📍Susoaidaira (Susoaidaira) | Hokkaido – Daisetsuzan Range

A breathtaking scene of short-lived summer flowers you can see only in summer. From the trailhead at Sugatami Pond, the path leads you as if into a heavenly flower garden.

Above 1,600 meters in elevation, at the foot of Asahidake where snow still lingers, alpine plants like chinguruma carpet the slopes in a miraculous display.
It felt like a quiet, gentle moment that lifted my spirits. 🌿

👉These photos were taken yesterday. The beauty truly took my breath away.

Photographed on July 9, 25.
After Prayer Tokyo Daijingu Shrine, we Transportation to Nagatacho and visited ZTTo morning. It specializes in bread and espresso mornings. It's café au lait.

July 7 2025 (Reiwa 7)
Tanabata Day
It is the Milky Way that I found on a boat crossing the sea.

Photographed on July 9, 25.
This is the Suzu Araragi wind chime of Tokyo Daijingu Shrine. 🎐

Tokachi Hills, a garden on a gentle hill in Makubetsu, is hosting Rose Week until Sunday, July 13.

At the entrance, you can borrow leisure sheets and baskets for free and enjoy a picnic inside the garden.

The café attached to the shop serves soft-serve ice cream, rice balls, curry and more.
This time I had a chilled white corn soup made with Memuro-grown corn.
There is also Garden Cafe NIWAKARA in the garden, where you can enjoy lunch or a reservation-only afternoon tea while looking over the grounds.

Even after Rose Week, various events take place, so please stop by.

Tokachi Hills Instagram @tokachihills
Garden photos @tokachihillsgardeners
Garden Cafe Niwakara @niwakara__tokachihills

Access:
About a 20-minute drive from obihiro station, or about a 50-minute bike ride from obihiro station.
If you cycle from obihiro station, there are uphill sections, so we recommend an electric bicycle.
Cycling will give you a good sweat—please watch out for heatstroke.
You pass Manabe Garden by bike, so you can visit both gardens on one ride.
It takes about 25 minutes by bike from Manabe Garden to Tokachi Hills.

https://www.tokachi-hills.jp/

Today (July 10) I covered a hop harvest 😆

It was my first time seeing this year’s hop field... and it was spectacular✨✨

Straight-reaching vines, healthy dark green leaves, and clusters of hops hanging like little bells…!!

“It’s a shame this view will be gone after today!” I said as I gazed with the grower 👀

With preparations complete, it was time to harvest 💪
There were so many cones that even removing the supporting wires was a struggle 💦

We filled bags with the harvested hops, and I worried they might not all fit on the truck we were loading back with today 😂

These hops will be processed into beer with a fresh, lively aroma 🍺

I tasted last year’s brew too — it had a refreshing scent and went down easy 😆👍

I can’t wait to try this year’s beer 😍

Hello, this is Ryusui-do. This year, wind chimes with a cool, clear tone have been hung in the Takiue Area along the path to Senga Falls!
Wind chimes that turn a breeze into sound are said to have a relaxing, soothing effect.
Please let the sound of the wind chimes, the roar of the falls, and the rich nature of Shosenkyo Gorge heal your daily fatigue in the Takiue Area!

💎July Birthstones💎

Ruby
Long beloved around the world, the queen of gemstones, ruby, symbolizes passion, love, victory, and beauty. It is said to enhance the wearer’s charm and boost confidence.

Sphene
Success · Good fortune · Connections
A stone that helps the owner’s talents bloom and leads to success—‘a stone that can change your life’.

We also offer a variety of other natural stones and accessories, so please stop by to experience the healing space woven by natural stones and the sound of the falls.

We look forward to the day we can see your lovely smiles.

#Shosenkyo Gorge #Mitake Shosenkyo Gorge #Yamanashi Prefecture #Yamanashi #Kofu City #Kofu #Kai City #Kai #Scenic Spot #Japan’s Scenic Views #Spectacular Views #Sightseeing #Tourist Attraction #Travel #Yamanashi Trip #Yamanashi Sightseeing #Ryusui-do

We have renewed the POP for the Shintoku Station rental bicycle service “ShinKuru”.
POP renewed

🚲Available for rental every day until October 31st🚲

*Please reserve electric-assist bicycles at least two days in advance.

From Tokutoku, the Shintoku Station Community Center
Enjoy the town’s nature, food, railway heritage, activities, and more to the fullest.

If you prefer to get around and have fun using your own body rather than by public transport or private car, please make use of the rental bicycles.

We have renewed the POP for the bicycle rental shop "Shinkuru" in front of Shintoku Station.
🚲Available for rental every day until October 31st🚲
*Please make a reservation for an electric-assist bicycle at least two days in advance.

From the Shintoku Station Community Center "Tokutoku" Enjoy the town's nature, food, railway heritage, activities, and more. If you want to play and have fun using your own body instead of public transportation or your own car, please make use of our bicycle rental service.

#Hokkaido
#Tokachi
#Shintoku Town
#Shintoku
#Shintoku Town Tourism Association
#Shintoku Station
#Ekimae Complex Facility Tokutoku
#tuktuk
#Tokutoku
#rental cycle
#ShinKuru
#electric-assist cycle
#soba
#cheese
#Karikachi Pass
#rafting
#horse riding
#hokkaido
#hokkaidotrip
#hokkaidotourism
#tourism
#tokachi
#shintoku
#welcomeshintoku
#discovershintoku

Photographed on July 9, 25.
This is the Suzu Araragi wind chime of Tokyo Daijingu Shrine. 🎐

🐻🤎 Montbell Club Friend Fair Yokohama 2025 🐻

Thank you to everyone who stopped by the Sakuhomachi and Koumi booths!

We showcased the high-altitude Lake Shirakoma, the mysterious moss forests carpeted with moss, and Yachiho Kogen, where you can enjoy nature through all four seasons—offering a full taste of Shinshu’s great outdoors.🌲✨

We were delighted that you picked up delicious local specialties and tourism brochures.😊🤍
Sakuhomachi and Koumi in Shinshu are perfect spots for a summer cooling getaway.
We hope to meet you again amid Shinshu’s natural beauty.🌲🍁

At Manabe Garden in Obihiro, hydrangeas are beginning to bloom little by little.

At the garden entrance, a gnome-like fairy known in Europe as a guardian of the garden welcomes visitors.

A film set from the morning drama series Natsuzora is also on display beside the entrance and next to the café on the lawn terrace.

After strolling through the garden, why not enjoy lunch or a cold sweet at the café?

The sweets menu includes three parfaits—the ice brulee parfait, the Strawberry Green Garden parfait, a coffee jelly parfait—as well as soft-serve ice cream. This time I had the ice brulee parfait—what a blissful moment.

It has been hot every day, so please enjoy summer sightseeing while staying hydrated.

Access: about a 10-minute drive from Obihiro Station, about a 20-minute bike ride from Obihiro Station
about a 20-minute bus ride from Obihiro Station
http://www.manabegarden.jp/

Prayer at Tokyo Daijingu Shrine today.
This is Suzu Araragi wind chime. 🎐

Minamifurano, Shintoku, Shikaoi
A joint pamphlet made by three neighboring towns📕

In the heart of Hokkaido, this pamphlet introduces delicious cuisine crafted from fine trees, pure water, and good snow, along with a variety of nature-based activities.

Beyond packing the charms of the three towns along National Routes 38 and 274 into one booklet,
each town is color-coded for easy viewing,
and you can catch detailed information by scanning the QR codes on the pages.

The colors for the three towns are…
Minamifurano Town — "Lavender swaying on Lake Kanayama🪻"
Shintoku Town — "The deep, shining blue of Lake Sahoro🫐"
Shikaoi Town — "The clear aquamarine of Lake Shikaribetsu💚"

Overall, the pamphlet uses gentle colors and a matte, classy paper texture that reflects careful design.
Despite the move toward digital, this is a deliberately analog paper pamphlet, and we hope you will pick it up and leaf through it.
(Personally, I’d like you to pay attention to the sound of the pages turning💡)

It seems rare for neighboring towns to produce a joint pamphlet like this.
So when you visit roadside stations or tourism association counters, please pick one up, look it over, and feel the pages!

We look forward to seeing you💁‍♀️

#Hokkaido
#Shintoku Town
#Minamifurano Town
#Shikaoi Town
#shintoku
#nanpu
#shikaoi
#Shintoku Tourism Association
#Minamifurano Town Development and Tourism Association
#Shikaoi Town Tourism Association
#Joint project of three towns
#pamphlet
#hokkaido
#hokkaidotrip
#hokkaidotourism
#tourism
#shintoku
#minamihurano
#shikaoi
#welcomeshintoku
#discovershintoku

Kotobuki-dou Confectionery
On this day, foodie Kasai followed the usual sweet aroma and dropped into Kotobuki-dou!
My host that day was Mr. Takemura. The shop has been in business for about 64 years. Kotobuki-dou is locally famous for ankoro mochi, dango, and salted monaka. This ankoro mochi often appears at funerals around the Suwa area. Although I was born and raised in Suwa, I’ve rarely heard of an Otsukimi (moon-viewing) tradition here. I have heard of ohagi and botamochi, though.
Foodie Kasai bought a roll cake, daifuku, and dango. The sliced roll had a gentle, high-quality fresh cream and that day it included chestnut, which made it irresistibly delicious. The daifuku had mildly sweet anko and soft mochi; each piece was bite-sized, so it’s recommended for women as well. The dango’s mitarashi glaze was perfect, coating each dumpling nicely; they’re bite-sized and easy to grab. The foodie was also tempted by the apple cake in the showcase.
It wasn’t in the showcase that day, but my gourmet mentor “Satchan” at the station information desk highly recommends the cream puffs as exceptional, so everyone should try them if they get the chance! Mr. Takemura’s top picks were ankoro mochi, dango, and salted monaka.


◎ Kotobuki-dou Confectionery
📍 2-1-17 Suwa, Suwa City
☎ 0266-52-2555
◎ Opening hours: 08:00 - 17:30
◎ Regular holidays: January 1st; irregular holidays (closed once a month)
◎ Parking: 2 spaces (one in front of the house next to the shop and the other at the very front on the right side of the parking area across the street from the shop entrance.)



Today, Gluttony Kasai went to Kotobuki-dou. Mr. Takemura introduced me to Kotobuki-dou. Kotobuki-dou is famous for ankoro mochi, dango, and salted monaka.
I saw ankoro mochi at a funeral. This regional custom persists around the Suwa area.
Also, in this area I don’t hear much about Otsukimi (moon viewing).
That day I bought daifuku, a roll cake, and dango. The roll cake wasn’t too sweet; the cream was smooth and soft. The daifuku wasn’t too sweet either and came in bite-sized portions, so it’s easy for children and women to eat. The dango were also bite-sized; the mitarashi sauce matched them perfectly. Hmmm… so good! I was curious about the apple cake too.
My gourmet mentor “Satchan” recommended the cream puffs, but they weren’t available that day. I’ll try them another day! Mr. Takemura’s recommendations are daifuku, dango, and salted monaka.


◎ Sweets place Kotobuki-dou
◎ 2-1-17 Suwa, Suwa City
☎ 0266-52-2555
◎ Opening hours: 08:00 - 17:30
◎ Regular holiday: January 1st; irregular holiday (closed once a month)
◎ Parking: 2 cars (please see pictures 10 and 11)

Discover an undiscovered summer landscape of Japan — Satoyama rafting in Shobara! 🌊

Why not plunge into the nature of Shobara in Hiroshima Prefecture?
In Shobara’s tranquil satoyama scenery, you can enjoy a soothing rafting adventure as you drift down a gentle river. It’s a trip that lets you leave the city bustle behind and encounter the true countryside of Japan.

🚣‍♀️ Highlights of Satoyama Rafting in Shobara 🚣‍♀️
・Perfect for beginners, with local guides on hand; rafting on the varied currents of the Saijo River
・Seasonal scenery in every season (cherry blossoms in spring, fresh green in summer, autumn foliage)
・Opportunities to interact with nature, from fish to mountains
・Recommended for families, couples, and solo travelers alike!

A pleasant 90-minute drive from Hiroshima City makes access easy. Great for a day trip or an overnight stay.
Why not set off on an adventure that lets you feel the summer? ✨

For details and reservations▽
https://www.shobara-info.com/2500

Photographed on June 21, 25.
CAFE ANDON's café au lait and lemon Butter sandwich. Lemon Butter Sandwich and coffee go well together. 🍋☕️

Summer Festival & Fireworks Festival in Shobara City, Hiroshima Prefecture is hot! 🔥
Here are 5 Events currently announced in Shobara City, Hiroshima Prefecture from July ~ August.

(1) Bihoku Summer Festival 2025|National Bihoku Hillside Park (1st photo)
【Held in】2025/07/19 (Sat) ~ 2025/08/31 (Sun)
9:30~18:00 (Last entry until 17:00)
【Place】National Bihoku Hillside Park
【Address】4-10 Mikkaichi Town, Shobara City, Hiroshima Prefecture
【Contact】National Bihoku Hillside Park 0824-72-7000
In the middle of summer, a big frolic in Bihoku! The "Jabu Jabu Pond" where you can enjoy playing in the water and the "Beetle Dome / Stag Corner" have also started to be opened to the public! Other, tree climbing, Canadian Canoeing, and other summer events that can only be enjoyed in summer! Please take this opportunity to visit us!

Click here for Events Information▽
https://www.shobara-info.com/event/5141

(2) Summer Festival that connects sweetfish, river, and people|Sweetfish no Sato Park (2nd ~ 3rd photo)
【Held in Date & Time】2025/07/26 (Sat) 10:30~15:00
【Place】Sweetfish no Sato Park
【Address】1641-1 Nagata, Kuchiwa-cho, Shobara City, Hiroshima Prefecture
【Inquiry】Sweetfish no Sato Park TEL 0824-89-2244
【Contents】This is a project to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the establishment of Shobara City. You can also eat sweetfish that has become the No.1 in Japan! Let's continue to protect Nature, which is the property of Shobara City! Stalls are also available!
(Salt-grilled sweetfish / Manjii hand-made Soba (limited to 70 meals of chilled bukkake Soba noodles) / Kuchiwacho "New Moon Markets" meeting (with multiple stalls) / Osaka Takoyaki Konamon / Fukupan (egg sandwich) / Draft beer sales / Local sake sales / Kitchen car C&J etc.)

Click here for Events Information▽
https://www.shobara-info.com/event/5090

(3) 2025 Tojo "Yuka Festival" (4th photo)
【Held in Date】2025/08/10 (Sun) 17:00 Open / 17:40 Start
【Place】Shobara City Tojo Elementary School Ground
【Address】1342 Kawahigashi, Tojo-cho, Shobara City, Hiroshima Prefecture
【Inquiry】Tojo "Yuka Festival" Executive Committee (Tojo Town Chamber of Commerce and Industry) TEL 08477-2-0525
【Contents】In my hometown Tojo! Let's have a summer festival!
It is an annual summer festival in the Castle Town of Tojo. The fireworks that echo through the Mountainous Area are a sight to and, and Many Stalls gather and it is very lively. The Ground Self-Defense Force is also coming! Stage events, stalls Village, and this year's princess of the traditional event "Odori" in Tojo Town, Shobara City, which takes place around November, will also be introduced.

Click here for Events Information▽
https://www.shobara-info.com/event/5131

(4) Hoshimi Markets|Sakura Shokudo directly managed by farmers (5th photo)
【Held in Date & Time】2025/08/11 (Mon) 16:00~20:30 (rain or shine)
【Place】Shokusaikan Shobara Yume Sakuranai Farmer's Directly Managed Sakura Shokudo
【Address】291-1 Shinjo-cho, Shobara City, Hiroshima Prefecture
【Inquiry】Sakura Shokudo directly managed by farmers TEL 0824-75-4516
【Contents】This is the children's night market of Sakura Shokudo.
You can enjoy food, miscellaneous goods, Workshops, fortune telling, therapy, etc.
【Notes】
・ Stalls are subject to change, so please note.
・ Admission to the venue is free, but various workshops, experience corners, and product purchases will be charged.
・Please take your garbage home with you.

Click here for Events Information▽
https://www.shobara-info.com/event/5132

(5) The 43rd Shobara Yoitoko Festival and Shobara Summer Festival Fireworks Festival (Photos 6~8)
【Held in Date】Shobara Good Cousin Festival will be held on Saturday, August 23, 2025
Fireworks festival will be held on Sunday, August 24, 2025
【Place】Around Shobara City Office
【Address】 1-10-1 Naka Honmachi, Shobara City, Hiroshima Prefecture
【Inquiry】The 43rd Shobara Yoitoko Festival Official Instagram
▷ https://www.instagram.com/yoitokomtsuri43/
This year's theme is "Burn Your Heart"
For a record of festival's Information and Held in, please check the official Instagram of the 43rd Shobara Yoitoko Festival! The next day, Annual event! The Shobara Summer Festival fireworks festival is held. When the details come out, we will announce them on the Shobara Kanko Navi Home page.
< Organizers> Shobara Yoitoko Festival Steering Committee, Shobara Good Toko Festival Executive Committee

Click here for Events Information▽
https://www.shobara-info.com/event/5124

Shobara City Tourist Information Site "Shobara Tourism Navi"
▷ https://www.shobara-info.com/

Photographed on June 21, 25.
This is avocado shrimp from CAFE ANDON's hot sandwich set.
Oyster ice and parfaits are also worrisome. 🍧🍨

It is the eastern Temple of Kyoto
Light up in autumn

It is the Great Buddha of Gifu
I used a kaleidoscope lens to shoot the left, front, and right side

Photographed on July 3, 25.
It is the night Light up of Tokyo Daijingu Tanabata. 🎋

Photographed on July 3, 25.
Light up of the Tanabata decorations of Tokyo Daijingu Shrine.
Today, it's Tanabata. 🎋

Photographed on July 3, 25.
It is the Tanabata "Sparkling Hanachozu in the Sky" of Tokyo Daijingu Shrine.
The light shines on the Hanachozu water and it is very beautiful.

Photographed on July 3, 25.
It is the Tanabata "Sparkling Hanachozu in the Sky" of Tokyo Daijingu Shrine.
Hanachozu at night is also very beautiful.

Photographed on July 3, 25.
It is the Tanabata "Sparkling Hanachozu in the Sky" of Tokyo Daijingu Shrine.
I took a picture of the Light up at night. 🎋

Photographed on July 3, 25.
Since my errands were over, I relaxed at the Starbucks Iidabashi Sakura Terrace store.
Earl Grey Bouquet & Tea Latte and Strawberry Donuts.

Tokyo is an amazing city with a vibrant history that truly comes alive during its festivals. One of the highlights is the kanda matsuri, which takes place at the beautiful kanda myojin shrine. The lively mikoshi parade is filled with joy and cultural charm, making it a fantastic experience for everyone.

Tokyo is an amazing city with a vibrant history that truly comes alive during its festivals. One of the highlights is the kanda matsuri, which takes place at the beautiful kanda myojin shrine. The lively mikoshi parade is filled with joy and cultural charm, making it a fantastic experience for everyone.

Tokyo is an amazing city with a vibrant history that truly comes alive during its festivals. One of the highlights is the kanda matsuri, which takes place at the beautiful kanda myojin shrine. The lively mikoshi parade is filled with joy and cultural charm, making it a fantastic experience for everyone.

Tokyo is an amazing city with a vibrant history that truly comes alive during its festivals. One of the highlights is the kanda matsuri, which takes place at the beautiful kanda myojin shrine. The lively mikoshi parade is filled with joy and cultural charm, making it a fantastic experience for everyone.