The 5th Sakuhomachi Ikebana Exhibition From tomorrow, Saturday the 22nd, through Monday the 24th, the Ikebana exhibition will take place at the Okumura Togyu Memorial Museum🌷🌷 Participating schools include Koyama-ryu, Kodo-ryu, Koryu Matsufuji-kai, Sogetsu, and Ikenobo! Enjoy the collaboration of Taisho-era romantic architecture and fresh floral arrangements🌺🎶 ꧁————————————————————————————————꧂ Venue: Okumura Togyu Memorial Museum Address: 1429-1 Hozumi, Sakuhomachi, Minamisaku-gun, Nagano Prefecture Dates: Saturday, February 22, 2025 – Monday, February 24, 2025 Hours: 9:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Museum admission: Adults 500 yen (400 yen), Elementary and junior high students 300 yen (250 yen) ※Prices in parentheses apply to groups of 20 or more ※Admission covers both the museum and the Ikebana exhibition. Access: Transfer at Hokuriku Shinkansen Sakudaira, then a 1-minute walk from JR Koumi Line yachiho station Five minutes by car from Central Japan Expressway Yachiho Kogen, sixty minutes by car from Chuo Expressway Sudama IC ꧁————————————————————————————————꧂

Akindo City♪ Today (the 21st) and tomorrow (the 22nd) for two days Roadside Station Iwanai marks the Hina Festival with a special offer Beniko plush normally ¥2,100 is now ¥1,800! Beniko pudding (Fujita Confectionery Shop) Normally ¥200, now ¥180!! This pudding was recently enjoyed by Ichiyamamoto Seki on HBC’s Taku⭐︎Aki Bura Research We look forward to seeing you 😊

Photographed 2/18/25. HK Tea's cocoa and egg waffle double chocolate. On a cold day, it's cocoa. ☕️ It was a pleasure to talk to you. Thank you very much. 😊

Photographed on February 8, 25. It is Hanachozu of Kawagoe Hachimangu Shrine.

Tour de Yatsugatake 2025 Volunteer Staff Recruitment The historic cycling event "Tour de Yatsugatake" returns to Sakuhomachi in Nagano Prefecture for the first time in six years! 🚴‍♀️✨ We need volunteer staff to help make this comeback possible. If you love cycling, nature, or Yatsugatake, join us to help create an exciting event together 🎶 We look forward to welcoming you in Sakuhomachi! 😸💫💫 ◆ Venue Sakuhomachi, Minamisaku-gun, Nagano Prefecture Volunteers will be assigned to different positions and should gather at their assigned locations. The secretariat will contact you in advance. Examples: Parking staff = gather at each parking area; Chip collection staff = gather at each finish point ◆ Expenses Free of charge Lunch and a participation commemorative gift will be provided. *Please cover your own transportation costs to the event site.* ◆ Event date Sunday, April 13, 2025 ◆ Highlights Event resumes after six years An emotional cycling race Experience the great outdoors of Yatsugatake ◆ Who we are looking for Working adults, university students, vocational students, seniors ◎ Requirements ・Able to drive and travel by car on your own ・Able to prioritize communication with staff and participants ◎ Recommended for ・Cycling enthusiasts ・Nature lovers ・Fans of Yatsugatake The event takes place outdoors in cold conditions with remaining snow. Please prepare and take measures to stay warm. Participants of all generations are welcome People of many age groups will work together. Many staff in their 30s are active in the secretariat. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – Volunteer Positions – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – ・Start staff: day-of registration, guiding riders, and other duties ・Finish staff (half-finish and full-finish locations): collect timing chips, guide riders, and other duties ・Aid station staff: manage water supply points ・Parking staff: check parking permits at entrances and monitor parking during the event ・Withdrawn rider recovery staff: assist in collecting withdrawn riders and their bicycles — applicants should be experienced in handling bicycles To apply, please scan the third QR code on the application form.

"Hokkaido Geopark Exhibition" will be held in! It is a "hands-on Events" where geoparks in Hokkaido gather at the venue and you can experience various things. Engaru Town will also participate as "Shirataki Geopark". At the Engaru Town booth, you can experience making obsidian accessories and making deer antler accessories! In addition, Engaru Town's specialty products such as pitch-black "Geo Ice" and "Obsidian Curry" limited to Okhotsk at the Roadside Station Engaru Forest will also be sold. Held in an "Experience Booth Rally" at the venue where if you experience two or more things, you will receive an "assortment of Geopark goods"! You may even become a "Geopark Master"! Date & Time: March 15 (Sat) 10:00~17:00, March 16 (Sun) 10:00~16:00 Location: New Sapporo Sunpiazza 1st floor Hikari no Plaza (2-5 chome, Atsubetsu-ku, Sapporo City)

Photographed on February 8, 25. It is Hanachozu of Kawagoe Hachimangu Shrine.

Photographed on February 8, 25. It is Hanachozu of Kawagoe Hachimangu Shrine.

Hinamatsuri at Kannonji Temple Hinamatsuri will be held at Kannonji Temple in Kamogawa City on February 22 (Sat) ~ March 3 (Mon), Reiwa 7). Thereare each carefully made ornament has its own expression. It is very close to Kamogawa Station, so please stop by. Kannonji Temple Kamogawa City Yokonagisa 1133 5 minutes walk from JR Awa Kamogawa Station

Would you like to try some craft beer? 🍺 From IWANAI BREWERY & HOTEL their craft beer “Malty” has a best-before date of March 20, so it’s available at a lower price than usual. 🙏 Why not take this chance to try some craft beer? 🍺 It’s on sale at the Roadside Station shop. 🙏🙏 Thank you!

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. 🍠