2026 Ice and Snow Lantern Festival This enchanting event fills winter nights along Kiso Road with the warm glow of ice candles and bamboo lanterns handcrafted by local residents. Held at post towns and other venues across the Kiso area, it usually runs from late January through mid-February each year. A photo contest will also be held. We look forward to many entries! For details, please see the Kiso Tourism Federation website.

Photographed on December 3, 2013. This is the Tori-no-ichi fair at Kawagoe Kumano Shrine. A kumade decorated with beckoning cat charms that looks auspicious.

Hiroshima Prefecture Shobara City's top spots for food and shopping! Blessed with vast land, Shobara offers farm-to-table gourmet delights. Surrounded by rich nature and marked by big temperature swings, Shobara is a treasure trove of delicious ingredients. As one of the prefecture's largest agricultural towns, it is home to the nationally acclaimed wagyu brand Hiba Beef 🥩, a specialty unique to Shobara. From these local ingredients come indulgent and exceptionally tasty treats. Be sure to try the exclusive specialties you can only taste in Shobara. For more details, visit the Shobara Tourism Navigation website 🔽 https://www.shobara-info.com/spot/4014...

Today, December 8, is "Rice Day" 🍚✨ Satoyama no Yume, a branded rice from Shobara City, Hiroshima Prefecture, won first place in the "Osaka Residents’ Most Delicious Rice Contest" and is a carefully selected rice with a taste score of 80 or higher. By creating a branded rice, Satoyama no Yume aims to build an environment where young people can take up farming with hope, contribute to agriculture and regional development, and bring dreams and aspirations to the community. This rice packs the dreams of satoyama farmers. To promote circular agriculture by reusing bamboo that damages farmland, farmers spent years experimenting to achieve this proud flavor. They cut bamboo into powder, ferment it for use as fertilizer, and use oyster shells—Hiroshima Prefecture’s specialty—to replenish soil minerals. These practices contribute not only to great taste but also to building a sustainable society that cares for the environment. (Rice Day falls on the 8th, 18th, and 28th of every month.) 1) [Shobara Satoyama no Yume Farm] New crop: Shobara branded rice Satoyama no Yume Set of 3 × 1 kg 6,800 yen (shipping and tax included) Product here 🔽 https://ec.satoyamaselect.jp/view/item/000000000034?category_page_id=ct45... 2) [Shobara Satoyama no Yume Farm] New crop: Shobara branded rice Satoyama no Yume Premium Set of 3 × 1 kg 7,500 yen (shipping and tax included) Product here 🔽 https://ec.satoyamaselect.jp/view/item/000000000005?category_page_id=ct45...

Photographed on December 3, Heisei 25. This is the Tori-no-Ichi fair at Kawagoe Kumano Shrine. Here is a kumade decorated for the Year of the Horse, the zodiac sign for next year. 🐎

“Midwinter!” Yamabiko Falls Viewing Event—Applications open from Monday, December 8th! Experience the winter form of Yamabiko Falls, a sight shaped by nature—see it for yourself. Event dates: Sunday, January 18th, 2026 (Application deadline: January 8th) Sunday, February 8th, 2026 (Application deadline: January 30th) Eligibility: Elementary school students and older (Each day limited to 30 participants; minimum number to hold the event: 5) *Elementary school students must be accompanied by a guardian* Participation fee: Adults 600 yen; elementary, junior high, and high school students 300 yen How to apply: Use the QR code on the flyer (Applications by email, fax, or phone are also accepted) Inquiries: Engaru Town Board of Education Maruseppu Education Center TEL 0158-47-2456 FAX 0158-47-3817 e-mail m-kyoui@engaru.jp We hope you’ll join us♪

Photographed on December 3, 2025. This is the Tori-no-Ichi fair at Kawagoe Kumano Shrine.

Photographed on December 3, 2025. I relaxed at Maestro in Risona Coedo Terrace, open every Wednesday. I had a Winter Berry Mocha and a buckwheat and matcha financier. The Winter Berry Mocha blends strawberry and chocolate for a perfect balance of tartness and sweetness. The financier was freshly baked.

Photographed on December 2, 2025. This is the hanachozu (flower water offering) by Hara Florist.

We are seeking participants for the “Yamabiko Falls Phantom Night Tour”! Applications open Monday, December 15. Enjoy the magical sight of the frozen falls in midwinter, illuminated by lights.♪ Dates: Saturday, January 17, 2026; Saturday, February 7, 2026; Saturday, February 14, 2026 Time: 5:30 PM–6:30 PM Capacity: 40 people per day Participation fee: Adults (junior high school students and older) ¥2,000 Children (elementary school students) ¥1,000 How to reserve: Reservations will be accepted by phone at Engaru Town Maruseppu General Branch. Reservations open Monday, December 15, 2025, at 8:45 AM Inquiries / Applications Engaru Town Maruseppu General Branch TEL 0158-47-2211

Held at Irozaki Ocean Park! Two months in a row 🌼 Event Month details🌿 ◉ Running through January 5! ✴︎ POP UP SHOP ✴︎ WORK SHOP ✴︎ RELAXATION ✴︎ KITCHEN CAR We invited artisans and creators from Izu to share the charms of Izu with you🫧 ————— 🌳 POP UP ◉ Local apparel / IZUBLUE @izublue_373izu ◉ Glass bead crafts / Koubou Leaf ◉ Natural stone and European bead accessories / Seki Accessory @seki_accessory_lemone_coffe ◉ Cafe / Lemone Coffee @seki_accessory_lemone_coffe ◉ New Year decorations / Tsubutsubu-tei @tubutubuchi ◉ Fukaya green onion specialty products from Saitama / kuu @kuu_minamiizu ◉ Japanese-style Ayurveda MOTHER products and ghee / mana @manan.life11 ◉ Accessories and goods / .11 @dot.jyuichi ◉ Handmade knit hats for dogs / BOTAYOGA @chle1207 ◉ Dyed textiles and small goods / Shizu & Hiro ◉ Specialty coffee / moksa coffee @moksa.coffee ◉ Limited-time price! Lighthouse tour / Minami‑Izu Geo Guide Association ◉ Izu honey and fruit preserves / The Honey Step @thehoneystep ◉ Mansa sandals / Certified Mansa Sandal Instructor Minami Tsuchiya @minami_tsuchiya_run ◉ Aroma and herbal craft items / Otentosun Farm @otentosunfarm 💫 WORK SHOP ◉ Brush calligraphy art experience / kasumi_so @kasumi_so24 ◉ Dyeing experience / Tsubutsubu-tei @tubutubuchi ◉ Shimenawa wreath making / Tsubutsubu-tei @tubutubuchi ◉ Healing ghee making / mana. @manan.life11 ◉ Make chopsticks using a plane tool / Kurasu Dougu @kurasu_dogu ◉ Aroma spray making / Island Herb Izu Aroma @island.izu ◉ Hair accessories and bracelet making / Seki Accessory @seki_accessory_lemone_coffe ◉ Calendula balm making / Otentosun Farm @otentosunfarm ◉ Christmas wreath making / Romantic Spaces Achieve @rs.achieve 🌷 RELAXATION ◉ Dog diagnosis dog yoga / BOTAYOGA @chle1207 ◉ Hand reflexology / mana @manan.life11 🍋 KITCHEN CAR ◉ Curry bread, curry, chai / KaRin Bakery @karin_bakery.rab ———— We will feature introductions to each vendor in separate posts, so please check those out too🌼 Please note the event may be canceled due to weather. WORK SHOP participants receive free parking! Please present your parking ticket at the reception desk✴︎ We will update event news as it comes, so check Instagram for the latest. WORK SHOPs have limited capacity, so please reserve in advance☺ Some artists may accept same-day WORK SHOP reservations! To make a reservation, contact via Instagram DM or call Ocean Park at 0558-65-1600✧

Photographed on November 30, 2025. After finishing the certification exam, I visited Taiwan Sabo e-one in Ōmiya. I had lu rou fan (braised pork rice), shrimp dumplings in soup, and Tieguanyin tea.

The exam finished safely. Tokyo was crowded, so I’m relaxing at home in my local area. I had a gingerbread latte and a white mocha cake.

I am in Tokyo today for an exam. This is Tokyo Daijingu Shrine around 8:00 a.m.

Photographed on December 1, 2025. A cafe latte from cafe andon and an apple caramel shortcake.

Photographed on December 1, 2025. This is the apple caramel shortcake from cafe andon.

Photographed on December 1, 2025. This is a cafe latte from cafe andon. What lovely latte art.

Photographed on December 1, 2025. This is the avocado and shrimp hot sandwich set from cafe andon. 🥑🦐

Gifu Prefecture Tajimi City "Kokeizan Eihoji Temple" and autumn foliage

Photographed on December 1, 2025. After visiting Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine, I relaxed at the Starbucks Kanetsuki‑dōri Store. I had a s'more chocolate latte and a strawberry and chocolate tart.

“Hiroshima Prefecture Shobara City’s Finest from Farming Town” Winter Gifts 2025 Start! ✨ Get extra savings by adding our official LINE account as a friend Details here🔽 https://www.shobara-info.com/special/5357... Shop directly from producers to enjoy the flavors of Shobara City, Hiroshima Prefecture Winter Gifts 2025 are now open for orders at Satoyama Shobara SELECT SHOP, our producer-direct online store! ⛄🎁✨ [Order Period] Until Friday, December 26, 2025 This year’s lineup includes fan-favorite products such as the “Hiba Beef Soboro and Shigure-ni Set,” made with 100% Hiba Beef—the legendary branded wagyu of Shobara—easy-to-eat “Shobara Wild Boar Gyoza” with no strong gamey taste, a “Charcoal-Smoked Assortment” that brings out the best of Shobara’s premium ingredients, Aigamo (duck) raised alongside rice in Tojo Town, and Ichiki Town’s “Shikishin Natural Yam,” all perfect companions for the winter season. Last year’s popular winter selection, the “Bihoku Mon Gift,” returns with a newly prepared New Rice Companion Set and a Sweets Set. We also offer the “Shobara City Branded Rice Set” and the “Shobara 20th Anniversary Commemorative Sake,” among other direct-from-producer gifts filled with producers’ dedication. These seasonal tastes make wonderful gifts for loved ones and are also perfect as gourmet deliveries to enjoy at home—please try them during this season✨ Plus, everyone who newly adds the Satoyama Shobara SELECT SHOP official LINE account as a friend will receive an exclusive friend-only coupon. See the link for more details!

Today I attended the monthly festival at Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine. These are the autumn leaves on the shrine grounds. 🍁

Today I took a certification exam in the Ōmiya area. I think I did my best. 💮 I had a gingerbread latte and a nuts and caramel cheesecake.

Photographed on October 19, 2013. The portable shrine figure from the float is displayed. This is the float of Wakitamachi dedicated to Tokugawa Ieyasu.

Photographed on October 19, Year 25. When the lead rigger strikes the clapper, the float begins to move. This is the float of Wakitamachi, Ieyasu.

Photographed on October 19, 2025. This is Ieyasu’s float passing under the pedestrian overpass in front of Atre Kawagoe.

Introducing the second round of Sake Tourism tours 😊 On Saturday, December 13, we will host “An Adult Winery Tour: Behind-the-Scenes Visit and Mini Course of Fine Food and Drink.” At Tokachigaoka Winery, you will tour areas of the winery that are not usually open to the public and compare two carefully crafted wines paired with cheese 🍷 At Ikeda Wine Castle, we will show you the winery and distillery production sites and give special access to areas normally closed to visitors 🎵 After the tours, enjoy a luxurious mini-course lunch ✨ You will taste small pours of wines paired with each dish and savor the marriage of food and wine 😍 This tour lets you “see, drink, and taste” winemaking and experience the depth of wine culture 🤗 https://tokachibare.jp/sake-museum/news/taxi-tour02-04/...

Photographed on November 24, 2025. This is the hanachozu (flower water basin) from Hara Florist.

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

Photographed on November 22, 2025. These are the floral water displays at Kawagoe Hachimangu Shrine.