April 3rd The Somei-yoshino cherry trees at Azumino’s scenic spot Jitensha Hiroba have begun to bloom They are still opening here and there It will be delightful to see them in full bloom alongside the pink moss (shibazakura)!

March 30th The Hyakuraku cherry tree at the Yukio Tabuchi Memorial Museum has begun to bloom!! With spring-like warmth, the cherry blossoms can’t wait any longer These are Edohigan cherry trees, an early-blooming variety in Azumino Today they are about thirty percent open, showing deep pink petals♪

Minami Shinshu Cherry Blossom Report — A fleeting dream floating in the nightfall. Here are last night’s (March 27) nocturnal cherry blossoms from Minami Shinshu. This year the blooms came earlier than usual, and their full splendor stood out in the stillness of the night. Lit from below, they seemed almost alive. 📸 Lineup ①② Azumi no Sato Butai-zakura: The ancient tree’s power is overwhelming when lifted by the lights. ③④ Ishizuka no Sakura: Its branches reach into the night sky with strength and grace. ⑤⑥ Koubaiin Temple weeping cherry: A cascading curtain of rosy blossoms. ⑦⑧ Senshoji Temple weeping cherry: The temple setting lends it a sacred aura. Date photographed: 2026.3.27 A night-time magic found only in this season and this place. Come and quietly gaze up at a spring night that you must experience in person. Starting today, the Minami Shinshu Single Cherry Tree Digital Stamp Rally and the Instagram Photo Contest are also underway! Check the southern Nagano tourist information site Minami Shinshu Navi for details.

Sakuhomachi Tourist Facility Opening Information Tourist facilities on Yachiho Kogen will open for the season in stages🌿 ■ Yachiho Lake Operating period: April 17 – October 30 🐟 A popular spot for fishing and relaxing by the lakeside ■ yachiho highland nature park Operating period: April 23 – November 8 🌲 Enjoy a walk through birch groves and past waterfalls while soaking in nature ■ Flowering Tree Garden and Mallet golf course Operating period: May 16 – October 12 🌷 A casual area to enjoy the natural scenery of Yachiho Kogen Each facility has different opening hours, so please check the image for details. This season, come to Yachiho Kogen to enjoy everything from fresh greenery to autumn leaves🌱

Nagano Prefecture Minami Shinshu Iida Cherry Blossom Report🌸 Spring has arrived in Minami Shinshu again this year🌸 Blooming began earlier than usual this year, and some lone cherry trees are already in full bloom or at their peak. Each tree seems to tell its own story, offering a spring landscape unique to this region. Here’s today’s lineup📷✨ 1. Kuyoto no Sakura (its dignified presence captivates) 2. Yasutomi Sakura (a celebrated tree representing Iida City) 3. Meotozakura (their closeness is heartwarming) 4. and 5. Koubaiin’s red weeping cherry trees (their vivid crimson contrasts with the sky) 6. Unsaizi Temple’s cherry tree (its blooming in silence feels otherworldly) Photo taken: Tuesday, March 24, 2026

March 23rd A gloriously clear, sunny day in Azumino Many hikers at the summit of Mount Nagamine were enjoying this view!! Today even hang gliders made an appearance

March 18th Today's scenery of Azumino View from Ohisama Road

March 18th Spring has arrived in Azumino Plum blossoms have begun to bloom at Daio Wasabi Farm, and the red and white hues stand out against the wasabi fields

March 5th From the summit of Mount Nagamine in Azumino’s satoyama, you can enjoy a sky-high view Views of Azumino town and the Northern Alps The forest road is still closed for the winter, so please climb on foot and work up a sweat♪

March 4th Azumino, where it rained all day yesterday When the rain stopped, the mountains were dusted with snow Just when I thought most of the snow had melted, the Northern Alps put on their winter coat again

[🧸For Sakuho town residents only🧸] Montbell annual membership fee Normally 1,500 yen, but the Sakuho Town Friend Card lets town residents join for 1,000 yen✨ As a member, you will receive benefits such as ・Earning points on purchases ・Receiving the member magazine OUTWARD ・Discounts at partner facilities ・Event information and more. This is recommended not only for outdoor enthusiasts but also for those who want to get started🌿 🔽Join or Inquire🔽 Visit Montbell Sakuho Store inside Roadside Station Yachiho Kogen

Today's Observatory This morning's lowest temperature in Nobeyama was -15.5°C, the second coldest in the country. The sky is clear, and Yatsugatake is showing its full blue. Last year, the NAOJ Nobeyama Observatory was bustling with pilgrimages, but it has now returned to quiet. I remember with fondness the time a year ago when we nervously debated various measures, wondering, “Will people really come in droves?” If you couldn't take a leisurely tour of the observatory back then, now is a good time to visit—it's still a bit chilly, though.

[Komaide Pond Campground Reservations Open] Komaide Pond Campground sits in a stunning stand of white birch often called the most beautiful in Japan, offering a superb location for camping 🏕️ Reservations for the 2026 season are now open! Season opens: Friday, April 24 Bookings open: Tuesday, March 10 at 10:00 AM To reserve, search for "komaide pond campground" on the NAP site for campground reservations. Komaide Pond Campground official site https://yachiho-kogen.com/camp/...

2026 Ice and Snow Lantern Festival February 15, Okuwa village Okuwa Village Sports Park

2026 Ice and Snow Lantern Festival February 14, 2026 Nagisomachi Tsumago inn Tsumago-juku

2026 Ice and Snow Lantern Festival February 11 — Nezame-no-Toko, Agematsu Town

A fire lookout tower and MtJonen together!! Nagano Prefecture apparently has a lot of fire lookout towers…

Jikkasegi Irrigation Canal flowing beside the Northern Alps An irrigation waterway built in the Edo Period Now it serves as a resting spot for ducks

February 17th Yesterday Azumino was mostly cloudy, but today it’s clear Mt. Jonen appears in a dignified, striking view

February 15th I went to see the fukujusō on Mt. Kojo because fukujusō started blooming in my garden They grow in a cluster at the corner of the clearing just before the summit of Mt. Kojo Maybe it was still early, so only a few were blooming… Their color makes you feel the arrival of spring

Takase River flows from Omachi into Azumino It then meets two rivers and becomes the Saikawa Upstream lie MtShirouma and the ridgeline of the Northern Alps Sunlight pours down as if spring has arrived

February 15th A clear, bright sky over Azumino The view of the Northern Alps is stunning!! Temperatures are climbing today, making it perfect weather for sightseeing

【Clear skies today ☀️ The Northern Alps look beautiful 🏔】 On February 14th, Valentine’s Day, Omachi City enjoyed clear weather, and the snow-capped Northern Alps stood out against the blue sky ✨ I took photos from Omachi Park through Mikkamachi, across Renge Ohashi Bridge, and behind Omachi City Culture Hall 📱 The temperature rose into the teens Celsius, making the day feel like the first hint of spring 🌱

2026 Ice and Snow Lantern Festival February 6–7, 2026 Kiso town Fukushima inn, from Kisofukushima Station to the former Nakasendo area

2026 Ice and Snow Lantern Festival February 3, Shiojiri City, Narai inn (Narai-juku) Entire Narai-juku

2026 Ice and Snow Lantern Festival February 1, 2026 — Niekawa-juku, Shiojiri City (within the Niekawa post town)

2026 Kiso Road Ice and Snow Lantern Festival January 24, 2026 Kiso town Hiyoshi Miyanokoshi Around Miyanokoshi-shuku Honjin

Azumino’s breathtaking viewpoint – Mount Nagamine summit From here you can enjoy views of the Northern Alps♪ I gazed out over Azumino, dyed entirely in white!!

February 8th Snowy landscape at Daio Wasabi Farm Japan’s largest wasabi field is also wrapped in snow Perhaps because the snow absorbs sound, a quiet world spreads out

February 8th Snowy Scenery in Azumino The snow that fell steadily since last night has turned Azumino into a sea of white.