Photo taken on December 1st The autumn leaves at Atami Plum Garden are now at their peak! The garden has about 380 maple trees, and perhaps because of the mild climate they usually change color from late November through December, earning the reputation of being "the latest autumn leaves in Japan." Early-blooming plum trees have already started flowering since mid-October, so searching for plum blossoms while enjoying the autumn foliage is a unique Atami experience. During the Momiji Festival, the annual footbath opens, the Atami Plum Garden Momiji Festival Photo Contest is held, and the Momiji Light-Up takes place, among other events. Event period / November 16 to December 8, 2024 Hours / Light-up (every night during the event) 4:30 PM–9:00 PM Venue / Atami Plum Garden (8-11 Ume-enzaka, Atami City, Shizuoka Prefecture) Phone / 0557-85-2222 Organizer / Atami City Tourism Association Access / ■ From JR Atami Station, take the bus bound for Ainobara Danchi for about 15 minutes and get off at "Ume-en" ■ From Atami Station, take the Ito Line about 3 minutes to Kinomiya Station, then walk about 10 minutes Admission / Free Parking / 100 spaces in front of the plum garden (open only during the event) (Weekdays) 9:00 AM–5:00 PM (Saturdays, Sundays and holidays) 8:30 AM–5:00 PM Standard car 300 yen · Motorcycle & bicycle 100 yen · Microbus 1000 yen

Commemorative Celebration for the Registration of Gokase Ara-odori as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage Today, Sunday, December 1, a celebratory gathering was held at the Ara-Odori Hall in the Sakamoto district to mark the registration of “Gokase Ara-odori” as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage in February of Reiwa 3 (2021).👏✨ Because the registration around Reiwa 3 fell during the COVID-19 pandemic, holding a celebration then was difficult, so today’s event was finally realized.🥹 After the opening, the ceremony proceeded smoothly with greetings from the Ara-Odori Preservation Society and congratulatory messages from guests, followed by kagami-biraki (sake barrel opening) accompanied by the powerful sounds of Ara-odori drums, bells, and matchlock gun volleys.🍶🔨 Later, Mr. Fujimoto, the lead dancer, gave the toast and the banquet began.👏 It was a wonderful gathering where members of the Ara-Odori Preservation Society, the dancers and their families all shared their various feelings about Ara-odori.😌 During the banquet, the host conducted interviews in which, somewhat shyly, everyone spoke passionately about Ara-odori.🤭✨ When people had enjoyed enough sake and conversation, the event concluded with three cheers of banzai.🙌🙌🙌 In Miyazaki, a land that preserves many traditional performing arts such as kagura, the registration of Gokase Ara-odori as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage truly felt like a great achievement.😳 Going forward, we hope these traditional performing arts, preserved and passed down in each district, will continue to be treasured.✨

[TV Asahi "Shokusai no Oukoku" Isehara Yamatoimo] Broadcast date and time: Saturday, December 7, 2024, 9:30–9:55 ◇ Program: "Shokusai no Oukoku" A show that stays close to the people who are passionately working to preserve "Japan's food" and unravels the rich world of ingredients. Yasuhito Nakamura of Yamatoimoya in Isehara, Kanagawa Prefecture, is a yam producer who single-handedly hand-digs about 15,000 yam plants grown in his fields from autumn through winter! Program highlights: ▽ Left the corporate world to become a yam farmer! The secrets of stickiness and aroma ▽ Tips for yam cooking worth copying, learned from popular restaurants, and more Be sure to record it so you don’t miss the show! And experience Isehara—famous for its scenery, souvenirs, and gourmet food— see it with your eyes, hear it with your ears, feel it with your skin, taste it with your mouth, and enjoy visiting the filming locations!! Yamatoimoya TEL 0463-96-6333 At the Ekina Kururin House Yamatoimoya’s yam-filled Tanzawa-Ooyama soba and other items are on sale and well received! Midway on the stairs at the north exit of Odakyu Line Isehara Station Ekina Kururin House (Isehara Station Tourist Information) TEL/FAX 0463-95-5333 OPEN 9:00–17:00 (open year-round) * January 1–3, 2025: 10:00–15:00

Photographed on 12/1/24. It is a Starbucks Bell Ring Street store. It was a Sunday, so it was crowded. It is a gingerbread latte and a nut and caramel cheesecake.

Snowy Sapporo Station Sapporo Station is now lit up with colorful lights Together with the slowly falling snow

Light up of Nagoya's Swans Garden I used white balance to create a refreshing blue photo.

Autumn leaves in Sorakuen Gardens

Today, I attended the Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine Monthly Festival. It is a Shichi-Go-San shooting spot. Today, we and the water of Precincts and the festival of Shimahime Shrine. It is a shrine related to water. If I have time, I will attend.

I took an aerial photo of Mt. Yoshino with a drone. Mt. Yoshino is famous for its thousand cherry blossoms. Autumn leaves are also beautiful in autumn. Yoshino District, Nara Prefecture "Mt. Yoshino" 2024/11

Minoh Waterfall Road to Minoh Oodaru

Anata Terasu: Tea, Healing, Fortune-telling, and Goods Today, Saturday, November 30, Anata Terasu took place at Miyazaki Sabo’s Barber House ☺️🍀 This event, which was also held in summer, is now at Volume 5 🖐️💡 A wood-burning stove warmed the shop, giving a gentle, happy warmth 😌💕 A wide range of fortune-telling and healing services were available 🫶 I asked Hikari Therapy for a guardian reading and a channeled message this time 🤗 I was surprised by some unexpected results 😳 but they might indeed be true 🤭 I felt encouraged to keep the messages in my heart and live joyfully 💪✨ While others waited for healing services, they relaxed, chatted, and enjoyed delicious tea, chiffon cake, and bread 🍵 Healing goods like warm items and other soothing accessories were on display, making for a lovely event where time flowed slowly ☺️✨ Actually, I’m typing this post while eating the hojicha chiffon cake I bought… and it’s unbelievably delicious 🥹💕 The rich hojicha flavor and moist chiffon texture are perfect… If you get the chance, please try it ✨ This was a rewarding event recommended for anyone who’s always busy and feeling a bit short on mental space 🥰

Photographed 10/20/24. It is the second day of the Kawagoe Festival. It is a festival float procession in front of Kawagoe City Hall. It is a festival float of the Rustic Son of Nishikosenba Towns.

[🍁Gokase Autumn Leaves 2024 Photo Submission Showcase — Part 6—🍁] Here we introduce works posted to the “#Gokase Autumn Leaves 2024” contest held on the Instagram account of Gokase Tourism Association! @gokase_pan

【🍁Gokase Autumn Foliage 2024 Photo Contest Entries — Part 5🍁】 Here we showcase works posted to the “#Gokase Autumn Foliage 2024” held on the Gokase Tourism Association Instagram account. @thusandleavis様

🍁 Gokase Autumn Leaves 2024 Photo Contest Entries — Part 4 🍁 Here we introduce works posted to the "#Gokase Autumn Leaves 2024" contest held on the Gokase Tourism Association Instagram account! @mitsu_yumi.0520 @naomin168 @niidome2110 (in no particular order)

🍁 Gokase Autumn Leaves 2024 Photo Submissions — Part 3 🍁 Here we showcase photos posted to the Gokase Tourism Association Instagram account for the “#Gokase Autumn Leaves 2024” event! @donguri223103 @san.shimako.1105 @kaaazuuu1123 @kickcamp_with_jimny (in no particular order)

⛩ Gion Shrine Niiname Festival and Final Kagura Performance 👹 On November 23rd, the Niiname Festival and the final kagura performance were held at Gion Shrine in the Kuraoka district.⛩ First a Shinto ceremony took place, followed by a kagura dedication at the kagura hall.👹 Today we welcomed visitors from overseas and guests who came from Tokyo.😮 The gingko trees at Gion Shrine had turned color, creating a carpet of yellow.😆✨ Gokase Town is getting colder, and it looks like winter is finally arriving.⛄

[Searching for Autumn in Gokase] November 19 A little late, but I went looking for autumn around Gokase and am sharing some photos📸✨ Photo 1 / Shirataki Falls Photo 2 / From the bridge on the way to Unoko Falls viewing point Photo 3 / From Yūhi no Sato Ohashi (Sunset Village Bridge) Photos 4 and 5 / Near the torii at Myoken Shrine

G Music Corps Regular Concert On Sunday, November 17th, the G Music Corps held a concert at Yumeyume Plaza TAC in Takachiho Town🎺🎶 The program was packed into four exciting parts😳💡 Under the baton of conductor Mitsutoshi Hasebe, the concert opened with a Disney medley. Familiar tunes arrived on a dynamic sound that made people move along before they knew it🤩👏 In the second part, dancers from Takachiho Town’s studio DACTCREW delivered an impressive performance to popular songs🪩💫 The third part recreated the original show’s format with a lively amateur singing stage😆🎤 Seven contestants from Gokase, Takachiho, and Kumamoto Prefecture sang joyfully to live wind ensemble accompaniment✨ A former real bell-ringer from the original program played the bell live, a trophy was presented to the winner, and the excitement peaked 🥳👏 The final fourth part featured guests trumpeter MAKOTO, drummer Kiyotaka Kuroda, and pianist Satsuki Imamura in a powerful, high-impact set😳✨ Audience members praised the event, saying things like "I’m glad I came; I never expected it to be this much fun" 🥹💕 G Music Corps, active both inside and outside the prefecture, delivered a wonderful performance that makes you want to cheer them on for the future. Great job to everyone involved❗

Sunset Village Exhibition✨ On Saturday and Sunday, November 16–17, the former Kuwanouchi Elementary School gym hosted the "Sunset Village Exhibition" and the "Small Sato Frost Month Festival," to much excitement 😆🎉 Creative works by local residents were on display, and visitors toured them with great interest 👀 On Saturday, November 16, food stalls and workshops drew lively crowds 😁 At the workshops, many people happily carried their finished pieces home, and seeing that made us happy too 😊

Ikuta Shrine. I found autumn.

Photographed 10/20/24. It is the second day of the Kawagoe Festival. It is a festival float procession at Kawagoe City Hall. It is a festival float of Ota Michikan in Renjaku Town.

Photographed 10/20/24. It is the second day of the Kawagoe Festival. It is a festival float procession in front of Kawagoe City Hall. It is a festival float of Ieyasu in Wakita Towns.

Autumn leaves frame The thirteen-storied pagoda is surrounded by maples. Anyway, it's beautiful, so it's definitely a Spot you want to visit in autumn. Sakurai City, Nara Prefecture "Tanzan Shrine" 2024/11/28

On Thursday, November 28, the blooming of the "Himalaya cherry" in Shinsui Park was confirmed. (Photo taken November 29) Of the two trees, the one facing the sea has begun to bloom, and only the uppermost part is flowering. Other buds are swelling, so more blooms are expected soon. This cherry is a rare variety that typically blooms from late November through December, producing delicate pale pink flowers. In Atami City, the parent tree stands on a slope near Atami High School, and young trees are scattered around Shinsui Park, Tsukimigaoka Park, the Sakura Scenic Walk, Nagahama Seaside Park, and other locations. The parent tree originates from seeds of the “Himalaya zakura” that were presented to former Crown Prince (later King) Birendra of Nepal during his study at the University of Tokyo. In August 1967, when he visited Ito City, the Atami Botanical Friends Association offered seeds of Atami cherries and plums. In return, seeds of the Himalaya zakura were sent from Nepal in May 1968 and sown and grown in July of the same year at the municipal farm in Shimotaga, Atami City. Against the cold sky, the modestly blooming cherry is very beautiful. Himalaya cherry A deciduous tall tree that grows in temperate to subtropical zones around the Himalayas. It blooms in November–December with reddish flowers; petals measure 8–13 mm in length and the flowers are rich in nectar. Scientific name: Prunus cerasoides Family: Rosaceae Genus: Prunus Origin: Nepal Number of trees (as of November 2019): 49 in total ・Slope near Atami High School (parent tree, 1): Kamitaga, Atami City ・Tsukimigaoka Park (1): Shimotaga, Atami City ・Shinsui Park (2): beside the first parking lot of Shinsui Park, Nagisa-cho, Atami City ・Beside Taga Junior High School gymnasium (2): Shimotaga, Atami City ・Sakura Scenic Walk (14): Kamitaga, Atami City ・Nagahama Seaside Park (29): Kamitaga, Atami City Inquiries: Atami City Parks and Greenery Division Phone 0557-86-6218 At Atami Plum Garden, autumn colors will soon be at their peak, and early-blooming plums have been flowering since October, so right now you can see autumn leaves, plums, and cherries in Atami at the same time.

Have you all been feeling tired lately??? It may be a little early, but why not plan an evening with friends, partners, or family to see a nationally designated Important Cultural Property lit up? In December, we will illuminate Katakura-kan in Suwa for six days across three weekends (Dec. 7–8, 14–15, and 21–22, 2024)! Katakura-kan is a nationally designated Important Cultural Property and served as a filming location for the famous hot spring film *Thermae Ro◯e* (title partially obscured in the original). Wild eel is actually in season right now, and there is a traditional cold 'doyō' period in January (寒の土用), which locals note. Here’s a suggested plan: 1. Enjoy eel in the Suwa–Okaya area 2. See Katakura-kan illuminated 3. Unwind and refresh from everyday fatigue and stress at Kamisuwa Onsen. Oh—don’t forget to book your accommodation! ・Period: December 7–8 (Sat–Sun), December 14–15 (Sat–Sun), and December 21–22 (Sat–Sun), 2024. ・Time: 17:00–20:00 * Bathing hours at Katakura-kan end at 20:00. Last admission is at 19:30.

This morning Tokachigawa Onsen was blanketed in snow. The forecast high for today is 5°C, so I think it will melt soon, but the pristine white snow is beautiful! It will get colder from now on, so please come to Tokachigawa Onsen to warm up 😊

Photographed 10/20/24. It is the second day of the Kawagoe Festival. This is the residence of Shintomi Town 2-chome.

Autumn leaves in Yumori Park Nakatsugawa City, Gifu Prefecture "Yumori Park" 2024/11

It rained in Otofukecho this morning. By the afternoon the sky cleared to a beautiful blue, but the wind is chilly... Even so, preparations are already under way for the winter event Sairinka! Every year we start wiring and other electrical work before the snow falls. Please look forward to seeing what kind of light displays Sairinka will present this year! It was raining in Otofukecho this morning. By the afternoon the sky turned into a beautiful blue, but the wind was cold... At the same time, preparations for the winter event "Sairinka" have already begun! Every year we begin installing wiring before the snow falls. Please look forward to the light production that Sairinka will bring this year!