Mentaiko! Spiced pollock roe, even when translated into English, isn't immediately familiar for many native speakers. "Spicy fish eggs" gets the meaning across clearly, but isn't likely to win any new converts. For either committed fans or the merely curious though, there are Mentai Parks that combine a large variety of mentai-flavored foods, a production line where Mentaiko is made, and a surprisingly expansive play area complete with games, slides, trick art and even a theater showing Mentaiko videos, all at no entry fee. Visitors can watch the magic happen with windows that offer a behind-the-scenes look at Mentaiko production, or hear about Mentaiko-related trivia from a cheerful Mentaiko professor character. That there should be one such Mentai Park would be a curiosity, an idiosyncrasy of Japan, which can often be found celebrating things seen as oddities from a more global perspective, but in fact there are no less than a half dozen, spreading west to east from Kobe, Biwako, Tokoname, Izu, Gunma and Oarai. If you are in the area of one, you could do far worse than visit. The food court offers Mentaiko (of course) and very little else, but that can take the form of onigiri, noodle dishes, baguettes, or even ice cream. There is a free tea dispenser, which is a further nice gesture. You may find yourself coming home with a cuddly soft spiced pollock roe toy, or awaken a new love of mentaiko-flavored ice cream. Whatever the case, the price is right, and its sure to be a distinct and pleasant experience.

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

Tone Water Park I was told about it by a neighbor and decided to check it out I was surprised to see so many lotus flowers blooming I heard that they make a sound when they bloom Is that really true?

【Kasumigaura Comprehensive Park】 On a morning after the rain, I received information that the lotuses were blooming. I quickly set out. Being in a region famous for Hasune, many varieties were in full bloom.

From the summit of Mount Wagakuni, a breathtaking morning scene unfolds over Ibaraki. A sea of clouds completely blankets the towns below, creating a dreamlike landscape where the mountains appear to float above the sky. But if you look closely at the far right of the frame, you might notice a giant figure standing quietly above the clouds — and if I’m not mistaken, that silhouette is the famous Ushiku Daibutsu, watching over the horizon from afar. This is a hidden gem. Very few people know about this place. After I saw it I was astonished. Highly recommended hidden gem.

Long time no see. At the end of last month, the potatoes in the field were blooming with lovely flowers. The combination of soft gradient purple and the orange in the center is really beautiful✨️ The season is definitely heading towards early summer.

I came back again this year! It's the Koinobori Festival at the Ryujin Suspension Bridge 🎏 I usually arrive early, so there weren't 1,000 carp this time 💦 This year's new discovery! The "Ryujin Café" I casually dropped by was absolutely amazing ☕️ Looking up at the carp from below was much more dynamic and beautiful than viewing from above, as they seemed to swim through the sky ✨ The scenery was beautiful, and I was thrilled to find such high-quality food as well. I'm definitely going to be a regular now 👍 Being healed by delicious pasta and a stunning view made for the perfect holiday...

It's amazing how just seeing this color the moment I leave the house in the morning makes me think, "Let's do our best today!" The power of plants is incredible 😊

Dandelions blooming along the irrigation canal🌼 Sparkling like the sun✨️ Nourishing my heart, I feel ready to tackle tomorrow again👍 Wishing everyone a wonderful end to the weekend🌿

Basking in the spring light... I found a little happiness during my walk🌼 The vibrant yellow gave me energy✨️

A vibrant gift found at Tokiwa Shrine🌹 Even on a cloudy day, seeing this red color somehow makes me feel energized.

In the gentle spring scenery, a single flower 🌷 standing tall makes me feel somewhat encouraged.

The camellia blooms gracefully under the sunlight 🌺 It was a vibrant red, as if sharing the strength of spring✨️

This year's cherry blossoms are coming to an end👀✨ In the end, I encountered the gently swaying weeping cherry blossoms against a backdrop of blue sky. Watching the petals flutter down makes me feel a bit lonely, but I'm glad I could capture this moment in a photo... The seasons pass quickly, but I think I will keep this spring scenery in my heart forever. Thank you for this year's cherry blossoms🌸

It's the perfect day for a drive🌸 Wherever you go, the cherry blossoms are beautiful, making you want to stop and take photos📸 Enjoying spring with my beloved car✨️

At Hakojima Retarding Basin, cherry blossoms were in full bloom, spreading their branches wide by the pond, while rapeseed flowers bloomed at our feet. In the calm, windless moments, the spring scenery gently reflected on the water's surface, allowing us to feel both the tranquility and vibrancy unique to spring in Japan. The combination of the pale pink of the cherry blossoms and the vivid yellow of the rapeseed flowers was striking, inspiring me to capture the beauty of this season when nature awakens all at once.

A pink shower falls from the sky 🌸 The Soto Ohno Weeping Cherry Blossom, over 300 years old is a famous tree associated with Mito Mitsukuni, and it was stunningly beautiful again this year. Spending time facing this cherry blossom in the quiet mountains is truly a luxury✨️

Melting into the dark night, the weeping cherry blossoms 🌸 This year, the Jizo Zakura in Konamase has once again displayed its magnificent beauty. Let this overwhelming sense of scale be conveyed!

It is precisely because of the cloudy sky that the delicate pink of the cherry blossoms stands out 🌸 the deep green of the willows 🌳 their reflections on the water seem to weave a story…

Lured by the warm, sunny weather, I looked down to find bright dandelions in bloom!! These spring flowers have long been beloved in Japan🌼 Their yellow petals shine like the sun, and just looking at them lifts your spirits. The fluffy seed heads getting ready to drift on the breeze also bring a uniquely seasonal sense of charm✨️

I visited Tokiwa Shrine in Mito ⛩ In the peaceful shrine grounds, cherry blossoms bloom as if covering the sky 🌸 Historic buildings and pale pink hues Truly a spring scene Japan can be proud of May this gentle light and color reach someone’s heart across the sea.

Because the weather was fine, everyone enjoyed the brightly colored maple leaves from early morning🍁 November 12, 2025 Mount Gaun Eugenji Temple

Just after sunrise, I stood on Mt. Wagakuni as the city below disappeared beneath a quiet sea of clouds. From the soft white surface, hints of autumn gold and crimson treetops—peeked through like floating islands. As the sky shifted from deep blue to pale rose, the clouds began to glow and for a brief moment, everything felt perfectly still between night and morning.

November 22, 2025 The prefectural border between Noda City, Chiba Prefecture and Sakaimachi, Ibaraki Prefecture I photographed the sunset from the Tone River embankment on the Sakaimachi side, looking toward Kanseki-jō Castle 🏯. Behind the castle stood Mt. Fuji 🗻, and above it hung Yuzuki 🌕. I savored late autumn with the crimson sunset and moon-viewing.

Dobine Park in Tsukuba City, Ibaraki Prefecture. The ginkgo avenue along the promenade was at its peak autumn color. (୨୧❛ᴗ❛)📷✨🍁

When I visited the Kasama Chrysanthemum Festival, I photographed the charming pairing of the fox statues at Kasama Inari Shrine with the splendid chrysanthemums. Kasama is a town known for pottery, but cafe hopping is fun too.

Tone River Fireworks Festival 🎆 This is one of the Tone River Fireworks Festival held yesterday. It was held jointly by Four shrines, and the night sky of Arakawa blossomed in vivid colors. I would like to 🤤 outbound again next year

May 5, 2025 (Reiwa 7) 4:48 Photograph of Oarai Isosaki Shrine "Kamiiso no Torii (shrine gate)" On that day, the Sunrise rose through the thin clouds, and the gentle light illuminated the sky, the sea, and the shrine. Not only the Sunrise and the Torii (shrine gate) gate, but also the bubbling waves are beautiful.

In search of cherry blossoms, I went to Kairakuen Garden in Water City, Ibaraki Prefecture. What I found there was the beauty of a gorgeous garden.

Japan is a treasure trove of stunning landscapes that never fail to amaze. One such enchanting place is where the sky seemingly merges with a breathtaking sea of flowers. While the scene is captivating, it’s the lady in yellow that catches your eye; her presence adds a unique charm to the landscape. She resembles a bird, gracefully dancing with the breeze, embracing the horizon with joy. It’s a moment that beautifully captures the spirit of freedom and the wonders of nature.