The End of a Summer Day July 26, 2026, Sayocho, Hyogo Prefecture, Sunflower Field Captured at the sunflower field in Sayocho, Hyogo Prefecture. I encountered the sight of the summer sun setting beyond the sea of blooming sunflowers at dusk. I pressed the shutter to capture the end of a summer day, as the sky and sunflower field were painted by the sunset.

A Summer Break July 14, 2026 Photographed at Yamasa Lotus Garden, Yumesaki Town, Himeji City, Hyogo Prefecture While photographing the lotus flowers, I spotted a small dragonfly resting on the tip of a petal. Its appearance, as if taking a brief break in the summer sunlight, left a lasting impression, and I gently pressed the shutter.

I visited the stunning Italian restaurant 'amarancia' in Minamiawaji with a friend, overlooking the sea. The food was delicious, the staff were cool and friendly, and the restaurant had a wonderful atmosphere with breathtaking views! If you find yourself in Minamiawaji, be sure to stop by; I highly recommend it! The meal included a lunch course an assortment of appetizers marinated shrimp a choice of pasta fresh fish aquapazza a selection of grilled meats that we chose. According to my friend Hitomi, all the dishes were very generous in portion. I think it's rare for Italian restaurants in Japan to serve a course meal with appetizers to the main dish on large plates for sharing, which felt fresh and nice. The marinated shrimp was flattened, creamy yet rich in flavor, and it was my favorite dish!❣️ Since it was a special occasion, I chose the seafood oil pasta. The toppings were simple with tomatoes and mussels, but the various seafood flavors were delightful, making it a joy to eat!‼️ All three meat dishes had a wonderful charcoal-grilled aroma, each offering a unique meat flavor! By the time the main dish was served, I was nearly full, but it was so satisfying that I could have gone for some rice or bread!❣️❣️ (Hitomi's comment) Sharing delicious and hearty dishes with close friends while chatting, surrounded by a stylish interior and breathtaking views of Naruto Ohashi, with kind and cool staff. This space allows you to enjoy the joy of eating and the precious time spent with important friends through all your senses. You can have a great time at 'TRATTORIA amarancia.'

On my way home. I love this scenery.

Ikusato Matsuri at Miwakare Park, Tamba City, Hyogo Prefecture was a fun festival with a free lottery, food stalls, and a stage, creating a relaxing atmosphere. (^_^♪

Yuzu Sunflower Yuyu Farm in Kasugamachi, Tamba City, Hyogo Prefecture It was fun with a sunflower maze, food stalls, and free sunflower picking!

I am a big fan of Toyooka's Mongol Culture Center, and find myself visiting there once every couple of years, even though it has not had many major updates. Imagine my surprise, then, to learn it has a collaboration with a new anime! Incredibly, the original work's author seems to be named "Tomato Soup". What a world we live in! For this new collaboration, which will run from August of this year to the next, the focus will be on notable female figures in Mongol history, especially Sorkhokthani Beki and Töregene. For fans of the anime, apparently there will be anime-related goods and content as well, so it is sure to have something for fans of either history or anime. Already the museum had a very interesting section where you could not just see but even try on various Mongolian clothes, but it sounds like they may specifically be adding some based on these Mongolian princesses. I think it is great that Toyooka maintains such an active cultural life, and I can't wait to go to my favorite museum in Hyogo again to see the new exhibit! Toyooka is a bit out of the way, but visitors are well rewarded with the famous Kinosaki Onsen, delicious crab cuisine, and lots of beautiful wildlife, including the nearby Stork Preserve. I would definitely recommend visiting!

Summer haze over the Harima-nada Sea. The view of the sunset from Ikuba Fishing Port on the western coast of Awaji Island also showcases the Harima-nada Sea. The sea during sunset is beautiful, with calm waves, and the hazy sky presents a lovely gradient, revealing a mysterious scenery.

Nishiwaki in the center of Hyogo prefecture proudly proclaims itself "The Navel of Japan." Being a bellybutton seems a little unflattering, but it is actually a hotly disputed title, since Shibukawa in Gunma prefecture contests the title with its own Navel festival, complete with painted stomachs. Weird. Nishiwaki itself has a "navel park", complete with monument, but thankfully has a lot more to indicate than its name or its relative geographic remoteness would indicate. A nice science museum and observatory is available, and the staff are very kind with on-hand demonstrations and explanations. A multipurpose community center "Mirai-e" has a large children's play area stocked with a very unusual amount of wooden toys from Sweden. If you are looking for something more cultural, Nishiwaki is a center of the Banshu-ori textile tradition, making it one of the best places to get cotton products that are grown in Japan.

On a summer day with light rain continuing, Kobe Meriken Park was a sight to behold. The fine rain fell and stopped intermittently, and the raindrops resting on the white petals that had fallen due to the wind were beautiful.

I recently visited Glicopia, a factory in Kobe that makes Pocky and Pretz. I think Pocky was the first chocolate I ever knew was specifically Japanese, and I think it is definitely an iconic snack well-recognized around the world. It was fun to get a closer look at its production! The guided tours show the history of the company, from its early 20th century origins to the postwar expansion of products, with old commercials, toys that came included with snacks through the years, and a fun "digital cooking" game where you design and decorate your own sweets. The assembly line itself is very advanced, and you can see pocky being made in great quantities. This time they were making a flavor that has yet to hit shelves, which made it even more interesting. The air near the production area has a warm, delicious scent, which is a bonus. If you liked pocky a lot yourself growing up, or are travelling with kids, I think it is a great place to visit! Reservations are necessary, and I believe most of it is Japanese-language only, but looking at a chocolate factory is pretty universal regardless of language.

Uchino Shrine in Tamba City, Hyogo Prefecture, is famous nationwide for its flying fireflies. This year, it was another breathtaking sight.

Summer rain. Meriken Park in Kobe passes quietly and peacefully.

The other day, I had lunch with my friend Ms. Hitomi at the teppanyaki restaurant Sazanka on the 35th floor of Hotel Okura Kobe. While enjoying the wonderful view from the 35th floor, we had appetizers, Sazanka salad, and grilled sea bream and shrimp. My friend said, "The flesh of the sea bream easily flakes apart with chopsticks, and it's served with a cream sauce made from clam broth. The shrimp is cooked just right, paired with American sauce. The flavors are thoughtfully combined and very enjoyable." Next, there was a stunning flame show (so cool!). The Japanese Black Wagyu ribeye was cooked medium, tender, and not overly fatty, making it easy to eat. My recommendation is to enjoy it with the accompanying whole grain mustard. (Comment from my friend, Ms. Hitomi) Then we had garlic rice and a special dessert from the pastry chef. In the best location with the best cuisine, and the warmest hospitality from the staff, I had a truly luxurious and wonderful time with my friend.

Toyonaka Tsubasa Park "ma-zika" Location: 2-2-14 Haradachū, Toyonaka City, Osaka Prefecture Area: 5.9 hectares Opening Hours: 9:00 AM – 9:30 PM (Entry until 9:00 PM) Closed: Open year-round Admission Fee: Free Partial Opening Date: August 12, 2025 Full Opening Date: Scheduled for March 2027 Parking: During partial opening: 127 cars (including 3 for disabled persons and 1 for large buses) During full opening: 273 cars (including 5 for disabled persons and 1 for large buses) Parking Fee: 100 yen/20 minutes (maximum 900 yen on weekdays, no limit on weekends and holidays) No meals are available on weekdays... There is a convenience store nearby. Food trucks will be available on holidays, etc... Toyonaka Tsubasa Park "ma-zika" is a new urban park under development just south of Osaka International Airport (Itami Airport), right next to the Senri River Levee. Its main feature is the ability to see planes just before landing from a very close perspective, and the name "ma-zika" comes from the sounds of "close" and "really?". There will be events... Check out the food trucks on weekends and holidays at Toyonaka Tsubasa Park 'ma-zika'.

The Kitano area of Kobe is well up the slope of the city, away from the port and Sannomiya station. The long trek uphill can be daunting, but some of Kobe's most vibrant cityscape means you at least can enjoy looking around on your way from the heart of the city. Once you get up to Kitano, though, you are rewarded with a neighborhood with a meaningful international character. Whether it be the local Mosque (one of the oldest and largest in Japan), or the prestigious British international school nearby, there are plenty of signs that the cosmopolitan aspect of Kitano is more than a shallow veneer of foreign cuisine restaurants. To be sure, those are there as well, and they are delicious! From memory, besides the ubiquitous Indian, Vietnamese and Chinese cuisine, German, Russian and Egyptian dining formed some of the more eclectic additions, as well as Mexican food, a sure treat for any visitors from North America missing a classic mainstay. But the most lasting and striking stamp that the wider world has left on Kitano are the Kitano "Ijinkan", the former western residences from the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The stateliness of this old-world refinement are well complemented by the dazzling modern city visible below the hills. Even a global chain Starbucks gets in on the fun, with a famous repurposed building that is considerably fancier than your typical starbucks cafe. Whether for appreciating Meiji history, western architecture, foreign cuisine, the vibrant and diverse culture of the neighborhood, or just getting some good exercise in and enjoying the view from the hills of Kobe, the trip from Sannomiya up to Kitano is well worth the effort!

The view of the fishing port seen from Armor Station in Kami Town, Hyogo Prefecture, was breathtakingly beautiful.

Hiraike Park in Kato City, Hyogo Prefecture. Within this spacious park, there are small ponds with water lilies and Ooga Lotus, which are about to be in full bloom. It's not a famous spot, but it's one of my favorite hidden gems where you can find peace and tranquility.

Near the Amarube Trestle Bridge in Hyogo Prefecture, Heisei Suimei no Sato offers a stunning view of the Sea of Japan from its beautiful sandy beach. On a weekday afternoon just before the season, there are few visitors, allowing you to enjoy this scenery all to yourself.

With its largely industrial character, and nestled between such famous destinations as Osaka, Kobe and Himeji, it is no wonder that Kakogawa gets often overlooked. If you -were- in Kakogawa, it does have Kakurin-Ji, an old temple going back to some of Japan's oldest recorded history, and the "Akari no Kago" museum sheds light on the history of Japanese lamps, while less esoterically the Hyogo museum of Archaeology has a lot of unique information about ancient tomb culture in the region. Really, though, if you visit Kakogawa it should be for the Katsumeshi. Similar to the more nationally well-known Katsudon, Katsumeshi is usually beef instead of pork, abd features a different sauce, usually, with a demi-glace base. Without the egg usually seen with Katsudon, the katsu cutlet stays crisper too, and the overall flavor is meatier and more reminiscent of western cuisine. It is absolutely the culinary standout of Kakogawa, and its hard to believe it hasn't become more widespread. If you are a fan of fried meat in rich sauce (and really, who isn't?) its a must try!

The puddle formed in the riverbed reflected the beautiful upside-down cherry blossoms.

A carpet of flowers in Sanda City, Hyogo Prefecture. The entire area is beautifully pink.

The Mongolian Folk Museum, with its larger-than-life mounted Mongol Warrior outside, is one of the surprises of the Sea of Japan coast. Inside, visitors can go inside yurts that accurately recreate nomadic life, see a variety of historical artifacts, and even try on Mongolian folk clothing inspired costumes. It is fun to have your picture taken wearing exotic and luxurious feeling clothing, and the pictures make for good memories! Hands-on activities, such as playing nomad instruments, are also available. Children may especially enjoy crafting a toy sheep out of Mongolian wool. They look like adorable little puffs! A reading corner featuring children's books with a Mongolian setting is also available. Adults may get more enjoyment out of the displays of weapons and historical insights, but there are cute crafts available as souvenirs that anyone can enjoy. Interestingly, the museum also has a look at the region's own local history, offering insight into daily life for the average resident, as well as a broader look at the region's history as a hub of silk manufacturing and its subsequent decline. The collapse of the silk industry and the attendant emigration from the Sea of Japan coast is a seldom-told story, and finding it in a Mongolian Folk History Museum is a surprise, to be sure, but a welcome one.

Awaji Hanasajiki on Awaji Island. Golden rapeseed flowers, the blue Osaka Bay, and a slightly hazy sky. It's already a spring landscape.

Himeji Castle is justly famous and sees visitors from around the world. But for many, Himeji is a short trip from Osaka or elsewhere, and no sooner have they seen the castle than visitors head right back to the station. In a way, Himeji is a victim of its own success in designing around the castle, with it being directly in view the second visitors step out of the station, and the castle being so famous that it overshadows everything else the city has to offer. Well, that's fair. Koko-en garden and Engyo-j on Mt. Shosha are also well worth your time, but for someone who would only like to focus on the castle, there is one minor detour I would recommend, and that is the Senhime Trail. Directly running along the moat of Himeji Castle itself, it is surrounded on both sides by water, with excellent seasonal tree foliage at any time of year. The path is named after Princess Senhime, the granddaughter of Tokugawa Ieyasu, who lived at Himeji Castle in the early Edo period. Strangely, just a fraction of those who wish to see the castle go here and so it is not a very busy trail. It feels much more quiet and peaceful than the main castle approach, and shops and crowds give way to maple trees, waterfowl, and reflections of the castle in the water. Best of all, in light of Himeji Castle fees being newly raised for visitors, the trail is completely free! It is a hidden gem beautiful and well worth the time in any season, but especially spring or fall. For those with time to enjoy beauty, I highly recommend making a stroll of it before turning back to Himeji Station.

Himeji

Itami Sky Park 7-1-1 Morimoto, Itami Itami Sky Park is a vast park adjacent to Osaka International Airport (Itami Airport). It is known for offering close-up views of aircraft taking off and landing, and there are many ways to enjoy it both day and night. Itami Sky Park lets you watch aircraft take off and land up close, but there are several important precautions. 🚫 Prohibited Activities The following actions are prohibited, so please be aware. Ball games, frisbee, badminton, and similar activities: because they may interfere with aircraft operations. Erecting tents, tarps, or similar shelters: because they may interfere with aircraft operations. Bringing or riding motorbikes, bicycles, unicycles, etc.: please use the bicycle parking area. Bringing or using balance bikes (Strider), kickboards, J-boards. Fireworks. Flying kites: because they may interfere with aircraft takeoff and landing. Leaving trash behind: take your trash home with you. There are no trash bins in the park. Smoking: the entire park is non-smoking (including electronic cigarettes). Bringing pets: prohibited on lawns, in planting beds, and around fountains and water features.

Winter haze over the Akashi Strait. In winter the Akashi Strait looks like an ink-wash painting, with Awaji Island and the great Akashi Kaikyo Bridge shrouded in mist.

Toyooka, on the Sea of Japan, is a lovely city that feels rather old fashioned. A very long history of bagmaking craftsmen can be found here, which suits the image of the city with its traditional architecture and sedated atmosphere. Since it is on the Sea of Japan, Toyooka is very cold in winter, and the Kinosaki area of Toyooka does a roaring trade with Onsen and crabs. Many people come up to brave the winter cold for the crab found here, and some look forward to it all year! More touchingly, Toyooka is the heart of Japan's stork revival. As Japan, Inc. proceeded and manufacturing altered landscapes, there were less and less homes in Japan for the Oriental White Stork, before finally being declared extinct in 1971. Even the few surviving captive storks had been rendered infertile by exposure to chemicals. Not giving up, Toyooka worked tirelessly to restore the stork population before the first live birth finally took place in 1989. After a painstaking process by which they were reintroduced to the wild and a safe habitat was made for them, today the Oriental White Stork, auspicious since ancient times, once again flies above the wilds of northern Hyogo prefecture. If you see one, it is sure to be good luck!