Event Announcement📣 The nighttime winter-only event at TokachigawaOnsen, called "Sairinka," is held each year in honor of the swans that fly into TokachigawaOnsen.😊 A fantasy show synchronizing sound and light creates a magical atmosphere. About 600 luminous objects made from agricultural insulating material and LED bulbs change with the music to delight spectators' eyes.🎵 Date and Time: Saturday, January 24, 2026 – Sunday, February 15, 2026, 7:00 PM–9:00 PM Venue: Tokachigaoka Park Event Maintenance Contribution: 500 yen per person for junior high school students and older; free for elementary school students and younger Contact: Tokachi River Onsen Tourism Association TEL:0155-32-6633 https://www.tokachigawa.net/event/sairinka.html...

A fire burned at Tomioka Elementary School for the first time in about 20 years. The children who once took part are now parents, passing the tradition to today's kids. On Sunday, January 18, the "Dondoya"—held at Tomioka Elementary School for the first time in about 20 years—took place. The familiar crack of bamboo snapping, "Bachi bachi!" Beyond the height of the flames, the crowd's warmth was overwhelming…! They grilled mochi over the embers, enjoyed steaming roasted sweet potatoes, and sipped pork miso soup that warmed the body. Watching children stuffing their cheeks with mochi they had toasted themselves, I felt reminded of the importance of keeping this tradition alive. From the lighting at 9 a.m., the happy hours passed in a flash. Thank you so much to everyone in the community who planned and prepared the event. Winter in Tomioka is the best. If you missed it, why not join the circle next year? If you want to help preserve Reihoku's traditions, please follow us via the icon at the top left to show your support. We’re sharing the charms of Reihoku! ✨

Hello! This is Jewelry Town. The cold season has arrived, but on sunny days the sunlight feels pleasantly warm. At this time of year, Senga Falls reveals the vivid textures of its rock face, and the spray of water sounds magnificent and powerful amid the stillness. Take in the pure, wintry air unique to this season. At our shop, new items such as aura quartz and garden quartz have arrived in keeping with this year’s lucky colors of red and orange. We hope you enjoy them together with the nature of Shosenkyo Gorge. We look forward to seeing many of you again this year.

Kneeling quietly against a deep black background. With closed eyes, what is on their mind? All that remains in the darkness is emotion. #Portrait #Art Photography #Expressive Photography #Photography of Japan #Cool Japan You may use this as-is for Cool Japan. Shall we go for the next one?

Photographed on January 19, 2014. This is chai from CAFE MATHILDA.

Photographed on January 19, 2014. This is the bacon and egg pancake from CAFE Mathilda. It’s close to Hon-Kawagoe PePe, so I often went there during breaks. 😊

In 1634, Kyokugaki Heikuro galloped up the stone steps on horseback, presented a plum branch to Tokugawa Iemitsu, and was praised as Japan’s greatest equestrian master. Wishing to share the luck of the Year of the Horse, he climbed the success steps.🐎

We offer a variety of course meals to suit different occasions. À la carte options are also available on the day. Dinner Courses (reservations required) Choose from six sets: ・Western set meal ・Western course (2 varieties) ・Japanese set meal ・Japanese kaiseki-style meal (2 varieties) 📍Kushiro Prince Hotel https://www.instagram.com/kushiroprincehotel/...

Yokohama Noge The beauty of lowered eyes quietly leaves an impression in this shot. I captured the moment when the air slowly shifts from winter to spring. If expressed in color, it feels almost white. photo yutti model SAGI #portrait #artphotography #japanesephotography #seasonalchange #cooljapan

I will be on winter break until my transfer. Today I am strolling around Tokyo. I visited Tokyo Daijingu Shrine to see the hanachozu (flower-filled water basin). It was around 7:30 in the morning on the shrine grounds.

Photographed on January 15, 2025. This is a cafe latte from cafe andon. What a lovely latte art. 😊

Photographed on January 15, 2014. cafe andon’s café latte and a strawberry shortcake. It’s strawberry season. 🍓

Event Announcement 📣 Lake Shikaribetsu, sitting at 800 meters above sea level and famed nationwide for its clarity, freezes over in winter. On the frozen surface, a magical village called shikaribetsu lake kotan appears only during the winter months. Kotan is the Ainu word for "village." 😊 This is a world created by people who gather at Lake Shikaribetsu, using the lake’s great natural power. 🎵 You can enjoy an "ice bar" serving drinks amid a world of snow and ice, an "open-air bath on the ice" where you can soak while taking in snowy scenery, and many other experiences such as making ice glasses, snowmobiling, and snowshoeing!! 📍Date and Time: Saturday, January 24, 2026–Sunday, March 15, 2026 📍Location: Lakeside of Lake Shikaribetsu (Shikaribetsu, Shikaoi, Kawato-gun, Hokkaido) 📍Admission: Season Pass 500 yen (elementary school age and up) 📞Contact: shikaribetsu lake kotan Executive Committee TEL: 0156-69-8181 (inside shikaribetsu lake nature center)

Photographed on January 20th: Atami cherry blossoms are in full bloom at several spots 🌸 (Kamanariya Heishichi Statue · Itokawa Promenade · Shinshui Park Third Section · Sanremo Park · Kaihin Park · Nagisa Koen Park) Itogawa Cherry Blossom Festival runs until February 8th https://www.ataminews.gr.jp/features/59...

Photographed on January 15, 2014. This is cafe andon's avocado shrimp hot sandwich set. Thank you, as always. 😊

This is a photo of the Atami Cherry Blossoms along Itokawa Promenade illuminated on January 17th 🌸 https://www.ataminews.gr.jp/features/59...

We will hold the “Enichibai Plum Viewing Event” at Hontō-ji Temple in Nobeoka City. This springtime event lets you enjoy authentic matcha while admiring a magnificent 240-year-old weeping white plum tree along with other white and red plum blossoms. Wrapped in the gentle scent of plum blossoms, why not take a moment to relax and soothe your heart? ⁡ 𓂃𓂃𓂃𓂃𓂃𓂃𓂃𓂃𓂃𓂃𓂃𓂃𓂃𓂃𓂃𓂃𓂃𓂃 📅 Tuesday, February 10 and Wednesday (holiday), February 11, 2026 🕙 10:00–16:00 📍 Hontō-ji Temple (1133 Matsuyama-cho, Nobeoka City) 💰 Free admission 🍵 Outdoor tea service (matcha) one bowl 500 yen (with sweets) 🗺️ Historic site guide: free ⁡ 𓂃𓂃𓂃𓂃𓂃𓂃𓂃𓂃𓂃𓂃𓂃𓂃𓂃𓂃𓂃𓂃𓂃𓂃 Follow the official Nobeoka Flower Story account @nobeokahanamonogatari for bloom updates and the latest event information during the festival. We’d be happy if you follow and check for updates.☑ For inquiries about the Enichibai Plum Viewing Event: Nobeoka Flower Story Executive Committee (0982-29-2155) https://nobeokahanamonogatari.net/home2026/kanbaikai_2026/...

Photographed on January 15, 2014. These are the hanachōzu (flower water basins) at Senba Tōshō-gū.

i took this photo near our house, and I really liked it, so I decided to post it here. It’s my first time using this platform and posting here, so I don’t really know much yet.

Photographed on January 11, 2014. This is the hanachōzu (flower water basin) at Hara Florist.

Gonbe Pass (Gonbee Toge) When transporting Ina rice to Kiso, the routes over Shiojiri Pass or Ushikubi Pass were fine up to Narai, but Torii Pass lay beyond and made the journey inconvenient in terms of days and rice prices. To solve this, cattle driver foreman Furuhata Gonbei spent two years opening a route through this pass, 1,523 meters above sea level, to reach Ina. Afterwards, rice flowed from Inadani Valley to Kiso Valley, while lacquerware, bentwood items and other woodcraft traveled from Kiso to Ina. In recognition of this achievement, the pass came to be called Gonbe Pass. As the watershed between the Shinano River system and the Tenryu River system, the views from this pass are superb: you can look down over Inadani Valley and enjoy a sweeping panorama of the Southern Alps. In spring’s fresh buds, summer’s deep green and mountain streams, and autumn’s foliage, the scenery delights travelers through every season. The pass is designated as part of the Shinanoji Nature Trail Gonbei Pass Route, where you can fully savor the great outdoors.

Kiso Kurashi no Kogeikan Location: 2272-7 Kisohirasawa, Shiojiri City ◎ Masterful craftsmanship and the power of lacquer breathe life into materials Kiso Kurashi no Kogeikan is conceived as a museum and shop. From the displayed and stocked items to the building materials and furniture, the facility proudly emphasizes wood—the hallmark of this region. The entire venue overflows with the warmth of Shiojiri and Kiso, offering everything from crafts to everyday household tools and mountain-country flavors unique to the area. ◎ A wide selection of local specialties from Shiojiri and Kiso, including the traditional craft Kiso lacquerware and Shiojiri wine A range of cultures born from interactions with nature. We introduce the attractions of local industries rooted in Kiso life—skills handed down for centuries—while also presenting new lifestyle ideas. A medal awarded at the 1998 Nagano Winter Olympics, finished by the careful work of lacquer artisans, is on permanent display. Visitors can also enjoy a Kiso tsuishu (Kiso raised lacquer) sanding-and-revealing experience. (Advance reservation required at least two weeks prior) ◎ Traditional craft “Kiso lacquerware” hands-on experience menu (advance reservation required; please book at least two weeks in advance) Kiso tsuishu sanding-and-revealing experience Duration: Approximately 1 hour Fees: ① Coaster 2,200 yen ② Chopsticks 2,500 yen ③ Spoon 2,500 yen - Overview - Address: 2272-7 Kisohirasawa, Shiojiri City, Nagano Prefecture Phone: 0264-34-3888 Fax: 0264-34-2832 Hours: 9:00–17:00 Closed: Every Tuesday / Open during busy seasons (closed irregularly) Parking: Standard cars: 500 spaces / Large buses: 10 spaces / Accessible: 4 spaces (all free) Accessibility: Wheelchair-accessible restrooms, ramps Access: By car: 25 km (about 30 minutes) from Shiojiri IC / By car: 80 km (about 90 minutes) from Nakatsugawa IC / By train: JR Chuo Main Line to kisohirasawa station, then 20-minute walk

Miyazaki, a land where the gods descend — step into the world of kagura that preserves ancient prayers About 200 kagura traditions are still passed down in Miyazaki Miyazaki Prefecture has long been called the birthplace of myths, home to tales such as Amano Iwato, Tenson Kōrin, and UmisachiYamasachi. The kagura handed down across the prefecture skillfully weave these myths into performances, keeping unique local forms alive. Some 200 kagura still survive here, offered in gratitude to the gods and to pray for bountiful harvests, abundant catches, health, and protection from illness. The drums and flutes that resonate at shrines and in villages enchant visitors. A variety of kagura shaped by each region One of kagura’s charms is that its background and repertory vary by region. Among these, the widely known Takachiho Night Kagura consists of thirty-three pieces, including the descent of the gods and the to-tori (door-taking) rites. Miyazaki is home to four nationally designated kagura traditions—the Mera Kagura, Shiiba Kagura, Highland Divine Dance, and Takachiho Night Kagura—the most in the country. Other local kagura are deeply rooted in their communities and display distinctive features in dance, accompaniment, and masks. Many of these traditions have been preserved for centuries and stand as one of Miyazaki’s representative folk cultures. Kagura dances offering thanks and prayer Kagura movements are filled with gestures to welcome the gods and offer gratitude and prayers. From basic footwork and hand movements to elegant sleeve-rolling and the brave drawing and releasing of a bow in certain pieces, the performances range from powerful to playful. The dances and accompaniment carry the prayers of Miyazaki’s people and their gratitude and hopes for living in harmony with nature. A seasonal highlight from winter to spring — kagura invites you into a special time Kagura reaches its peak from November through around March each year. During this season, the sounds of kagura music echo from shrines and villages across the prefecture, and communities become wrapped in the kagura atmosphere. Most performances are open to visitors, and some are held regularly to welcome tourists. Drawn by kagura’s appeal, many people visit annually to enjoy this seasonal tradition. A journey with kagura — experience Miyazaki more deeply Kagura itself embodies a culture in which people’s lives and feelings are passed down through generations. When kagura brings you to Miyazaki, you can discover not only the performances but also stunning scenery, local ingredients, hot springs, and many other charms of the prefecture. Visit Miyazaki, the place where the gods descend, and experience its attractions. For more details, please check the Official Tourism Website of Miyazaki Prefecture, “Official Tourism Website of Miyazaki Prefecture.” https://www.kanko-miyazaki.jp//

Photographed on January 11, 2014. This is a hanachōzu (flower water basin) at Naritasan Kawagoe Betsuin.

A Slightly Snowy Gujo Hachiman Castle Date: December 2025 Location: Gujo City, Gifu Prefecture * Flight application for Gujo Hachiman approved * Comprehensive unmanned aircraft flight permit obtained from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism * Flight plan submitted and flight log prepared

At Jigokudani Monkey Park in Nagano Prefecture, photographed Title: Reverie