[Kochi Prefecture Shimanto City] Flowers That Color the Shimanto River Basin 1. Climate of Shimanto City Shimanto City enjoys abundant forests, the clear Shimanto River, and the pacific ocean to its southeast, offering a rich natural environment. From 1991 through 2020, the average temperature was 16.5°C and the average annual precipitation was 2,877.9 mm, giving the area a warm, Pacific-type climate. 2. Flowers Nurtured by the Mild Climate [Spring] 〇 Around late February, when the spring sun begins to warm the days, the Iruta Yanagi Grove in the Shimanto River lower basin turns a tender yellow-green as new buds swell, and some 10 million rapeseed flowers bloom across the willow groves like a yellow carpet. This is an iconic scene that announces spring in the Shimanto River watershed. 〇 By late March, the cherry trees at the hilltop viewing spot Tamesho Park come into full bloom. Lanterns are lit during the cherry blossom season, letting visitors enjoy the night blossoms as well. The Shimanto City Local Museum sits nearby, so while learning about local history you can also take in the views from its observation floor. (Shimanto City Local Museum opening hours/9:00–17:00, closed/Wednesdays) At Shimanto River Sakura Zutsumi Park, neatly planted cherry trees and well-kept lawns invite visitors to sit and enjoy hanami while admiring the spring-bright Shimanto River. In the Shimanto River lower basin, plowing of rice fields begins around this time and the frogs start to call. 〇 When the cherry blossoms fall and the trees turn to leaf, look toward Kōzan-ji Temple to see the city flower, wisteria, paint the slopes purple. Kōzan-ji is also popular for hiking and birdwatching, and a park with play equipment makes it a favorite spot for families on holidays. 〇 In breezy May, roses and lilies cultivated by local residents brighten the pastoral inland landscapes in the Nishitosa area. Omiya Rose Garden welcomes visitors with about 500 rose bushes, while Nishitosa Yabukachi greets them with roughly 12,000 lilies. 〇 At this time of year, Shimanto Dragonfly Park shows dragonflies dancing above waters edged with water lilies and irises. Established in 1985 as the world’s first dragonfly reserve, the park has recorded 81 species of dragonfly. The Shimanto River Museum Akitsuio, attached to the park, exhibits insect specimens from around the world including dragonflies, alongside fish that inhabit the Shimanto River. (Shimanto River Museum Akitsuio opening hours/9:00–17:00, closed/Mondays) [Early summer] 〇 Under rainy, cloudy skies in June, Yasunami Waterwheel Village delights visitors with the rhythmic clack of turning waterwheels while hydrangeas along the waterways blaze with color. Sheltered pavilions near the channels make it pleasant to sit and watch the hydrangeas and the rural scenery. In the inland parts of Shimanto City, summer heat can be intense; when northwesterly winds blow, the foehn effect can raise temperatures and sea breezes from the pacific ocean have difficulty reaching inland, causing high heat. On August 12, 2013, Egawazaki recorded Japan’s highest temperature that year at 41.0°C. [Autumn] 〇 In late September, when the sky seems a little higher, the Iruta Yanagi Grove is enlivened by clusters of red spider lilies (manjushage) that dye the area bright red, and autumn insects begin to call from the grasses. Around this time the severe summer heat gradually eases. 〇 In early November, when autumn deepens, beautiful fall colors appear along the ravines of the Kurozon River, a tributary of the Shimanto River. [Winter] Although Shimanto City benefits from a mild climate, snow does fall some winters in the mountain valleys and on plains opening toward the Bungo Channel, and mornings and evenings often dip below freezing. Daytime, however, tends to be mild with many pleasant, sunny winter days. 3. Events to Celebrate the Arrival of Spring The Iruta Yanagi Grove, introduced above, hosts the Nanohana Festival. At the Nanohana Festival, the rapeseed flower groves spread like a yellow carpet and a variety of events are planned, including sales of local specialty products and wind band performances by junior and senior high school students. Please come and enjoy Shimanto River sightseeing when the rapeseed flowers are in bloom.

Kyonan Town announced the blooming of the Yoritomo cherry on January 20. Having received Kawazu cherry trees from Kawazu Town, Kyonan Town calls them "Yoritomo cherry" in honor of the historical episode in which Minamoto no Yoritomo, defeated in battle, is said to have landed at Ryugashima Coast and planned his comeback. You can enjoy daffodils well into this month, so you can admire daffodils and Kawazu cherry blossoms together. From Saturday, February 7, the Hotagawa River–Yoritomo Cherry Village Development Committee will place bamboo lanterns along the Daffodil Lane at Sakuma Dam Park and illuminate them at night. The floral relay continues, so everyone, please come and visit. #Kyonan Town#Boso Peninsula#Yoritomo cherry#bamboo lanterns#Yoritomo cherry#Kawazu cherry#Daffodils and Kawazu cherry duet

We will hold the “Enichibai Plum Viewing Event” at Hontō-ji Temple in Nobeoka City. This springtime event lets you enjoy authentic matcha while admiring a magnificent 240-year-old weeping white plum tree along with other white and red plum blossoms. Wrapped in the gentle scent of plum blossoms, why not take a moment to relax and soothe your heart? ⁡ 𓂃𓂃𓂃𓂃𓂃𓂃𓂃𓂃𓂃𓂃𓂃𓂃𓂃𓂃𓂃𓂃𓂃𓂃 📅 Tuesday, February 10 and Wednesday (holiday), February 11, 2026 🕙 10:00–16:00 📍 Hontō-ji Temple (1133 Matsuyama-cho, Nobeoka City) 💰 Free admission 🍵 Outdoor tea service (matcha) one bowl 500 yen (with sweets) 🗺️ Historic site guide: free ⁡ 𓂃𓂃𓂃𓂃𓂃𓂃𓂃𓂃𓂃𓂃𓂃𓂃𓂃𓂃𓂃𓂃𓂃𓂃 Follow the official Nobeoka Flower Story account @nobeokahanamonogatari for bloom updates and the latest event information during the festival. We’d be happy if you follow and check for updates.☑ For inquiries about the Enichibai Plum Viewing Event: Nobeoka Flower Story Executive Committee (0982-29-2155) https://nobeokahanamonogatari.net/home2026/kanbaikai_2026/...

Good morning! The blooms are advancing! What will this week's cold snap do?! Tsukigase Plum Valley Plum Festival February 14, 2026–March 29, 2026

The time has finally come!! Tsukigase’s major event that draws about 200,000 visitors over roughly three weeks!! The Tsukigase Plum Grove Plum Festival!! Tsukigase Plum Grove was designated as Japan’s first nationally recognized Place of Scenic Beauty!! We look forward to welcoming many visitors again this year!!

New Year Greetings Happy New Year. We sincerely thank you for your warm support and cooperation in promoting the charms of Tsukigase over the past year. Tsukigase, which has grown alongside its plum trees, reveals a new face with each season and has nurtured itself as a countryside that quietly soothes the hearts of its visitors. This year as well, we hope it remains a place where nature and people live side by side and calm exchanges flourish. The annual Tsukigase Baikei Plum Festival, which heralds the arrival of spring, will be held again this year. Some 13,000 plum trees paint the mountainside, and with river mist rising in the valleys, a scene like a page from a picture scroll unfolds. During the festival, you can stroll the walking trails and enjoy locally made specialties for sale, savoring peaceful moments close to nature. The gentle scent of plum blossoms swaying in the breeze will quietly restore energy to bodies and minds that have passed through a long winter. This year, the Tsukigase Tourism Association will continue to cherish warm connections with visitors while protecting the region’s attractions. We ask for your continued support, and we sincerely pray that the coming year will be peaceful and fruitful for everyone. With that, we offer our New Year greetings. Chairman: Toshiaki Nishioka Photo credit: Kuraya eto Shuji

Yesterday, Tuesday, December 16, the standard tree of the “Atami cherry blossoms” on the Itokawa Promenade was confirmed to be in bloom! These “Atami cherry blossoms” are a type of kanzakura (winter cherry) originally from India that normally bloom from early January through February. Around 1871, an Italian brought them to Atami along with lemon and date palm, and they were named “Atami cherry” during the Flower Everywhere campaign held in 1965. On April 10, 1977 (the 40th anniversary of the city’s founding), they were designated as the official tree of Atami City. Because the same branch develops two tiers of buds—some that bloom early and others that bloom later—the flowers can usually be enjoyed for more than a month each year. Starting the New Year, the Plum Festival and Cherry Blossom Festival will open together on Saturday, January 10! During the Cherry Blossom Festival, activities such as light-ups, servings of cherry blossom tea and tea, street performances, kenbu (sword dance), and band performances are planned, so please come and enjoy the blossoms. The 16th Atami Sakura Itokawa Cherry Blossom Festival: January 10, 2026 (Saturday) to February 8, 2026 (Sunday) *Regarding bloom conditions, the city hall’s survey data will be posted on the page below as it becomes available, so please refer to it.* https://www.ataminews.gr.jp/event/208...

I couldn't photograph the meteor shower, so I switched to capturing star trails.

Metasequoia Avenue Makinomachi Hiruguchi to Makino, Takashima City, Shiga Prefecture <Autumn Foliage> Typical peak season: late November to early December During the autumn foliage season from mid-November to mid-December, congestion occurs on Prefectural Route 287 Namiki Road and surrounding roads on weekends between 11:00 and 18:00. Please help ease traffic by visiting on weekdays when it is less crowded or by using the Makino Kogen Free Temporary Parking at the north end of the avenue. If you use public transportation, take JR Makino Station and then the Takashima City Community Bus Makino Highland Line. The avenue and nearby roads are vital local residential streets. Please do not park or stop on the road. The surrounding roads are residential streets. Slow down and watch for pedestrians. So that as many people as possible can enjoy the area, follow photography etiquette and avoid dangerous actions such as stopping on crosswalks or stepping into the roadway to take pictures.

Good morning ☀ #This morning in Tsukigase #Satoyama landscape #A village of flowers, greenery, and water #Autumn #I want to connect with people who love photography #Nara Prefecture #Nara City #Nara sightseeing

Good morning ☀ #Tsukigase this morning #Satoyama landscape #A village of flowers, greenery, and water #Autumn #Looking to connect with fellow photography lovers #Nara Prefecture #Nara City #Nara tourism

Good morning ☀ #This morning in Tsukigase #Satoyama landscape #A village of flowers, greenery, and water #Autumn #I want to connect with people who like photography #Nara Prefecture #Nara City #Nara tourism

Cherry blossom-lined streets can be found everywhere in Minami-Echizen! We also offer bicycle rentals, so why not take a relaxed ride along the country roads? We look forward to welcoming you around April.

In the Kono Area, narcissus flowers bloom across the slopes facing the Echizen Coast in winter. How about enjoying the elegant narcissus with its pleasant fragrance?

Around Spring of this year, my father and mother and I Outbound to Nara. I was usually aware that I was being raised by a good couple, but on this day, we were both in a very good mood, probably because it was the yellowtail first time in a long time that we were traveling with three people. I took a lot of pictures as usual on this day, but this was the first time I took a picture for my mother! I think I was asked. I took a two-shot photo of my mother and father. Both my mother and father are shy people, so I can't put them on social media or show them to anyone, but they are carefully displayed at the entrance of my house. As a daughter, I think that such a place brings out the character of the two of them, and they are a very cute couple. This photo is a rare photo that both of my parents complimented. They don't always show any particular interest in photography, and since we both have completely different sensibilities, they rarely compliment us together. However, this photo is displayed on the TV stand as a favorite. My No. 1 memory of Spring this year is this.

This is one of the photos when I was traveling to see the cherry blossoms in Yamanashi Prefecture in Spring this year. I visited this temple when I heard that there was a magnificent Cherry Blossom Tree-lined Path. Local grandpas were enjoying a banquet under the cherry blossoms in full bloom. When I saw everyone looking up at the beautiful cherry blossoms overhead, I thought that Spring had come for everyone, and I clicked the shutter.

It's been a month since I first used an SLR. It still takes a lot of 📸 practice

This is Maruike from Yuza Town, Yamagata Prefecture. This pond, which has a color of both blue and green, has been carefully protected since ancient times, and seemed to create a special space with the surrounding Nature. On the last day of my trip to Tohoku, I visited in the evening. Visiting the site after seeing the dynamic mountains and nature of Tohoku, I was very surprised and impression by this pond with a diameter of only 20 meters. I think it was the color of this picture, and I think it was bluer. It is a scenery that I would like to see again.

Sankamimine Park, Sendai, Miyagi Cherry blossoms and houses seen from the slope

Mr. Duck!