"小確幸（しょうかっこう）" is a Japanese term that means "small but certain happiness." The word is widely known as a coined expression created by the Japanese novelist Haruki Murakami in one of his essays published in 1986. Murakami used it to describe the small moments of happiness that we unexpectedly experience in everyday life. The term became extremely popular in Taiwan and is now commonly used in daily conversations, the media, and advertising. It refers to those simple moments that may seem insignificant, yet bring a genuine sense of happiness and contentment. As a result, it has become a beloved expression for many people. Examples of "小確幸（しょうかっこう）" might include enjoying a good cup of coffee, finding a favorite snack at a convenience store, taking a relaxing walk on a day off, or spending a peaceful moment with a beloved pet. These small but meaningful experiences are what "小確幸（しょうかっこう）" is all about.

It commemorates the birthday of Charles Darwin (February 12, 1809), who proposed the theory of evolution. In Japan, there is a documentary program about animals called Darwin ga Kita! ("Darwin Has Come!"), and I have fond memories of watching it every week. Darwin's theory of evolution suggests that living creatures have gradually adapted to their environment over a long period of time. For example, finches in the Galápagos Islands have different beak shapes depending on the island they inhabit, allowing them to adapt to the available food sources. Perhaps the animals around us are also constantly evolving to fit their surroundings! ✨

日本は九州や四国など、複数の島がある国のため、船がたくさん行き交っています。飛行機や新幹線より遅いですが、目的地に向かいながら海や周りの島を眺めたりできるので、それもまた旅の一つとして思い出になります😄ただ、小さい船や早い船の場合は波によっては船酔いすることがあるので、酔い止めを持っていくと安心かも😅

"小確幸（しょうかっこう）" is a Japanese term that means "small but certain happiness." The word is widely known as a coined expression created by the Japanese novelist Haruki Murakami in one of his essays published in 1986. Murakami used it to describe the small moments of happiness that we unexpectedly experience in everyday life. The term became extremely popular in Taiwan and is now commonly used in daily conversations, the media, and advertising. It refers to those simple moments that may seem insignificant, yet bring a genuine sense of happiness and contentment. As a result, it has become a beloved expression for many people. Examples of "小確幸（しょうかっこう）" might include enjoying a good cup of coffee, finding a favorite snack at a convenience store, taking a relaxing walk on a day off, or spending a peaceful moment with a beloved pet. These small but meaningful experiences are what "小確幸（しょうかっこう）" is all about.

It commemorates the birthday of Charles Darwin (February 12, 1809), who proposed the theory of evolution. In Japan, there is a documentary program about animals called Darwin ga Kita! ("Darwin Has Come!"), and I have fond memories of watching it every week. Darwin's theory of evolution suggests that living creatures have gradually adapted to their environment over a long period of time. For example, finches in the Galápagos Islands have different beak shapes depending on the island they inhabit, allowing them to adapt to the available food sources. Perhaps the animals around us are also constantly evolving to fit their surroundings! ✨

日本は九州や四国など、複数の島がある国のため、船がたくさん行き交っています。飛行機や新幹線より遅いですが、目的地に向かいながら海や周りの島を眺めたりできるので、それもまた旅の一つとして思い出になります😄ただ、小さい船や早い船の場合は波によっては船酔いすることがあるので、酔い止めを持っていくと安心かも😅

秋の大通公園の魅力はカラフルに紅葉する樹木です。約92種類4700本の植物が赤や黄色、オレンジに緑と色とりどりの景観を見せてくれます🍂また、さっぽろテレビ塔や噴水・アートなすべり台など、「映える」写真スポットが数多くあります。公園内で紅葉を楽しむだけでなく、さっぽろテレビ塔の展望台から眺める紅葉も美しく、高層ビルの間を通る紅葉の大通公園はまるで別世界のような景観です。10月下旬から11月中旬のベストシーズンに、ぜひ一度訪れてみてくださいね😆

古墳は一定の地域を治めた首長の墓と考えられていて、今から1750年くらい前に、現在の奈良県を中心とする近畿地方に現れました。これから350年くらいの間を「古墳時代」といいます。墳丘の斜面にはたいていはこぶし大の石が敷き詰められており、段状の平らな部分には埴輪という素焼きの偶像が並べられています。古墳には、前方後円墳、帆立貝形墳、円墳、方墳という4種類があります。興味がある方は、是非いろんな種類の古墳を見に行ってみてください👀

日本新三大夜景にも選ばれた札幌の夜景を満喫できるスポット「藻岩山（もいわやま）」は、標高531mの山頂から、360度の大パノラマで札幌の街並や石狩平野、雄大な山々が連なる景色を楽しめます🎆展望台には「幸せの鐘」や、永遠の愛を誓い合う「南京錠」を取り付けられるスペースが設けられ、デートにもぴったりですよ😻山頂駅2階には、壁一面がガラス窓のレストランもあり、夜景を眺めながらカジュアルフレンチをいただくこともできます。

A トンボロ（tombolo） is a natural phenomenon where a pathway emerges from the sea during low tide, connecting an island to the mainland. Normally, the island is separated from the mainland by water, but when the tide goes out, people can walk across to the island. Because of this, it is sometimes called a "phantom path." In Japan, tombolos can be found in places such as Sanshiro-jima in Shizuoka Prefecture and Enoshima in Kanagawa Prefecture. This time, I had the opportunity to experience the tombolo at Enoshima in person, and it was truly a unique and memorable experience!

At the beginning of Yasunari Kawabata's Snow Country, there is a famous opening line: "The train came out of the long tunnel into the snow country." The "snow country" depicted in the novel is generally believed to have been modeled after Yuzawa Town in Niigata Prefecture, particularly the area around Echigo-Yuzawa Onsen.

Mount Naeba（苗場山） is one of Japan’s famous 100 mountains, located on the border between Niigata Prefecture and Nagano Prefecture. At its summit lies a vast alpine marshland dotted with numerous small ponds, creating a dreamlike and enchanting landscape. Often referred to as a “paradise in the sky,” Mount Naeba offers breathtaking views of a sea of clouds on clear days, making visitors feel as if they are walking above the clouds. The mountain is also known as one of Japan’s “100 Famous Flower Mountains” thanks to its rich variety of alpine plants. In addition, it has long been regarded as a sacred mountain and has been cherished by many people throughout history. With its ever-changing seasonal scenery, abundant natural beauty, and magnificent views, Mount Naeba continues to attract hikers and travelers from across Japan and beyond. It is a highly recommended destination for anyone seeking to experience the tranquility and beauty of nature.

世界で一番寒い南極になんて、数時間いるだけですぐに風邪をひいてしまいそうですが🥶意外なことに南極では風邪をひかないのだそうです！というのも南極の空気はとてもきれいだから。細菌やウイルスなどが大気に舞っていないので、風邪をひかないといわれているのです。

スナックとは、お酒を飲みながら、いわゆる「ママ」との会話を楽しんだり、居合わせた他のお客さんと話をしたり、カラオケで歌を歌ったり聴いたりする飲食店のこと。海外ではあまりない業態で、カウンター越しにママが気さくに話しかけてきたり、初めて会ったお客さんと仲良くカラオケを歌ったりと、他ではできない経験ができますよ😂バーやパブでは味わえないアットホームな空間でお酒を楽しめるのがスナックの魅力ですね！でも、いくら盛り上がっても大きな声で騒いだり、他のお客さんの迷惑になる行為はNGです🙅ルールを守って楽しみましょうね👍

ふわふわで、乗ったらいかにも気持ちよさそうな大きく真っ白な夏の雲⛅ 「あの雲に乗ってみたいな」と子供の頃は夢見ていたんだけど、雲には乗れないと知ったのはいくつの時だったろう…❓🤔 雲は水蒸気のかたまりで、大きな雲も水に変えればたいした量ではない。さらに雲がある上空2千～7千メートルの気温は0～マイナス30℃くらいでとても寒く、全然快適な環境ではないのだそう。雲の中の氷や水蒸気がくっついて、重くなると雨になって落ちてくる。今度雨が降ったら「君はあの雲だったんだね。どんな所だった❓」と雨粒に聞いてみよう🌧