Blog
Blog
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It’s cold…
The Somei Yoshino cherry blossoms in Kyoto are due to bloom next week. The avenue of cherry trees along the Lake Biwa Canal is magnificent. Perhaps due to last week's warmth, some of the Somei Yoshino along the Lake Biwa Canal had begun to bloom. However, the cold snap caused the petals to wither. On top of the cold, large amounts of cedar pollen are being dispersed. Please take good care of yourselves.
- Kyoto
- Spot introduction
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American Wigeon on the Kamo River
Having finished an early morning request for travel support, I was strolling along the Kamo River when I spotted a particularly striking cream-coloured head amidst the usual flock of Eurasian wigeons. It was an American Wigeon, which breeds in North America and winters in Mexico and northern South America. Japan lies outside its breeding range, so it was quite a rare bird when I was a child, but sightings have increased recently. Still, it remains unusual. Upon checking, I learned it has been wintering on the Kamogawa since last year. The beauty of the Kamogawa is that even rare birds…
- Birds
- Kyoto
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Kawazu Cherry Blossoms in Ichijō-modoribashi Bridge
Alongside the Yodo Waterway and Sanjō-ōhashi Bridge, Ichijō-modoribashi Bridge is renowned for its early-blooming Kawazu cherry blossoms. They are now almost in full bloom. While Somei-yoshino cherry blossoms can only be enjoyed for about a week, Kawazu cherry blossoms are characterised by their long period from full bloom to petal fall. In 1591, Sen no Rikyū known as the consummate master of the Japanese tea ceremony, was ordered to commit seppuku and his head was displayed at this very spot. Ichijō-modoribashi was once a place where the heads of criminals were publicly displayed. Nearby lies the popular power spot, Seimei…
- Kyoto
- Spot introduction
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Harumekizakura, cherry blossoms adorning the graduation ceremony
Alongside the Okamezakura at Chōtoku-ji Temple, the Harumekizakura at the former Seitoku Junior High School is a hidden gem for early-blooming cherry blossoms. Planted along Takatsuji Street, it offers a popular spot for locals to take beautiful photographs with the school building, constructed in 1931, as a backdrop. The Harumekizakura displays a colour reminiscent of pale purple-pink with a hint of purple-pink shading, and is also characterised by its strong floral fragrance. As school graduation ceremonies in Japan typically take place from early to mid-March, the early-blooming Harumekizakura is gifted to primary and secondary schools by the Harumeki Foundation as…
- Kyoto
- Spot introduction
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Okame Cherry Blossoms at Chōtoku-ji Temple
The Okame cherry blossoms at Chōtoku-ji Temple, a three-minute walk from Tonton Nobu, are blooming beautifully. Characterised by their deep pink flowers that bloom facing downwards, this variety flowers nearly two weeks earlier than the more common Somei-Yoshino cherry blossoms found throughout Japan. Although last year's blooming was slightly delayed, this year is on par with usual years, so cherry blossoms should be enjoyable in various spots by the end of this month. Chōtoku-ji is a private temple, so entry is not permitted. However, the Okamezakura blooms by the temple gate, attracting crowds of photographers. It's recommended for those wishing…
- Kyoto
- Spot introduction
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Eihei-ji, Temple of Eternal Peace
Recently, Eihei-ji Temple has become a popular Zen pilgrimage site for visitors from abroad. While group coach tours are fewer, the number of individuals visiting independently is increasing. It is also popular as a sacred site among visitors from France, who have a strong interest in Zen. I was requested to guide them and travelled to Fukui for this purpose. It is not uncommon to see monks from overseas practising here, partly because Steve Jobs, drawn to the teachings of Zen Master Dōgen who founded Eihei-ji and practised the most rigorous training, trained here in his youth. Although only offered…
- Fukui
- Spot introduction
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Plum trees in full bloom
Plum trees are in full bloom throughout Kyoto City. At Jonangu and Umemiya Taisha, the blossoms have already finished blooming, but tourist spots such as Kitano Tenmangu, Toji, and Tenryuji, which are currently in full bloom, are all crowded. At this time of year, there are still few tourist groups arriving by bus, suggesting that there are few foreign tourists and that one can enjoy the tourist spots in peace. However, all the tourist spots were very popular with Japanese visitors. In two weeks, the cherry trees will finally bloom. Kyoto will then experience its busiest days.
- Kyoto
- Spot introduction
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Firefly squid
The season for firefly squid has arrived. March to May is the peak season for firefly squid each year. Although catches were low at the start of the fishing season on 1st March, a bumper harvest is anticipated this year. One hundred years ago, a researcher studying fireflies named this beautifully luminous squid 'firefly squid' after observing it in Toyama Bay. Its scientific name, Watasenia scintillans, is derived from his name. In Kyoto, firefly squid from Tajima, centred around Hamasaka Fishing Port, are popular. As they are pre-boiled, they can be eaten as is, but firefly squid and rapeseed flowers…
- Food
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Taiga bean goose
The second most numerous goose to visit Japan after the Greater white-fronted goose. Both the subspecies Anser fabalis serrirostris and the larger subspecies Anser fabalis middendorffii overwinter in Japan, with the Anser fabalis middendorffii said to constitute 80% of the total. Both subspecies can be seen around Lake Izunuma. The individual in the photograph appears to be the subspecies Anser fabalis serrirostris, as it has a thicker, shorter bill and a shorter neck. Whilst not considered endangered globally, concerns exist in Japan regarding the adverse impact of development on its wintering grounds. Following its listing as an endangered species, a key…
- Birds
- Izunuma
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Cackling goose
It was once considered the same species or a subspecies of the larger Canada Goose, primarily inhabiting North America. However, due to differences in size, bill length, and vocalisations, it is now classified as a separate species. Similar to the Canada Goose being classified into numerous subspecies, the Crackling goose is also classified into five or more subspecies. Originally, geese and ducks exhibit greater inter-species hybridisation compared to other birds. The subspecies of the Canada Goose and Cackling goose are groups formed by each subspecies, or un scholar even suggest these groups can be classified into six species and 200…
- Birds
- Izunuma
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Snow goose
The beautiful white figure of the Snow goose became a target for hunting, dwindling to such an extent that it became known as the very rare bird in Japan. By the early 20th century, its numbers had plummeted to just 3,000 worldwide, not only in Japan. Similar to conservation efforts in America and Canada, persistent efforts by organisations like the Japanese Swan Protection Society led to a recovery in numbers. Today, several hundred birds migrate annually to Ōgata Village in Akita Prefecture, and several dozen to Lake Izunuma. The Snow goose roosting at Lake Izunuma take flight at dawn. With…
- Birds
- Izunuma
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Greater white-fronted goose
The most numerous goose in Japan, with approximately 200,000 individuals migrating here annually. That said, the vast majority overwinter at Lake Izunuma, passing through Miyajima Marsh and Lake Utunai in Hokkaido during spring and autumn. The Greater white-fronted goose and the Lesser white-fronted goose are similar geese. The Lesser white-fronted goose has a conspicuous yellow eye ring, but the Greater white-fronted goose also has a faint eye ring, as shown in the photo, and some individuals have white reaching close to the top of their heads. This geese are classified into five subspecies with different breeding grounds, and the…
- Birds
- Izunuma