Photographed on January 1, 2014. This is Kawagoe Kumano Shrine around 6:00 a.m.

Photographed on January 3, 2014. A performance of festival music (ohayashi) at Koedo Kurari.

I watched a hayashi (festival music ensemble) performance at Koedo Kurari.

Happy New Year. For Hokulea Shonan, this year is a year of “brush up.” We believe the future lies in steadily building careful work. We will further hone our skills and thinking, and bravely take on new challenges. We will not forget our gratitude to everyone who supports us, and we will continue to grow while honoring the sea and nature. We look forward to your continued support this year. Hokulea Shonan Representative Terushige Koike --- 🌈Hokulea Shonan is a diving shop in Hiratsuka, Kanagawa Prefecture. Under the theme “Let’s set out for an unseen world!”, we offer experiences that let you discover the wonder and joy of nature through diving. We hold courses and tours year-round in Izu, Okinawa, and overseas. With small group sizes, beginners can join with confidence. We also respond flexibly to requests tailored to each person. Now, let’s set off together for a new world.

Even after Hon-Kawagoe PePe closes, the Starbucks Hon-Kawagoe Station store will remain open. I'm so happy. 🥹

It was around 6:30 a.m. at Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine.

It’s around 6:30 a.m. at Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine.

Photographed on January 1, 2014. After visiting Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine, I relaxed at the Starbucks Kanetsuki‑dōri Store. I had a gyokuro matcha latte and a rich matcha tiramisu. I fully enjoyed the New Year atmosphere. 🍵🎍

It is about 6:00 a.m. at Kawagoe Kumano Shrine.

I woke up early to visit the shrine for my first prayers of the year. This is the Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine’s Kawagoe sweet potato fortune. 🍠 I received a New Year’s morning ceremony blessing, and fortunately I was also given a matchmaking charm. I hope good things come to you in a chain like sweet potato vines. 😊🍠

Happy New Year! 🎍🐎 Wishing you a wonderful year ahead.

These are the Best Nine of 2025. 1️⃣The rise-up steps at Atago Shrine 2️⃣3️⃣Kakigori fortune slips and yo-yo omikuji at Kawagoe Hachimangu Shrine 4️⃣Tanabata at Tokyo Daijingu Shrine 5️⃣Hydrangeas at cafe andon 6️⃣The great torii and pinwheels at Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine 7️⃣Enmusubi wind chimes at Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine 8️⃣9️⃣Sea bream omikuji at Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine Thank you for all your support in 2025. I look forward to your continued support in 2026. 😊

I thought the autumn leaves were already over in mid-December, but when I went shopping in Chiba on the Boso peninsula, I stopped by a water mill while exploring the sights and found a beautiful display of autumn leaves. There was no parking lot, and the water mill caught my eye. The maple leaves were a vivid red, and the fallen leaves were beautiful too, so I enjoyed the last bit of autumn this year. Yoshii Ooido Water Mill

Photographed on December 28, 2025. This is LEC COFFEE’s original chai and a gateau chocolat.

Photographed on December 28, 2025. This is a gateau chocolat from LEC COFFEE. We are grateful to everyone at LEC COFFEE for their help this year. We look forward to your continued support next year.🙇‍♀️

Photographed on December 28, 2025. This is a set from Tomori Shokudo featuring domestic chicken spice karaage and a bamboo shoot and taro gratin. It also includes a hearty miso soup, steamed daikon with yuzu miso, simmered tamakonnyaku (ball-shaped konnyaku), and pickles—plenty to enjoy. 😊 On weekends, it’s best to make a reservation.

Photographed on December 28, 2025. This is Chabudai-san’s morning dish. It has been changed to a baked pot-au-feu. I hear the ingredients are being sautéed. It has a sweet flavor.

Photographed on December 23, 2025. This is the hanachozu (flower water basin) from Hara Florist. This is the last hanachozu of the year. Thank you for everything this year. 😊

Today I attended Kawagoe Hachimangū's year-end Ōharae (Great Purification) ceremony. I had my body and mind purified of sins and impurities, and I feel refreshed and ready to welcome the New Year. 🎍🐎

Photographed on December 21, 2025. This is LEC COFFEE’s black latte and a sweet potato Basque cheesecake.

The narcissus in Kyonan is now approaching its peak bloom. Narcissus have been placed inside Hoba Station and Awakatsuyama Station on the JR Uchibo Line to welcome visitors to Kyonan. For updates on the narcissus blooming status, please check the Instagram account maintained by the Kyonan Town Office, Regional Promotion Division (@kyonan_life). The weather has turned cold all at once. Wishing everyone a happy New Year. #Chiba Prefecture #Kyonan Town #Boso Peninsula #Hoba Station #Hota Coast #Suisen-no-Sato #Ezuki Narcissus Road #Sakuma Dam #Okuzure Narcissus Village

Photographed on December 21, 2022. This is LEC COFFEE’s sweet potato Basque cheesecake. It comes with homemade candied sweet potato sticks. 🍠 Today I am doing my last walk around Kawagoe for the year.

This is an autumn scene at Roka Koshun-en Gardens in Setagayaku, Tokyo Metropolis. The park preserves the former home of novelist Tokutomi Roka and is beloved by the local community. From a corner of the park’s bamboo grove I framed a maple tree with autumn leaves. I think it captures a very Japanese landscape.

This autumn scene was taken at Showa Memorial Park in Tachikawa City, Tokyo Metropolis. Rows of ginkgo trees line both sides of the canal, and every year many people gather to enjoy their stunning fall colors.

This is an autumn scene at Takahata Fudoson in Hino City, Tokyo Metropolis. Though the temple is famous for its hydrangeas, its fall foliage is also worth seeing.

Photographed on December 21, 2025. This is a black latte from LEC COFFEE. What a lovely latte art. 😊

In December, Uenokouen still holds the last traces of autumn. On the way back from a visit to Tokyo University of the Arts and viewing an exhibition, I was delighted to see the autumn leaves and took these photos. I hope I pass and can come back here to see the autumn foliage again next year.

Photographed on December 21, 2025. This is LEC COFFEE’s hot sandwich set. It includes a hot sandwich with bacon, lettuce, and egg, a salad with homemade ham, daikon radish potage, and homemade bread.

Photographed on December 20, 2025. This is HK Tea’s grapefruit tea and Egg Waffle’s coffee chocolate. I love their citrus menu. 😊🍊🍋

Photographed on December 20, 2025. This is the TATSUMI special from Udon Tatsumi. I’m touring tasty spots. 😊