To residents and visitors of Higashikawa-cho and surrounding areas On Wednesday, May 28, 2025, a brown bear was sighted along Prefectural Route 1160 (Asahidake Onsen Line). Please exercise extreme caution if you are traveling through or using the nearby area. Date and time: Wednesday, May 28 Location: On the road and near the bridge in front of Daisetsu Asahidake Gensui Park, heading from Prefectural Route 1160 (Asahidake Onsen Line) toward Higashikawa-cho. Number of bears: One (encountered twice) Situation: The bear ran from the T-junction of Prefectural Route 1160 (Asahidake Onsen Line) toward the Asahidake Gensui area. After fleeing into the forested area, it appeared on the road again before running off. We will continue to update with the latest information, so please remain alert. If you spot a bear, please report it immediately to the contact below. Higashikawa Town Agricultural Promotion Division, Forestry and Agriculture Promotion Office TEL 0166-82-2111 (ext. 152) https://reurl.cc/W0ZGYO...

Kussharo Kotan Ainu Museum stands in Kotan on the shores of Lake Kussharo, where Ainu people have lived since ancient times. You can hear the living breath of Ainu life and culture. https://masyuko.or.jp/enjoy/ainu_m_s/...

Today, May 30th, is "Kominka Day"!🏘 Shobara City in Hiroshima Prefecture is blessed with vast nature and retains many traditional wooden houses, ranking third in the nation for kominka preservation. To address vacant-house issues, several renovated inns that evoke the satoyama (rural mountain landscape) by showcasing the buildings' original materials have appeared. setouchi kominka stays hiroshima introduces three houses—chojaya, furousen, and kozako forest—and this time we present a newly renovated inn focused on the outdoors with maximum openness. Its name is kusamura. This is a private-rental tent sauna and an entire kominka available for exclusive use, boasting perhaps the most striking presence in Japan. Housed in a 150-year-old renovated kominka with plenty of outdoor features, one highlight is the BBQ. About a 15-minute drive away, shokusai-kan shobara yume sakura sells Hiba Beef and fresh vegetables, so you can buy ingredients there and bring them for a lively group meal. Second, enjoy a tent sauna that offers a strong sense of privacy for you and your friends. Cooling off outdoors on the engawa (veranda) feels great and provides a unique, deeply relaxing experience. Third, you can have a bonfire. Gather around the flames and enjoy conversation. The sleeping area includes four single beds, one air mattress, and one hammock. The place is equipped with essentials such as a refrigerator, stove, and towels. Happily, pets are allowed, so consider staying with your dog. Please note that guests under junior high school age cannot stay overnight, so be careful when booking. Address: 2765 Kawakitacho, Shobara City, Hiroshima Prefecture Price: From JPY 16,200 per night Reservations: Book via Airbnb or Booking.com Hours: Check-in from 15:00 / Check-out by 11:00

It is "Taiyo-no-Oka Engaru Park" on May 30th. "Renge azalea" is blooming ♪ beautifully The "Moss Phlox" in Moss Phlox Park is in Best time to visit, but the "Moss Phlox" on the other side of the road is still in Best time to visit ♬

Photographed 4/20/25. It is Hanachozu of Kawagoe Hachimangu Shrine.

Photographed 4/20/25. This is Hanatetsu's Hanachozu.

Hello, I’m Minamoto 😃 Shosenkyo Gorge is now in the season when plants thrive and the fresh green leaves dazzle the eye 🌱 A cool breeze and the murmur of clear streams soothe the soul♪ Enjoy the beautiful fresh greenery alongside the gorge’s magnificent scenery! The whole Shosenkyo area is a power spot where your mind and body feel purified! After strolling through Shosenkyo, pass through the torii gate of Kanazakura Shrine in the Takigami area ⛩️ and enjoy shopping and dining along the Suisho Kaido (Crystal Road). Come to Shosenkyo to boost your luck!! Our entire staff looks forward to welcoming you.

【Limited Held in】Aged on the seabed!? The "Undersea Wine Tour" will start 🍷🌊 For wine lovers, diving enthusiasts, and curious people who want to experience something a little different. From Hokule'a Shonan, we would like to introduce an exciting new project. It's called the "Undersea Wine Tour"! In fact, it There are a method of Aged wine that is currently attracting worldwide attention. That is "seabed Aged". In the sea, there is little change in temperature, no light reaches it, and it is very quiet. This special environment mellows the taste of the wine and leads to a deeper Traditional Japanese straw raincoat. This time, a special tour with the experience of actually sinking a wine bottle will be held in in June at the shipwreck Spot of "Shobuzawa" in the southeastern part of the Izu Peninsula! Six months to a year later, the wine is pulled from the seabed and becomes one of the perfect bottles 🎄✨ for Christmas and special occasion toasts at the end of the year 🌟 This is the attraction of the tour! The extraordinary and dramatic experience of actually sinking wine to the bottom of the sea You can enjoy both the beautiful waters and wreck dives of Irisawa The luxury of "savoring time" to enjoy a change of wine months later Reliable support with a small number of people. An atmosphere that makes it easy to participate even for the first time * This dive requires AOW (Advanced Open Water) or higher Sense. Sense acquisition is well in time. Why don't you respond to that feeling of "I wanted to try it someday" this summer? 📅 Held in Tuesday, June 17, 2025 * There are capacity, so please contact us as soon as possible. 🌊 The romance of "making wine Aged in the sea". Beautiful seas, the mystery of wrecks, and wines that ripen over time. Everything comes together to create a true "drama of the sea". Would you like to be the protagonist of a new story this summer? 📩 For reservations and inquiries, please feel free to contact Hokule'a Shonan! #UnderwaterWineExperience #OceanAgedWine #DiveIntoTheUnexpected #ShipwreckWineDive #ToastFromTheOcean #HokuleaShonan #DiveJapan #UnforgettableUnderwater #HiddenJapanGems #BucketListDive

Extra Edition: N takamatsu, Kiso District, Nagano Prefecture – “Nezame no Toko” On this day, foodie Kawanishi presents an extra edition‼️ I finally visited Nezame no Toko in Agematsu, Kiso District, a place I’d long wanted to see. Nezame no Toko is counted among Japan’s five great scenic gorges and is designated as a National Scenic Spot!!! Before the Meiji era there were no dams, and the rapids of the Kiso River carved this granite. After dams were built, water diversion lowered the Kiso River’s surface, making the rock formations appear even more massive. It seems the site was designated a National Scenic Spot in 1923 and managed as a prefectural park, and in 2020 it was elevated to part of the Central Alps Quasi-National Park!!! You can enjoy cherry blossoms in spring and autumn leaves in fall—the scenery changes with the seasons. The river’s blue color shows how clear the Kiso River is. Also, surprisingly, there’s an Urashima Taro legend in landlocked Nagano Prefecture!? I’ve been curious about that for a long time. It’s a truly lovely scenic spot and a good workout too! I think you should avoid going right after rain or wearing clothing that hinders movement. I recommend sneakers and clothes you can move easily in!!! Swimming is prohibited, so please be careful. Second-grade elementary school children can make it to Urashima-dō. Why not visit Nezame no Toko with your children to enjoy the beautiful views!? On the way back, I stopped at Michi-no-Eki Hiyoshi Kisokoma Kogen and bought the station’s limited “morokoshi soft-serve” made with milk from Kaida Kogen! A faint, toasty corn aroma spreads through it—this was the most delicious soft-serve I’ve ever tasted!!! Please enjoy it if you can! From time to time, foodie Kawanishi plans to bring you extra editions like this. ◎ Nezame no Toko 📍 Agematsu, Kiso District, Nagano Prefecture ◎ Free parking: Available (check the website below) ◎ Website: https://kiso-hinoki.jp/colibri-wp/tourist/nezamenotoko/...

Notice of suspension of the Oyama Cable Car for scheduled inspections The Oyama Cable Car will suspend operations for scheduled inspections during the following periods. Suspension periods June 2, 2025 (Monday) to June 6, 2025 (Friday), June 9, 2025 (Monday) to June 12, 2025 (Thursday) Closed all day (9 days total) *The cable car will operate as usual on Saturday, June 7 and Sunday, June 8.* For details, please check the official website. https://www.ooyama-cable.co.jp/unkyu202506.html...

Overflow at Chinda Falls Resumes Chinda Falls, located in Bungo-Ono, Oita Prefecture on Kyushu. Waterfall flow had been stopped for construction since October 2024, but construction is complete and overflow resumed on May 21, 2025. Further construction will require another temporary stoppage of the waterfall. We will share details as they become available. Please be careful when visiting Chinda Falls for sightseeing. ■Upcoming Construction Schedule Water flow will be stopped again from June onward From September onward, improvement work is scheduled for Chinda Falls Fureai Park (the park will be completely closed during construction) ■About Chinda Falls Chinda Falls consists of the male waterfall spanning the main stream of the Ono River and the female waterfall on the Hirai River tributary. The male waterfall is about 100 meters wide and approximately 20 meters high. The ink-wash painter Sesshū, active during the Muromachi period, visited here and painted "Chinda Waterfall." Remains of a power plant built in the Meiji era also remain. ■■■Access to central Bungo-Ono■■■ About a 3-hour drive from JR Hakata Station in Fukuoka Prefecture About a 2-hour drive from JR Kumamoto Station in Kumamoto Prefecture About a 1 hour 20 minute drive from JR Beppu Station in Oita Prefecture About a 1 hour 20 minute drive from JR Yufuin Station in Oita Prefecture ■■■■■■■■■■■■ Introducing sightseeing and recommended spots in Bungo-Ono, Oita Prefecture (Bungo-Ono City) on Kyushu ■■■■■■■■■■■■

Photographed 4/20/25. It is Hanachozu of Naritasan Kawagoe Betsuin.

Photographed on April 18, 25. This is Hanachozu from Hara Flower Shop.

Photographed 5/26/25. LEC COFFEE's caramel nut semifreddo and cold yellowtail cream.

Kitsuki Castle A landmark towering over the Castle Town Kitsuki Since its construction in 1394, Kitsuki Castle has watched over this town for 600 years. Although it Castle Keep simulated, the three-tiered Castle Keep towering over the Ruins of the Castle is reminiscent of the appearance of this castle in the past. Built in the early Muromachi period by the Kitsuki clan on Mount Tai at the mouth of the Yasaka River, the castle was surrounded by natural strongholds such as the Takayama River to the north and Morie Bay to the east. While the castle changed its location and shape due to subsequent natural disasters and earthquakes, the castle owners were also replaced by the Maeda, Japanese cedar, and Hosokawa clans, and the Ogasawara and Matsudaira clans finally marked the end of the Edo era, and Kitsuki Castle continues to this day without welcoming a new castle owner. It is said to be important for understanding the actual state of castles in the early Edo period, such as understanding the building composition and structure of the castle before its destruction by the "One Country, One Castle Order" from historical documents and excavation results, and in March 2020, the Ruins of the Castle in the Taishan area and the ruins of the Lord's Palace at the foothills were designated as national historic sites. Some of the stone walls still exist. Today, the top of the mountain is open to the public as Shiroyama Park, and there is also a stone park where valuable stone structures such as the Kunisaki Pagoda found in various parts of the city are exhibited outdoors. At the time of the castle's construction, it was named "Kitsuki", but since it was mistakenly written as "Kitsuki" on the shogunate's shuin stamps, it has been changed to "Kitsuki". It is also known as "Katsuyama Castle" because it withstood the onslaught of the Shimazu for two months. Inside the castle, valuable items such as items related to the lords are on display, and armor, weapons, and Buddhist statues are on display. You can also enjoy dressing up and taking commemorative photos. It is visited by many tourists as the final destination of a walk around the Castle Town, and the superb view from the Castle Keep and the comfort of the wind will be a memory of the trip.

June is almost here! In Shobara City, Hiroshima Prefecture, blessed with great nature, you can see fireflies. At Hotaru-mi Park in Kuchiwa Town, Shobara City, Hiroshima Prefecture, many visitors gather every year. The fireflies fly from around 8:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., with a peak 30-minute period from about 9:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. About 300 meters downstream from Hotaru-mi Park there is a spot where Genji fireflies appear. This year’s best viewing time is expected to be later than usual because cherry blossoms bloomed late. Hotaru-mi Park has a campsite, and around July you can see Hime fireflies. Hime fireflies glow more quietly than Genji fireflies, and people who have gone camping at Hotaru-mi Park report the rare experience of seeing many fireflies gather in front of their tents. Hotaru-mi Park has few lights, making it an excellent place for firefly watching. At the “Firefly Viewing Gathering” held on Saturday, June 21, all lights in the management building and campsite will be turned off for one minute starting at 9:00 p.m., so you can enjoy only the fireflies’ glow. You just have to go…! Food trucks and stalls are also planned for the day. Please come visit Shobara City, Hiroshima Prefecture—see you by car! ● Basic information for Hotaru-mi Park Address: 2-1 Otsuki, Kuchiwa-cho, Shobara City, Hiroshima Prefecture Phone: 0824-87-2513 *The manager is on duty from 8:00 to 17:00* *If no one answers, the manager will call you back* Parking: Available, about 30 spaces ● Event information for the Firefly Viewing Gathering Venue: Hotaru-mi Park, Moomoo Local Products Hall, Shingetsu Marche (former Mikami residence) Address: 2-1 Otsuki, Kuchiwa-cho, Shobara City, Hiroshima Prefecture Date and time: Saturday, June 21, 2025, from 6:00 p.m. (Firefly viewing hours: 6:00 p.m. onward) There are many other spots and events where you can see fireflies. For details, please see the Shobara tourist information site, Shobara Tourist Navi.

The Museums on Castle Town Street will be closed from June 1 to July 26 for renovations. The reopening is scheduled for July 27. After the renovation, there will be a facilities for experiencing bamboo crafts and chigiri-e paintings, as well as a teahouse.

When you come to Teshikaga, the must-do is definitely the hot springs! And the easiest way to enjoy them is a foot bath!👣 So, here we’ve gathered free foot-bath spots you can enjoy around Teshikaga Town🐥🌱 When using them, please follow the precautions and rules so you can enjoy them safely🚨 https://masyuko.or.jp/enjoy/?cats=663%2C670...

Photographed 5/26/25. After Prayer to Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine, we visited LEC COFFEE. It's a semifreddo with caramel nuts. Semifred is an Italian word that means half cold. It's an ice cake.

At Kawagoe Hachimangu Shrine, 🤍 I found a hydrangea of.

Good morning, everyone. Event announcement!! On June 1, 2025, the “Town of Photography” will celebrate its 40th anniversary. On this milestone 40th birthday, we will hold a variety of events so townspeople and everyone who supports us can enjoy the Town of Photography. At the Higashikawa Town Cultural Gallery, there will be a photo exhibition and talk by local photographer Minoru Okuda, an answer reveal for the crossword published in the May public relations issue, and a talk event tied to the publication of the Town of Photography 40th Anniversary Magazine. At the Higashikawa Town multipurpose exchange facility Sento Pure, there will be hot air balloon flight experiences, food trucks, a concert by Tokiko Kato, and te-tetsu hand-held fireworks by the Higashikawa Tetotetsu Fireworks Entomo-kai. The main event will be a birthday celebration with everyone gathered, singing “Happy Birthday” together with Tokiko Kato to mark the town’s 40th birthday! We warmly invite you to join us in celebrating the Town of Photography’s 40th birthday, and we hope many of you will come. On the day of the event, the parking lot on the Sento Pure grounds will be unavailable because of the hot air balloon and te-tetsu fireworks events, so please use nearby public parking such as the JA Higashikawa lot or the Higashikawa Town Office parking. For details, please see the attached flyer. Contact: Higashikawa Town, Town of Photography Division TEL 0166-82-2111 (ext. 590)

Photographed 5/26/25. It is Hanachozu of Kawagoe Hachimangu approach to the temple. It's already hydrangea season.

It was already 5 o'clock on the Hokuriku Shinkansen to Toyama that day, the weather was very good like going to shoot the sunset, the first time I arrived in Toyama, I was attracted by the train next to the station and decided to sit over, but because the first time I got on the train, I found that I was sitting in the opposite direction, and it was almost dark when I turned back to the station, and I was afraid that I would take the wrong seat again and decided to use it, and after walking for about 10 minutes, I finally caught the beautiful blue hour, and pressed the shutter under the breeze of the spring evening to record this beautiful moment.

At Hakuba Village in Nagano Prefecture, which I visited on a trip, I was able to see a water mirror of Tambo reflecting the mountains with a superb view.

✨ The mysterious blue Squid spawning season has arrived ✨ From Spring to summer, the drama of life unfolds in the sea. 🌸🌊 From April to June, this season is the spawning season for blue Squid. It is a precious time to encounter a special sea scene that will remain in your heart "Only now". The first time I experienced diving was just during the spawning season of this blue Squid. 🦑 Swimming softly in the water, and a silent ritual to connect lives. I even now remember being overwhelmed and gasping for breath at the mystery of the sea. The female of the blue Squid is escorted by the male, At the base of seaweed, in the crevices of corals, and in the spawning beds set up by fishery cooperatives, Eggs that look like white pearls are carefully laid one by one. 🤍 Its appearance is fantastic, yet somehow ephemeral. There are males who swim alone. It is a male whose courtship did not come true. Under the straightforward instinct of connecting lives, a quiet "choice of life" is taking place in the sea. 🐚 Having finished laying eggs, the female finishes her role and quietly closes her life. When you witness the moment of "risking your life to connect your life", the back of your chest gradually warms up. You will be deeply moved by the great power and mystery of the sea. 🏝️ At Hokule'a Shonan, we carefully guide you to the spawning scene of blue Squid unique to this season every year. Because of the small number of people, we deliver a "sea experience" that you can observe closely. 📷 That atmosphere, that quiet impression that cannot be conveyed by photographs. Please try it out in Water. And so that first-timers and those with blanks can participate with peace of mind, The instructor will support you 💁 ♂️💁 ♀️ 🌿 At this time of year, when the water temperature and transparency begin to stabilize, it is ideal for diving. 🌊 A special Impression that you can never experience on land awaits you. Why don't you go and see the "baton of life" unfolding in the sea together? The once-in-a-lifetime story of the blue Squid will surely remain deep in ✨ your heart #VisitJapan #KanagawaTravel #ManazuruDiving  #ExploreJapan #ScubaDivingJapan #HokuleaShonan #TokyoDayTrip #JapanNature #OceanAdventure #TravelToJapan #JapanBeachLife #DiscoverJapan #HiddenGemsJapan

Today, it's Mr. 168's breakfast. Taiwanese rice balls and citrus soy milk 🍋. Taiwanese rice balls contain mustard greens, meat noodles (Lawson), fried eggs, takwan (fried bread), and yujo (fried bread). In addition, black Rice is used. Citrus soy milk contains lemon and is very tasty. Thank you for opening early in the morning. 😊

**Ehime Prefecture Niihama City Flowering Information** (1) Satsuki at the "Besshi Copper Mine Memorial Hall" in Niihama City, Ehime Prefecture is in 🌸 Best time to visit Best time to visit is until the end of May. [Besshi Copper Mine Memorial Hall HP] ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: With the aim of conveying the history and significance of the Besshi Copper Mine to future generations for a long time, It opened in 1975 (Showa 50), two years after the closure of the Besshi Copper Mine. Inside the facility, there are Historical materials, ores, mining technology documents since the opening of the mine, Documents on the life of the mine and other items related to the Besshi Copper Mine are on display. Address: 〒792-0844 3-13 Kadono-Shinden-cho, Niihama-shi, Ehime TEL.0897-41-2200　FAX.0897-41-9459 :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: (2) Niihama City, Ehime Prefecture "Minetopia Besshi" and "Shaku Yakuen" Late bloomers 🌸 are in bloom [Minetopia Besshi HP] :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Minetopia Besshi utilized the site of the Besshi Copper Mine in June of 1991 (Heisei 3). Opened as a tourist facilities! Minetopia Besshi has two main areas. The first is the Hadeba area, and the second is the Tohei area. ◎ The end participation area is also certified as a Main Building and Roadside Station with Complex facility. Souvenirs shop, mine sightseeing, and placer gold mining experience in the park There are Thereare Besko Hot spring ~ Hot Spring in the Sky ~, Akagane Kids Park, Restaurant, etc.  📍 About 20 minutes by car from Niihama Station   　It takes about 10 minutes by car from the nearest Niihama Interchange. ◎ The Tohira area is in the mountains 30 minutes away by Car from the Main Building end participation area There is a It is commonly known as the "Machu Picchu of the East" and is made of Traditional Japanese straw raincoat from all over the country. It is a popular area visited by tourists over narrow and rugged roads in search of industrial heritage. 　📍 About 50 minutes by car from Niihama Station 　  It takes about 40 minutes by car from the nearest Niihama Interchange. :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

kurakurakura Festival 2025 The kurakurakura Festival returns this year. The Taketa–Bungo Ono area, fed by abundant mountain waters, hosts a wide variety of breweries and distilleries producing sake, shochu, wine and craft beer. Special limited-time experience programs will be held at those breweries. ❚ What is the kurakurakura Festival The Taketa–Bungo Ono area features a diverse range of producers, from sake and shochu to wine, craft beer and whisky. Alongside enjoying great drinks, visitors can take part in many exclusive, limited-time brewery experiences. Learn about the breweries and you’ll love the drinks even more. Whether you’re a fan of alcohol or not, discover new ways to enjoy these beverages. [Event Period] Sunday, June 1, 2025 – Sunday, August 31, 2025 [Venues] Eight breweries across the Taketa–Bungo Ono area For details, please check the link below. ■■■Access to central Bungoono City■■■ About a 3-hour drive from JR Hakata Station, Fukuoka Prefecture About a 2-hour drive from JR Kumamoto Station, Kumamoto Prefecture About a 1 hour 20 minute drive from JR Beppu Station, Oita Prefecture About a 1 hour 20 minute drive from JR Yufuin Station, Oita Prefecture ■■■■■■■■■■■■ Kyushu, Bungo-Ono, Oita Prefecture Introducing sightseeing and recommended spots in Bungo-Ono City ■■■■■■■■■■■■ https://sato-no-tabi.jp/news/20250526event-bungoono/...

Chowa Town Sasayaki Shrine Sasayaki Shrine at Marmelo Station Nagato. It was dressed up stylishly 😍! They say that if you whisper to the "ear stone" visible in the back from both sides, a bond will be formed… 🤭🌟 #Chowa Town #Marmelo Station Nagato #Sasayaki Shrine #wagasa (Japanese oil-paper umbrella) #Nagano Prefecture

Photographed on April 12, 25. Before Prayer to Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine, we visited LEC COFFEE. Cold onion soup, salad, latte and Neapolitan. 🥗☕️🍝