Yamagata
Travel
2024.03.30
The mysterious scenery of Lake Shirakawa in the town of Iide in southern Yamagata Prefecture can be seen only during two months in spring. In spring, a large amount of melt water flows into Lake Shirakawa from the Iide mountain range, one of Japan’s 100 most famous mountains, where there is heavy snowfall. When the lake is full of water, it creates a fantastic sight of white willow trees as if they are growing out of the water.
When the Shirakawa Dam begins releasing snow melt water for rice planting in the rice paddies downstream from late May, the water level of the lake gradually drops and the “submerged forest” returns to its “forest” appearance.
In the past few years, in addition to the usual strolling visitors, mainly during the GW period, a variety of people, including camera enthusiasts, campers, and canoeists, have been enjoying this area.
＜Late March to mid-April White submerged forest＞
Before the white willow trees bud, a silent world of white surrounds you, along with lingering snow on the lakeshore.
＜Mid-April to mid-May Green submerged forest＞
The white willow trees are beginning to sprout, the color of the lake surface glows an even darker green, and you can enjoy the relaxing scenery while listening to the chirping of river birds.
The submerged forests are clearly visible from the lakeshore park, but canoeing is a special experience, embraced by the blue sky and fresh green trees reflected on the water.
We offer a variety of plans, including an early morning plan where the wind is calm and the morning mist often envelopes you, a chair SUP plan that focuses on relaxation, and a plan that you can enjoy with your dog.
The beautiful emerald green color of the lake, which is unique to the melting snow, combined with the white willow trees is a natural beauty that cannot be found anywhere else.
This is a special experience that allows visitors to see with their own eyes the view from the sky, which could only be seen through drone images.
Autumn leaves event held at Yanagiyakannon, Kyoto
“Goldfish Day” ART AQUARIUM MUSEUM GINZA The museum will be dyed in cherry blossoms for a limited time from March 3rd to April 25th in a special spring event
[ Sera Town, Hiroshima ] Sunflower Festival held, with 60 varieties of sunflowers blooming all over the city.
Hoshino Resort Tomamu opens the fantastic ice town “Ice Village”
[Oirase Keiryu Hotel] Started offering luxury guest rooms “Keiryu Suite Room” with the theme of “Spending time in the mountain stream”
Kurobe Gorge Railway offers “Senior Appreciation Day” discount from November 4th
Nara
Countrywide
Kagawa
Kyoto
Countrywide
The recommended accommodation plans for the autumn leaf season in Oku Daisen.
Tottori
Two types of autumn-only red seals, ‘Chrysanthemum and Tanzaku’ and ‘Autumn Leaves and Candles’, are now available at Daisho-in Temple, Miyajima, a World Heritage island.
Hiroshima
Toyota City, Aichi Prefecture: ‘Korankei and Obara Bus Tour’, two major autumn tourist attractions in Toyota City, goes on sale on 29 July (Mon).
Aichi
[ROKU KYOTO] ‘Summer Festival Stay Plan’ to enjoy the mood of summer events such as festivals and fireworks displays.
Kyoto
[Mother Farm] One million ‘Nemophila’ will soon be in full bloom.
Chiba
Kurokawa Onsen Yuakari, a fantastic illumination of bamboo in the countryside. This season, ‘Yuakari Yokocho’ is only open for a limited time.
2024.12.23
Limited edition original gin ‘NISHI-GIN’, jointly produced by a group of restaurants in Nishijin, on sale from 25 November.
2024.12.20
Nippon Kodo launches limited-edition incense and incense burner sets with a ‘Snake’ design, the Chinese zodiac sign for 2025.
2024.12.18
Winter special parfait at the Unjo Saryo café in the Tale of Genji Museum, Uji, Kyoto.
2024.12.16
OnigiriBurger ‘Eel Kabayaki – Double Eggs’, newly launched as part of Kansai International Airport OnigiriBurger 1st anniversary menu.
2024.12.13
[New Furano Prince Hotel]This year’s plan to enjoy a snow fairy ‘zebra finch’ birdwatching experience and a lunch set with a zebra finch cake plate.
2024.12.11
Hiroshima
Art
Simose Art Museum, located in Otake City, Hiroshima Prefecture, has been awarded the prestigious Versailles Prize as the “Most Beautiful Museum in the World.”
The award ceremony took place on December 2 at UNESCO headquarters in Paris, marking a historic moment for the museum and Japanese architecture.
The Versailles Prize Website:https://www.prix-versailles.com/2024
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Food
December sees the arrival of a number of Christmas breads. The Snowman with his cute smiling face is a sweet loaf with two different flavours: pudding cream and chocolate cream. It is a heartwarming treat with flavours that both children and adults can enjoy.
Also back this year is the popular Japanese Stollen, which was a big hit last year. This is a special cake that can only be tasted at Kimuraya, using Japanese-inspired ingredients such as persimmons, figs and koshi-an (sweet bean paste). Please take this opportunity to try Kimuraya’s limited edition Christmas bread.
Hiroshima
Art
The Hiroshima Museum of Art is hosting the exhibition “ZIPANGU: Contemporary Artists Who Defined the Heisei Era” (November 2, 2024 – December 22, 2024). This showcase brings together works by some of the most prominent figures in Japan’s contemporary art scene, including Yayoi Kusama, Takashi Murakami, Makoto Aida, Yoshitomo Nara, Chiharu Shiota, Izumi Kato, Akira Yamaguchi, and Miwa Komatsu. The exhibition has already garnered significant attention, exceeding 10,000 visitors.
HYAKKEI covered the dialogue between contemporary artist Takashi Murakami and Sueo Mizuma, the curator of this exhibition, held at the RIHGA Royal Hotel Hiroshima. We also conducted an exclusive interview with Mr. Mizuma.
The discussions centered on the aspirations behind the ZIPANGU exhibition and offered forward-looking insights, not only into Japan’s art world but also into the rediscovery of value within Japanese culture by its people.
Osaka
Food
Event
From 25 Oct (Fri) to 8 Dec (Sun), 2024, a pop-up shop for miffy café tokyo will be held in Umeda, Osaka.
Hiroshima
Travel
Culture
Two types of paper seals made exclusively for autumn, ‘Chrysanthemum and Tanzaku’ and ‘Autumn Leaves and Candles’, have been available since Monday 9 September at Daisho-in Temple on the World Heritage island of Miyajima. Quantities are limited and will run out as soon as they are gone.
Kyoto
Restaurant
Event
On selected days in September 2024, the wedding venue Kyoto Art Grace Wedding Hills will offer a ‘Hanari Otsukimi Afternoon Tea’, where guests can enjoy sweets and savouries inspired by the moon viewing on the fifteenth night of the month.
