Three Ways to Enjoy the Akajomatsu Forest Stroll through the woods, sometimes stepping close to a tree, sometimes stepping back to take it all in… If you use not only your sight but also your hearing, smell, and touch, one surprising discovery after another awaits. Notice the seasonal changes and your walk in the forest becomes even more delightful. Behind the Kawayu Visitor Center there are two walking trails centered on a natural stand of Akajomatsu firs. This time, we created this text with reference to and excerpts from part of the "Akajomatsu Forest Guidebook" available at the Kawayu Visitor Center. The brochure describes many more ways to enjoy the forest beyond these three. For more details, please see the brochure mentioned above.

Hello to everyone watching Cool Japan Videos! We are the Shobara Tourism Promotion Organization (Shobara DMO) from Shobara City, Hiroshima Prefecture. Located in the northeastern part of Hiroshima Prefecture, Shobara City is a sightseeing destination blessed with nature where you can enjoy the scenery of all four seasons. In spring, there are cherry blossoms; in summer, fireflies and fresh greenery; in autumn, colorful leaves and trekking; and in winter, snowfall. You can enjoy local food, agriculture, outdoor activities, and nature walks. Please follow and check us out as a travel reference! ✨ If you want to learn more about the nature-rich Shobara City in Hiroshima Prefecture, please see our basic profile and the Shobara Tourist Navi website. 😍

The season for fireflies has arrived again. Kikuchi City is a famous firefly spot known as “Japan’s number one firefly home.” You can see them along the Nikakiga River and the Watase River in the Asahi-shi area of Kikuchi City. The places where you can see fireflies in Japan are decreasing year by year. Fireflies do not only thrive where the water is pristine. They prefer places with gentle water flow, sandy or gravelly riverbeds, low ambient light, quiet surroundings, and the presence of freshwater snails such as kawanina. They favor these limited types of habitat. As global environmental issues worsen, the habitats where fireflies can live are also shrinking. Even so, you can still see many fireflies in Kikuchi City. Fireflies spend their larval stage growing in the water for about a year while storing food. They then pupate and emerge as adults. As adults, they live for about two weeks. In other words, out of the 365 days of the year, the period when you can enjoy fireflies is only about two weeks. Also, adult fireflies do not eat. They spend their adult lives without feeding. The fireflies we watch are living through a life that ends in a flash. Each year we can see them because, despite that short life, they reliably pass their life on to the next generation. We are very happy that fireflies can be viewed in Kikuchi City again this year. Please come and visit Kikuchi City to enjoy firefly viewing. □ Best viewing times ・Nikakiga River: mid-May ・Watase River: mid-May to late May □ Viewing areas ・Kikuchi City, Asahi-shi Obara (Obara district) ・Kikuchi City, Asahi-shi Fumoto (Takayanagi district) □ Parking…parking available in each district ・Obara district parking (Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays only, 200 yen) (May 11–early June) ・Takayanagi district parking (free) (May 17–early June) □ Viewing etiquette ・Do not shine flashlights or lights at the fireflies → Fireflies dislike strong light. Shining phone lights or using a flash can cause them to hide. It also disturbs other viewers. ・Do not make loud noises or cause disturbances → Loud noise will scare the fireflies and bother nearby residents. Please be considerate as viewing takes place at night. ・Do not catch or take them home → Adult fireflies can fly for only one to two weeks. Enjoy watching them living in the wild. ・Take your trash home with you → Fireflies live in clean environments. Let’s all protect the beautiful natural environment. ・Follow traffic rules → Viewing takes place at night. Please watch for people stepping onto roads. Road restrictions may be in place around viewing areas during the viewing season. Please cooperate to help keep viewers safe.

Ikeda Town Tourism Opening Ceremony Announcement🍷 Every year, Ikeda Town holds the Tourism Opening Ceremony to pray for a successful tourist season. The ceremony for safety prayers and a bountiful flow of visitors is paired with events that residents and tourists can enjoy together. The Tokachi Blue Sky Ladies will also attend to add a touch of elegance to the ceremony. If you have time, please come and join us. Date: Saturday, April 26th, 2025 Time: 10:30 AM–around 2:00 PM Location: In front of JR Ikeda Station * The event may be canceled in case of rain. If canceled, announcements will be posted on the Ikeda Town Tourism Association website and social media. Ikeda Town Tourism Association → @tokachi_ikeda The fountain opening ceremony in front of Ikeda Station begins at 10:30 AM, and vendor events start at 11:00 AM. Program ● Fountain Opening Ceremony in front of the station ● Local food and products corner ● Wine-pouring experience into the fountain ● Children’s festival corner ● TOCORON (Tocoron) Ikeda version Banana Manju Macaron on sale ● Performance by Ikeda High School Wind Ensemble Vendors Super Ryokuen, Hiro Kitchen, Tokachi Ikedaya (Café & Life akao, son of Juraku), Ikeda Town Chamber of Commerce Youth Division, TOCORON Project Team (volunteer high school circle from Tokachi area) Contact Ikeda Town Tourism Association (Tel: 015-572-2286) * Please note that program details may change. https://kankou-ikeda.com//

Photographed on April 5, 25. This is LEC COFFEE's matcha tiramisu.

[Yamanashi Prefecture Drone Business Council established] Today, the Fujikawa Development Corporation with members and established the Yamanashi Prefecture Drone Business Council Have. In the future, the council will fly in the event of a disaster We will provide training and human resource development. As the second part, in the event of a disaster using a logistics drone We made a demonstration flight as expected.

【Akisei Observation decks】 ◎First Observation deck In the Akisei Observation decks, there There are the first Observation deck and the second Observation deck. The first Observation deck is currently 🌳 tall and cannot be seen. Fun the ♪ open space ◎ 2nd Observation deck 360° Panoramic Observation decks at an elevation of 1000m with a panoramic view from Nobeoka to Aso in the distance. Can✨ When the weather is nice, you can see the scenery of Hyuga Nada and Mt. Osuzu, as well as the chimney of Asahi Kasei with the naked eye. Since it faces the direction of the rising Sunrise 🌄, some people come to see the first sunrise. *All photos were taken from the 2nd Observation deck. (Photo: Junhiro Aya) There is little light in the buildings and the sky is beautiful, so some people come to take pictures of the starry sky 🌟 We are welcome. ◎ Car parking lot If you go straight without turning towards the Observation deck, there is a parking lot 🅿️ Car the back. Why don't you 🤗 come and take panoramic photos 📷 of the Four Seasons at the Akisei Observation decks?

[🌸Gokase Hanami 2025 Submitted Photos — Part 10🌸] The entries submitted to the “#Gokase Hanami 2025” held on the Gokase Tourism Association’s Instagram account have reached a pause for now as of today💪🌸 The photo contest is still open, so please do submit your entries🤗✨ @_yuta610 @fowafuwarin5 @meiko_ryu @tokotan2._.2 (in no particular order) This time we received many night cherry blossom photos👏 Even with a step ladder or whatever I try, I can’t take good night photos at all — how do people manage to capture such beautiful night shots like these?🤔 They’re truly wonderful!!! We’ll post again when more featured works have been collected🤗💡 -------------------------------------------------------------------- ≪#Gokase Hanami 2025 — How to Enter≫ Follow the Gokase Tourism Association Instagram account and post photos of flowers taken within Gokasecho on Instagram with the two hashtags #Gokase Hanami 2025 and #date of shooting (example: #March 20)🤳❤️‍🔥 Gokase Tourism Association Instagram account https://www.instagram.com/gokase_kanko/... [Period] From Thursday, March 20, 2025 to Sunday, May 11, 2025 ⚠️ Other rules are posted on the Gokase Tourism Association website. Be sure to read them before applying. https://www.town.gokase.miyazaki.jp/kanko/ivent/1962.html... ⚠️Please take great care to avoid accidents when photographing.

The Icelandic poppies in the forest park are 🤤 in full bloom This is the Musashi Hills National Forest Park Located in in Namerikawa Town, Saitama Prefecture. Flowers bloom throughout the year. Among them, the Icelandic poppy field is worth seeing. I think it will continue until GW, so please come and visit us 😊

Akebonoyama Agricultural Park is famous for its tulips. Photo opportunities are before and after the Sunrise rises. This year, I was also able to enjoy the cherry blossoms of the nearby Akebono Mountain.

Photographed on April 5, 25. This is LEC COFFEE's sakura soda.

I was able to go to the birthplace of the alley in the back again this year. Ogaki City, Gifu Prefecture 2025/4

This Spring, I stopped by a wonderful row of cherry blossom trees. Cherry blossom trees in Gifu Prefecture 2025/4

Photographed on April 5, 25. It is a boat trip on the Shingashi River behind the Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine. The boatman is doing his best.

After all, Mount Fuji Saiko

[Notice] Night Cherry Blossom Light-Up 🌸 From Iwanai Tourism Association The night cherry blossom light-up originally scheduled from 4/21 will begin tomorrow, Thursday, April 24, depending on the bloom status of the cherry trees. 🌸 This year we have extended the light-up section! Check the details below ✅ ・Period: Thursday, April 24 to Sunday, May 18 ※Subject to change depending on the condition of the cherry blossoms ・Time: 6:00 PM–9:00 PM ・Light-up section From in front of Iwanai Town Hall, First Torii — up to the area around Iwanai Shrine Street and Gansuien ・Parking In front of Iwanai Town Hall building Please use the temporary town hall parking lot ⚠️ Please refrain from parking on the road ⚠️ Requests and precautions 🙇🏻‍♀️ Do not touch the lighting equipment. Do not look directly at the lights. We look forward to welcoming you 🌸 ・Rengeji Temple: April 26–May 5, 7:00 PM–10:00 PM ・Gansuien: May 3–May 6, 6:00 PM–8:30 PM These facilities will also be lit up as part of the spring light-up program. 💡

Photographed on April 5, 25. It is a Shidarezakura (weeping cherry blossoms) on the Shingashi River behind Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine.

The wisteria shelf of Kameido Tenjin is 🤤 in full bloom This is Kameido Tenjin, Located in in Tokyo! It is in best time to visit around GW every year. Access from the station is good, and the Light up at night makes the wisteria curtains even more enjoyable 🤤

Photographed on April 5, 25. It is the cherry blossom of Kitain.

To coincide with the Open to the public of the movie version "Detective Conan: Afterimage of the Eyes (Flashback)", the Nagano Prefectural Government Office 1st floor Prefectural Hall is decorated with Conan! Please come and visit us! 👓️ * On days when the prefectural office is closed (Saturdays, Sundays, and Holidays), you cannot enter the prefectural hall. In addition, the original author, Professor Aoyama, handwritten colored paper is exhibited only on Traditional Japanese straw raincoat between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. on Weekdays.

Announcement of the Appointment of the 31st Tokachi Aozora Ladies 😄 Every year, to mark the start of Ban'ei horse racing, we hold the Tokachi Aozora Ladies certification and handover ceremony at Obihiro Racecourse. 🎵 This year, the certification and handover ceremony took place on Friday, April 18. The 31st Tokachi Aozora Ladies are Nozomi Takahashi and Mayuka Ishizaki. We look forward to your support for them. The two 31st Tokachi Aozora Ladies presented bouquets to Machi Fujita and Kaori Noguchi, the 30th Tokachi Aozora Ladies, in thanks for their year of activities. As their first duties, the 31st Tokachi Aozora Ladies handed out gifts to visitors at the opening of Obihiro Racecourse, took part in the ceremony where the Mayor of Obihiro gave greetings, and appeared on BanSta. Thank you very much! Ban'ei horse racing is a sport where draft horses pull heavy iron sleds, testing speed and strength! Race days are Saturday, Sunday, and Monday. From Saturday, April 26 to Monday, April 28, enjoy the anime Baki Hanma × Ban'ei Tokachi collaboration event! During Golden Week from Saturday, May 3 to Monday, May 5, a packed lineup of family-friendly attractions awaits, including stage events, food and merchandise booths, and a kids’ corner. 😍 Come to Obihiro Racecourse to cheer as the powerful Ban'ei horses take strong steps right before your eyes!! Please visit the official Ban'ei Tokachi website at the URL below. https://www.banei-keiba.or.jp//

Hello everyone! Notice‼ To all users of the Asahidake cross-country ski course from Thursday, April 24 to Friday, April 25 Due to sewer pipe work at the Higashikawa Town Asahidake Youth Campground during the period below, construction vehicles will pass through the cross-country ski course and work will take place in some sections. Date and time: Thursday, April 24 to Friday, April 25, 9:00–15:00 As a result of the work, areas around the site may be temporarily unavailable. We apologize for the inconvenience to users and ask that you follow on-site directions and guidance to ensure safety. We apologize for the inconvenience and appreciate your understanding and cooperation. Contact Asahidake Visitor Center Address 071-1472: Asahidake Onsen, Higashikawa-cho, Kamikawa District, Hokkaido TEL: 0166-97-2153 OPEN 9:00–17:00

Photographed on April 5, 25. It is the cherry blossom of Kitain.

Teshikaga Sea of Clouds A grand panorama filling Lake Kussharo and Lake Mashu In Teshikaga you can see a sea of clouds over Lake Mashu in the early mornings. (Season: around June to October) Different observation decks let you enjoy the sea of clouds from various angles. We recommend staying overnight in Teshikaga and heading to the sea-of-clouds viewing spots at dawn during this season. 🛏️✨ For more details, see Teshikaga Navi. 📝🚗💨 https://masyuko.or.jp/enjoy/unkai/...

🌸 Gokase Hanami 2025 — Featured Photos, No. 9 🌸 We’re wrapping up the introductions to the entries submitted to “#Gokase Hanami 2025” on the Gokase Tourism Association’s Instagram account, with just one more installment to go 🥹 Thank you for so many wonderful submissions 👏✨ @8215dr72 @920cherry71 @omilove.1203 (in no particular order) We received breathtakingly beautiful photos that make you sigh 🥺💕 Many photos feature Josenji, but we also loved fresh perspectives such as shots of the cherry-tree-lined road taken from afar and weeping cherry trees reflected in car windows — truly lovely 😳💫 Yesterday we announced that Akebono azaleas and rhododendrons are at their best 💡 With the weather not looking great today or tomorrow, we worry they may not last, so if you can, please take photos and submit them to “#Gokase Hanami 2025” 🤗✨ -------------------------------------------------------------------- How to Enter “#Gokase Hanami 2025” Follow the Gokase Tourism Association Instagram account, then post photos of flowers taken within Gokasecho on Instagram with two hashtags: #Gokase Hanami 2025 and #Date of shooting (for example: #March 20) 🤳❤️‍🔥 Gokase Tourism Association Instagram account https://www.instagram.com/gokase_kanko/... Period: Thursday, March 20, 2025 to Sunday, May 11, 2025 ⚠️ Additional rules are posted on the Gokase Tourism Association website. Please read them carefully before entering. https://www.town.gokase.miyazaki.jp/kanko/ivent/1962.html... ⚠️ Please take great care to avoid accidents while photographing.

I went to Golden Week last year. The blue of the lake surface of Lake Shiman in Gunma Prefecture is beautiful, and on a clear day, you can enjoy the scenery of the Water submerged forest and blue.

Akeno Sunflower Field Akeno Sunflower Field, Hokuto City, Yamanashi Prefecture, sunflowers bloom all over the sunflower field during the Sanfu Tower Festival. If the weather is good, you can also see the mountains of the Southern Alps in the background.

Photographed 4/20/25. This is LEC COFFEE's quiche plate. It is a cold onion soup and a quiche with burdock and chicken. When I take a walk in the direction of Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine, I am indebted to you. 😊

[Amakusa Sea Sunset Cruising ⛴️🌆] Individual Sailings Now Available! Enjoy the Amakusa Sea sunset from onboard with the “Amakusa Sea Sunset Cruising,” running for individual customers on the 2nd and 4th Saturdays of each month in April and May. Board Reihoku Kanko Kisen’s Kizuna III at Tomioka Port and head west along the Tomioka Peninsula for an approximately one-hour cruise to watch the sun sink into the sea and experience the magic hour. ⛴️Fare (per person) Adult (junior high school students and older) ¥3,000 Child ¥1,500 ⛴️Meeting point Tomioka Port Passenger Waiting Area (Kizuna Station) *Please arrive at least 15 minutes before departure.* ⛴️Operating dates (approximate departure times) [April] 12th, 26th (6:00 PM) [May] 10th, 24th (6:20 PM) Reservations This cruise requires advance reservation. Please call Reihoku Kanko Kisen Co., Ltd., the operator, to book directly. ⚠️Notes Please understand that sailings may be canceled or the sunset may not be visible due to bad weather, strong winds, or high waves. ⛴️Contact Reihoku Kanko Kisen Co., Ltd. Tel: 0960-35-0705 (Hours: 9:00 AM–5:00 PM) For more details, please visit the Amakusa Reihoku Tourist Association website. 👉 Check the link in this account’s profile!

Mount Odash "The scenery of the Hidaka Mountains in this season when it is sunny and snowy is very beautiful." Mt. Odash, located on the north side of the Hidaka Mountains, is a mountain 🏔️ that can be said to be a symbol of Shintoku Town The snow has melted on the plains, but there is still snow on the mountains. When it was snowing all over the place, I had to remove the snow, so I couldn't wait for Spring, but now I feel nostalgic for the pure white and cold snow. This morning, the cold temperature eased and became warm, and by noon it was close to 18 degrees Celsius. It's still a long way from the cheerfulness of the Spring, but I can feel the Spring from the wind and the change of scenery. Welcome Shintoku Town #welcomeshintoku Welcome back to Shintoku Town #Hokkaido #Tokachi #Shintoku Town #Shintoku Tourism Association #Hidaka Mountains #Mt. Odash #Tokachi Sunny #Remaining snow #Landscape The Tokachi is clear, and the snowy landscape of Hidaka Mountains is very beautiful in this season. #Hokkaido #Tokachi #ShintokuTown #shintoku #ShintokuTownTourismAssociation #HidakaMountains #Tokachisunnyday #Remainingsnow #Landscape #welcomeshintoku