At the end of July last year I took a two-day trip to Kyoto to go and see its lotus flowers. I had heard that summers in Kyoto were hot and humid and, sure enough, when I arrived just standing still was enough to make me start sweating. If you go, carrying a bottle of water with you is pretty much essential.

Lotus flowers bloom early in the morning, so it is best to go and see them early. I left the hotel at 7 a.m. and made my way to Houkongouin, which is near Hanazono station on the JR Sagano line. During the lotus flowers' blooming season, Houkongouin--which is also known as the "Lotus Temple"--opens its doors at the extra-early time of 7 a.m., allowing visitors to come and admire the flowers. This special period is known as the kanrene.

Once I had finished walking around, I looked at my map and noticed that Ryoan-ji temple was closer than I expected, so I decided to head there. Ryoan-ji is well-known for its karesansui (dry landscape) rock garden. Despite being closer than I first though, walking would have still taken quite a long time, so I took a taxi.

When I mentioned to my taxi driver--who was looking very dapper with his braided gray hair--that I had come from Tokyo to see the lotus flowers, he asked me, "Have you been to Mimuroto-ji temple, which is also well-known for its flowers?" On his recommendation, I made my mind up to go to the temple, which is in Uji City, that afternoon.

Ryoan-ji temple was unexpectedly large and I passed the morning walking around the famous gardens, which were quiet. While stopping at the Kyouyouchi pond in the middle of the grounds, I watched a white bird fluttering elegantly over the blooming water lilies--a picture-perfect Kyoto image.

Although I would have liked to have spent more time there, I had to hurry back to my hotel to check out by 10 a.m. I put my bags into a locker at Kyoto station, and took the 30 minute train ride on the JR Uji line to Uji station. To save time I took another taxi to Mimuroto-ji temple.

Once through Mimuroto-ji temple's entrance there is a vermillion temple gate leading to a hill road covered in deep green foliage. According to the information board, there were also hydrangea and azalea gardens, as well as flowers that were viewable depending on the season. In front of the 180-year-old stately-looking main temple building sat 250 flowerpots, each holding a multicolored array of blooming lotus flowers.

You should try going to Kyoto and checking out the lotus flowers yourself this summer!

[Top spots for enjoying Kyoto's lotus flowers]
HoukongouinEntry fee: 400 yen
Near Hanazono station on the JR Sagano line
Kanrene (Lotus viewing season) 12 July 2008 - 3 August 2008
Early entry fee (7 a.m. opening): 400 yen

Mimuroto-ji templeEntry fee: 500 yen
Keihan Electric Railway - Mimurodo station

From my time living in Sendai, I remember the streets being at their liveliest and happiest during the Star Festival (Tanabata Matsuri), which is celebrated in early August.

It is held for 3 days every year, and there is always a wonderful fireworks display on the night before the festival. Tourists from far and wide gather here to enjoy the fireworks and the festival.

All of the streets are decorated with a variety of lanterns that are hand-made by the citizens of Sendai. Through all their hard work, the streets are made to look very beautiful. Also, both sides of the streets are lined with stalls selling various local specialties, and toys and games for children. It is also the time for summer clearance sales at the local department stores.

The streets are colored with a lively ambience. If you are planning to visit Japan, why not come and take part in this wonderful event in Sendai!?

"Ajisai" (hydrangea) season has come!!　

Kamakura is famous for these lovely flowers, but there are so many visitors, particularly this season, that it's hard to enjoy "Ajisai" in a relaxed mood.

Since I live in a town neighboring Kamakura, I made an early-morning visit to three "Ajisai temples". These temples are popular among tourists and are known for their beautiful Ajisai flowers that blossom in June.

Driving is not such a good idea on the weekend because of the heavy traffic. Taking the "Enoden" (a local train running between Kamakura and Fujisawa) is an easy and convenient way to get there.

The first Ajisai temple I visited was Jojuin Temple. It is an 8-minute walk from Hase Station or a 5-minute walk from Gokurakuji Station.

You can see very colorful Ajisai on both sides of the path. On a fine day, you can see Yuigahama beach from the top of a path, too. When I arrived at 7:30 in the morning there were very few people, so I was able to take as many pictures of the flowers as I liked.

The second place I visited was Hasedera Temple.

Just after the temple gates opened at 8 a.m., I was able to enter and see the Ajisai pathways without waiting. However, during the daytime on weekends, I hear that there is usually a long queue to get in, just like at an amusement park. Actually, when I walked past again at 5 p.m. just out of curiosity, there was a waiting time of more than 20 minutes to enter the pathway.

I also visited Meigetsuin Temple, which is a 10-minute walk from JR Kitakamakura Station.

The Ajisai at Meigetsuin seem to have only just started to bloom, so it is too early to see them now. Maybe next week you will able to enjoy more beautiful flowers.

If I have enough energy to get up early and go back there again next weekend, I will report on how they are then!

"Inari" was originally worshipped as a deity of farming and grain; nowadays Inari is considered to be a god of all industrial activities and is located everywhere in Japan.

During the Edo period (1603-1867), a local Sendai lord started on a journey to Tokyo, which was then known as "Edo." He took his first break near "Tabidachi Inari" and prayed for a safe journey. "Tabidachi Inari" is named after this episode.

The small shrine between the street and the Hirose River is popular among local people who pray for safe travel and protection when driving.


There is a huge tree in the grounds of the shrine; it is estimated to be 200 years old and is protected by the city government.

Access to Tabidachi Inari
A five-minute walk from Nagamachi-ichome Station, which is 7 minutes from Sendai Station via Nanboku Line subway train.

I often go sailing with my friends on weekends.
The sailboat we use is moored in Yokohama Bayside Marina, one of the largest marinas in Asia.
There is an outlet mall near the bayside, which is designed to look like a harbor town in Nantucket on the east coast of the United States; you can find a lot of brand-name stores and fancy restaurants here.

The crew shows up at 10 a.m., as usual.
A fine and clear day. A westerly breeze of 8 knots.
As soon as we finish a quick check of the rigging, we set sail!

We stop the engine and put up the sails up just outside the port.
The skies are pure blue.
The wind and the waves are singing.
How glorious it is to enjoy the peaceful wonders of nature!

Looking at Yokohama Landmark Tower, the highest tower in Japan, and Bay Bridge, a huge bridge over Yokohama bay, from far out in the bay; they seem so small that it is easy to feel insignificant.

Yokohama: the port city that opens out to the world.
I was born in this city.
I live a peaceful life in this city.
I'm very proud of this city with its great sea.