It is called Osechi Ryori. This is a dish that families and clans gather to celebrate the New Year and eat together, with each item having a special significance for good fortune. Nowadays, many people buy it from department stores or supermarkets, but in the past, it was common to make it by hand. In rural areas, it is still customary to prepare it in advance at the end of the year so that women do not have to cook during the New Year. The photos show only my grandmother's handmade dishes, which are all a modest brown color, but they taste amazing. The locally famous red konnyaku, which turned bright red at the command of the famous Sengoku period warlord Oda Nobunaga, is also included. In addition, it is a tradition for the whole family to gather around a table filled with my grandmother's handmade rolled sushi and mackerel sushi for a celebration.

Special Campaign on October 31st 🎉 📣 A lottery event will be held at the roadside station Iwanai!! As part of the ongoing "Hot Spring Election" voting PR, we are conducting a special campaign at the roadside station Iwanai! Surprisingly, everyone who votes will receive a popular No. 1 treat from the roadside station: "Cheese Daifuku"! 🎁✨ Additionally, a lottery with luxurious prizes will also be held! Check out the exciting prizes below⇩⇩⇩ ♨️ Iwanai Hot Spring Accommodation Voucher 🎫 Roadside Station Gift Certificate 🍺 Set of 6 Craft Beers ♨️ Iwanai Hot Spring Bath Voucher ♨️ Iwanai Hot Spring Towel We need just 300 more votes to reach our goal! 🔥 It's the final push! We want more people to know about "Iwanai Hot Spring," nurtured by the rich mountains and sea of Iwanai-cho! Your votes will make a huge difference. If you've already voted, you can vote again using a different email address if you have one! 📅 Event Date and Time: Until 6 PM on October 31st (Saturday) 📍 Venue: Roadside Station Iwanai Please take this opportunity to participate! Thank you for your cooperation!! 🙏✨

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

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.

"A day connecting with the sea, food, and people of Amakusa and Reihoku while being in Fukuoka.🐟✨" "I dream of rural living, but moving suddenly feels like a high hurdle..." "I want to enjoy delicious local products and VR experiences from Amakusa and Reihoku while shopping on my day off!" An event perfect for those individuals is coming to Hakata Ekimae Plaza! On the holiday of Sports Day, the "Amakusa Reihoku Two-Region Living Fair" will be held at Hakata Ekimae Plaza! Before "living," let's start with "knowing" about Amakusa and Reihoku. With a distance of just about an hour by plane from Fukuoka, we propose a lifestyle that offers "another hometown"! At the venue (Hakata Ekimae Plaza), we will have four experiences that you can enjoy while shopping or traveling!👇 ①【Sunshine Marche】 A "treasure chest of food" featuring the proud agricultural products and specialties from Amakusa and Reihoku all gathered together! You can directly take home the blessings of the sea and land! ②【Two-Region Living Consultation】 Local revitalization cooperation team members living in Reihokumachi will guide you through the real charms and lifestyle. Feel free to consult! ③【Metaverse Reihoku Trip (VR Experience)】 Put on VR goggles and take a 360-degree virtual trip to the beautiful seas and streets of Amakusa and Reihoku while being in Hakata! ④【PR Talk Event & Giveaway Project】 A fun talk event to learn about the charms of Reihokumachi! You might also get a chance to receive wonderful gifts!🎁 Whether you're planning to shop at Hakata Station or are interested in dual-location living or moving, please come visit the Reihokumachi booth! 🗓Event Overview 〇Event Name: Amakusa Reihoku Two-Region Living Fair in Fukuoka 〇Date: Monday, October 12, 2026, 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM 〇Venue: Hakata Ekimae Plaza, Vibrant Exchange Space (Small Event Space) 〇Participation Fee: Free 〇Organizer: Kumamoto Prefecture, Amakusa District, Reihokumachi 〇Planning and Management: Paralabo Co., Ltd. 〇Cooperation: Amakusa Reihoku Tourism Association (General Incorporated Association)

The Beer Garden Flavor Festival is here!👏🏻 This year features a five-day Silver Week!! From September 19 (Saturday) to September 22 (Tuesday), it will be held at the event square in front of Michi-no-Eki Iwanai‼️ Enjoy a variety of fun activities, including bingo and karaoke contests!♪ And guess what! There will be a live performance by participants from the "NHK Nodo Jiman Taikai" broadcast on August 23!🎤 For more details, please check the flyer♪ Organized by: Iwanai Michi-no-Eki Enthusiasm Team "Flavor Festival" Executive Committee On September 20 during the event, a light truck market is also planned on Ekimaedoori! Thank you for your support!🙏

Summer settled over the village like a green silence. The mountains slept beneath the endless blue sky, while cicadas sang from the trees as if they had been singing there forever. Bright flowers bloomed along an empty roadside, leading somewhere unknown. A lazy afternoon, a gentle breeze, and the delicate sound of wind chimes drifting through Okutama made this summer feel a little more magical.

Good morning! Azumino is sunny. It's a perfect day for sightseeing!♪ The temperature is expected to rise, so please be careful of heatstroke. A must-visit in Azumino is Ohisama Road!😆

Notice: Iwanai Shrine Grand Festival This year, the Iwanai Shrine Grand Festival will be held for three days from July 7th to July 9th! Please be aware that there will be road closures during this period and take care when coming. We invite you to the Iwanai Festival! 😌 *The schedule is referenced from the Iwanai Shrine website.

🎤✨店舗エントリー受付中！！✨🎤 ＼あなたの歌声をステージで披露しませんか？／ 岩内観光協会では、怒涛まつり2日目（8月9日(日)）に開催するステージイベント 「選抜！歌うまコレクション」の出演者を募集しています！ 🎶 年齢・性別不問！ 🎶 ソロ・グループどちらでもOK！ 🏆 審査方法 ・カラオケ採点 ・審査員による審査 🎁 入賞者には豪華景品をご用意！ （町内飲食店で使える飲食券） 【応募方法】 町内店舗代表者によるエントリー必須！ ※個人での応募はできません。 店舗エントリーをお待ちしています😊 ぜひ自慢の"歌うま"さんをご推薦ください！ 一緒に怒涛まつりを盛り上げましょう！🎉 お申し込み・お問い合わせ 一般社団法人 岩内観光協会 ☎ 0135-63-1155（道の駅いわない内）

This photo captures the peaceful beauty of Japan’s hidden gem — where the gentle breeze moves across the clear blue water, green forests surround the lake, and snow-capped mountains rise quietly in the background. A perfect moment where early summer and winter meet in harmony.

Today, Azumino is blessed with pleasant weather 😄 It's perfect for sightseeing and cycling... There are landscapes that calm the heart just by being there 😆

A clear morning in Azumino, where you can see Omachi and Hakuba The village of Azumino is now filled with melting snow from the Northern Alps 😄

From the summit of Mount Wagakuni, a breathtaking morning scene unfolds over Ibaraki. A sea of clouds completely blankets the towns below, creating a dreamlike landscape where the mountains appear to float above the sky. But if you look closely at the far right of the frame, you might notice a giant figure standing quietly above the clouds — and if I’m not mistaken, that silhouette is the famous Ushiku Daibutsu, watching over the horizon from afar. This is a hidden gem. Very few people know about this place. After I saw it I was astonished. Highly recommended hidden gem.

【Announcement】 Event Information♪ 🦁Lions Charity Festival 2026✨ On June 20th (Saturday) and 21st (Sunday), it will be held at Iwanai Michi-no-Eki Front Event Square😊 📅June 20th (Saturday) and 21st (Sunday) ⏰11:00 AM to 8:00 PM 📍Iwanai Michi-no-Eki Front Event Square Iwanai Lions Club Beer Garden🍻 and Iwanai Station Cheerleading Team will liven up the venue! And every day at 6:00 PM… 🎁We will hold a bingo and lottery with fabulous prizes! Join with your family and friends, enjoy delicious food and drinks, and have a wonderful time together✨ We look forward to your visit♪ *For more details, please refer to the flyer.

Nestled along the rugged coastline of Otaru, Hokkaido, stands the remarkable Sea Lion Rock, a lesser-known gem that remains largely undiscovered by international visitors. In winter, the surrounding waters become a gathering place for hundreds of Steller sea lions, creating a spectacular wildlife scene against the dramatic backdrop of the Sea of Japan. As the seasons change, summer brings flocks of black-tailed gulls that fill the skies and cliffs with life. Rising behind this iconic rock formation is the striking red-and-white Shukutsu Observatory, visible prominently above the coastline and extending toward the vast Sea of Japan. Together, the observatory, the wildlife, and the rugged seascape create a breathtaking panorama that captures the essence of northern Japan's natural beauty. While Otaru is often celebrated for its canals and historic streets, this hidden coastal viewpoint offers a different perspective—one where nature, history, and scenery converge.

Long time no see. At the end of last month, the potatoes in the field were blooming with lovely flowers. The combination of soft gradient purple and the orange in the center is really beautiful✨️ The season is definitely heading towards early summer.

I came back again this year! It's the Koinobori Festival at the Ryujin Suspension Bridge 🎏 I usually arrive early, so there weren't 1,000 carp this time 💦 This year's new discovery! The "Ryujin Café" I casually dropped by was absolutely amazing ☕️ Looking up at the carp from below was much more dynamic and beautiful than viewing from above, as they seemed to swim through the sky ✨ The scenery was beautiful, and I was thrilled to find such high-quality food as well. I'm definitely going to be a regular now 👍 Being healed by delicious pasta and a stunning view made for the perfect holiday...

It's amazing how just seeing this color the moment I leave the house in the morning makes me think, "Let's do our best today!" The power of plants is incredible 😊

【Announcement】Taramaru Square 2026 will be held♪ From May 2nd (Saturday) to May 6th (Wednesday) at the Michi-no-Eki-mae Event Plaza "Taramaru Square 2026" will take place!! ☆About the Vendors ○Little Kingdom Tapioca drinks, churros, shaved ice, and alcohol ○Uosansakaba ○RmiRmi Ground meat curry, Hideko's Sanpei soup, beef tongue skewers, grilled chicken ○Shiokaze Restaurant by Raiden Resort & Spa Cocktail mojitos, champagne Hot chocolate, coffee (hot and iced) Coffee will be hand-dripped ○8"achi (debut) Various grilled chicken, tonjiru (pork soup), cotton candy, fried mochi frank, QQ balls ○Shunsai Salt ramen, okonomiyaki, pizza, various alcohol Handmade crafts ○Xingfu Korean fried chicken, long potatoes, fried takoyaki ○Honma Seika Taramaru-yaki, yakisoba, french fries, various wagashi (Japanese sweets) ○Kisui (debut) Various takoyaki (green onion, cheese, plum salt kelp, mentaiko) *The items for sale may change We look forward to seeing everyone♪

Dandelions blooming along the irrigation canal🌼 Sparkling like the sun✨️ Nourishing my heart, I feel ready to tackle tomorrow again👍 Wishing everyone a wonderful end to the weekend🌿

Basking in the spring light... I found a little happiness during my walk🌼 The vibrant yellow gave me energy✨️

【Announcement】Night Sakura Illumination 2026🌸 This is an announcement from the Iwanai Tourism Association📢 Starting from April 20 (Monday)🌸 ・Event period: April 20 (Monday) to May 9 (Saturday) *Dates may change depending on the cherry blossom conditions ・Illumination hours: 18:00 to 21:00 ・Illumination area From Iwanai Town Hall to the stairs of Iwanai Shrine ・Parking Please use the parking lot in front of Iwanai Town Hall ⚠️Please refrain from street parking⚠️ ・Requests and precautions🙇🏻‍♀️ Please do not touch the lighting equipment. Please avoid looking directly at the lights. This year, the illumination area will be expanded from the side of the town hall to the vicinity of Gonsuien, and lanterns will also be lit at the bottom of the shrine stairs🏮 *The installation period for the lanterns may differ from the illumination period. Please enjoy the enchanting night sakura in Iwanai Town this spring♪ We look forward to your visit🌸 Contact information⇩ 0135-63-1155 Iwanai Tourism Association Office

In the gentle spring scenery, a single flower 🌷 standing tall makes me feel somewhat encouraged.

The camellia blooms gracefully under the sunlight 🌺 It was a vibrant red, as if sharing the strength of spring✨️

This year's cherry blossoms are coming to an end👀✨ In the end, I encountered the gently swaying weeping cherry blossoms against a backdrop of blue sky. Watching the petals flutter down makes me feel a bit lonely, but I'm glad I could capture this moment in a photo... The seasons pass quickly, but I think I will keep this spring scenery in my heart forever. Thank you for this year's cherry blossoms🌸

It's the perfect day for a drive🌸 Wherever you go, the cherry blossoms are beautiful, making you want to stop and take photos📸 Enjoying spring with my beloved car✨️

Toyama Castle Park is widely regarded as one of Japan’s most picturesque locations for enjoying cherry blossoms, blending natural beauty with deep historical significance. The park surrounds Toyama Castle, whose origins date back to the Sengoku period, when it functioned as a strategic stronghold under regional rulers. Although the original castle was lost to time, the present structure symbolizes Toyama’s feudal heritage and now serves as a cultural landmark within the city. The cherry‑blossom experience becomes especially memorable when viewed from a quiet, slow‑moving boat gliding along the castle moat. From this serene vantage point, visitors can fully appreciate the delicate fragrance of the blossoms, while petals occasionally drift down and gently settle around them. This harmony of history, landscape, and sensory richness creates a tranquil atmosphere that offers a timeless and deeply rewarding hanami experience.

A pink shower falls from the sky 🌸 The Soto Ohno Weeping Cherry Blossom, over 300 years old is a famous tree associated with Mito Mitsukuni, and it was stunningly beautiful again this year. Spending time facing this cherry blossom in the quiet mountains is truly a luxury✨️

Melting into the dark night, the weeping cherry blossoms 🌸 This year, the Jizo Zakura in Konamase has once again displayed its magnificent beauty. Let this overwhelming sense of scale be conveyed!