[Notice] Event Information♪ The 52nd Iwanai Dotoh Festival!!! A spectacular fireworks show with about 5,000 shells🎇 ★Date and Time ・Saturday, August 2 — from 12:00 ※Fireworks start at 20:00 ※Postponed to the next day in case of rain ・Sunday, August 3 — from 10:00 ★Venue Special outdoor site on the west side of the Iwanai Regional Cultural Center Postal code 045-0003 51-7 Bandai, Iwanai-cho, Iwanai District, Hokkaido For the program and event details, please see the images from the second one onward.

Photographed on July 19, 25. Prayer at Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine. 🍧 Still, it's hot.

Summer has arrived 🌻 Last week Gokasecho saw many rainy and cloudy days, but this week the weather has been pure summer ✨ with the sun dazzling every day 😎 I drove out to Shirataki to look for a bit of cool air 🚗 Just watching the water fall from a drop of about 20 meters felt refreshing 😊 Along the way there was a sunflower field in full bloom 🌻 It was a spot I’d never known about before, so I felt like I’d discovered a great treat 🎵 People often picture Miyazaki Prefecture as hot, but Gokasecho sits surrounded by high mountains ⛰ Because of that, average summer temperatures are a few degrees lower than other parts of the prefecture, and mornings and evenings can be chilly enough to need a light blanket. Many nights you can sleep soundly without air conditioning 😉 (Last night was actually quite cool and I slept under a blanket 😅) Escape the summer heat and come refresh your body and mind in Gokase this summer ✨

Photographed 7/26/25. This is LEC COFFEE's lemonade soda. 🍋

[Day Trip] Limited Time Only! Enjoy Nature with Additional Geibi Line Trains and a Free Shuttle Bus｜Dive! Hiroshima The JR Geibi Line "Rapid Shobara Liner," operating on weekends and public holidays through November 24, 2025 (45 days total), departs Hiroshima Station at 9:07 AM and runs to Bingo-Ochiai Station in Saijo-cho, Shobara City, without requiring a transfer at Miyoshi Station! 🚃 Dive! Hiroshima introduces a plan that takes you from Bingo-Saijo Station to Hiroshima Prefectural Citizen’s Forest via a free shuttle bus (reservation required). Enjoy hiking, BBQs, and memorable photo spots✨ Find the full article here🔽 https://www.shobara-info.com/news/5177...

Summer vacation has arrived! 😍 This time, for those looking for a “special summer experience” in Shobara City, Hiroshima Prefecture, we introduce a hidden gem where you can find healing in the satoyama and try handloom weaving: Rikoori Workshop. It’s perfect for summer research projects and sure to offer adults a soothing, heartwarming time ✨ Great for summer research too. Enjoy a calming handloom weaving experience in Shobara’s natural surroundings We posted an “Editorial Report” on the Shobara Tourist Navi website! 🧶 Read the full experience report here 🔽 https://www.shobara-info.com/report/5174... ~ Shop Details ~ Facility Name: Rikoori Workshop Address: 615-75 Nagata, Kuchiwa-cho, Shobara City Phone: 0824-89-2501 Hours: 10:00 or 13:00 (times can be adjusted to suit you) Reservations: Required — by phone only Experience Fee: 1 hour experience 1,000 yen + materials from 1,000 yen (tax included) (Please tell them what you want to weave when making a phone reservation)

Photographed 7/26/25. I visited on the day of the Kawagoe Million Lights Summer Festival. It is a quiche plate for lunch. It is a quiche with semi-dried tomatoes, bacon and onions, salad, and cold corn soup. It was very hot, so I was allowed to relax. 😊

Photographed 7/29/25. A friend gave me a drink ticket, so I Outbound it during the break. Gran Muscat Frappuccino and strawberry tart.

Photographed 7/26/25. For a limited time until 8/26 (Sun), Hikawa Kaikan is open as "Hikawa Ryofuso". It was cool until the Kawagoe Million Light Festival was held in. It's Shuwa knotted soda and love.

Photographed 7/26/25. It is the Otorii Gate of Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine and the "clouds on the ground".

Photographed 7/26/25. It is a wind chime at the edge of Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine. Only one out of 2,000 pieces There are a red thread wind chime. The location changes every day.

Photographed 7/26/25. Prayer at Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine. It is a rim musubi wind chime. 🎐

Photographed 7/26/25. It is a demonstration of the Kawagoe clan arquebus.

Photographed 7/26/25. It is Koite Water of Kawagoe Kumano Shrine. It is a Kawagoe million light summer festival specification. 🏮

Yesterday was the Kawagoe Million Lights Summer Festival. 🏮

🌸Shinyan and Nyanko’s Layered Stamp Rally Tour 🌸 Extended due to popular demand!! Event period Friday, August 1, 2025 – Friday, October 31, 2025 Extended period Friday, August 1, 2025 – Wednesday, December 31, 2025 Join Shimanto City Tourism Association’s official characters, Shinyan and Nyanko, for a stamp rally that lets you enjoy Shimanto City! This isn’t just any stamp — these are layered stamps. As you stack each stamp, by the end…ta‑da! A single piece of art appears✨ Turn your completed sheet into a postcard! It’s perfect as a travel keepsake or a gift for friends💌 Why not create your own Shimanto art? How to enjoy — it’s super easy♪ 1. Get a stamp sheet! → Sheets are distributed in limited numbers at each facility. If one place runs out, another might still have them! 2. Stack and stamp five stamps! → Stamps 1–5 share the same design in either area. The final image is the same even if you don’t stamp in order! 3. Once all stamps are in place, a cute Shinyan art piece is complete🎨 → You can take it home as a postcard✨ 4. Show your completed sheet and… → The first 500 visitors receive an original cotton tote bag as a gift🎁 Two areas — start anywhere you like Stamp spots form one design across the Nakamura Area and the Nishitosa Area. Because stamps 1–5 are common, collecting them in either area yields the same final image♪ Nakamura Area🐾 1. Shimanto River Museum Akitsuio — Admission required A facility where you can learn about the creatures of the Shimanto River. With dragonfly and insect specimens and displays of fish from the Shimanto River basin, it’s fun for adults and children alike! Hours: 9:00–17:00 (Closed Mondays) 2. Shimanto River Sightseeing Boats (Yakatabune) — Boarding required Three sightseeing boat operators participate; whichever operator you board will stamp your sheet. Enjoy a relaxing cruise on the beautiful Shimanto River♪ Hours: 9:00–16:00 (Advance reservation recommended) 3. Shimanto City Local Museum — Admission required A castle-shaped museum on a small hill. Learn Shimanto City’s history and culture, and take in city views from the tower for a castle‑lord feeling! Hours: 9:00–17:00 (Closed Wednesdays) 4. harenoba cafe n2 (Cafe N2) — Purchase or dine required Located around the middle of Tenjinbashi Shopping Street, it’s the perfect stop to rest during sightseeing. Hours: 11:00–18:00 (Closed Mondays) 5. Shimanto City Tourism Association — Cotton bag pick‑up location — Visit required A hub for travel information on Shimanto City and the Hata Region. They offer rental bikes (¥1,000 and up) and discounted sightseeing boat tickets! Hours: 8:30–17:30 (Open year‑round) The Nakamura town center is easy to explore by rental bike, so you can take a leisurely stroll and collect stamps! Nishitosa Area🐾 1. Roadside Station Yotte Nishitosa — Visit required A popular spot with local specialties and souvenirs. Enjoy grilled natural ayu (sweetfish) from the Shimanto River and sweets made from local ingredients — ideal for a break or shopping! Hours: 7:30–18:00 (No holidays during the event period) 2. Shimanto River Station Canoe Hall — Purchase, experience, or stay required A facility offering canoe experiences, SUP, and rafting, with an adjacent campsite so you can fully enjoy the outdoors! Hours: 8:30–17:30 (No holidays during the event period) 3. Iwami Chaya (near the sinking bridge!) — Visit required Right next to Iwami Sinking Bridge, this spot sells homemade bento and unique handmade goods made by locals. Fans should also check out the “Shimanto River” monument by Hiroshi Miyama with parking available! Hours: 10:00–15:00 (Closed Mondays) 4. Hotel Seira Shimanto — Stay or day‑use hot spring required In addition to lodging, the hotel has a restaurant and day‑use hot spring, perfect for soothing travel fatigue. At night, the stargazing guide by the star attendant is highly recommended! Hours: 9:00–17:00 (Open year‑round) 5. Shimanto River Furusato Guide Center — Cotton bag pick‑up location — Visit required The Nishitosa tourist information desk located right by the station. You can also rent Rinrin Cycles here! Hours: 8:30–18:00 (Closed Wednesdays) Driving is recommended in Nishitosa! Enjoy a scenic drive along the Shimanto River while taking in nature♪ Note: Opening days and hours may vary. Please check each facility’s website for the latest information. (Information current as of July 2025) Key point! Stamps 1–5 share a common design, so collecting them across Nakamura and Nishitosa will still complete the same image! (For example: either Nakamura’s Shimanto River Museum Akitsuio or Nishitosa’s Roadside Station Yotte Nishitosa for stamp 1 is fine) When you collect all the stamps… 🎉 The first 500 participants will receive ＼an original cotton tote bag／ Show your completed stamp sheet at one of the following locations👇 • Nakamura: Shimanto City Tourism Association • Nishitosa: Shimanto River Furusato Guide Center This cute, exclusive bag features Shinyan artwork and is only available here🐾✨ Who are Shinyan and Nyanko? Shinyan and Nyanko are local cat characters of the Shimanto City Tourism Association. There are five cats in total, each inspired by the Shimanto River’s nature, traditional fishing methods, and local culture. In this stamp rally, those Shinyan cats appear together as art♪ 🎨 Character designs are by Junya Inoue, a popular manga artist from Shimanto City and a tourism ambassador (best known for BTOOOM! and Kaiju Jieitai). Come play around Shimanto City with the Shinyan cats! Don’t just press stamps — enjoy the fun of layering them to complete the art. Explore nature, history, food, and adorable characters on a Shimanto City tour. We’re sure your very own special piece will take shape✨ We look forward to your participation!

Today, we visited CAFE ANDON. It is a café latte and campagne. It fits very, very well.

Photographed on June 28, 25. It is a wind chime at the edge of Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine.

Photographed on June 28, 25. It is a wind chime at the edge of Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine.

Photographed 6/29/25. It is a wind chime at the edge of Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine.

Photographed on July 9, 25. Light up of the Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine rim musubi wind chime. I forgot to take a picture of the wind chime at the edge of the northern approach to the temple, so if I have a chance, I will go back and take a picture.

Photographed on July 9, 25. It is the Otorii Gate gate of Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine and the "clouds on the ground" that appear from time to time.

Photographed on July 9, 25. Light up of the edge musubi wind chime of Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine.

Photographed on July 9, 25. It is a wind chime at the edge of Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine. I found a wind chime with a red thread.

When daylily blooms around Lake Notari, you realize that summer has arrived.

Photographed on July 9, 25. Light up of the Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine wind chime corridor.

Photographed on July 9, 25. It is a wind chime at the edge of Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine. I went outbound to shoot at night.

Photographed on July 19, 25. This is LEC COFFEE's Original Chai.

Photographed on July 19, 25. After Prayer to Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine, we visited LEC COFFEE. It's a quiche plate. It is a quiche with dried tomatoes, bacon and onions, and a cold corn soup.

CAFE ANDON's summer-only morning, minestrone and toast. It's very delicious, so I'm planning to visit again during the period. I also met the people I wanted to meet. Thank you for opening early in the morning. 😊