[2026 Japan Heritage Marche — Isehara City Will Also Be Present] The Japan Heritage Marche, which shares the stories of Japan’s culture and traditions from each region, will be held this year in Yurakucho, Tokyo. Isehara City will also have a booth at the event to showcase its unique local attractions. At the venue, visitors can experience Japan’s heritage sites through tastings, samplings, and hands-on workshops from across the country. Please come and join us. Dates: Saturday, February 14, 2026 – Sunday, February 15, 2026 Times: February 14: 10:00–17:00 February 15: 10:00–16:00 Location: Yurakucho Station Plaza and Tokyo Kotsu Kaikan (1st-floor event space and others)

Yamanaka Tunnel, registered as part of the Japan Heritage "Railways Across the Sea: Miracles of Tracks Connecting to the World." This brick tunnel makes for a charming, retro photo spot. It’s recommended not only for railway and tunnel enthusiasts but also for photography lovers!

"Railways Across the Sea: Miracles of the Tracks Connecting to the World" The railway linking Nagahama, Tsuruga, and Minami-Echizen Town, along with the railway-related culture, has been registered as a Japan Heritage. List of Japan Heritage cultural properties in Minami-Echizen Town ・Yamanaka Tunnel ・Dead End Tunnel ・Yamanaka Signal Station Remains ・Yamanaka Rock Jet ・Oto Station Remains ・Yuoo Tunnel ・Imajo Soba ・Imajo Station Water Tower and Coal Supply Facility ・Imajo-shuku Post Town What is Japan Heritage? Japan Heritage is a designation by the Agency for Cultural Affairs that recognizes stories conveying Japan's culture and traditions through the historical attractions and distinctive features of a region. (Excerpted from the Japan Heritage portable site)

Ukon Family Museum of Kitamaebune Shipowners — Hina Dolls These dolls were a gift in Taisho 6 (1917) to Fukuko, the eldest daughter of the 11th head of the family, Mr. Gitaro, and his wife. They are on display for a limited time; for details please check the Minami-Echizen Town tourism information site.

The Nakamura family built great wealth as owners of cargo-buying ships. The Nakamura House is a large mansion of a Kitamaebune shipowner, featuring a distinctive estate layout and a three-story guestroom wing. It has been open to the public since April 2024. Can you feel the history and romance of the Kitamaebune captains who endured and thrived on the majestic Sea of Japan?

Kitamaebune Shipowners’ Street runs along the Shiokaze Line. Here stands the Ukon House, a Kitamaebune shipowner’s residence designated as a Japan Heritage site. The building I’m introducing this time is the Western-style house a few steps up from the Ukon House. What view opens up from the second-floor veranda? That’s a surprise to enjoy when you visit. . When you come to the Ukon House, be sure to climb up to the Western-style house on Kitamaebune Shipowners’ Street for a different experience—the unique scenery you can only see here awaits you. https://www.minamiechizen.com/en/feature/64468/

Minamiechizen Town, Nanjo District, Fukui Prefecture, located almost in the center of Fukui Prefecture, is a town where sea, mountains, and countryside blend together and where history and culture live on. The town covers about 344 square kilometers and has a population of approximately 9,000 people (as of May 2025), offering abundant nature and a peaceful way of life. Minamiechizen was formed in 2005 by the merger of the former Nanjo Town, Imajo Town, and Kono Village, and each area contributes its own character and attractions. Stretching north to south, Minamiechizen presents a variety of living landscapes, from coastal settlements to mountain farming villages, each rooted in its own culture and customs. Along the coastline you can enjoy the beautiful scenery of the Sea of Japan, and inland you can see satoyama landscapes woven from mountains and clear streams! Minamiechizen is also known as a region that preserves Japan’s original rural scenery, where you can experience a lifestyle in harmony with nature as it changes through the four seasons. In the tranquil rice-growing areas, agricultural experiences such as rice planting and harvesting are popular and delight many visitors.

I went ❣️ to "Arimatsu", a town that is Located inside Nagoya City, Aichi Prefecture but retains the faces of the Edo period Arimatsu was a teahouse settlement between Chiryu no Shuku and Narumi inn inn on the former Tokaido Highway that connected Edo and Kyoto, and flourished as a tie-dye production area, and was the perfect place ❣️ for a kimono trip It is a wonderful town where you can touch the atmosphere of the Edo period. I was 😃 exposed to a lot of cultural techniques and things in Japan, such as facilities where you can experience tie-dyeing, museums, and merchant's houses

【Kiso Living Crafts Museum】 On August 2, 2024, "Usage Crafts" opened at the Kiso Living Crafts Museum Art Gallery. A permanent exhibition hall where traditional Shinshu crafts are exhibited. You can see the local climate and culture, as well as a number of Shinshu traditional crafts that have been born and nurtured in daily life. Also, this permanent exhibition is the only place where you can see all the traditional crafts of Shinshu! !! Admission is free, so please try 😊 the traditional crafts of Shinshu "Kiso Living Crafts Museum" Address: 2272-7 Kiso Hirasawa, Shiojiri-shi, Nagano TEL：TEL. 0264-34-3888

Kannon-do at Ninna-ji Temple The construction of Ninna-ji Temple began at the request of Emperor Mitsutaka, and was founded by Emperor Uta in the 4th year of Ninwa (888). It has been revered by successive emperors as a private temple of the Imperial Family. The photograph is a high-resolution image of 33 enshrinement Buddha statues and murals Reproduction the normally non-Open to the public Kannondo at the Tokyo National Museum. There were so many visitors that it was difficult to take pictures so as not to let people in, but this was the only one that looked like Kannondo. It's really beautiful.

Cherry blossoms and Himeji Castle Himeji Castle is also known as White Heron Castle, a castle located in Himeji City, Hyogo Prefecture. Major buildings such as castle towers and turrets built in the Edo period still exist, and are registered as national treasures, important cultural properties, and UNESCO World Heritage Lists. I visited Himeji Castle when the cherry blossoms were in full bloom, The photo was taken from the restaurant in the building. I tried to make it a panoramic style, and when you look at it like this, it is quite wide. Cherry blossoms and egret castle are the best match.

This kagura has been handed down since the founding of Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine and has a history of more than 800 years. It was destroyed by fire, and there is a Tradition that it was used when Minamoto no Yoritomo relocated the palace for reconstruction. The Kagura will be held on December 16 at the Imperial Throne Memorial Festival, and the "Miyajin Song" that was chanted at that time will be played in the north garden of the Maiden, and the dance music "The Dance of the Chief" will also be performed. The appearance of dancing only with a Bonfire is elegant, and the ethereal world of the distant past is Reproduction. (Photography is allowed, but not only flash, but also shutter sound, fill light, and light leakage from the image monitor are prohibited.) Shinto ritual, not just sightseeing)

It is a Kamakura Yabusame horse performed at Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine in Kamakura (Japan Heritage). It is a traditional Shinto ritual in which a dignified archer in the form of a warrior shoots a target with a bow and arrow from a galloping horseback riding. According to history, "In Kamakura, Minamoto no Yoritomo first made a dedication to Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine on August 15, 1187." This Yabusame Shinto ritual is still being held on the Annual Grand Festival of Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine (September 16). It is a brave and solemn Shinto ritual where you can feel the breath of the Kamakura period. Feel the history in the traditional events of the historic town.

【Okuwa Village】Atera Canyon Atera Canyon, which has been recognized as a Japan Heritage Site, is a lush scenic spot surrounded by clear streams of emerald green and dense national forests. Surrounded by a beautiful river called "Atera Blue" and deep greenery, it is one of the One of the largest scenic spots in Kiso. Kiso Goki grows on both banks of the Adera River, and Spots such as waterfalls and pools are scattered. There is also a campsite, and inside the campsite there is a famous water of Shinshu called "Bigao Water". During the summer July ~ August, vehicle regulations are required. If you want to move around Atera Canyon easily, you can also rent an e-bike electrically assisted bicycle. [E-bike rental location] Atera Canyon 2nd Parking Lot [Fee] 1,000 yen / 1 hour [Contact Us] 090-6173-9467 Atera Blue Co., Ltd.

It's Hoha-maki season!! "Hooba maki" is a Japanese confectionery made by wrapping bean paste in a rice cake made by kneading rice flour, wrapping it in magnolia leaves, and steaming it. In Kiso, it has been made since ancient times as a celebratory mochi for the Dragon Boat Festival, which is held on June 5. It is made using twigs with several leaves attached to one tree as it is, so it has a different appearance and is appreciated as a Souvenirs. It is sold at many confectionery stores from mid ~ end of May every year. There are also people who come from far away in search of hooba rolls. It is available until mid-July, so if you come to Kiso this season, please try it at least once! Please refer to the following for Kiso dealers. It is also Publication on the seasonal Information on the Home page "Kiso Valley Rippu", so please take a look. [Dealer] ♦ Shiojiri City Tea House "Kodemari" 0264-34-3072 　　　　Roadside Station "Kiso Narakawa" 0264-34-3888 　　　　Tezukara 0264-34-3236 ♦ Kiso village Kitahara Confectionery 0264-36-2069 　　　　Buckwheat 0264-24-0188 　　　　Roadside Station "Kiso River Headwaters Village Kisomura" 0264-36-1050 ♦ Kiso town Roadside Station "Hiyoshi Kiso Koma Kogen" 0264-23-3644 　　　　Sweets Tsukasa Taguchi 0264-22-2023 　　　　Omuraya 0264-22-2841 　　　　Orihashi Confectionery 0264-22-2421 　　　　Confectionery 0264-22-2134 　　　　Sweets Priest Horaiya 0264-22-2372 　　　　Confectionery Brewery Yoshishiro 　　　Ohashi Confectionery 0264-22-4800 　　　　　　　　　　　　　　0264-22-2413 　　　　Roadside Station "Kiso Fukushima" 0264-21-1818 　　　　Roadside Station "Sangaku" 0264-46-3677 　　　　Farmer's Market "Saisaikan" 0264-42-1360 ♦ Otaki village Himeya 0264-48-2020 ♦ Agematsu town Agematsu town Specialty Products Development Center Use Union 0264-52-1505 　　　　Washin 0264-52-5588 　　　　Cafeteria Nakamura 0264-52-2183 　　　　Hokodo 0264-52-4648 ♦ Okuwa Village Roadside Station "Okuwa" 0264-55-4192 　　　　Yoneko Okuwa 0264-55-3633 　　　　Michikusa 050-2006-2025 　　　　Traditional Japanese straw raincoat 0264-55-4380 　　　　Wood sawing village 0264-55-2900 ♦ Nagiso Town Toyama Confectionery 0264-57-2209 　　　　　Tsutaya Confectionery 0264–57-2069 　　　　　Ebiya 0264-57-3054 　　　　　Sawadaya 0264-57-2272 　　　　　Chokane Sawadaya Tsumago 0264-57-3268 ♦ Nakatsugawa City Roadside Station "Shizumo" 0573-75-5255

The Yomeimon Gate at the Nikko Tosho-gu shrine. We arrived towards the closing time of this shrine and yet this gate made me stand and stare at the gorgeous detail of the artist's work. Very symbolic of the beautiful Japanese history. The cherry on the cake was that beyond this gate, we could walk up to the final resting place of Tokugawa Ieyasu, someone who I admire and had read about so much before arriving in Japan.

Naraijuku, Nagano Prefecture, has been selected as an Important Traditional Buildings Preservation District in Japan. This post town, which is also a Japan heritage site, not only retains the remnants of the Nakasendo road of the Edo period, but also imbues the buildings with the wisdom of the old Japan life. You can enjoy nostalgia and rustic beauty. On the day of my visit, it was just snowing powder, and I was able to enjoy a fantastic moment. Japan's traditional townscape that I want the world to know about.

A classic way to spend your holidays. I took a walk around the local Mt. Takao in the morning and put my hands together to get rid of the evil at the Yakuo-in in the middle of the mountain.