Photographed 12/23/24. It is Hanachozu of Kawagoe Hachimangu Shrine.

【2025 Kisoji Ice and Snow Light Festival】 This year Kisoji ice and snow lights will be Held in again Festival. From January 25th ~ February 15th, ice candles and bamboo lanterns will be lit at Shukuba in Kisoji. Events of several hours once a year. Fun a fantastic world that is different from usual. ♦1/25 (Sat) Kiso Town Miyanokoshi ♦2/2 (Sun) Shiojiri City Niekawa Juku ♦2/3 (Mon) Shiojiri City Narai juku ♦2/7 (Fri)-8 (Sat) Kiso Town Fukushima juku ♦2/8 (Sat) Nakatsugawa City Magome juku ♦2/9 (Sun) Agematsu Town Nezame-no-Toko, Okuwa Village Sports Park ♦2/18 (Sat) Nagiso Town Tsumago juku And Held in a photo contest again this year! The winning works will be used for posters, flyers, web advertisements, etc. for the next year. 【For those who apply on Instagram】Account of the Kiso Tourism Federation (@kiso_japan_official ) > #kisoji_hyosetsu_2025 Don't forget to tag them! 【Apply by sending photos】Please send 4 color prints or A4 size (4 slices wide are also acceptable) to the Kiso Tourism Federation. Period: 2025/2/1~2/28 (must arrive by this date) For details, please check the Home page "Kiso Valley Rippu". We have 😊 received many applications

Photographed 12/23/24. It is Hanachozu of Kawagoe Hachimangu Shrine.

Photographed 12/21/24. It is Hanachozu of Naritasan Kawagoe Betsuin. It is a Christmas specification. 🎄

On Friday, October 18, 2024, the first batch of cranes, a winter tradition in Izumi City, Kagoshima Prefecture, arrived! At 3:45 p.m. on Friday, October 18, the Kagoshima Prefecture Crane Conservation Association confirmed that nine cranes landed on the East Reclamation. The breakdown was 7 Crowned Cranes, 1 Black-crowned Crane, and 1 Canadian Crane. The first crane feather count survey was canceled due to bad weather, but after that, the second crane feather count survey of the season was implementation in the early morning of Saturday, November 30, 2024, and as a result of the survey, a total of 12,992 cranes were confirmed: 12,036 cranes, 948 cranes, 4 black-crowned cranes, 3 Canadian cranes, and 1 black-crowned crane. As a result, for 28 consecutive seasons since 1997, we have achieved the arrival of more than 10,000 cranes! In the latest bird count survey on Saturday, December 21, 2024, the number of cranes decreased from the second survey, but a total of 10,928 cranes were confirmed: 8,998 cranes, 1,917 cranes, 8 black-crowned cranes, 3 Canadian cranes, and 2 black-crowned cranes. The next bird count survey of the season will be on Sunday, January 12, 2025. We are looking forward to seeing more cranes coming to the country and seeing rare cranes that have not yet been confirmed this season.

There are two Gun Dam Manholes in Izumi City that were donated by the Gun Dam Manhole Project planned by the Bandai Namco groups' Gun Dam Project. Izumi City is the first municipality in Kagoshima Prefecture to donate this "Gun Dam Manhole". The first is the RX-78-2 Gun Dam manhole. This is installed in "Izumi City Tsuru Museum Crane Park Izumi". "Izumi City Crane Museum Crane Park Izumi" is a Museum about "cranes" that come to Izumi City every year for wintering. Throughout the year, it is a "multifunctional facilities" that provides a place for citizens and Izumi, from children to Adult, to learn about and become familiar with the rich Nature of the plains, including cranes Izumi which migrate to the Izumi region Subject Visitors, as well as lifelong learning and research. In addition, at this facilities, one "manhole card" of "RX-78-2 Gun Dam" is distributed to each person who visits the museum directly and answers the questionnaire. (* We do not distribute by phone or mail, make reservations, set aside, or distribute after hours.) ） Next is the manhole of "MSM-04 Aggai". This is located in the "Izumi Foothills History Museum" in the "Samurai residences at the foot of Izumi", which is one of the largest samurai residences in Japan. This facility opened in May of the first year of Reiwa, and exhibits on the history of the foothills of Izumi. At the entrance, a diorama of the foothills of Izumi is on display, and the Reproduction of the foothills of Izumi around the end of the Edo period is reproduced. In addition, there is a VR in the lobby where you can see the scenery of the Izumi foothills in the Edo period. Gun Dam fans, manhole fans, and manhole card fans, please come to Izumi City, Kagoshima Prefecture for "Push Activity"!

About a 3-minute walk from JR Oito Line Hotaka Station Snow has begun to fall at Hotaka Shrine, bringing a true winter feeling Come visit for New Year’s Eve shrine visits or Hatsumode (first shrine visit of the year) Visit Hotaka Shrine’s official website here https://www.hotakajinja.com// Visit Hotaka Shrine’s Instagram here https://www.instagram.com/hotakajinja/...

Photographed 12/16/24. This is Hanachozu from Hara Flower Shop. 🎄

This is a Christmas exhibition at the Kawagoe Prince Hotel. 🎄

A piece of Spring in Ubuyama Village. Ubuyama is in the middle of winter, and the cold winter is fun, but I can't Can't wait for the warm Spring.

Photographed 12/23/24. LEC COFFEE's strawberry latte and kumquat Basque cheesecake. The latte art is a Christmas tree, which is very nice. 🎄 Kumquat Basque cheesecake has kumquats inside and is delicious. 🍊

Today, we interviewed LEC COFFEE. It's a gingerman cookie. It's very, very pretty, isn't it? I also bought it, but it's a waste to eat it. ☺️

Kyoto Prefecture Miyama Karabuki no Sato Snow Festival It was a pity that there was no snow, but I wanted to take a panoramic view of the village of Miyama, so I climbed the snowy mountain alone Next time, I would like to see snow on the roof, but if that happens, there will be even more snow on the mountain side. Is it dangerous to climb snow? 🤔

Miyama Karabuki no Sato Snow Festival It was a pity that there was no snow, but I wanted to take a picture of the whole view of the village of Miyama, so I managed to climb the snowy mountain alone and took a hard picture. Of course, since it was a snowy mountain, there was no road, and it was almost a cliff climb, but 😅 on the way back, it was pitch dark and I managed to descend the mountain while getting lost on the way. 😌

Japan Garden at Kinosaki Onsen Yutoya Ryokan A magnificent pine tree in the garden is covered with 😯 snow

Kinosaki Onsen, Hyogo No matter how many times you come here, you will be healed 😌♨️

Japan Garden of Kinosaki Onsen Yutoya Ryokan A magnificent pine tree in the garden is covered with 😯 snow

Here is tourist information for Nagiso town! Momosuke Bridge [Important Cultural Property of Japan] Momosuke Bridge (Momosukebashi) is one of Japan’s largest wooden suspension bridges spanning the Kiso River, with a total length of 247 meters and a width of 2.7 meters, and you can still walk across it. In Taisho 11 (1922), Momosuke Fukuzawa (the son‑in‑law of Yukichi Fukuzawa), known as a power magnate, built the bridge as a transport route for materials during the Kiso River hydroelectric development 🌲🚃 From Showa 25 (1950) the bridge served as a village road, greatly helping local transportation between the communities on both banks and the commuting of high school and middle school students. However, by around Showa 53 (1978) deterioration advanced and full repairs were not possible, leaving the bridge close to being lost. Because many people advocated for its preservation and use, it was restored as a modern heritage asset (a tangible cultural property of Nagiso town) together with the development of the surrounding Tenpaku Park. In Heisei 6 (1994) it was designated as an Important Cultural Property of Japan. Highlights✅ - A thrilling suspension bridge built at the widest part of the Kiso River! - At the time, rails for a trolley used to transport materials ran along the center of the bridge; the restoration preserves traces of those rails so you can see them. Be sure to take a look ✨ - In spring you can also enjoy the cherry trees (Somei Yoshino) that bloom on the Nagiso Station side. On the hill of Tenpaku Park, where Momosuke Bridge stands, there is a azalea garden. Around early April about 400 azalea shrubs of six varieties, including the town flower mitsuba azalea, burst into bloom! - From the observation deck opposite the azalea garden you can view Momosuke Bridge from above. - You can go down from around the middle of Momosuke Bridge to the riverside park. - The bridge is recommended in every season. Especially in spring, cherry blossoms, mitsuba azalea, and flowering peach trees bloom together 🌸 - The bridge is lit up, so you can walk it at night. It’s also a good spot for photographing with the stars. Please take care around your feet. Access - By car: Just off Route 19, free parking in Tenpaku Park (30 spaces); 3‑minute walk from the parking lot - By JR: About a 5‑minute walk from JR Nagiso Station Note: The carp streamer (koinobori) display shown in spring photos is not currently being held.

Photographed 12/21/24. This is Udon noodles Tatsumi's COEDO bukkake. It is a soy sauce broth with pork and potato heaven. The kake Udon noodles were also delicious, but the bukkake Udon noodles were not too thick and tasted just right. Imo Heaven is also delicious. 😊🍠

Come to 🎄 Cocoon for Christmas the day after tomorrow This is Saitama New Central Tokyo in Saitama City, Saitama prefecture. Held in Christmas market until December 25th, the day after tomorrow. Be sure to 🥹 visit

Photographed on December 15, 24. It is a one-year cheap sea bream lottery of Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine. Orange is my favorite color, so I'm happy.

[Gokase Town, Miyazaki Prefecture — Accommodation] Potunto Detached House Kuraoka "An escape from the everyday that still lets you enjoy rural daily life" I want to try living in the countryside. I want to relax in a quiet place. I want to focus quietly on work for a few days. I want a day that makes me forget everything. A nostalgic place like the grandmother’s house I visited as a child. This is an accommodation where you can experience that kind of deep-mountain lifestyle. A home for lovers of mountains and rural life. From October 2024, a newly opened whole-house simple lodging, Potunto Detached House Kuraoka, is available for rent. Come and take a leisurely taste of country living! ↓For detailed rates and other information↓ https://potnt-kuraoka.com/#contents... Contact 3959-2 Kuraoka, Gokase, Nishiusuki District, Miyazaki 882-1201 TEL: 0982-83-0522

Takaibashi (タカイバシ takaibashi) Entrance to Yamada Hot Spring in Takayama Village Takai Bridge is located at the gateway to the Matsukawa Valleys. In the colors of the Valleys that change in the four seasons, it is always dignified with its unchanging appearance. Nagano Prefecture is said to have a clear color of the four seasons. Takaibashi is a place where you can feel the four seasons at a fixed point. Valleys, budding in Spring, deep green in summer, Autumn leaves in autumn, and snowy scenery in winter. A red bridge that snuggles up to the four seasons of the Valleys. The scenery of Takai Bridge in winter is just cool!　It is the world view of ink painting. Powder snow in the middle of winter does not stick to the branches, and it is a view that can be seen during this Period when there is a lot of wet snow, such as snow from rain. Also, the day when the sun shines on the pure white Valleys, the snow sparkles, and the sky turns bright blue is also "beautiful". This is also one of the scenes of Takaibashi that I want to show. The scenery that can be seen when the conditions are right is also the charm of Nature. Cool scenery in a cool season I would love to see it.

Photographed 12/21/24. This is GLIN COFFEE Honkawagoe Pepe store. Ono Buncha × GLINCOFFEE This is a premium hojicha latte with a sansho scent from the Kawagoe tea series. Aroma of sansho is very nice. It also contains white chocolate and honey, which is indulgent. The Honkawagoe Pepe store will close on December 28th. I'm sad because I was often taken care of when I walked around Kawagoe. 😭

Prayer at Kawagoe Hachimangu Shrine today. The giant ema of the Year of the Snake was completed. I was preparing for the announcement of this year's one-letter event. Unfortunately, because it was work, I couldn't see a single letter.

Photographed 12/16/24. On the way back from the beauty salon, I visited HK Tea. It is a double chocolate of honey lemon and EGG WAFFLE. I like lemon honey and sometimes I take it easy.

Gokase Highland Ski Resort Reopens After Two Seasons 🎉 Today, December 20, Gokase Highland Ski Resort resumed operations for the first time in two seasons 😭👏✨ The road to the resort collapsed during the 2022 typhoon, making passage impossible and forcing a prolonged closure, but today it has safely reopened 🥹❤️‍🔥 A long-awaited grand opening saw the mayor’s remarks and a ribbon-cutting by honored guests, including Minami-chan, who returned to join the celebration, officially opening the slopes ⛷️✨ Eager skiers and snowboarders who had been waiting for the resort to reopen began to glide down the runs with style, and the landscape of old seemed to be restored once more 😭✨ It’s a deeply moving moment… We hope the resort, a winter symbol of Gokase, will continue to regain its bustle and flourish even more from now on 😌🙏 The season has only just begun! Please come visit Gokase Highland Ski Resort and enjoy the slopes 🤩💫 Gokase Highland Ski Resort Official Website http://www.gokase.co.jp/ski/#...

Photographed 12/16/24. This is CAFE ANDON's Andon chicken curry. I often visit them for a walk in Kawagoe or before work.

It's 🤤 almost Christmas Christmas market 🎄 Held in in Saitama New Central Tokyo It is up to 25 days, but it is decorated with a nice tree

Here’s tourist information for Nagiso town! Tenpaku Azalea Colony (Town Natural Monument) A vast colony of mitsuba azalea blooms in Tenpaku Park. About six varieties and roughly 400 azalea shrubs grow in the garden, and among them the Nagiso mitsuba azalea is a rare species found mainly around Nagiso town as its name suggests. Bloom times shift slightly each year depending on the weather, but the best viewing period is generally from early to mid-April. Perched on a hill in Tenpaku Park, the site offers excellent views of Momosuke Bridge and Mt. Kiso-Komagatake. At the Nagiso Station side entrance to the wooden suspension bridge over the Kiso River, Momosuke Bridge, cherry blossoms also come into full bloom around early April, making it a recommended time to visit! ► Access - By car: Immediately off National Route 19. Tenpaku Park has free parking (about 30 spaces). - By train: About a 10-minute walk from JR Nagiso Station (closer if you cross Momosuke Bridge). ► Other information - It is a five-minute uphill walk from the parking area to the azalea garden. Please avoid parking in front of the garden as it blocks residents’ passage. Visitors with mobility difficulties may be dropped off near the garden, but please park the vehicle in the parking lot. - The parking area has restrooms and vending machines. - The park includes the Momosuke Fukuzawa Memorial Museum and the Mountain History Museum, where you can learn about the history of Momosuke Bridge and its builder, Momosuke Fukuzawa. - For current blooming conditions, please refer to the Nagiso Town Tourism Association website. Enjoy the vivid purple blossoms carpeting the garden!