Today, I attended the Kawagoe Kumano Shrine Prayer Festival. This is the love water of Kawagoe Kumano Shrine.

Spring at the foothills of Mt. Yatsugatake In Spring at the foothills of Mt. Yatsugatake Nobeyama Highlands, dandelion flowers bloom in the fresh greenery meadow, and the remaining snow of Yatsugatake is beautiful

Spring Highlands In Spring at the foothills of Mt. Yatsugatake Nobeyama Highlands, dandelions bloom in the meadows and the remaining snow of Yatsugatake is beautiful

Yokohama Marine Tower at night The landmark Marine Tower in the Port of Yokohama is a bewitching Light up at night and is an old and new Sightseeing spot.

Night Cherry Blossoms and Minato Mirai Night View The night view of Yokohama Minato Mirai seen from the rows of cherry blossom trees on the Yokohama Car road, the Yokohama Landmark Tower and Queen's Square Yokohama's skyscrapers and night cherry blossoms somehow harmonize and become an oasis in the city.

Drooping cherry blossoms in Yamashita Park Yamashita Park's hanging cherry blossoms and Hikawa Maru facing Yokohama Port are parks that you should visit at least once when you come to Yokohama.

Photographed 3/1/25. After the Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine Monthly Festival, I relaxed at the Starbucks Bell Ring Street store. Hojicha & Classic Tea Latte and Uji Matcha Cheesecake.

Rape flowers and Kawazu cherry blossoms In Matsuda Town, Kanagawa Prefecture, there is a Kawazu cherry blossoms of Sakurayama There are. At the Matsudayama Herb Garden and the Aguri Park Sagayama Garden in the back, you can enjoy an early Spring and Early Blooming Kawazu cherry blossoms and rape flower fields. If it is not cloudy, you can see Mt. Fuji.

Rape flowers and Kawazu cherry blossoms In Matsuda Town, Kanagawa Prefecture, there is a Kawazu cherry blossoms of Sakurayama There are. At the Matsudayama Herb Garden and the Aguri Park Sagayama Garden in the back, you can enjoy an early Spring and Early Blooming Kawazu cherry blossoms and rape flower fields. If it is not cloudy, you can see Mt. Fuji.

Rape flowers and Kawazu cherry blossoms In Matsuda Town, Kanagawa Prefecture, there is a Kawazu cherry blossoms of Sakurayama There are. At the Matsudayama Herb Garden and the Aguri Park Sagayama Garden in the back, you can enjoy an early Spring and Early Blooming Kawazu cherry blossoms and rape flower fields. If it is not cloudy, you can see Mt. Fuji.

Mt. Gokayama in the Snow Snow piles up on the triangular-roofed gassho-zukuri house born from the wisdom of the Heavy snowfall area in the Aikura gassho-zukuri village in the snowy Gokayama of Echichu, and Impression by the wisdom of our ancestors who let the snow fall with Nature

Sunset in Arasaki At dusk in Arasaki, where the wind blows and white waves rise, you can see Izu Oshima Island and Mt. Fuji faintly in the distance.

Sunset in Kushiro Sunset on the Kushiro River and sunset on the Nusamai Bridge

Rape flowers in Ninomiya Azumayama Park Just Get off Ninomiya Station on the JR Tokaido Line, the rape blossoms are in full bloom from January to February in a park in a Hilltop overlooking the sea. You can see the Boso Peninsula, Oshima, and Izu Peninsula in the distance, and you can also see Mt. Fuji.

Rape Blossom and Fuji You can see rape flowers and Mt. Fuji from Azumayama Park in Ninomiya Town, Kanagawa Prefecture Get off at Ninomiya Station on the JR Tokaido Line

Stars orbiting the North Star Here at Nobeyama Highlands Elevation There are Nobeyama Radio Observatory National Astronomical Observatory of Japan Highlands of 1300~1500m. In winter, the air is clear and it is a perfect place for stargazing. Looking at the stars orbiting the North Star, you can't help but feel the profundity of the universe.

Dawn on the Nobeyama Highlands Fuji and the Southern Alps seen from the Shinshu Nobeyama Highlands, the clouds hanging over the Southern Alps are dyed red by the Sunrise, and the sun is about to rise

Fuji Waiting for Dawn Fuji at dawn seen from the Shinshu Nobeyama Highlands

Yatsugatake dyed in the Sunrise Morgenroth of Yatsugatake seen from the Yatsugatake Observation decks Shishiiwa on a winter morning At sunrise, it turns red from the top of the mountain, and as the sun rises, it gradually turns toward the base.

23rd Arao Pear Blossom Genki Walk Saturday, March 29, 2025 The season of soft, joyful spring sunlight has arrived. Delicate white blossoms will bloom on Arao’s specialty pear trees. Would you like to walk through Arao’s spring scenery with us? We are pleased to announce an approximately 8-kilometer walking event that starts at Arao City Mall and goes to Mizuno Park and back. After the walk, we will hold a raffle with luxurious prizes, including gift certificates usable at Youme Town and a delivery of 3 kg of Arao pears this autumn. Event Date Saturday, March 29, 2025 (Reiwa 7) 9:00 AM–1:00 PM ※Held in light rain; canceled in severe weather Registration: 8:30 AM–9:30 AM Opening Ceremony: 9:30 AM Start: Mass start immediately after the opening ceremony Final Goal: 12:30 PM Course Start/Goal: Youme Town City Mall Parking Lot A Turnaround: Mizuno Park Eligibility Those who are confident in their physical fitness Elementary school students and younger must be accompanied by a guardian How to Apply ♦ Application Period From 8:00 AM on Saturday, February 1, 2025 (Reiwa 7) to 5:00 PM on Friday, March 14, 2025 (Reiwa 7) ♦ Application Method Online application form Search for “Arao Pear Blossom Genki Walk” Contact Arao Pear Blossom Genki Walk Executive Committee (Arao City Tourism, Culture and Exchange Division, Tourism Promotion Office) TEL 0968-63-1421 Participation Fee 500 yen (elementary school age and older) Competition Rules The event is conducted by walking the designated course. Participants must travel on foot only; bicycles, cars, and similar vehicles are not permitted. ※In the event of injuries to participants, first aid and coverage within the organizer’s insurance will be provided; other liabilities will not be assumed. Organizer: Arao Pear Blossom Genki Walk Executive Committee (Secretariat: Arao City Tourism, Culture and Exchange Division) Supported by: Tamana Agricultural Cooperative (JA Tamana); Arao City Tourism Association (general incorporated association) Cooperation: JA Tamana Arao Pear Section; Youme Town City Mall; Greenland; Yakiniku Nulbon Garden

Today, I attended the Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine Monthly Festival.

Photographed on 2/23/25. This is Hanachozu from Koedo Kurato.

I came to Toyama for sightseeing, but unfortunately it snowed If it's snowing, you can't just go out to see the snowy scenery, so you can walk from the hotel to the Takaoka Great Buddha On a snowy night, while no one was around, the Light up Takaoka Great Buddha was quite handsome.

★Lake Suwa / Kami-Suwa Onsen — A Ryokan with Delicious Food: Hama no Yu ※Kami-Suwa Onsen: The Yutama Legend At Kami-Suwa Onsen there is a “Yutama” legend that says the goddess of Suwa Taisha was carrying bathwater for her makeup on cotton as she moved from the Upper Shrine (Kamisha) to the Lower Shrine (Shimosha). Some of that water fell along the way and formed the hot spring known as Yutama. Now, in this cold season don’t we all want to soak in a warm onsen? Food lover Kasai turns into “steam-emitting Kasai” when he sweats in winter, with steam rising from his head, haha. Lately I’ve actually gotten hooked on onsens! First, I’d like to introduce the local Kami-Suwa Onsen!!! For the first feature, we received cooperation from Hama no Yu!!! Above all, Hama no Yu’s baths let you enjoy the garden view, and their baths are made from the now-rare black granite. And the ultimate feature is their heat retention!!! This heat retention is one of their strongest points in the whole country!!! Please stay with them and enjoy their baths, which are available 24 hours a day!!! • Men’s Bath There are four baths: a black granite bath, a cypress bath (bubble bath), a rock open-air bath, and a herbal bath. Men can relax and recover from fatigue in the herbal bath♨. A dry sauna and cold plunge are available. The large public bath is open 24 hours! • Women’s Bath There are four baths: a black granite bath, a cypress bath (bubble bath), a rock open-air bath, and a lavender bath. In the women’s bath you can especially enjoy the lavender bath♨, with its delightful fragrance and excellent relaxing effect. A mist sauna and cold plunge are available. The large public bath and the lavender bath are open 24 hours! ☆ Private Bath “Asa no Yu” A private bath is available where families can soak together in private, so if you have small children you can enjoy the onsen without worry, just like at home♨. Fee: 45 minutes / 2,200 yen (tax included) • Source: Nanatsugama Source (a mixed spring of Shin-Mitsugama No.1 source, Shin-Mitsugama No.2 source, Ayame source, and Yanaginami source) • Water Quality: Simple sulfur spring (weakly alkaline, hypotonic, high-temperature spring) • Indications: Neuralgia / Muscle pain / Joint pain / Frozen shoulder / Motor paralysis / Joint stiffness / Bruises / Sprains / Chronic digestive diseases / Hemorrhoids / Sensitivity to cold / Convalescence / Recovery from fatigue / Health promotion Everyone, please consider staying at Hama no Yu to enjoy this proud onsen and the ryokan’s pride—its delicious meals!!! https://www.hamanoyu.co.jp//

Photographed on 2/23/25. This is Hanachozu from Koedo Kurasato.

Photographed 2/28/25. CAFE ANDON's Cafe Latte and Foret Noir (French: Black Forest). It is a winter cake with cocoa sponge sandwiched between fresh cream and cherry jam. It also goes well with a latte. Of course, it is very tasty. It seems to be until today.

Photographed on 2/24/25. This is a café latte from CAFE ANDON. It's very, very nice latte art. ☕️

[Thorough Guide to the World Cultural Heritage Site: Manda Pit!] Manda Pit, located in Arao City, Kumamoto Prefecture, is one of the coal mine ruins that supported Japan’s modernization. It is registered as a component of the World Cultural Heritage site "Sites of Japan’s Meiji Industrial Revolution" and holds great significance in Japan’s industrial history. Highlights of Manda Pit One of Japan’s Largest Shaft Facilities Manda Pit served as one of the Miike Coal Mine shafts, producing high-quality coal from the Meiji era through the early Showa era and supporting Japan’s modernization. The massive steel headframe symbolizing Meiji- and Taisho-era mining technology and the winding engine house are must-sees. Well-Preserved Industrial Heritage Many mine facilities and equipment used from the Meiji through Showa eras remain at Manda Pit, allowing visitors to feel the atmosphere of the time. The red-brick buildings and the imposing steel-frame structures are especially popular photo spots. Guided Tours to Learn Mine History Specialist-guided tours at Manda Pit explain the history and workings of the mine in detail. You can see the machinery and equipment that were actually used up close. Display of Mine Trains Manda Pit also exhibits the mine trains once used there. You can view the trains used to transport coal and for local transport up close, and running demonstrations are held on the second and fourth Sunday of every month. Recommended Nearby Spots Arao Tidal Flats (a nature-rich tidal flat registered under the Ramsar Convention) Greenland (one of Kyushu’s largest amusement parks) Yotsuyama Shrine (a historic shrine beloved by Arao residents) Coal Industry Science Museum (a science museum about energy from coal) Access Information About 10 minutes by car from JR Arao Station About 1 hour by car from Fukuoka City About 1 hour by car from Kumamoto City #Manda Pit #World Cultural Heritage #Coal Mine Ruins #Kumamoto Sightseeing #Arao City #Historical Exploration #Industrial Heritage #Photo Spot

Photographed on 2/24/25. This is a hot tuna onion sandwich from CAFE ANDON. I visit you from time to time. 😊

Photographed on 2/24/25. Outside of CAFE ANDON, there is Squid. It's almost March. 🎎