❄️ Welcome to the frozen Great Waterfall and Itajiki Valley — a winter-only spectacular ❄️ Hello. This is the Shosenkyo Tourist Association. We bring you “The Winter Charms of Shosenkyo Gorge”! Here, the frozen Great Waterfall and the river through Itajiki Valley weave a mysterious scene✨ It feels like a monochrome painting where time stands still🖤🎨

The colder and longer the low temperatures persist, the more the frozen falls and the crystal-clear river flow create a striking contrast, completing what is truly a “winter-only work of art.” This beauty is not just a must-see for photographers but a must-shoot spot!📸✨ Capture this special view with your camera and share winter at Shosenkyo Gorge on your social media!

❄️ A request for visitors ❄️
The ground in front of the waterfall is frozen and slippery. For your safety, please take great care while walking.

Seven Miles of Snow Coverage
Snow piles up on the pines like cotton candy
I like it.

It is the only sea route on the Tokaido Highway that connects Miya inn and Mulberry inn, and it is said that it was so named because the distance was 7 miles (27.5 km).

Kuwana City, Mie Prefecture "Seven Villages"

❄️ Frost-covered trees have appeared in Shosenkyo Gorge ❄️ Hello from the Shosenkyo Tourist Association! This week we present “Shosenkyo’s Winter Charms.” For visitors to Shosenkyo this winter, the staff of Yamanashi Wine Kingdom have lovingly completed a gigantic curtain of ice. This fusion of nature and craftsmanship creates ice art so stunning it feels like stepping into a fantasy world. Icicles sparkling against the blue sky captivate every viewer ✨🌨️

Be sure to take commemorative photos with this special scenery as your backdrop and share your winter memories of Shosenkyo on social media 📸💙. Likes are sure to pour in! Don’t miss this once-a-winter spectacular ❄️

Photographed on January 3, 25.
This is a demonstration of the New Year's celebration at Koedo Kurato.
It is said that if you have a lion head bite your head, you will be able to spend your time without illness.

Photographed on January 3, 25.
At Koedo Kurato, they were giving a demonstration of the New Year's song, so I went to see it.
The lion's head is dancing.

[Winter at Aoki Lake and Nakatsuna Lake ❄️✨]
On the middle day of a three-day holiday, Omachi City is sunny again today☀️ From the morning the Northern Alps were clearly visible, so I headed to Aoki Lake hoping to see the three Hakuba peaks across the water😊 The lake surface was slightly rippled, but the blue sky and the snow-capped Hakuba peaks were reflected on it🏔✨ At ao LAKESIDE CAFE, which just opened in 2024, you can enjoy meals and coffee time while taking in the lakeside view😌 Next door, Nakatsuna Lake is a spot for wakasagi (pond smelt) ice fishing🎣 In recent years warm winters have prevented the season from opening, but what about this year?
Activities in Omachi City 🔽🔽🔽
https://kanko-omachi.gr.jp/spot/spot_cat/cat02/

Today, Sunday, January 12, the 40th Donton-yaki festival was held at Atami Sun Beach.
This annual event is a long-standing tradition jointly organized by the ten neighborhood associations of the eastern and central districts.
This year too, residents and tourists gathered to circle the piled New Year decorations called an ‘onbe’.
At 11:00 a Shinto ceremony was performed by Chief Priest Amemiya of Kinomiya Shrine, and after the ritual the priest lit the fire. The ‘onbe’ blazed up vigorously as everyone prayed for health, academic success, prosperous business, and protection from fires.
The photos look a bit dark, but it was actually sunny!
Tourists who happened to pass by also stopped to watch this traditional New Year event.

Photographed on January 11, 25.
This is Hanachozu of Chuin.
I saw it for the first time in a long yellowtail.

Photographed on January 3, 25.
After Prayer to Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine, I relaxed at the Starbucks Bell Ring Street store.
Honey Ginger Chai Tea Latte and Earl Grey Scones. 🫚 It 🍊 is very compatible with.

Photographed 1/6/25.
This is the Ema of the Year of the Snake at Kawagoe Kumano Shrine and the Yatagarasu-sama.

Mt. Gakidake Capped in Snow🏔
On the first day of the three-day weekend, Omachi City enjoyed clear skies☀️ From the Tokiwa area of Omachi, Mt. Gakidake was beautifully visible🏔 Footprints appeared across the snowy rice fields 🐾🐾🐾 — whose could they be?
It’s a perfect day for the slopes ⛷🏂

Local ski area information is below🔽🔽🔽
⭐️ HAKUBA VALLEY Kashimayari Ski Resort ⭐️
https://www.kashimayari.net/snow/
⭐️ Gadjigatake (Gadagake) Ski Resort ⭐️
https://jiigatake.com/
⭐️ For sightseeing in Omachi City, see below🔽🔽🔽
https://kanko-omachi.gr.jp/

Photographed on January 7, 25.
This is Kawagoe Kumano Shrine.

January 1, 2025
My daughter and I went to see the First sunrise for the first time
Souvenir photo.

Last year, I didn't have a chance to play in the sea.
With the hope 📷 that this year will be a year related to the sea

January 1, 2025
First sunrise.

On days when the cold is severe
Because the water temperature in the river is higher
A fog called a qi storm is generated.

It's fantastic and beautiful, isn't it?

Gokase Highland Ski Resort

I climbed up to Gokase Highland Ski Resort today to shoot some material📸❄️

At 7:00 this morning the temperature was a whopping -14°C🤣 It was such an odd kind of cold that it made me laugh🤷‍♀️ lol

That said, the slopes were in perfect condition ⛷️✨ The wind was light and the snow was powdery and dry 🤩

Local junior high students were here today as part of their school activities, and they were happily enjoying skiing and snowboarding 🥰

The view of the ski area under the blue sky is truly beautiful 🥹✨ It feels like another world, and staring at it makes you feel drawn in…😳

You can see the distant mountains stretching far away, and the view from Gokase Highland Ski Resort is exceptional 👏❗

Tomorrow, Saturday, January 11th, at 10:00 the long-awaited Paradise Course 1,000 m run finally opens 🤩 Can’t wait 💪

The Gokase Tourism Association is currently running the "Winter Gokase 2025" campaign on their Instagram account and collecting winter photos from the area 🤗

There are prizes, so when you visit the ski resort or travel there, please take lots of winter photos within safe limits and enter the contest 🙏✨

For details, see the post pinned to the Gokase Tourism Association Instagram profile page 💡

There is a new "Japanese" space in the school! It is a tapestry of tatami chairs and shoji style. Many students have never and tatami mats. I would like you to feel the Aroma of Igusa and the soft comfort of tatami mats.

Notice of temporary closure of the public toilet at Mount Oyama Summit 2025.1.10
The public toilet at Mount Oyama Summit is currently unavailable due to a frozen water supply pipe.
If you plan to head for Mount Oyama Summit, please start early to allow plenty of time and use nearby toilets such as those near Oyama Afuri Shrine Lower Shrine before setting out.

We apologize for the inconvenience and appreciate your understanding and cooperation.
We will announce when service is expected to resume.

Access: Odakyu Line Isehara Station North Exit, Bus Stop No. 4
Take the bus bound for "Oyama Cable" for about 30 minutes
Get off at the final stop and walk 15 minutes along the Koma approach to the cable car station

Night view seen from the Grand Hotel New Oji, a city hotel in central Tomakomai ✨

Wakamasu Bakery 🥖 @wakamasu_bakery (Instagram)

A beloved shop frequented by regulars, I visited Wakamasu Bakery. The bakery has run for three generations from the founder to the current owner, moving from the original Ina shop to Suwa, and has continued for 99 years!
Today, the owner and her father bake the bread together 🍞 Wakamasu began in Ina in the great-grandfather’s time, and the shop is linked to Nagano’s soul food, the gyūnyū pan (milk bread)!!!
Pop-up signs in the shop explain the products and highlight their commitment to domestic wheat and sudakito (sudaki sugar), a mineral-rich sugar made from 100% cane. Their beloved “Milk Ball” is famous, and many regulars come just for it 🥖
・A long-time favorite, the soft French-style roll filled with milk cream: the Milk Ball
・Owner’s pick: Cream Bread filled generously with homemade custard cream
・A recent hit: Croque Monsieur with homemade béchamel sauce, ham, and cheese
・Four kinds of sandwiches and two kinds of savory baked breads are available.

◎ Wakamasu Bakery
📍 4-11-10 Kogan Street, Suwa City
☎ 0266-52-3488
◎ Business hours: 8:00 – 16:00
◎ Business days: Thursday, Friday, Saturday
◎ Homepage: https://www.instagram.com/wakamasu_bakery/

Regular customers are hooked on Wakamasu Bakery’s Milk Ball! The owner’s great-grandfather started Wakamasu Bakery in Ina. Wakamasu Bakery has been in business for 99 years. Later, the owner’s father moved the shop to its current location in Suwa. Today, the owner and her father bake the bread together.
Between you and me, Wakamasu Bread is connected to gyūnyū pan (milk cream bread).
Nowadays the owner uses domestic wheat and sudaki sugar (a Japanese sugar rich in minerals). She is particular about ingredients.
These are the regular offerings:
・Regular customers come for the Milk Ball.
・The owner’s recommendation is Cream Bread with homemade custard cream.
・A recent trend is the croque monsieur with homemade béchamel sauce, ham, and cheese.
・Four kinds of sandwiches and two kinds of cooked breads.

◎ Wakamasu Bakery
📍 4-11-10 Kogan Street, Suwa City
☎ 0266-52-3488
◎ Business hours: 8:00 – 16:00
◎ Business days: Thursday, Friday, Saturday
◎ Homepage: https://www.instagram.com/wakamasu_bakery/

Photographed on January 3, 25.
This is the love water of Kawagoe Kumano Shrine.
It is a New Year's specification. 🎍

Photographed 1/1/25.
It is the Hanachozu of Honshu Inari Shrine in Shiawase Inari Alley.

With winter approaching, in preparation for the cherry blossoms and rape blossoms of Spring, the Shirakimine Highlands is now quietly resting.
Across the Ariake Sea, hazy in the distance is Mt. Unzen.
I have an empty Highlands all to myself.
Welcome to the special seats!

Hinata Yakushi Hojobo First Yakushi Opening of the Principal Image 2025
On Wednesday, January 8, 2025, the Hatsuyakushi ceremony was held at Hinata Yakushi, counted as one of Japan’s Three Yakushi, to pray for a year of good health and household safety.
On the temple grounds, visitors were served yakushi-gayu, a medicinal rice porridge made with vegetables and rice cakes produced in Isehara City, and many worshippers attended.
The principal image, the nationally designated Important Cultural Property of the Yakushi Triad, is unveiled only on five days each year: this Hatsuyakushi day, the first three days of the New Year, and the spring annual festival.

If you missed this opportunity, please come to the last unveiling of the year on April 15, the spring annual festival, which also features the sacred-tree-climbing ritual where yamabushi begin their mountain training from Hinata.

Photographed 1/1/25.
It is Hanachozu of Naritasan Kawagoe Betsuin.

[Notice] Grand Sumo January Tournament
The first tournament of Reiwa 7 will begin on Sunday, January 12
It’s starting❗️
Ichiyamamoto’s ranking is
His career-high of West Maegashira 6!!
Let’s cheer for Ichiyamamoto together again this year!
Thank you for your support🙏

“From the Sea to Izu! From Izu to the Sea!” Inatori–Izu Oshima Route Operation Information

In spring, when plums and Kawazu cherry blossoms bloom in Izu, high-speed ferries will run from Inatori to Oshima to coincide with Oshima’s camellias.

Route
"Inatori–Oshima Feb. 3 (Mon)–Feb. 28 (Fri)"
Oshima departs 10:45, 13:35
Arrive Inatori 11:20, 14:10

Depart Inatori 11:30, 14:20
Arrive Oshima 12:05, 14:55

"Tokyo–Tateyama–Oshima–Inatori Feb. 8 (Sat)–Feb. 28 (Fri)"
Tokyo departs 8:10
Tateyama arrives 9:25
Departs 9:35
Oshima arrives 10:30
Departs 10:45
Inatori arrives 11:20

Inatori departs 14:20
Oshima arrives 14:55
Departs 15:10
Tateyama arrives 16:05
Departs 16:10
Tokyo arrives 17:25

During the period, you can reach Higashiizucho and the eastern Izu coast by sea from the Kanto region!
For timetables and details, please check the Tokai Kisen Co., Ltd. website below.
https://www.tokaikisen.co.jp/

Also this year, on weekends from Feb. 8 (Sat) to Feb. 23 (Sun) we will operate a complimentary shuttle bus for passengers:
"Inatori–Kawazu Free Sightseeing Bus"
Enjoy the Kawazu Cherry Blossom Festival and the Hina no Tsurushi Kazari (hanging hina doll decorations) festival.
For details, see the URL below
https://www.tokaikisen.co.jp/news/618222/

Access to Inatori Port boarding point
From Izu-Inatori Station to Inatori Port…
On foot about 15 minutes
By car about 3 minutes (parking available)


Special fares and tour information
Round-trip by ferry from Tokyo to Izu!
"Tokyo ⇔ Inatori Round-Trip Ticket (valid up to 4 days)"
Adult ¥10,800 Child ¥5,400
For details see the URL below
https://www.tokaikisen.co.jp/news/618222/

"Inatori ⇔ Oshima Round-Trip Ticket"
Normally ¥8,820, now
Day trip Adult ¥3,000 Child ¥2,000
With overnight stay (up to 4 days) Adult ¥3,900 Child ¥2,400
For details see the URL below
https://www.tokaikisen.co.jp/news/618222/

"From Oshima to Inatori: Shopping and Cherry-Viewing Cruise"
Feb. 3 (Mon), Feb. 19 (Wed), Feb. 28 (Fri)
This tour offers a bus sightseeing loop around the Higashiizu area departing from Oshima!
Adult ¥5,500 Child ¥4,000
On the first sailing of the Inatori route in 2025, Feb. 3 (Mon), adults receive ¥1,000 off and children ¥500 off!
For details see the URL below
https://www.tokaikisen.co.jp/news/502387/

"Inatori Departure Rapid Bus Tour to Izu Oshima"
Feb. 8 (Sat), Feb. 15 (Sat)
It’s truly rapid—takes less than three hours!? It’s practically a one-stop stay on the Izu Peninsula!
The tour from Inatori includes a boxed lunch and bus on Oshima.
Adult ¥4,000 Child ¥2,500
For details see the URL below
https://www.tokaikisen.co.jp/news/620883/

Photographed 1/1/25.
It is Hanachozu of Naritasan Kawagoe Betsuin.
I took it from a different angle.

Photographed 1/1/25.
It is Hanachozu of Naritasan Kawagoe Betsuin.
It is a New Year's specification. 🎍

📍 Nakasendo

This is ❄ the Scene of the Nakasendo of 2025.1.8 (馬籠峠~Tsumago)

1-3: Magoro Pass
4: Ichiseki Tochi Stand Tea House
5: Entrance to the pass
6-10: Male Waterfall Female Waterfall
11: Kooshinzuka-mae

Thereare snow ❄ cover
If you are walking on the Nakasendo Road, please prepare sufficient winter equipment such as snow boots, gloves, knitted hats, socks, etc.
In particular, mountain passes, male waterfalls, and female waterfalls require caution of ⚠ snow and freezing

📍 Momosuke Bridge and shopping street in front of the station

The Taosuke Bridge is a symbolic bridge ✨ in Nagiso that students and residents of Sunan High School in Local regularly Use
The snow-covered Momosuke Bridge is powerful and cool.

With the snow that has been falling since last night, the whole towns is a silver world!
Fun the ❄ winter scenery