It's getting cooler, isn't it? Photograph of 📸 my father's confirmation of his survival LINE 2025.10.27

Motoyama-juku (Motoyama-juku) Location: Shiojiri City, Soga Honzan Motoyama prospered as the gateway to Kiso Road and the exit from the Matsumoto Plain. Two-story houses with latticework fronts line the streets, preserving a strong sense of the past. The town is also introduced as the birthplace of sobakiri (cut buckwheat noodles). In Keicho 19 (1614), Shiojiri, Seba, and Motoyama were designated as new post towns on the Nakasendo. Unlike Shiojiri and Seba, which were formed by relocating people from neighboring villages, Motoyama developed from a medieval settlement. It was the 32nd station counting from Edo, situated 30 cho from Seba Post Town and 2 ri from Niegawa Inn (Niegawa-juku). The post town divided into Kamimachi to the south and Shimomachi to the north, with the honjin, wakimotonjin, and dispatch office at its center. South of the town stood Hachiman Shrine, Choukyuuji, and Joukouji; to the north was Suwa Shrine, and across the Narai River lay Ikeo Shrine, though some temples were later abandoned. Because Motoyama bordered the Owari Domain in Kiso, a checkpoint was located south of the town to inspect women and timber. In Tenpo 14 (1843) the town had 117 households and 34 inns. Compared with Seba Post Town’s three-ken frontage, many houses in Motoyama had four- to five-ken facades. The town suffered several great fires, but surviving buildings date from the late Edo to Meiji periods. Facing the street, they feature hirairi degekata construction and second-floor rooms with senbon-koshi lattices, retaining much of the post town atmosphere. Notably, three residences built around the Meiji era—the Akiyama Family (Wakamatsuya), the Tanaka Family (Ikeda family), and the Kobayashi Family (Kawaguchi Family)—are registered tangible cultural properties of Japan. The honjin, Kobayashi residence, hosted Princess Kazunomiya, daughter of Emperor Ninkō, when she married Tokugawa Iemochi in Bunkyū 1 (1861), and it later accommodated the Meiji Emperor during his tour in Meiji 13. Each house still carries its traditional shop name, offering a glimpse into the past. The town’s specialty is soba. A note by Unrin in Hōei 3 (1706) in the miscellany Fūzoku Bunsen records Motoyama as the birthplace of sobakiri. Historic sites include the Motoyama Castle Ruins on a small hill behind the town, said to have been guarded by the Motoyama Minbu branch of the Kiso clan; Ike no Gongen (Ikeo Shrine), known for votive plaques for rain rituals, sericulture, and eye disease cures, whose shrine grove is a Shiojiri City natural monument; and the Shitamachi Stone Figure Group, featuring Dosojin, Koshin stone monuments, and inscribed tablets. For articles on the Nakasendo and the city’s five post towns, click here↓

Photographed 10/18/25. It is a festival float of a mirror lion greeting Mr. Yamada of Washi paper.

Gokase Town Fukushi Festival This year’s Fukushi Festival was once again wrapped in warm energy! 🙌 The theme this year was “Spreading the Circle of Welfare to Tomorrow.” True to its name, the welfare center venue was full of smiles and kindness pointing toward Gokase Town’s future 😊 The bazaar, which began at 10:00, was a huge hit 🔥 Many people gathered hunting for bargains, and lively circles of socializing spread throughout the venue 👚 We even saw lots of children carrying stuffed animals bigger than themselves 👀 A variety of stage performances were fantastic, offering entertainment for all ages and bringing the whole venue together in excitement 🔥 Through displays of welfare activities and the bazaar, this Fukushi Festival naturally fostered a spirit of mutual support 🥰 From the staff who helped run the event to local residents and student volunteers, people of all ages—from children to seniors—had a chance to shine 👏 The Fukushi Festival is a truly lovely event where you can feel Gokase’s circle of kindness spreading into tomorrow and beyond. I already want to join this warm circle again next year ✨

Photographed 10/18/25. Heading towards Hon-Kawagoe Station, it is a festival float of Shintomi Town 2-chome Kagami Lion.

Photographed 10/18/25. It is a festival float of Shintomi Town 2-chome, Kagami Lion in front of Maruhiro Department Store.

Photographed 10/18/25. In front of the Maruhiro Department Store, three festival floats were being towed. From left to right: Shintomi Town 2-chome, Kagami festival float, Otemachi Suzume festival float, Shintomi Town 1-chome, Iemitsu festival float.

Photographed 10/18/25. In front of the Maruhiro Department Store, the festival float of Otemachi Suzume and the festival float of Shintomi Town 2-chome Kagami Shion are towed.

Photographed 10/18/25. It is a festival float of Otemachi Suzume in front of Maruhiro Department Store.

【✨Gokase Autumn Leaves 2025 Campaign✨】 A little over a week has passed since we announced the winners of Summer Gokase 2025… #Gokase Autumn Leaves 2025 Campaign is now open 😆 Mornings and evenings have turned noticeably colder, and the autumn leaves are beginning to color 🍁 Please post photos of autumn scenery and fall foliage taken in Gokase Town #Include the shooting date (for example: #November 1) and #GokaseAutumnLeaves2025 on Instagram! Each day during the campaign one person will win a specialty product from Gokase Town! Outstanding entries will receive a Gokase Town specialty gift set!! Submitted photos may be featured on the Gokase Tourism Association’s social media and other channels. [Period] From Friday, October 24, 2025 to Tuesday, November 25, 2025 *The period may change depending on circumstances.* [Eligibility] Those who agree to the terms of use *The terms are posted on the Gokase Tourism Association website.* 1. Follow the Gokase Tourism Association on Instagram (@gokase_kanko) 2. Post autumn photos taken in Gokase Town on Instagram with the hashtags "#shooting date (for example: #November 1)" and "#GokaseAutumnLeaves2025" Autumn foliage updates are posted on the Gokase Tourism Association website as they become available 💡 Please come and enjoy the beautiful autumn leaves of Gokase Town 🥰 ⚠ Caution ⚠ Some locations may be difficult to access by car. If you are not confident driving, do not push yourself. Exercise care and prioritize safety when traveling.

【Notice of Hinata Area Exploration Tour "A Day of Ancient Memories" Held in】 For history buffs: Starting with an official prayer at the Sannomiya Hibita Shrine in Sagami Province, this is a full-day tour of the "ancient memories" that live in the Hibita area, such as the Motomiya Shrine, Kofun Tumulus, and Jomon Ruins, with a professional guide in charge of cultural properties. 🍱 Privileges of the tour are also substantial! With a special bento box made by Megumi Kitchen using Pesticides-free vegetables and fermented seasonings, and a tasting of three cups of Sake brewed by Local Yoshikawa Brewery, you can experience the charm of Hitoshi with all five senses. There is no doubt that it will be an unforgettable day for those who love Nature, history, and Sake. Date & Time: Saturday, November 15, 2025 (Reiwa 7), 9:00-14:00 (light rain) Meeting place: Sannomiya Hibita Shrine Precincts (1472 Sannomiya, Isehara City) Participation fee: 4,000 yen (tax included, lunch box, 3 Sake Tasting glasses, insurance fee included) Capacity: 20 people (minimum 10 people), advance registration required The application deadline is October 27th. Please be careful. For details such as how to apply, please check the website of the Tourism Association. https://isehara-kanko.com/hibita_tour2025/... We look forward to your participation!

Photographed 10/23/25. This is LEC COFFEE's black latte. It is a latte art for Halloween. 👻 It is a work of art. Appreciation, I received it all at once.

Today, I took a walk in Kawagoe. This is LEC COFFEE's quiche plate. Bacon and maitake quiche, homemade bread, salad with homemade ham and Caesar dressing, and Butter Nut Pumpkin Soup. Thank you very much. 😊

We sincerely thank you for your continued understanding and support of our activities. Here is a brief excerpted report on our activities for the first half of this fiscal year (April–September 2025). ■ May: Sea-Opening Ceremony & SUP Experience On Saturday, May 31, we held a sea-opening Shinto ceremony and the SUP Experience 2025, with a total of 37 participants, which was very well received. ■ June: OPPAI_ROCK Marche & Petting Zoo 2025 On Saturday, June 7, we hosted the OPPAI_ROCK Marche & Petting Zoo 2025, which welcomed approximately 1,600 visitors. ■ July: The 37th Reihoku Jatto Festival (Fireworks Display) The festival took place on Saturday and Sunday, July 19–20, and our company participated by sharing information and providing event staff. ■ Other Achievements ・Number of tourists who visited the tourist information center: 2,408 ・Total visitors to the Sunset Marche (local product sales): 608 ・Visitors to the Beauty & Healing Yorimichi Marche (product sales and treatment trials, held Saturday, July 12): 213 ・Usage of Shiraiwasaki Campground: 102 people ※Currently temporarily closed due to construction ・RV Park usage: 34 bookings (April–August 2025) ※Currently temporarily closed due to construction ・Website operations: Posted 17 notices ・SNS activity Facebook: 35 posts, 1,798 followers Instagram: 46 posts, 2,486 followers COOL JAPAN VIDEOS: 27 posts, 7 followers ・Guided tours provided: 77 people ・PR activities: Participation in the Roadside Station Tsujunkyo first-anniversary event (April 12–13); sales revenue: ¥92,822 We would be grateful for your continued understanding and support of our activities. Thank you very much for your continued cooperation.

Event Announcement📣 From Saturday, October 25 to Wednesday, October 29, the 56th Obihiro Chrysanthemum Festival will take place 😊 Over five days, a variety of events will unfold 🎶🎶 🔶October 25 – Student Day!! Enjoy student-focused events such as the elementary school calligraphy exhibition awards ceremony, high school calligraphy performance, and dance performances 🎵🎵 🔶October 26 – Art & Fantasy Day The schedule is packed with family-friendly attractions including a hero show, impressionist singing show, picture book readings, and an idol show 🎶🎶 🔶October 27 – Health & Culture Day You can watch health exercise sessions, a traffic safety outreach lecture, high school student showtime and live performances, and university and middle school students performing solo with guitar and voice 🎵🎵 🔶October 28 – Entertainment Day Enjoy a kayōkyoku (popular song) show by Kō-chan & Mamizō, street performances by performer RUI, a kayōkyoku show by Akari Mizumori, and hula dance among other attractions 🎶🎶 🔶October 29 – Music Day Immerse yourself in music with flute and guitar or flute and piano by Grazie 95, a guitar live by One-Man Digital Orchestra Harumi Sato All-Stars, and a kayō stage featuring popular songs 🎵🎵 🔷In addition, on October 25 Obihiro Agricultural High School will hold a local products sale, and on October 27 and 29 the film "The Talkative Photo Studio" will be screened, so please enjoy the many events on each day 🤗 https://obikan.jp/page-7621/page-7625/...

Photographed 10/18/25. Prayer at Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine is a festival float of Benkei in Shita Town.

Photographed 10/18/25. Benkei's festival float is praying for safety during the Kawagoe Festival and receiving an exorcism.

Photographed 10/18/25. It is a festival float in Shita Town and Benkei. The photos of the Kawagoe Festival will continue, but I would be grateful if you could accompany me. 🙇‍♀️

Photographed 10/18/25. The festival float began to move. It is a festival float of Miyashitamachi and Japan Takeson.

[Isehara Halloween 2025] It's Halloween season again this year! At "Isehara Halloween 2025" sponsored by the Isehara City Federation of Merchants' Associations, let's dress up and go out to get sweets! And various events for each shop association, and there are a lot of of gimmicks that the whole family can enjoy! Body paint (for a fee) also appeared, making the costume even more authentic! Date: Sunday, October 26, 2025 Held in for details such as the official website https://isehara-shoren.com/post-14.html...

Photographed 10/18/25. It is the first day of the Kawagoe Festival. At the beginning of the towing of the festival float, the head of the pigeon sings a work song called "Wood Crafting". It is a festival float of Miyashitamachi and Japan Takeson.

Photographed 10/15/25. CAFE ANDON's Cafe Latte and Carrot Mont Blanc Tart.

Photographed 10/15/25. This is CAFE ANDON's Carrot Mont Blanc Tart. I enjoyed the taste of autumn. 😊🌰

LEC COFFEE's café mocha and quiche ( 🥓🍄 🟫🍠 ). Thank you very much for the two days of the Kawagoe Festival. Thank you very much. 😊

This is the second day of the Kawagoe Festival.

The rain and wind were so bad that we left the festival float procession in front of Kawagoe City Hall early.

It is the second day of the Kawagoe Festival. It is a festival float of Kishimachi 2-chome and Kibana Sakiyahime Prayer at Kawagoe Hachimangu Shrine.

LEC COFFEE's Original Chai and Hot Sandwich (🥓🥚🥬). It is the second day of the Kawagoe Festival.

I'm going to enjoy it today. 😊

The Kawagoe Festival has begun. It is a festival float of Shintomi Town 2-chome, Kagami Lion in front of Maruhiro Department Store.