Fuji at Dawn
View of Fuji over Lake Motosu from Lake Motosu Observation Park before dawn
The foothills are dyed orange, and the surface of the lake is also dyed orange
The sun is coming up soon

This is the Notsuke Peninsula at the end of the earth
Across the Nemuro Strait is Kunashiri Island, which is occupied by Russia
Yezo sika deer were standing in the sunset on the cold wind-swept Coast

Snowy Morning
Morning of the snowy scenery of Takizawa Farm at the foothills of Mt. Yatsugatake, Nobeyama Highlands
The silver Yatsugatake and fresh snow-covered meadows are beautiful

The Koumi Line at the foothills of Mt. Yatsugatake
The JR Koumi Line is a Highlands line car that runs at the highest elevation point in Japan.
On the line connecting Kobuchizawa Station on the JR Chuo Main Line to Komoro Station on the Shinano Railway
The section from Kobuchizawa Station to Shinano Kawakami Station goes at the foothills of Mt. Yatsugatake
The view from the Car window is also beautiful in the Highlands row Car section
Between Kiyosato Station and Nobeyama Station on the way Elevation there is a 1375m JR Railway Highest point crossing and
Nobeyama Station is the railway station at 1345.67m, the highest elevation in Japan.
The photo is in Goshodaira between Nobeyama Station and Shinano Kawakami Station
I took a picture of the small sea line going at the foothills of Mt. Yatsugatake.

This is the Nobeyama Highlands at the foothills of Yatsugatake Higashiyama
It is a highlands where the silver Yatsugatake spreads out in front of you

Fuji at sunrise seen from Lake Yamanaka Panorama
First, the summit of Mt. Fuji is dyed red by the Sunrise, and gradually it is dyed into the foothills
The peaks of the distant Southern Alps are dyed red and morning visits. It's a crisp morning.

New Spring Fuji seen from Oshino Hakkai
Frost remains in the shade, and it is a refreshing morning.

🌊 Let's explore Miyagawa Bay! 

Continuing from last time, this time we will introduce "Miyagawa Bay"!

The fascinating world of ✨ the sea can be reached in about 90 minutes from Tokyo
It is 🤿🐟 a Spot that can be enjoyed by beginners and veterans alike

📖 Be sure to 👉 check out the highlights on the slides

❄️ Winter at Shosenkyo Gorge: behold the frozen splendor of Senga Falls ❄️ Hello! This is the Shosenkyo Tourist Association 😊✨ This week we’re highlighting “The Charms of Shosenkyo in Winter.” Our featured spot is Senga Falls, a grand cascade with a 30-meter drop 🌊❄️

In winter, Senga Falls combines a powerful torrent with frozen rock walls at its sides, turning the scene into what feels like a sculpture carved by nature. The roar of the waterfall and the surrounding hush intersect to create vistas that look straight out of an ink painting. 🖤🎨 The black-and-white winter palette offers a special atmosphere you can’t find in other seasons. Bring your camera and come experience this one-of-a-kind view in person 📸✨

❄️ Want to discover more of Shosenkyo’s winter beauty? ❄️ We warmly await your visit!

❄️ Welcome to the frozen Great Waterfall and Itajiki Valley — a winter-only spectacular ❄️ Hello. This is the Shosenkyo Tourist Association. We bring you “The Winter Charms of Shosenkyo Gorge”! Here, the frozen Great Waterfall and the river through Itajiki Valley weave a mysterious scene✨ It feels like a monochrome painting where time stands still🖤🎨

The colder and longer the low temperatures persist, the more the frozen falls and the crystal-clear river flow create a striking contrast, completing what is truly a “winter-only work of art.” This beauty is not just a must-see for photographers but a must-shoot spot!📸✨ Capture this special view with your camera and share winter at Shosenkyo Gorge on your social media!

❄️ A request for visitors ❄️
The ground in front of the waterfall is frozen and slippery. For your safety, please take great care while walking.

Seven Miles of Snow Coverage
Snow piles up on the pines like cotton candy
I like it.

It is the only sea route on the Tokaido Highway that connects Miya inn and Mulberry inn, and it is said that it was so named because the distance was 7 miles (27.5 km).

Kuwana City, Mie Prefecture "Seven Villages"

❄️ Frost-covered trees have appeared in Shosenkyo Gorge ❄️ Hello from the Shosenkyo Tourist Association! This week we present “Shosenkyo’s Winter Charms.” For visitors to Shosenkyo this winter, the staff of Yamanashi Wine Kingdom have lovingly completed a gigantic curtain of ice. This fusion of nature and craftsmanship creates ice art so stunning it feels like stepping into a fantasy world. Icicles sparkling against the blue sky captivate every viewer ✨🌨️

Be sure to take commemorative photos with this special scenery as your backdrop and share your winter memories of Shosenkyo on social media 📸💙. Likes are sure to pour in! Don’t miss this once-a-winter spectacular ❄️

It's been a long time since I've posted.

This is a photo of me when I went for a morning walk with my second daughter to a nearby shrine.
By chance, I saw a figure holding a flower petal as a heart, so I involuntarily pointed the camera at it.

Pampas grass becomes an overgrown landscape along the river.
I thought this was the winter scenery of Japan, so I took a picture.
It's hard to get rid of the fluffy feeling~

Diving in winter?! ❄️⛄️

Did you know that you can enjoy diving in Japan all year round?
Of course, you can also dive in winter! ❄️✨

By wearing a dry suit, which is a suit in the winter when the body does not get wet, it is a perfect measure against the cold. You can comfortably venture in the sea even in the cold season! 👍😃

This photo shows the Popular "Drift Ice Diving" that can be experienced in Shiretoko, 🧊🧊 Hokkaido
Limited to February and March, this is a special experience where you can explore the mysterious world under the ice floe that you can't usually see! !️

Why don't you create unforgettable diving memories together in the sea of Japan, which is full of the charm of the four seasons?
All of our staff are looking forward to seeing you! ❤️

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💬 Let us know in 😃 the comments
Would you like to feel the charm of diving in the waters of Japan? 🌸🐠🐢
Tag your ocean-loving friends and plan your next adventure together!

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Let's 😍 enjoy the world of the sea together
Hokule'a Shonan offers hands-on courses that even beginners can participate in with confidence, a PADI certification program that allows you to qualify in three days, and special tours that allow you to fully enjoy the charm of the sea in all four seasons.

The Izu Peninsula, Manazuru Peninsula, and Shonan area can be participated in even on a day trip! Why don't you enjoy the beautiful scenery and encounters with creatures in the water with outstanding transparency?

Now it's time to take the first step towards an unforgettable diving experience! 🌸✨

This is really Tokyo! ?️
This is in 🏝️✨ the beautiful sea of Izu Oshima Island, Tokyo

In the rich sea brought about by the blessings of the Kuroshio Current, I met 🐢💙 a sea turtle swimming gracefully
How divine! !️
Let's experience it together! !️🤿

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💬 Let us know in 😃 the comments
Do you want to try diving in Japan? 🌸🐠🐢
Tag your ocean-loving friends and plan your next adventure together!

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Let's 😍 dive together
Hokule'a Shonan offers hands-on diving that even beginners can enjoy with peace of mind, PADI certification courses that can be obtained in three days, and special tours that allow you to experience the charm of the sea in the four seasons unique to Japan.

You can participate in the Izu Peninsula, Manazuru Peninsula, and the Shonan Sea even on a day trip! Why don't you enjoy the beautiful sea scenery and encounters with creatures in the transparent underwater world?

Now it's time to take the first step towards an unforgettable diving experience! 🌸✨

Nanahata Road 2025 1/11~3/9 will be held in
Kamogawa City, Chiba Prefecture

Enjoy the winter nature of Drift Ice Park
"Okhotsk Drift Ice Park Winter Land 2025"

Period: January 25 (Sat) ~ February 24 (Mon)

Monbetsu during this period is the peak season of "drift ice tourism". If you're lucky, you'll even catch a glimpse of the ice floes that crash along the coast of the Sea of Okhotsk.

【Snow Rafting & Banana Boat】
〇期間〇
Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays during the period
Reception from 10 a.m. ~ 3 p.m.
〇Fee〇
Common to Adult and Children
"Short Course" (about 1km) 500 yen
・ A course from the Aozora Exchange Hall to turn around the wildflower square.
"Drift Ice Course" (about 3km) 1,000 yen
・ A long course from the Aozora Exchange Center to the hills of Rappa.
・ Banana boat = 3 seaters
・ Rafting = 5 people (up to 3 high school students and older, total weight 300 kg or less)
・Children in the lower grades of elementary school and younger must ride with their parents.
* If a preschooler is riding, the speed will be slowed down.
・We will guide you in the order of reception.
・Advance reservations are not accepted.

[Walking Skiing & Snow Shoe]
〇期間〇
During the period
Reception from 10 a.m. ~ 3 p.m.
〇Fee〇
Free
〇Size〇
For general use, for juniors (no infants)
* You can also bring your own.
Use it in the list of users.

【Snow Play Square】
〇期間〇
During the period
9 a.m. ~ 4 p.m.
〇Venue〇
Aozora Exchange Hall side green stage
At the Aozora Exchange Hall, we will open a plaza where you can fully enjoy Monbetsu in winter, such as making bobsleigh and snowmen.
There is also a rental of res and snowball making machines. (You can bring your own)

【Venue and Inquiries】
Hokkaido Okhotsk Drift Ice Park Aozora Exchange Hall
〒094-0023 101-6 MotoMonbetsu, Monbetsu City, Hokkaido
Phone (0158)27-4560

Mt. Gakidake Capped in Snow🏔
On the first day of the three-day weekend, Omachi City enjoyed clear skies☀️ From the Tokiwa area of Omachi, Mt. Gakidake was beautifully visible🏔 Footprints appeared across the snowy rice fields 🐾🐾🐾 — whose could they be?
It’s a perfect day for the slopes ⛷🏂

Local ski area information is below🔽🔽🔽
⭐️ HAKUBA VALLEY Kashimayari Ski Resort ⭐️
https://www.kashimayari.net/snow/
⭐️ Gadjigatake (Gadagake) Ski Resort ⭐️
https://jiigatake.com/
⭐️ For sightseeing in Omachi City, see below🔽🔽🔽
https://kanko-omachi.gr.jp/

January 1, 2025
First sunrise.

On days when the cold is severe
Because the water temperature in the river is higher
A fog called a qi storm is generated.

It's fantastic and beautiful, isn't it?

Gokase Highland Ski Resort

I climbed up to Gokase Highland Ski Resort today to shoot some material📸❄️

At 7:00 this morning the temperature was a whopping -14°C🤣 It was such an odd kind of cold that it made me laugh🤷‍♀️ lol

That said, the slopes were in perfect condition ⛷️✨ The wind was light and the snow was powdery and dry 🤩

Local junior high students were here today as part of their school activities, and they were happily enjoying skiing and snowboarding 🥰

The view of the ski area under the blue sky is truly beautiful 🥹✨ It feels like another world, and staring at it makes you feel drawn in…😳

You can see the distant mountains stretching far away, and the view from Gokase Highland Ski Resort is exceptional 👏❗

Tomorrow, Saturday, January 11th, at 10:00 the long-awaited Paradise Course 1,000 m run finally opens 🤩 Can’t wait 💪

The Gokase Tourism Association is currently running the "Winter Gokase 2025" campaign on their Instagram account and collecting winter photos from the area 🤗

There are prizes, so when you visit the ski resort or travel there, please take lots of winter photos within safe limits and enter the contest 🙏✨

For details, see the post pinned to the Gokase Tourism Association Instagram profile page 💡

Japanese smelt fishing venue 🎣 that is not very crowded on weekdays
It is only 10 minutes by car from Memanbetsu Airport,
You can enjoy fishing quietly and leisurely in the surrounding Nature!

There are plenty of bait sales and fishing rod rentals, so even beginners can easily get started! Please come in warm clothes, and 🧣 shoes are recommended to wear rubber boots or winter boots to prevent snow from entering.

There are also many wild birds around the venue, so it is recommended to take a walk using snowshoes or binoculars 😊
It is rented at the Tourist Association Secretariat, so please use it!

🌊 I can't believe there was such a place!
⬇️ Did you know that there is such an underwater world in the suburbs of Tokyo? ⬇️

Speaking of the sea, which can be reached in just one hour from Central Tokyo, there is a diving area in Kanagawa Prefecture.
Many people think of Okinawa when they think of diving in Japan, but Kanagawa Prefecture has 8 areas and 14 diving spots waiting for you!

You can also enjoy a day trip with diving + α.
It is also recommended to go out for a weekend stay.

📲 Swipe the slides to check out its charms! !️

Next time, we will introduce diving spots by area.
The first is a Special Feature on "Miyagawa Bay" on the Miura Peninsula!
It's the perfect Spot ✨ for beginners and experienced divers alike

Please look forward to it!

[🍁 Gokase Autumn Leaves 2024 🍁 Results Announcement]

Thank you for waiting‼️
Here are the results of “Gokase Autumn Leaves 2024” 🥳🎉

This time, the winners were chosen by votes from followers of the Gokase Tourism Association’s Instagram account 👏✨

Thank you to everyone who voted 🙇‍♀️💕

Now, let’s announce the results👇👇👇

[🥇 Gold Prize] Unoko Falls
Instagram: @san.shimako.1105 (second photo)
[🥈 Silver Prize] Josenji Temple
Instagram: @gokase_pan (third photo)
[🥉 Bronze Prize] Shirataki
Instagram: @niidome2110 (fourth photo)

Unoko Falls, Josenji Temple, and Shirataki… these representative Gokase autumn-leaf spots each took home an award 👏❗

Each entry highlighted the beauty of the scenery and revealed expressions different from usual—truly wonderful work 🥹✨

Congratulations to all the winners㊗️🥳🎉

And to everyone who submitted entries, voted, and took part—thank you so much😭❤️‍🔥

The campaign is still ongoing as “Winter in Gokase 2025,” so please join us 🥰 We appreciate your participation 💫

HTB “Machi no on-chan” Tsubetsu Town edition, second episode, aired yesterday — the first broadcast of the year!
If you missed it or want to watch it again, please check the program’s YouTube channel!
Here are off‑shots from this episode 💁‍♀️ on‑chan boldly ventured into the great outdoors!
Where will on walk in Tsubetsu next week? on is looking forward to it — \(o▽n)/

About the 40th Lake Oketo Ice Fishing Tournament
Event on Monday, January 6, 2025: The 40th “Lake Oketo Ice Fishing Tournament” will be held on the schedule below.
Why not fully enjoy the charms of Lake Oketo in winter.
We look forward to many applications.
⇒ Applications are now closed because the participant limit has been reached.

Date and Time: Sunday, January 26, 2025
Registration: 8:00 AM to 8:30 AM; Competition: 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM
Expected finish: 12:00 PM

Participation fee: Adults ¥2,000; junior high school students and younger ¥1,500 (includes fishing site cooperation fee, insurance, and bathing ticket)

Application period: Wednesday, January 8, 2025 to Monday, January 20, 2025
* Reception hours: 8:30 AM to 5:15 PM (excluding weekends and public holidays)
* Applications will close once the capacity (60 people) is reached.
⇒ Applications are now closed because the participant limit has been reached.

Where to apply: Oketo Town Tourism Association Office (Oketo Town Hall, Industry Promotion Division, Commerce and Tourism Section)
Please apply by phone or fax.
TEL: 0157-52-3313 / FAX: 0157-52-3353

With winter approaching, in preparation for the cherry blossoms and rape blossoms of Spring, the Shirakimine Highlands is now quietly resting.
Across the Ariake Sea, hazy in the distance is Mt. Unzen.
I have an empty Highlands all to myself.
Welcome to the special seats!

Happy New Year 🎍 This is En'emon Denshokan.

In the crisp winter air, Kanazakura Shrine, which sits at the top of Shosenkyo Gorge, drew many worshippers again this year for its reputation of bringing good financial fortune!
With a week into the New Year gone, you might find a bit more time to visit and pray at a more relaxed pace 😊

This year is the Year of the Snake, and besides “improving financial luck,” it is also said to mean “seizing happiness” and “being reborn as a new self.” ✨

People also say that carrying an item related to the year’s zodiac brings better luck.
At En'emon Denshokan we have snake-motif items available, so on your way back from visiting the shrine, please enjoy the scenery of Shosenkyo Gorge and stop by En'emon Denshokan.

We keep the shop warm and look forward to your visit 😊

KushiHonmachi Tahara is famous for its sea fog, but I think you can see a superb view if it gets a little cooler.

“From the Sea to Izu! From Izu to the Sea!” Inatori–Izu Oshima Route Operation Information

In spring, when plums and Kawazu cherry blossoms bloom in Izu, high-speed ferries will run from Inatori to Oshima to coincide with Oshima’s camellias.

Route
"Inatori–Oshima Feb. 3 (Mon)–Feb. 28 (Fri)"
Oshima departs 10:45, 13:35
Arrive Inatori 11:20, 14:10

Depart Inatori 11:30, 14:20
Arrive Oshima 12:05, 14:55

"Tokyo–Tateyama–Oshima–Inatori Feb. 8 (Sat)–Feb. 28 (Fri)"
Tokyo departs 8:10
Tateyama arrives 9:25
Departs 9:35
Oshima arrives 10:30
Departs 10:45
Inatori arrives 11:20

Inatori departs 14:20
Oshima arrives 14:55
Departs 15:10
Tateyama arrives 16:05
Departs 16:10
Tokyo arrives 17:25

During the period, you can reach Higashiizucho and the eastern Izu coast by sea from the Kanto region!
For timetables and details, please check the Tokai Kisen Co., Ltd. website below.
https://www.tokaikisen.co.jp/

Also this year, on weekends from Feb. 8 (Sat) to Feb. 23 (Sun) we will operate a complimentary shuttle bus for passengers:
"Inatori–Kawazu Free Sightseeing Bus"
Enjoy the Kawazu Cherry Blossom Festival and the Hina no Tsurushi Kazari (hanging hina doll decorations) festival.
For details, see the URL below
https://www.tokaikisen.co.jp/news/618222/

Access to Inatori Port boarding point
From Izu-Inatori Station to Inatori Port…
On foot about 15 minutes
By car about 3 minutes (parking available)


Special fares and tour information
Round-trip by ferry from Tokyo to Izu!
"Tokyo ⇔ Inatori Round-Trip Ticket (valid up to 4 days)"
Adult ¥10,800 Child ¥5,400
For details see the URL below
https://www.tokaikisen.co.jp/news/618222/

"Inatori ⇔ Oshima Round-Trip Ticket"
Normally ¥8,820, now
Day trip Adult ¥3,000 Child ¥2,000
With overnight stay (up to 4 days) Adult ¥3,900 Child ¥2,400
For details see the URL below
https://www.tokaikisen.co.jp/news/618222/

"From Oshima to Inatori: Shopping and Cherry-Viewing Cruise"
Feb. 3 (Mon), Feb. 19 (Wed), Feb. 28 (Fri)
This tour offers a bus sightseeing loop around the Higashiizu area departing from Oshima!
Adult ¥5,500 Child ¥4,000
On the first sailing of the Inatori route in 2025, Feb. 3 (Mon), adults receive ¥1,000 off and children ¥500 off!
For details see the URL below
https://www.tokaikisen.co.jp/news/502387/

"Inatori Departure Rapid Bus Tour to Izu Oshima"
Feb. 8 (Sat), Feb. 15 (Sat)
It’s truly rapid—takes less than three hours!? It’s practically a one-stop stay on the Izu Peninsula!
The tour from Inatori includes a boxed lunch and bus on Oshima.
Adult ¥4,000 Child ¥2,500
For details see the URL below
https://www.tokaikisen.co.jp/news/620883/

The 59th Suisen Festival flowering update is now available!
Blooming remains at about 50 percent, but the white petals are slowly increasing little by little🎵
https://www.shimoda-city.info/post/20250108