Kenshoji Temple with the mountain that hosts Arato-jo Castle behind it with various trees showing fall colors.

The main gate of Kenshoji with carefully manicured pine trees in front of it.

Closeup shot of one of the beams of lumber in the gate structure.

The inner garden in front of Kenshoji with a maple tree with leaves in fall colors.

Photos from a stroll over to Kenshoji, a temple dating back to 16th Century situated at the base of a mountain which hosted a fort and lookout post during the same period. I visited it just after the #fallcolors were at their peak.
🍁 […]

[Original post on mas.to]

A sign on the fence of a vacant yard reads “beware of vipers”

A very convincing keep out sign, “beware of vipers” #japan #ChikumaCity #NaganoPerfecture #千曲市

View from Inariyama Park, Chikuma City. Downward slope of grassy park area with city in valley, mountains in distance and mostly blue skies

View from today’s picnic spot 🧺 #NaganoPerfecture #japan #ChikumaCity

Impressive stone foundation with modern building over it #japan #ChikumaCity #NaganoPerfecture #坂城町

Sunflowers, morning glories, train passing through with mountains in background

Sunflowers, morning glories, #train passing through #bloomscrolling #japan #ChikumaCity #NaganoPerfecture #坂城町

#ChikumaCity #AnimeTurkey #JapaneseCulture #TimeBending
[New Post]
Bowling to Sengoku: Why Chikuma City's Mayor is Amazed by Anime 'Turkey!' and Its Time-Bending Twist! mos-castles-history-en.blogspot.com/2025/08/bowling-to-sengo...

A small rock garden on the the original grounds of the long gone Hakuchoen hot springs (1972).
♨️🪨 🌲
The Showa emperor once stayed at this resort. Now this small garden is one of the only remaining construction of the facility.
♨️🪨 🌲
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#ChikumaCity #NaganoPerfecture #Japan #千曲市

Statue in front of pine trees and mountains

"Homeless animal," Okamoto Tarou (1959). Statue left from long gone hot spring resort facility.
🦁
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#ChikumaCity #NaganoPerfecture #Japan #千曲市

『白鳥園 2012春』 千曲川のほとりにある「白鳥園」創業は今から53年前、昭和34年（1959年）です。名前の由来は、敷地内の池に白鳥がいたからですが、いなくなって久しい。 家から…

In recent years, the original facilities were destroyed and a much less spectacular hot spring day bath was built on the premises.

Old photos of mammoth bath at Hakuchoen of yesteryear. Source: https://ameblo.jp/ciaolamponavi/entry-11232274819.html
♨️
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#ChikumaCity #NaganoPerfecture #Japan #千曲市

Mammoth bath at Hakuchoen of yesteryear. Source: https://ameblo.jp/ciaolamponavi/entry-11232274819.html

Mammoth bath at Hakuchoen of yesteryear. Source: https://ameblo.jp/ciaolamponavi/entry-11232274819.html

Today I explored the original grounds of Hakuchoen, a hot springs resort. During its postwar heyday, the facility hosted elaborate lodgings.The Showa Emperor stayed there when he visited the area.
♨️
When I first came to the area, the facility was still open for day […]

[Original post on mas.to]

Dilapidated blue shed

Milk stand with rooftop balcony 🐮 #ChikumaCity #NaganoPrefecture #japan

Young man guides harvester through flooded rice paddy while older man prepares trays of seedlings

Planting rice in the rain 🌾 ☔️ #NaganoPrefecture #ChikumaCity #japan

Cherry blossoms on mountain

Cherry blossoms above Torii gate of shrine

Cherry blossoms above Torii gate of shrine

Despite the winds and rain, there are small oases where cherry blossoms are still blooming like this one at Aoso Shrine on the base of Jizaisan mountain #NaganoPrefecture #bloomscrolling #japan #ChikumaCity