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. 🍋

Photographed 1/19/25.
This is Hanachozu of Chuin.

Photographed on January 13, 25.
It is in front of the entrance of CAFE ANDON.

Photographed on January 13, 25.
CAFE ANDON's café latte and apple pie.
The apple pie comes with soft serve ice cream from Morino Ranch. It goes very well with warmed apple pie.
The latte art is also very beautiful.

This work is the Gifu Great Buddha Located in Gifu Park, Gifu Prefecture
It is a work that combines the front, right side, and left side with a kaleidoscope lens

This work is the Great Buddha Hall Located in Gifu Park, Gifu Prefecture
This is a composite photo of the front, right side, and left side

Mild Seven Hill that you visit every time you go to Biei

There are two, and this is the hill of the new Mild Seven.

All seasons are beautiful, but the snowy scenery in winter is the best.

Especially in the afternoon when the sun goes down

Photographed on January 13, 25.
This is CAFE ANDON's Andon chicken curry.
It is a curry that I like very much. 🍛
Popular café in Kawagoe as well.

Photographed on 12/28/24.
It is a New Year's exhibition at the Kawagoe Prince Hotel. 🎍

Takaharacho 90th Anniversary Branding Project
Okukirishima Onsen-kyo—What a Nice Bath!
Ground Golf Tournament ⛳️
Now Accepting Participants!!

Date: Sunday, February 23, 2025
Time: Registration 8:00 AM—Opening Ceremony 8:30 AM—Competition Begins 9:00 AM
Eligibility: Residents and non-residents (junior high school students and older)
Participation Fee: 200 yen per person
Capacity: 200 participants (All entrants receive a bathing voucher redeemable at local facilities)
A free shuttle bus to the onsen will be available on the day.
Application Deadline: Friday, January 31, 2025
Venue: Takaharu Town General Sports Park
709-9 Nishifumoto, Takaharu, Nishimorokata District, Miyazaki 889-4412

————————About Applications————————

You may fill in the application section on the back of the flyer and submit it in person at the Takaharu Town Tourism Association (inside Takaharu Station).
Applications are also accepted by fax, mail, or via the web form links below.
[Flyer front]
http://www.takaharu-tourism.jp/wp.../uploads/2025/01/1.jpg
[Flyer back]
http://www.takaharu-tourism.jp/.../2025/01/image11.jpeg
[Google Application Form]
https://docs.google.com/.../1jcXJI-P-N-niYcStgJ05N.../edi

————————Application Details————————

Teams should consist mainly of 4 to 6 players.
Three-player teams are allowed, but they may be combined with others to form mixed teams.
Contact Information
Organizer: Takaharu Town Tourism Association TEL: 0984-42-4560
Cooperative Organizer: Okukirishima Onsen-kyo Ryokan Association
Managed by: Takaharu Town Ground Golf Association