Nagatoro spring leaves light up 2021 – In Japan they have a word for new leaves on a tree 新緑 “Shinryoku” which literally translates as ‘new green’. It is often translated into ‘fresh green’ in English. It is not a word we use in Ireland and it doesn’t really conveyRead More →
Takinoiri is a countryside area in Moroyama Town in the Iruma-gun of Saitama Prefecture. This remote rural scenic town is only about an hour from North West Tokyo by car. Unfortunately, by public transport it is a little trickier to get to and takes considerably longer. However, if you wantRead More →
A couple of years ago on my way from Aina Water park to Kawagoe Water park, I thought I’d attempt to beat the traffic and take a back road. On the way I passed this beautiful temple with a wooden gate. I was so intrigued I actually turned the carRead More →
Sunflowers at the Honda no Mori sunflower field in Niiza City, Saitama Prefecture. In the Niiza Athletic Park there is a community field called Honda no Mori. Each summer in August, thousands of sunflowers bloom. However, in 2021 they reduced the number of sunflowers. Moreover, they state “from 2021 theRead More →
Did you know that Ogose has both an Hydrangea Road and an ajisai mountain!? Ajisai is the Japanese for hydrangea. And in 2022, they will have an hydrangea festival for the first time in three years. But before you get too excited, unfortunately there is a bit of a taleRead More →
Nogoji is Saitama’s most famous hydrangea temple. Even without the hydrangea in bloom the temple grounds are very picturesque. Unfortunately, since 2020 the precincts close to the public during the hydrangea period. In order to deter crowds. In 2022, for the third year in a row, the temple is offRead More →
Information for Hanashobu, Ayame, Kakitsubata Iris flowers in Japan. In addition, information on when and where to see them in Japan. Plus bonus content for Saitama Prefecture. Moreover, the 2022 bonus content was changed on May 15th from Tokigawa to Saitama’s largest iris garden. Iris are quite a popular andRead More →
Washi no Sato is a roadside station in Saitama’s last and only village, Higashichichibu. Moreover, it is one of the most famous places for traditional washi paper making, a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage. You can try your hand at the 1300 year old tradition at this quaint rest area inRead More →
Strawberry Candle flowers and Lotus Grass in Kawagoe and general information for May flowers in Japan. As of Children’s Day May 5th 2022, the Lotus Grass is in full bloom in many areas of Saitama and the Kanto area beyond. And the Strawberry candle flowers aka Crimson Clover are startingRead More →