Matsumoto doesn't snow as much as Tokyo The day after the heavy snowfall was a blue sky. It was the first time I saw Matsumoto Castle with a frozen moat.

【Ōgahas】 The Giant Lotus is an ancient lotus that was discovered and bred in 1951 by a group led by botanist Dr. Ichiro Ohga. As a result of dating, it is known that it is a lotus that is at least 2,000 years old, and it is known as the world's oldest lotus that was excavated from an old stratum and successfully germinated and grown. This precious giant hath is rooted in about 250 places in Japan and overseas, and you can see its beautiful appearance in each place. Chiba City will be the "birthplace" of such a giant hasu. The lotus pond in front of the Lotus Pavilion in Chiba Park in Chiba City welcomes Renge Best time to visit from mid-June to July every year, and when there are more than 700 flowers, more than 700 flowers bloom, and many tourists Visit to see the graceful appearance of the giant lotus. There are walking paths and benches in the surrounding area, so you can spend a relaxing time with cherry blossom viewing. In addition to the beauty of the flowers, the historical background and the achievements of Dr. Ohga will allow those who visit to enjoy even more Impression. In addition, the flowers usually open from early morning to mid-morning and close around noon, so it is recommended to watch the giant hath in the morning! [Chiba Park] ■ Access: About a 10-minute walk from JR Chiba Station Chiba Park Exit or North Exit Get off in front of Chiba Monorail Chiba Park Station ■Address: 3-1-1 Benten, Chuo-ku, Chiba City

Hokokuji Temple 2021.06.12 The most relaxing place in Kamakura It was a walk in silence.

Matsumoto Castle, one of Japan's oldest castles, is famous for its unique black exterior. Located in Matsumoto City for over 400 years, it houses a remarkable collection of weapons and armor from the Warring States Period. Despite never witnessing battle, it's a must-visit in Nagano Prefecture, especially during twilight hours for a peaceful experience. The sight of swans on the moat against the castle and the blueish-purple horizon is unforgettable.

We’ll share the charms of Suwa City in Nagano Prefecture!!! ⇒ YouTube “Suwa City Official Channel” @TheCityofSuwa First, we start with “What kind of place is Suwa?!” — we hope this sparks your interest. Also, we’ve made an amazing promotional video!!! Suwa offers seasonal delights year-round. In spring, enjoy cherry blossom viewing and hikes amid fresh green mountains; Kirigamine offers spectacular views from Nagikama Shrine, and in summer you can admire daylilies (nikkokisuge). At the heart of the Suwa Basin lies the symbol, Lake Suwa. In summer you can kayak on Lake Suwa, take a sightseeing boat, or ride the new cycling road that even children can enjoy 🚵. Best of all is the Suwa Lake Festival’s lakeside fireworks display, one of Japan’s top events 🎆. In autumn, savor Suwa’s fermented gastronomy—miso—plus the local specialty, Shinshu Suwa miso tempura rice bowl. Enjoy sake from Suwa’s five breweries, made with Kirigamine’s exceptional spring water 🍶. In winter, experience the ice ridges called Omiwatari and try wakasagi smelt fishing 🎣. Warm up and soothe your tired body at Kami-suwa Onsen♨ Suwa truly offers the best all year round♪ In times of need, people turn to “Osuwa-sama.” There are over 10,000 branch shrines across Japan, and the head shrine, Suwa Taisha, is here ⛩. A roughly six-minute introduction video can’t cover everything... Suwa is more than just the Onbashira Festival!!! Come visit and experience Suwa for yourself♪ We look forward to seeing you!

Chiba Port Tower / Chiba Port Park Chiba Port Tower in Chiba City is an observation tower 125 meters above the ground that opened in 1986. Located on the shores of Tokyo Bay, the tower's observation deck offers a 360-degree panoramic view. On clear days, you can see Mt. Fuji and Tokyo Sky Tree in the distance, and at night, the beautiful night view Unfolds, and it has been certified as a "sacred place for Lover's Mecca" and "Japan Night View Heritage". It is also known as a famous place for cherry blossoms, and is a popular Spot that Implementation various events such as Christmas illumination and special opening of the First sunrise. In addition, Chiba Port Park Unfolds around the Port Tower, and Maintenance has a vast Lawn square, playground equipment, Barbecue area, etc. There is also a Garden where you can enjoy seasonal flowers, making it ideal for families, couples, and friends to spend a relaxing time. Chiba Port Tower and Port Park are loved by many visitors as Healing Spots where nature and urban landscapes are fused. [Cibaport Tower] ■ Business hours: ・June ~ September 9:00-21:00 ・October ~ May 9:00 ~ 19:00 Mon ~ Fri / 9:00 ~ 20:00 Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays *Last admission is 30 minutes before closing time. ■Closed: ・ Closed on the 4th Monday of even-numbered months and 12/28~31 at the end of the year please check the website for details * For safety reasons, it may be temporarily closed due to strong winds. Fee: ・Admission fee: 420 yen for Adult, 200 yen for elementary and junior high school students ■ Access: ・About a 12-minute walk from Chiba Monorail/JR Keiyo Line "Chiba Minato Station" ・ From the JR Chiba Station West Exit No. 26 bus stop, take the "Chiba Port Tower" line and get off at the last stop. ・ From the JR Chiba Station West Exit No. 26 bus stop, take the "Chiba Minato Loop Bus" to "Chiba Central Police Station" and walk for about 5 minutes. ■Address: Chuoko 1, Chuo-ku, Chiba City

Kure City, Hiroshima Hiroshima Recommendation festival Spot Sea God Festival Watatsu Misai One piece 📸 at the climax 🎆 with an escort ship I was able to confirm the point where the fireworks went up to some extent, so I was able to take a picture with a good composition including the crane in the back. The smoke wasn't bad, so I took a picture as it was. 📸 I was able to get a place in the morning I had 🤭 plenty of time in the evening, walk on the mountain promenade on Kurahashi Island, eat lunch, take a nap, and enjoy 😊 the fireworks time leisurely Everyone I met there! Thank you very much😊

Meigetsu-in Temple 2020.06.12 When a state of emergency was declared and I couldn't go out of the prefecture. Even at Meigetsu-in Temple, it was written that only people living in Kanagawa could enter. Thanks to this, I was able to take pictures that did not show many people.

Tauszvets Bridge 2022.08. The Tauszvets Bridge is submerged in August every year There is an Observation decks about 800m away, but if you want to get closer, you can take a tour or make a reservation in advance from the forest road gate key reservation page on the website of the Kamishihoro Town Tourism Association. The guide said that it is collapsing and will collapse someday.

Oarai Isosaki Shrine no Kamiiso no Torii shrine gate 2024.01.06 Here, for the first time, I was able to take a picture of the sun rising from the horizon. This is Daruma Asahi.

The sculptures at the Chichibu Treasure Climbing Shrine were gorgeous, and I couldn't help but take a picture. The fineness of the carvings and the vividness of the colors are all wonderful. It is a workmanship that makes you feel Cool Japan.

It is a bamboo forest of Hokokuji Temple in Kamakura. Bamboo forests, which are not so rare for Japanese people, also seem to be popular with foreigners. However, the bamboo forest at Hokokuji Temple well maintained very beautiful, so why not go there?

2024.01.01 First sunrise Diamond Fuji

Hachimantai's Dragon Eye 2024.05.18 I was able to see the dragon eye that had been opened. It's like opening your eyes once and then closing them. The best time to see it is until the end of this month. It was unusually early this year.

Himeji Castle Himeji Castle after the major renovation of Heisei in 2015 As the name of the egret castle suggests, it was pure white. The plaster turns black in 3 years, so it is for a limited time.

The Milky Way of the Star Pass Water enters the rice paddies, and the stars are reflected in the rice paddies. It is a superb view for a short time before rice planting.

Hokkaido's oldest wisteria tree "Tenjin Wisteria" Famous wisteria flowers are endemic to Japan, but they do not actually grow wild in Okinawa and Hokkaido This wisteria tree was planted by the hands of our predecessors who settled in the Meiji era Since then, it has a long history, and it is still pleasing to people's eyes Wisteria tree about 200 years old The majesty of it is breathtaking

Hiroshima City　 Recommended Spots in Hiroshima Golden Mountain Filming Location JMETS training sailing vessel "Nippon Maru" One piece 📸 on the Nippon Maru Departure from Hiroshima Port When I learned that the Nippon Maru was Departure, I took a picture from Mt. Gangane, and it would have been great if they had spread the sails, 😊 but I am grateful that I was blessed with the 😊 weather.

Today I attended the opening festival of Kirigamine. The weather was fine and surprisingly warm. In the second photo, majestic Mt. Fuji also peeked out to welcome us. Even so, just climbing up to the Kirishōtō bell tower made me sweat profusely.💦 For the first time in three years, the opening ceremony returned outdoors.🏔 Many people attended, and we were able to hold the festival. At the opening, members of the Kirigamine Glider Association launched a glider right at 9:00.🛩 It climbed to about 1,900 meters shortly after takeoff. Because it was a glider, it lifted off very quietly.🛫 If there were no weight limits, I would love to try it at least once!!! At the ceremony, the head priest of Tenaga Shrine prayed for the safety of visitors, everyone who passes through Kirigamine, and all those connected to Kirigamine. Please be sure to visit the Kirigamine Nagikama Shrine, one of Suwa’s hidden scenic spots I introduced before! When you come to Kirigamine or Suwa, please drive safely.🚙=3

【Otaki village】Shizenko Nature Lake September 14, 1984 Nagano Prefecture Western Earthquake A mountain collapsed in the Halfway up of Mt. Ontake, and a large amount of debris flowed was dammed by the Otaki River, creating a deep forest and a natural lake where the Valleys submerged. Natural heritage site "Shizenko Nature Lake". It's a photogenic place, but when you actually see it, it's a beautiful scenery that takes your breath away. It is an unexplored area that you should visit at least once. By the way, it is also a place that has been used as a filming location. ） Nature canoeing is held here. Period: April 20 to mid-November Not opens Time: Morning session 9:30~12:00 / Afternoon session 13:30~16:00 Fee Adult 6,500 yen junior high school students and older / 4,000 yen for elementary school students / 3,000 yen for infants 4 years old and older, including equipment and accident insurance. Cash payment only on the day. Apply from the Home page. Please search for "Shizenko Nature Lake Nature Canoe Tour"!!

When I visited Takashima Castle around Golden Week, local junior high students were there sketching the castle. Approaching the wisteria, a wonderfully sweet scent filled the air. Before I knew it, honeybees and carpenter bees had come to gather nectar🐝—even I, as a person, was drawn in by that lovely fragrance!!! I don’t understand why the demons in Demon Slayer would be afraid of such beautiful flowers, haha. I think they’re gorgeous. I recommend taking shots from beneath the wisteria trellis!!! Surprisingly, I didn’t know—despite being a local—that wisteria blooms were even in the pond... Takashima Castle, I’m sorry... Looking at the whole display of wisteria that day, to my amateur eye it seemed about 70% in bloom. On the grounds stands a rare Gokoku Shrine⛩ whose architecture resembles that of Suwa Taisha. It seems to have some unusual carvings. I think Golden Week is generally the best time to visit every year, when you can see them at their most beautiful. The castle, the park, and the wisteria—please come and visit next year; we’ll be waiting for you!

Jizoin in Shiga, Suwa City, Nagano Prefecture. Jizoin, the 16th temple of the Suwa 33 Kannon. Jizoin is famous for its katsura tree, a natural monument designated by Suwa City, and is also well known as a peony temple. Its large, vivid flowers are a sight to behold. *Karin-chan Community Bus Yamato–Shiga Line🚌 From Kami-suwa Station Kirigamine Exit, get off at Ichiritsuka, then walk 2 minutes.

Japanese Garden "Mihamaen" A Japanese Garden in Makuhari Seaside Park with an area of about 1.6 hectares. In the pond spring circulation Garden, mountains, rivers, seas, forests, etc. are expressed, and you can fully enjoy the natural beauty of the four seasons. It has a reputation for being able to easily experience Japanese culture. At the authentic tea house "Shoreitei", which is built in a number of strange houses, you can overlook the proud Garden and spend a relaxing time while enjoying seasonal Japanese sweets from Chiba long-established stores and matcha tea for a fee from long-established stores in Kyoto. You can also enjoy the experience of feeding beautiful carp that swim gracefully in the pond in the garden. Paid / Closed in winter In addition, there are plenty of events where you can easily experience Japanese culture. A variety of events are held, such as koto concerts and guided tours of gardens and tea rooms, so if you would like to participate, please check the official website. If you are staying near Kaihin Makuhari Station, it is within walking distance, so please extend your visit! ■ Business hours: 8:00-17:00 ■ Closed: Yes please check the website Fee: ・Admission fee: 100 yen for Adult, 50 yen for elementary, junior high and high school students * If you are 65 years old or older, admission is free upon presentation of your ID. * Matcha with Japanese sweets 700 yen for 1 cup sweets change depending on the season ■ Access: By < train> About a 10-minute walk from the south exit of Kaihin Makuhari Station on the JR Keiyo Line <By car> From Tokyo Approximately 7 minutes after exiting the Higashi-Kando "Wangan Narashino IC" 　　　　　　　 About 5 minutes after exiting the Higashikando "Wangan Chiba IC" from the Chiba direction ■Address: 2-116 Hibino, Mihama-ku, Chiba City

The roses were 🌹 also in full bloom in Moroyama Town This is the Takinoiri Rose Garden in Moroyama Town, Saitama Prefecture. It seems that it was started about 10 years ago, and at that time the locals used to go there for fun. Many roses bloom in the park, making you 🤤 feel Spring

Hiroshima City　 Recommended Spots in Hiroshima #Hiroshima City Botanical Gardens 👈 Today is a photo 📸 from the rose garden of the Hiroshima City Botanical Garden This rose was carefully cared for by the staff and all the roses were very beautiful.

This is higashichaya district. A chaya is basically “tea house “... during the edo period this place was crowded with rich people who came here for entertainment. Mainly geisha performance were the prime attraction. there are two more chaya districts popular in kanazawa. The other two are nishichaya and kazuemachi.. love that experienced and highly recommended place to visit in 2023.

At last, on April 1, 2024, the Lake Suwa Cycling Road has been completed. The route circles Lake Suwa for about 16 km. This lake has long been loved by local people. I remember when I was in sixth grade, my friends and I rode our bikes around the lake for the first time. I think many locals have their own first-time Lake Suwa cycling stories. Now that the path has been newly improved, it should be easier to ride and offer lovely scenery. I’m getting more excited about sunny weekend rides! #LINEBREAK###"No way, I’m not ready to own a bike yet…" "What kind of bike should I get now?" If you’re wondering that, or asking "What’s an electric-assist bicycle like?", why not take this chance to rent a bike around Lake Suwa and enjoy a relaxed ride with your family or friends? ※Please check each provider’s website for closing days and business hours. ・Activity Base Cogue ・JBT Suwa Rent-a-Cycle ・Lake Suwa Rental Cycle ・SUWA Glass Village #LINEBREAK###Electric-assist bicycles make climbing hills easy! You can even ride to the famous Tateishi Park and to Kirigamine Highland, a pride of Suwa, by bike!!! With the completion of the Lake Suwa Cycling Road, please consider bringing your own bike to ride around the lake or renting an electric-assist bicycle to challenge the full loop of Lake Suwa and Kirigamine Highland! If you get tired, there are parks, cafes, and footbaths♪ I don’t think many places in Japan are blessed with such facilities. Cafes and parks along cycling routes are common, but footbaths are rare, I think. If you bring a towel, you can use a footbath easily. It will blow away your fatigue♨ Also, do you know about Swaichi? If you cycle around Lake Suwa and take photos of three spots in Suwa, Shimosuwa, and Okaya with your smartphone, then go in person to the tourist information centers at kamisuwa station, shimosuwa station, or okaya station and show the three photos, you will receive a Swaichi certificate and a commemorative badge (badge color cannot be chosen). Try this challenge with your children or friends. It’s a great way to mark a Lake Suwa circuit and make a memory with Swaichi! ※Photo courtesy of Activity Base Cogue The seventh photo is my favorite scenic spot!!! See if you can find it!

Nagikama Shrine⛩ The other day I visited Nagikama Shrine on Kirigamine for the first time. Last year I heard about Nagikama Shrine, which had replaced its wooden torii with a stone monument, and I had planned to visit after the snow melted. A passing comment from my wife, who loves Kirigamine, finally prompted us to go. As someone who loves the Onbashira festival, I’ve grown fond of visiting shrines, and I had long wanted to see Nagikama Shrine, so I took my camera and headed for Kirigamine at last. We parked in the lot below the ski area and followed directions toward the Glider Museum, but unsure of the way and hesitating, I spotted a small sign in front of the museum reading Nagikama Shrine 0.5 km and followed it. It felt a bit farther than expected. Together with my wife and our two children, we walked for several minutes, enjoying Kirigamine’s nature, until we saw the stone monument marking Nagikama Shrine. As a shrine, a torii would feel more fitting, but the stone monument had its own charm. The approach was neatly covered with wood chips, making for a very pleasant walk. When we reached the small shrine, the view took my breath away. It was a scene that excited me like I hadn’t felt in a long time. The clear weather that day only amplified the spectacle. Below stretched the Suwa Basin, the serene Lake Suwa sat beautifully, the Central Alps rose ahead, the Northern Alps to the right, the Southern Alps to the left with sacred Mt. Fuji beside them, and Yatsugatake behind to the left. A shrine that offers a view of so many mountains at once may be rare in Japan, I thought.🏔 As a self‑declared Seeker of Suwa’s Best Views, this vista immediately made my list of top spots. Tateishi Park offers a sweeping view of the Suwa plain and is very scenic, but Nagikama sits at a higher elevation and has an indescribable beauty. I felt it would be a shame to keep this to myself, so I’m sharing it here. The shrine’s goshuin (stamp) is newly available, so anyone touring Suwa’s shrines or visiting Kirigamine should definitely stop by. If the weather is clear, you won’t regret it! ・Enshrined deities: Takeminakata no Okami, also known as Osuwa‑sama: god of martial valor and abundant harvests ・Oyamatsumi no Okami: god of industry and maritime affairs, and further revered as the ancestral deity of sake brewing ・Ashinazuchi no Okami and Tenazuchi no Okami ⇐ Kushinadahime: parents of Kushinadahime, wife of Susanoo no Mikoto A nagikama (a sacred implement shaped like a sickle) discovered at the ruins of the former Misayama is dedicated here. After the main pillars for the Onbashira are selected, the nagikama is hammered onto those pillars. Curiously, this practice occurs only on the Onbashira of Suwa Taisha Upper Shrine. The nagikama has a shape resembling a rooster’s head and is considered one of Suwa Taisha’s sacred treasures. The nagikama is enshrined inside the hokora, so please take a look along with the spectacular view. Suwa Taisha also offers nagikama amulets♪

As many of you know, Lake Suwa is famous for its omiwatari, but are you also aware of another mysterious natural phenomenon called yosehyo? Lake Suwa often experiences strong winds in winter, and yosehyo occurs when ice that has formed but not completely frozen cracks and the ice sheets are driven by strong winds onto the shore. This phenomenon appears on large lakes and does not occur in constantly flowing rivers. The ice sheets can look like huge shards of glass, piling up in layers to create a magical scene. The ice also looks especially beautiful when it reflects sunlight. Take a walk and photograph the scene, or experience the enchanting winter of Lake Suwa while running or walking. The omiwatari has not appeared for six years, including last winter. Neither yosehyo nor omiwatari is guaranteed to appear every year. That is why the Suwa Tourist Association streams live video on its website during the winter. We strongly recommend checking those live streams before you visit. ◎ Also, even if the lake is frozen, walking on the ice is extremely dangerous because you could fall into Lake Suwa. Please follow proper manners and view the ice from a safe location.

I cut out the corner window of Unryu-in, a separate temple of Senchuku-ji Temple in the south of Kyoto. Senchung Temple is a prestigious and splendid temple, but perhaps because the transportation is a little inconvenient, tourists Surprisingly few, it is a hidden gem temple. You can see Unryuin Temple by going to the right hand side of the temple instead of heading to the main hall after entering the gate. Please visit it when you go to Kyoto.