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...

Okinawa is still quite chilly! The temperature on Izanami Island reached a high of 22°C today which feels cold to locals, but when the sun comes out it’s pleasantly warm enough for short sleeves. While sorting photos, I discovered the coral reefs around Izanami Island! As a remote diving paradise, it still holds many unknown spots✨✨ It’s a real hidden gem✨✨ This summer, how about trying a private diving trip around Izanami 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 inn (Tsumago-juku) For travel memories and gifts for someone special. Buy local products or artisans’ creations as proof that you visited on your own two feet. Every time you see them, the memories come flooding back—that’s the magic of souvenirs. These days people talk more about experiences than things, but cherish the spark in your heart…💗💭

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.

Fuji seen from Lake Kawaguchi

Fuji in the Water Mirror Fuji in the water mirror seen from Lake Kawaguchi

I took a picture with the shadow of the fence Komono Town, Mie Prefecture "Mt. Gozaisho Ropeway" 2025/1

Shōen of Izena Festival 📍Izena Island, Okinawa Prefecture Rinkai Fureai Park Stage In 2025 the festival is scheduled for the three-day holiday in August! The schedule will be released around June.

Heart-shaped coral reef ❤️ 📍Izanami Island Coastal Park, Okinawa Prefecture Appears around a tidal height of 100 centimeters on sunny days A three-minute walk from Nakata Port Terminal on Izanami Island

Today's quiz: What is the title (name) of the doll that wears a facial expression showing laughing and getting angry in the hina display? According to the calendar, today marks the start of Daikan (the coldest period)! Brrr—so cold. On the blog, we introduce Omachi City's sake breweries. If you read to the end, you'll find the answer to the quiz. Do drop by and take a look! Daikan starts today. (Blog) ▽▽▽ https://kanko-omachi.gr.jp/blog/90718/... There are many ways to warm your body in the cold, but what do you think is the best?? It's walking! Walking-tour tickets are now on sale. Even in the cold, or precisely because it's cold, let's walk! Then enjoy delicious food to warm yourself from the inside. Walking-tour tickets now on sale (Event) ▽▽▽ https://kanko-omachi.gr.jp/event/90055/... Thank you as always for reading!

The 31st Koshinsatsu Yakinou Festival Dondoyaki and Commerce Festival 2025 On Sunday, January 19, the Ishida Shoko Shinkokai hosted the event at Jounokoshi Park in Higashinase. Locals enjoyed adding New Year decorations and red-and-white and green protective dango (rice dumplings) to bamboo poles and tossing them into the bonfire, then sipping served amazake. The fire department offered ladder truck rides, and performances by the Kojou High School calligraphy club and cheer dance team enlivened the day, along with the Oyama top-spinning contest, making it a lively occasion for both adults and children!

Photographed on January 15, 25. This is Hanachozu from Cha Soba (buckwheat noodles) Juan. It's yuzu season. 🍋