I went to Yoshinoyama in Nara Prefecture, which is famous nationwide as a cherry blossom spot!
The mountain cherry blossoms spread from ridge to ridge, and from valley to valley.
This year, the cherry blossoms bloomed early, and while the cherry trees in Shimo-senbon and Naka-senbon were already starting to fall, the cherry blossoms in Oku-senbon were still beautifully in bloom.
I took a leisurely 5-hour walk from Nyorinji Temple to Mikumari Shrine, Saigyo-an, and Kinpusenji Temple, and fully enjoyed the cherry blossoms of “Yoshino,” a UNESCO World Heritage Site and sacred place of Shugendo! 🌸✨

I went to the Suzuki History Museum in Hamamatsu!
From the original weaving machines to retro old and new motorcycles and cars, Suzuki’s charm was fully showcased!
I was overwhelmed by the historic motorcycle such as the Diamond Free, which traveled 47,000km from Bangkok to Paris in two years in 1957, and the RM62 that won the Isle of Man race in 1962! I was also fascinated by early classics like the Suzulight and the Fronte!
Before I knew it, I had spent an enjoyable hour and a half exploring and truly had a great time!

Delicious! it’s a perfect Unagi eel. It was worth the 5-hour journey. It’s really delicious! Since it’s Kansai-style, the outside is crispy and the inside is soft and fluffy. The sweet and savory taste of soy sauce and mirin, with a fragrant aroma. Waking up early was a good decision.

Nanzen-ji is a peaceful spot surrounded by nature! The whole temple area is a national historic site. There are many things to see, like the big Sanmon gate, the aqueduct, and beautiful gardens. On a nice day, why not spend some relaxing time here?

Fushimi, Kyoto, is one of Japan’s three major sake brewing areas, known for its long history of abundant pure water and thriving sake production. In Fushimi, where 18 sake breweries of various sizes are crowded together, I enjoyed sake brewery hopping while savoring delicious sake and Japanese cuisine. For lunch, we dined at a Japanese sake restaurant renovated from a brewery of the famous brand, “Gekkeikan.” Then, at the sake brewery counter called “Fushimi Sakagura koji,” we enjoyed tasting sake from all 18 breweries and limited edition sake. Fushimi is a small town, so you can leisurely explore while enjoying the history, culture, and delicious sake of the breweries. It was an irresistible time for sake lovers! 🍶🌸 #Kyoto #SakeTour #JapaneseSake #Fushimi”

Touring the tranquil islands of the Seto Inland Sea is one of my absolute favorites.
Especially visiting the small islands along the Shimanami Kaido and Tobishima Kaido, it’s a time of pure tranquility for me.
Riding my motorcycle amidst the serene landscapes of these islands, feeling the local life, it’s a pleasure beyond words.
Crossing the beautiful bridges connecting the islands, occasionally hopping onto a small boat, each island becomes a new adventure.
There, you find untouched scenery, reminiscent of old times, unspoiled by tourism.
Seto Inland Sea touring is a series of unforgettable moments etched deep in the heart.

I finally participated in the long-awaited Tono Dobekko Festival! Tono City in Iwate Prefecture has been known for its home-brewed cloudy sake called “doburoku,” designated as a special district for it. During this winter season, I had the pleasure of enjoying freshly brewed, unfiltered doburoku along with local dishes. It was truly delicious!
Inside the unique thatched-roof old folk house called “Nambu Magariya,” built around 150 years ago in the Tono region, I indulged in local cuisine and doburoku. The event was packed with storytellers sharing traditional tales, local performing arts like Kagura, and much more. It was a delightful experience, immersing myself in Tono’s history and culture within the warm ambiance. I definitely want to participate again next year!

Enjoyed a delicious meal at the local sushi and soba restaurants. 🍣🍜 #LocalEats