Kei-unkan (慶雲館), at Nishiyama Hot Springs, Hayakawa, Yamanashi-ken is a 1,3************ Onsen Ryokan. In 2011, the hotel was officially recognised by the Guinness World Records as the oldest hotel in the world. ( See Oct.25's My Blog on "Keiunkan" )… Read more

Lake Towada (十和田湖) is the largest caldera lake on Honshu, Japan's main island. It is characterized by two large peninsulas, which extend nearly a third of the way across the lake. Towadako is a popular autumn colors destination, especially along the Oirase Stream at the lake's eastern shore, one of Japan's most famous spots to see autumn foliage.… Read more

Yoshigaura Onsen, Noto, Ishikawa-ken (石川県能登よしが浦温泉)… Read more

Gujo Hachiman's hilltop castle was built in 1559. The castle had been destroyed in the early Meiji Period, it was rebuilt in 1933. Unlike most reconstructed castles, Gujo Hachiman-jo was rebuilt with wood rather than concrete, but its interior does not follow its original design, nevertheless. The castle's hilltop location provides a beautiful view of the town in the valley below. Maple trees surround the castle and ***… Read more

Hida Takayama, Gifu-ken (岐阜県高山市飛騨高山) Actual Weather 16/10/15 Fair High 22/Low 07C… Read more

School festivals are kind of a big deal in Japan, with students from kindergarten through to university participating in their own school’s festival each year, usually involving games, food cooked by the k i d s on-site, and the occasional jaw-dropping class project like this full-size teacup ride. University festivals will, in addition, have special performances, and may also feature local or well-known musicians, comedians, and more. Mana SAKURA, Japanese Pornstar's Poster Using big pink lette… Read more

"Please forgive me" French Maid in Japan Do not punish Pai-chan ....… Read more

" Bunkasai " (文化祭) is an annual Cultural Festival event held by most schools in Japan usually on/around November 03 ("Culture Day", a public holiday). It is also a fun event for schools while some foods are served and sold, and also provides a good opportunity for students to see what life is like in other schools. It is also intended to enrich people's lives by increasing social interaction and fostering community ties. High School prepare to display their artistic, research and **… Read more

Ishibe-kouji(石塀小路)street, Gion, Kyoto Kyoto is turning colors .... Good Night… Read more

After the battle of Sekigahara(A decisive battle on October 21, 1600 that cleared the path to the Shogunate for Tokugawa Ieyasu), Kato Kiyomasa built this incredible fortress in Kumamoto, Kyushu (1607). The hilltop castle (alternately called "Ginnan*-jo") expertly utilizes the geography to make one of the most impregnable castles ever built in Japan. (Ginnnan*=銀杏=Gingko) The "Akazu-no-mon" gate sto… Read more

Takamatsu (高松), Kagawa Prefecture in Shikoku island The capital city of the prefectural government, with population of 420,615 as of May 2015.… Read more

Autumn has arrived Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route(立山黒部アルペンルート) already in mid-September. At Murodo (室堂) around 2,450 meters, the colors were nicely developed. The fiery red nanakamado bushes were juxtaposed with green shrubs and grey rocks, providing a great contrast. The timing and deepness of autumn colors depend on the cooler temperatures and the difference within a day. Looks like the this year'… Read more

Shirakawa-go, Gifu-ken (岐阜県白川郷). Some of those thatched roof farm houses are more than 25o years old.… Read more

Here is a typical breakfast menu at most Japanese Onsen ryokan. Rice bowl is served as a kind of must dish instead of above porridge (porridge is actually good for breakfast, I think) along with seaweed(dried), grilled salmon or local river fish. Tofu or Natto may also be on the menu if it's genuine Washoku (Japanese cuisine) menu. However these days as many guests are from other countries, "buffet" is also popular especially at bigger ryokan and hotels. It means that instead of some traditional meal serving at each… Read more

The First Snow… Read more

Early next morning I was awakened by a morning concerto. While a fresh bright sun rose, the thin foggy white clouds typical to 1,500m high altitude dispersed, and in turn a group of my friends dressed in vivid colors of feathers and wings started playing and singing around my cottage. They are all my friends from the forest in this area. I always wish I could treat them with cups of nice coffee. Expect another nice fresh autumn high blue sky today. I did not even ask encore but their concert was still on at the time I arr… Read more

Mount Fuji (3,776m)… Read more

Happy to know that lots of people still remember Venice... yes, I do, too ... http://blog-imgs-82.fc2.com… Read more

Night view of Shiojiri-city from Torii-touge 鳥居峠 (1,197m), Nagano-prefecture. The name "Shiojiri (塩尻)" literally means "the end of salt" or "salt(y) butt". Present population is 66,815(as of May 2015).… Read more

Daisetsuzan National Park in the center of Hokkaido. The highest point on the island, the Asahidake(2,291m volcano) and Daisetsuzan Mountains(A group of tall volcanoes) are the first place in Japan to see the seasonal colors appear each year. Its sulfury smoking base at around 1,600 meters can be accessed conveniently by ropeway from Asahidake Onsen Hotsprings (旭岳温泉). The colors along the circular hiking trail around the upper ropeway station were already at their peak, and the nanakamado (Japa… Read more