The weather was a bit cloudy, with on-and-off snowfall,

but you just can’t beat welcoming in the new year by watching the sun rise across a beautiful natural landscape.

(even if it means going out in the bitter cold in the early morning ><)

For the first sunrise of this year,  I headed up Mt. Makuragi, where there is a vista point facing toward the sunrise within the grounds of Kezo-ji Temple.

While the snow had yet to stick in Matsue, there was no lack of it up here!

The view from here faces out to the east across Naka-umi Lake, where you can see the island Daikon-shima, where the beautiful Yushien Gardens are located. Daikon-shima is also home to high-quality peony flowers produced all year round.

Kezo-ji temple is a great spot for taking pictures, in winter and other seasons alike. The trees changing colour from spring through summer and then on to autumn.