As spring equinox begins, a light of hope shines across the snow-covered plains.

Tuesday, March 17, 2026

March 17th marks the beginning of the spring equinox... a special morning when gratitude for the departing winter and prayers for the coming spring intersect.

From early morning, a soft, fluffy snowflake had been falling from the sky when the powerful morning sun appeared... The moment the sunlight, like the warm gaze of the gods who continue to protect this land, began to illuminate the earth, mist enveloped everything, and a mystical and fantastical landscape unfolded...

Beneath the snowfields, the soil that has endured silently begins to breathe as it senses the warmth of spring. The start of the equinox, when you can almost hear the footsteps of pulsating life, marks the beginning of rebirth.

This glorious sunrise illuminating the vast snowfields of Hokuryu Town is a beacon of hope that lights up the hearts of the people who live in this land.

On this beautiful morning, I continue to pray for reverence for nature, gratitude to our ancestors, and a light of hope for tomorrow. May this day, this moment, shine brightly!

◇ noboru & ikuko