The 27th Minami no Sakura and Nanohana Festival Period: Saturday, February 1 – Monday, March 10 About the event ◆Saturday, February 1 Opening ritual ◎Location: Hinona rapeseed flower field ◎10:00 — A Shinto ritual praying for the festival’s success and safety ◆Sunday, February 16 & Sunday, February 23 Spiny lobster miso soup service ◎Location: Shimogamo shopping street “Miro” parking lot ◎A generous serving of the local Minamiizu specialty, spiny lobster miso soup! ※Served twice per day (about 200 bowls per serving) ※First serving: 11:00 — Second serving: 13:00 ※Ends when supplies run out ※May be canceled due to rain or other conditions ◆Saturday, February 1 – Monday, March 10 Night cherry blossom illumination ◎Location: Around Maehara Bridge to Kujo Bridge ◎18:00–21:00 daily! ※This event runs daily even in rain ◆Saturday, February 1 – Monday, March 10 Minami night cherry blossoms and bamboo lanterns ◎Location: 1) Roadside Station Shimogamo Onsen Yunohana 2) Near Gin-no-yu Bridge ◎18:00–21:00 daily! ◆Saturday, February 1 – Monday, February 24 Lottery gachapon draw ◎Location: Roadside Station Shimogamo Onsen Yunohana (in front of the tourist information center) ◎10:00–15:00 on weekends and holidays! ◎Participation: If a group completes one questionnaire, the group may draw once per group member. ※Prizes are currently being decided ※Prize contents may change ◆Wednesday, February 5 – Friday, February 28 Cherry blossom rickshaw rides ※May end earlier than scheduled depending on bloom conditions. Time: 9:30–16:00 Fee: 20-minute course 3,000 yen per person Notes ・The schedule may change due to weather or bloom conditions. ・Each rickshaw seats up to two people. ・The event may be canceled due to severe weather (rain, strong winds, etc.). ・Due to rickshaw operation, a single rider may be required to ride alone in one rickshaw. ・The above fee is per person for single use; there is no separate pricing for children. ◆Sunday, February 2 – Around Saturday, March 15 Rapeseed flower door and rapeseed flower maze ※Although the pamphlet lists February 1–March 10, the correct period is the one above Announcements & notes ・The pamphlet states February 1–March 10 for the Rapeseed Flower Door and Rapeseed Flower Maze, but the correct period is Sunday, February 2 – around Saturday, March 15. ・The Night Sakura Marathon will not be held. Thank you for your understanding. ・The Minamiizu Town Hall (3rd-floor observation deck) is open during the festival. You can access it via the outside stairs. ・Some visitors step on the rapeseed flowers blooming on the riverbank slopes around Roadside Station Shimogamo Onsen Yunohana. Because illumination wiring and other hazards are present, please refrain from entering these areas for safety. Parking — Please use public transportation where possible, as parking is limited. Hours: 8:30–15:30 ・Passenger cars (500 yen per vehicle) ※Please cooperate with the environmental conservation contribution at the Roadside Station Shimogamo Onsen Yunohana parking lot. ※On weekends and holidays, including substitute holidays, the Minamiizu Town Hall parking lot is open free of charge. ・Buses (2,500 yen per vehicle) ※Includes medium-sized buses (including microbuses) and large buses ・Motorcycles (200 yen per vehicle) ※If staff are not present due to rain or other reasons, parking may be free. ※During the period February 1–March 10, the Roadside Station Shimogamo Onsen Yunohana parking lot requests cooperation with an environmental conservation contribution. ※Total parking capacity across locations is approximately 200 vehicles. ※Because parking is limited, please use public transportation whenever possible.

Wednesday, February 19 — Minami no Sakura (Kawazu cherry) blooming status 🌸The reference tree near the town hall (upper reaches of the Aono River) is in bud. 🌸The area near Roadside Station Shimogamo Onsen Yunohana (middle reaches of the Aono River) is from bud to 20% bloom. ❁Rapeseed flowers are at their best. Overall, the trees are mostly in bud, but blossoms have begun and some trees have reached about 20% bloom!! ⁡ 🌸The 27th Minami no Sakura and Rapeseed Flower Festival 🗓️Held February 1, 2025 (Saturday) to March 10, 2025 (Monday) 📍Along the Aono River, Minamiizu Town O-hanami rickshaw rides available Food trucks will be on site. ※Operations may be suspended in strong winds or severe weather.

Photographed 2/18/25. It is the red Ume plum of Kawagoe Hachimangu. Spring is approaching, isn't it? 🌸

Photographed 2/17/25. It is Hanachozu of Naritasan Kawagoe Betsuin. I took it from a different angle.

Winter in Furano It was a cold northern morning, and it was a pure white world. One of the balloons I found in it

The long-awaited winter in Kushiro I was finally able to go From 5 a.m. to the bed of the red-crowned crane As the sun dawned, the red-crowned crane crane that had been sleeping also began to move

Kushiro in winter was quite full of highlights Dance of red-crowned cranes, SL, and animals such as striped long-tailed and Ezo owls I would like to go again next year

I've wanted to go to Kushiro in winter for a long time The centerpiece is the red-crowned crane crane We finally met If it was colder, I could see the breath of the red-crowned crane crane It seems that it was warm in Kushiro this year

Photographed 2/17/25. It is Hanachozu of Naritasan Kawagoe Betsuin. It is a Hanachozu that seems to be Spring. 🌸

After the Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine Prayer Festival, I relaxed at the Starbucks Bell Ring Street store. It is a strawberry cherry blossom soy latte and a cherry blossom donut. 🌸

HTB’s “Machi no On-chan” Tsubetsu Town episode concluded last week on the 13th. On-chan appeared in many places and brought smiles to everyone. We hope On-chan visits again♪ Thank you, On-chan! If you missed it or want to watch all past episodes, please check the program’s YouTube channel! https://m.youtube.com/@onchan1201... Here is the final off-shot! As a matter of fact, On-chan stopped by Tsubetsu Town Hall! He even got a perfect two-shot with Maruta-kun! It’s great they got along ☺️ #Ohotsuku #okhotsk #Tsubetsu #tsubetsu #Tsubetsu #Tsubetsu Town #Hokkaido #Hokkaido Television Broadcasting #Machi no On-chan #On-chan #media appearance #HTB #off-shot

Today, I attended the Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine Prayer Festival. It is the Gokoku Shrine in the morning.

Yesterday, I went to the 3rd Coedo Imo Park, which was Held in at Renjoji Temple. It is a stone-baked sweet potato specialty store Imoyoshi Shoten's Sanfuku sweet potato dumplings. I received three blessings: great fortune, happiness, and wealth. 😊🍡🍠

Photographed 2/15/25. After Prayer to Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine, I relaxed at the Starbucks Bell Ring Street store. It is a strawberry cherry blossom soy latte and a cherry blossom chiffon cake. Spring is coming soon. 🌸

Favorite scenery

At dusk Time seems to stand still A sense of wonder

My favorite sunset in Japan Tranquility that makes you want to take a deep breath

Roadside Station Iwanai This year, Tamaru and Beniko’s Hina dolls are on display again at the counter 👏 When you stop by please take photos 😊

My favorite symbol of Japan I'm relieved just looking at it.

Today, I attended the Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine Monthly Festival. This is Kawagoe Imo Lottery. 🍠

KKday has launched sales of the “Tate Chari Rental Bicycle + Vegetable Harvesting Experience + Tateyama Seared Seafood Rice Bowl Set Plan”! The tour dates are Tuesday, February 25, R7; Tuesday, March 4; Tuesday, March 11; Tuesday, March 18; and Tuesday, March 25! Sales are scheduled to continue after April! Please check it out! https://www.kkday.com/en-hk/product/269149...

Photographed on February 8, 25. This is Hanatetsu's Hanachozu.

Photographed on February 8, 25. It is Hanachozu of Naritasan Kawagoe Betsuin. Today is Valentine's Day. 🌹🍫💖

Photographed 2/11/25. It is Hanachozu of Naritasan Kawagoe Betsuin. It was about 7 o'clock in the morning.

Request to refrain from entering Tadatate Falls Due to heavy snowfall, there is currently more than 50 cm of snow near Tadatate Falls. The road to Tsubukuri Parking Lot is slippery from snow and ice, and there is a risk of rockfalls and becoming lost at the falls, so please refrain from entering the mountain. *The photo shows past conditions.*

An Instagram photo contest exhibition organized by the Akan-Mashu National Park Regional Tourism Council is on display from today until March 31 in the lobby on the first floor of Tsubetsu Town Central Community Center. Alongside photos of Tsubetsu, you can see a stunning collection of images from the municipalities within Akan-Mashu National Park! Be sure to take a look ☺️ #Okhotsk #okhotsk #Tsubetsu #tsubetsu #Tsubetsu #Tsubetsu Town #Hokkaido #hokkaido #Akan-Mashu #Akan-Mashu National Park #photos #photo exhibition #photography exhibition

Tonight is the broadcast of HTB’s “Machi no on-chan” Tsubetsu Town edition, episode 7! This is the final Tsubetsu Town episode airing tonight! Please, please, please watch it! Looking forward to on-chan〜＼(o▽n)／ #Okhotsk #okhotsk #Tsubetsu #tsubetsu #Tsubetsu #Tsubetsu Town #Hokkaido #hokkaido #Hokkaido Television Broadcasting #HTB #on-chan #Machi no on-chan #broadcast schedule #media appearance

Photographed 2/11/25. After Prayer to Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine, I relaxed at the Starbucks Bell Ring Street store. It is a classic chocolate latte and a pound cake with cookies and chocolate.

Today, I attended the Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine Epoch Festival.

Shirataki in Winter Look at this 😳! Thanks to the recent cold snap, Shirataki has been cloaked in snow and ice, creating a stunning sight ❄️✨ Pale blue-tinted pillars of snow and ice line up into a breathtaking scene 👏 If possible, we’d love for you to see it with your own eyes! …That said, the path to Shirataki is coated in snow and ice and is extremely dangerous ⚠️ This time, specially trained staff from the tourism association risked their lives to climb up, so please enjoy the photos instead… 🙏🙏🙏 The trail to Shirataki is already hazardous, so we ask for your understanding 😭 Still, nature’s artistry is truly beautiful… I’d grown tired of all the snow, but it turns out it’s not all bad ✨ Let’s stay positive and enjoy ourselves 💪❤️‍🔥