The higanbana blooming beside the stairs is beautiful. Myojorin-ji, Ogaki City, Gifu Prefecture September 23, 2026

Introducing recommended events in Nagano City for October!✨ 〈If you want to revisit this later, don't forget to tap the "save" icon!〉 ①Matsushiro Domain Sanada 100,000 Stones Festival Experience the history and traditions of the Sanada family over a special two days. The highlight is the impressive parade of about 200 warriors, known as the "Matsushiro Domain Sanada 100,000 Stones Procession," taking place on the 11th (Sunday)! 【Date】10/10 (Sat) to 10/11 (Sun) *The "Matsushiro Domain Sanada 100,000 Stones Procession" will be held on 10/11 (Sun). 【Venue】Around Matsushiro Castle Ruins *Please check the official website for details. ②Kawanakajima Battlefield Festival Fireworks Display At the Kawanakajima Battlefield Historic Park, there will be many stalls selling alcohol, snacks, and sweets, allowing you to enjoy delicious food while watching the fireworks up close! 【Date】10/10 (Sat) 【Time】Stage events from 15:00, Fireworks Display from 18:00 【Venue】Kawanakajima Battlefield Historic Park *For details, please visit the official website. ③Togakushi Soba Festival New Soba Offering Ceremony This is a traditional festival that conveys the history of Togakushi soba to the present day. You can enjoy the "Offering Soba" made from sacred buckwheat flour blessed during the ceremony, available in limited quantities! 【Date】10/30 (Fri) 【Time】9:00～ 【Venue】Togakushi Shrine Chusha Special Stage in the Chusha Garden *The offering soba will be sold after the ceremony on 10/30 (Fri) (around 12:30 and onwards) at participating soba shops and affiliated accommodations (limited to 15 servings per shop). *Please check the official website or account for details. ④Kinasa and Togakushi Kijo Momiji Legend Photo Quiz 2026 This is a tour-style event where you can explore the sites related to the Kijo Momiji legend while taking photos and participating in quizzes. Experience the legendary world that spreads from Kinasa, adorned with autumn leaves, to Togakushi. 【Event Period】10/10 (Sat) to 11/15 (Sun) 【Location】Kinasa area *For details, please check the official website or account. ⑤Togakushi and Iizuna Highlands "All-Inclusive Experience! Stamp Rally" Participate in designated experience content to get stamps! Enjoy the refreshing green season of the highlands to the fullest! 【Event Period】8/1 (Sat) to 10/31 (Sat) 【Location】Togakushi and Iizuna area 【Participation Method and Prize Details】 (1) Participate in designated experience content (camping stays, e-bike rentals, nature experiences, soba making experiences, etc.). (2) Collect two stamps → Receive an original sticker! (3) Collect three stamps → In addition to receiving a badge set designed with Togakushi Mountain and Iizuna Mountain, you can enter a lottery for a chance to win luxurious prizes! 【Stamp Collection Locations】 Togakushi Campground Iizuna Nagano Forest Village Togakushi Tourism Association Iizuna Highlands Tourism Association Nagano City Tourist Information Center, etc. ⑥Zenkoji Temple Binzuru Market Held as a handmade market inspired by the Buddha's beloved disciple "Binzuru-san"! Various food and craft stalls will gather, creating a market where everyone, including makers, buyers, locals, and tourists, can enjoy. 【Date】10/10 (Sat) *Regularly held on the second Saturday of each month from April to December 【Time】10:00～16:00 【Venue】Around Zenkoji Temple #Event Information #Nagano City Events #Sanada 100,000 Stones Festival #Nagano City #Nagano Tourism

"Wasshoi, wasshoi" The Kamiokoppe District held its Shinto shrine festival on September 7, while the Nishiokoppe District celebrated on September 11. This is an important community event where residents come together to participate. In both districts, people gather in front of the shrine, and the portable shrine procession parades through the town. Banners and large fans contrasted beautifully against the blue sky. Since I usually travel by car, this might have been the day I walked the most all year. The sounds of drums and flutes accompany the shouts of "wasshoi" echoing throughout the town. Adults who can drink during the day also enjoy sacred sake 🍶 In the Nishiokoppe District, the lion dance performers and tengu meet. Chigo and elementary school students in happi coats walked a lot as well. #Nishiokoppe Village #Shinto shrine festival #Gratitude #Portable shrine procession #Rice cakes

Taken on September 22, 2014. This is the annual safety fortune slip from Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine. This year, I attracted human relationships that are not safe, so I prayed for good connections.

Taken on September 22, 2014. I visited Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine. It was crowded due to the distribution time of the matchmaking talismans. The windmills were protected with nets to shield them from the typhoon the day before.

【Invited by the Lights of the Yoimatsuri】 The Shinto Shrine Festival in the Kamiokoppe area of Nishiokoppe Village takes place every year on September 7th, with the Yoimatsuri held the night before.🏮 Preparations for the stalls began while the sky was still bright, and both children and adults gathered in droves. The stalls offered a mix of food and festival games, roughly half and half. There were yo-yo fishing, shooting games, and shape-cutting. Delicious treats included inari sushi, red rice, yakisoba, yakitori, cotton candy, and shaved ice... There were also performances featuring Nankin Tamasudare and Ezo deer drums. In sync with the calls, the decorative screens transformed into towers, roofs, and flags. The guests joined in with cheers and clapping to boost the atmosphere. Just then, a demon appeared, enveloping the venue in a tense atmosphere. The drum performance... or so it seemed, as the demon swung its antlers, appearing to battle something.👹 It was a wonderful performance filled with a spirit of dedication. The lights from the shrine and stalls illuminated the town that night. We enjoyed the Yoimatsuri while basking in the cool evening breeze.

Taken on September 5th, 26. This is the flower water basin at Kawagoe Hachimangu Shrine. Today is my birthday. I'm exploring Kawagoe.

Photographed on September 5, 2014. This is the flower water at Kawagoe Hachimangu Shrine.

Taken on September 7, 2014. This is the flower water offering at Kawagoe Hachimangu Shrine.

Photographed on September 19, 26. This is the flower water basin at Kawagoe Hachimangu Shrine.

Sumiyoshi Taisha Sumiyoshi 2-chome 9-89, Sumiyoshi Ward, Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture The parking lot is spacious and very accessible. It is paid parking. This shrine is said to bring many blessings, focusing on prosperity in business, safety at home, warding off evil, and safe voyages, as well as matchmaking and easy childbirth. It is the strongest power spot in Osaka. It is a famous bridge known as Taiko Bridge. Crossing it is said to purify and enhance one's fortune... It is known for its ancient Japanese shrine architectural style called Sumiyoshi-zukuri. Pet the Sumiyoshi Shrine's Sacred Rabbit (Nade Usagi) to pray for good health. Finally, here is the Jade Nade Usagi located in front of the Fourth Main Shrine of Sumiyoshi Taisha. Since the day when the deity Sumiyoshi was enshrined in this place is said to be the year of the Rabbit, in the month of April, on the day of the Rabbit, the rabbit is regarded as a divine messenger at Sumiyoshi Taisha.

Hochigai Shrine 2-2-1 Kitamikunigaokachō, Sakai Ward, Sakai City, Osaka Prefecture Located in Sakai Ward, Sakai City, Osaka Prefecture, this shrine is affectionately known as "Hochigai-san." It is said to have been situated at the boundary of the three regions of Settsu, Kawachi, and Izumi, and is known for its faith in "Hōsaiyoke," which wards off disasters related to directions, house positioning, and land characteristics, stemming from the concept of a pure land without directions. It is a popular spot chosen for visits before moving, building a new home, or traveling.

MI-TE さかい 堺市役所高層館21 階展望ロビー 令和8 年5 月30 日（土曜）～令和9 年3 月31 日（水曜）（予定） 開館時間：午前9 時～午後9 時 休館日：なし（堺市役所全館停電日を除く） MI-TE さかい（堺市役所高層館21 階展望ロビー） 北東側（堺市堺区南瓦町3-1） 入場料：無料大阪府堺市堺区に鎮座し、「ほうちがいさん」の名で親しまれる神社です。摂津・河内・和泉の三国の境にあったとされ、方位のない清地という考え方から、方位・家相・地相などに由来する災いを祓う「方災除け」の信仰で知られます。転居・新築・旅行前の参拝先として選ばれやすいスポットです。 仁徳天皇陵古墳を見学するのに一番適した場所が堺市役所展望ロビーかと思います。 堺市役所２１階、地上８０ｍの所から３６０度の景色が楽しめます。 百舌鳥古墳群が見られますよ！ 展望ロビーは無料です。 ちなみに、仁徳天皇陵古墳を真上からは見ることはできませんが、とても大きな古墳だということはわかります・・・

Photographed on September 19, 2014. This is the flower water basin at Kawagoe Hachimangu Shrine.

Taken on September 19, 26. This is the flower water at Kawagoe Hachimangu Shrine.

Autumn winds blow at Komu. The display inside the Forest Art Museum "Komu" has been updated! 🍁Limited Time Only🌝Autumn Festival Version🍁 The shrine festival in Nishiokoppe Village has ended, but you can still feel the festive atmosphere at Komu. You can see the lion dance opening and closing its mouth, and carry Setoushi-kun's portable shrine. The food stalls that have been on display since summer are still here, so we hope you enjoy them together. You can also spot some autumn plants like pampas grass and Chinese lanterns on display.👀 ▶ About Next Week's Opening Schedule ◀ Normally, we are closed every Tuesday, but on the 22nd (Tuesday) and 23rd (Wednesday), we will be open due to the holiday! Instead, we will be closed on the 24th (Thursday), so please be careful not to make a mistake. Have a great holiday!👋 #Nishiokoppe Village #Komu #Autumn #Festival #Closed Days

Taken on September 12, 2026. This is the flower water basin at Kawagoe Hachimangu Shrine.

Taken on September 12, 2014. This is the flower water offering at Kawagoe Hachimangu Shrine.

Yabusame (traditional Japanese mounted archery) at Kippo Hachiman Shrine in Kamogawa City Date: Sunday, September 27th, 2023, around 3:30 PM Location: Nakano, Kamogawa City, Chiba Prefecture Parking is available at Nagasa Gakuen and Kokuhobyo Hospital. Expect congestion, so please arrive with plenty of time to spare. The "Yabusame of Kippo Hachiman" is held annually on the last Sunday of September as part of the festival of Hachiman Shrine in the Kippō district, conducted in a traditional manner as a sacred ritual. According to shrine tradition, it dates back to the mid-Kamakura period. Riders gallop along a 210-meter course and shoot arrows at three targets, repeating this three times. A notable feature is the distance to the targets. The primary purpose of the event is to pray for a bountiful harvest and to predict the success or failure of crops. It is believed that the omens from the heavens (divine messages) are conveyed not just by hitting the target but also by the outcome of the arrows, making misses significant as well. The archers (negi) are required to purify themselves through a week of ascetic practices.

Taken on September 12, 2026. This is the floral water offering at Kawagoe Hachimangu Shrine.

Taken on September 14, 26. This is the Ai-Tai fortune slip from Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine.

Taken on September 14, 2026. This is a windmill in front of the Otorii gate at Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine. I thought it might be one of the last chances to see it, so I went to take a look.

Photographed on July 26, 2026. These are the red thread wind chimes at Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine.

The 39th Ontake-ryu Kagura Festival ❚ Held on October 25, 2026 The 39th Ontake-ryu Kagura Festival will take place at "Kagura no Sato Noba Park" in Kiyokawa-cho, Bungoono City, Oita Prefecture. The main feature, Ontake Kagura, is said to have begun with the establishment of Ontake Shrine in the first year of Hōtoku (1449). In 2007, it was designated as an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property by the national government. On the day of the event, six groups from various locations in the prefecture, including Ontake Kagura, are scheduled to perform. Food and beverage stalls will also be available, allowing visitors to enjoy a relaxing day from morning. Parking near the venue is limited, but on the day of the event, a free shuttle bus will operate back and forth from Bungo-Kiyokawa Station to the Kagura Hall (which has parking) and then to Noba Park. Be sure to witness the traditional dance of Kagura that has been passed down through generations. 【Date】Sunday, October 25, 2026, starting at 8:45 AM 【Location】Kagura no Sato Noba Park (Udaeda, Kiyokawa-cho, Bungoono City, Oita Prefecture) 【Performing Groups】 Ichinoya Riraku (Usuki City, Ichinoya) Ogata Sansha Kagura Preservation Society (Ogata-cho, Bungoono City) Jōhara Kagura Preservation Society (Takeda City, Jōhara) Takenaka Kagura Preservation Society (Yufu City, Shonai-cho) Kiyokawa Children’s Kagura Preservation Society (Kiyokawa-cho, Bungoono City) Ontake Kagura (Kiyokawa-cho, Bungoono City) 【Admission Fee】 Please pay at the entrance on the day of the event. ▶ Junior high school students and above: 500 yen (all seats unreserved) *Please refrain from reserving spots before the day of the event. 【Access to the Venue】 Parking near the venue is limited. A shuttle bus will operate from Bungo-Kiyokawa Station on the day, so please use it. 【Shuttle Bus (Free)】Operating back and forth between Bungo-Kiyokawa Station and the venue Bungo-Kiyokawa Station → via Kagura Hall (with parking) → Noba Park 【Inquiries about the Festival】 The 39th Ontake-ryu Kagura Festival Executive Committee (Kiyokawa Branch, Bungoono City Hall) TEL: 0974-35-2111 ■■Access from Fukuoka Prefecture and Kumamoto Prefecture to the center of Bungoono City■■■ About 3 hours by car from JR Hakata Station in Fukuoka Prefecture About 2 hours by car from JR Kumamoto Station in Kumamoto Prefecture About 1 hour and 20 minutes by car from JR Beppu Station in Oita Prefecture About 1 hour and 20 minutes by car from JR Yufuin Station in Oita Prefecture ■■■■■■■■■■■■ Tourism and recommended spots in Bungoono City, Oita Prefecture ■■■■■■■■■■■■

Taken on July 30, 2026. These are the matchmaking wind chimes at Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine.

Photographed on July 30, 2026. These are the matchmaking wind chimes at Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine.

Photographed on July 30, 2014. These are the matchmaking wind chimes of Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine.

Minami-Izu Town Photo Contest 2026 is now accepting entries! "Visit again, Minami-Izu!!" We invite submissions capturing moments that made you feel like you want to visit again, such as memorable landscapes, experiences, and interactions. There are no restrictions on genres, whether it's nature, the sea, gourmet food, culture, or connecting with people. Please express the charm of Minami-Izu Town through your photographs. ◇ Application Period: Monday, June 1, 2026 – Sunday, January 31, 2027 ◇ Eligible Works: Works taken between Sunday, February 1, 2026 – Sunday, January 31, 2027 ◇ Prizes - Excellence Award - 1 winner… Prize money of 70,000 yen Additional prize: Accommodation voucher worth 10,000 yen for a member facility of the local tourism association - Minami-Izu Town Mayor's Award - 1 winner… Prize money of 30,000 yen Additional prize: Accommodation voucher worth 10,000 yen for a member facility of the local tourism association - Minami-Izu Town Chamber of Commerce President's Award - 1 winner… Prize money of 30,000 yen Additional prize: Accommodation voucher worth 10,000 yen for a member facility of the local tourism association - Minami-Izu Town Tourism Association President's Award - 1 winner… Prize money of 30,000 yen Additional prize: Accommodation voucher worth 10,000 yen for a member facility of the local tourism association - Honorable Mentions - 10 winners… Local specialty products worth 5,000 yen 【Notes】 ※ Works taken in other cities and towns (e.g., Ryugong Grotto, Cape Tsumeki's daffodils) are not eligible, so please understand in advance. ※ The number of prize winners may change depending on the judging criteria. ※ For more details on applications, please refer to the "Application Guidelines." ※ During the application period, please proceed from the "New Registration" button displayed (after the second time, it will be "Login"). ※ If your photos contain credits such as text or names, please remove them before submitting. Apply here → https://minamiizuphoto.mitte-x.istsw.jp/index.html?cn=226...

Taken on August 5, 2014. This is the wind chime for matchmaking at Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine, along with the main hall designated as an Important Cultural Property.

Photographed on September 3, 26. These are the matchmaking wind chimes at Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine.