＼Oikamana Lake has frozen over!／ Nearly the entire surface of Oikamana Lake (Ikebana Nae Swamp) along the Pacific coast has frozen. In spots where the ice is thick enough, you can walk on it. You can also hear strange sounds when the ice shifts or cracks. This is a fleeting, otherworldly sight that lasts only until the snow begins to fall. Find Taiki Town tourist information here! ↓ https://visit-taiki.hokkaido.jp//

Gokase Highland Ski Resort Safety Prayer Ceremony Today, Thursday, December 12, a safety prayer ceremony was held at Gokase Highland Ski Resort, which is set to reopen in eight days for the first time in three years. 🙏✨ Around 60 people boarded shuttle buses from the base to gather, and amid heavy media coverage, a Shinto ritual took place inside the ski center. 😌 The ritual proceeded smoothly, and after offering prayers for the resort’s safety and success, participants toasted together. 🍻 At the post-ceremony gathering, everyone spent a relaxed time, eagerly anticipating the ski area’s opening. 🤗 Along the road up to the resort, snow had accumulated in places, and the slopes were adorned with frost-covered trees that created a magical scene. ❄️✨ When the wind blows, it really is cold, isn’t it? 🥶 I came fully bundled up today, but cold is cold. 🤣 Still, a ski resort should feel like this! Right? 💪❤️‍🔥 Only a little time left until opening. 🤩 Let’s hold on a bit longer and wait with excited anticipation. ✨

Actually, on December 1st, Kamisuwa Shizune from the “Onsen Musume” project suddenly appeared at the Suwa City Tourist Information Center inside JR Kami‑Suwa Station!!! Her voice actress is Nanaka Suwa! ◆What Onsen Musume Is Onsen Musume is a regional revitalization project created to promote the attractions of hot spring towns and tourist spots across Japan to domestic and international audiences through various content such as anime, manga, characters, and voice actors. Previously, Shimosuwa Watanon lived in Shimosuwa Town, but Kamisuwa had not yet appeared. With yesterday’s appearance in Kamisuwa, the twins—Kamisuwa Shizune (older sister) and Shimosuwa Watanon (younger sister)—finally managed to be together yesterday! Thank you for waiting. At the information center, we sell one can badge per person (up to two) and acrylic keychains (one per person). Customers who purchase a total of 1,500 yen or more will receive an original sticker! Please come safely! We look forward to welcoming you from the bottom of our hearts!

Among the hanging dolls, I was curious. If you look closely, it is the 12 zodiac signs. 🐭🐮🐯🐰🐉🐍🐎🐏🐵🐓🐶🐗

Photographed 12/9/24. At the Naka Towns Tourist Information Center, a hanging decoration exhibition is held in until the 14th.

Photographed 12/9/24. It is Town Hanachozu of Naka Information Center sightseeing.

[Isehara Mountain Market is on!] The event will go ahead in light rain and be canceled in severe weather. This month brings more of Isehara’s delicious and delightful offerings, popular as ever! Sunday, December 15, 2024, 10:00–15:00 Venue: Isehara City General Sports Park (free admission) Food tents and kitchen cars, local vegetables for sale, and a wide variety of booths will gather in one place.✨ You can also enjoy stage performances like kids’ dance and music events. Come join us! 😊 ● Access by train and bus 320 Nishitomioka, Isehara, Kanagawa Get off at Odakyu Line Isehara Station Take the Kanachu (Kanagawa Chuo Kotsu) bus from North Exit, Platform 3, bound for Nanasawa, about 10 minutes, 240 yen ▪ If you board routes I-34 or I-36, get off at Sogo Undokoen (General Sports Park) ▪ If you board routes I-31 or I-37, get off at Sogo Undokoen Iriguchi (General Sports Park Entrance) and walk 5 minutes

From Soto Recipes! As a special return to everyone who supported us through crowdfunding of the luxury retort "Izu no Gokumeshi" that fully uses high-quality ingredients from the three towns of Shizuoka and Izu, we Held in a social gathering to eat "Izu no Gokumeshi" together in Izu with our ambassador Izu no Nushi Fishing. Izu Southwest Coast Tourism Promotion Council Three towns: Nishi-Izu Town, Matsuzaki Town, and Minami-Izu Town We received full cooperation in recipe development, etc. Chiaki, Representative of Soto Recipe Co., Ltd. Ambassador "Izu no Nushi Fishing" With everyone who supported us We enjoyed camping food unique to the southwestern Coast of Izu, such as "Dogashima barley wine", "Hon Wasabi and local fish", "Ghibier yakiniku", "natural eel kabayaki", "deep-fried ginaga shrimp", and "tide soup". Souvenirs include "Hot Spring Melon", "Bonito Dashi Salt", and "Matsuzaki Rice". There is a very much to everyone who participated.

[e-Sports Trial Event 🎮] Today (December 10) an "e-Sports Trial Event" took place in the Sakamoto area.💡 At first, many faces looked tense—perhaps from unfamiliar games and the cold—but as the rounds went on people relaxed and smiles grew.😁✨ Some teams shone with individual skill, others with outstanding teamwork, and each team had its own style. The crowd cheered loudly whenever other teams played, creating a lively atmosphere.😆 Hearing comments like "That was fun!" and "Let’s do it again!" made us very happy.😄

Photographed 12/9/24. It is Hanachozu of Naritasan Kawagoe Betsuin.

Metasequoia Trees It will be Metasequoia 🎄 yesterday 12/9! Autumn leaves were 🥰 beautiful Come #Takaharu Town Metasequoia Please post 😁 hashtags at Location: A short walk from Takaharu Clear streams Land Car parking lot! 〒889-4414 31-2 Kamamuta, Takaharu, Nishimorokata District, Miyazaki Prefecture Car parking is free of charge, so please park neatly in the open space.

Popular snow activities in Nayoro City, Hokkaido "Powder Snow Safari" A tour to the summit of Mount Piyasiri, next to the Piyasiri ski resort in the city. Ride a snowmobile through snowy forest roads and snowfields to meet the giant "Snow Monster". From the top of the mountain, if you are lucky, you can also see the "Sun Pillar", which is a Nature tabletop phenomenon, Mt. Rishiri on the northernmost Rishiri Island, and the Sea of Okhotsk. Rest assured that the snowmobile will have a driver. Rental items such as helmets, gloves, and spats are also available, so even beginners can enjoy it. Period: Late December ~ Early March Number of receptionists: 1 person ~ Duration: 2 hours ~ 2 and a half hours Fee: 12,000 yen/person (tax included) For details, search for "Nayoro Sightseeing & Town Planning Association"!!

On the special day of Christmas, Enjoy ⛄ a sumptuous and rewarding lunch with stylish stand sweets and plenty of savouries 🌟 Christmas Lunch Afternoon Tea Set 🌟 [Limited to 5 days] We have prepared a menu that is perfect for a white Christmas, such as "Paris Brest", Christmas Standard "Stollen", and "Young Hokkaido Chicken Ballotine Sweet and Sour Fruit Sauce"! Stylish and delicious, Volume afternoon tea set ♪ Please enjoy it ✨ 🎄menu 【Sweets】 ・Paris Brest ・Cup white chocolate ・Stollen ・Kumquat tart ・Stick ganache ・Canele ・White grass ・Ginger cookies ・Macarons ・Marron Roll ・Croquis [Savory] ・ Gorgeous hole "Xmas"-style wreath salad from the sea and earth ・Seafood Chowder Pie Wrap Baked ・ Young Hokkaido chicken balotine with sweet and sour fruit sauce ・Bread, Butter [Drink] ・Ronnefeldt tea (7 kinds) ・Coffee ・Mocktail (2 types) 🎄fee ¥4,600 per person 🎄 Offer Period December 21~25, 2024 🎄time 11:30~16:00 (Last entry 14:00) *120 minutes 🎄place Rendezvous Lounge Reservations and details 📞011-222-1522 Or visit the 👍 hotel's website

Photographed 12/9/24. It is the sacred tree of Kawagoe Hachimangu. The carpet of Ginkgo leaves is very beautiful.

Photographed 12/4/24. This is the love water of Kawagoe Kumano Shrine. Shot from a different angle.

Odakyu Family Fun Festa 2024 On Saturday, December 7 and Sunday, December 8, it took place at a special venue featuring a full-scale ice skating rink made with real ice and at the adjacent Ebina Central Park. Popular characters gathered in large numbers, including Isehara’s Kururin, Odakyu’s Mokoron, and Sotetsu’s Christmas version Sounyan, drawing many families and other visitors and creating a lively atmosphere!

Photographed 12/4/24. This is the love water of Kawagoe Kumano Shrine. It was redecorated for winter. ❄️

Photographed 12/4/24. Every Wednesday, we visited Maestro, who operates at Resona Coedo Terrace. It is a financier of Kawagoe tea (yuzu), Buckwheat noodles and matcha. I received a prototype of Garrett. The galette is also delicious.

Photographed 12/4/24. After the dedication ceremony, we visited the Tomori Shokudo at Benten Nagaya. It is chicken cutlet and grated ponzu sauce. There are many side dishes, and it is a luxurious rice set. 😊

Prayer to Kawagoe Hachimangu Shrine before work. 💛 Ginkgo leaves.

Photographed 12/4/24. At the Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine, a potato dedication ceremony was held. This is Kawagoe Imo Lottery. With the number enclosed in the fortune teller, you can receive a strip of the Imo Lottery Extra Edition. It seems that you can understand the potato language, potato knowledge, and lucky potato items.

On the shore of Lake Utonai, the samaras of the karakogi maple sparkle in the sunlight ✨ You can also see whooper swans 🦢 (Image provided by the Lake Utonai Wildlife Protection Center)

Odakyu Family Fun Festa 2024 Starting tomorrow, a hugely popular two-day event will bring railway companies from across the country together in Ebina! On both days, Isehara City offers a multicolor woodblock printing experience, and the sparkling Kururin will also appear—catch the stage around 3:30 PM (planned)! Yoshikawa Brewery will be on site Saturday the 7th, and Happy Pan Life will be there Sunday the 8th. Enjoy a full lineup of family activities, including the Fuma Ninja Show and Fuma Ninja experience, Odakyu’s child-support mascot Koron’s stage, and a stationmaster dress-up experience. Odakyu Line offers a flat pediatric IC fare of 50 yen!! Enjoy two days packed with fun events🌈 Date and Time: Saturday, December 7 and Sunday, December 8, 10:00 AM–4:00 PM Venue: Ebina Central Park Access: A short walk from Ebina Station on the Odakyu and Sotetsu lines Organizer: Odakyu Electric Railway Co., Ltd. Ebina Central Park Designated Manager

Photographed 12/3/24. At the Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine, a potato dedication ceremony was held. The Kawagoe Imo Lottery is handmade by everyone at the Kawagoe Imonoko Workshop.

Nov. 27th in 2024 Today, the gluttonous Kasai went to a Japanese sweets shop for research again!!! It's Engetsu-dou Hompo Fukushima branch! But, everyone, do you notice anything in the pictures? Look! Look!!! I was so excited to go to Engetsu-dou that I forgot to take a picture of the shop's exterior... I'm really driven by my appetite... I'm ashamed... I'll make sure to do it next time! I spoke with Mrs. Katagiri, the proprietress of Engetsu-dou Hompo! It seems that they started with a different shop name 78 years ago (Showa 21), before it became Engetsu-dou. At first, it was in front of Kamisuwa Station! Four years later, they expanded to Kowada, and eight years after that, to Shimizu. Now, they have the Shimizu store and this Fukushima store, which opened in 1992, offering Japanese sweets at two stores in the city!!! The proprietress's recommendations are the revived "Kojou Monaka" and "Kabuto Monaka"!!! There are about four types of Monaka, and there are many different kinds. According to the proprietress, "Each Japanese sweets shop has a different red bean paste, so it's fun to try and find your favorite!" Also, she said "Recently, the number of foreign customers has been increasing little by little, and I think they may be paying attention to red bean paste because it is lower in calories than Western-style cream." ◎ Engetsu-dou Hompo Fukushima branch 📍Nakasu-Fukushima, 5398-1 Suwa city, Nagano Pref. ☎ 0266-58-1547 ◎ Business hours: 9:00 ~ 19:00 ◎ Regular holiday: Shimizu and Fukushima stores, every Tuesday ◎ Engetsu-dou Hompo Shimizu branch 📍Shimizu 1-2-12 Suwa city, Nagano Pref. ☎ 0266-52-1543 ◎ Business hours: 9:00 ~ 19:00 Nov. 27th in 2024 Today I went to Engetsu-dou Hompo which is Japanese traditional sweets (Wagashi) shop in Suwa city! “Wa” means Japan. “Gashi” means sweets. So, Japanese traditional sweets call Wagashi? They have two shops in Suwa, Shimizu-machi area and Fukujima area. I went to Fukujima location. Don’t you notice about pictures??? Did you? I was focus for Wagashi… That’s why I forgot to take a picture about Engetsu-dou’s exterior… That’s big mistake! Horrible!!! I’m so sorry about that. I’m gluttony. Wagashi was right front of me, I lost from Wagashi’s temptation. So, I forgot took the shop’s exterior photo… Ms. Katagiri (landlady) introduce her shop and Wagashi. They founded in 1946. About 78 years. The shop was front of Kamisuwa station. They started with the different name of the shop. It became Engetsu-dou in 1950. Shimizu-machi branch opened in 1958. Fukujima branch opened in 1992. I asked her, “what is your recommendation Wagashi?” She told me Kojou Monaka and Kabuto Monaka. Monaka is a Japanese sweet that is bean‐jam‐filled wafers. Also, she said “You can enjoy Wagashi every season, and each shop has original sweetened red bean paste. So, you can enjoy to find your favorite shop. Now, gradually increasing foreign customers. I think they realized Wagashi is less than calories compare to cake.” ★ Engetsu-dou Hompo Fukushima branch 📍Nakasu-Fukushima, 5398-1 Suwa city, Nagano Pref. ☎ 0266-58-1547 ◎ Business hours: 9:00 ~ 19:00 ◎ Regular holiday: Shimizu and Fukushima stores, every Tuesday ★ Engetsu-dou Hompo Shimizu branch 📍Shimizu 1-2-12 Suwa city, Nagano Pref. ☎ 0266-52-1543 ◎ Business hours: 9:00 ~ 19:00

Photographed 12/3/24. We interviewed HK Tea Hong Kong Tea. It is a triple chocolate with lemon honey and egg waffles. Honey lemon tastes better when it is HOT. 😊🍋🍯

[Recording of Itome Meeting Deluxe] Today, December 5, we recorded the hugely popular “Itome Meeting” segment of Gokasecho Kurara Channel, beloved both inside and outside Gokase Town📹✨ Although the recording was originally scheduled for June, it was postponed due to various circumstances😭 The venue was Potunto Ikkenya Kuraoka, which just opened this October🏠💡 On a set that looked like a real TV show, we welcomed local legends Ito-shan (96) and Tome-shan (98) from the Kuraoka district, Gokase Town, plus special guest Asakiss-san (98). The three of them, totaling 292 years, delivered razor-sharp conversation🤣👏 Reporters from Miyazaki Nichinichi Shimbun also covered the event, and Itome Meeting continues to lead the way in energizing Gokase Town literally from the front lines…🥹✨ This edition has been powered up as “Itome Meeting Deluxe – Together with Asakiss-san♪” and will be released soon🤩🙌 Please subscribe to Gokasecho Kurara Channel on YouTube and look forward to the video upload🥳💫 Their quick-witted responses, despite being nearly 100 years old, are sure to inspire you. If you haven’t seen it yet, please give it a watch🤗

Overnight Castle Snow Scenery Castles and snow look good Sumimata Towns, Ogaki, Gifu Prefecture

Autumn at Ooyama 2024 Maple Report 🍁 12.5 Here is the current view of Oyama Temple as of Thursday, December 5, and of the lower Ooyama Afuri Shrine and Fujimidai as of Tuesday, December 3. On clear days, the view of Mt. Fuji from Fujimidai is exceptional! The maple trees along Suzukawa, below the OyamaCableCar bus stop, are also beautiful. The peak of the autumn leaves has passed at this soothing spot of Ooyama, so please visit as soon as you can! ※Sunset comes early, so if you aim for the mountaintop, start early in the morning and allow plenty of time. Access: From Odakyu Line Isehara Station North Exit, Platform 4 Take the ‘For Ooyama Cable’ bus for about 30 minutes Get off at the last stop and walk 15 minutes to the cable car station

Ryozenji, an indispensable site in the history of Shimoda’s opening, sits a 10-minute walk from Izukyū-Shimoda Station. On November 8, a new shop called Sushilabo 302 opened in the temple’s parking lot. It’s a great stop when you want to tour compact Shimoda efficiently, grab a quick bite, enjoy lively conversation with the staff, or if you overdid the ryokan breakfast but still want sushi in Shimoda.(^^)/ The sushi chefs are several “side-job sushi artisans.” They trained for a few months and debuted when the shop opened.✨ They normally work in completely different fields, and some have come from other prefectures. Sushilabo, a new style of sushi restaurant in Shimoda, was planned by the fourth-generation owner of the town’s popular sushi spot Mimatsu Sushi, who helped train these side-job sushi artisans and bring the shop to life. When you stroll around town, please stop by and enjoy— you might even meet a favorite side-job sushi artisan!