#Irohazaka

[bestseasonsoflife]

Nikko Irohazaka Landscape by Brian G. Kennedy

[tokiro07]

[freusan]

It's now November 21st in Japan, which means it's NISIOISIN's Cipher Academy's 2nd anniversary! Coincidentally, Cipher Academy vol 4 is releasing digitally in English on November 26th If you're interested in supporting the series you can get it here: amzn.to/4fU8T8I (this is an ad, I earn from qualifying Amazon Associate link purchases)

I'm hoping they actually decide to do a physical release once they're done publishing the digitals, but I don't see that happening unless these get enough support

[sheltiechicago]

Irohazaka Road / Japan

Arguably, one of the most beautiful winding roads in the world, Irohazaka Road connects Nikko to the Okunikko region. The road is covered by trees that have a pink-green color in certain seasons. Irohazaka Road is actually a pair of roads that were the first toll roads in the 1960s. The roads have 48 slopes with sharp curves.

0hana613

[studentofetherium]

[comradeyurika]

This was such a good chapter of Cipher Academy. It really highlights Iroha's strength as a character; he's not the best at decoding battles compared to the rest of the class, but when it comes to understanding people, he's top notch. I love how he was able to cut right to the core of Tayu and Kyora's relationship and in doing so was able to get Tayu to accept him as a friend finally. Their interactions have been interesting going all the way back to their first battle.

Certainly Tayu could have found a way to respond and keep the battle going, but once Iroha asked that question I think she accepted that he was worthy of winning and for her to accept him as a friend.

[wickedsick]

So it looks like we're setting up for another Anonymity Arc.

[kurisusteiner]

Manga: Cipher Academy

[obscurecharactershowdown]

Group F Round 1

[image ID: the first image is of Iroha, a boy with shoulder length blond hair, wearing a top patterned with varying shades of blue. he's holding his red, rectangular glasses in his hand, winking and sticking his tongue out at the viewer. the second image is of Mission-chan, a girl with shoulder length hair, wearing a sweater over a long sleeve shirt, and a long skirt. she's sitting on a bed, speaking on what may be a rotary phone. beside her bed is a radiator and a stool. Mission-chan herself, the bed, phone, stool, radiator, and floor are all in black and white, while the walls behind her are red. end ID]

Iroha Irohazaka

HE’S SO ADORABLE ASDfJFzgGarD Okay but seriously. Look at this boy. Look at how much gender he has. He’s a former cheerleader with amazing dancing skills who decides to become an expert codebreaker. And to do that he has to survive high school, but with puzzle battles. Lots of puzzle battles. Literally every chapter someone is challenging him to do their 4D crossword or get expelled and he repeatedly takes on their challenges while striking fabulous poses because he’s a dancer and also gnc as hell. 90% of cipher school is girls and he still manages to out-style nearly all of them. Also. He’s a total cinnamon roll? All the other characters are going ‘ah yes I will steal all the cryptocurrency from the military-industrial complex and become super rich’ while Iroha just wants world peace. That’s it. He’s going to achieve world peace through solving puzzles and being adorable. And honestly I think he can do it because he really is just that cute

Mission-chan

a comic published online in 2006, preserved through scrupulous archival efforts. After committing suicide, Mission-chan finds herself in a strange place, and works for strange people doing weird tasks that let her ruminate on the nature of art and work.

[booty-uprooter]

🏳️‍⚧️???

[therealsoulking]

Cipher Academy Chapter 13

The Iroha vs Nohime duel begins! Iroha plays his code on the piano, but before solving, Nohime makes some small talk about her failing vision (which is what cued Iroha to make an auditory cipher).

And then Kyora takes over the entire comic with two pages of just her.

awwwwwwww <3

And then we’ve got Kogoe lore under every other spread that we need to keep up on. Is she going to be the main antagonist? (Ed. I hope this is legible)

It turns out the music’s not just sound, but also Braille, which is probably the cleverest cipher I’ve seen in this series yet.

Our boy then gets a stupid amount of cryptocurrency invested in him by our resident Princess, and seems to have a decent basis for pursuing his dream.

Kogoe’s plotting continues however, with a surprising amount of influence for a teenage warmonger.

[bestseasonsoflife]

Nikko Irohazaka Autumn Landscape by Brian G. Kennedy

[tokiro07]

Despite the fact that Iroha is constantly reminding us that he's a straight man with how often he simps over the beautiful women in his class, there's something so distinctly yuri about how he does it

"I'd die if you told me to"

"I wish she'd capture me"

Never before has a man been such a lesbian

[putschki1969]

2024/11/19 Blog post by Wakana Wakanaと母が行く！〜日光の旅のお話 その②〜

❗This is Fan Club EXCLUSIVE content❗ ❗PERSONAL USE ONLY❗ ❗Do NOT SHARE on other sites❗ ❗Join her FAN CLUB! Check out my detailed TUTORIAL ❗

Join Wakana and her Mum on a Nikko Trip ②~

There are many good things about autumn, but my favourite has got to be the clear, blue sky! What a gorgeous skyline in autumn🍁 I saw a line of birds flying up on top of a building, I was honestly surprised to see how high they can go🕊

Hello, this is Wakana(0￣▽￣0)／

Recently, the birds in my neighborhood have started to sing differently😊 I can imagine they're all talking about something, but I have no idea what they're talking about. Their chirping is different on sunny days and rainy days. I guess the changes in their singing depend on the season🤔 Anyway, they sound very energetic and cute 😆

Now, following the first part of my trip to Nikko Toshogu Shrine, I'd like to write a bit about our adventures during our Lake Chuzenji cruise the following day ＼＼\\٩( 'ω' )و //／／ On the way there, we were able to ride a big tourist bus, it was comfortable 🚌 The Irohazaka Winding Road was incredibly curvy but thankfully, I didn't get any motion-sickness. 😊 But whenever we took one of those sharp curves I squealed a little bit 😂 I couldn't help but imagine what would happen if we missed one of the curves and the bus plunged off the road😱 I literally almost made myself cry thinking about the height we were at. The large bus moved smoothly though. I'm in awe of the bus driver...!! 👏👏 Irohazaka is made up of a pair of winding roads, one of which is open only to downward traffic and includes a pit stop from where you can see two waterfalls. The other one is open only to upward traffic. Near the top is the Akechidaira Plateau, which offers an observation deck, you can get there via ropeway. I wanted to go there too but the fog was so bad that we gave up 🥺 What a shame 🥺 Here's a picture of our sightseeing map.

After getting off the bus, we went to see Kegon Falls before our Lake Chuzenji cruise! We followed the arrows to the elevator. There was an old-fashioned person who checked our tickets. So nostalgic. It's been a while since I experienced such a lovely throwback. It was nice! We continued onward, went through a long passage and up some stairs...Then there it was, the waterfall!!! The amount of water falling was very impressive!

After that, we moved to Lake Chuzenji. I wanted to take a short break in this cute café but we had to get to our cruise ship... 😿 The altitude was twice as high as the day before. That means we were basically as high as two Skytrees stacked on top of each other.

We got on the boat safely! ＼(^o^)／ It was sunny〜🌞 It was a beautiful view😊 The surface of the water was sparkling✨Here is a picture of the cruise ship! 🛳 (I took this picture when we got off and the weather had already turned bad again) We had a great time😆 On the way back, we got on the bus again (the bus on the way back was a normal local bus🚌) and went down the slope. Once again I was amazed at the driver's driving skills as he beautifully navigated the big bus along the narrow and curvy road😂It's really amazing✨

We took a short break at Nikko Station and headed home〜☕️ (I was exhausted so I did something unusual and ordered a cup of coffee in the evening). I also bought these souvenirs😄 Wasabi soybean and gyoza sticks🥟

We really tried our best to make the most of our trip to Nikko Toshogu Shrine and we honestly had a great time! (((o(*ﾟ▽ﾟ*)o))) The hot springs and the food were amazing~😍 It was a wonderful time with my mother😊 But there were still places we couldn't visit so I definitely want to go to Nikko again!! ＼＼\\٩( 'ω' )و //／／ Next time I want to stay in a Japanese-style room! ＼＼\\٩( 'ω' )و //／／ I'm longing for in-room dining~😍We promised each other to go on another trip soon✨ Thank you so much, Nikko~☺️

All right, that's it for today! Until next time~☆( *'▽'*)/

＊＊＊Wakana＊＊＊

2024/11/25 Instagram post by Wakana

The weather was nice today, so I went outside with my manager and had some donuts 🍩 What a relaxing time... 🥰 Can't believe it's less than a month until Wakana Classics 2024 🧚 I'm looking forward to meeting you all ☺️✨(Source)

[whentranslatorscry]

Hitagi Honeymoon

025

And now for the epilogue, or rather, the punch line.

The day after returning from my trip to Oku-Nikko in Tochigi Prefecture, on which we had used up our extra day visiting the Oya History Museum, I was greeted by none other than Chief Kouga of Naoetsu Station's Hearsay Department, and her boss, the ever-youthful Gaen-san, with whom I had not met in so long that I couldn't recall the last time. They gave me an incredibly intense scolding, one that made me wonder if it was really possible for a person to be scolded so much, let alone a working adult like myself— I would have understood if I were still in high school or even a university student. In all honesty, I felt like crying.

Part of me wanted to retort, to ask what reward this was for having devoted myself to my job in the midst of my honeymoon. But, if their chastisement was meant not for me, but for Shinobu, who is under my care and protection, I had no choice but to willingly accept it.

After all, it is the parent who bears the responsibility for their child.

That night, the shooting star I had witnessed— Oshino Shinobu— had not used her own legendary sword, the "Aberration Killer" derived from Shishirui Seishirou’s “Kokorowatari,” to brilliantly slash through the overcast sky.

As the name suggests, that mythical blade was specialized in slaying aberrations and couldn’t cut through even the frail human skin. Therefore, it was utterly incapable of cutting through clouds, raindrops, or even water vapor— it was beyond dull.

Had the rain we encountered been the trick of a nine-tailed fox, the sword would have displayed its maximum effect, but it was nothing more than an extremely common, natural phenomenon.

So what was the great sword that my shooting star had wielded that night?

It turns out that this was related to the temporary closure of the Treasure Museum at Futarasan Chugu Shrine, located next to Lake Chuzenji. Just before Hitagi had charged up Irohazaka in her minivan, Shinobu had slipped out of my shadow in the midst of the crowds while I was lost in a daydream, or rather meditation, and warped to Chugu shrine. From there, she managed to swipe the sacred blade, Nenekirimaru, that was on display in the Treasure Museum.

Yes, warped.

No, it wasn't vampiric skill, it was the connection between both shrines acting as a navigation— in any case, Shinobu daringly took a shortcut up Irohazaka, and ended up bringing out a national treasure-class Japanese sword, without permission.

With that legendary sword, she dispelled the smoky rainclouds.

All for the purpose of gifting us a starry night sky.

"You know, Koyomin, taking out Nenekirimaru for your own use is a serious crime on its own. But changing the weather? That's a huge deal. Hasn’t Kouga told you that the air is connected all around the world? By clearing the skies above Senjougahara, do you realize how many areas suffered heavy downpours as a result? Everywhere but where you were— Tochigi Prefecture, the Killing Stone— turned into a rainstorm like a fox's wedding. It’s such a disaster that Tamamo-no-Mae's revival is nothing in comparison. Seriously, I wouldn't be surprised if there were landslides all over the place. It's just a coincidence that there wasn't any significant damage.”

I had hoped Gaen-san would praise me when we met again, but to the utmost disappointment— as far as I know, I'm the only one who's ever been scolded so much by this gentle, ageless and wise lady.

"Yes, neither my honor student Kouga, nor Yotsugi, Kaiki, or even Meme, have ever experienced a scolding like this."

"Heh.”

"What are you laughing at, Koyomin? We're not done lecturing you. You seem to be in high spirits. Did something good happen?”

Oh yeah.

Though I only managed to peek through some of what the big-picture-seeing Hawaiian-shirt guy was thinking, it felt like I'd sorta surpassed him─ Of course, after exhibiting its remarkable cutting ability, Nenekirimaru was returned to the treasure museum.

Neither chipped nor dulled, and with a sheen to rival even the stars themselves, it had grown even more radiant.

Well, if that hadn't been the case I would have gotten the chop. Professionally and biologically speaking.

It didn’t turn out that way, and I ended up not having to have visiting hours with the missus at the prison, and this is all thanks to Gaen-san who pulled out all the stops under the sun. I can’t be thankful enough, and I must likewise thank Kanbaru Suruga.

I don't plan on digging deep into how she pulled it off, or who she pulled her strings with, however, Kanbaru had apparently already figured out where Shinobu was before we reached Senjougahara.

She's on par with the CIA.

And sadly, she wasn't in time for the theft of the Nenekirimaru, but at that point in time, Shinobu’s plan was pretty drastic—I won't go into the details, but had it been executed, it wouldn’t have been just the sky that was cut apart; Tochigi Prefecture itself might have been cut clean in two, just like the Utsunomiya Gyoza Statue or the stone. However, before it could be carried out, the missing girl was discovered and, after a big showdown reminiscent of six years ago, the situation was realistically alleviated; this was all Kanbaru Suruga.

It wasn’t that she saw no evil, spoke no evil, and heard no evil.

She saw, spoke, and she made her hear.

I was grateful for that alone, but when Kanbaru, the medical student, got involved in Shinobu's cloudy sky surgery plan, even Gaen-san couldn't bring herself to execute us— Kanbaru's mother was her one and only Achilles heel.

We were protected by our junior’s prestige.

The epitome of a life lived through connections.

"Well, well, Gaen-senpai, that's enough. Despite everything, Assistant Inspector Araragi has done the bare minimum of what he was expected to do,” said Chief Kouga, offering me a follow-up in the end— though it came too late.

"The Killing Stone split as naturally as the weather. If you guys who tore through the cloudy sky say so, it can't be wrong. For now, at least."

“For now? You're leaving room for doubt, Chief Kouga."

"It's a weak doubt though. The Killing Stone might feel lonely if we assert that there's no nine-tailed fox, like Toshogu Shrine would be lonely without Hidari Jingorou. I want to try those Nasu dishes someday too."

With that last remark, Chief Kouga concluded her lecture, in her own peculiar way. Anyhow, that marked the climax of the honeymoon for the Araragi couple.

Ah, well...

No more the Araragi couple— that was in the past.

The beginning of our story was about Senjougahara Hitagi marrying Araragi Koyomi, and thus becoming Araragi Hitagi. In order to mourn the loss of her family name, we decided to go on a honeymoon in Tochigi Prefecture. It was filled with countless twists and turns, but looking back on the trip, there was no question that it was wonderful. However, before long, the very foundation of its meaning was turned upside down.

Despite getting married, Hitagi continued to work at the Japanese branch of her foreign finance firm. Shortly after our honeymoon, she found herself modestly involved in a historic event— or rather, it would be modest to say that she was involved, because in truth she was at the heart of the storm.

It would seem that, while her cell phone had been turned off during our time in Senjougahara, an unimaginable, man-made global economic crisis had struck somewhere on Earth, and her company bore the brunt of it. Being in the thick of it all, there was no way I could stay out of the matter either, and I ended up getting involved as both a husband and an FBI trainee— in the end, we handled it.

It was a hard-won battle with some underhanded tricks thrown in, but we persevered.

As the price for regaining tranquility, however, our little family— Hitagi, me, and our daughter— had to make a major change in our lives for at least a short while. Both the boathouse and the trailer house needed to be given up.

In a word, we were now part of the Witness Protection Program.

We had to change our names entirely and wait patiently for the storm to pass. Hence, we are no longer Araragi Koyomi or Senjougahara Hitagi; not even Araragi Hitagi. Neither Oshino Shinobu nor Araragi Shinobu.

Separate surnames, separate identities.

It must be rare for a family to deal with the delicate issue of shared surnames in such a dynamic fashion, but it was so like us. We had no idea how long we'd have to live like this until the dust settles, but I’m genuinely happy to have shared this unique experience with my dear wife and beloved daughter. Perhaps this is what one should call true family unity. Once again, we find happiness in sharing mercilessly poured misfortunes, and I believe we are the happiest in the world.

It is not the happy end.

Our happiness has only just begun.

Hmm? So, what's the new name for our family, you ask? Come now, it's not raining, so don't go pouring such stand-offish questions. We’ve been together so long, after all, you’re like family to me.

We will disappear for a while.

Once you miss us, you can call out to us however you like.

Author’s Afterword

Translator’s Afterword

[japanitinerary-2025]

Hi everyone! 🤗

I’m planning a 20D/19N trip to Japan in June 2025 with my then almost-13-year-old son, and I’m looking for some suggestions for off-the-beaten-path places and experiences.

We’ll start with three nights in Tokyo and then head to Nikko for two nights. After that, we’re considering traveling down towards Kyoto and Osaka. We’re debating whether to rent a car for about a week to explore areas that are less crowded and more unique. Pick up and return in Tokyo OR Pick up and return in Osaka.

If you have any recommendations for hidden gems, small towns, scenic drives, or interesting activities we could include, I’d love to hear them! We’re especially interested in:

Nature and quieter spots

Historical or cultural experiences

Local food (mom) and fun stuff for a teenager.

Maybe someone here have done a trip similar to this and want to share their itinerary 🙏.

We’re also open to skipping the car rental if public transportation can easily get us to these kinds of places. Thanks in advance for your help! That sounds like a fantastic trip! Here are some suggestions for off-the-beaten-path experiences and scenic spots you might enjoy:

Around Tokyo & Nikko

Okutama (West Tokyo): A quiet escape with hiking trails, waterfalls (like Hatonosu Gorge), and hot springs.

Edo Wonderland (near Nikko): A theme park recreating the Edo period with samurai, ninja shows, and historical experiences your son might find fun.

Scenic Drives Near Tokyo

Nikko to Chuzenji Lake and Irohazaka Winding Road: A beautiful, historic drive with stunning views, especially if you include Kegon Falls.

Hakone or Fuji Five Lakes: Scenic routes around Mount Fuji, offering great spots for nature, local food, and some fun activities like boat rides or ropeways.

Kyoto to Osaka Region

Uji (between Kyoto and Nara): Known for its tea culture, Byodoin Temple, and serene riverside walks.

Miyama (north of Kyoto): A charming rural village with traditional thatched-roof houses.

Car Rental: Unique Routes

If you rent a car, here are a few itineraries:

1. Shirakawa-go and Gokayama (Alps Region): Gorgeous historic villages with a peaceful vibe. Stay in a traditional gassho-zukuri house.

2. Ise-Shima Peninsula: A blend of scenic coastal drives, the famous Ise Grand Shrine, and fresh seafood.

Public Transport-Friendly Gems

Kinosaki Onsen (near Kyoto): A beautiful onsen town where you can enjoy public baths, stroll in yukata, and sample local crab dishes.

Kurashiki (near Okayama): An artsy town with canals, charming streets, and hands-on workshops.

Teen-Friendly Ideas

Osaka: Universal Studios, the Pokémon Center, and try Takoyaki at a local stall.

Arashiyama (Kyoto): The bamboo grove, monkey park, and renting bikes along the riverside.

Let me know if you’d like help refining your itinerary! That sounds like a fantastic trip! Here are some suggestions for off-the-beaten-path experiences and scenic spots you might enjoy:

Around Tokyo & Nikko

Okutama (West Tokyo): A quiet escape with hiking trails, waterfalls (like Hatonosu Gorge), and hot springs.

Edo Wonderland (near Nikko): A theme park recreating the Edo period with samurai, ninja shows, and historical experiences your son might find fun.

Scenic Drives Near Tokyo

Nikko to Chuzenji Lake and Irohazaka Winding Road: A beautiful, historic drive with stunning views, especially if you include Kegon Falls.

Hakone or Fuji Five Lakes: Scenic routes around Mount Fuji, offering great spots for nature, local food, and some fun activities like boat rides or ropeways.

Kyoto to Osaka Region

Uji (between Kyoto and Nara): Known for its tea culture, Byodoin Temple, and serene riverside walks.

Miyama (north of Kyoto): A charming rural village with traditional thatched-roof houses.

Car Rental: Unique Routes

If you rent a car, here are a few itineraries:

1. Shirakawa-go and Gokayama (Alps Region): Gorgeous historic villages with a peaceful vibe. Stay in a traditional gassho-zukuri house.

2. Ise-Shima Peninsula: A blend of scenic coastal drives, the famous Ise Grand Shrine, and fresh seafood.

Public Transport-Friendly Gems

Kinosaki Onsen (near Kyoto): A beautiful onsen town where you can enjoy public baths, stroll in yukata, and sample local crab dishes.

Kurashiki (near Okayama): An artsy town with canals, charming streets, and hands-on workshops.

Teen-Friendly Ideas

Osaka: Universal Studios, the Pokémon Center, and try Takoyaki at a local stall.

Arashiyama (Kyoto): The bamboo grove, monkey park, and renting bikes along the riverside.

Let me know if you’d like help refining your itinerary!That sounds like a fantastic trip! Here are some suggestions for off-the-beaten-path experiences and scenic spots you might enjoy:

Around Tokyo & Nikko

Okutama (West Tokyo): A quiet escape with hiking trails, waterfalls (like Hatonosu Gorge), and hot springs.

Edo Wonderland (near Nikko): A theme park recreating the Edo period with samurai, ninja shows, and historical experiences your son might find fun.

Scenic Drives Near Tokyo

Nikko to Chuzenji Lake and Irohazaka Winding Road: A beautiful, historic drive with stunning views, especially if you include Kegon Falls.

Hakone or Fuji Five Lakes: Scenic routes around Mount Fuji, offering great spots for nature, local food, and some fun activities like boat rides or ropeways.

Kyoto to Osaka Region

Uji (between Kyoto and Nara): Known for its tea culture, Byodoin Temple, and serene riverside walks.

Miyama (north of Kyoto): A charming rural village with traditional thatched-roof houses.

Car Rental: Unique Routes

If you rent a car, here are a few itineraries:

1. Shirakawa-go and Gokayama (Alps Region): Gorgeous historic villages with a peaceful vibe. Stay in a traditional gassho-zukuri house.

2. Ise-Shima Peninsula: A blend of scenic coastal drives, the famous Ise Grand Shrine, and fresh seafood.

Public Transport-Friendly Gems

Kinosaki Onsen (near Kyoto): A beautiful onsen town where you can enjoy public baths, stroll in yukata, and sample local crab dishes.

Kurashiki (near Okayama): An artsy town with canals, charming streets, and hands-on workshops.

Teen-Friendly Ideas

Osaka: Universal Studios, the Pokémon Center, and try Takoyaki at a local stall.

Arashiyama (Kyoto): The bamboo grove, monkey park, and renting bikes along the riverside.

Let me know if you’d like help refining your itinerary!