; postponed in severe weather Saturday, May 18 – Held at the open field of Isehara City General Sports Park Gates open: 14:00 Fireworks launch: around 19:30 Only ticket holders may enter the open field at the General Sports Park. No free viewing areas are provided. Various sponsored tickets are on sale through Ticket Pia and other outlets. Experience the moving and memorable, creativity-filled “artistic” fireworks, including the fully synchronized music-and-fireworks “melody fireworks.” Please enjoy these features. Details: Isehara Artistic Fireworks Festival website Organizing Committee Mobile: 050-6878-1286

In the summer of 2024, MOA Museum of Art presents the special exhibition Pokemon × Crafts: A Grand Discovery of Beauty and Techniques! What kind of “chemical reaction” would occur if Pokemon and traditional crafts met head-on? Twenty artists, from Living National Treasures to emerging creators, took on this question with full commitment. The works evoke Pokemon forms, gestures, and presences. Some trace memories from the games, such as evolution, trading, travel settings, and highly effective moves. Others lure Pokemon into everyday life as tableware, kimono accessories, and stylish obis. What will your encounter with the pieces waiting for you in the gallery be like…exciting, entrancing, smirking, or spine-tingling? Enjoy discoveries of beauty and technique amplified by multiplying powers. Exhibition title: Pokemon × Crafts: A Grand Discovery of Beauty and Techniques Venue: MOA Museum of Art Dates: Saturday, July 6, 2024 – Monday, September 9, 2024 To ensure smooth entry and a pleasant viewing experience, please purchase a timed-entry ticket in advance. (Same-day tickets will be available.) During busy periods, visitors with timed-entry tickets will be admitted with priority. Same-day ticket holders may be asked to wait before entering. *Children up to junior high school age, members of the Friends of the Museum, visitors with disability certificates (up to two accompanying helpers), and holders of invitation postcards may enter free of charge and do not need a timed-entry ticket. *Groups of 10 or more must make a reservation in advance. Please contact the MOA Museum of Art at 0557-84-2511 to apply. Ⓒ2024 Pokémon. Ⓒ1995-2024 Nintendo/Creatures Inc./GAME FREAK inc. TM, Ⓡ, and character names are trademarks of Nintendo. ⒸPhotograph by Taiichiro Yoshida and Taku Saijo For details, please check the museum’s official website.

"The Sword of Seimei Tsurugi" When Tohoku was in its bud On the surface of the lake that passed by, the early morning sun reflected the onion-colored treasure sword.

"Presence"

[Spring Window Art in Kam] On Saturday, April 13, Roadside Station Kam hosted an event to paint pictures on windows! This time we commissioned a professional artist to create coloring spaces on some of the windows. First, we visited the Flower Park before it opened and observed the crocuses just beginning to bloom and the trails mice likely left after tunneling through the snow. It was heartwarming to see children walking in a line along the stones that border the flower area. The event was themed “Flowers and Animals,” so I was glad we could look at the flowers that are actually blooming as the snow melted before we started drawing. As the windows filled with color, Roadside Station Kam seemed to brim with spring cheer. It was a short one-hour event, but thank you to everyone who participated! The artwork will be on display until mid-May. A Kam Marche is also scheduled from Friday, May 3 through Sunday, May 5. Please stop by Roadside Station Kam! #Nishiokoppe Village #Hokkaido #Window Art #Painting #Drawn on windows #Crayons #Coloring #Flower Park #Kam #Roadside Station #Marche from Friday, May 3 to Sunday, May 5

「Tokyo Tower」 I have been photographing Tokyo Tower from Ebisu Garden Square.

「Tokyo Tower」 I have been photographing Tokyo Tower from Azabudai Hills. Tokyo Tower, seen from the tallest building in Japan, felt a little small, and I felt the change of times in Japan.

"Kaiju" When I was photographing the cityscape of Shinjuku, A silhouette that I had seen before jumped in front of me. My eyes widened at the non-standard size that I couldn't see in Kyoto.

Bring Spring to the Windows with Paintings Days with highs above 0°C are gradually increasing. At Roadside Station Kam in Nishiokoppe Village we will hold a painting event in April! This time’s theme is “Flowers and Animals.” We are eagerly recruiting children to paint together! Feel free to contact us. Date and time: Saturday, April 13, 2024, 10:00–11:00 Who can join: Junior high school students and younger (capacity about 20) Fee: Free Contact: 0158-85-7125 Application deadline: Friday, April 5, by 5:00 PM We have tasty gifts prepared, so look forward to it! #Nishiokoppe Village #Roadside Station #Kam #painting #window art #Flowers and Animals #Welcoming spring #Young children also very welcome

On March 24, I participated in the 3rd Multicultural Coexistence Photo Exhibition held at Tokyo Tama Mirai Messe, a five-minute walk from hachioji station. Students from our school introduced the cultures of Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, and Mongolia. The Bangladeshi students also ran a henna corner called mehendi, where people lined up because it was so popular✨

I took a picture of a person who was sketching at Neraiji Temple, a famous cherry blossom spot in Wakayama Prefecture. I wish I had a heart for painting~・・・

Edo Kiriko's rock glass "Spectacle" that looks like a large flower blooming You can see that the idea of making the user look the most beautiful is incorporated into the design of the work.

This is the work of Ryoko Nakamiya, an artist who pursues the new possibilities of Edo Kiriko in Shinagawa, Tokyo. The beautiful vessels created by this technology have moved the hearts of many people.

Yesterday, Saturday, February 24, we held the Atami Sea Fireworks Festival! The weather blessed the mid-holiday weekend day, and beautiful fireworks colored the night sky. The next event is on Wednesday, March 20, 2024 (a national holiday).

TODA KOSHIRO Picture Book Museum A picture book museum themed on "Living in Harmony with Nature" Nestled in a quiet villa district of Atami City, the TODA KOSHIRO Picture Book Museum, themed on "Living in Harmony with Nature," was entirely designed by picture book author Toda Koshiro to express the world of picture books through the building, garden, and every detail. The museum displays many original picture book illustrations by Toda, educational and creative picture books, and picture book adaptations of classics such as Osamu Dazai’s Run, Melos. Visitors can read loaner picture books on the lawn, listen to birdsong, and enjoy seasonal scenery while spending a relaxed time. The attached café also offers stunning views of the sea and surrounding mountains. This is a place where Atami’s nature and Toda Koshiro’s spirit come together. Address / 1055-30 Kamitaga, Shizenkyo, Atami City, Shizuoka 413-0101 Phone / 0557-67-1107 Access / About 20–30 minutes by taxi from Atami Station (JR Atami Station) *Please note that there is no taxi stand at JR Izu-Taga Station.* Opening hours / 10:00–16:30 (last admission at 16:00) Closed / Every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. Open on public holidays (open daily during the New Year holidays, Golden Week, and summer season) Admission / Adults 800 yen, elementary school children and younger 400 yen, free for children under 3 Parking / 10 spaces (free)

Atami Yamaguchi Art Museum Atami Yamaguchi Art Museum opened in Atami City in December 2020. The collection includes many works by famous artists such as Renoir, Picasso, and Taro Okamoto. The museum offers a variety of experiences beyond simply visiting the galleries. ・Admission includes one drink (you may choose to have matcha served in a vessel by a Living National Treasure craftsperson) ・Admission includes a mug-painting experience (you can finish it in about 10 minutes and take it home) ・Unlike many museums, photography is allowed in the galleries (only flash is prohibited) ・Some works can be touched, including pieces by Taro Okamoto ・Two Buddhist statues designated as Important Cultural Properties of Japan are on display Address / 24-1 Nagisa-cho, Atami City, Shizuoka 413-0014 Phone / 0557-27-2411 Access / From JR atami station take a bus bound for Atami Port for about 10 minutes, get off at Shinsui Park, then walk 3 minutes Hours / 10:00–16:30 (last admission 16:00) Open year-round Admission fees / General 1,400 yen, university and high school students 1,200 yen, junior high school students and younger 500 yen (includes a drink; preschool children free) Parking / None (use nearby paid parking)

Seiko Sawada Memorial Museum This museum gathers representative works by Seiko Sawada, a native of Atami City who received the Order of Culture. It displays art across many fields, including numerous wood carvings, paintings, ink wash works, ceramics, prints, and calligraphy. There is a popular belief that if you hold hands beneath the entrance ceiling stained glass panel "Hiten," you will remain happy forever. The reflection of "Hiten" on the red granite floor is also beautiful, so visitors can enjoy the stained glass both overhead and underfoot. ● Seiko Sawada (1894–1988) Born Toshiyoshi. An artist awarded the Order of Culture and an honorary citizen of Atami City. He grew up by the sea in Atami and, at 19, aspired to become a sculptor. He trained under Yamamoto Zuiun, a leading disciple of Koun Takamura. Until his death at 93, he worked across many artistic fields, producing numerous wood carvings as well as paintings, ceramics, prints, and calligraphy. His powerful, life-filled, and poetic works speak to the hearts of many and evoke great romance. Address / 9-46 Umezonocho, Atami City, Shizuoka 413-0032 (next to Atami Plum Garden) Phone / 0557-81-9211 Access / About 15 minutes by bus toward Ainogahara from atami station on JR, then get off at Sawada Memorial Museum stop Hours / 9:00–16:30 Closed / Mondays (open on public holidays) Admission / Adults 380 yen (250 yen for groups); Junior and senior high school students 250 yen (120 yen for groups); Elementary school students and younger free Parking / 10 spaces (free) ※Parking unavailable during the Plum Festival

Atami Gigi Kenban Yumemachi Odori: Hana no Mai The geiko association hall where geiko rigorously train, the geiko kenban. The current building was completed in 1954 (Showa 29). At the time it was an impressive structure and was said to be the finest geiko association in the Tokai region. Today the hall hosts Yumemachi Odori: Hana no Mai every Saturday and Sunday. Enjoy the professional dances that are rarely seen in everyday life. The kimono styling, graceful manners, and breathtaking beauty are a sight to behold. Address / 17-13 Chuocho, Atami City, Shizuoka 413-0015 (along the Hatsukawa) Phone / 0557-81-3575 (Atami Gigi Kenban) Access / From JR atami station take the bus bound for Momijigaoka for about 10 minutes → get off at Shimizucho Dates and Times / Every Saturday and Sunday from 11:00 AM (about 30 minutes). One performance only. Fee / 2,500 yen (tax included). Children in elementary school and younger are free. Parking / None (there is a nearby municipal paid parking lot) Reservation priority For visits to observe regular weekday training, please inquire Temporary cancellations may occur

Former Hinata Family Atami Villa (Former Hinata Villa) Rihei Hinata, who prospered in Asian trade, completed this detached villa in 1936 (Showa 11) as an annex to his main residence. The two-story wooden main building was designed by Jin Watanabe, known for projects such as Wako in Ginza, Tokyo, the Tokyo National Museum in Ueno, and the Aichi Prefectural Office. The basement’s interior was designed by the world-renowned German architect Bruno Taut, making this the only surviving architectural work he left in Japan. The villa comprises three main rooms: a social room richly furnished with bamboo and paulownia wood, a Western-style room with an interior staircase as part of the room, and a Japanese-style tatami room. The design consciously reflects Japanese aesthetic traditions such as the Katsura Imperial Villa and Ise Grand Shrine. After the death of the Hinata family head, the villa was carefully used as a corporate retreat. Faced with the threat of demolition in 2004 (Heisei 16), Atami City acquired the property thanks to a donation from a philanthropist living in Tokyo. In 2006 (Heisei 18), it was designated as an Important Cultural Property of Japan. More than 80 years after its completion, deterioration and the urgent need to improve seismic performance made repairs critical. From fiscal 2018 (Heisei 30) to fiscal 2021 (Reiwa 3), large-scale conservation and repair work was carried out. In August 2022, the villa reopened to the public after preserving and reproducing its original condition as much as possible. ※Visits require advance reservation only (online reservations only). For details and reservations, please check the Atami City official website. Address／8-37 Kasuga-cho, Atami City, Shizuoka Prefecture 413-0005 Phone／0557-86-6232 (Atami City Lifelong Learning Division, Cultural Exchange Office: weekdays only) Access／About a 10-minute walk from atami station Opening days／Wednesdays, Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays 9:00–17:00, shift schedule ※online reservation required Admission／Adults 1,000 yen; junior and senior high school students 700 yen Parking／None

Ikeda Masuo and Yoko Sato Creative House This house was the home and studio of the late multi-artist Ikeda Masuo, who excelled in printmaking, painting, and film. He lived here from 1982 (Showa 57) until his death in 1997 (Heisei 9), sharing the space with world-renowned violinist Yoko Sato. The house, where the two prodigies lived together and based their artistic activities, exhibits Ikeda’s handwritten manuscript of his Akutagawa Prize-winning work "Dedicated to the Aegean Sea," his chronology, photographs, lithographs, and ceramic panels, as well as Sato’s stage dresses, musical scores, chronology, and photographs. Come see a glimpse of their glamorous yet unpretentious daily life. Address / 10-24 Kaikocho, Atami City, Shizuoka Prefecture, 413-0003 Phone / 0557-81-3258 (Creative House) Access / About a 15-minute walk from atami station / About a 3-minute bus ride from atami station toward Izusan Shrine, get off at Momoyama, then about a 3-minute walk Opening hours / 9:00–16:30 (last admission by 16:00) Closed / Every Tuesday (open on public holidays) and during the New Year holidays Admission / Adults 360 yen, junior and senior high school students 240 yen, elementary school students and younger free *Children below elementary school age are not allowed to enter unaccompanied Parking / None

Atami Castle Atami Trick Art Labyrinth Museum Atami Castle rises atop the summit of Nishikigaura, a scenic spot in Atami. The castle keep’s observation deck offers a 360-degree panorama: it looks out over Atami city, Yugawara, the Manazuru Peninsula, and on clear days the floating silhouettes of Hatsushima and Oshima, with the Ajiro–Ito side of the Izu Peninsula stretching beyond—making it Atami’s premier viewpoint. In spring the castle is famous for cherry blossoms, and in summer you can watch fireworks from the keep like a feudal lord. (The Cherry Blossom Festival runs from late March to early April.) Inside the castle you’ll find the Samurai Culture Museum displaying armor and swords, a ukiyo-e shunga gallery, an Edo costume experience room where you can dress up for photos, a jet footbath at 120 meters above sea level, and a free game corner—packed with sights and surprises. In the castle annex, the Atami Trick Art Labyrinth Museum offers wonderfully strange illusions where flat paintings appear three-dimensional. About 40 trick artworks feature marine creatures, dinosaurs, wild beasts, and Jaws-style scenes. You can do more than admire the art—take hilarious photos, experience illusions of becoming a giant or a tiny person, touch the exhibits, and snap shots for big laughs. Lose track of time as you get absorbed in the tricks. It’s a place that excites families, friends, and couples alike. Address / 1993 Sogayama, Atami City, Shizuoka Prefecture 413-0033 Phone / 0557-81-6206 (Atami Castle) Access / ■ About 10 minutes by car from atami station ■ About 10 minutes by bus from atami station toward Atami Port or Korakuen; get off at "Korakuen" → take the AtamiRopeway for about 3 minutes → about a 3-minute walk from Summit Station ■ About 15 minutes from atami station by Yu~Yu~ Bus → get off at Atami Castle Open / 9:00–17:00 (last admission 16:30) Open year-round Admission / Adults 1,100 yen; elementary and junior high students 600 yen; ages 3–6 450 yen (Two-site set ticket / Adults 1,800 yen; elementary and junior high students 950 yen; ages 3–6 700 yen) Parking / 100 spaces; parking fee: 500 yen (per visit)

I visited the Muttoni World exhibition at Yumemuseum, a 20-minute walk from Hachioji Station. This is an exhibition I love so much it was my third visit. The Muttoni World exhibition features many mechanical music boxes, each offering a five- to twenty-minute sequence. When I finished seeing everything, more than two hours had passed, and I felt as if I had been inside a dream the whole time. Seeing is believing! Admission is free for children up to junior high school, 750 yen for adults, and 350 yen for those 65 and older. Do go and see it—you’ll love it!

MOA Museum of Art MOA MUSEUM OF ART This prominent Atami museum holds about 3,500 works focused on East Asian paintings, calligraphy, and crafts, including three National Treasures, 67 Important Cultural Properties, and 46 Important Art Objects. Especially famed is Ogata Kōrin’s masterpiece and National Treasure Red and White Plum Blossoms folding screen (displayed for limited periods), which draws many visitors who wait for its exhibition each February during the plum season. The museum sits atop a hill in Atami on a site of some 70,000 tsubo, and the main lobby and the MOA plaza offer stunning views of Izu Oshima, Hatsushima, and other scenic islands. The grounds include gardens that change with the seasons—cherry blossoms and azaleas in spring, fresh greenery in early summer, and autumn foliage—so you can relax in a resort atmosphere while enjoying both art and nature. Address / 26-2 Momoyama-cho, Atami, Shizuoka Prefecture 413-0006 Phone / 0557-84-2511 Access / About 10 minutes by bus from JR atami station toward the MOA Museum of Art, then get off at the final stop, MOA Hours / 9:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. (last admission 4:00 p.m.) Closed / Every Thursday and on exhibition changeover days. Special open days may apply Admission / Adults ¥1,600; university and high school students ¥1,000; elementary and junior high school students free; senior discount ¥1,400; disability discount ¥800 Parking / 200 spaces (free)

2024 Kobe Luminarie A light shining for the future There was a paid admission depending on the time of day, and many people came even on weekdays Advance sales are recommended.

2024 Kobe Luminarie A light shining for the future From Kobe to the ⛴️ world yes, yes, I think it's good. See statue It's a trading town.