The port of Shimizu is located in Shimizu-ward in the city of Shizuoka, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan. The port has several wharves and it is a busy and important one in Japan. It is known for its international trade, commercial fishing, and recent surge in luxury cruise ship arrivals.
The Aokigahara Forest is located alongside the western side of Lake Sai, one of the Fuji five lakes in the town of Kawaguchiko in Yamanashi Prefecture, Japan. It is situated at the northwestern base of Mount Fuji and is known for its dense trees and unique landscape formed over volcanic lava rock.
The Miho Peninsula is a small peninsula that faces Suruga Bay located in the city of Shizuoka in Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan. The location is well-known for its scenic Miho no Matsubara pine grove.
You can pick and taste grapes (Vitis vinifera) here in Misaka Farm Grape House. There are several more farms like this in the Misaka area in the city of Fuefuki in Yamanashi Prefecture, Japan. Why don’t you enjoy the taste of autumn with grapes and have fun?
The section of National Route 254 in the Uchiyama area in the city of Saku, Nagano Prefecture is known as “Cosmos Road.” Approximately 40,000 cosmos flowers are planted along the roadside that bloom from early September each year. These cosmos flowers create a beautiful flower belt with pink, deep pink, and white varieties along the road, especially in mid-September when they are in full bloom. The flower belt stretches for approximately 9 km and creates a vibrant display that attracts visitors. The flowers were first planted by the members of Uchiyama senior citizens’ club in 1972; today, the scenic road is maintained by local residents. https://japantravel.navitime.com/en/area/jp/spot/02301-14421713/; (In Japanese) https://www.sakukankou.jp/sightseeing/kosumosu-kaidou/#
Mount Yogai or Yogaiyama is located in the Sekisuiji district in the city of Kofu in Yamanashi Prefecture, Japan. It is a low mountain with the elevation of 770 meters (2,530 ft). The Takeda clan built a fortress in the mountain to barricade themselves in an emergency.
Hirasawa Pass, Mount Ohmori, and Mount Meshimori (or IImori) are located in the village of Minamimaki, Minamisaku, Nagano Prefecture, Japan. Unfortunately, it was foggy and clouded and the visibility was poor.
Hirasawa Pass, Japan Drainage Divide, Toward to the left The Sea of Japan and toward to the right the Pacific Ocean
Hirasawa Pass, Minamimaki Village, Minamisaku, Nagano, 9/20/2025
Hydrogen can be used as a next-generation energy source because it is a clean fuel, emitting only water during use, and can contribute to a carbon-free society by replacing fossil fuels in various applications, including power generation, heavy-duty transport, and other industries. Hydrogen acts as an energy carrier, storing and transporting energy produced from domestic renewable resources like solar and wind, thereby improving energy security and self-sufficiency. Therefore, hydrogen is referred to as a “green” energy source.
The government of Yamanashi Prefecture has a plan to build a hydrogen energy society and become a global leader in green hydrogen and fuel cell technology. The technology focuses on the Yamanashi Model Power-to-Gas (P2G) System and establishes a Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Valley to foster industry-academia-government collaboration. The strategy involves using solar power to produce hydrogen and achieve carbon neutrality by 2050, developing a regional hydrogen value chain, and promoting research and development, human resource development, and business expansion both domestically and internationally.
UCC UESHIMA COFFEE CO., LTD started developing hydrogen roasting in 2022. UCC Hydrogen-Roasted Coffee is a new product using a hydrogen-powered roaster for a carbon-neutral process, offering improved flavor complexity due to precise temperature control and unique flavor expression. Developed with the goal of decarbonizing coffee production, the technology enables the use of hydrogen as a clean energy source, potentially impacting the taste and sustainability of coffee. The company has invested in large-scale equipment and a hybrid roaster that can use both hydrogen and conventional fuels to gradually increase the hydrogen ratio, ensuring a stable transition to this green technology.
Lake Shōji is the smallest of the five lakes at the base of Mount Fuji and is known for its picturesque views of the mountain. It was formed by a 9th-century lava flow, and it is a popular spot for outdoor activities like fishing, hiking, and camping.
There is a giant cedar tree in the precincts of Suwa Shrine, located in the village of Imura on the north shore of Lake Shoji. https://fujisan.ne.jp/en/pages/310/
Giant cedar tree and Suwa Shrine, Lake Shoji, Fujikawaguchiko, Yamanashi, 9/14/2025
Mount Daibosatsu (Mountain Great Bodhisattva) is located in the Enza district in the city of Koshu, Yamanashi Prefecture, Japan. It is a mountain with an altitude of 2,057 meters (6,749 feet) and is one of the 100 famous mountains in Japan. On a sunny day, you will be able to see Mount Fuji and the Southern Alps from the summit; however, it was very cloudy and the visibility was poor on the day. There are two major trails, the Kamihikawa Pass trail and the Daibosatsu Pass trail. We took the Kamihikawa Pass trail and it took about 1 hour and 10 minutes including short rests from the parking lot to the summit.
