Ashinoko Lake in Hakone offers a "Pirate Ship Cruise" Interestingly, none of the ships are "pirate" ships proper, but designed and modeled from European navy vessels from the age of sail, making them a sort of museum exhibit you can experience! There have been a long line of ships in Hakone; The Pioneer, which sailed Ashinoko from the cruise's start in 1961, was joined by the Victoria and the Royal to make up the first generation. The iconic trio that succeeded the first generation were the Vasa, inspired by the 17th century Swedish Royal vessel of the same name, the Victory, based on the HMS Victory of Trafalgar fame, and the Royal II, based on the 18th century French "Royal Louis." No trace of pirate associations to be had, but for many European sail vessels are inextricably linked with pirates, who enjoy good PR. I blame Jack Sparrow! The "Vasa" was retired in 2019 after almost three decades of service, and the newest ship is the "Queen Ashinoko"- Perhaps characteristically of recent developments in Japan, it is no longer modeled on a foreign antecedent but is a Hakone original, albeit unmistakably aiming for the same aesthetic as the other vessels. Hakone is famous for its Onsen, and many people visit with Onsen in mind. But if you should find yourself in the area, why not consider a lake cruise as well? Its certainly an unexpected and interesting diversion to find yourself on a boat that looks like it sailed out of European history in a tranquil lake to the southwest of Tokyo!

Taken on September 1, 2026. This is the matchmaking wind chime at Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine. The matchmaking wind chime will be available until September 6.

The straight road in the city center is adorned with ginkgo trees. Tokyo is one of the regions in Japan with particularly abundant ginkgo trees, and their presence transforms the urban landscape into vibrant autumn hues. The yellow leaves, tinged with the light of dusk, seem to ease the hustle and bustle of the city just a little. (Location: Shinjuku, Tokyo)

Photographed on September 1, 26. These are the matchmaking wind chimes at Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine. I found a red thread wind chime.

Taken on September 1, 26. These are the matchmaking wind chimes at Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine. It was a big move from Ichibanchou to Yokohama to Kawagoe.

Captured on September 1, 26. This is the string fortune at Motomachi Itsukushima Shrine.🧵

Taken on September 1, 26. This is Honey Ginger Milk Tea from SAND GLASS.

This is Kokia at Hitachi Seaside Park. In autumn, the red Kokia spreads across the hills, moving those who see it.

Taken on September 1, 26. This is a chiffon cake with tea from SAND GLASS in Motomachi.

Taken on September 1, 26. I visited Yokohama Masobyo located in Yokohama Chinatown.

The torii gate serves as a barrier between the human world and the realm of the gods. "The autumn leaves in the back seem like a different world"—I suddenly felt that presence. Location: Nezu Museum, Tokyo Metropolis

Taken on September 1, 2026. I visited Iseyama Kotai Shrine in Yokohama.

I relaxed at the Starbucks Kanetsuki‑dōri Store. I had the creamy honey sweet potato Haruka mousse tea latte and the baked honey sweet potato cake made with Haruka and Annou sweet potatoes.

Photographed on September 1, 2026. This is the lily of the valley wind chime at Tokyo Daijingu Shrine.

This is a scene from Nasumachi, Tochigi Prefecture. A mother and daughter walk hand in hand along a path surrounded by colorful trees. Leaves are scattered at their feet, and vibrant flowers line both sides of the road. There's nothing particularly special about it, but the time spent walking together will become precious memories when looked back on someday. This captures a day in autumn.

Under the golden ginkgo tree, my daughter spread her arms wide. The grounds of Iouin in Okegawa City, Saitama Prefecture, evoke a sense of history, surrounded by ginkgo leaves covering the ground. The beauty of autumn, cherished by the Japanese for generations, intertwines with the innocent figure of a child living in the present. It is a scene of autumn in Japan that I want to cherish forever.

Taken on September 1, 26. This is the lily of the wind chime at Tokyo Daijingu Shrine.

Taken on September 1, 2014. This is the "Chrysanthemum Festival Flower Water Offering - Treasure Box of Abundance" at Tokyo Daijingu Shrine. No matter where you look from, it's a beautiful flower water offering.

Photographed on September 1, 2026. This is the "Choyo no Sekku Hanamizu - Treasure Box of Abundance" at Tokyo Daijingu Shrine. It is available for a limited time until September 10.

Tokyo Daijingu Shrine is hosting a limited-time flower water display called 'Choyo no Sekku Hanamizuki – Treasure Box of Abundance' until September 10.

The limited-time flower water display at Tokyo Daijingu Shrine, "Choyo no Sekku Hanamizuki - A Treasure Box of Abundance," is available until Thursday, September 10th.

Today, I visited Tokyo Daijingu Shrine. It was a first-day visit.

Taken on August 25, 2026. These are the matchmaking wind chimes at Kawagoe Prince Hotel.

Photographed on August 25, 2014. These are the Enmusubi wind chimes from Kawagoe Prince Hotel.

Taken on August 6, 26. This is the matchmaking wind chime from Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine and Hikawa Ryōfū-sō. Hikawa Ryōfū-sō is open until today (August 31).

Taken on July 30, 26. This is Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine and Hikawa Ryōfūsō. We are open until the 31st.

Taken on August 29, 2026. This is a photo spot for the "Magical Chiikawa POP UP STORE" being held at Maruhiro Department Store until the 31st.

This photo was taken at Endo Farm in Kumagaya City, Saitama Prefecture. It offers a prime spot to overlook the sunflowers blooming all around under the summer sky. From the top of a tall ladder, my daughter points and laughs at something she found. May this vibrant scene, filled with the bright yellow of the sunflowers and the blue sky, become a cherished summer memory for our family someday.

-The Door to Summer- This photo was taken at Ad Maridué in Kitamoto City, Saitama Prefecture. On a summer day, the blue sky and green countryside spread out before me. Beyond the yellow door lay a nostalgic landscape of a Japanese summer. I imagined the small back of my daughter, arms wide open as she prepared to run, filled with the anticipation of the summer to come and the desire for the memories of summer to last forever.

Taken on August 29, 26. I visited the "Magical Chiikawa POP UP STORE" currently being held at Maruhiro Department Store Kawagoe.