Crane roost in the frigid cold
In the frigid early morning, the roost of the cranes that spring up in the river mist is covered with frost.
The frost is dyed in the Sunrise and the cranes begin their activities

Red-crowned crane chirping
Tsugai red-crowned cranes chirp to confirm their love for each other

[Welcomed by 3,000 Hina Dolls 🎎]
Right now, at Omachi Onsenkyo’s Tateyama Prince Hotel, the Tate-Pri Theater Series No. 5 “Tateyama Hina Display of Crimson Lotus” is on show 🎎✨ It is open for anyone to visit until Thursday, April 3rd 😌 Also, Tateyama Prince Hotel offers a dinner plan for guests staying in Hakuba, timed to the circular bus that connects the Hakuba area with accommodations and restaurants in Omachi City 🚌🍽
For details, see below 🔽🔽🔽
https://kanko-omachi.gr.jp/news/90613/

Fuji at Dawn
View of Fuji over Lake Motosu from Lake Motosu Observation Park before dawn
The foothills are dyed orange, and the surface of the lake is also dyed orange
The sun is coming up soon

Snowy Morning
Morning of the snowy scenery of Takizawa Farm at the foothills of Mt. Yatsugatake, Nobeyama Highlands
The silver Yatsugatake and fresh snow-covered meadows are beautiful

The Koumi Line at the foothills of Mt. Yatsugatake
The JR Koumi Line is a Highlands line car that runs at the highest elevation point in Japan.
On the line connecting Kobuchizawa Station on the JR Chuo Main Line to Komoro Station on the Shinano Railway
The section from Kobuchizawa Station to Shinano Kawakami Station goes at the foothills of Mt. Yatsugatake
The view from the Car window is also beautiful in the Highlands row Car section
Between Kiyosato Station and Nobeyama Station on the way Elevation there is a 1375m JR Railway Highest point crossing and
Nobeyama Station is the railway station at 1345.67m, the highest elevation in Japan.
The photo is in Goshodaira between Nobeyama Station and Shinano Kawakami Station
I took a picture of the small sea line going at the foothills of Mt. Yatsugatake.

This is the Nobeyama Highlands at the foothills of Yatsugatake Higashiyama
It is a highlands where the silver Yatsugatake spreads out in front of you

Fuji at sunrise seen from Lake Yamanaka Panorama
First, the summit of Mt. Fuji is dyed red by the Sunrise, and gradually it is dyed into the foothills
The peaks of the distant Southern Alps are dyed red and morning visits. It's a crisp morning.

New Spring Fuji seen from Oshino Hakkai
Frost remains in the shade, and it is a refreshing morning.

Seven Miles of Snow Coverage
Snow piles up on the pines like cotton candy
I like it.

It is the only sea route on the Tokaido Highway that connects Miya inn and Mulberry inn, and it is said that it was so named because the distance was 7 miles (27.5 km).

Kuwana City, Mie Prefecture "Seven Villages"

January 1, 2025
First sunrise.

On days when the cold is severe
Because the water temperature in the river is higher
A fog called a qi storm is generated.

It's fantastic and beautiful, isn't it?

Wakamasu Bakery 🥖 @wakamasu_bakery (Instagram)

A beloved shop frequented by regulars, I visited Wakamasu Bakery. The bakery has run for three generations from the founder to the current owner, moving from the original Ina shop to Suwa, and has continued for 99 years!
Today, the owner and her father bake the bread together 🍞 Wakamasu began in Ina in the great-grandfather’s time, and the shop is linked to Nagano’s soul food, the gyūnyū pan (milk bread)!!!
Pop-up signs in the shop explain the products and highlight their commitment to domestic wheat and sudakito (sudaki sugar), a mineral-rich sugar made from 100% cane. Their beloved “Milk Ball” is famous, and many regulars come just for it 🥖
・A long-time favorite, the soft French-style roll filled with milk cream: the Milk Ball
・Owner’s pick: Cream Bread filled generously with homemade custard cream
・A recent hit: Croque Monsieur with homemade béchamel sauce, ham, and cheese
・Four kinds of sandwiches and two kinds of savory baked breads are available.

◎ Wakamasu Bakery
📍 4-11-10 Kogan Street, Suwa City
☎ 0266-52-3488
◎ Business hours: 8:00 – 16:00
◎ Business days: Thursday, Friday, Saturday
◎ Homepage: https://www.instagram.com/wakamasu_bakery/

Regular customers are hooked on Wakamasu Bakery’s Milk Ball! The owner’s great-grandfather started Wakamasu Bakery in Ina. Wakamasu Bakery has been in business for 99 years. Later, the owner’s father moved the shop to its current location in Suwa. Today, the owner and her father bake the bread together.
Between you and me, Wakamasu Bread is connected to gyūnyū pan (milk cream bread).
Nowadays the owner uses domestic wheat and sudaki sugar (a Japanese sugar rich in minerals). She is particular about ingredients.
These are the regular offerings:
・Regular customers come for the Milk Ball.
・The owner’s recommendation is Cream Bread with homemade custard cream.
・A recent trend is the croque monsieur with homemade béchamel sauce, ham, and cheese.
・Four kinds of sandwiches and two kinds of cooked breads.

◎ Wakamasu Bakery
📍 4-11-10 Kogan Street, Suwa City
☎ 0266-52-3488
◎ Business hours: 8:00 – 16:00
◎ Business days: Thursday, Friday, Saturday
◎ Homepage: https://www.instagram.com/wakamasu_bakery/

The 59th Onuma Hakodate Snow and Ice Festival, a major winter Events in southern Hokkaido that has been going on for many years, will be Held in again this year!
The jumbo slide made by cutting out the frozen Lake Onuma is Popular! !!
Please come and visit us!
【Date and time】
February 8 (Sat) 9 (Sun) 10:00~16:00
[Place]
Onuma Park Square (near 1023-1 Onuma-cho, Nanae Town, Kameda-gun, Hokkaido)

White Silver Sangi Railway

Fujiwara Towns, Inabe City, Mie Prefecture

Happy New Year🎍

Thank you all for 🙇 ♀️ your continued support this year
This is Nagashima Spa Land in Mie Prefecture.
Held in New Year's Eve fireworks every year, and you can play until 3 a.m. only on New Year's Day.

Be sure to 🤤 visit on New Year's Eve this year

Snow Fairy
Did you know that there is a snow fairy in Hokkaido?
Its name is "Shimaenaga"
Originally, this wild bird called Enaga resembled a long-handled ladle in appearance.
The chief of the handle (e) → named Enaga
In fact, there are long-tailed moths in Honshu, but this pure white subspecies of long-tailed moth only lives in Hokkaido
That's why Hokkaido is called Shima.
The long-tailed moth, which lives only in Shima→ was named Shimaenaga
It is only called the snow fairy, and you will see it from the time when the leaves fall and the snow begins to fall
For that reason, it is also called a bird that signals snow

Happy New Year

Happy New Year🎍
Thank you for your continued support this year.

First sunrise of the year from Sumiyoshi Shrine in Kuwana City
Period, the sun rises from inside the Torii (shrine gate).
It's still okay for a while.
Impression by all means.

2025/1/2 Kuwana City, Mie Prefecture "Sumiyoshi Shrine"

Nagashima Spa Land New Year's Eve fireworks 🎆

Happy New Year 🙇 ♀️
This year, we started with fireworks.

Best regards again for one 🙇 year

A view of the morning mist dyed in orange.
A group of buildings covered in haze due to the beautiful sunrise and radiative cooling on a cold morning.

Shot on DJI MAVIC 3
Kiyosu City, Aichi Prefecture 2024/12

* Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Comprehensive Flight Permit has been obtained.
* Notification of flight plan and preparation of flight log book

I went to House Ten Bosch for Christmas.
It is an illumination that won the top prize (the best in the world) at the International Illumination Awards 2024.
You can experience an authentic European Christmas in Japan!

Kami‑Suwa Onsen Winter Stay Campaign

Believe it or not, this is the ninth year! The Kami‑Suwa Onsen Winter Stay Campaign is back! Twelve ryokan and hotels belonging to the inn association offer carefully selected premium plans at great savings!!!

★ Great deals on stays
1. As a return gift for Furusato Nozei (hometown tax) from Suwa City, accommodation vouchers usable at Kami‑Suwa Onsen ryokan and hotels (from ¥10,000) have been set up, so please make a smart tax donation via your preferred travel site this winter and enjoy the savings.

2. A drive plan from NEXCO Central Japan called Hayatabi bundles a ¥10,000 universal accommodation voucher with roughly 50% off highway tolls. You can apply via the NEXCO Central Japan website.
Product name: Kami‑Suwa Onsen Drive Plan with Universal Accommodation Voucher

★ Guests who stay during the campaign period will be entered into a prize draw
Prize A: Accommodation subsidy voucher worth ¥10,000 usable at Kami‑Suwa Onsen【50 winners】
*Delivered as two ¥5,000 vouchers Valid through January 31, 2026 (planned)

Prize B: Admission tickets to the Suwa Lake Fireworks Festival on August 15, 2025【15 pairs, 30 people】
*Seating planned in front of the Suwa Lake Geyser Center

We hope this campaign encourages you to favor Kami‑Suwa Onsen! The onsen’s warm feeling after bathing really lasts!!! (A foodie, Kasai, speaking personally...) Refresh yourself in Suwa to shake off the fatigue of 2024 and start 2025 happily and energetically♨

Kasai the Foodie’s Recommended Winter Sightseeing Course
・Taste tour of the five Suwa breweries ⇒ Stay at Kami‑Suwa Onsen ⇒ New Year’s visit to Suwa Taisha ⇒ Suwa region’s midwinter eel tradition

★ Official Kami‑Suwa Onsen Winter Stay Campaign Website

https://kamisuwa-onsen.com

More details are available there, so please check it out!

It is a winter view of Kamo Shrine in Keihoku, Kyoto.

Impression when I arrived at Kamo Shrine by walking alone in the mountains where there was quite a bit of snow.

After Prayer, I forgot about the cold for about two hours and took pictures with enthusiasm.

December 21 to 25
In Kamishihoro Town, Hokkaido
Christmas Drone Show
Held in.

The ending is also fireworks Gari
The venue was Gari excited.

Kyoto Prefecture Miyama Karabuki no Sato Snow Festival
It was a pity that there was no snow, but I wanted to take a panoramic view of the village of Miyama, so I climbed the snowy mountain alone
Next time, I would like to see snow on the roof, but if that happens, there will be even more snow on the mountain side.
Is it dangerous to climb snow? 🤔

Miyama Karabuki no Sato Snow Festival
It was a pity that there was no snow, but I wanted to take a picture of the whole view of the village of Miyama, so I managed to climb the snowy mountain alone and took a hard picture.
Of course, since it was a snowy mountain, there was no road, and it was almost a cliff climb, but 😅 on the way back, it was pitch dark and I managed to descend the mountain while getting lost on the way. 😌

Japan Garden at Kinosaki Onsen Yutoya Ryokan A magnificent pine tree in the garden is covered with 😯 snow

Kinosaki Onsen, Hyogo
No matter how many times you come here, you will be healed 😌♨️

Japan Garden of Kinosaki Onsen Yutoya Ryokan
A magnificent pine tree in the garden is covered with 😯 snow

2024.12.03 Maruyasu Tanakaya Main Store

Once again, Kasai — a self-confessed foodie — was lured by the sweet aroma and paid a visit to Maruyasu Tanakaya's main store.

Despite his busy schedule, Mr. Tsuchihashi, the company's Managing Director, kindly spoke with us.
The main store sits near Lake Suwa, and they also operate a Kamisuwa Ekimae store near Kami-Suwa Station, giving them two locations in Suwa City. Maruyasu Tanakaya began in 1929 in front of Kami-Suwa Station. This year marks their 95th anniversary, making them a confectionery and cake shop with a proud history.
When you think of Maruyasu Tanakaya, the Cheesecake Entremet, available by mail order, comes to mind! Beauty advisor Chizu Saeki helped bring it wider recognition. The Cheesecake Entremet itself has been a beloved flagship product for 40 years. They offer nationwide shipping, so people across Japan can enjoy it.

Although Maruyasu Tanakaya is strongly associated with Western-style confections, they originally made Japanese sweets. The yokan (sweet bean jelly) preserves recipes from those early days. Because they previously supplied azuki beans and rice, they make yokan from carefully selected azuki beans—please enjoy it as well!
Mr. Tsuchihashi's top recommendation is "Shinano no Kuni" — a butter castella sponge cake studded with chopped chestnuts and coated in a refreshing lemon cream. Named after the prefectural song "Shinano no Kuni," it has been loved for about 50 years. On the side of the wrapping paper you can even see the old provincial name 'Jūshū' (literally 'Ten Provinces'), a reference to the line 'Shinano no kuni wa jūshū ni…' from the prefectural song. I love that packaging so much that I even use the previous design as teaching material (laughs).

Maruyasu Tanakaya offers many sweets and has a seating area. Come and enjoy tea time with friends and savor their treats.

★ Maruyasu Tanakaya Main Store
📍 3-1421-1 Takashima,
Suwa-shi, Nagano Prefecture
☎ 0266-52-0126
◎ Business hours: 10:00 – 19:00
◎ Regular holiday: Closed on Wednesdays
◎ Online shop: https://www.suwa-tanakaya.jp/products/list
◎ Homepage: https://www.suwa-tanakaya.jp/

They have another branch close to Kami-Suwa Station. They started in 1929, so this year is their 95th anniversary. Many Japanese traditional sweets shops have long histories. On this day, Mr. Tsuchihashi, the Managing Director, talked with me.
Their shop’s famous product is Cheesecake Entremet. It has been loved for 40 years. Numerous media and magazines have spotlighted the Cheesecake Entremet. They operate an online shop and offer nationwide shipping, so please enjoy it at home.

I had pictured Maruyasu Tanakaya making Western-style sweets like the Cheesecake Entremet, but I was mistaken. At the beginning, the shop produced Japanese traditional sweets. The yokan remains as it was back then.
Mr. Tsuchihashi’s recommendation is Shinano no Kuni. It is a butter sponge cake with finely chopped chestnuts inside, finished with lemon cream on the outside. Sounds delicious, right? Absolutely!

They offer many kinds of sweets. If you visit Suwa City, please try them—I’m sure you’ll like them!

★ Maruyasu Tanakaya Main Branch
3-1421-1 Takashima,
Suwa-shi, Nagano Prefecture
☎ 0266-52-0126
◎ Business hours: 10:00 – 19:00
◎ Regular holiday: Closed on Wednesdays
◎ Online shop: https://www.suwa-tanakaya.jp/products/list
◎ Homepage: https://www.suwa-tanakaya.jp/

https://www.suwa-tanakaya.jp/products/list
https://www.suwa-tanakaya.jp/

Come to 🎄 Cocoon for Christmas the day after tomorrow

This is Saitama New Central Tokyo in Saitama City, Saitama prefecture.
Held in Christmas market until December 25th, the day after tomorrow.

Be sure to 🥹 visit