My hometown, Yokote, may seem like a place with nothing much, but when life feels stagnant, don't you find yourself staring blankly at the rice ears and the sky?

The fallen leaves gently protect the lives of the next season. And it made me feel as if they were nurturing the earth softly. (Location: Yokote City, Akita Prefecture)

Dakigaeri Gorge near Lake Tazawa in Akita. This is a famous spot for autumn leaves in Akita, where the beautifully lit streams create a stunning scene. Nearby, you can find the base of Gekidan Warabi-za, a theater company that continues to perform 600 shows a year based on Tohoku's folk songs and history. This theater depicts the strength of people and the beauty of life, harmonizing gently with the tranquil landscape. How about visiting Akita this autumn?

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)

Tohoku is known for its beautiful autumn foliage, but I also enjoy the time spent idly gazing at the autumn rice ears. From rice harvesting in September to October, autumn festivals, and the first snowfall in November, why not visit Tohoku this season?

Location: Former Ikeda Family Gardens, Daisen City, Akita Prefecture The Former Ikeda Family Gardens in Daisen City, Akita Prefecture. This was the residence of the prominent landowner Ikeda family, and the Western-style building within the gardens is designated as an Important Cultural Property. The wet red colors quietly stand out, subtly adding to the history of this place. Nearby, you can also find the nationally designated historic site, Hotta-no-saku Ruins (remains of an ancient castle). Why not come to Akita this autumn and trace its history?

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

It has become cold. Lake Kawaguchi continues to experience autumn rain. In between, we can also see such a beautiful sunrise.

Yamanashi Prefecture – Fuefukigawa Fruit Park. I visited with my daughter to enjoy the Shine Muscat parfait. The wind was gently flowing.

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

Announcement from Taiyo-no-Oka Engaru Park Cosmos Garden The cosmos season has arrived. Currently, about 70% of the cosmos garden is filled with a mixture of pink, red, and white native varieties, while yellow cosmos are in full bloom and flowering is progressing day by day. On Sunday, September 6th, the "Taiyo-no-Oka Cosmos Festa" will be held. This event features dance teams from within and outside the town in the "Cosmos Dance Festa," stage shows, and inflatable attractions, allowing families to enjoy while appreciating the cosmos. Come and see the beautifully blooming cosmos under the Okhotsk Blue sky! Address: Maru-O, Engaru Town, Monbetsu District, Hokkaido Phone Number: 0158-42-0488 Opening Hours: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM Admission Fee: <Individual> Adults (high school students and above) 600 yen, Children (elementary and junior high school students) 300 yen <Group> *For groups of 10 or more Adults (high school students and above) 500 yen, Children (elementary and junior high school students) 200 yen Parking: 300 spaces (free)

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.

Location: Former Ikeda Family Gardens, Daisen City, Akita Prefecture The Former Ikeda Family Gardens in Daisen City, Akita Prefecture, were the residence of the area's major landowner, the Ikeda family. The Western-style building within the gardens is designated as an Important Cultural Property of Japan. The wet reds and greens quietly stand out, adding a gentle touch to the history of this place. Nearby, you can also find the nationally designated historic site, Hotta-no-Saku Ruins (remains of an ancient castle). This autumn, why not come to Akita and trace its history?

In the mountains of Kitakyushu City, Fukuoka Prefecture, my son, who is really into bug catching, suddenly runs off after finding something. The beauty of the river and the presence of the bridge made it a wonderful place.

Title Welcoming Fire, a Catastrophe. Body As we lit the fire to welcome our ancestors, suddenly, the vessel cracked open. What should have been a solemn Obon turned into a family joke in an instant. Including such happenings, this is an unforgettable summer in Japan.

"Wind chimes and mist" The refreshing sound of wind chimes resonates in the summer shrine grounds. The mist drifting through gently eases the hot air. The coolness felt through the ears and the coolness felt on the skin. This moment, unique to summer in Japan, has been captured in a single frame.

Even the shopkeeper cat is down. At Mamada Hachimangu Shrine, there are many "shrine cats." They have cat goshuin stamps and cat's one-grain-manifold protection charms. The shrine grounds are bathed in the summer sun. By the water fortune slips, even the shopkeeper cat seemed unable to withstand the heat. Stretching out on the stone pavement, it takes a moment to rest. This captures a slice of everyday life in Japan, amidst the summer heat.

The Gion Festival unfolds in the streets of Kyoto every year from July 1st to 31st, lasting for about a month. Among the festivities, the "Naginata Hoko" stands out with its remarkable presence. The photo shows the Naginata Hoko moving through the streets of Kyoto in the height of summer. Its luxurious decorations, large wheels, and the people pulling the hoko convey the tradition of Kyoto and the excitement of the festival that has been passed down for over a thousand years. Under the blazing sun, the Gion Festival has been preserved despite the sweat and heat. It is a beauty of Japanese traditional culture that can only be felt in the hot summer of Kyoto. Accompanied by the resonating Gion bayashi, the Gion Festival colors the summer in Kyoto. It is one of Japan's representative festivals that we hope will continue to be cherished.

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.

This is Tropical Beach located in Ginowan City. It was a very hot day, but the weather was nice, making it quite pleasant. Many tourists came to swim as well. It's easily accessible from the city center of Naha, so be sure to visit!

This photo was taken during my visit to Gero Onsen Gassho Village in Gifu Prefecture. More than 1,000 wind chimes were decorated near the entrance, and every time the wind blew, they all chimed together. I felt that wind chimes symbolize summer in Japan, and I wanted to capture that in a photograph. Rather than just photographing the wind chimes, I wanted to express it in my own way, so I took a shot through the wind chimes in the foreground, which created a sense of depth and slightly lowered the saturation of the overall photo, giving it a nostalgic atmosphere. I used the standard camera of the iPhone 17 for the shoot. Additionally, since I had only heard the sound of a single wind chime before, experiencing the sound of over 1,000 wind chimes chiming together was a first for me. I discovered that a single wind chime produces a delicate tone, but when gathered together, they create a powerful chorus-like sound, revealing a new charm of wind chimes.

This is a photo taken when my family visited Gero Onsen Gassho Village in Gifu Prefecture. While strolling around the grounds, I discovered a sign leading to an observation deck and became curious about what kind of view I would see, so I climbed up. What I saw there was a landscape filled with mountains, trees, blue skies, and clouds. Since I usually see bustling cityscapes with buildings and many people, encountering a scene where there were no people at all and only nature spread out felt nostalgic, allowing me to experience the beauty of untouched nature. Additionally, before the COVID-19 pandemic, my family used to travel to the mountains every summer, but since then, we haven't had many opportunities to go. The moment I saw this view, memories of summer trips with my family during my childhood flooded back, and I realized that the landscapes of mountains and skies hold a special place in reminding me of our summer family vacations.

This is a view of the flower water basin at Obihiro Shrine in Obihiro City, Hokkaido. On the night of the 14th, LED lights in the water were illuminated, providing visitors with enjoyment as part of the "Evening Flower Water Basin."

Shomyo Falls, the tallest waterfall in Japan at 350 meters, flows with melted snow from the Tateyama Mountain Range even in August. This deep valley allows you to experience the refreshing coolness of summer through your senses—skin, ears, and eyes.

The "Goldfish Lantern" lights up on Shirakabe Street in Yanai. This summer, the goldfish that gently illuminated the old street corners during the "Goldfish Lantern Festival" will soon be taking a break. They look a little lonely. Thank you for this summer. See you again next year. Location: Yanai City, Yamaguchi Prefecture

Silent Authority in the Summer Rain On a rain-soaked summer afternoon in Wakayama, a conductor walks alone along the tracks of the Kishigawa Line. Ahead, the colourful Tama and Umeboshi trains wait beneath the old wooden depot. Seen only from behind, his straight posture, white gloves, and measured steps carry a quiet authority. Under the words “Safety First,” even this whimsical local railway takes on an almost ceremonial dignity. Xi Lun

An Island Summer, Passed On On the morning of July 19, 2026, the Ieshima Tenjin Festival brought music, colour, and tradition to the sea off Himeji. A young performer danced in ceremonial dress aboard a richly decorated danjiri boat, framed by the blue Seto Inland Sea. In this focused gesture, I saw the heart of a Japanese summer festival: an island passing its traditions from one generation to the next. Xi Lun

A Different Kind of Japanese Summer Fire Japanese summers are often remembered for fireworks. At 7:00 p.m. on July 25, 2026, I encountered another kind of summer flame at Tanukidani-san Fudoin in Kyoto. During the Hiwatari Matsuri, or Fire-Walking Festival, a yamabushi tended the sacred goma fire as sparks rose into the humid night air. In that instant, the heat of summer, the energy of a matsuri, and an old Japanese tradition burned together. Xi Lun