Northern Alps, MtJonen and the Great Ginkgo The bright yellow ginkgo leaves stood out against Azumino’s clear blue sky!! You can see it as you drive up to the Central Entrance Parking of National Alps Azumino Park, Horigane-Hotaka Area.

November 9th The Bell Ringing Hill Assembly Hall in Azumino is a historic building that served as the setting for the NHK radio drama "The Bell Ringing Hill." The autumn leaves were just at their peak!

Winter has fully arrived! Where am I? 📍MtIo to Kawayu Visitor Center Teshikaga and Kawayu Onsen have been hit by a sudden start to winter☃️🪾 As always, you can enjoy beautiful snowy scenery‼︎ A day trip to soak in the hot springs is a lovely idea…♨️ Please drive carefully when you go out🚗💨❄️ Have a wonderful day✨

Enjoy great value gourmet treats with the Zenkoji Omotesando Tasting Ticket✨ 1. “Nori-wrapped Yaki-musubi” Suyakame Zenkoji Store Suyakame Zenkoji Store sits just past the Zenkoji Niomon Gate at the start of the cobbled Nakamise-dori Street. Their freshly grilled rice balls wrapped in nori and their miso soft-serve pair perfectly with a stroll around the temple approach. Phone: 026-237-2239 Hours: 9:00–17:00 Closed: Wednesday 2. “Handmade Oyaki” Maruhachi Takiya The first floor offers many original souvenirs, and the second floor serves hand-cut soba made from locally milled flour. A parking lot that fits 13 large buses makes this a good stop for groups. Phone: 026-232-4424 Hours: 9:00–17:00 Closed: None (closed occasionally) 3. “Two Steamed Oyaki” Ogawanosho Daimon branch You can enjoy regional oyaki and roasted soba tea by a rustic irori hearth, a sight that’s becoming rarer. The dishes highlight the natural flavors of local ingredients—the taste of Nagano home cooking. Phone: 026-232-5786 Hours: 9:00–17:00 (irori open 10:00–15:00) Closed: Wednesday (subject to change) Zenkoji Tasting Ticket This value ticket lets you choose and purchase items from 19 shops, including Nagano specialties and sweets! ✨How to use✨ 1. Buy a ticket (700 yen each, tax included) 2. Redeem the sticker coupons on the ticket at listed shops (five 100-yen stickers and four 50-yen stickers) for products 3. Exchange the used ticket for a prize (receive an original bag!) The ticket is cheaper than buying items individually and lets you sample tastes from various shops—perfect for a food stroll✨ For more details, visit the Nagano Convention & Visitors Bureau HP. #Tasting walk #Oyaki #Gourmet #Nagano City #Nagano Prefecture #Nagano tourism #Nagano travel #nagano #naganocity

As November brings a gradual chill, the Imajo hung persimmon season arrives! Each Imajo hung persimmon is made entirely by hand. These hung persimmons from Minami-Echizen Town are distinct because they are smoked. The added smoky aroma gives them a unique flavor that pairs beautifully with alcohol.

Kiso is now at peak autumn color, and the scenery is truly beautiful. The mountains and roadside trees have turned vivid reds and yellows, creating landscapes that look like paintings. Be sure to experience this seasonal natural beauty while it lasts.

Christmas Window Art Would you like to paint on the large windows of Michi-no-Eki Kamu? Sunday, November 30 10:00–11:30: Join our window-painting event! Location: Michi-no-Eki Nishiokoppe Flower Park Kamu. The flower park closes for winter, making the roadside station a bit quiet. We planned this event to fill the windows with art and brighten the day of everyone who visits. Everyone is welcome, both villagers and visitors, children and adults alike. Participants will receive a Setoushi-kun baked treat and string cheese. Capacity: 20 people. Spots are first come, first served, so please sign up early. Apply / Inquiries: Tourist Information Center Satom 0158-85-7125 Komata 090-1384-4167 Michi-no-Eki Nishiokoppe Flower Park Kamu Opening hours: 9:00–16:00 (November–February) Closed: Every Tuesday (if Tuesday is a holiday, closed the following day) Phone: 0158-87-2333 #Nishiokoppe Village #Hokkaido #Roadside Station #Hanamu #November 30 #Window Art #Painting #Christmas #Gift #Setoushi-kun baked treat #String cheese #Yumeura Mori no Garden #Milk Design

Photo taken on November 6, 25 (era not specified). This is the hanachōzu (floral water basin) at Hara Florist.

I went to the Kumano Kodo Kougen area to photograph an early winter landscape, and a lonely cat came up to rub against me and wouldn’t leave my side. After a while it climbed onto the fence and struck a pose as if to say, “Use me as your model.” I took a shot with the misty landscape in the background.

Fujikawa Town today📷✨ Here is Fujikawa Town from Yakumoike Park today😊 The autumn leaves are starting to change color (photo taken on October 30) You can relax and spend a quiet time here✨

I took this at Hachiman-bori Canal in Shiga Prefecture. The trees formed an arch and their soft reflections on the water left a strong impression. This shot felt warm amid the quiet.

A blissful moment at the end of the day. Lean more>>> 🍷While gazing at Kushiro’s illuminated nightscape, enjoy a time that unwinds your heart. Savor a chef’s signature dish and a glass of wine, and make your evening on the road a little more luxurious. ―――――――――――――――――――――― At Kushiro Prince Hotel, enjoy fine wine and city lights. A perfect moment to savor, and to remember. ✨ Instagram @kushiroprincehotel You can make a reservation from the profile URL. https://www.princehotels.co.jp/kushiro/wedding/cuisine/...

On October 25, 202, Okusuzuhana Nature Garden in Kinasa, Nagano City, Nagano Prefecture A valley stretched from the far end of the park toward Myoko and Kurohime. The entire forest was painted in autumn colors and it was breathtaking. I enjoyed the beautiful fall foliage again this year. This place is a hidden gem!

Photographed on October 18, Heisei 25 (2013). This shows the Kagami-shishi float and the Sanno float passing each other during the hikkwase (float encounter).

Final wedding consultation events of the year ✨ Limited to two Sundays: November 16 and December 21. If you are planning to marry next year or prefer a small, family-focused wedding, please feel free to join us 💍 Let’s shape a wonderful day together 💕

Photographed on October 18, 2013. This shows the Kagami-shishi float and the Ōta Dōkan float passing each other.

Photographed on October 18, 25. The parade features the float of Prince of Lanling and the float of Kagami Shishi (Mirror Lion Dance) pulling past each other.

I visited the famed Toohoku peak MtAdatara (1,700 m). From the Okudake Trailhead I took the ropeway to the Summit Station, passed MtYakushi (1,322 m), and reached the summit of MtAdatara. I was moved by the stark volcanic landscape of the explosion crater (Numanodaira Crater), then continued to Mount Yahazu (1,673 m) and enjoyed autumn colors painting the slopes of MtTetsu (1,709 m). Location: Nihommatsu City, Fukushima Prefecture

This is a photo of Kouzu Coast taken before sunrise on New Year’s Day. The title is "Yoake no Mae".

I went to photograph Yaotsu Gohodaki Falls in Gifu Prefecture on November 7, 2025.

Untie your heart. Lean more>>> After you’ve fully enjoyed Michihigashi, slow down here and let your heart unwind. Bathe in warm light and recharge your spirit. So you can enjoy tomorrow with energy. We await you at Kushiro Prince Hotel🕊️ ―――――――――――――――――――――― At Kushiro Prince Hotel, unwind and recharge in warm light. Let your heart rest after exploring Hokkaido. See you at Kushiro Prince Hotel🕊️ 【Instagram】 @kushiroprincehotel You can make a reservation from the profile URL. https://www.princehotels.co.jp/kushiro/room/...

Scuba Diving in Atami, Japan — A Day Full of Color and Connection 🪸 A few days ago, we went diving in Atami, Shizuoka, one of Japan’s most popular wreck diving sites just a short trip from Tokyo. The moment we descended, we were surrounded by thousands of colorful fish, swirling around the shipwreck like a living rainbow. The vibrant soft corals covering the wreck made the underwater scenery absolutely breathtaking. 🌈 It was an especially memorable day because one of our guests completed their PADI Advanced Open Water Diver course! 🎉 Congratulations on reaching this new milestone in your scuba journey. Every certification represents more confidence, more discovery, and deeper connection with the sea. We were also delighted to dive with a wonderful guest visiting from France 🇫🇷, who made the most of his stay in Japan through diving. Sharing the ocean with divers from around the world reminds us that the sea connects people beyond borders. 💙 Thank you to all our amazing guests for bringing your energy and smiles. Whether you’re trying fun diving near Tokyo, taking a PADI license course, or exploring Japan’s hidden underwater gems, we’re here to make every dive unforgettable. At Hokule’a Shonan, we offer small-group diving trips, from Atami and Izu to Okinawa — all led by certified PADI instructors. 🌺 Contact us anytime to plan your next diving adventure in Japan! 🌊 ---------------------------- 🌈 About Hokule’a Shonan Hokule’a Shonan is a PADI 5⭐️ diving center located in Hiratsuka, Kanagawa, just a short train ride from Tokyo. Our motto is “Let’s embark on a journey to the unseen world.” Through diving, we help people discover the beauty and joy of nature while exploring Japan’s rich underwater world. We offer more than 300 days of diving courses and tours every year, including Izu, Okinawa, and even overseas destinations. With small-group diving and personalized instruction, beginners can dive safely and comfortably. We also welcome custom requests — whether you want to try your first dive, take a PADI course, or join a local ocean adventure! Come and dive with us — let’s enjoy this beautiful blue world together! 🌊💙 #HokuleaShonan #DiveJapan #Atami #WreckDive #AOWDiver #PADI #ScubaDivingJapan #ExploreTheBlue #UnderwaterWorld #JapanDiving #AtamiDive

Japan’s most relaxed full marathon with a 9‑hour time limit! Enjoy Minami-Izu Town’s breathtaking views, 12 local michikusa (side‑trip) specialties, and delicious aid stations that make it feel like a journey! Take it slow, unwind, and pace yourself in this easygoing full marathon. Finishing within five hours disqualifies you! Perfect for first‑time challengers. ------------------------------- The 2nd Minami-Izu Town Michikusa Bochibochi Full Marathon is here! Date: Saturday, November 15 Start & Finish: Aonogawa Furusato Park Event hours: 8:00 AM–5:00 PM *Note: Finishes within five hours (after 1:00 PM) are not accepted. Details for the 2nd Minami-Izu Town Michikusa Bochibochi Full Marathon https://www.minami-izu.jp/?p=we-page-event-entry&event=554274&cat=18736&type=event...

It is the morning of Saturday, November 8th in front of tomakomai station. Please make sure to bring studless winter tires for your drive.

Photographed on October 18, Year 25. This is the pulling-together of Nakamachi’s float “Prince of Lanling” and Wakitamachi’s float “Ieyasu Tokugawa.”

Photographed on October 18, 2013. From the left: Wakitamachi’s float of Tokugawa Ieyasu, Shintomichō 1 Chome’s float of Tokugawa Iemitsu, and Shintomi-cho 2-chome’s float of the Mirror Lion in a hikikae (float exchange).

A travel journal from Hokkaido, Learn more >>> 📕Leave a little room for tomorrow’s trip. While watching a quiet sunset, gently keep today’s moments in your heart. Take your time and enjoy the journey. ―――――――――――――――――――――― A quiet sunset, a gentle pause before tomorrow’s journey. Find your calm at Kushiro Prince Hotel. @kushiroprincehotel You can make a reservation from the profile URL. #Kushiro Prince Hotel #Kushiro trip #Hokkaido trip #Eastern Hokkaido #hokkaidotravel #visitjapan #japantravel #kushiro #princehotel https://www.princehotels.co.jp/kushiro/plan/all/...

Autumn leaves in Gokasecho🍁 The autumn colors in Gokasecho have suddenly deepened over the past few days🍁 The foliage in front of Shirataki Falls in Kuraoka District is not fully colored yet, but overall the area is at peak color✨ I also visited Myoken Shrine and other spots in Kuraoka District; the maples there still need a bit more time to peak💡 Some areas will continue to change color, but how about a drive to see Gokase’s autumn leaves this weekend?😊 ⚠Notice⚠ The road to Shirataki is a forest road with poor conditions. There is little space for cars to pass. We do not recommend driving if you lack confidence, are in a large vehicle, or are driving a low-clearance car.

Teshikaga Night Sky Enjoyment Workshop Thanks to your support, we have reached the 12th Teshikaga Night Sky Enjoyment Workshop. This year’s theme is the much-anticipated Geminids meteor shower. The program includes a classroom lecture and an observation session. Why is Teshikaga’s night sky so stunning? How should we protect and make the most of this night sky? What exactly is a meteor shower? What are tips for enjoying it? Which astronomical events should you watch for next year? This workshop is packed with answers and insights. If the sky is clear, we will go outside and observe the meteor shower. We hope you get to see bright meteors that can compete with the waning moonlight. To register, contact Teshikaga Town Community Center. 015-482-2340 We look forward to your participation🌌✨