2024.12.03 Maruyasu Tanakaya Main Store

Once again, Kasai — a self-confessed foodie — was lured by the sweet aroma and paid a visit to Maruyasu Tanakaya's main store.

Despite his busy schedule, Mr. Tsuchihashi, the company's Managing Director, kindly spoke with us.
The main store sits near Lake Suwa, and they also operate a Kamisuwa Ekimae store near Kami-Suwa Station, giving them two locations in Suwa City. Maruyasu Tanakaya began in 1929 in front of Kami-Suwa Station. This year marks their 95th anniversary, making them a confectionery and cake shop with a proud history.
When you think of Maruyasu Tanakaya, the Cheesecake Entremet, available by mail order, comes to mind! Beauty advisor Chizu Saeki helped bring it wider recognition. The Cheesecake Entremet itself has been a beloved flagship product for 40 years. They offer nationwide shipping, so people across Japan can enjoy it.

Although Maruyasu Tanakaya is strongly associated with Western-style confections, they originally made Japanese sweets. The yokan (sweet bean jelly) preserves recipes from those early days. Because they previously supplied azuki beans and rice, they make yokan from carefully selected azuki beans—please enjoy it as well!
Mr. Tsuchihashi's top recommendation is "Shinano no Kuni" — a butter castella sponge cake studded with chopped chestnuts and coated in a refreshing lemon cream. Named after the prefectural song "Shinano no Kuni," it has been loved for about 50 years. On the side of the wrapping paper you can even see the old provincial name 'Jūshū' (literally 'Ten Provinces'), a reference to the line 'Shinano no kuni wa jūshū ni…' from the prefectural song. I love that packaging so much that I even use the previous design as teaching material (laughs).

Maruyasu Tanakaya offers many sweets and has a seating area. Come and enjoy tea time with friends and savor their treats.

★ Maruyasu Tanakaya Main Store
📍 3-1421-1 Takashima,
Suwa-shi, Nagano Prefecture
☎ 0266-52-0126
◎ Business hours: 10:00 – 19:00
◎ Regular holiday: Closed on Wednesdays
◎ Online shop: https://www.suwa-tanakaya.jp/products/list
◎ Homepage: https://www.suwa-tanakaya.jp/

They have another branch close to Kami-Suwa Station. They started in 1929, so this year is their 95th anniversary. Many Japanese traditional sweets shops have long histories. On this day, Mr. Tsuchihashi, the Managing Director, talked with me.
Their shop’s famous product is Cheesecake Entremet. It has been loved for 40 years. Numerous media and magazines have spotlighted the Cheesecake Entremet. They operate an online shop and offer nationwide shipping, so please enjoy it at home.

I had pictured Maruyasu Tanakaya making Western-style sweets like the Cheesecake Entremet, but I was mistaken. At the beginning, the shop produced Japanese traditional sweets. The yokan remains as it was back then.
Mr. Tsuchihashi’s recommendation is Shinano no Kuni. It is a butter sponge cake with finely chopped chestnuts inside, finished with lemon cream on the outside. Sounds delicious, right? Absolutely!

They offer many kinds of sweets. If you visit Suwa City, please try them—I’m sure you’ll like them!

★ Maruyasu Tanakaya Main Branch
3-1421-1 Takashima,
Suwa-shi, Nagano Prefecture
☎ 0266-52-0126
◎ Business hours: 10:00 – 19:00
◎ Regular holiday: Closed on Wednesdays
◎ Online shop: https://www.suwa-tanakaya.jp/products/list
◎ Homepage: https://www.suwa-tanakaya.jp/

https://www.suwa-tanakaya.jp/products/list
https://www.suwa-tanakaya.jp/

"GET! Pokélid Stamp Rally in Saito, Koyu" Held in
This is an announcement from the Saitokoyu Tourism Network.

"GET! Pokélid Stamp Rally in Saito, Koyu" is currently being held in.
Enjoy the Sightseeing spots and delicious gourmet food of Saito Koyu while touring the poke lid!
If you collect all the Poké lid Stamps installed in the 7 cities and towns of Nishi City, Shintomi Town, Takanabe Towns, Kishiro Towns, Kawaminami Towns, Tsuno Towns, and Nishi Rice Village, and apply, you will be selected by lottery to win Nassy's original acrylic stand and an assortment of Specialty Products from each city and Town/Village!

■ Duration
Saturday, December 14, 2024 ~ Sunday, March 2, 2025

■ How to apply
Please collect all the Stamps of Poké lids and product shops installed in Saito and Koyu Districts and post them in the application box attached to them. Winners will be replaced by shipping.
* Mounts are distributed at the Stamp installation location.

■ Installation location
Takanabe Towns (Pokélid: Mosquito Seaside Park, Stamp: VIVA CAGUCCI, Takanabe Hot Spring Meirin-no-yu)
Shintomi Town (Pokélid: Sannashiro Plaza, Stamp: Shintomi Hot Spring Saint Lupine, Shintomi Town Agricultural and Livestock Products Direct Sales)
Kishiro Towns (Pokélid: Kishiro Hot Spring Kan Yurara, Stamp: Kishiro Hot Spring Kan Yurara, Kishiro Towns Agricultural Products Sales Office Nabaya)
Nishi Rice Village (Pokélid: Nishi Rice Hot Spring Yuta~, Stamp: Nishi Rice Hot Spring Yuta~, Village Products Museum)
West City (Pokélid: Aisome Plaza, Stamp: Machinaka Gallery Yumetamago, JA Saito Ichaga Plaza)
Kawaminami Towns (Pokélid: San A Kawaminami Culture Hall, Stamp: San A Kawaminami Culture Hall, Kawaminami PLATZ)
Tono Towns (Pokéfuta: Roadside Station, Stamp: Roadside Station)

■ Inquiries
Saitokoyu Tourism Network Secretariat (in the Commerce, Industry and Tourism Division, West City Office) TEL 0983-42-4068

#Saitokoyu Tourism Network
#Pokélid Stamp Rally in Saito Koyu
#Nassy Resort in Miyazaki
#Nassy Resort
#Nassy
#Alora Nassi
#Miyazaki Daisuki Pokemon
#West City
#Shintomi Town
#Takanabe Towns
#Kijo Towns
#Kawaminami Towns
#Tono Towns
#Nishi Rice Village
#Stamp Rally
#Poké lid
#Pokemon
#Pokemon Local Acts
#Campaigns
#Miyazaki Prefecture

Photographed 12/21/24.
This is Udon noodles Tatsumi's COEDO bukkake.
It is a soy sauce broth with pork and potato heaven.
The kake Udon noodles were also delicious, but the bukkake Udon noodles were not too thick and tasted just right. Imo Heaven is also delicious. 😊🍠

Come to 🎄 Cocoon for Christmas the day after tomorrow

This is Saitama New Central Tokyo in Saitama City, Saitama prefecture.
Held in Christmas market until December 25th, the day after tomorrow.

Be sure to 🥹 visit

Photographed on December 15, 24.
It is a one-year cheap sea bream lottery of Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine.
Orange is my favorite color, so I'm happy.

[Gokase Town, Miyazaki Prefecture — Accommodation] Potunto Detached House Kuraoka

"An escape from the everyday that still lets you enjoy rural daily life"

I want to try living in the countryside. I want to relax in a quiet place.
I want to focus quietly on work for a few days.
I want a day that makes me forget everything.

A nostalgic place like the grandmother’s house I visited as a child.

This is an accommodation where you can experience that kind of deep-mountain lifestyle. A home for lovers of mountains and rural life.

From October 2024, a newly opened whole-house simple lodging, Potunto Detached House Kuraoka, is available for rent. Come and take a leisurely taste of country living!

↓For detailed rates and other information↓
https://potnt-kuraoka.com/#contents

Contact
3959-2 Kuraoka, Gokase, Nishiusuki District, Miyazaki 882-1201
TEL: 0982-83-0522

Takaibashi (タカイバシ takaibashi)

Entrance to Yamada Hot Spring in Takayama Village Takai Bridge is located at the gateway to the Matsukawa Valleys.
In the colors of the Valleys that change in the four seasons, it is always dignified with its unchanging appearance.

Nagano Prefecture is said to have a clear color of the four seasons. Takaibashi is a place where you can feel the four seasons at a fixed point.
Valleys, budding in Spring, deep green in summer, Autumn leaves in autumn, and snowy scenery in winter.
A red bridge that snuggles up to the four seasons of the Valleys.

The scenery of Takai Bridge in winter is just cool!　It is the world view of ink painting.

Powder snow in the middle of winter does not stick to the branches, and it is a view that can be seen during this Period when there is a lot of wet snow, such as snow from rain.
Also, the day when the sun shines on the pure white Valleys, the snow sparkles, and the sky turns bright blue is also "beautiful". This is also one of the scenes of Takaibashi that I want to show.
The scenery that can be seen when the conditions are right is also the charm of Nature.

Cool scenery in a cool season I would love to see it.

【Costco Wholesale Southern Alps Warehouse Store (tentative name)】Minami-Alps City

Construction is steadily progressing toward the opening of Costco next Spring.
The other day, I found the "COSTCO" logo! It's becoming a reality.
What! Mt. Fuji is above Costco... Fun the unique scenery of Minami-Alps City.

Photographed 12/21/24.
This is GLIN COFFEE Honkawagoe Pepe store.
Ono Buncha × GLINCOFFEE This is a premium hojicha latte with a sansho scent from the Kawagoe tea series. Aroma of sansho is very nice. It also contains white chocolate and honey, which is indulgent.
The Honkawagoe Pepe store will close on December 28th. I'm sad because I was often taken care of when I walked around Kawagoe. 😭

Prayer at Kawagoe Hachimangu Shrine today.
The giant ema of the Year of the Snake was completed.
I was preparing for the announcement of this year's one-letter event. Unfortunately, because it was work, I couldn't see a single letter.

Atami Yogurt Fermentation Shop
Grand opening today, 12/21! It’s in Nakamise Shopping Street in front of atami station.
I attended the pre-opening yesterday!
They use local Tanna milk and Izu aloe.
Yogurt comes in many varieties, including plain, rich strained, and a limited fresh Atami yogurt.
For eating while walking, try the drinkable yogurt, the "Yogurutto Pan" filled with Greek yogurt and plenty of yogurt butter cream, or the acai with Greek yogurt.
For souvenirs, they offer fresh yogurt butter sandwiches, busse, and souffle sandwiches.

It’s very delicious and very cute 🐤

Joining the lineup of popular Atami sweets—Atami Pudding, Atami Bata-an, Atami Square Cream Puffs, Atami Fruit King, Ichigo BonBonBERRY ATAMI HOUSE., Atami Mircheese, Atami Satori Main Store, and Montblanc Namaito—this new shop is the latest addition.

Please give it a try.

Atami Yogurt Fermentation Shop
https://www.atami-yogurt.com/

Photographed 12/16/24.
On the way back from the beauty salon, I visited HK Tea.
It is a double chocolate of honey lemon and EGG WAFFLE.
I like lemon honey and sometimes I take it easy.

[Aikou-Ishida Station✨Illumination✨] 2024
The annual event by Ishida Shoko Shinkokai lights up the rotary in front of Aiko-Ishida Station on the OdakyuLine with 10,000 LED lights until Saturday, March 15, 2025!
With the concept "Bringing light and warmth from the heart of the town to the local community," this illumination is filled with the feelings of local residents—please come and see it.

Gokase Highland Ski Resort Reopens After Two Seasons 🎉

Today, December 20, Gokase Highland Ski Resort resumed operations for the first time in two seasons 😭👏✨

The road to the resort collapsed during the 2022 typhoon, making passage impossible and forcing a prolonged closure, but today it has safely reopened 🥹❤️‍🔥

A long-awaited grand opening saw the mayor’s remarks and a ribbon-cutting by honored guests, including Minami-chan, who returned to join the celebration, officially opening the slopes ⛷️✨

Eager skiers and snowboarders who had been waiting for the resort to reopen began to glide down the runs with style, and the landscape of old seemed to be restored once more 😭✨
It’s a deeply moving moment…

We hope the resort, a winter symbol of Gokase, will continue to regain its bustle and flourish even more from now on 😌🙏

The season has only just begun! Please come visit Gokase Highland Ski Resort and enjoy the slopes 🤩💫

Gokase Highland Ski Resort Official Website
http://www.gokase.co.jp/ski/#

[Announcement from Ekinaka Kururin House♪] 2024
✨Limited-time sale of Kururin plush toys!✨
〈Period: Friday, December 20, 2024 – Wednesday, January 15, 2025〉
Regularly ¥1,800 (tax included), now available at a special price of ¥1,500 (tax included)♪
Don’t miss this chance!

✨Kururin New Year’s Cards✨
Pleasure to send, pleasure to receive
Three cute Kururin New Year’s card designs
- ¥150 per card -

✨New Products Announcement✨
◍ Ooyama Na-zuke (JA Shonan Ooyama Vegetable Growing Cooperative)
- ¥400 per bag -
Its texture resembles nozawana and its flavor resembles karashina
Enjoy two delights in one with Ooyama Na-zuke

◍ Tanzawa Ooyama Torn Konnyaku (Ooyama Uruwashi Honpo)
- ¥600 per bag -
”Flavor soaked right through” and ready to eat as is.

♬We look forward to seeing you♪

[Open through the New Year holidays]
On the stairs at the north exit of Odakyu Line Isehara Station
Ekinaka Kururin House (Isehara Station Tourist Information Center)
OPEN 9:00–17:00 (open daily)
*On January 1–3 shortened hours: 10:00–15:00*

Photographed 12/16/24.
This is CAFE ANDON's Andon chicken curry.
I often visit them for a walk in Kawagoe or before work.

It's 🤤 almost Christmas

Christmas market 🎄 Held in in Saitama New Central Tokyo

It is up to 25 days, but it is decorated with a nice tree

Here’s tourist information for Nagiso town!

Tenpaku Azalea Colony (Town Natural Monument)

A vast colony of mitsuba azalea blooms in Tenpaku Park.
About six varieties and roughly 400 azalea shrubs grow in the garden, and among them the Nagiso mitsuba azalea is a rare species found mainly around Nagiso town as its name suggests.
Bloom times shift slightly each year depending on the weather, but the best viewing period is generally from early to mid-April.
Perched on a hill in Tenpaku Park, the site offers excellent views of Momosuke Bridge and Mt. Kiso-Komagatake.

At the Nagiso Station side entrance to the wooden suspension bridge over the Kiso River, Momosuke Bridge, cherry blossoms also come into full bloom around early April, making it a recommended time to visit!

► Access
- By car: Immediately off National Route 19. Tenpaku Park has free parking (about 30 spaces).
- By train: About a 10-minute walk from JR Nagiso Station (closer if you cross Momosuke Bridge).

► Other information
- It is a five-minute uphill walk from the parking area to the azalea garden. Please avoid parking in front of the garden as it blocks residents’ passage. Visitors with mobility difficulties may be dropped off near the garden, but please park the vehicle in the parking lot.
- The parking area has restrooms and vending machines.
- The park includes the Momosuke Fukuzawa Memorial Museum and the Mountain History Museum, where you can learn about the history of Momosuke Bridge and its builder, Momosuke Fukuzawa.
- For current blooming conditions, please refer to the Nagiso Town Tourism Association website.

Enjoy the vivid purple blossoms carpeting the garden!

[Notice] Akindo Market♪
Today (20th) and tomorrow (21st) — two days only!!

At Roadside Station Iwanai,
local Iwanai town sake at special prices!
Yama 720 ml ¥2,640 ⇒ ¥2,376
Umi 300 ml ¥990 ⇒ ¥891
The flyer lists Yama 300 ml, but we ran out of stock.
We apologize.

Also,
Asahi Super Dry
Clear Asahi
Kodawari Sakaba Lemon Sour
are on sale too♪

Please come by and check them out 🙏

This is a monthly event where you can shop great deals at stores in Iwanai town~

In the factory on a winter morning, the air is clear and clear, and you can take more beautiful pictures.

Yokkaichi, Mie Prefecture
2023/1

Photographed 12/16/24.
CAFE ANDON's Cafe Latte and Strawberry Shortcake. ☕️🍰
Congratulations on your first anniversary. ㊗️🎉
It is a very nice café. 😊

[Castle EXPO 2024 Announcement]
Castle EXPO is one of Japan’s largest castle festivals, held every December at Pacifico Yokohama to promote and develop castle heritage and to bring together castle enthusiasts.
People, castle specialists, and castle fans from across Japan gather to sell castle goods, present a variety of castle-related exhibits, and offer rare events such as specialist talk shows and lectures.

Isehara City also exhibits: Maruyama Castle Oshiro-in (castle seal) sales!
Isehara City currently has Maruyama Castle Ruins Park, an urban park.
It is said that in the Kamakura period the residence of the gokenin (vassal) Kasuya Tota Arisuke, who had close ties to the shogunate, stood here, and that in the Muromachi period it served as the residence of Uesugi Sadamasa.

◆Date and Time: Saturday, December 21, 9:00–18:00 (last admission 17:30)
Sunday, December 22, 9:00–17:00 (last admission 16:30)
[Saturday Night Program]
Saturday, December 21, 18:00–20:30 (scheduled)
◆Venue: Pacifico Yokohama North
(1-1-2 Minatomirai, Nishi-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture) and others

※Tickets are now on sale at various play guides!

Hina dolls prayed to ward off misfortune from children and bring good fortune in life.
On the Izu Peninsula, hina dolls are displayed with various wishes tied into hanging decorations on both sides of the tiered doll platform.
This is a long-standing custom.

The 28th Hanging Hina Decorations Exhibition
🌞 January 20 (Monday) – March 31 (Monday) 🌞

🍑 In the Inatori area of Higashiizucho, there has been a custom since the Edo period of hanging a pair of suspended decorations on either side of the hina platform for the Girls’ Festival. 🍑

The Inatori Onsen hanging decorations have been passed down through generations. A charming sight unfolds as many types of hangings—such as crawling-baby dolls modeled on infants, sanbaso performers, and rabbits—link together and drape down. This scene, a winter-to-spring specialty of Inatori Onsen, invites you with a parent’s loving thoughts for their child.



Venue Information

Main venue / Cultural Park Hina Museum [Admission: 500 yen]
Sponsored exhibition venue / Naburatoto (February 15 – March 9) [Admission: 100 yen]
Futatsubori [Free admission]
Hachiman Shrine [Free admission]

Details
Address: 1729 Inatori, Higashiizu Town, Kamo District, Shizuoka Prefecture 413-0411
Phone: 0557-95-2901
Access: 20-minute walk from Izu-Inatori Station
Hours: 9:00–17:00 (last admission 16:30)
Parking: Cultural Park parking lot / flat rate 500 yen
Organizer: Inatori Onsen Ryokan Association
Event start date: 2025/01/20
Event end date: 2025/03/31

"Shinpu Castle" from Kai Province makes its first ascent 🏯⚔️ to the "Castle EXPO"]

Over the two days of Saturday, December 21 and Sunday, December 22, 2024,
At Pacifico Yokohama North
Finally to be Held in "Castle EXPO2024"!
Shinpu Castle in Nirasaki City, Yamanashi Prefecture will ascend for the first time 🏯⚔️✨✨

At the booth,
Katsuyori Takeda's banner T-shirt,
NEW RELEASE! A map of Shinpu Castle was designed
Original Clear File,
We will 💠🤍 sell limited seal of the castle to commemorate the first ascent of "Castle EXPO"

By the person in charge of excavation
Please 🔥🔥 come and listen to the story of the castle fever

At the venue [Castle Tour Tourist Information Zone K-90]
We look forward to seeing you 🙋 ♀️✨

————————————————————

Castle EXPO is one of the largest castle festivals in Japan, held in every December at Pacifico Yokohama since 2016 for the purpose of promoting and developing castle culture and interacting with castle lovers.
"Castles", "castle specialists" and "castle fans" gather from all over Japan, and it is an Events that has gained high support.
This year's theme is "Castle Fever Day"! Please come and visit us!

For more information on Events and ticket Information, please check the Castle EXPO Official website.

————————————————————

【Detailed Information】
■ Date and time
December 2024
21st (Sat) 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. (last entry at 5:30 p.m.)
22 (Sun) 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (last entry at 4:30 p.m.)

・Saturday Night Program
Saturday, December 21, 2024
6 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. (tentative)

■Venue
Pacifico Yokohama North
(Address: 1-1-2 Minato Mirai, Nishi-ku, Yokohama City, Kanagawa Prefecture, etc.)

■ Organizer
CASTLE EXPO
(Japan Castle Association, Jobito <Tohoku Shinsha >, Murayama Co., Ltd., Pacifico Yokohama)

Photographed 12/16/24.
It is Mr. 168's breakfast (early supper).
Taiwanese burger and black tea soy milk. It is a collaboration menu with Sankai Touka.
The Taiwanese burger is very tasty, with tamagoyaki and beef hamburger steak. Thank you very much for opening from early in the morning. 😊

Sapporo night view in winter
I have been photographing the night view of Sapporo with snow piling up in a world of -7°C
While the accumulated snow created a sense of loneliness somewhere, I felt the warmth of the cityscape that gradually lit up

Photographed 12/15/24.
It is Hanachozu of Naritasan Kawagoe Betsuin.

[Notice] IWANAI RESORT Open ⛷️

This Saturday, December 21, IWANAI RESORT, a ski area in Iwanai-cho, Hokkaido, is scheduled to open for the season!

Photographed 12/15/24.
It is a new Torii (shrine gate) gate of Kawagoe Hachimangu.

Tokyo Tower🗼 wrapped in rainbow yellowtail

This is Tokyo Tower, which can be seen from Odaiba. The lights of Tokyo Tower appear to reflect 🤤🤤 off the rainbow yellowtail

It is also special 🤤 that it can only be seen in winter