"The Crimson Bridge Crossing into a New Autumn" Akagi Ohnuma Woodpecker Bridge spans Gunma Prefectural Akagi Park, near Onuma. This bridge, leading to Akagi Shrine, completed its reconstruction on December 16, 2025, welcoming its first autumn in a new form. The vibrant crimson bridge stands against the backdrop of Mt. Akagi, which has begun to turn shades of red and yellow. And the endlessly clear blue sky stretches above. The newly transformed bridge meets the autumn that arrives unchanged every year. I captured this beautiful encounter in a single photograph.

To capture the most beautiful view of Mount Fuji in the morning, I climbed the stone steps of Arakurayama Sengen Park. As the morning light began to appear, I looked up, and the scenery in front of me made me stop in my tracks. The burning red maple trees on both sides of the stone steps intertwined with the rustic yellow lanterns, filling the air with the essence of autumn in Japan. Before reaching the top of the mountain to photograph the iconic five-story pagoda and Mount Fuji, I first pressed the shutter at the bottom of the park, capturing this stunning autumn scene in Japan.

The 39th On Take-ryu Kagura Taikai was held at "Kagura-no-Sato Noh Stage Park" in Kiyokawacho, Bungoono City, Oita Prefecture, on Sunday, October 25, 2026. This year, in addition to On Take Kagura and the Kiyokawacho Children’s Kagura Preservation Society, four other kagura troupes from inside and outside the city gathered to showcase their performances. One of the highlights was the "Encounter Kagura." Three kagura troupes performed the same piece simultaneously on three adjacent stages. The opportunity to compare the different styles and music of each troupe is a unique enjoyment of this event. On the day, many kagura fans visited the venue, making it a day to leisurely enjoy the performances of each kagura troupe. ■■Access to the center of Bungoono City from Fukuoka Prefecture and Kumamoto Prefecture■■■ About a 3-hour drive from JR Hakata Station in Fukuoka Prefecture About a 2-hour drive from JR Kumamoto Station in Kumamoto Prefecture About a 1 hour and 20 minutes drive from JR Beppu Station in Oita Prefecture About a 1 hour and 20 minutes drive from JR Yufuin Station in Oita Prefecture ■■■■■■■■■■■■ Introducing recommended spots for tourism in Bungoono City, Oita Prefecture, Kyushu ■■■■■■■■■■■■

In Tame Park, Toyohashi City, Aichi Prefecture, I found autumn 🍁 It has become a bit chilly, marking the season for enjoying the fall foliage 😊 With ginkgo and silver apricot leaves beside the bench 🌳🪑🍂

This is the Play Forest at Yata Prefectural Natural Park in Nara. I love the autumn scenery that feels reminiscent of Scandinavia.

A Little Autumn Fairytale As I captured this moment, I was drawn into the warmth and magic of autumn. The golden sunlight, fallen leaves, colorful flowers, and adorable little dogs created a scene straight out of a fairytale. I wanted to preserve not just the beauty of this little picnic, but also the feeling of peace, warmth, and happiness it brought to my heart. For me, this photograph is a beautiful reminder that sometimes the simplest moments hold the most precious emotions. Location: Showa memorial park

Sakura Deai-kan, Kyoto Yawata City, Hachiman Zaiō-ji, Kyoto Prefecture When traveling by car, please note that the parking lot will be locked and closed at 5 PM, the time of closing. This facility, located in Yodogawa Riverside Park Sewaritei District in Yawata City, Kyoto Prefecture, offers scenic views of the confluence area of the Uji River, Kizu River, and Katsura River. The observation tower, approximately 25 meters high, provides an attractive view of the cherry blossom trees along Sewaritei and the surrounding mountains. Entrance to Sakura Deai-kan, restroom and rest area usage, information corner usage, and access to the observation tower (excluding the cherry blossom season) are free. Operating Hours and Usage Fees (Key Points) Opening Hours: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM Observation Tower: 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM Fee: Generally free, but there is a fee for the observation tower during the cherry blossom season.

Last month, I visited Nobeyama in Nagano. The starry sky at Shishiiwa and Yatsugatake Fureai Park was truly beautiful. The next morning, as soon as it opened, I bought a lot of fresh and inexpensive vegetables at the Minamimaki Village Agricultural and Livestock Products Direct Sales Store, and they were all very fresh and delicious. Lettuce, Chinese cabbage, bok choy, broccoli... The corn was especially sweet and juicy, and the cabbage was crispy and the best! I want to go buy some again.

Event Announcement 📣 On Sunday, October 25th, the "2026 Food Valley Tokachi Marathon" will be held, offering a taste of Tokachi's culinary delights! 😊 At the "Uma-Aid" water and rest stops along the course, the Hokkaido Chefs Association Obihiro Branch and Masuya Shoten will serve menus using ingredients from Tokachi 🎵 This year, a new "Sweets Aid" has been added, where you can also enjoy sweets from popular local stores like Cranberry and Asahiya! 😍 Don't miss the costumed runners who will liven up the event with their unique outfits!! After the race, a "Food Festa" will be held, featuring a wide array of local delicacies! ✨✨ Not only runners but also their cheering families and friends can fully enjoy Tokachi's gourmet offerings! 🤗 🔶 Date: Sunday, October 25th, 2026 🔶 Venue: Start: In front of Nissenren Building Finish: Obihiro Chūō Kōen (Obihiro Central Park) 🔶 Inquiries: 2026 Food Valley Tokachi Marathon Executive Committee Secretariat TEL: 0155-65-4210 https://www.foodvalley-marathon.com//

Event Announcement 📣 On Saturday, October 24th, the earliest Christmas tree lighting ceremony in Japan, "Hiroo Santa Land Tree Lighting Ceremony 2026," will take place. 😊 In addition to the "Santa Land Christmas Market," a variety of events will be held, including a sound festival featuring the Hiroo Santa Land Jazz School and the ensemble group "Sogaku." 🎵 During the lighting ceremony, children from Hiroo Nursery School and Toyone Nursery School will perform Christmas songs. At the moment the lights are turned on, approximately 150,000 lights and about 10,000 wooden lanterns will illuminate the venue, creating a romantic Christmas atmosphere. ✨✨ Additionally, fireworks will be launched to conclude the event, and special Christmas gifts will be distributed to children under elementary school age who attend. 😍 Enjoy an early Christmas with your family and friends! 🤗 🔶 Date: October 24, 2026 (Saturday) starting at 14:00 🔶 Venue: Daimaruyama Forest Park *In case of inclement weather, the event will be held at the Hirocho Children's Welfare Hall. 🔶 The illumination will be on display from 16:00 to 22:00 and can be enjoyed until March 31st. 🔶 Contact: Hirocho Fisheries and Commerce Tourism Division TEL: 01558-2-0177 https://www.town.hiroo.lg.jp/santa_land/...

Next to Kanzan Park, located on the border between Kiyose and Tokorozawa, there is a Cosmos field that is currently at its best viewing time. The weather was nice, making it a perfect day for a stroll.

The stars were beautiful, so I took pictures of Orion at Shinjo Park in Tanabe City. By chance, a shooting star appeared next to Betelgeuse, one of the stars that make up Orion. The park at night is quiet and nice, unlike during the day.

The 45th Yusaku Tourism Maple Festival ❚ Held from November 3 to November 23, 2026 The 45th Yusaku Tourism Maple Festival will take place at Yusaku Park in Asaji Town, Bungoono City, Oita Prefecture. Yusaku Park, the venue, originated as a villa given to a senior retainer by the lord of the Oka domain during the Edo period. It is said that Tanomura Chikuden and Rai San'yō also visited, and over 500 maple and kaede trees will change color around the heart-shaped pond. The trees, dyed in red and yellow, reflect beautifully on the surface of the water. During the festival, rice cakes and other items will be sold, and for five days, the area will be illuminated from sunset until 9 PM, allowing visitors to enjoy the night scenery of the autumn leaves wrapped in light. On Saturday, November 14, there will be daytime dance and karaoke, along with an evening performance of Yusaku Night Kagura "Mizukagami." Feel free to visit at your preferred time. 【Period】 From November 3 (Tue, Holiday) to November 23 (Mon, Holiday) 【Schedule】 Illumination: November 7 (Sat), 13 (Fri), 20 (Fri), 21 (Sat), 22 (Sun) *From sunset to 9:00 PM Dance and karaoke: November 14 (Sat) 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM (canceled in case of rain) Yusaku Night Kagura "Mizukagami": November 14 (Sat) starts at 3:45 PM (postponed to the next day in case of rain) 【Location】 Yusaku Park (Kameozuka, Asaji Town, Bungoono City) 【Admission】 Free entry 【Access】 About 50 minutes by car from Oita Merah IC 【Parking】 Available (free) 【Contact】 Bungoono City Asaji Branch 0974-72-1111 ■■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 ■■■■■■■■■■■■ Introducing recommended sightseeing spots in Bungoono City, Oita Prefecture, Kyushu ■■■■■■■■■■■■

This is a bench in a park I stopped by during my walk. Happiness found in the everyday. It was a moment when I truly realized that these simple daily experiences bring the greatest joy.

Event Announcement 📣 On Sunday, October 18th, the 24th Shihoro Harvest Festival will be held 😊 At the venue, you can enjoy local specialties and products from Shihoro High School students, including Shihoro beef loin cut steak, sweet red bean soup, and udon at the "Shihoro Taste Market." There will also be fun family activities such as "unlimited bagging of potatoes and onions" and the "Kalbi Quiz Rally & Lottery" 😍 Additionally, we will have a "Perfect Weight Eating Game" where you eat exactly the specified amount, as well as a "Grand Lottery" with Shihoro specialties as prizes‼ Furthermore, as part of a milk consumption expansion campaign, we will distribute free milk in limited quantities 🎵 Please come and enjoy the autumn blessings of Shihoro at the venue 🤗 🔷Date: Sunday, October 18, 2026, from 10:00 AM to 1:30 PM (Rain or shine) 🔷Venue: Shihoro Town Agricultural Sports Park, Special Venue 🔷Contact: Shihoro Harvest Festival Executive Committee (Shihoro Town Hall, Industry Promotion Division) TEL: 01564-5-5220 https://www.shihoro.jp/news/detail.php?news=873...

The 18th Oita Asian Sculpture Exhibition ❚ Held from October 18 to November 23, 2026 The 18th Oita Asian Sculpture Exhibition will be held at the Asakura Fumio Memorial Cultural Hall in Asaji Town, Bungoono City, Oita Prefecture. Among the 275 submitted works from 14 countries and regions, including Japan, 31 selected pieces will be displayed. This exhibition allows visitors to compare expressions from creators of different countries and cultures all at once. At the same venue, the "Oita Children's Sculpture Exhibition" featuring works by elementary and junior high school students from Oita Prefecture, as well as children and students from special support schools, will also be held. All submitted works will be displayed. On the opening day, October 18 (Sunday), there will be an opening event at the Asakura Fumio Memorial Park. Following the opening ceremony and the award ceremony for the children's sculpture exhibition, various activities are planned, including food trucks, a flea market, a light truck sauna experience, a tea ceremony in the open air, and a kagura performance. Admission to the Asakura Fumio Memorial Museum will also be free on this day. Why not find your favorite piece at the sculpture exhibition? 【Date】 From October 18 (Sunday) to November 23 (Monday, National Holiday) *Closed on Mondays (if Monday is a holiday, the following weekday will be closed) 【Location】 Asakura Fumio Memorial Cultural Hall (1587-11 Ikeda, Asaji Town, Bungoono City, Oita Prefecture; within Asakura Fumio Memorial Park) 【Hours】 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM (last admission at 4:30 PM) 【Admission】 Free 【Access】 About 60 minutes by car from Oita Meira IC 【Parking】 Available (free) 【Opening Day Event Schedule】 On October 18 (Sunday), there will be an opening event at Asakura Fumio Memorial Park 10:00 AM - Opening ceremony and children's sculpture exhibition award ceremony 11:00 AM - Food trucks, flea market (Yasuragi Chaya), light truck sauna experience, tea ceremony in the open air 12:00 PM - 3:00 PM Kagura performance 【Contact】 Asakura Fumio Memorial Museum 0974-72-1300 ■■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 ■■■■■■■■■■■■ Introducing sightseeing and recommended spots in Bungoono City, Oita Prefecture ■■■■■■■■■■■■

Event Announcement📣 On Saturday, October 17th, the "Tree Festival in Honbetsu KIDAKE" will be held😊 This wood-themed event invites you to touch, play with, and be captivated by wood‼ It will be a special day dedicated entirely to wood🌲 Craftsmen and shops specializing in wood from all over the region will gather! You can enjoy the display and sale of unique works filled with the warmth of wood🎵 There will be plenty of engaging activities for everyone, from children to adults, including making wooden coasters, batting with wooden bats, experiencing cajón performances, and trying your hand at splitting wood and having a campfire😍 This year, we will also hold the popular "Log Cutting Competition"‼ Additionally, many food trucks and restaurants will be present, offering delicious local gourmet food and sweets🎵 As a visitor benefit, the first 50 guests will receive a raw shiitake mushroom log and a seedling of Ezo cherry tree as a gift!🎁🎁 Enjoy a delightful time captivated by "just wood" along with pleasant music and delicious food🤗 🔶Date and Time: Saturday, October 17, 2026, from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM 🔶Venue: Honbetsu Park Seidayama Camp Village First Campsite 🔶Contact: Tree Festival in Honbetsu KIDAKE Executive Committee (Kuna Publishing Co., Ltd.) TEL: 0155-38-4188 https://www.town.honbetsu.hokkaido.jp/web/news/details/tree_festival_in_kidake.html...

October 11, 2026, Hitachi Seaside Park Red kochia and yellow cosmos against a blue sky. Colorful flower seedlings were planted along the pathways, making the scenery very beautiful.

On Saturday, October 3, 2026, the Bungo Inukai Fireworks Festival 2026 was held at Ono River Riverside Park in Inukai Town, Bungoono City, Oita Prefecture. The venue was lively with food stalls, creating a festive atmosphere as everyone awaited the fireworks. At 7:20 PM, approximately 3,000 fireworks lit up the night sky of Inukai, known as the birthplace of Bungo fireworks. Cheers erupted from the audience as they watched the fireworks up close. ■■Access to the center of Bungoono City from Fukuoka Prefecture and Kumamoto Prefecture■■■ 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. ■■■■■■■■■■■■ Introducing recommended spots for tourism in Bungoono City, Oita Prefecture, Kyushu. ■■■■■■■■■■■■

Standing in the middle of the breathtaking red carpet of Hitachi Seaside Park, this scene felt almost unreal to me. Thousands of vibrant red Kochia bushes stretch across the landscape like a vast crimson ocean, with little touches of green and golden brown creating a beautiful natural texture. What caught my eye most was the single girl walking quietly among the red bushes. Surrounded by such an enormous sea of color, she looked so small and peaceful, almost as if she were part of the landscape itself. Her solitary presence gave the photograph a sense of calm, loneliness, and poetry. I took this photograph myself, and capturing this moment was deeply emotional for me. I remember being completely absorbed by the beauty in front of me—the endless red, the gentle pathways, and that one solitary figure moving through the flowers. For a moment, everything felt still, and I felt incredibly lucky to witness and preserve such a beautiful scene.

At the National Alps Azumino Park, 130,000 cosmos flowers are in full bloom in the Rural Culture Zone of Horigane and Hotaka District 🌸 Cosmos, a symbol of autumn, can be enjoyed here with popular varieties like "Double Click" and "Seashell" in a 3,300 m² flower bed 😄 ◇Location: Rural Culture Zone, Terraced Fields Flower Bed ◇Scale: 11 varieties, 130,000 flowers, 3,300 m² ◇Best Viewing Period: Late September to Late October

The flower fields blooming at Alps Azumino National Government Park Horigane-Hotaka District😀 The 2026 Autumn Flower Garden is currently being held🌸 Featuring five varieties of flowers, including salvia and gomphrena, in the autumn flower bed❗️ ◇Location: Den'en Bunka Zone Hotaka-guchi Flower Bed ◇Planting scale: 30,000 plants, 2,000㎡ ◇Planting varieties: Salvia, Blue Salvia, Gomphrena, Kochia, Lemon Bright ◇Best viewing period: Late September to mid-October We hope you visit!

The summer heat is gradually coming to an end, and in the tropical Miyazaki, the nights are becoming a bit cooler. As October arrives, we can feel the refreshing autumn. Now, in Tsunocho, Miyazaki Prefecture, various events will take place from October until the end of the year. This time, I will briefly introduce these events in a list format. I hope this serves as a reference for outings from autumn to winter. *With autumn sports information* "Event Information for Tsunocho, Miyazaki Prefecture (as of October 2nd)" ▪ October 10th to 14th (Saturday to Wednesday) 2026 All Japan Social Hockey Championship (a preliminary event for the National Sports Festival) Miyachiku Fujimi Park (Tsunocho) ▪ October 25th (Sunday) Starts at 10:00 AM 27th Kyushu Open Arm Wrestling Miyazaki Tournament North lawn area of Roadside Station Tsuno (special venue) ▪ October 25th (Sunday) 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM 3rd Ichinomiya City (regular event) In front of the torii gate at Tsuno Shrine (next to the arm wrestling venue) ▪ October 31st (Saturday) Time TBD Halloween Sports Day organized by the Tsuno Town Youth Association Tsuno Winery ▪ October 31st and November 1st (Saturday and Sunday) 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM (tentative) Fujimi City (regular event) South plaza of Miyachiku Fujimi Park ▪ November 15th (Sunday) 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM Tsuno Wine Harvest Festival Tsuno Winery ▪ November 22nd (Sunday) Classic Car Festival Tsuno Winery ▪ November 29th (Sunday) 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM Tsuno Town Industrial Festival (the largest event in the town with a stage) Tsuno Town Nakamachi Plaza (Google Maps search: Tsuno Bus Stop) ▪ December 4th and 5th (Friday and Saturday) Winter Festival at Tsuno Shrine Tsuno Shrine, Ichinomiya in Hyuga ▪ Scheduled for late December Ichinomiya City Christmas Market There are various events! Among them, Ichinomiya City appears multiple times, but this is actually a regular event that started this year! We are still exploring the direction of the event, but we will create a unique event in the future, so please come and visit us someday.

Alps Azumino National Government Park, Horigane and Hotaka area is currently at its best for the yellow cosmos. There are 800,000 cosmos flowers blooming in the terraced rice fields. It seems like a great time to enjoy during the holidays, but I'm worried about the impact of the typhoon…😟

On Sunday, September 20th, we held the 50th Hakurin Park Festival! Despite the unfortunate weather, many people attended. Thank you to everyone who came to the venue!

I took this photo at Kinchakuda Manjushage Park in Hidaka City, Saitama Prefecture. I visited to see the fields of Manjushage in full bloom. The shoot took place in the rain, creating a serene and rich autumn landscape with the red flowers, the wet ground, and the dark background of the trees, quite different from a sunny day. Not only did I capture the fully bloomed Manjushage, but I also intentionally included the fallen trees at my feet and the rain-soaked ground, encapsulating the quiet atmosphere I felt while standing there. I hope you can appreciate not just the splendor of the Manjushage, which represents autumn in Japan, but also its other, more subtle aspects.

I took pictures of the beautiful autumn foliage in the mountains at Hadano Togawa Park in Kanagawa Prefecture.

I took this photo at Mizumoto Park in Tokyo, and for me, it captures much more than just the beauty of autumn. As I walked among the towering metasequoia trees, I was completely drawn to the way the warm sunlight was passing through the forest. The trees were glowing in deep shades of red, orange, and gold, while the morning sun created beautiful, elongated shadows across the ground. I remember feeling a sense of calm as I stood there, surrounded by such incredible colors and silence. But what really caught my attention was that quiet seat beneath the trees. It looked so peaceful, almost as if it was inviting me to stop for a while and forget everything else. I imagined sitting there, feeling the cool autumn breeze, watching the sunlight slowly move between the trees, and simply enjoying the moment. I wanted to capture that feeling—not just the scenery. Sometimes a scene makes you stop before you even think about composition. You just feel something. That is what happened here. I waited for the sunlight to fall perfectly between the trees, revealing the seat and illuminating the autumn leaves around it. When I finally pressed the shutter, I felt that I had captured a small piece of the peacefulness I was experiencing at that moment. Looking at this photo now, I can still remember the feeling of standing there—the warmth of the sunlight, the quietness of the forest, and the overwhelming beauty of autumn at Mizumoto Park. This photograph is not only a picture of a beautiful place; it is a memory of a beautiful moment I was lucky enough to experience.

There are moments when a photographer simply forgets to press the shutter because the view in front of them feels too beautiful to capture. That was exactly how I felt during my visit to Mizumoto Park in Tokyo in autumn. I arrived early in the morning, just as the first rays of sunlight were beginning to touch the horizon. The entire park seemed to be waking up slowly, wrapped in a peaceful silence. Standing in front of the magnificent metasequoia forest, I was completely mesmerized. The tall trees, dressed in their warm autumn colors, stretched endlessly into the distance. Soft golden sunlight filtered gently through the branches, creating delicate patterns of light and shadow along the path. The misty morning atmosphere added an almost dreamlike quality to the scene, making the forest feel less like a place in Tokyo and more like a magical landscape from another world. As a photographer, these are the moments I live for—the moments when nature, light, color, and silence come together perfectly. Every direction I looked felt like a photograph waiting to be captured. The golden leaves glowing under the morning sun, the towering metasequoias disappearing into the distance, and the soft, tranquil atmosphere created a truly mystical view. I stood there for a while, simply taking it all in. No rush, no noise—just me, my camera, and the breathtaking beauty of an autumn morning. My trip to Mizumoto Park became much more than just another visit to a beautiful place. It became a beautiful memory, captured not only through my camera lens but also in my heart.

I went with my family to Gongen General Park, a charming new playground located near a rest area and at the base of a mountain. The park was opened just last year, and has lots of slides for children to enjoy while being conveniently located next to family-friendly dining like a Katsudon restaurant, and most importantly connects to a pleasant and easily walkable nature trail. There are stairs for those who would like to take a short-cut, but its well worth doing the leisurely hike up to the summit. The view from the peak is really wonderful! It seems there is a bug theme to the park, with a variety of cicada everywhere. On a holiday weekend it is a little crowded, but only enough to give a sense of liveliness rather than overcrowding. It is nice to see many families out there having fun! If you are in the area with young kids of your own and enjoy nature, you could do far worse than visit Gongen.