2024 Minamiizu Town Photo Contest Results Announced!
We have selected six prize-winning works—Grand Prize and Runner-up—across three categories.
Submission period: Saturday, June 1, 2024 to Friday, January 31, 2025.
Eligible works: Photographs taken between February 1, 2024 and January 31, 2025.
Total submissions: 310 entries (two winners chosen from each category).
Thank you very much for the many entries that expressed such deep affection for Minamiizu.
The results page is as follows.
https://minamiizuphoto.mitte-x.istsw.jp/award.html?cn=52

Photographed on March 15, 25.
It is Hanachozu of Naritasan Kawagoe Betsuin. 🌸🌹🦅

Ume Plum Ishigaya Park, Akashi City, Hyogo Prefecture This is a Ume Plum park where you can park your car in the parking lot of the Daini Shinmei Road Akashi service area, and since it is a highway, it is a recommended Spot in a place where it is easy for people from far away to stop by.

📍 Enoshima
It was taken on the same day as the day of the Enoden shooting.
The Sunrise seen from Enoshima Island in winter is my favorite view in the world.
When the air is clear and the waves are calm, the sun's rays are reflected on the surface of the sea, creating a golden path.
There are not many people, so it is a beautiful scenery that almost sucks you in.
It is not the same place as Enoshima in the summer, you can spend a peaceful time, and the roads are not crowded, so it is recommended.
Even though the waves were calm, it was a little windy and very cold on this day, so when you go to the sea in winter, I recommend that you bring warm clothes and hot drinks!

📍 Enoshima
This is Enoden, taken at the end of 2024.
I visit once every winter to see the Sunrise on Enoshima.
I'm sure I've ridden it many times already, but the view of the sea from Enoden is always exciting.
In particular, the sea on a winter morning that can be seen from the vicinity of Kamakura High School Station is calm with few people, unlike summer, and it seems to be a beautiful painting with a sense of loneliness.
In addition, the air is clear and Mount Fuji looks very beautiful, so it is highly recommended to heal the fatigue of the year.
* Please refrain from stopping on the tracks or entering the level crossing.

Tokyo in the middle of the night: Dawn is near and far away

Looking at the rainbow yellowtail in the distance from Minato City, Tokyo

Photographed on March 15, 25.
It is the Kawazu cherry blossoms of the Shingashi River behind Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine.
Next week, I'm going to see the cherry blossoms blooming on the Shingashi River.

Samurai Armor Experience
In April 1615, the Tokugawa forces marched on Osaka Castle. Here, the "Osaka Summer Campaign" begins. You, a member of Toyotomi's side, will wear armor and participate in the battle.
You will be the best soldier in Japan, and go into battle!
#osakacastle #samuraiarmor

Photographed on March 10, 25.
CAFE ANDON's Matcha Latte and Strawberry and Anko Matcha Shortcake.
It's great to eat this Shortcake while looking at the cherry blossoms at CAFE ANDON. 🌸

Photos at Kumamoto Castle
Gari is shining on the ground

It is the site of the former JNR Hiroo Line, Kofuku Station.
1987 (Abandoned railway lines in Showa 62))

Diesel engine Car (KiHa 22) and
Wooden platform
Although preserved, the station building is
It was rebuilt in 2013.

The Kofuku Station boom is a long time ago
Regardless of the station name or place name,
It is visited by many tourists from Japan and abroad
It is one of the Sightseeing spots.

I like Asakusa in the rain Gari, this place where you can see the world behind it, and I visit it every time

Plum blossoms illuminated by street lamps, unlike in the daytime, attract the eye with a suspicious atmosphere

Meigetsu-in Temple in Kamakura, Famous for its hydrangeas

Autumn leaves in autumn are also a wonderful temple

The autumn view from the window of enlightenment is very cool

Before sunrise in autumn

An unexplored station that has gradually emerged

The appearance of Okuoi Kojo Station in Shizuoka was like a phantom beauty

Sakura Jingu Shrine is nearby, so I often go there, but the coolest time is on a rainy day

When you walk around the city, this figure suddenly appears

I thought it wouldn't snow in Tokyo this year.
In March, the early-blooming cherry blossoms began to bloom, and then the snow fell.

Snowy scenery of early-blooming cherry blossoms at Sakura Jingu Shrine

Very cool scenery typical of Japan

[🌸 Gokase Cherry Blossom Viewing 2025 🌸] From Thursday, March 20 to Sunday, May 11!

(Surely) with the last of the snow behind us, the season of flowers is finally approaching Gokasecho ✨ We’re running a spring Instagram campaign too 🤩🙌

Follow the Gokase Tourism Association account (https://www.instagram.com/gokase_kanko/) and post photos of flowers taken in Gokasecho to Instagram using two hashtags: #GokaseHana2025 and #dateofphoto (e.g., #March20) 🤳❤️‍🔥

Every day during the campaign, one person will win a mini set of Gokasecho specialty products 🎁✨
This time, amazingly!
During the nighttime illumination of Kijiya’s weeping cherry tree organized by students of Gokase Secondary School’s “Gokase Sakura Project” (March 23 [Sun]–April 16 [Wed] ※updated 4/2), entries featuring photos of Kijiya’s weeping cherry will have double the daily winning chance 😮✨!?

Plus! Outstanding entries will receive a gift box of Gokasecho specialty products 🤩👏
And even more! This time there will also be a “Gokase Sakura Project Award”…🤭🌟!?

Submitted entries will be featured on the Gokase Tourism Association and Gokase Sakura Project social media channels as they are selected 💡

[Period] From Thursday, March 20, 2025 to Sunday, May 11, 2025

⚠️Other rules are posted on the Gokase Tourism Association website. Please be sure to read them before applying. https://www.town.gokase.miyazaki.jp/kanko/index.html
⚠️Please take great care to avoid accidents while photographing.

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In spring in Gokasecho you can enjoy not only weeping cherry but also rhododendrons, akebono azaleas, and many other flowers 🌸
In the warm weather, how about a flower tour around Gokasecho 🤗?
We sincerely look forward to your participation ✨

This photo was taken on Kawaramachi Street in Tamba Sasayama City, Hyogo Prefecture.
Colorful and cute bells.
It was a moment when I was able to make a new discovery that bells might look better than wind chimes in the cityscape of Castle Town.

When I was passing by on the Car, I saw a sparkling bell, so I parked my Car at the Car parking lot and went back to take pictures.
I was also able to find a nice café on that street. It was a cold day, so if it weren't for the bell, I might not have gotten out of the car and walked down this street.
When I think about it, I'm very grateful ☺️ to Suzu for giving me that encounter

This is a photo of a cat's interior goods at a café in Sanrazaka-cho, Miyoshi City, Hiroshima Prefecture.
Use the lights in the store,
I expressed "a cat in the twilight of the sunset".

According to the owner, it is a work made by an iron craftsman in Miyoshi City.
"I like the view from behind, but I can't take a good picture," the owner said.
Squid was able to take this photo ☺️ when I was trying to figure out how to capture it well

The thinness of the limbs and neck, as well as the symmetrical ears, convey that the iron craftsmen are carefully and thoughtfully made.
The skills of Japan craftsmen. I thought it was cool! ✨

It is also a wonderful memory ☺️ that I was able to share my impression with the owner in this photo

First, we will explain what calligraphy is, followed by an explanation of attitudes and tools first.
You will better understand the difference between calligraphy as a form of character decoration (caligraphy), which also exists overseas, and Japanese "shodo" (calligraphy).
Calligraphy is a traditional Japanese culture that uses brush and ink to express characters artistically, and is appreciated for its neatness, the way the brush is carried, the shade of the ink, and the beauty of the overall arrangement of the characters.
#kanji #kimono #Calligraphy #tatamiroom #samurai

Photographed on March 10, 25.
CAFE ANDON's Matcha Shortcake with Strawberries and Anko.
The acidity of the strawberries and the moderate sweetness of the fresh cream and red bean paste go well together.

The Samurai sword is the most cutting blade to date and can only be worn by Samurai. After changing into a samurai costume and learning how to handle a sword, it's time to try your hand at sword cutting! Let's try zanjiri zanjiri!

#katana #samuraiSword #bushido

Photographed on March 10, 25.
This is CAFE ANDON's matcha latte.
The latte art is very nice. 😊

A proverb that combines the dying moment of a samurai with the magnificent cherry blossoms in their waning moments.
The flowers are cherry blossoms, the people are Samurai.

For details on the most popular Hanami plans, please visit

Osaka Castle Park 🌸Best time to visit
Umegorin (plum grove) ➤ 2/ upper - 3/ middle
Cherry blossoms (Someiyoshino) ➤3/15 - 5/up

#samuraiarmor #kimono #Sakura #osakacastl

Suzuka Forest Garden Light up 2025.03.15

Enjoy the weeping Ume plums in full bloom

It was raining lightly, so there were not many people.

Suzuka Forest Garden is a research Cultivation farm that aims to preserve and disseminate the "tailoring techniques" of weeping Ume Plum, which is one of the traditional horticultural cultures of Japan.

Photographed on March 10, 25.
This is a hot sandwich set of avocado shrimp from CAFE ANDON.
It's my favorite combination. 😊🦐🥑

Sakurajima Eruption
2025.03.07 Sakurajima Island had two eruptions at 16 and 17 o'clock
The photo shows Sakurajima at 17:38.

Metaseikochia trees in Takashima City, Shiga Prefecture

We aimed for a day when it snowed.

It started snowing at dawn, and the Water of the Water on the road began to increase, and I was able to take a reflection shot.