Yesterday, Wednesday, December 25, the standard Atami cherry tree along the Itokawa Promenade was confirmed to be in bloom! Some trees began blooming in mid-December, but the standard tree has finally opened. This Atami cherry is a variety of the cold-loving Kanzakura cherry, native to India, that typically blooms from early January through February. Around 1871, an Italian introduced it, along with lemon and date palm, to Atami. It was named “Atami sakura” during the 1965 Flower-Filled Movement, and on April 10, 1977 (the city’s 40th anniversary), it was designated as Atami City’s official tree. Because the same branch can form early-blooming and later-blooming buds in two stages, the blossoms can usually be enjoyed for more than a month each year. The Cherry Blossom Festival opens after the New Year together with the Plum Festival! During the cherry blossom festival, you can expect nighttime illumination, servings of cherry blossom tea and green tea, street performances, sword dances, and band performances—so please come see the blossoms. The 15th Atami Sakura Itokawa Cherry Blossom Festival runs Saturday, January 11 through Sunday, February 9, 2025. https://www.ataminews.gr.jp/event/208... Regarding bloom updates, we will post them on the page above as soon as the city hall survey materials arrive, so please refer to that information.

The annual New Year's Events "New Spring Dogashima Mochi Throwing Tournament" will be held in from 10 a.m. on January 2, 2025. About 8,000 rice cakes fly in the sky. A congratulatory gift will be given 🎁 to those who get a mochi with a winning ticket for "Daikichi Beni" and "Daikichi White" We look ☺️ forward to seeing you there

Atami Yogurt Fermentation Shop Grand opening today, 12/21! It’s in Nakamise Shopping Street in front of atami station. I attended the pre-opening yesterday! They use local Tanna milk and Izu aloe. Yogurt comes in many varieties, including plain, rich strained, and a limited fresh Atami yogurt. For eating while walking, try the drinkable yogurt, the "Yogurutto Pan" filled with Greek yogurt and plenty of yogurt butter cream, or the acai with Greek yogurt. For souvenirs, they offer fresh yogurt butter sandwiches, busse, and souffle sandwiches. It’s very delicious and very cute 🐤 Joining the lineup of popular Atami sweets—Atami Pudding, Atami Bata-an, Atami Square Cream Puffs, Atami Fruit King, Ichigo BonBonBERRY ATAMI HOUSE., Atami Mircheese, Atami Satori Main Store, and Montblanc Namaito—this new shop is the latest addition. Please give it a try. Atami Yogurt Fermentation Shop https://www.atami-yogurt.com//

Hina dolls prayed to ward off misfortune from children and bring good fortune in life. On the Izu Peninsula, hina dolls are displayed with various wishes tied into hanging decorations on both sides of the tiered doll platform. This is a long-standing custom. The 28th Hanging Hina Decorations Exhibition 🌞 January 20 (Monday) – March 31 (Monday) 🌞 🍑 In the Inatori area of Higashiizucho, there has been a custom since the Edo period of hanging a pair of suspended decorations on either side of the hina platform for the Girls’ Festival. 🍑 The Inatori Onsen hanging decorations have been passed down through generations. A charming sight unfolds as many types of hangings—such as crawling-baby dolls modeled on infants, sanbaso performers, and rabbits—link together and drape down. This scene, a winter-to-spring specialty of Inatori Onsen, invites you with a parent’s loving thoughts for their child. Venue Information Main venue / Cultural Park Hina Museum [Admission: 500 yen] Sponsored exhibition venue / Naburatoto (February 15 – March 9) [Admission: 100 yen] Futatsubori [Free admission] Hachiman Shrine [Free admission] Details Address: 1729 Inatori, Higashiizu Town, Kamo District, Shizuoka Prefecture 413-0411 Phone: 0557-95-2901 Access: 20-minute walk from Izu-Inatori Station Hours: 9:00–17:00 (last admission 16:30) Parking: Cultural Park parking lot / flat rate 500 yen Organizer: Inatori Onsen Ryokan Association Event start date: 2025/01/20 Event end date: 2025/03/31

We are pleased to announce the annual “First Sunrise Cruise,” a refined way to welcome the New Year aboard a ship. Enjoy an exquisitely luxurious moment as you watch the first sunrise rise from the horizon in the special, unobstructed setting of the open sea. A geopark guide will once again provide commentary about the Izu Peninsula! This event requires reservations, so please book below as soon as possible if you wish to join. [From Atami Port: First Sunrise Cruise] Boarding location / Atami Port (regular ferry terminal for Atami–Hatsushima service) Date / Wednesday, January 1, 2025 6:00 Ticket sales begin (Atami Port counter) Around 6:30 Depart Atami Port for a sightseeing cruise; the ship will stop so passengers can watch the first sunrise from on board (sunrise around 6:50) Around 7:15 Return to Atami Port ※Cruise time approximately 45 minutes Vessel / Ile de Vacances Premiere or Ile de Vacances III Capacity / 250 passengers Reservations / Required by phone: 0557-81-0541 ※Reservations open from December 2, 2024 ※If cancellations occur on the day, those seats will be released for general sale. Fees / Adults ¥2,600; elementary school students ¥1,300 (preschool children free); pets ¥1,300 ※Depending on weather, the first sunrise or Mt. Fuji may not be visible; refunds cannot be issued in such cases. ※The cruise may be canceled due to poor sea conditions. ※The above information may change without notice for weather or other reasons. Thank you for your understanding. https://www.ataminews.gr.jp/spot/181...

From Soto Recipes! As a special return to everyone who supported us through crowdfunding of the luxury retort "Izu no Gokumeshi" that fully uses high-quality ingredients from the three towns of Shizuoka and Izu, we Held in a social gathering to eat "Izu no Gokumeshi" together in Izu with our ambassador Izu no Nushi Fishing. Izu Southwest Coast Tourism Promotion Council Three towns: Nishi-Izu Town, Matsuzaki Town, and Minami-Izu Town We received full cooperation in recipe development, etc. Chiaki, Representative of Soto Recipe Co., Ltd. Ambassador "Izu no Nushi Fishing" With everyone who supported us We enjoyed camping food unique to the southwestern Coast of Izu, such as "Dogashima barley wine", "Hon Wasabi and local fish", "Ghibier yakiniku", "natural eel kabayaki", "deep-fried ginaga shrimp", and "tide soup". Souvenirs include "Hot Spring Melon", "Bonito Dashi Salt", and "Matsuzaki Rice". There is a very much to everyone who participated.

On the 7th after the new year, I went ✨ to Matsubara in Thee scenic pine groves of Japan to take pictures When I looked at the photo later, I saw a child fairy in a kimono! This Japan and warm landscape photo is my favorite ♡♡

If you come to Ito City, you can't miss the seafood dishes! We visited Haruhiramaru Amimoto and had a delicious Kaisen Donburi. You can find more information on Ito City's official Instagram! Please refer to it if you ♪ like it

Every year from the end of October to the beginning of November, the chestnut tiger butterfly ✨ flies to Izu Matsuzaki Town This is an image I took when I went out on the Suruga Bay ferry two years ago! Fascination with ♡♡ the pattern of the body and feathers is very beautiful and mysterious

Until Tuesday, December 24, the Izusan Local Museum is exhibiting the original Hokke Mandala. According to Izusan Shrine tradition, this Hokke Mandala was embroidered with the hair of Hojo Masako. A repair inscription on the back records that Hojo Masako used her own hair to stitch the Hokke Mandala to pray for the soul of her husband, Minamoto no Yoritomo, and that it was enshrined as the principal image of the Hokke Hall. The museum usually displays a replica, but the original is on temporary public view for the first time in two years and four months. Please take time to appreciate the three-dimensional Sanskrit characters made with hair and the subtle coloration of the backing that only the original can show. Atami City Izusan Local Museum Hokke Mandala Exhibition Period: Thursday, November 28, 2024–Tuesday, December 24, 2024 Address: 708-2 Izusan, Atami City, Shizuoka Prefecture (within the grounds of Izusan Shrine) Phone: 0557-80-4252 Access: From atami station, take a bus bound for Nanao for about 10 minutes and get off at Izusan Shrine-mae Hours: 9:00–16:00 Closed: Wednesdays (if a public holiday falls on Wednesday, closed the following day) Admission: Adults ¥180 (groups ¥120); junior and senior high school students ¥120 (groups ¥80); elementary school children and younger free Parking: Available (a few spaces at Izusan Shrine) Note: Group discounts apply to parties of 20 or more.

In January of this year, I took a picture of the scenery spreading out in front of me from my hotel room at Lake Tanuki. While retouching before posting, I found Mt. Fuji Ryu!! It has become a piece that can reaffirm the coolness of Japan, the country of the protection of the dragon god! !!

Photo taken on December 1st The autumn leaves at Atami Plum Garden are now at their peak! The garden has about 380 maple trees, and perhaps because of the mild climate they usually change color from late November through December, earning the reputation of being "the latest autumn leaves in Japan." Early-blooming plum trees have already started flowering since mid-October, so searching for plum blossoms while enjoying the autumn foliage is a unique Atami experience. During the Momiji Festival, the annual footbath opens, the Atami Plum Garden Momiji Festival Photo Contest is held, and the Momiji Light-Up takes place, among other events. Event period / November 16 to December 8, 2024 Hours / Light-up (every night during the event) 4:30 PM–9:00 PM Venue / Atami Plum Garden (8-11 Ume-enzaka, Atami City, Shizuoka Prefecture) Phone / 0557-85-2222 Organizer / Atami City Tourism Association Access / ■ From JR Atami Station, take the bus bound for Ainobara Danchi for about 15 minutes and get off at "Ume-en" ■ From Atami Station, take the Ito Line about 3 minutes to Kinomiya Station, then walk about 10 minutes Admission / Free Parking / 100 spaces in front of the plum garden (open only during the event) (Weekdays) 9:00 AM–5:00 PM (Saturdays, Sundays and holidays) 8:30 AM–5:00 PM Standard car 300 yen · Motorcycle & bicycle 100 yen · Microbus 1000 yen

On Thursday, November 28, the blooming of the "Himalaya cherry" in Shinsui Park was confirmed. (Photo taken November 29) Of the two trees, the one facing the sea has begun to bloom, and only the uppermost part is flowering. Other buds are swelling, so more blooms are expected soon. This cherry is a rare variety that typically blooms from late November through December, producing delicate pale pink flowers. In Atami City, the parent tree stands on a slope near Atami High School, and young trees are scattered around Shinsui Park, Tsukimigaoka Park, the Sakura Scenic Walk, Nagahama Seaside Park, and other locations. The parent tree originates from seeds of the “Himalaya zakura” that were presented to former Crown Prince (later King) Birendra of Nepal during his study at the University of Tokyo. In August 1967, when he visited Ito City, the Atami Botanical Friends Association offered seeds of Atami cherries and plums. In return, seeds of the Himalaya zakura were sent from Nepal in May 1968 and sown and grown in July of the same year at the municipal farm in Shimotaga, Atami City. Against the cold sky, the modestly blooming cherry is very beautiful. Himalaya cherry A deciduous tall tree that grows in temperate to subtropical zones around the Himalayas. It blooms in November–December with reddish flowers; petals measure 8–13 mm in length and the flowers are rich in nectar. Scientific name: Prunus cerasoides Family: Rosaceae Genus: Prunus Origin: Nepal Number of trees (as of November 2019): 49 in total ・Slope near Atami High School (parent tree, 1): Kamitaga, Atami City ・Tsukimigaoka Park (1): Shimotaga, Atami City ・Shinsui Park (2): beside the first parking lot of Shinsui Park, Nagisa-cho, Atami City ・Beside Taga Junior High School gymnasium (2): Shimotaga, Atami City ・Sakura Scenic Walk (14): Kamitaga, Atami City ・Nagahama Seaside Park (29): Kamitaga, Atami City Inquiries: Atami City Parks and Greenery Division Phone 0557-86-6218 At Atami Plum Garden, autumn colors will soon be at their peak, and early-blooming plums have been flowering since October, so right now you can see autumn leaves, plums, and cherries in Atami at the same time.

Wasabi Harvesting Experience "Traditional Cultivation of Shizuoka Water Wasabi" certified as a World Agricultural Heritage Site You can experience harvesting in the wasabi stream, which is usually difficult to enter. Kawazu Town in Shizuoka Prefecture is blessed with the famous water of Mt. Izu Amagi and is suitable for cultivating delicious Wasabi cultivation. You can hear stories about the history of wasabi and how to eat it deliciously from a local guide, and experience the harvest firsthand. You can take home one whole wasabi with its leaves and stems attached. ●Implementation period January 15, 2025 ~ March 31, 2025 9:00～ *Please contact us for the start time. * Implementation period It is subject to change depending on the situation. ●Number of Receptionists 1 group (up to 10 people) Minimum number of participants: 3 ●Meeting point Kawazu cherry blossoms Tourism Exchange Center or Sagano Promenade Car parking lot ●Location of Experience Kawazu Town Kawazu Raft Area What's Included Boots, agricultural tools for wasabi harvesting Precautions Please wear clothes that are easy to move around. It gets quite cold in winter, so please take measures to protect yourself from the cold. Use rental boots, please wear socks. What you'll need Please wear clothes that are easy to move around. Bring your own if you do not need to rent boots

Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for waiting. The first "morning activity" in Izu on Saturday, December 7 Held in. Enjoy a relaxing time and meals at Izu Imaihama Tokyu Hotel.

The 27th Minami Sakura and Nanohana Festival Period: Saturday, February 1 – Monday, March 10 About the event ◆Opening ceremony on Saturday, February 1 ◎Location: Hinona nanohana flower field ◎10:00 – A Shinto ritual to pray for the festival’s success and safety ◆Lobster miso soup service on Sunday, February 16 and Sunday, February 23 ◎Location: Shimogamo shopping street “Miro” parking lot ◎A generous serving of miso soup made with Minami Izu Town’s specialty, spiny lobster (ise ebi) ※Served twice a day (about 200 bowls per service) ※First service: 11:00 – Second service: 13:00 ※Ends when supplies run out ※May be canceled due to rain or other conditions ◆Night hanami SUP on Saturday, February 15 – Sunday, February 16 ◎Details will be posted here once they are finalized ◆Nighttime cherry blossom illumination on Saturday, February 1 – Monday, March 10 ◎Location: Around Maebara Bridge to Kujo Bridge ◎18:00–21:00 every night ※The illumination runs every night, even in rain ◆Minami night cherry blossoms and bamboo lanterns on Saturday, February 1 – Monday, March 10 ◎Location: 1) Roadside Station Shimogamo Onsen Yunohana 2) Around Gin no Yu Bridge ◎18:00–21:00 every night ◆Gachapon lottery on Saturday, February 1 – Monday, February 24 ◎Location: Roadside Station Shimogamo Onsen Yunohana (in front of the tourist information desk) ◎10:00–15:00 on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays ◎Participation: If one person in a group completes the questionnaire, the whole group may draw the number of times equal to the group size. ※Prizes are currently under consideration ※Prize contents may change ◆Hanami rickshaw service on Wednesday, February 5 – Friday, February 28 ※May end earlier than scheduled depending on blooming conditions Time: 9:30–16:00 Fee: 20-minute course 3,000 yen per person Notes ・The period may change due to weather or blooming conditions. ・Each boat/rickshaw (unit) accommodates up to two people. ・Events may be canceled due to bad weather (rain, strong wind, etc.). ・Due to rickshaw operation, you may be asked to ride alone in one unit. ・The above fee is for single-person use; there is no separate pricing for children. ◆Nanohana Door & Nanohana Maze from Tuesday, February 2 – around Saturday, March 15 ※The pamphlet lists February 1–March 10, but the correct period is the one above Announcements & notes ・Although the pamphlet states the Nanohana Door and Nanohana Maze run from Saturday, February 1 to Monday, March 10, the correct period is Sunday, February 2 to around Saturday, March 15. ・The night cherry blossom marathon will not be held. Thank you for your understanding. ・Minami Izu Town Hall (3rd floor observation deck) will be open during the cherry blossom festival. It can be accessed via the outside stairs. ・Some people step on the nanohana (rapeseed flowers) blooming on the riverbank slopes near Roadside Station Shimogamo Onsen Yunohana, but there are light-up cables and other hazards, so please refrain from entering those areas for safety. ◆Parking — Parking is limited, so please use public transportation where possible. Hours: 8:30–15:30 ・Standard car (500 yen per vehicle) ※Please cooperate with the environmental preservation fee (contribution) at the Roadside Station Shimogamo Onsen Yunohana parking lot only. ※On weekends and holidays, including substitute holidays, the Minami Izu Town Hall parking lot is open free of charge. ・Bus (2,500 yen per vehicle) ※Includes medium-sized buses (including microbuses) and large buses ・Motorcycle (200 yen per vehicle) ※If staff are not present due to rain or other conditions, parking may be free. ※During February 1–March 10, the Roadside Station Shimogamo Onsen Yunohana parking lot requests cooperation with the environmental preservation fee (contribution). ※Total parking capacity, including all lots, is approximately 200 vehicles. ※Because the number of parking spaces is limited, please use public transportation whenever possible.

"Yumemachi Odori: Hana no Mai" Additional and Special Performances Announced We are pleased to announce additional and special performances of Atami geisha's "Yumemachi Odori: Hana no Mai," normally staged every Saturday and Sunday at the Atami Geisha Kenban Kaburenjo. Please enjoy professional dance performances that are rarely seen in everyday life: the elegance of kimono styling, graceful comportment, and breathtaking beauty. Come together with friends and family and join us for these shows. Additional Performance / Monday, December 9, 2024, 11:00 AM (Admission: 2,500 yen) Special Performances / Wednesday, January 1, 2025 (national holiday) and Thursday, January 2, 2025, 11:00 AM (Admission: 3,000 yen) Note: No performances on Saturday, December 21, 2024; Sunday, December 22, 2024; Saturday, December 28, 2024; and Sunday, December 29, 2024. Address / 17-13 Chuocho, Atami City, Shizuoka Prefecture (along the Hatsukawa River) Reservations and Inquiries / Atami Geisha Kenban, Tel: 0557-81-3575 Access / From JR Atami Station, take a bus bound for Momijigaoka for about 10 minutes and get off at Shimizucho. Admission / 2,500 yen (tax included). January 1 and January 2: 3,000 yen. Free for elementary school children and younger. Parking / None (paid municipal parking available nearby) Performance Dates / Every Saturday and Sunday; December 9, 2024; January 1 and 2, 2025 Start Time / 11:00 AM (Performance runs about 30 minutes) Venue / Atami Geisha Kenban

The Ajiro Onsen Himo Festival takes place every autumn and winter at Ajiro Onsen in the South Atami Area. Visitors are treated to sun‑dried, oil‑rich horse mackerel fillets grilled over charcoal (about 2,500 fillets served each day). Fresh vegetables delivered directly from farms, squid salted and pickled, yakisoba, and soups made with locally sourced ingredients will also be for sale. Come and taste the delicious dried fish of the port town of Ajiro! Please note that items for sale are subject to change. Please also note that venues may change depending on the event date. 【2024】 11/9 (Sat) 10:00–14:30 Ajiro Oonawa Park 11/10 (Sun) 10:00–14:30 Ajiro Oonawa Park 12/14 (Sat) 10:00–14:30 Ajiro Oonawa Park 12/15 (Sun) 10:00–14:30 Ajiro Oonawa Park 【2025】 1/12 (Sun) 10:00–14:30 Ajiro Oonawa Park 1/13 (Mon, public holiday) 10:00–14:30 Ajiro Oonawa Park 2/15 (Sat) 10:00–14:30 Umiere Nagahama 2/16 (Sun) 10:00–14:30 Umiere Nagahama ■ (Oonawa Park) From JR Atami Station, take the JR Ito Line to JR Ajiro Station, then about a 10‑minute walk. ■ (Nagahama Seaside Park) From JR Atami Station, take the JR Ito Line to JR Izu‑Taga Station, then about a 10‑minute walk. Free admission Parking / Oonawa Park: none; Nagahama Seaside Park: free parking available. Inquiries / Ajiro Onsen Tourism Association Tel: 0557-68-0136

It is the Hatanagi First Dam (Lake Hatanagi) built on the Oigawa River in Shizuoka Prefecture. The Autumn leaves of the mountains of the Southern Alps were very beautiful.

Thank you for waiting! We are pleased to announce the dates for the 2025 Atami Bay Fireworks Festival. 2025 (Reiwa 7) Atami Bay Fireworks Festival Dates Spring: February 21 (Fri), March 23 (Sun), April 20 (Sun), April 28 (Mon) Summer: July 25 (Fri), August 5 (Tue), August 8 (Fri), August 18 (Mon), August 25 (Mon) Autumn: September 15 (Mon, national holiday), October 13 (Mon, national holiday), November 3 (Mon, national holiday) Winter: December 7 (Sun) Time: 8:20 PM–8:40 PM (July and August only: 8:15 PM–8:40 PM) Venue: Atami Bay ※Held rain or shine * The above dates and times are current as of October 29, 2024. They may change depending on future circumstances, so please check the latest information on the Atami City Tourism Association official site “Atami News” or by calling the number below. Inquiries: Atami City Tourism Association Tel: 0557-85-2222

On October 26 and 27, at the Shinsui Park venue, we will hold the 14th Atami Fish Festival (2024), where you can enjoy Atami’s delicious seafood on the spot. Event period: Saturday, October 26 and Sunday, October 27, 2024 Hours: 10:00–16:00 (until 15:00 on October 27) Venue: Shinsui Park Event Plaza (2018-8 Nagisa-cho, Atami City, Shizuoka Prefecture) Contact: Atami City Tourism Association 0557-85-2222 Fee: Free admission Parking: Municipal Shinsui Park P and others (paid) *The event may be canceled or changed due to weather or other reasons. Food and drink vendors Around 10 vendors, mainly local restaurants, are scheduled to participate. Dates/times: October 26, 2024 (Sat) 10:00–16:00; October 27, 2024 (Sun) 10:00–15:00 Grilled seafood on the beach (hamayaki) Dates/times: October 26, 2024 (Sat) 10:00–16:00 (reception until 15:00); October 27, 2024 (Sun) 10:00–15:00 (reception until 14:00) One table seats four (40 tables total, 160 seats) Hamayaki ingredient set: 3,000 yen (Each table must purchase one set. After purchase, individual ingredients may be bought separately.) *No advance reservations; reception is on-site only on the day. Dried fish workshop Date: October 26, 2024 (Sat) Participation fee: Adults 3,000 yen; children elementary school age and under 2,000 yen (both tax included) *Children elementary school age and under require a guardian to participate or accompany them because knives are used. Same-day take-home plan: 10:00–15:00 Fish filleting → salting → drying (2 hours) → completion Shipping plan: 13:00–15:00 Fish filleting → salting → drying (left to the professionals) → shipped after completion *Additional shipping fee applies (from 1,045 yen). Capacity: Each plan limited to the first 10 applicants Reservation deadline: By 17:00 the day before; if capacity is not reached, same-day participation is possible. Please contact the number below. What to bring / clothing: Apron and clothes that can get slightly dirty. *Wearing a mask is required. Reservations: Atami City Tourism Association, tel. 0557-85-2222 (9:00–17:00; closed on October 16) Stage program October 26 (Sat) 11:00–11:40 Kids’ dance (Eyes Dance School) 12:00–12:30 Band performance (Itokawa Ventures) 12:30–13:00 Character appearance (Atsuo, Mamekko) 13:00–13:30 Kayou show (Ami Mitsuya) October 27 (Sun) 11:00–11:30 Hula dance (Ka Fuakai Hula Studio) 11:45–12:15 Kids’ dance (Infinity Dance Studio) Special operation of the Sun Remo sightseeing boat Dates: October 26 and 27, 2024 Free service times (approx. 30-minute ride) October 26 (Sat): 8th voyage departs 15:00; 9th voyage departs 15:40 October 27 (Sun): 7th voyage departs 14:20; 8th voyage departs 15:00 Capacity: 50 passengers per voyage Inquiries: Sun Remo Sightseeing Boat tel. 0557-52-6657 *Tickets will be distributed on the day (October 26 from 14:30; October 27 from 13:50) at the sightseeing boat boarding area: Shinsui Park Third Pier. *Voyages 1–7 on October 26 and voyages 1–6 on October 27 will operate at the regular fare. (The 9th voyage on October 27 is reserved and not available for boarding.) *Please note that operations may be suspended depending on sea conditions on the day.

On October 14 and 19, we held the Atami Offshore Fireworks Festival! Thank you for attending. The next event is on Monday, November 4, 2024.

I went to Hamanako Garden Park to see the cosmos. This year, due to the intense heat and heavy rain, there were fewer flowers than every year, so it was difficult to find a good angle.

On Saturday, October 19, Fujikyu Marine Resort will operate a fireworks cruise for the first 100 guests to celebrate the Atami Sea Fireworks Festival. With no obstructing views and the unique experience of being on a boat, why not watch 3,000 fireworks light up Atami’s night sky? We look forward to welcoming you aboard. Date / Saturday, October 19, 2024 Time / Departing 19:50 – Fireworks viewing (20:20–20:40) – Scheduled return around 20:50 Boarding location / Atami Port (ticket window for Hatsushima departures) Fare / Adults ¥2,800; Children ¥1,400. One preschool child free per paying adult. Tickets / Limited to 100 people ● Advance phone reservation required (Please purchase your ticket at the day-of waiting area counter between 19:10 and 19:40.) Vessel in service / Ile de Vacances III *The event may be canceled due to weather or other circumstances. Thank you for your understanding. *Please fill out the boarding register. Reservations & Inquiries / Fujikyu Marine Resort Phone: 0557-81-0541

The Atami Plum Garden Autumn Leaves Festival will be held from Saturday, November 16, 2024 to Sunday, December 8, 2024. Known as the earliest-blooming plum site in Japan, Atami Plum Garden is also a spot for autumn foliage. About 380 maple trees line the garden, and thanks to the warm climate they often change color from late November into December, making this place sometimes called the latest autumn foliage in Japan. Early-blooming plums begin to flower around mid-November, so you may see plum blossoms and autumn leaves at the same time. During the festival there will be a footbath, a photo contest, jazz performances, illumination, and a wildflower moss-ball (kokedama) workshop, among other events. Please take this opportunity to enjoy the red-hued Atami Plum Garden. *On November 16 (Sat) and 17 (Sun), the Japan–Korea Gourmet Fair 2024 in Atami will also take place.* Event period: November 16–December 8, 2024 Hours: Illumination daily during the period, 16:30–21:00 Venue: Atami Plum Garden (8-11 Umezonocho, Atami City, Shizuoka Prefecture) Phone: 0557-85-2222 Contact: Atami City Tourism Association Access: ■ From JR Atami Station, take a bus bound for Ainohara Danchi for about 15 minutes and get off at "Ume-en" (Plum Garden). ■ From Atami Station, take the Ito Line for about 3 minutes to Kinomiya Station, then walk about 10 minutes. Admission: Free Parking: 100 spaces in front of the Plum Garden (open only during the event period) (Weekdays) 9:00–17:00 (Sat, Sun, and public holidays) 8:30–17:00 Fees: Ordinary cars 300 yen; motorcycles & bicycles 100 yen; microbuses 1,000 yen

Why do divers flock to Minami-Izu... The waters around Mikomoto Island, eight kilometers from Yumigahama, lie under the influence of the Kuroshio Current and brim with marine life. Schools of migratory fish such as yellowtail, greater amberjack, and Japanese amberjack share the seas with various sharks like the shortfin mako, resident large reef fish such as malabar grouper and Asian sheepshead wrasse, and reptiles and rays including green sea turtles, red stingrays, and spotted eagle rays. From these famed “big game” species to seasonal visitors like striped jack, grunt, bluefish, pomfret, numerous butterflyfish, and triggerfish, the variety and density of fish make this area exceptional. Among its attractions, the chance to see large schools of hammerhead sharks makes this dive site extraordinarily rare even by international standards. It is no exaggeration to call this place a sea that every diver dreams of visiting.

It is a Roadside station Shiomizaka in Kosai City, Shizuoka Prefecture. There is a a panoramic view of the Pacific Ocean, and Shirasu bowl, eel bowl, and raw rice bowl are Famous. Outsides available the Footbath will Healing your tired legs.

A new event called “Evening Cool Gathering,” organized by the Minami-Izu Town Chamber of Commerce and Industry Youth Division, will take place at Yumigahama Coast. The event details are as follows. Date: Saturday, September 7, 2024 (Reiwa 6) Program ◆1:00 PM–6:00 PM Sea Kayak and SUP Experience ・50-minute sessions ・Adults ¥1,000, students ¥500 ※Elementary school students must be accompanied by a guardian ◆3:00 PM–5:00 PM Obstacle Race Saburo ・Capacity: 30 teams, 60 people ・Open to participants from 4th grade elementary school and up ◆6:30 PM–8:00 PM Hoshi★Sora Cinema IZU ・Free admission ・Screening of the Minions movie ・300 seats available ※Please bring your own mats or blankets ◆Food and vendor stalls ・MOKI ・Hungryʼs ・BLUE La IZU

Local eels are hard to eat. Every summer, when I returned to Shizuoka, I used to eat this eel with my parents. But this summer, we couldn't eat eel together. Every day is filled with sadness, but when I see this eel, I remember the summer with my parents and feel energized.

When I returned to my hometown this summer, after visiting the graves, I passed through the elementary school route for decades yellowtail. Everything felt small now, but the smell of summer and the breeze blowing through it did not change, and it was a summer that made me feel nostalgic. 【Shizuoka】