I went to Ashikaga Flower Park in the beginning of May.
Ashikaga Flower Park has many kinds of seasonal flower gardens.
One of the prime attractions of this park is the Japanese wisteria which is blooming from the middle of April till the middle of May.

Wisteria (known as fuji in Japan) is said to be one of the archipelago's most ancient noted flowering trees, even being described in the collected poems of the Man'yoshu (Collection of Ten Thousand Leaves).

Noda fuji, a species native to Japan, comes in varieties named for their cascading trusses: Usubeni fuji (light pink), Murasaki fuji (purple), Naga fuji (long), Yae kokuryu (double-petaled black dragon), and Shiro fuji (white), which come into bloom in that order. Finally, a yellow variant of wisteria (known as Golden　chain or Common laburnum; [Laburnum anagyroides]) - and widely considered difficult to grow in Japan - can also be enjoyed for over a month.

Three massive wisteria trellises extend for more than 1,000m², in addition to a large trellis of rare double-petaled　wisteria, others suitably arranged as shrubs, an 80-meter tunnel of white and yellow wisteria, and some draped like a living screens, while the early evening sight of wisteria mirrored in the pond takes on an ethereal yet breathtaking beauty.

I enjoyed much seeing picturesque scenery of the various kinds of wisteria and also collaboration of the many other kinds of seasonal flowers such as azalea and lupine etc.

Hotels in Tochigi prefecture

Photos taken in May 7, 2011
in Ashikaga Flower Park, Tochigi prefecture

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Michelin Green Guide Japan 2011, the French-language second edition is now released.
They added new three star destinations.

- Kumano Kodo route, Wakayama and Mie prefecture, a World Heritage Site.
- Shiretoko National Park, Lake Mashu and Lake Akan, all in Hokkaido.

Kumano Kodo
Our staff Tomoe went to Kumano Kodo in this May. There are many options for walking the Kumano Kodo route. She took part of Nakahechi route.

Kumano Hongu Taisha

Hyakken-gura

Kumanoji/Doro-kyo Gorge Hotels and Ryokan

Shiretoko National Park
I went to Shiretoko National Park 2 years ago for a special feature Top 10 Highlights of Eastern Hokkaido. I was so impressed magnificent nature and beautiful scenery. I hope to visit there in winter next time.

Shiretoko Peninsula Cruising.

We found bears!

Shiretoko Peninsula Hotels and Ryokan

Ueno Onshi Park is famous for cherry blossom, but also lotus flowers of Shinobazu no ike pond. I went there last weekend, I saw some small lotus leaves on the pond. May is too early to admire lotus...

Early July is the best time to visit. I show you the photo taken on July 8, 2008. Lotus flowers bloom early in the morning, so it is best to go and see them early.

See Tokyo hotels

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I went to the pottery festival in Kasama city during the Golden Week holiday.
Kasama city is known for its pottery, Kasama-yaki.

This pottery festival "Himatsuri" was held at Kasama Geijyutsu-no-mori Park in Kasama city, Ibaraki prefecture from April 29 to May 5.
In this festival, approximately 380 thousand people visited during the 7 days and 192 potteries and potters set up their own shop.

I did find and buy some ceramic tableware there that I liked.

After I got back home, I started to use them at meals.

I could buy local vegetables directly from farmers and producers at the event. So I enjoyed fresh vegetables with brand-new dishes!

Photos taken on May 4, 2011 at Kasama Geijyutsu-no-mori Park

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wisteria trellis

rice paddy

Hietsu Area Special Feature

Photos taken in May 2011
in Hida city, Gifu prefecture

My colleagues visited Hirosaki, Aomori pref. where every sakura lovers in Japan long to visit someday.

Hirosaki attracts many tourists every year by its beautiful combination of the ancient castle constructed in 1611 and blooming Sakura. The surrounding Hirosaki Park around the castle grounds hold huge Sakura festival annually when cherry blossoms are in bloom, usually during the Japanese Golden Week holidays in the end of April and beginning of May.

Photos taken on April 30, 2011
at Hirosaki Castle, Aomori

See hotels in Hirosaki

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Panoramic view of Matsushima

Photos taken on April 21, 2011 at Matshushima, Miyagi

Matsushima Godaido

Photos taken on April 21, 2011 at Matsushima Godaido, Miyagi

Matsushima Pleasure Cruise

Photos taken on April 21, 2011 at Matsushima Pleasure Cruise, Miyagi

Shiogama Fish Market

Photos taken on April 21, 2011 at Shiogama, Miyagi

Day Trips from Sendai: Matsushima, Shiogama & Yamadera

Sendai : Verdant Avenue to the North

Sendai Benyland

Photos taken on April 17, 2011 at Sendai Benyland, Sendai

Osaki Hachimangu Shrine

Photos taken on April 17, 2011 at Osaki Hachimangu Shrine, Sendai

Hitome Senbon Sakura Road

Photos taken on April 16, 2011 at Hitome Senbon Sakura Road, Ogawara Town

Sendai : Verdant Avenue to the North

Loople Sendai
Loople Sendai, the city's sightseeing bus service resumed on April 29.

Loople Sendai Highlights

Photos taken on April 29, 2011 in Sendai City

Sendai Airport


Photos taken on May 2, 2011 at Sendai Airport

Sendai Station


Photos taken on April 25, 2011 at Sendai Station

Sendai : Verdant Avenue to the North

Panoramic view of the city of Sendai


Photos taken on April 17, 2011

Ruins of Sendai Castle


Photos taken on April 17, 2011

A statue of the warlord Date Masamune

Photos taken on April 17, 2011

A shopping arcade in the heart of downtown Sendai

Photos taken on May 2, 2011 at the shopping arcade in the heart of downtown Sendai, Sendai City

A Jozenji Street in the heart of downtown Sendai

Photos taken on May 2, 2011 at the jozenji street in the heart of downtown Sendai, Sendai City

Sendai : Verdant Avenue to the North