A landmark of Sapporo City, Hokkaido standing in the clear winter air Former Hokkaido Government Office Building While urban development is progressing, it is an important place that does not change its appearance even after renovation work and shows what it was at that time

Hello to everyone watching Cool Japan Video! This is the Sakuho Town Tourism Association in Nagano Prefecture. Sakuho, Nagano Prefecture, lies toward the eastern side of Nagano in the central part of Japan, spread out on either side of the Chikuma River like a pair of outstretched wings. We will introduce many attractions and recommended spots in Sakuho, Nagano Prefecture, so please enjoy. - - - - - - - - - - - Recommended sightseeing spots in Sakuho, Nagano Prefecture - - - - - - - - - - - - ◆Shirakoma Pond Nestled in the vast primeval forest of Kita-Yatsugatake, this mystical lake glistens with clear water. It is the largest natural lake in Japan located above 2,100 meters. The trail to the pond winds through virgin forest of Kometsuga, spruce, and Shirabiso that have stood for centuries, while the forest floor is carpeted with moss as if a green rug has been spread across it. You can easily see alpine plants and the seasonal changes of wild nature here, and the area is also famous as a gateway for climbing and trekking the majestic Yatsugatake peaks. ◆Moss Forest The "Moss Forest," home to 519 species of moss. It was designated a "Precious Moss Forest of Japan" by the Bryological Society of Japan. Step into the woods and you will be struck by an expanse of blue-green moss stretching as far as the eye can see. Around Shirakoma Pond, ten individual forests have been named. Each has its own character and different moss varieties. Be sure to visit the mysterious Moss Forest of Kita-Yatsugatake. ◆Shirakaba Gunseichi (Birch Grove) Regarded as the most beautiful birch grove in Japan, Yachiho Kogen to the northeast sits on a plateau formed by volcanic activity. Some 500,000 birch trees grow across approximately 200 hectares. The tall, pale trunks stand in vertical rows with light green leaves, and the sound of the wind makes this a bright, pleasant forest. The area is also famous for large colonies of Rhododendron kaempferi, mitsuba azaleas, renge azalea, and Enkianthus perulatus, which contrast beautifully with the birch trees to create a rich white woodland. ◆Yachiho Highland Natural Garden Within the expansive grounds, stands of birch, larch, and mizunara oak form varied natural woodland, while clear streams, two waterfalls, and a wide variety of alpine plants change their displays with the seasons to welcome visitors gently. Three walking courses of different lengths are available, and you can enjoy refreshing strolls while listening to the songs of wild birds. ◆Yachiho Highland Arboretum The arboretum sits at an elevation of 1,600 meters. As you walk the highland you can observe natural birch groves, stands of sasa grass, and wildflowers up close. The trails pass streams, ponds, and waterfalls, offering scenes woven from pure water and plants, and you may also spot birds drawn to the water. ◆Komadeike Campground A well-located campground surrounded by what is said to be Japan’s most beautiful birch forest. Komadeike, the pond that serves as the campground’s symbol, reflects the blue sky and trees like a mirror on clear days, and its beauty is breathtaking. ◆◆Tourist information for Sakuho, Nagano Prefecture◆◆ Sakuho, Nagano Prefecture, is an attractive destination where Shinshu’s beautiful nature and traditions thrive. Cool Japan Video will bring you plenty of sightseeing information packed with the charms of Sakuho, Nagano Prefecture, so thank you for watching!

【2025 (Reiwa 7) Ando Family Residence Hinamatsuri (Doll Festival)】 National Important Cultural Property Ando Family Residence will celebrate the peach festival again this year. More than 300 dolls from the Edo period to the Showa era are on display. Yamanashi Prefecture's own Hina doll, "Yokosawa Bina", will also be exhibited. Events of koto concerts during the period will also be held, so please enjoy the rich sound. Date and time: February 13 (Thu) ~ April 7 (Mon), 2025 (Reiwa 7) Opening hours: 9 a.m. ~ 4:30 p.m. (last admission at 4 p.m.) (*Closed on Tuesdays) Admission fee General 300 yen Elementary, junior high and high school students 100 yen (*Infants free) 【Ando Family Residence】4302 ☎Seinan Lake, Minami-Alps City 055-284-4448 [Cultural Properties Division, Board of Education] ☎055-282-7269

Photographed 1/21/25. It is Hanachozu of Kawagoe Hachimangu Shrine.

Photographed 1/24/25. It is Hanachozu of Kawagoe Hachimangu Shrine.

Red-crowned crane dance The Tsurui-Ito red-crowned crane Sanctuary in Tsurui Village, Hokkaido Japan is a Base point for the Wild Bird Society to promote the conservation of red-crowned crane and its habitat, and There are a feeding station and a nature center. At feeding sites, feeding is carried out from November to March, when food for red-crowned cranes is scarce. From 2~30 minutes before the feeding time, you can observe the Scenes of Red-crowned Cranes flying and their behavior such as chirping.

Running through with Mt. Fuji in the background This is one photo taken from Fuji City, Shizuoka Prefecture. I managed to capture Dr. Yellow and Mt. Fuji. I was scared because I didn't come out of the clouds until 5 minutes before the day of the event, but I'm 😁 glad I was able to take a safe picture

A cute demon has appeared at the Tomakomai Tourist Information Center…? You can see Tomakomai City's official mascot, Tomachop, in a Setsubun costume until February 2nd ✨👹

Utonai Lake in January. (Image courtesy of the Utonai Lake Wildlife Protection Center)

Photographed 1/21/25. It is Hanachozu of Kawagoe Hachimangu Shrine.

[❄️ Introducing Photos Submitted to Winter Gokase 2025 — Part 2 ❄️] Today we continue showcasing photos submitted to the Winter Gokase 2025 campaign, currently hosted on the Gokase Tourism Association’s Instagram account 🤩🎉 @moko.m This entry, like the others, captures everyday winter life in Gokase Town. Each warm photo seems to carry the cheerful voices of children, and viewing them brings joy 🥰✨ Thank you for your submission 👏 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- We have more submissions to share, so we’ll introduce them little by little 🤗 When submitting, a few people posted using the kanji “五ヶ瀬” for the title “Winter Gokase 2025.” We wondered if those were intended as entries, but please be careful when submitting in the future ⚠️ Use the hiragana “ごかせ”! The correct title is “Winter Gokase 2025” written as 「冬のGokase 2025」!! How to enter (Submission period — through February 28) Follow the Gokase Tourism Association on Instagram (@gokase_kanko), and post with the hashtags “#冬のごかせ2025” and a tag for the photo location (for example: #Unoko Falls) along with your photo 📸 ※Snow and icy roads can be hazardous. Ensure safety when shooting and take care to avoid accidents ⚠️

[Notice of the Setsubun Festival on February 2, 2025] Oni out—fortune in! Setsubun is a traditional Japanese event held on the day before Risshun (the beginning of spring), and this year it falls on February 2. Face this year’s lucky direction, west-southwest, and either silently eat an ehomaki roll whole while making a wish or eat beans equal to your age. Drive away evil spirits and pray for a healthy, happy year as you welcome good fortune—please join us for the Setsubun Festival!

The Suigo Sawara Tourist Information Center in Chiba Prefecture is a 30-second walk from JR Narita Line Sawara Station. We offer comprehensive tourist information and attentive service. We also sell specialty products from Sawara's renowned shops. If you visit during opening hours, coin lockers are available for 300 yen. We will hold luggage that doesn’t fit in a locker for 500 yen. Bicycle rentals start at 700 yen per day. Restroom facilities are available. Please stop by.

Photographed 1/20/25. This is Hanatetsu's Hanachozu.

Tree Ice and Mt. Kamagatake Aerial view of Mt. Kamagatake through the ice at the summit of the Mt. Gozaisho Ropeway. There is a faint shah and the atmosphere is and. Shot on Mavic 3 2025/1 Mie Prefecture Komono-cho Gozaishodake Ropeway * Aerial photography with permission * Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Comprehensive Flight Permit has been obtained. * Notification of flight plan and preparation of flight log book

Isehara Flower Report January 23, 2025 Plum groves at Maruyama Castle Ruins Park, Hinata Yakushi, Ugaku Bunko, and the Sports Park The wax-like, yellow, dainty flowers of the wintersweet (roubai) are beginning to reach peak bloom in some spots ahead of the plums. The swelling plum buds only add to the anticipation! *Ugaku Bunko* (862-1 Kamikasuya) The wintersweet by the torii next to the parking lot is very beautiful. Most of the plum grove is still in bud, but a few early flowers have already opened. *Maruyama Castle Ruins Park* (2168-2 Shimokasuya) The wintersweet at the park entrance is in bloom. The plum trees beyond the stairs are laden with many buds. *Isehara City Sports Park* (320 Nishi-Tomioka) The plum trees behind the cherry row at the entrance are just beginning to show buds. *Plum Grove at Hinata Yakushi* (1644 Hinata) The plum grove behind Hinata Yakushi has started to bud. Wintersweet is blooming beside Hojiden. A few mitsumata (Edgeworthia chrysantha) trees are planted beside the main shrine building.

❄️ Introducing Photos Submitted to Winter Gokase 2025 — Part 1 ❄️ We are showcasing photos submitted to the Winter Gokase 2025 contest, currently running on the Gokase Tourism Association Instagram account 🤩🎉 @goto0619 @thusandleavis *Order is not indicative of ranking* These shots capture everyday moments in wintertime Gokase Town with a nostalgic feel 😌✨ Thank you for your submissions!! ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Over the past few days, daytime temperatures in Gokase Town have often felt mild ☀️ But it is still winter! In the mornings frost has turned gardens completely white. Here are places that froze over. You can even see animal tracks in the remaining snow! Please feel free to share any simple winter discoveries with us in the same easygoing spirit — we look forward to your entries!!! How to Enter (Submission Period through February 28) Follow the Gokase Tourism Association Instagram account (@gokase_kanko) and post with the hashtags "Winter Gokase 2025" and the name of the shooting location (for example: Uno no Ko Falls) along with your photo 📸 ※Snow accumulation and icy roads can be dangerous. When taking photos, please ensure your safety and take care to avoid accidents ⚠️

As of January 23, the plums at Atami Plum Garden and the Atami cherry blossoms along the Itogawa Promenade are blooming much later than usual... Both are less than 10% in bloom overall. They are more than a week behind the typical schedule. Please wait a little longer for peak bloom. The 81st Atami Plum Garden Plum Festival: January 11–March 2 https://www.ataminews.gr.jp/event/355... The 15th Atami Sakura Itogawa Cherry Blossom Festival: January 11–February 9 https://www.ataminews.gr.jp/event/208...

It's still cold in Okinawa! The temperature on Izena Island is up to 22°C today So, for Okinawans, it's cold. When the sun comes out, it's warm with short sleeves. By the way, when I was organizing my photos, I found the coral reef of Izena Island! After all, it is an unexplored area of diving, so there are still many ✨✨ unknown spots It's quite a ✨✨ hidden gem Squid this summer, why don't you go private diving on Izena Island? ✨✨

Famous Winter tradition in Hokkaido It is jewelry ice. Frozen ice in the Tokachi River Swept away to the sea and washed by the waves The ice washed up on the beach, Local photographer named it The season has only just begun You can enjoy it for about a month from now. Pick up a piece of ice that is in good shape. Wash with the water or hot water you brought with you Remove sand and snow to clean it Stack or stand up There are a lot of people who take pictures. Nature is what I like best.

Photographed 1/20/25. This is Hanachozu from Hara Flower Shop.

GLIN COFFEE U_PLACE store. From time to time, I am indebted to them. Ono Bunsei Tea × Glincoffee This is a hojicha tea latte from the Kawagoe tea series.

Daan Town Winter Scenery The Sangi Railway running in the snow with Mt. Fujiwara in the background Daian Town, Inabe City, Mie Prefecture January 2025

Sunrise at Lake Yamanaka 2025.01.18 It was a beautiful sunrise with a gradation.

Boshu Kamogawa Nanahata Road 2025 If there is no wind, it feels a little warm.

Hyogo Prefecture Tanba Shinoyama City の篠山城跡外hori の雪scenery ⛄️

Photographed on January 15, 25. It is a financier of MAESTRO's Kawagoe tea (yuzu), Buckwheat noodles and matcha. I was able to make a cute 3D printed prop for shooting.

📍 Tsumago juku Souvenirs for your loved ones and memories of your trip. As a proof of your visit, you can buy local products and artists' items. Every time I look at it, it brings back memories, which is the charm of souvenirs. Now it is said that it is more about experience consumption than things, Cherish your heart's crush ... 💗💭

Photographed on January 15, 25. This is a set meal of hamburger steak with tofu from Tomori Shokudo, grated mushrooms, ponzu sauce + fried fillet. The side dishes are vegetable gome mochi purse, Kawagoe ginseng (aroma red) steamed sesame sauce, and purple cabbage with sweet vinegar. It was a very gorgeous lunch.

Photographed on January 15, 25. After the Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine Monthly Festival, I relaxed at the Starbucks Bell Ring Street store. It is a classic chocolate latte and a banana and chocolate terrine tart.