2024.01.01 First sunrise Diamond Fuji

Hachimantai's Dragon Eye 2024.05.18 I was able to see the dragon eye that had been opened. It's like opening your eyes once and then closing them. The best time to see it is until the end of this month. It was unusually early this year.

The Milky Way of the Star Pass Water enters the rice paddies, and the stars are reflected in the rice paddies. It is a superb view for a short time before rice planting.

The Hidaka River, which streams through the Dragon God district of Wakayama Prefecture, and hydrangeas added color.

I started helping farmers this year! For the first time, I learned that most of the famous lily root takes a lot of traditional manual work, and it takes five years to eat. And the young Indonesians I work with. Although we don't speak the language, we are important friends ^^ who work together to cherish historic specialties

Cherry blossoms on the approach to Makari Shrine. And farmers during the busy season? Cycling with my daughter every year! Pray to God for safety!

It is a wonderful approach to Makari Shrine near my house, ^^ Annual event to cycle here! Pray to God for my daughter's safety!

Hokkaido's oldest wisteria tree "Tenjin Wisteria" Famous wisteria flowers are endemic to Japan, but they do not actually grow wild in Okinawa and Hokkaido This wisteria tree was planted by the hands of our predecessors who settled in the Meiji era Since then, it has a long history, and it is still pleasing to people's eyes Wisteria tree about 200 years old The majesty of it is breathtaking

Today I attended the opening festival of Kirigamine. The weather was fine and surprisingly warm. In the second photo, majestic Mt. Fuji also peeked out to welcome us. Even so, just climbing up to the Kirishōtō bell tower made me sweat profusely.💦 For the first time in three years, the opening ceremony returned outdoors.🏔 Many people attended, and we were able to hold the festival. At the opening, members of the Kirigamine Glider Association launched a glider right at 9:00.🛩 It climbed to about 1,900 meters shortly after takeoff. Because it was a glider, it lifted off very quietly.🛫 If there were no weight limits, I would love to try it at least once!!! At the ceremony, the head priest of Tenaga Shrine prayed for the safety of visitors, everyone who passes through Kirigamine, and all those connected to Kirigamine. Please be sure to visit the Kirigamine Nagikama Shrine, one of Suwa’s hidden scenic spots I introduced before! When you come to Kirigamine or Suwa, please drive safely.🚙=3

Notice: Oyama Afuri Shrine Saryo Sekison Saryo Sekison, located within the precincts of Oyama Afuri Shrine Lower Shrine, will be temporarily closed for renovation work from Saturday, June 1. We apologize for any inconvenience to those who had planned to visit, and ask for your understanding and cooperation. Contact: Saryo Sekison 0463-94-3628 There’s still time to enjoy Oyama’s fresh green leaves in May!! Please come and take in the spectacular views.

Hello everyone! This is En'uemon Folklore Museum. Shosenkyo Gorge has entered the fresh green season. A pleasant breeze that hints at early summer slips through the trees. It’s a perfect time for a stroll♪ Big news! A new home has been found for the golden frog that used to sit in front of the shop. It was only at the shop for a short time and in just a few days became a legendary frog. A little early, but here is a look at June’s birthstone, alexandrite♪ Alexandrite is said to change color between night and day. Seeing the purple hue under indoor lighting and the blue tone in sunlight in person is even more moving. Please drop by while you’re out for a walk♪

【The Legend of Minamoto no Yoritomo in Doshi Village 1】 Doshi Village, which has been said to be an unexplored area, has many legends. Among them, an anecdote praising the military prowess of Minamoto no Yoritomo, who opened the Kamakura shogunate in the late 12th century, has been handed down. Minamoto no Yoritomo Legend "Trial Rock" Legend has it that Minamoto no Yoritomo entered Doshiya on his way back from hunting for Fuji scrolls. Yoritomo, who spent time training in martial arts in the Nagamata area upstream of the Doshi River, sharpened the famous sword he had in his possession and slashed a nearby stone and cut it in two. This is called "trial rock" and is made of granite called quartz diorite. It is a large stone divided into two parts, 386 cm wide and 115 cm long. Other ・ "Kabuto Rock" Nagamata area, which is said to have rested with a helmet on a rock The Waraji cord loosened, so I stopped the horse and put my foot on the rock to tighten the cord. It is said that footprints were left at this time. The legend of Minamoto no Yoritomo can be found in various places in the village. In [Doshi Village no Minamoto no Yoritomo Legend 2], we will introduce "Target-sama".

The roses were 🌹 also in full bloom in Moroyama Town This is the Takinoiri Rose Garden in Moroyama Town, Saitama Prefecture. It seems that it was started about 10 years ago, and at that time the locals used to go there for fun. Many roses bloom in the park, making you 🤤 feel Spring

Hiroshima City　 Recommended Spots in Hiroshima #Hiroshima City Botanical Gardens 👈 Today is a photo 📸 from the rose garden of the Hiroshima City Botanical Garden This rose was carefully cared for by the staff and all the roses were very beautiful.

At last, on April 1, 2024, the Lake Suwa Cycling Road has been completed. The route circles Lake Suwa for about 16 km. This lake has long been loved by local people. I remember when I was in sixth grade, my friends and I rode our bikes around the lake for the first time. I think many locals have their own first-time Lake Suwa cycling stories. Now that the path has been newly improved, it should be easier to ride and offer lovely scenery. I’m getting more excited about sunny weekend rides! #LINEBREAK###"No way, I’m not ready to own a bike yet…" "What kind of bike should I get now?" If you’re wondering that, or asking "What’s an electric-assist bicycle like?", why not take this chance to rent a bike around Lake Suwa and enjoy a relaxed ride with your family or friends? ※Please check each provider’s website for closing days and business hours. ・Activity Base Cogue ・JBT Suwa Rent-a-Cycle ・Lake Suwa Rental Cycle ・SUWA Glass Village #LINEBREAK###Electric-assist bicycles make climbing hills easy! You can even ride to the famous Tateishi Park and to Kirigamine Highland, a pride of Suwa, by bike!!! With the completion of the Lake Suwa Cycling Road, please consider bringing your own bike to ride around the lake or renting an electric-assist bicycle to challenge the full loop of Lake Suwa and Kirigamine Highland! If you get tired, there are parks, cafes, and footbaths♪ I don’t think many places in Japan are blessed with such facilities. Cafes and parks along cycling routes are common, but footbaths are rare, I think. If you bring a towel, you can use a footbath easily. It will blow away your fatigue♨ Also, do you know about Swaichi? If you cycle around Lake Suwa and take photos of three spots in Suwa, Shimosuwa, and Okaya with your smartphone, then go in person to the tourist information centers at kamisuwa station, shimosuwa station, or okaya station and show the three photos, you will receive a Swaichi certificate and a commemorative badge (badge color cannot be chosen). Try this challenge with your children or friends. It’s a great way to mark a Lake Suwa circuit and make a memory with Swaichi! ※Photo courtesy of Activity Base Cogue The seventh photo is my favorite scenic spot!!! See if you can find it!

Nagikama Shrine⛩ The other day I visited Nagikama Shrine on Kirigamine for the first time. Last year I heard about Nagikama Shrine, which had replaced its wooden torii with a stone monument, and I had planned to visit after the snow melted. A passing comment from my wife, who loves Kirigamine, finally prompted us to go. As someone who loves the Onbashira festival, I’ve grown fond of visiting shrines, and I had long wanted to see Nagikama Shrine, so I took my camera and headed for Kirigamine at last. We parked in the lot below the ski area and followed directions toward the Glider Museum, but unsure of the way and hesitating, I spotted a small sign in front of the museum reading Nagikama Shrine 0.5 km and followed it. It felt a bit farther than expected. Together with my wife and our two children, we walked for several minutes, enjoying Kirigamine’s nature, until we saw the stone monument marking Nagikama Shrine. As a shrine, a torii would feel more fitting, but the stone monument had its own charm. The approach was neatly covered with wood chips, making for a very pleasant walk. When we reached the small shrine, the view took my breath away. It was a scene that excited me like I hadn’t felt in a long time. The clear weather that day only amplified the spectacle. Below stretched the Suwa Basin, the serene Lake Suwa sat beautifully, the Central Alps rose ahead, the Northern Alps to the right, the Southern Alps to the left with sacred Mt. Fuji beside them, and Yatsugatake behind to the left. A shrine that offers a view of so many mountains at once may be rare in Japan, I thought.🏔 As a self‑declared Seeker of Suwa’s Best Views, this vista immediately made my list of top spots. Tateishi Park offers a sweeping view of the Suwa plain and is very scenic, but Nagikama sits at a higher elevation and has an indescribable beauty. I felt it would be a shame to keep this to myself, so I’m sharing it here. The shrine’s goshuin (stamp) is newly available, so anyone touring Suwa’s shrines or visiting Kirigamine should definitely stop by. If the weather is clear, you won’t regret it! ・Enshrined deities: Takeminakata no Okami, also known as Osuwa‑sama: god of martial valor and abundant harvests ・Oyamatsumi no Okami: god of industry and maritime affairs, and further revered as the ancestral deity of sake brewing ・Ashinazuchi no Okami and Tenazuchi no Okami ⇐ Kushinadahime: parents of Kushinadahime, wife of Susanoo no Mikoto A nagikama (a sacred implement shaped like a sickle) discovered at the ruins of the former Misayama is dedicated here. After the main pillars for the Onbashira are selected, the nagikama is hammered onto those pillars. Curiously, this practice occurs only on the Onbashira of Suwa Taisha Upper Shrine. The nagikama has a shape resembling a rooster’s head and is considered one of Suwa Taisha’s sacred treasures. The nagikama is enshrined inside the hokora, so please take a look along with the spectacular view. Suwa Taisha also offers nagikama amulets♪

As many of you know, Lake Suwa is famous for its omiwatari, but are you also aware of another mysterious natural phenomenon called yosehyo? Lake Suwa often experiences strong winds in winter, and yosehyo occurs when ice that has formed but not completely frozen cracks and the ice sheets are driven by strong winds onto the shore. This phenomenon appears on large lakes and does not occur in constantly flowing rivers. The ice sheets can look like huge shards of glass, piling up in layers to create a magical scene. The ice also looks especially beautiful when it reflects sunlight. Take a walk and photograph the scene, or experience the enchanting winter of Lake Suwa while running or walking. The omiwatari has not appeared for six years, including last winter. Neither yosehyo nor omiwatari is guaranteed to appear every year. That is why the Suwa Tourist Association streams live video on its website during the winter. We strongly recommend checking those live streams before you visit. ◎ Also, even if the lake is frozen, walking on the ice is extremely dangerous because you could fall into Lake Suwa. Please follow proper manners and view the ice from a safe location.

Hello! This is the Suwa Tourist Association. Suwa City in Nagano Prefecture sits at the heart of Nagano Prefecture. The area offers beautiful natural scenery such as Lake Suwa and Kirigamine, along with rich history you can experience at sites like Takashima Castle and Suwa Grand Shrine. At Cool Japan Video, we share recommended sightseeing spots and the latest information about Suwa City, so please stay tuned! ◆◆About Suwa City, Nagano Prefecture Suwa City has a population of about 47,000 and is roughly a two-hour drive from the Tokyo metropolitan area. The Suwa Grand Shrine Upper Shrine and Lower Shrine, said to be one of Japan’s oldest shrines, attracts many visitors year-round. In the Edo period the city prospered as the castle town of the Takashima Domain, and in the Meiji period it grew into a global center of the sericulture industry. ◆◆Tourist Attractions in Suwa City, Nagano Prefecture ◇Suwa Grand Shrine This shrine is the head of Suwa Grand Shrine sites across Japan. The Upper Shrine is divided between Honmiya (Main Shrine) in Suwa City and Former Shrine in Chino City, while the Lower Shrine consists of Autumn Shrine and Harumiya in Shimosuwa Town, forming a two-shrine, four-shrines configuration. Built in the architectural style known as Suwa-zukuri, the shrine buildings are designated Important Cultural Properties of Japan, and the shrine forests are prefectural natural monuments. A popular sightseeing course is the pilgrimage visiting the four shrines known as the “Shisha Mairi.” ◇Takashima Castle and Takashima Park Built about 420 years ago, the castle is nicknamed the “Floating Castle of Suwa” because Lake Suwa’s waters once served as its moat. The present castle tower welcomes many visitors as a museum and observation deck. Takashima Park inside the castle grounds is also a popular cherry blossom viewing spot. ◇Lake Suwa Located almost at the center of Nagano Prefecture, Lake Suwa is the largest lake in Shinshu with a shoreline of about 16 kilometers. The lakeside offers pleasant walks and plenty to see, including the Harmo Museum of Art and SUWA Glass Village, one of the largest glass museums in Nagano Prefecture. ◇Kami-suwa Onsen This hot spring on the shores of Lake Suwa ranks among the nation’s top in daily spring output. A large number of hotels, ryokan, minshuku, and day-trip hot spring facilities allow visitors to plan their stay as they like. ◇Tateishi Park Perched on the hillside, the park overlooks Lake Suwa below. There’s even local talk that it inspired a movie setting. Tateishi Park is selected among the 100 Best Sunset Points in Shinshu and included in the New Three Major Night Views and Night View 100 selections. ◇Kirigamine Highlands Alpine plants color the highlands through the seasons. The panoramic views of Mount Fuji, the Alps, and the Yatsugatake Mountain Range provide unforgettable scenery. Kirigamine Ski Area within the highlands offers winter sports. ◇Nagano Prefectural Kirigamine Nature Conservation Center This prefectural visitor center in Yatsugatake Chushin Kogen National Park presents photos and panels to learn about the plants, animals, and history found on Kirigamine. ◇Suwa Gokura (Five Breweries of Suwa) Thanks to the spring water that wells up from the Kirigamine Highlands, the clear air, and the cool climate, Suwa City’s sake ranks among the top in Japan. Five breweries—the Suwa Gokura—stand in the city, and brewery-hopping tours to sample each sake are popular. ◆◆Local Specialties of Suwa City, Nagano Prefecture Suwa City produces a wide range of local specialties, including quince (marmelo) products, river fish products, sake, kanten (agar), and Shinshu miso, all grown and made locally. These items are known for their high quality and are highly regarded not only in local markets but across Japan. ◆◆Festivals and Events in Suwa City, Nagano Prefecture ◇Onbashira Festival at Suwa Grand Shrine This traditional ritual of Suwa Grand Shrine has been handed down for over 1,200 years and takes place every seven years in the years of the Tiger and Monkey. During Onbashira, sixteen fir trees over 17 meters tall are raised by hand at the four corners of the shrine buildings. The next festival will be held in 2028. ◇Suwa Lake Festival Fireworks Display on Lake Suwa Held annually on August 15, spectacular fireworks launched from platforms set on Hatsushima on Lake Suwa paint the lake with brilliant color. This is one of the nation’s largest fireworks festivals, attracting about 500,000 spectators each year. ◆◆Sharing Tourist Information about Suwa City, Nagano Prefecture Suwa City is a region rich in charm woven from its history, nature, and culture. Visit Suwa City to immerse yourself in Japanese history, surround yourself with great nature, and enjoy moments of pure bliss. At Cool Japan Video, we will continue to share recommended information about Suwa City, so please look forward to it.

TV Asahi's 'Jun Sanpo' Junji Takada Takes a Further Stroll Through Isehara Japan Heritage! The spectacular Mt. Ooyama revered by Edo townspeople as the 'Mountain of the Gods' Worship pleasures, souvenirs and gourmet treats abound along the Koma approach This week, on Monday and Tuesday, two full days showcased the charms of Mt. Ooyama. After walks around Tsurumaki Onsen and Tokai University-mae, the Isehara episode aired further on Friday, May 24. ◇ Program Content "With every step, a new encounter is born…" Junji Takada explores the town freely under the theme "one step, one meeting (ippo ichi e)" ◇ Cast [Cast] Junji Takada Broadcast Date and Time: Friday, May 24, 2024, 9:55–10:25 Program Summary: Junji Takada strolls through Isehara ▽ A treasure trove of fresh ingredients! Touring ranches in this agricultural belt close to the city ▽ Hugely popular as hometown tax return gifts! Exquisite hamburg steak ▽ Quiz face-off featuring classic car-shaped sweets *Photo: View from the lower shrine of Ōyama Afuri Shrine (This is not footage from the program) Be sure to record it so you don't miss the show! And please come experience Isehara—with its spectacular views, souvenirs, and gourmet offerings— see it with your own eyes, hear it with your own ears, feel it on your skin, and enjoy visiting the filming locations!!

It has been decided to operate the "Summer Tomuraushi Line" route bus. This summer, Shintoku Station⇔Tomuraushi Hot spring route bus will operate in the Same as above of last year. Will it be hot again this summer? In search of summer escape, healing of nature, and secret Hot spring. Use this opportunity not only for mountain climbing, but also for visiting Tomuraushi Hot spring!

The question is, do you know where this is?? It's a lot of northern Kanto lol.

Japan's largest poppy field This is a poppy field in Konosu City, Saitama Prefecture. Famous as the largest poppy field in Japan, it has 12.5 hectares and 30 million poppies are in full bloom. It was started by local people. It has now become such a popular tourist destination that it is even organized on tours 🤤

What is the first thing that comes to mind when you think of Japan's proud history? Is it traditional performing arts, historical buildings, or the food culture of Shomata Japan? Among them, I would like to recommend this "night view" Each building, big or small, has a history and a memory Buildings and houses are demolished due to the deterioration of buildings, and new buildings are constructed through the development of the city. Through such a history, the night view has changed The scenery you see now may change again in a few years I think it is no exaggeration to say that the "night view" where you can see such changes in history is also a history that Japan is proud of Location: Sapporo City, Hokkaido New Three Great Night Views

It is a starry night at the scenic spot of Kushimoto Town, Wakayama Prefecture.

Sky Tree dyed in the sunset This is Hirai Sports Park in Tokyo At this time of year, it is crowded with poppies 🤤 in full bloom This time, I layered poppies on the 📸 sunset You can 🤤 only see the collaboration with the world's best radio tower here

Tea plantation in the sky While being bitten by leeches, I went to the Observatory. I can't 😅 climb anymore Ibi-gun, Gifu Shot on iPHONE 11 PRO

Recommended nearby attraction: "Tokachi Hills — Garden on the Hill" 🌷 This soothing garden in Makubetsu celebrates the farming and culinary charms of Tokachi. The flowers and trees change with the seasons, each offering its own appeal to enjoy. 🍃🍂 The garden also holds monthly events; please refer to the Tokachi Hills website for details. About a 20-minute drive from Tokachigawa Onsen by car 🚗 - Introducing a recommended spot near Tokachigawa Onsen: "TOKACHI HILLS" 🌷 Located in Makubetsu, Hokkaido, this park blends Tokachi’s agricultural and food traditions. The garden’s flowers and trees display different looks and charms as the seasons change. You can feel the distinct beauty of the four seasons. 🍃🍂 Monthly events take place; for details, check the official TOKACHI HILLS website. It’s about a 20-minute drive from Tokachigawa Onsen. We recommend visiting to enjoy not only the restorative hot springs but also Tokachi’s nature and food culture! ✨

Poppy field dyed in the morning glow This is Kokaigawa Fureai Park in Shimotsuma City, Ibaraki Prefecture. It seems that the best time to visit is from mid-May to early June every year. Poppies bloom on about 1.9 hectares of land. It was started by locals 20 years ago, and now many people visit to catch a glimpse.

In Odaigahara in Nara Prefecture, you will be able to see the flowers of white palm and red palm, which are members of the azalea family, from around the end of this month.

We went to see Tenjinfuji in Tenjinyama Ryokuchi Park. Wisteria flowers growing from a large tree wrap up nearby pine trees, I felt a powerful life force.