Nagato, Yamaguchi The Tawarayama area is a tranquil village with a hot spring town that has long flourished as a therapeutic hot spring resort, surrounded by farming and mountain villages. The pristine scenery of the lush green mountains and the clear stream of the Kiya River, where fireflies dance, fills visitors with a warm feeling. The main industries are agriculture, forestry, and livestock farming, and the clean water and climate with large temperature differences allow

Shimonoseki, Yamaguchi The Six Jizo statues, erected at the entrance to what was once a pilgrimage route to Mount Dogatake, are a historic site that speaks to the faith of rural communities from long ago. Even today, this is a place where local residents pray for safety. A part of "Toyota Rural Space Development Project"(according to the on-site information board) Six Zizo statues are standing in a row, looking at Lake Toyota.

Sugamo, Tokyo Sugamo (巣鴨) is a shopping district along Tokyo 's Yamanote Line that famously caters to the elderly. The district's popular, 800 meter long Jizo Dori shopping street is also affectionately known as the "Old Ladies' Harajuku" in lighthearted comparison to the Harajuku district's status as one of Japan's foremost youthful shopping and fashion destinations. The original reason for Sugamo's popularity is found at Koganji Temple halfway down the shopping street. Th

Karuizawa, Nagano Shiraito Waterfall (白糸の滝, Shiraito no Taki) is located in the forests north of central Karuizawa . It is only three meters high, but 70 meters wide. The mountain slopes above the waterfall contain a volcanic stratum on which groundwater flows before surfacing here. This explains why no river flows into the Shiraito Waterfall. Also, as only a small portion of the water flowing is rain water, the strength of the flow is not much impacted by the weather . Shira

Karuizawa, Nagano The Usui Pass Observation Platform (碓氷峠見晴台, Usui Tōge Miharashidai) is located about four kilometers northeast of the Kyu-Karuizawa town center, straddling the border of Gunma and Nagano prefectures. Beautiful views over the mountains of Gunma Prefecture on one side and Mount Asama on the other side can be enjoyed from this observation platform.

Karuizawa, Nagano Also known as "Swan Lake," this small pond has a very serene atmosphere with beautiful seasonal reflections on its surface. The area around Kumobaike Pond is a 1-km walking path where visitors can enjoy the scenery while taking a leisurely stroll. It is a representative scenic spot in Karuizawa, especially beautiful during the season of fresh green and autumn leaves.

Chikuma, Nagano Visited Moki Co., Ltd. to choose the fireplace I would like to install in my house. Located in a rural city of Nagano. You can also visit their factory by appointment. Moki makes fireplaces that can also burn "bamboo". All made in Japan and the company philosophy is highly ethical. https://www.moki-ss.co.jp/en

Izu Oshima, Tokyo The shrine is located in the Izumizu district in the northwestern part of Izu Oshima, surrounded by a grove of cedar trees and moss-covered stone steps that create a serene and peaceful atmosphere whenever you visit. The present shrine was built in the Showa period (1926-1989), and there is a legend of Hiimi-sama in the Izumitsu district where the shrine is located. The legend tells of 25 young islanders who killed a bad government official, built a boat out

Izu Oshima, Tokyo Ura-Sabaku , Japan's only true desert located on Izu Oshima island, is a vast, otherworldly landscape of black volcanic sand and ash formed by eruptions of Mt. Mihara. Accessible by hiking trails, it offers dramatic, sparse scenery with panoramic views, volcanic rock, and, occasionally, patches of pampas grass.

Izu Oshima, Tokyo Fudeshima (Brush Island) is a 30-meter-high, cone-shaped rock islet off the coast of Izu Oshima, which resembles the tip of a traditional Japanese writing brush ( fude ). Formed by hardened, wave-eroded volcanic rock from a prehistoric volcano, it stands as a striking landmark and a sacred site known locally as a "dwelling place of the gods".

Izu Oshima, Tokyo Habu port (minato) is a small port town on the southeastern coast of Izu Oshima. It was built around 200 years ago, and its quaint streets and gorgeous ocean views offer you a chance to step back in time. Officially opened in 1800 after extensive excavation of rocks, the port flourished as a sheltered, natural harbor and fishing hub until the mid-1900s, later becoming a famous tourist spot. This small village was the inspiration for Yasunari Kawabata's novel

Izu Oshima, Tokyo This black beach was formed by the accumulation of volcanic ash, volcanic sand, and eroded volcanic rock that was washed down through the valley. Every year sea turtles lay their eggs in the sand. About 1km long.

Izu Oshima, Tokyo A boat ride from Atami port to Izu Oshima. Large-scale eruptions used to occur on Izu Oshima every 100 to 200 years on average, and volcanic ejecta such as scoria and volcanic ash accumulated and formed the stripe pattern. The stripes are about 30 m high and 630 m long, and are also known as "baumkuchen" because of their appearance. The strata look like folds because of their gentle curvature, but they were originally formed by parallel layers of earth over

Shizuoka Driving through east coast of Izu peninsula. Ebisu Island (えびす島) in Shimoda, located on the southern tip of the Izu Peninsula near the Susaki Peninsula , is a small, accessible island reachable via a bridge, offering unique geological formations, a small shrine, a lighthouse, and excellent snorkeling opportunities. It was getting dark and no time to explore the island in this trip. Ito Port serves as a marine access point. Ito is a picturesque resort town nestled

Shimoda, Shizuoka Perry Road in Shimoda is a historic, charming walkway along the Hiraname River, famous as the path taken by Commodore Matthew Perry in 1854 to negotiate treaty terms . This stone-paved, willow-lined street is now lined with cafes, restaurants, and antique shops. About 400-500 meters long.

Shimoda, Shizuoka Shimoda has historical importance as the landing place of several of Commodore Perry 's "black ships" in 1854, an event which led to the end of Japan's era of isolation .

Izu, Shizuoka Joren Falls (Joren no Taki), located in Izu, Shizuoka Prefecture, is a renowned 25-meter-high, 7-meter-wide waterfall and one of Japan's Top 100 Waterfalls . Set in a lush forest with dramatic basalt cliffs, it is famous for its emerald green basin, nearby wasabi fields, and as a key spot in the Amagi-goe song.  The rock wall behind the waterfall is home to columnar joints, formed by volcanic activity about 17,000 years ago. The cracks created when the lava co

Hokkaido Along the way - looking out from the car (sightseeing taxi in Kushiro) and JR local train (Hakodate - Sapporo - Kushiro) February, 2024

Hokkaido Sapporo Clock Tower, Sapporo TV Tower, JR Sapporo station, Susukino at night (February 2024) Sapporo (札幌, "important river flowing through a plain" in Ainu language) is the capital of Hokkaido and Japan's fifth largest city . In the beginning of the Meiji Period (1868-1912), when the development of Hokkaido started on a large scale, Sapporo was chosen as the island's administrative center and enlarged according to the advice of foreign specialists. Sapporo became

Hokkaido The Akanko Ainu Kotan is one of the largest Ainu kotan (settlements) in Hokkaido, inhabited by about 120 people. It is a place where Ainu culture is shared through the experience of interacting, making, eating, inheriting, unleashing and living with nature, based on the Ainu belief that souls reside in all things.