The charm of Mt. Fuji and fresh greenery on a spring morning is beautiful Yamanashi Prefecture Fujikawaguchiko Town Kawaguchiko Shore

Mt. Fuji and Cherry Blossoms "Spring in Japan is beautiful" Iwamoto Park, Fuji City, Shizuoka Prefecture

Cherry blossoms at Lake Yamanaka and upside-down Mt. Fuji in the morning Yamanakako Village, Yamanashi

This is a flowering update about Yoritomo cherry blossoms (Kawazu cherry blossoms) from Kyonan Town Hall. ~Photo taken on February 26, 2024~ The current bloom status of the Yoritomo cherry blossoms across Kyonan Town shows that most trees have passed full bloom and are beginning to fall, with some trees already showing noticeable leaves. Because wind and rain can cause further petal drop, please visit soon. At Sakuma Dam, following the Yoritomo cherry blossoms, the Tairyo cherry trees are now in full bloom and at their peak. At Sakuma Dam and in front of the town hall building, bamboo lanterns and cherry blossom lighting are on from 5:30 PM to 8:00 PM.

Nice to meet you! This is the Kyonan Town Tourism Association. Kyonan Town in Awa County, at the southern tip of the Boso Peninsula in Chiba Prefecture, is a town rich in nature that continues to charm visitors. With a population of about 6,300 people (as of 2024), the town blends history and natural beauty. Thanks to the Tokyo Bay Aqua-line and the Higashi-Kanto Expressway Tateyama Line, you can reach Kyonan from central Tokyo by car in about 80 minutes, making it easy to enjoy a full day trip. On this Cool Japan Video account, we will introduce sightseeing spots and recommended information about Kyonan Town in Chiba Prefecture. We appreciate your support. ◆History of Kyonan Town, Chiba Prefecture◆ Kyonan Town was formed in 1959 by the merger of Katsuyama Town and Hota Town. The town’s name comes from its location south of Mount Nokogiri, hence Kyonan Town. ◆Sightseeing spots in Kyonan Town, Chiba Prefecture◆ ◇Mount Nokogiri Designated a scenic spot by Chiba Prefecture, Mount Nokogiri is Kyonan’s signature attraction. Its cliffs form a serrated ridge that resembles a saw, as the name suggests. From near the summit, a ropeway ride of about three minutes offers panoramic views of Mount Fuji, the Miura Peninsula, and the Izu Peninsula across Tokyo Bay. Highlights include the nokogiriyama Nihonji Big Buddha, One Thousand Five Hundred Arhats, and Nihonji Temple. ◇Hishikawa Shisenobu Memorial Hall Opened in 1985, the Hishikawa Shisenobu Memorial Hall exhibits works by the Edo-period ukiyo-e artist Hishikawa Shisenobu. Through his detailed works, visitors can appreciate the depth of Japanese art and culture. ◇Sakuma Dam Lake Lakeside Park A 2.4-kilometer promenade around the dam is planted with about 2,200 cherry trees, including Yoritomo cherry blossoms, Yae cherry blossoms, and Someiyoshino, making it one of the Boso Peninsula’s top cherry-viewing spots. ◇Okuzure Suisenkyo About 60 million daffodil bulbs are cultivated along the hillsides and embankments. ◇Mount Daikoku Observatory A castle-shaped observatory crowns Mount Daikoku, overlooking Katsuyama Fishing Port below, and on clear days offers views of Mount Fuji and the Izu Peninsula. ◆Roadside Stations in Kyonan Town, Chiba Prefecture◆ ◇Roadside Station Hota Elementary School This rare roadside station was created by repurposing a closed elementary school. In addition to local product sales, it features a cafeteria serving nostalgic school lunch menus and lodging facilities. ◇Roadside Station Kyonan Facing Tokyo Bay, this roadside station is also popular as a sunset-viewing spot. It is adjacent to the Hishikawa Shisenobu Memorial Hall. ◆Events and festivals in Kyonan Town, Chiba Prefecture◆ ◇Daffodil Festival Kyonan is one of Japan’s three major daffodil habitats, and each year from early December the Daffodil Festival is held at Ezuki Narcissus Road, Sakuma Dam Park, and Okuzure Suisenkyo. You can enjoy the daffodils blooming proudly even in the winter cold, and the carpet of flowers creates an overwhelming spectacle. ◆Why visit Kyonan Town, Chiba Prefecture◆ Kyonan is known for the scenic Kawazu cherry blossoms (Yoritomo cherry blossoms), whose early blooms bring an early sign of spring. With a good selection of hotels and hot-spring facilities, you can relax after enjoying Kyonan’s great outdoors. Create unforgettable memories along this beautiful coastline! We will continue sharing recommended information about Kyonan Town, so please follow us.

Photographed on February 26 The early-blooming Oshima cherry in Nagisa Elementary Park is now at its best. This large cherry is said to be a cultivar created by crossing Oshima-zakura with Somei-yoshino, and it usually reaches peak bloom from early to mid-March each year. Perhaps because temperatures have been high this year, it is already in full bloom! The tree has many flower buds and is truly impressive. Nagisa Elementary Park Address / Nagisacho, Atami City (in front of the third section of the waterfront park)

【Osaka Castle Ume Plum Park】 February 23, 2024 Flowering Information: Except for the weather, it is a cherry blossom viewing day Osaka Castle Umegorin Park 2/23/2024 Flowering information: Cherry blossom viewing day except for the weather

【大阪城 梅林公園】 昨日➡2024年2/22 開花情報：全ての品種が見頃 samuraihonor.com Osaka Castle Umegorin Park Yesterday ➡ 2/22/2024 Flowering information: All varieties are in full bloom.

Himenosawa Park Himenosawa Park, a famed flower spot in Atami, overflows with seasonal blooms all year round. It is a natural park where you can also enjoy a full-fledged adventure playground. About 600 species of plants grow within the park. In an environment that feels like a botanical garden, flowering trees such as azaleas and a variety of wildflowers burst into bloom. (The photo shows azaleas that bloom from late April to early May.) About a 90-minute trek from Himenosawa Park will take you to Jukkoku Pass, allowing you to fully enjoy nature on the way. Please enjoy the moving floral scenes to your heart’s content, where flowers welcome you whenever you visit. Address / 1164 Himenosawa, Izu-san, Atami City, Shizuoka 413-0002 Telephone / 0557-83-5301 (Himenosawa Park Management Office) Access / From JR atami station, take a bus bound for the Motohakone area for about 30 minutes and get off at Himenosawa Park Admission / Free Parking / Free (Sazanka Parking: 46 passenger cars, 3 buses) and others

Jacaranda Flowers Are you familiar with jacaranda, a member of the Bignoniaceae family native to South America? As shown in the photos, it produces clusters of purple flowers like bunches of grapes, and the contrast of green leaves and purple blooms makes it a very beautiful deciduous tall tree. In Atami City, you can find tall trees (towering overhead) and smaller shrubs (at eye level) along Route 135 (the Jacaranda Promenade in Tokaigancho to Shinshicho “Waterside Park” along the sidewalk, and inside Waterside Park). Although jacaranda’s flowering season in Japan is said to be June, it is extremely rare for it to bloom outdoors on the mainland because of the climate. Some years in Atami saw no flowering at all, and some trees bloom a second time in September or October rather than only in June. Even when they do bloom, not all trees flower; some years only a few trees bloom. Some trees produce many flowers, some only a single cluster, and some not at all. How much will bloom this season? ※Bougainvillea along the Itagawa River also reaches its best viewing at the same time, so please visit both. Main jacaranda planting locations and numbers ● Jacaranda Promenade (along Route 135, beside the sun deck) … one tall tree about 10 m, four trees 3–5 m, and 100 shrubs 1–2 m ● Along Route 135, downbound (from the Central Police Box to Waterside Park Section 2) … 20 trees 5–6 m ● Waterside Park Section 3 … one tall tree of about 2 m near the pedestrian bridge, and five shrubs on the Wada River slope Total above: 25 tall trees (non-shrub) and 105 shrubs History ・In July 1990, one tree was planted in Omiya Green Space to commemorate the sister-city partnership with Cascais, Portugal ・In 2000, 24 trees were planted along the national highway (diagonally in front of the Central Police Box to in front of the Waterside Park event plaza) (Since then, some have been transplanted and others newly planted.) ・In April 2013, trees were planted in Waterside Park Section 2 (in front of the Tourist Association) and Section 3 (three trees in Section 2 and two in Section 3) ・On June 1, 2013, the “Jacaranda Promenade” was completed in Omiya Green Space (45 young trees planted) ・From September 2013 to June 2014, Omiya Green Space (west side) was developed (planting), and a few trees were transplanted from along the national highway ・June 2014, completion of the “Jacaranda Promenade” Address / Tokaigancho to Nagisacho, Atami City, Shizuoka Prefecture Phone / 0557-86-6218 (Atami City Park and Greenery Division) Access / To the Jacaranda Promenade (Omiya no Matsu) ■ About a 20-minute walk from JR atami station ■ About a 5-minute bus ride from JR atami station toward Atami Port → get off at “Omiya no Matsu” Parking / City-operated paid parking (East parking lot, Waterside Park, etc.) and others

【大阪城 梅林公園】 2024年2/16 現在 開花情報：中には全部咲きも samuraihonor.com Osaka Castle Umegorin Park As of 2/16/2024 Flowering information: Some of them are all in bloom.

February 16 The early-blooming atami sakura have finished, and the Oshima zakura are coming into full bloom! White cherry blossoms are blooming at the seaside park beside Marine Spa Atami.

Atami Castle Atami Trick Art Labyrinth Museum Atami Castle rises atop the summit of Nishikigaura, a scenic spot in Atami. The castle keep’s observation deck offers a 360-degree panorama: it looks out over Atami city, Yugawara, the Manazuru Peninsula, and on clear days the floating silhouettes of Hatsushima and Oshima, with the Ajiro–Ito side of the Izu Peninsula stretching beyond—making it Atami’s premier viewpoint. In spring the castle is famous for cherry blossoms, and in summer you can watch fireworks from the keep like a feudal lord. (The Cherry Blossom Festival runs from late March to early April.) Inside the castle you’ll find the Samurai Culture Museum displaying armor and swords, a ukiyo-e shunga gallery, an Edo costume experience room where you can dress up for photos, a jet footbath at 120 meters above sea level, and a free game corner—packed with sights and surprises. In the castle annex, the Atami Trick Art Labyrinth Museum offers wonderfully strange illusions where flat paintings appear three-dimensional. About 40 trick artworks feature marine creatures, dinosaurs, wild beasts, and Jaws-style scenes. You can do more than admire the art—take hilarious photos, experience illusions of becoming a giant or a tiny person, touch the exhibits, and snap shots for big laughs. Lose track of time as you get absorbed in the tricks. It’s a place that excites families, friends, and couples alike. Address / 1993 Sogayama, Atami City, Shizuoka Prefecture 413-0033 Phone / 0557-81-6206 (Atami Castle) Access / ■ About 10 minutes by car from atami station ■ About 10 minutes by bus from atami station toward Atami Port or Korakuen; get off at "Korakuen" → take the AtamiRopeway for about 3 minutes → about a 3-minute walk from Summit Station ■ About 15 minutes from atami station by Yu~Yu~ Bus → get off at Atami Castle Open / 9:00–17:00 (last admission 16:30) Open year-round Admission / Adults 1,100 yen; elementary and junior high students 600 yen; ages 3–6 450 yen (Two-site set ticket / Adults 1,800 yen; elementary and junior high students 950 yen; ages 3–6 700 yen) Parking / 100 spaces; parking fee: 500 yen (per visit)

Yugawara Plum Grove “Ume no Utage” Festival!! Yugawara’s plum grove, considered the country’s finest and set against the majestic foot of Mt. Makuyama, a geosite, makes the most of the area’s beautiful natural setting. About 4,000 red and white plum trees bloom across Yugawara Plum Grove like a carpet of blossoms, filling the park with a faint plum fragrance. The sight of the landscape covered in red-and-white plums takes your breath away. [Event Period] Saturday, February 3 to Sunday, March 10, 2024 [Location] Makuyama Park [Admission] 200 yen (ages 15 and up; excluding junior high school students) ※Guests staying at town lodging facilities may be eligible for free admission. (Please check with your lodging facility.) ※Presenting a Yugawara Town resident card also grants free admission.

Odawara Flower Garden 2024 Gather, kimono lovers! Become a kimono-clad lady in a plum-blossom garden Easily transform with our kimono rental and dressing service. Families and friends are very welcome to join! Guests who arrive in kimono on the day will also enjoy special perks! Enjoy the region’s largest collection of plum varieties in Kanto and celebrate spring in splendid traditional Japanese attire.

Odawara Flower Garden 2024 Plum Festival ~About 300 varieties and 500 plum trees in full bloom~ The Keiryu Plum Garden is a vivid plum grove planted with about 300 varieties and 500 flowering plum trees, from early bloomers to late bloomers, boasting one of the largest selections of varieties in the Kanto region. This year’s theme is “The Shapes of Flowers — The Individual Charms Created by Petals.” We introduce the differences in flower shapes and blooming styles by variety. Please enjoy the delicate beauty of the plum blossoms. Focus on Red Plums in 2024! This year’s theme is “Red Plum — The Brilliant Flower Plum,” highlighting red-plum varieties. The difference between red plums and white plums is not the flower color but the color of the pith when the tree’s trunk is cut. This year we focus on this lesser-known way to tell them apart and on the characteristics of red plums. Enjoy the appeal of red plums through the quiz rally and informational panels installed throughout the plum garden.

【大阪城 梅林公園】 2024年2/13現在 開花情報：花見にはもう少し Osaka Castle Umegorin Park As of 2/13/2024 Flowering information: A little more for flower viewing

ACAO FOREST A vast floral garden spread across 200,000 tsubo of rolling hills, composed of 13 distinctive themed gardens. Framed by the Atami-blue sea and sky, you can enjoy striking scenes crafted by roses, bulb plants, herbs, perennials and a variety of other plants. Not only does the garden offer seasonal floral displays year-round, it also features COEDA HOUSE, a cafe designed by Kengo Kuma; Soga Sengen Shrine; a hands-on herb and aroma workshop; and a commercial complex, ACAO ROSE SQUARE, where visitors can dine and shop. Address / 1027-8 Kamitaga, Atami, Shizuoka Prefecture 413-0101 Access / About 20 minutes by bus toward Ajiro from JR Atami Station → get off at “ACAO Forest” Hours / Regular season 9:00–17:00 (last admission 16:00) Closed / None ※ Closed temporarily in severe weather possible Admission / Adults ¥4,000 · Children ¥1,000 · Pets ¥1,000 Parking / Paid parking for 100 vehicles ※ Hours, closure days, and fees may change, so please check the official website in advance.

Plum blossoms are now at their best in Atami, Shizuoka Prefecture! The 80th Atami Plum Garden Plum Festival runs at Atami Plum Garden until March 3, and as of February 11 the blooms are at their peak. (The photo was taken on February 10.) The garden houses 469 plum trees across 60 varieties, so you can enjoy a wide range of flower types.

Ikuta Ryokuchi Plum Blossoms (Notice) A few plum blossoms have opened; the usual peak viewing season runs from mid-February to early March. This year, plum blooming appears to be slightly delayed. Ikuta Ryokuchi has a plum grove, and visitors often come for a walk to enjoy the blossoms during the season. The approximately 2,500 m² grove features red and white plum varieties such as Michishirube and Fujibotan competing in beauty. [Ikuta Ryokuchi Plum Grove] Area: 2,500 m² Number of varieties: 25 (as of February 3, 2023) Number of trees: 86 Contact: 7-1-4 Masugata, Tama-ku, Kawasaki City, Kanagawa 214-0032 Inquiries: Ikuta Ryokuchi East Entrance Visitor Center Phone: 044-933-2300

One of my very heart touching memories in Japan which I want preserve in my mind for ever is the spring trip to Tokyo. During the trip my wife and her friend wore Japanese kimono and enjoyed cherry blossom. It give us an authentic and Traditional charms of Japan. Japanese traditional dress and japanese national flower a very nostalgic memory.

Expo Commemorative Park / Osaka In the large flower field, various flowers were in full bloom, from the kochia and cosmos in this photo to the slightly rare red buckwheat flowers! It was very beautiful, and in addition to the flower garden, you can also enjoy soft serve ice cream and coffee in the beautiful and vast square! Why don't you visit 😌 now during the holiday season? Admission: 260 yen for adults, 80 yen for elementary and junior high school students

📍 Expo Commemorative Park / Osaka I haven't been out much lately, but I finally got some autumn-like photos! While many tourists were visiting even though it was daytime on a weekday, I was able to take a picture of this maple tree with no one! As of 10/19, the maple trees had not yet turned red, so I think that the camellia will decorate this street more and more in the future! Why don't you visit us?

Go to Gongendo Park in the morning It was late this year because it was hot, but in October, the carpet finally turned bright red. Saitama has many famous red spider liliies spots.

Hiroshima Sera Town Hana Station Sera Recommended spots in Hiroshima #Hana Station Sera 👈 @hananoekisera The early morning opening of Hana Station Sera has begun 😊. It looks like it will entertain you with a lot of cosmos this year as well! 😊

Saihoji Temple I heard that there is a temple with tricolor red spider liliies blooming nearby. I went to see it on the first train before work. Red, white, yellow red spider liliies It was very beautiful.

Hiroshima Sera Town Sera Kogen Farm Recommended spots in Hiroshima #Sera Kogen Farm 👈 @serakogenfarm Surrounded by colorful flowers, sit in the shade of a tree and take a picture with a 📸 potlet Sera Kogen Farm will start the Dahlia and Garden Mom Festival from 😊 9/9 I wonder if I 😁 can take pictures of dahlias and frogs 🐸 again this year.

The cosmos garden is in full bloom! The cosmos garden beside Taiki Lifelong Learning Center, where town residents sowed seeds in June, has reached its peak bloom. Cosmos, which also means "universe" in English, is the town flower of Taiki, the town of space! The cosmos swaying in the breeze are truly beautiful, so please come and see them!

The commemorative 20th Taiyo-no-Oka Cosmos Festa will be held on Sunday, September 3 at Taiyo-no-Oka Engaru Park Cosmos Garden. There are many stage shows, including gorgeous guest shows! Lots of delicious food!! And see the beautiful Cosmos!! We look forward to seeing you there!

Hiroshima Sera Town Recommended spots in Hiroshima #Flower Village 👈 @kamunosato One photo 📸 at Nyanko Photo today This is Shushu-chan, who is popular in Sera. Take a commemorative photo with Kokia! 😊 There were 😊 many people who enjoyed walking and taking pictures with their pets.