Month: January 2026

2026 is the Year of the Fire Horse in the Chinese zodiac related to the Chinese calendar.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fire_Horse; https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sexagenary_cycle

Kadomatsu made of bamboo, Takanaricho, Kofu, Yamanashi, 01/01/2026

Kadomatsu: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kadomatsu; https://chikutan.net/news/820/

Year of the Horse Daruma doll (made by Arai-darumaya), Kofu, Yamanashi, 01/01/2026

(In Japanese) https://arai-darumaya.com/

Mount Ishiwari is located in the village of Yamanakako in Yamanashi Prefecture, Japan. Ishiwari Shrine is situated at the 8th waypoint of Mount Ishiwari. First, you have to climb 403 steps to reach the trail leading to the shrine. The summit of Mount Ishiwari is 1,413 meters (approximately 4,636 feet) above sea level, and that of Mount Hirao is 1,318 meters (4324 feet) above sea level.

Ishiwari Shrine, Yamanakako, Yamanashi, 12/31/2025

Views from Mount Ishiwari, Yamanakako, Yamanashi, 12/31/2025

Views from Mount Hirao, Yamanakako, Yamanashi, 12/31/2025

Sign of the Tokai Nature Trail and small pine cones, Yamanakako, Yamanashi, 12/31/2025