“Under the Cedar Avenue” — A Quiet Short Video and Project Support

The short video for “Under the Cedar Avenue” captures a quiet moment beneath the historic cedar trees of Nikko.

This scene reflects the heart of my Nikko Live Sunshine Project, a long‑term effort to share my original work with the world and gently support the culture of the Nikko region.

If you enjoy this video and the atmosphere of the project, I warmly welcome your support on Ko‑fi. Your kindness directly helps me continue creating new works connected to Nikko’s light, nature, and quiet beauty.

As a small thank‑you, I offer several special rewards to supporters. You can find the details below — the items are connected to the song and the cedar avenue, and each one is created to accompany your day with a gentle sense of calm.

1. 📸 3 Exclusive High-Quality Photos of Nikko's Famous Cedar Avenue

These unedited, authentic photos were taken in the beautiful "Segawa District," capturing the real, serene atmosphere of this historic location. Perfect for wallpapers or virtual holy-land pilgrimages!

2. 🎵 "Under the Cedar Avenue" Official Instrumental Track

The full instrumental version of our original song provided in premium high-quality WAV format. Perfect for listening, practicing, or creating your own covers!

3. 📖 Special Digital Guidebook & Lyric Commentary (Complete English Edition)

A beautifully structured booklet featuring a breakdown of Nikko’s history, the real story behind how this song was born from street performances in Osaka back in 2010, and a full bilingual lyric guide (Japanese, Romaji, and English translation) topped off with an official digital signature by Mkan Tomo.

Every contribution brings us one step closer to bringing real and digital music experiences to Nikko. Thank you so much for being a part of our creative journey and helping us preserve and promote this beautiful heritage!

👇 Click the link below to visit our Ko-fi page, choose your donation amount, and download your rewards instantly!

 Ko-fi Page Link /

https://ko-fi.com/s/ae6c881c9c

Thank you for your incredible support!

- The Nikko Live Sunshine Project Team -

Nikko Miku on Shinkyo Bridge — A Quiet Morning Scene

This short video features Nikko Miku walking across Shinkyo Bridge, one of the most iconic and sacred places in Nikko.  

The gentle morning light, the vermilion railing, and the flowing river below create a quiet atmosphere that I wanted to share through this project.

This scene is part of my Nikko Live Sunshine Project,  

an ongoing effort to bring my original work “Under the Cedar Avenue” to a wider audience.

If you enjoy my creations and would like to support this project,  

your kindness on Ko‑fi would mean a lot to me.  

https://ko-fi.com/mikantomo/goal?g=0

Thank you for watching.

Join the Journey! Support the Nikko Live Sunshine Project feat. Hatsune Miku

 Hello to all Vocaloid fans and travel lovers around the world!

We are thrilled to announce the official launch of our dedicated donation page for the "Nikko Live Sunshine Project" on Ko-fi. 

Our mission is to combine the timeless beauty of Japan’s World Heritage site, the Nikko Cedar Avenue, with the cutting-edge culture of Vocaloid music through our original Hatsune Miku song, "Under the Cedar Avenue" (Suginamiki no Shita de). Your generous support will directly fund our creative activities and local promotional initiatives to share the magic of Nikko with a global audience.

To show our deep appreciation for your support, we have prepared a Premium Digital Reward Pack. When you donate using the "Pay What You Want" system (above the minimum price), you will be able to download the following exclusive contents instantly:

1. 📸 3 Exclusive High-Quality Photos of Nikko's Famous Cedar Avenue

These unedited, authentic photos were taken in the beautiful "Segawa District," capturing the real, serene atmosphere of this historic location. Perfect for wallpapers or virtual holy-land pilgrimages!

2. 🎵 "Under the Cedar Avenue" Official Instrumental Track

The full instrumental version of our original song provided in premium high-quality WAV format. Perfect for listening, practicing, or creating your own covers!

3. 📖 Special Digital Guidebook & Lyric Commentary (Complete English Edition)

A beautifully structured booklet featuring a breakdown of Nikko’s history, the real story behind how this song was born from street performances in Osaka back in 2010, and a full bilingual lyric guide (Japanese, Romaji, and English translation) topped off with an official digital signature by Mkan Tomo.

Every contribution brings us one step closer to bringing real and digital music experiences to Nikko. Thank you so much for being a part of our creative journey and helping us preserve and promote this beautiful heritage!

👇 Click the link below to visit our Ko-fi page, choose your donation amount, and download your rewards instantly!

 Ko-fi Page Link /https://ko-fi.com/s/ae6c881c9c

Thank you for your incredible support!

- The Nikko Live Sunshine Project Team -

Ekiben Journey #9 – Tokai-ken’s Makunouchi Bento from Shizuoka

During my recent trip on the Tokaido Shinkansen, I stopped at Shizuoka Station and decided to buy an ekiben for the ride. I chose the Makunouchi Bento by Tokai-ken, a long‑established local maker known for shaping Shizuoka’s ekiben culture for more than a century.

The bento came in a colorful cover decorated with Shizuoka-related motifs, reflecting the region’s history and traditions. Inside, the classic assortment of rice, grilled fish, tamagoyaki, kamaboko, fried items, simmered vegetables, and pickles was beautifully arranged. I was especially delighted to find wasabi-zuke, a well-known specialty of Shizuoka that added a refreshing, sharp flavor to the meal.

I enjoyed the bento while riding the Shinkansen, and its nostalgic taste paired perfectly with the passing scenery. Eating this bento reminded me once again that ekiben is one of the true pleasures of traveling by train in Japan, enriching the journey in a uniquely cultural way.

Yokosuka: One of the Birthplaces of Japanese Curry

The origins trace back to the Meiji period, when the Imperial Japanese Navy adopted curry as part of a major dietary reform to fight malnutrition.

Inspired by British naval stew, the recipe combined meat, vegetables, and a thickened broth served over rice—an approach designed for nutrition, efficiency, and practicality aboard ships.

I enjoyed curry in Yokosuka that was based on the recipe from the submarine Setoshio

The navy curry and the JMSDF curry are both served with milk.

Today, Yokosuka actively promotes its food culture through Yokosuka Navy Curry, a modern reconstruction of the original naval recipe. More than 40 certified restaurants serve this historic dish, prepared with beef or chicken, onions, carrots, potatoes, and accompanied by salad and milk for balanced nutrition. The city also collaborates with the Japan Maritime Self‑Defense Force to offer Kaiji Curry, recreating the flavors of current naval vessels.

I often enjoy these curries when visiting Yokosuka, and I believe they offer a unique and delicious way to experience Japanese history. For travelers, trying Yokosuka curry can be a memorable part of a Japan trip—combining culture, tradition, and comfort food in one plate.

If you enjoyed this post, I would be grateful for your quiet support on Ko‑fi. Thank you for reading.

Tanabata Decorations at Hotoku Ninomiya Shrine in Nikko

In my previous post, I wrote about Tanabata decorations.  

This time, I encountered them again—at Hotoku Ninomiya Shrine in Nikko City, a place well known for the World Heritage site Nikko Toshogu Shrine.

The bamboo ornaments were simple and elegant, giving the shrine grounds a refreshing and pure atmosphere.  

Standing there, I couldn’t help but wonder whether Hikoboshi and Orihime were able to meet safely on the night of July 7.

If you enjoyed this post, I would be grateful for your quiet support on Ko‑fi. Thank you for reading.

Kyoto Miku at Ginkakuji – A Quiet Moment in the Garden

Ginkakuji, also known as the Silver Pavilion, is one of Kyoto’s most beloved temples.  

Unlike its golden counterpart, Ginkakuji is admired for its understated beauty—weathered wood, soft light, and a garden designed to evoke calmness.  

The surrounding moss garden and reflective pond create a peaceful atmosphere that has inspired visitors for centuries.

In this illustration, Kyoto Miku stands quietly in front of the pavilion, blending naturally with the serene garden scenery.  

Her gentle expression and traditional kimono echo the refined simplicity that Ginkakuji is known for.  

It feels as if she is part of the tranquil landscape, sharing a quiet moment with the temple and its garden.

If you enjoy Kyoto’s calm and timeless charm, I hope this illustration brings a moment of peace to your day.

If you enjoyed this post, I would be grateful for your quiet support on Ko‑fi. Thank you for reading.

kyoto miku at kinkakuji

Kyoto Miku at Kinkakuji – A Summer Reflection

Kinkakuji, also known as the Golden Pavilion, is one of Kyoto’s most iconic temples.

Its upper floors are covered in gold leaf, and the pavilion reflects beautifully on the surface of the surrounding pond. In summer, the bright greenery and shimmering water create a peaceful and unforgettable scene.

In this illustration, Kyoto Miku stands quietly in front of Kinkakuji.

Her calm presence blends naturally with the temple’s serene atmosphere, as if she were part of the landscape itself. The soft summer light, the golden shine of the pavilion, and her gentle expression come together to create a moment of stillness.

If you enjoy Kyoto’s scenery and gentle storytelling, I hope this illustration brings you a sense of calm.

If you found this post helpful, I would be grateful for your support on Ko‑fi. Thank you for reading.

What's Kyoto Miku?

A Photo Spot Inside Kyoto Station

In Japan, photo spots inside train stations have become more common in recent years.  

Kyoto Station is no exception.  

If you are taking the Shinkansen, you will find a Kyoto‑themed photo spot in the concourse area.

It features traditional elements such as a red paper umbrella, bamboo decorations, and seasonal artwork.  

It is a charming place where travelers can take a moment to capture a memory before continuing their journey.

If you visit Kyoto Station, please enjoy taking a commemorative photo here.

If you found this post helpful, I would be grateful for your support on Ko‑fi. Thank you for reading.

Mount Hiei – A Revised Reflection from Kyoto

 Mount Hiei is one of the sacred places of Japan.  

At its summit stands Enryakuji, the head temple of the Tendai sect, where the Eternal Flame has been kept burning for more than a thousand years.

Mount Hiei in Kyoto 

Since the capital moved to Heian‑kyo, Mount Hiei has quietly watched over the city of Kyoto.  

Whenever I look at this mountain, I feel a deep sense of calm.

Visitors can reach the summit not only by car, but also by taking the cable car and ropeway.  

The slow ascent through the forest is part of the charm, and many travelers enjoy the journey itself.

If you come to Kyoto, I hope you will take a moment to view Mount Hiei.  

It is a place where time seems to move gently.

The season that rice is grows in Japan

When I was reading a book of tourism relationship, I came across an interesting report. 
In Takayama, Gifu Prefecture, rice fields of landscape is popular with foreign tourists. 
The report says, its landscape is particularly to impress the people who come from Europe and Australia. 

In the neighborhood of paddy, rice is ripe. 
Even in a normal sight for the Japanese, travelers find attractive.
I think it's a valuable perspective.
I want to take a look at the landscape of wheat ripen (^_^)

Japanese ramen

Kyoto company "Takii & Co., Ltd." gave a consciousness survey on Japanese food in 2015.
Takii asked the following question to foreigners 112 people living in Japan.
What is the Japan you want to recommend to the people of my country cuisine?
Most common answer was

Ramen.

I think I see. Certainly about ramen ,There are various types and taste, for you can taste in Japan. Price is also affordable.
Ramen is transmitted from China, and has made its own evolution in Japan. Cook, even while on the basis of the Chinese style, while also incorporates elements of Japanese cuisine elements and Western cuisine, has created a variety of ramen.
If you come to Japan, please try to challenge the ramen ^ _ ^

The season of hydrangea

Soon hydrangea is the best time to see in Kyoto .

Western hydrangea also Hydrangea , you can enjoy to see both . Hydrangea species is what is native to Japan . It is improved in Europe , the West hydrangea with a beauty like chrysanthemum has been reimported . Currently , we are seeing a lot of Western hydrangea at roadside . I like both of hydrangea ^ _ ^

The photograph is a Western hydrangea that I saw in the street .