When humans team up with nature to create something, it becomes more intriguing. The Lake Shikotsu ice festival is a perfect example of this. Hokkaido's crystal clear water lake serves as the primary source for crafting marvelous ice sculptures.

Yes, Chizu! "Okay, it's decided! ｣

Kawazu cherry blossoms 🌸 in full bloom This is the Kawazu Cherry Blossom Festival held in Minami-Izu City, Shizuoka Prefecture. It blooms the earliest in Honshu and is a sight to behold! It is very crowded, so I recommend 😆 going early in the morning

Fukuyama, Hiroshima　 Recommended spots in Hiroshima #Abushusa Kannon 👈 Looking at 📸 the Seto Inland Sea from the vermilion-painted Kannon Hall built on the quay It is a Kannon-do temple built at the tip of the Numakuma Peninsula. The view of the Seto Inland Sea from here is spectacular! 👍 Inside the Kannon Hall, there are many emas of boobs for praying for safe birth

It's nice to be able 😊 to take pictures of Japan's pride "Mt. Fuji" and "cherry blossoms" in spring. Shizuoka Prefecture Fuji City Junigawa

Atami Ropeway Just in front of the Atami Korakuen bus stop, enjoy a retro gondola and a roughly three-minute aerial stroll. When you step off the ropeway, you arrive at the summit of Mt. Hachiman, Atami’s premier observation point. From the summit terrace you can look down over Atami city. On clear days you can see the Boso Peninsula and Miura Misaki to the east, Hatsushima in the foreground to the south, and far out in the Pacific Ocean, Izu Oshima. At the tip of the observation deck is the Umi-Sora Terrace, where you can feel how close the sea and sky are. Pay attention also to the lovers’ memory spot, the Aijo Monument, the popular Umi-Sora Cafe known for its ice cream, and the Koimikuji Hall. Address / 8-15 Wadahamaminami-cho, Atami City, Shizuoka Prefecture 413-0023 Phone / 0557-81-5800 Access [Foot of the Mountain Station (in front of Korakuen Hotel)] From JR atami station take the bus bound for Atami Port/Korakuen for about 10 minutes and get off at "Korakuen." [Summit Station] From JR atami station take the Yu-Yu bus for about 15 minutes and get off at Atami Castle, then walk about 3 minutes. Business Hours / First uphill 9:30, last uphill 17:00, last downhill 17:30 Open year-round (may close temporarily during severe weather or maintenance) Fees/ Adults (junior high school and older) one way 400 yen, round trip 700 yen Children (ages 4 to elementary school) one way 300 yen, round trip 400 yen Parking / Use the Atami Korakuen Hotel multi-story parking garage (show your parking ticket at the counter for 2 hours free)

Kiunkaku Kiunkaku began as a villa built in 1919 (Taisho 8) and was praised as one of Atami’s "three great villas." Reborn as a ryokan in 1947 (Showa 22), it welcomed many guests as one of Atami’s representative inns and was beloved by Japan’s leading writers, including Yamamoto Yuzo, Shiga Naoya, Tanizaki Junichiro, Dazai Osamu, Funahashi Seiichi, and Takeda Taijun. It is now open to the public as a cultural property of Atami City. A lush garden that feels far removed from the town center. The main building (Japanese wing) and detached annex retain the beauty of traditional Japanese architecture. A Western-style building blends decorative elements and styles from Japan, China, and Europe, creating a unique atmosphere. These elegant facilities will be preserved as historical and cultural heritage for future generations. Please visit and see it for yourself. Address / 4-2 Showa-cho, Atami City, Shizuoka Prefecture 413-0022 Phone / 0557-86-3101 Access / ■From JR atami station: take a bus bound for Ainohara Danchi, Umezono, Nishiyama, or Hakone (or the Shimizu-machi loop) for about 10 minutes and get off at Kiunkaku-mae. ■From JR atami station: take a bus for Momijigaoka for about 10 minutes and get off at Tenjin-cho, then walk about 2 minutes. ■By Yu-Yu Bus: get off at Kiunkaku West Entrance and walk about 2 minutes. Hours / 9:00–17:00 (last admission 16:30) Closed / Every Wednesday (open on public holidays), year-end (Dec 26–30) Admission / Adults 610 yen (460 yen for groups); middle and high school students 360 yen (240 yen for groups); elementary school age and younger free. Parking / 37 standard car spaces (free). Medium buses up to 9 m are permitted; large buses are not allowed.

Atami Castle Atami Trick Art Labyrinth Museum Atami Castle rises atop the summit of Nishikigaura, a scenic spot in Atami. The castle keep’s observation deck offers a 360-degree panorama: it looks out over Atami city, Yugawara, the Manazuru Peninsula, and on clear days the floating silhouettes of Hatsushima and Oshima, with the Ajiro–Ito side of the Izu Peninsula stretching beyond—making it Atami’s premier viewpoint. In spring the castle is famous for cherry blossoms, and in summer you can watch fireworks from the keep like a feudal lord. (The Cherry Blossom Festival runs from late March to early April.) Inside the castle you’ll find the Samurai Culture Museum displaying armor and swords, a ukiyo-e shunga gallery, an Edo costume experience room where you can dress up for photos, a jet footbath at 120 meters above sea level, and a free game corner—packed with sights and surprises. In the castle annex, the Atami Trick Art Labyrinth Museum offers wonderfully strange illusions where flat paintings appear three-dimensional. About 40 trick artworks feature marine creatures, dinosaurs, wild beasts, and Jaws-style scenes. You can do more than admire the art—take hilarious photos, experience illusions of becoming a giant or a tiny person, touch the exhibits, and snap shots for big laughs. Lose track of time as you get absorbed in the tricks. It’s a place that excites families, friends, and couples alike. Address / 1993 Sogayama, Atami City, Shizuoka Prefecture 413-0033 Phone / 0557-81-6206 (Atami Castle) Access / ■ About 10 minutes by car from atami station ■ About 10 minutes by bus from atami station toward Atami Port or Korakuen; get off at "Korakuen" → take the AtamiRopeway for about 3 minutes → about a 3-minute walk from Summit Station ■ About 15 minutes from atami station by Yu~Yu~ Bus → get off at Atami Castle Open / 9:00–17:00 (last admission 16:30) Open year-round Admission / Adults 1,100 yen; elementary and junior high students 600 yen; ages 3–6 450 yen (Two-site set ticket / Adults 1,800 yen; elementary and junior high students 950 yen; ages 3–6 700 yen) Parking / 100 spaces; parking fee: 500 yen (per visit)

The Tadami Line 🚃 running through Oku-Aizu This is the Tadami Line seen in Okuaizu, Fukushima Prefecture. It only runs early in the morning and during the day, so please be careful 🙇 ♀️ when visiting This year, there is little snow due to the warm winter, but originally it was even heavier and you can 😆 see a snowy landscape

Nature creates some of the astonishing wonders just like this. This huge snow wall is breathtakingly stunning. This time I visited lake shikotsu ice festival. Amazingly beautiful.

Hashiriyu Perched above the Sagami Sea, Hashiriyu is a rare horizontal cave spring in Japan and is counted among the country’s three great ancient springs. Discovered about 1,300 years ago, it was named Hashiriyu—literally “running hot spring”—because the water gushes from the mountains and seems to run toward the coast. As Minamoto no Sanetomo wrote, “The swift spring that issues south of Mount Izu-no-Kuni is a sign from the gods,” and until the Meiji era the spring was revered as the sacred water of Izusan Shrine. From a cave about 5 meters deep, water at 70°C still wells up at 170 liters per minute, creating a mysterious scene around the source. Address / 604-10 Izusan, Atami City, Shizuoka Prefecture 413-0002 Phone / 0557-81-2631 (Izusan Onsen Tourist Association) Access / From JR atami station take a bus bound for Izusan or Yugawara for about 5 minutes, get off at Aioibashi Bridge, then walk about 10 minutes Parking / None Note: This is not a bathing facility

Kinomiya Shrine Kinomiya Shrine has long been revered as a deity of good fortune and auspicious beginnings. Beside the main hall stands a sacred camphor tree designated a National Natural Monument, said to be about 2,100 years old with a trunk circumference of 24 meters. It is famous as a power spot. Legend holds that circling the trunk once adds a year to your life, and many visitors pray here for longevity, healing, and good health to share in the tree’s vitality. It is also said that those with a wish should quietly circle the tree without telling anyone; doing so helps clarify the wish. The tree is lit up at night, offering different expressions in the morning, daytime, and evening. The annual grand festival takes place each year from July 14 to 16. Address／43-1 Nishiyama-cho, Atami, Shizuoka Prefecture 413-0034 Phone／0557-82-2241 Access／About 15 minutes by bus from JR Atami Station toward Motohakone or Nishiyama, then get off at Kinomiya Jinja-mae. Parking／15 spaces + 25 spaces (paid). A discount is available for those receiving prayers or amulets. ※It gets crowded, so please use public transportation.

ACAO FOREST A vast floral garden spread across 200,000 tsubo of rolling hills, composed of 13 distinctive themed gardens. Framed by the Atami-blue sea and sky, you can enjoy striking scenes crafted by roses, bulb plants, herbs, perennials and a variety of other plants. Not only does the garden offer seasonal floral displays year-round, it also features COEDA HOUSE, a cafe designed by Kengo Kuma; Soga Sengen Shrine; a hands-on herb and aroma workshop; and a commercial complex, ACAO ROSE SQUARE, where visitors can dine and shop. Address / 1027-8 Kamitaga, Atami, Shizuoka Prefecture 413-0101 Access / About 20 minutes by bus toward Ajiro from JR Atami Station → get off at “ACAO Forest” Hours / Regular season 9:00–17:00 (last admission 16:00) Closed / None ※ Closed temporarily in severe weather possible Admission / Adults ¥4,000 · Children ¥1,000 · Pets ¥1,000 Parking / Paid parking for 100 vehicles ※ Hours, closure days, and fees may change, so please check the official website in advance.

"Snack on~! ｣ I was appealing while lying down!

Plum blossoms are now at their best in Atami, Shizuoka Prefecture! The 80th Atami Plum Garden Plum Festival runs at Atami Plum Garden until March 3, and as of February 11 the blooms are at their peak. (The photo was taken on February 10.) The garden houses 469 plum trees across 60 varieties, so you can enjoy a wide range of flower types.

The 26th Minami Sakura and Rape Blossom Festival February 10 Night Cherry Blossom Illumination: Minami’s Night Cherry Blossoms and Bamboo Lanterns Photo by Otsuka Tokiya

Kisuke: "Come on~! ｣ Unlike adult animals, they were wrestling very cutely!

The 26th Minami Cherry Blossoms and Canola Flower Festival February 11 (Sun) Bloom Report and Parking Congestion Update 〇 Bloom Report Behind Minami-Izu Town Hall → 50–70% bloom Behind Roadside Station Shimogamo Onsen Yunohana → 80% bloom to full bloom ※The flowers are now at their best. 〇 Parking Congestion Status Roadside Station Shimogamo Onsen Yunohana (main venue) → Full (cars are continuously filling the lot) ※A voluntary contribution is requested as an environmental conservation fee.

I think Mt. Fuji and the cherry blossoms are the strongest. Shizuoka Prefecture Fuji City Junigawa

Ice 🎇 Candle Festival with Fireworks This is Narai Lodging in Shiojiri City, Nagano Prefecture. Every winter, an ice candle festival is held. Candles are lit along the Shukuba-machi, so it is 😆 very fantastic There are also fireworks at night, so be sure to 😊 visit

The 26th Minami Sakura and Rapeseed Blossom Festival Blooming and Parking Update for Saturday, February 10 Blooming Update Behind Minami-Izu Town Hall → 50–70% in bloom Behind Roadside Station Shimogamo Onsen Yunohana → 70% to full bloom Hino rapeseed field → At peak bloom ※The flowers are now at their best. Parking Congestion Status Roadside Station Shimogamo Onsen Yunohana → Full (remains full at all times) Kinomiya Bridge Parking Lot → Busy to full ※From February 10 to 12, the Minami-Izu Town Hall parking lot will be open free of charge (no attendants will be on duty).

Etajima, Hiroshima Recommended spots in Hiroshima #Etajima 👈 Take a picture while walking on a slope with a 📸 view of the sea The sea of Etajima had a sense of openness and it was a very pleasant view.

Surrounded by large trees This is Togakushi Shrine in Nagano Prefecture. It is an approach that can be seen from 1 km ahead of Okusha. It turns into a fresh green road in summer and a snowy road in winter. Be sure to 😊 visit

I can't wait for spring. Please come and ride the flower-filled "Watarase Canyon Railway". Aren't you looking forward to spring? Let's ride the Watarase Keikoku Railway.

Hiroshima, Hiroshima Recommended spots in Hiroshima #Suzugamine Park 👈 @hiroshima_city_official Here you can ☀️ see the city of Hiroshima and the Morning Sun The view of the night view is also beautiful! 😊

Chocolat that doesn't come home easily after athletics If you take a peek softly... Chocolat: "I'm going to be a wizard."

It is the Hanakiri River in Tohoku Town, Kamikita District, Aomori Prefecture. It is a stream that leads to Lake Ogawara and is famous for trout fishing. In spring, cherry blossoms bloom on both banks, and on days when there is no wind, it becomes a water mirror as shown in the photo. According to the neighbors, the swan in the photo seems to be a swan that lives here. They were swimming gracefully as if they were cherry blossom viewing.

Fukuyama, Hiroshima Recommended spots in Hiroshima #Utsumi Ohashi Bridge 👈 #Fukuyama City One piece with the silhouette of a bus running on the Utsumi Ohashi Bridge. The evening sky turned red, but the sun was shrouded in eerie clouds and could not be seen.

Torii gate wrapped in snow This is the torii gate of Togakushi Shrine in Nagano Prefecture. During the snow season, the approach road is full of snow like this. The weather was good and the reflection made the 😆 beauty even more pronounced

Sleeping in the sun ☀🐻 in the same pose　 They were good friends Sarah and Eph