Cape Muroto Lighthouse (室戸岬灯台), Kochi-ken Built in 1899, still keeps its original shape. Its range reaching 26.5 nautical miles distance ....… Read more

Yamaguchi-ken (山口県) in Western Honshu, a region formerly known as "Nagato" 長門 or "Choshu" 長州 and Suo (周防) provinces. The area grew to culturally rival the war-torn capital of Kyoto during Japan's age of warring states. The city of Yamaguchi became known as the "Kyoto of the West". Yamaguchi today has a surprisingly laid back atmosphere, considering its historical prominence. Rurikoji (瑠璃光寺) is a Buddhist temple in Yamaguchi City, best known for its five-storied pagoda(五重塔) that is a national treasure. B… Read more

Lake Biwa (琵琶湖), Shiga-ken .... is the largest freshwater lake(670sq.km) of Japan.… Read more

Autumn is .............. Hiking The color of Autumn becomes thicker toward cooler months I like walking in the woods.... Bright Autumn is definitely my favorite season Let's start walking http://blog-imgs-82.fc2.com/s/k/b/skbjkjsk/IMG_3332_20150914145… Read more

"Wanna go to Tokyo tomorrow" At time of Sunset at Tsumagoi Village, Gunma-ken… Read more

Hoshino Resort Co., Ltd. is a Japan-based international operator of ryokan (Japanese inns) with its head office in Karuizawa, Nagano. Founded in 1904 by Kuniji Hoshino as a forestry business in Karuizawa, in the Japanese Alps, it opened its first hot spring resort in 1914. "Hoshinoya" Kyoto opened in 2009 as the second Hoshinoya, is the former home of wealthy merchant Ryoi Suminokura (1554–1614). Suminokura is remembered mostly for… Read more

" Chikuraku (竹楽) " Festival, Takeda-city, Oita-ken, Kyushu (started 16 years ago) More than 20,000 bamboo lanterns lit along the streets... Some lanterns are beautifully decorated... The Festival will be held from November 20 for 3 days this year.… Read more

OFF SEASON CLIMBING The climbing 'season' on Mt. Fuji, during the months of July/August, refers to the period in which mountain huts are in operation. In recent years, many mountain huts will stay open through mid September until trail closure. Contrary to popular belief, there still are possibilities to climb Mt. Fuji outside of the "official" season(July - mid September). Upon reaching a Fuji trailhead in the off-season however, one will encounter signposts that say that the trail is closed. These… Read more

Museum Cafe Bar 1894 in Marunouchi, Mitsubishi Bldg.#1 Marunouchi is West side of Tokyo Station… Read more

Beautiful Autumn Fuji Yoshida Trail, one of the 4 Mt Fuji climbing trails and the most popular trail is closing last for this season. All huts, toilets will no more be available from tomorrow until next July. See You Next Year The overall climbers (total of 4 trails, climbers from the 5th station up to the summit, between July01 and August31) count was 204,447 which is a decrease of approx.16% compared… Read more

The fishing season of Snow Crab (September 01- end of June 2016) Sep.07 Sakai-Minato port, Tottori-ken The Snow Crab (Beni-zuwai-gani=紅ずわい蟹) is slightly smaller than the Red King Crab (Taraba-gani=たらば蟹) and inhabits the deep sea. The size difference between females and males is quite significant. Large males are known as Echizen(越前) or Matsuba(松葉) crabs, while much smaller females are known as Kobako(香箱) or Seiko(セイコ) crabs which are covered by tiny hairs making them more difficult to eat. Neverthel… Read more

3 Hiruzen Mountains (Kami,Naka,Shimo-Hiruzen), Maniwa-city, Okayama-ken and Cosmos… Read more

"We can say this is an abnormal situation and there is imminent serious danger," said Takuya Deshimaru, chief forecaster at the Japan Meteorological Agency. On Thursday, JMA issued similar emergency weather warnings for 5 million people in Tochigi Prefecture and Ibaraki Prefecture, north and northeast of Tokyo, on Thursday morning. The warnings were issued as a band of heavy rainfall associated with the post-tropi… Read more

Matsutake (松茸,まつたけ="pine mushroom"), known as mycorrhizal mushrooms in English is a very tasty species of mushroom that grows in certain environments in Japan during a limited season only. The matsutake has been traditionally prized in Japan for its distinctive aromatic flavor. It is richly meaty on the taste buds, and with a uniquely fresh and spicy odor that gives the eating experience a delightful, added olfactory dimension. http://blog-imgs-82.fc2.com/s/k/b/skbjkjsk/matutake02_Fotor_Collage550_Fotor.jpg[/… Read more

"Storm flood rips through residential neighborhood (Kanto region)" People on balconies await rescue as a torrent threatens to rip their homes from beneath them. The Kinugawa River burst its banks in Joso, Tochigi Prefecture, on Thursday, with aerial images suggesting a levee-like fortification may have given way. | KYODO/ The Japan Times / 10 September 2015 Banks of the Kinugawa River collapsed shortly after noon Thursday following torrential rain in Joso, Ibaraki Prefecture, flooding a resid… Read more

" Nyu-toh-Onsen ( 乳頭温泉 ) " in the mountainous area, comprised of 7 hot spring ryokan(inn)s, are quite traditional and rustic Japanese Onsen in the eastern Akita-prefecture, Tohoku region. The name "Nyu-toh Onsen" means "nipple (乳頭: nyu-toh) hot springs(温泉: onsen)" and comes from the suggestive shape of nearby Mount Nyu-toh (乳頭山, 1487m) rather than its unique milky colored hot spring water. Mt. "Nipple" (乳頭山) Isn't she hairy? Most… Read more

Kanmon-Straits, Yamaguchi-ken (関門海峡) The Kan-mon Straits (関門海峡 Kanmon-kaikyō) is the stretch of water separating two of Japan's four main islands, Honshu and Kyushu.… Read more

Kuri = 栗 (Japanese chestnuts) are one of the symbols of autumn and one of its most beloved flavors. Unlike those found in the West, kuri are larger and sweeter than their American cousins. Kuri is lower in fat than other nuts and rich in vitamin C and other beneficial vitamins and minerals, and their starchy consistency and naturally sweet flavor make them a welcome addition to the fall harvest. To celebrate the season is to try one of the autumn wagashi (Japanese sweets) featuring kuri. Kuri-Yokan 栗羊羹… Read more

Shirakawa-go 白川郷, Gifu-ken… Read more