Photographed on September 23, 2026. This is the Aitai fortune slip from Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine.

Taken on September 23, 2026. This is the Aitai fortune slip from Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine.

The coral reef Looked like a coral reef when viewed from above the autumn leaves of Mount Yoshino in Nara Prefecture.

"Tourism EXPO Japan" is an annual comprehensive event that allows you to feel the future of travel. The theme for the 2026 event is "The Evolving Shape of Travel." With advancements in technology, diversification of values, and new lifestyles, travel is changing at an unprecedented speed. The Mashu Lake Tourism Association will also participate in the "Tourism EXPO Japan." The public days are September 26 (Saturday) and September 27 (Sunday). Let's step into the evolving world of travel. New encounters and discoveries await you. We look forward to seeing everyone there!✨ Date: September 26 (Saturday), September 27 (Sunday) * On September 24 (Thursday) and September 25 (Friday), the event is for industry professionals only, and general attendees cannot enter. Location: Tokyo Big Sight 3-11-1 Ariake, Koto-ku, Tokyo 135-0063 Rinkai Line: About a 7-minute walk from "Kokusai-Tenjijō Station" Yurikamome: About a 3-minute walk from "Tokyo Big Sight Station" Organized by * Japan Tourism Promotion Association * Japan Association of Travel Agents (JATA) * Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO)

【Event Participation】We will be exhibiting at "Castle EXPO in Kumamoto 2026"! - Collaborating with the Shimabara Rebellion! - (October 3rd - 4th) We are excited to participate in the festival for castle fans, "Castle EXPO in Kumamoto 2026"! On that day, we will deliver the charm of "Tomioka Castle," a historical symbol of Amakusa and Reihokumachi, along with tourism information and the depth of history and culture to everyone across the nation. Additionally, this time we will implement special projects exclusive to the EXPO, including a joint workshop with castles related to the Shimabara Rebellion (Shimabara-Amakusa Uprising) and a stamp rally visiting related castles! 📍Guide to Our Booth and Highlights - We will provide detailed information about the history and structure of Tomioka Castle, as well as tourism spots and gourmet information in Reihokumachi. - We will have exclusive "Castle Stamps" and local specialties from Reihokumachi available. (Limited quantities) 🤝Special Collaboration Project Announcement A special project in collaboration with surrounding castles will also be held on-site! 1. Joint Workshop of Three Castles Theme: "Exploring the Shimabara Rebellion (Shimabara-Amakusa Uprising) from Three Perspectives - Prosperity, Prohibition and Rebellion, and Seclusion" Participating Castles: Hara Castle Ruins × Shimabara Castle × Tomioka Castle Date and Time: October 4th (Sunday) 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM Venue: Event Floor Workshop Space *We will deeply explore the truth and charm of history from the perspectives of the three castles that were the stage of the rebellion! 2. Stacking Stamp Rally Theme: "Let's Visit the Booths of 5 Castles Related to the Shimabara Rebellion!" This is a participatory project where you visit the booths of the five target castles within the venue, stack stamps, and complete one artwork. Please be sure to stop by our association's booth as well! 📅Event Overview Event Name: Castle EXPO in Kumamoto 2026 Date: October 3rd (Saturday) - 4th (Sunday), 2026, 9:30 AM - 5:00 PM Venue: Kumamoto-Jo Hall (3-40 Sakuramachi, Chuo Ward, Kumamoto City) Organizer: Special Edition Castle EXPO in Kumamoto 2026 Executive Committee Admission Fee: Paid (Advance tickets and same-day tickets available) *For ticket purchases and detailed information, please check the official website of "Special Edition Castle EXPO in Kumamoto 2026." We are preparing to thoroughly convey the charm of Tomioka Castle, rich in history and romance, as well as the allure of Amakusa and Reihokumachi. We sincerely look forward to your visit!

Photographed on September 23, 2026. This is the windmill at Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine's Naorai Hall. I feel like this windmill will soon be a sight to behold for the last time.

Today, September 25th (Friday) from 16:48, it will be broadcasted on FM Karuizawa's "RADIO MAGAZINE SAKUHO." This episode's topic is "Momiji Matsuri." Mr. Sasaki Takafumi, the president of the Sakuhomachi Chamber of Commerce Youth Division, will talk about the Momiji Matsuri. In our pick-up segment, we will introduce the ongoing "Sakuho Town Digital Stamp Rally!" The stamp rally has about one month left. Please tune in! ♪

Taken on September 22, 2026. This is lychee oolong tea from HK TEA and double chocolate EGG WAFFLE.

The higanbana blooming beside the stairs is beautiful. Myojorin-ji, Ogaki City, Gifu Prefecture September 23, 2026

Taken on September 22, 2026. This is Lychee Oolong Tea from HK TEA in Hong Kong. Whole lychees are included.

Taken on September 22, 2026. This is the TATSUMI Special from Udon Tatsu-mi. It features twice the amount of chicken tempura and pork in the TATSUMI Special.

Event Announcement📣 On Sunday, September 27th, the 23rd Shintoku New Soba Festival will be held! 😊 The highlight of the Shintoku New Soba Festival is the opportunity to enjoy the "four freshly prepared soba"—"freshly harvested," "freshly milled," "freshly made," and "freshly boiled!" At the "Soba Yatai Village," local soba shops and soba-making groups will gather 🎵 Each shop will offer fragrant new soba with their specially crafted dipping sauces and toppings✨✨ In addition to soba, you can also savor local specialties such as "Shintoku Chicken Grilled over Charcoal" and "Grilled Shiitake Mushrooms." After your meal, indulge in desserts like crepes made with buckwheat flour and rich soft serve ice cream, fully experiencing the flavors of Shintoku! 😍 Also, the festival's traditional "Wanko Soba Competition" will be held this year! 🎵 Teams of two (one eater and one server) will compete to see how many bowls they can eat in two minutes. 🔸Competition Time: Starts at 11:30 on the day 🔸How to Participate: Registration starts at 10:00 on the day *Registration takes about one hour, and participation as a pair is required. Solo participation is not allowed. If there are many applicants, a lottery will be held. Thank you for your understanding in advance. 🔸Categories: Parent-Child Pair (6 pairs; children must be elementary school age or younger) Adult Pair (12 pairs) This is a great opportunity to enjoy delicious new soba in a fun way! Why not team up with your child, friends, or family to participate? We look forward to seeing you all! 🤗 🔶Date: Sunday, September 27, 2026, from 10:00 to 14:00 *The event will proceed rain or shine 🔶Venue: Shintoku Town Health and Welfare Center "Nagomi" Front Parking Lot 🔶Parking Information ・Temporary Parking Lot 1 (for Asahikawa direction): Shintoku Sports Park Athletic Stadium (No shuttle bus) ・Temporary Parking Lot 2 (for Obihiro direction): Hokkaido Shintoku High School (Free shuttle bus available every 10 minutes) Shuttle Bus: (Parking Lot → Venue) First bus at 9:10, last bus at 14:20 (Venue → Parking Lot) First bus at 9:20, last bus at 14:30 ・Temporary Parking Lot 3 (for disabled persons): Behind Shintoku Town Hall (Limited spaces available) 🔶Contact: Shintoku New Soba Festival Executive Committee Office (Shintoku Town Commerce and Tourism Division) TEL: 0156-64-0522 https://www.shintoku-town.jp/sangyou_kankou/kankou/shinsoba/...

Taken on September 22, 2014. This is the annual safety fortune slip from Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine. This year, I attracted human relationships that are not safe, so I prayed for good connections.

Taken on September 22, 2014. I visited Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine. It was crowded due to the distribution time of the matchmaking talismans. The windmills were protected with nets to shield them from the typhoon the day before.

Taken on September 5th, 26. This is the flower water basin at Kawagoe Hachimangu Shrine. Today is my birthday. I'm exploring Kawagoe.

I went to see the autumn leaves of Mount Kurodake, said to have the earliest fall colors in Japan, early yesterday morning. It was a breathtaking view worthy of the name Kamui Mintara (a garden where the gods play). Since it was a day when Silver Week, autumn leaves, and good weather all came together, over 100 people were already lined up at the first ropeway station, and by 8 a.m., the parking lot at Sounkyo was completely full. It will likely be bustling today and tomorrow as well.

Photographed on September 5, 2014. This is the flower water at Kawagoe Hachimangu Shrine.

Taken on September 7, 2014. This is the flower water offering at Kawagoe Hachimangu Shrine.

Event Announcement📣 On Sunday, October 4th, the 53rd Ikeda Town Autumn Wine Festival will be held! 😄 This event celebrates the harvest of grapes and the making of wine, giving thanks for the autumn bounty. 🍇 One of the highlights of the event is the all-you-can-drink selection of unique Tokachi wines, including the internationally recognized red wine variety "Yamakou." 🎵 For those who do not drink alcohol or for children, grape juice will be available. Additionally, the festival's specialty is the impressive "Whole Roasted Beef," which is slow-cooked for about 10 hours!‼ The fragrant, roasted Hokkaido beef is a special gourmet experience you can only enjoy here. 🍴 Other delicious options include grilled Hokkaido beef, hamburgers, and sausages, all perfect for pairing with wine. 🎵 A special day to enjoy the blessings of autumn. 🎀 Come and enjoy the "Autumn Blessings" with your family and friends! 🤗 🔶Date and Time: Sunday, October 4, 2026, 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM *Last entry: 1:30 PM (Rain or shine) 🔶Venue: Event Square next to Ikeda Wine Castle 🔶Admission: Adults: 6,000 yen, Middle and High School Students: 2,000 yen, Elementary School Students and Preschoolers: Free *Town resident discount ticket: 3,000 yen Tickets are currently on sale! 😍 🔷Ticket Outlets ・Ikeda Town Tourism Association (inside Ikeda Town Hall) ・Ikeda Wine Castle (General Incorporated Association) ・Tokachi Tourism Federation (Obihiro Station Esta East Building 2F) ・Obihiro City Civic Cultural Hall ・Roadside Station Otofuke Natsuzora no Furusato ・Coach and Four Kushiro Store ・Lawson Ticket (L Code: L11003) ・Seven Ticket (Seven Code: 116-499) ・Doshin Play Guide (Secoma Code: D26100405) 🔷Contact: Ikeda Town Tourism Association TEL: 015-572-2286 https://kankou-ikeda.com//

The "Unkai" that occurs in the early morning due to the exquisite balance of caldera topography and the weather conditions in Eastern Hokkaido. You can enjoy it with explanations from a professional guide at the dedicated space for guided tours, the "Tsubetsu Pass Viewpoint Facility." Why not wake up a little early and experience a special morning in Kussharo that will remain a memorable part of your journey? For more details, please visit the official website via the link in the profile. 📍Kussharo Prince Hotel https://www.instagram.com/kussharo_ph/...

The autumn Japanese garden viewed from the hall of the Former Saito Family Villa in Niigata City. The garden framed by the window beautifully transitions from vibrant green to red, orange, and yellow, resembling a stunning painting. A memorable moment spent quietly gazing at the autumn garden from within the historic building. Location: Former Saito Family Villa, Niigata City, Niigata Prefecture Date of photography: November 29, 2024.

Photographed on September 19, 26. This is the flower water basin at Kawagoe Hachimangu Shrine.

Sumiyoshi Taisha Sumiyoshi 2-chome 9-89, Sumiyoshi Ward, Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture The parking lot is spacious and very accessible. It is paid parking. This shrine is said to bring many blessings, focusing on prosperity in business, safety at home, warding off evil, and safe voyages, as well as matchmaking and easy childbirth. It is the strongest power spot in Osaka. It is a famous bridge known as Taiko Bridge. Crossing it is said to purify and enhance one's fortune... It is known for its ancient Japanese shrine architectural style called Sumiyoshi-zukuri. Pet the Sumiyoshi Shrine's Sacred Rabbit (Nade Usagi) to pray for good health. Finally, here is the Jade Nade Usagi located in front of the Fourth Main Shrine of Sumiyoshi Taisha. Since the day when the deity Sumiyoshi was enshrined in this place is said to be the year of the Rabbit, in the month of April, on the day of the Rabbit, the rabbit is regarded as a divine messenger at Sumiyoshi Taisha.

Photographed on September 19, 2014. This is the flower water basin at Kawagoe Hachimangu Shrine.

Taken on September 19, 26. This is the flower water at Kawagoe Hachimangu Shrine.

Event Announcement📣 From September 19th to September 27th, we will hold the autumn challenge "Weight Guessing Contest for Shiitake Mushroom Harvest" at Takutetsu Kinokotan in Shintoku Town😊 Guess the weight of the shiitake mushrooms you harvest, and if you get it exactly right down to the gram (1g unit)...... You will receive the weight in mushrooms for free‼️ Even if you miss, you have a chance to get 10% off if you are within 10% of the correct weight🎵 During the event in July, there were participants who won the exact prize😍 Additionally, we have a small gift prepared for those who visit us in September🎁 We encourage you to take this opportunity to enjoy a fun and delicious shiitake mushroom harvest🤗 We are also hosting "Create Your Own Mushroom Fairy!" at the same time. You can paint a wooden mushroom shape, draw a face, and create your original mushroom fairy. All participants will receive a fairy certification. (Fee: 3 wooden shiitake mushrooms for 500 yen, tax included) 🔶Date: September 19th, 2026 - September 27th, 2026 (Note: September 24th (Thursday) and September 25th (Friday) are substitute store holidays) 🔶Venue: Takutetsu Kinokotan 🔶Contact: Takutetsu Kinokotan TEL: 0156-67-9105 (10:00 AM - 3:30 PM) (Note: Closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays) https://t-kinokotan.com//

I'm taking a break.☕️ I love sitting where I can see the tourist information center. I'm having an oat milk latte and a chestnut pound cake.🌰

Taken on September 12, 2026. This is the flower water basin at Kawagoe Hachimangu Shrine.

Taken on September 12, 2014. This is the flower water offering at Kawagoe Hachimangu Shrine.

Event Announcement📣 On September 19th (Saturday), the "8th Shihoro Potato Festival" will be held at Roadside Station Pia 21 Shihoro😊 Join us for a day filled with potatoes brought to you by Shihorocho, the "Potato Town"! 🎵🥔🥔 Enjoy the popular "Potato Packing Challenge," a lottery with guaranteed potato-related prizes, and the much-loved "Unique Potato Championship!" featuring quirky shapes of potatoes that are not up to standard. There are plenty of activities for both adults and children to enjoy!😍 Additionally, local shops will offer special menus featuring potatoes, a variety of curry dishes, and the event-exclusive flavor of "Hokkaido Golden Fried Potatoes" from Cafe Kanichi, along with limited-edition potato sweets, allowing you to savor potatoes all day long. We invite you to experience the delicious and fun festival packed with the charm of potatoes! 🤗 🔶 Date: September 19, 2026, 9:00 AM - 1:30 PM 🔶 Venue: Roadside Station Pia 21 Shihoro 🔶 Contact: Roadside Station Pia 21 Shihoro TEL: 01564-5-3940 https://pia21shihoro.jp//