I visited the Yokohama Museum of Art to see "Vienna at the Fin de Siècle: The Golden Age of Beauty." The exhibition wraps you in the atmosphere of the era. Rather than simply looking at the works, it offers time to experience the values of beauty. Egon Schiele’s presence quietly yet powerfully lingers in the memory. I think this is an exhibition that comes across only when you visit in person. #Vienna at the Fin de Siècle #Egon Schiele #Art exhibition #Japanese culture #Cool Japan

Ooyama Sky Lantern Event Following last week, the second Ooyama Sky Lantern will take place tomorrow, Saturday, January 24th. We are thrilled to welcome Yutaka Hozumi, the well-known reporter from FM Yokohama, as the event MC.

Yokohama Noge The beauty of lowered eyes quietly leaves an impression in this shot. I captured the moment when the air slowly shifts from winter to spring. If expressed in color, it feels almost white. photo yutti model SAGI #portrait #artphotography #japanesephotography #seasonalchange #cooljapan

Otayama Sky Lantern Event Held On January 17th, the Otayama Sky Lantern event took place within the grounds of Oyama Afuri Shrine Lower Shrine. Lanterns rose into the dusk sky, casting a soft, gentle glow. Under Otayama’s clear winter sky, visitors enjoyed a magical, memorable moment. The second event is scheduled for this weekend, January 24th.

[Ooyama Wild Boar and Deer (Gibier) Fair Now Underway] Ooyama is currently hosting the Ooyama Wild Boar and Deer (gibier) Fair. Gibier cuisine in Ooyama, where boar hotpot has been enjoyed for generations, ranks alongside tofu dishes as a local specialty. Many temple lodgings and restaurants serve seasonal flavors unique to this period. Take this opportunity to visit Ooyama and taste these signature dishes. *Some establishments may require reservations.* Event Period ◆ Through March 31, 2026 For details, please see the official website. https://www.city.isehara.kanagawa.jp/kankou_guide/docs/2025090900014/...

[Notice of Winter Night Scenery Operation on MtOoyama Cable Car] MtOoyama Cable Car will operate a “Winter Night Scenery” service during the following period. During the event, the first 200 passengers using the cable car each day will receive a cup of amazake. Additionally, a greeting event with a popular character will be held! Enjoy the crisp winter air and the night views at MtOoyama. ■Event Period 2026 Saturday, January 10; Sunday, January 11 Monday, January 12 (national holiday) Saturday, January 17; Sunday, January 18 Saturday, January 24; Sunday, January 25 ■Cable Car Operating Hours Service runs until 7:00 p.m. each day For details, please see the official website. https://www.ooyama-cable.co.jp/winteryakei2026.html...

Hinata Yakushi First Yakushi Notice Hinata Yakushi will hold the “First Yakushi” on January 8, 2026. On the day, the principal image will be publicly displayed and medicinal rice porridge will be served. Please visit to pray for a year of good health and the absence of illness. Date: January 8, 2026 Public display of the principal image: 9:00 – 16:30 Serving of Yakushi porridge: starts around 11:30 *Service ends when supplies run out / event held in light rain, canceled in heavy rain Inquiries: 0463-95-1416 (Hinata Yakushi) For more details, please see the official Hinata Yakushi website.

Happy New Year. For Hokulea Shonan, this year is a year of “brush up.” We believe the future lies in steadily building careful work. We will further hone our skills and thinking, and bravely take on new challenges. We will not forget our gratitude to everyone who supports us, and we will continue to grow while honoring the sea and nature. We look forward to your continued support this year. Hokulea Shonan Representative Terushige Koike --- 🌈Hokulea Shonan is a diving shop in Hiratsuka, Kanagawa Prefecture. Under the theme “Let’s set out for an unseen world!”, we offer experiences that let you discover the wonder and joy of nature through diving. We hold courses and tours year-round in Izu, Okinawa, and overseas. With small group sizes, beginners can join with confidence. We also respond flexibly to requests tailored to each person. Now, let’s set off together for a new world.

Enriched dive to the shipwreck 🚢 Hello 🫧 This is Hokulea Shonan. Today we visited the shipwreck dive site in Atami 🚢 Large schools of fish gathered around the wreck, and we were thrilled by the dramatic underwater scenery 🤩 This time we dived using enriched air (Nitrox). Thanks to that, my body felt much better after the dive ☺️ Enriched air is a breathing gas with a higher oxygen concentration than normal air. Because less nitrogen accumulates in the body, it reduces the risk of decompression sickness and allows for safer dives 👍 Another big benefit is that you get less tired ✌️ Thank you to all the guests who joined us 😊 Diving as a family was truly lovely ✨ From now on, let’s enjoy Atami’s shipwreck more comfortably with enriched air 🥳 🌈 At Hokulea Shonan, you can also earn the Enriched Air Specialty (SP) certification 🙌 We also welcome requests for course dates! --- 🏝️ Hokulea Shonan is a diving shop in Hiratsuka, Kanagawa Prefecture. With the theme “Let’s travel to unseen worlds!”, we share the wonder and joy of nature through diving. We run lessons and tours more than 300 days a year in Izu, Okinawa, and overseas. With small group sizes, beginners can join with confidence. Request dives are also very welcome! #Hokulea Shonan #Enriched Air #Nitrox #Enriched Diving #CoolJapanVideos #HokuleaShonan #NitroxDiving #EnrichedAir #OceanLovers #ExploreTheBlue

A place where you can meet sea turtles on a day trip✨ Hello! This is Hokulea Shonan 🤗 This time we went diving at Ose Cape, where you can dive with sea turtles on a day trip 🤿 Right now, among beach dives on the Izu Peninsula, Ose Cape has the highest chance of encountering sea turtles👏 Recently it also made headlines when two whales appeared during a dive! On this dive we met a sea turtle on the first dive👏 No matter how many times you see them, the moment you meet one always gets you excited😄 On sunny days it feels great to relax in the shallow water✨ We also found nudibranchs that are popular with divers👍 Ose Cape was teeming with life and full of highlights 🥳 Thank you to everyone who joined us🙏 If you want to dive with sea turtles, be sure to head to Ose Cape🌟 We don’t know how long they’ll stay, so come soon〜! --- 🌈Hokulea Shonan is a diving shop in Hiratsuka, Kanagawa Prefecture. With the theme "Set out for a world you’ve never seen!", we convey the beauty and joy of nature through diving. We hold over 300 courses and tours a year in Izu, Okinawa, and overseas. With small group sizes, beginners can participate with confidence. Request dives are also very welcome! #DiveJapan #ScubaDivingJapan #BeachDiving #ExploreTheBlue #OceanLovers #HiddenJapan #HokuleaShonan

Meigetsuin Temple, famous for its hydrangeas This temple in the historic city of Kamakura also offers spectacular autumn foliage. Especially from the Satori Window, the view of the autumn leaves captures a timeless sense of old Japan.

[Notice of Ooyama Star Festival (Tounen-seki Memorial Service)] At Daisenji Temple, a star festival will be held to honor the nine planetary stars (tounen-seki) that govern the year’s fortunes and to pray for turning misfortune into blessing in the coming year. Date and time: Monday, December 22, 14:00– Prayer fee: from ¥1,000 (postal applications accepted) How to apply: Please inquire by phone (applications accepted until December 21) Phone: 0463-95-2011 For details, please see Daisenji Temple’s website. https://oyamadera.jp/other/%e3%80%90%e5%a4%a7%e5%b1%b1%e3%81%ae%e6%98%9f%e3%81%be%e3%81%a4%e3%82%8a%ef%bc%88%e5%bd%93%e5%b9%b4%e6%98%9f%e4%be%9b%ef%bc%89%e3%80%9112-21%ef%bd%9e12-22/...

[Isehara and MtOoyama Specialty Products Sale at Sagami-Ono Station – Event Announcement] This weekend, on December 13 and 14, we will hold a sale of specialty products from Isehara and MtOoyama in the concourse of OdakyuLine Sagami-Ono Station. We will offer fresh local vegetables and local specialties such as Ooyama Manju from the popular MtOoyama shop Ryoben. In addition, we will introduce hometown tax return gifts and multicolor woodblock prints. Isehara City’s image character Kururin and Odakyu’s child-rearing support character Mokoron will also appear. Come and visit us for a weekend outing! Date: Saturday, December 13 and Sunday, December 14 Time: 10:30–15:00 Location: OdakyuLine Sagami-Ono Station concourse

[Notice: Isehara Yoga in MtOoyama] Join a relaxing yoga session held at Ryokan Asada at the foot of MtOoyama. This special event lets you gently release everyday fatigue with yoga, restore body and mind, and enjoy the ryokan’s signature tofu kaiseki for lunch. We hope you will join us. Date: Saturday, February 28, 2026 Time: Yoga from 10:00 (90 minutes) ※Registration from 9:30 Venue: Ryokan Asada Fee: 5,000 yen (includes meal) Capacity: 20 people (minimum 10 participants required; advance reservation needed) What to bring: comfortable clothing, a drink, and a yoga mat (rental available for 200 yen) Application deadline: Friday, February 13, 2026 For details, please see the official website. https://isehara-kanko.com/isehara-yoga/...

Notice of Trail Closures Due to Wildfire on Hinata Mountain A wildfire that started on Tuesday, December 9 has led to the closure of the hiking trails toward Hinata. We apologize for the inconvenience and ask for your understanding and cooperation. For more details, please check the city website. https://www.city.isehara.kanagawa.jp/kankou_guide/docs/2025121000010/...

[Announcement] Odakyu Family Fun Festa 2025 An event bringing memorable, fun times to children and families raising children The Odakyu Family Fun Festa returns this year! Enjoy a packed lineup for the whole family, including a railway staff job experience booth, workshops, and character stages! Date and time: Saturday, December 6 and Sunday, December 7, 10:00–16:00 Venue: Ebina Central Park (right next to ebina station) For more details, please check the official website. https://www.odakyu.jp/oyako/info/17837/...

I photographed a ginkgo tree with beautiful autumn leaves at a time when few people were around.

[ISEHARA Bread Festival Wheat Fest Announcement] The popular annual event returns this year. Delicious bakeries, confectioneries, and food trucks will be on site! Come with your family and friends. Date and time: Sunday, November 30th, 2025, 10:00–15:00 Venue: Isehara City General Sports Park Admission: Free Please note that parking will be very crowded on the day. When coming, please use public transportation.

This is Yokohama Landmark Tower in Yokohama Minato Mirai. (Around JR Sakuragichō Station, Yokohama City, Kanagawa Prefecture)

I took these photos against the large wall of Yokohama Stadium📸 The model is vocalist SAGI. They are active in Kanto. I have photographed promotional and jacket images, among others.

I photographed this near the man-made shoreline in Kawasaki. The sunset was beautiful…!

Isehara Autumn Foliage Report 2025.11.17 Here is today’s update on the autumn leaves in Isehara. The foliage at Afuri Shrine and Daisenji Temple has begun to change color. This weekend finally brings the illuminated autumn foliage displays. For details such as the schedule, please see the tourism association’s special site. https://isehara-kanko.com/autumn-lightup/... Although it is a weekday, many visitors have come. The autumn foliage season is expected to be very crowded with large numbers of visitors. Please take care when you visit.

Notice: Waiting-List Registration Opens for the Isehara MtOoyama Sky Lantern Event The MtOoyama Sky Lantern releases lanterns carrying written wishes into the sky from the grounds of Oyama Afuri Shrine Lower Shrine, located on the mid slopes of Mt Ooyama at about 700 meters above sea level. Due to its great popularity the event was fully booked and registration had been closed, but we have now opened a waiting list for registrations. Please take this opportunity to apply and join us. ◇ Event Dates and Times Saturday, January 17, 2026 and Saturday, January 24, 2026 ◇ Lantern Launch Scheduled for 5:30 PM ◇ Location The grounds of Oyama Afuri Shrine Lower Shrine For application details, deadlines, and other information, please see the official tourism association page. https://isehara-kanko.com/osl2025/...

Night at Kanazawa Hakkei

Isehara Autumn Foliage Report — November 14, 2025 Here is today’s update on autumn colors in Isehara. The ginkgo row at Sports Park has turned even more vibrant. Some areas remain green, so it will take a little longer for all the trees to turn fully yellow. On Ooyama, the leaves around Afuri Shrine and Oyama Temple are gradually approaching peak color. Autumn foliage will be illuminated on Ooyama at night. For the schedule and details, please see the Tourist Association’s special site. https://isehara-kanko.com/autumn-lightup/... The foliage season is expected to be very crowded with many visitors. Please take care when you visit.

Isehara City Autumn Foliage Report Here is an update on the city’s autumn colors for today, November 12. The ginkgo-lined avenue beside Isehara City General Sports Park has started to turn a beautiful yellow. Some sections are still green, so it will take a little longer for the entire row to turn yellow. Autumn colors on Ooyama are progressing gradually, but peak viewing appears to be still ahead. Please note that there will be evening illumination of the autumn leaves on Ooyama. For details, please see the tourism association’s special site. https://isehara-kanko.com/autumn-lightup/...

Scuba Diving in Atami, Japan — A Day Full of Color and Connection 🪸 A few days ago, we went diving in Atami, Shizuoka, one of Japan’s most popular wreck diving sites just a short trip from Tokyo. The moment we descended, we were surrounded by thousands of colorful fish, swirling around the shipwreck like a living rainbow. The vibrant soft corals covering the wreck made the underwater scenery absolutely breathtaking. 🌈 It was an especially memorable day because one of our guests completed their PADI Advanced Open Water Diver course! 🎉 Congratulations on reaching this new milestone in your scuba journey. Every certification represents more confidence, more discovery, and deeper connection with the sea. We were also delighted to dive with a wonderful guest visiting from France 🇫🇷, who made the most of his stay in Japan through diving. Sharing the ocean with divers from around the world reminds us that the sea connects people beyond borders. 💙 Thank you to all our amazing guests for bringing your energy and smiles. Whether you’re trying fun diving near Tokyo, taking a PADI license course, or exploring Japan’s hidden underwater gems, we’re here to make every dive unforgettable. At Hokule’a Shonan, we offer small-group diving trips, from Atami and Izu to Okinawa — all led by certified PADI instructors. 🌺 Contact us anytime to plan your next diving adventure in Japan! 🌊 ---------------------------- 🌈 About Hokule’a Shonan Hokule’a Shonan is a PADI 5⭐️ diving center located in Hiratsuka, Kanagawa, just a short train ride from Tokyo. Our motto is “Let’s embark on a journey to the unseen world.” Through diving, we help people discover the beauty and joy of nature while exploring Japan’s rich underwater world. We offer more than 300 days of diving courses and tours every year, including Izu, Okinawa, and even overseas destinations. With small-group diving and personalized instruction, beginners can dive safely and comfortably. We also welcome custom requests — whether you want to try your first dive, take a PADI course, or join a local ocean adventure! Come and dive with us — let’s enjoy this beautiful blue world together! 🌊💙 #HokuleaShonan #DiveJapan #Atami #WreckDive #AOWDiver #PADI #ScubaDivingJapan #ExploreTheBlue #UnderwaterWorld #JapanDiving #AtamiDive

Atami – Where Adventure Meets Serenity Just 90 minutes from Tokyo, Atami in Shizuoka offers one of the most fascinating diving experiences in Japan — where adventure and serenity come together beneath the surface. Known for its wreck diving and mysterious blue cave, Atami attracts divers who seek both excitement and peace in one destination. The highlight of Atami is the wreck of Asahi No.16, one of the largest wrecks in Japan. Resting quietly on the seafloor, this massive structure is now covered in colorful soft corals and swarming with marine life. As you descend, the silhouette of the wreck slowly appears out of the blue — a breathtaking sight that makes you feel like you’re stepping into an underwater museum. Exploring this wreck is an unforgettable experience for divers who love large-scale structures full of history and mystery. Then, shift from adventure to calm in Atami’s Blue Cave. As you enter, sunlight pierces through the narrow opening, filling the space with an ethereal blue glow. The soft light, bubbles rising toward the surface, and the quiet stillness of the cave create a dreamlike world beneath the waves. It’s a moment of pure serenity — a dive that connects you deeply with the ocean. Whether you’re looking for thrilling wreck diving or a peaceful cave dive, Atami offers both just a short train ride from Tokyo. With easy access, clear water, and diverse dive sites, it’s a perfect destination for weekend divers and international visitors alike. If you’re searching for wreck diving in Japan, or want to discover the best diving spots near Tokyo, Atami is a must-visit. Dive into its hidden blue world — where every moment beneath the sea feels like a journey between adventure and serenity. 🌊💙 📍 Atami, Shizuoka, Japan About Hokule’a Shonan 🌈 Hokule’a Shonan is a PADI 5⭐️ Dive Center located in Hiratsuka, Kanagawa — just a short trip from Tokyo. Our motto is “Let’s embark on a journey to the unseen world.” Through diving, we help you discover the beauty of nature and the joy of exploring the ocean. We offer more than 300 diving tours and courses a year across Japan, from Izu to Okinawa and even overseas. With our small-group style, beginners can dive safely and comfortably while enjoying a personalized experience. Whether you’re taking your first breath underwater or joining an advanced adventure — we’re here to make every dive unforgettable. Let’s dive and enjoy the ocean together! 💙 #HokuleaShonan #DiveJapan #ExploreTheBlue #ScubaDivingJapan #UnderwaterWorld #DivingNearTokyo

[Notice: Applications Open for Isehara Ooyama Sky Lanterns] We have opened applications for the Ooyama Sky Lanterns, an event where participants release lanterns bearing their wishes into the sky from the grounds of Oyama Afuri Shrine Lower Shrine, located midway up Ooyama at about 700 meters above sea level. Against a backdrop of breathtaking night views, sky lanterns carrying heartfelt wishes will rise into Ooyama’s night sky, creating a magical scene. Come and experience this enchanting moment this winter. Event Date and Time Saturday, January 17, 2026 and Saturday, January 24, 2026 Launch Time Scheduled for 5:30 PM Location Grounds of Oyama Afuri Shrine Lower Shrine For application details, deadlines, and other information, please see the official tourism association page. https://isehara-kanko.com/osl2025/...

Photo from my father. 2025.11.01