BACKGROUND

Hey everyone, we are closing in on the conclusion of my "over 700 photos" from my first trip to Japan. This time is about the flora 🌸 of Japan 🇯🇵, whether cultured in gardens or farms, regular ol' weeds, or anything in between.

I once had a discussion with a former co-worker about how I'd like to live in Japan 🇯🇵. They mentioned that it was too busy and crowded for their liking. I said that there were many places in Japan 🇯🇵 that are not that way. My co-worker refused to believe it because they had never been to Japan 🇯🇵, and they are very stubborn, and very gullible to believe that Japan is a gigantic cityscape only. Their loss, as can be seen here.

If you like nature, and feel that Japan 🇯🇵 is too urban, let this section show you another side of Japan 🇯🇵, some of which is right in the center of Tokyo. The respite from the city can be a nice way to get a momentary lapse of noise, feel a slight boost, and then keep on truckin' to the next destination. I don't usually seek these out, but more just observe along the way.

As Mark says, "Let's 👍 ... Get Into It!"

Formerly Koromo

012 - As mentioned above, I think I would like to live in Japan 🇯🇵, probably as a retiree. This house would be suitable, if it were closer to a train station. 😊

016 - The gigantic tree 🌲 at the shrine/temple in the city Formerly known as Koromo. See the family that was getting their car 🚗 blessed, just in front of it, as reference to the size.

Tagata / Oagata

186 - House with rice field next door.

189 - Entrance to Tagata-jinja with beautiful autumnal foliage coming on.

201 - View from cab on way to Oagata-jinja.

214 - Tomatoes 🍅 grow on trees in Japan? Come to find out later that these are Persimmon. This was the first time I'd seen a Persimmon in my life, so it was shocking at first.

Fuji-san

220 - A repeat from the Cars page. But the beauty of Fuji-san warrants the repeat.

Yakushi

374 - Sakura blooms 🌸.

375 - Close up Sakura bloom. Quite possibly my favorite picture I've ever taken. But the nearly perfect Chrysanthemum from my 2022-Nov trip might battle for top spot. Maybe I'll run a poll when I get the page completed.

376 - Sakura blooms 🌸 on hill of Yakushi temple.

378 - Flowers on the hill of Yakushi temple.

379 - Colorful Acer leaves 🍁 at Yakushi temple.

381 - Tree on the hill above Yakushi temple. Notice the fencing installed to minimize the hill from washing away. I suspect this is a special tree because of that.

388 - Tomatoes 🍅 on trees again. This time, I was with a Japanese native, who explained to me that they were Persimmon. I was still mystified because Persimmon were uncommon in my homeland. I am seeing them more, now, almost 20 years later.

390 - Trees changing color. This (I remember, maybe poorly) is one of the few areas where Sakura 🌸 bloom in the Autumn, in Japan 🇯🇵.

Yamaoka

396 - Obaachan-ichi Yamaoka.

399 - Autumn colors at Origawa Dam.

400 - Lake made by Origawa Dam.

401 - Origawa Dam - Damn, it's the largest damn dam in all of damn Japan 🇯🇵. 🤣

408 - Autumn colors at temple.

410 - Autumn colors at temple.

Kyoto

057 - Grove near top of Daimonji.

058 - Trail view on Daimonji.

059 - Kyoto from Daimonji. It is really easy to escape Kyoto for a small portion of the day.

068 - Mystery flowers. Maybe a lantern flower?

292-Fish pond in Kyoto.JPG

Nijo-jo

082-Nijo Castle pond.JPG

083-Nijo Castle pond.JPG

084-Nijo Castle pond.JPG

085-Nijo Castle pond.JPG

087 - Inside outer wall of Nijo-jo. The moss looked so lovely I wanted to take my shoes off and walk on it. But I wasn't sure if that was allowed, so I just took this picture instead.

093 - Leaves changing colors inside Nijo-jo.

094 - View of Inner mote of Nijo-jo.

095 - Leaves changing colors at Nijo-jo.

096 - The Japanese characters on this sign translate to "Honmaru Garden Entrance". 😃

097 - Leaves changing colors at Nijo-jo.

480 - Fall colors in Kyoto from Shinkansen.

484 - Snow on mountains between Kyoto and Osaka.

Osaka

466 - Osaka-jo with Autumn colored trees greeting you on approach.

475 - Trees at Osaka-jo.

Nagoya

033 - Park in Nagoya.

034 - Park in Nagoya.

035 - Park in Nagoya.

185 - Violin player in park. This was common in Nagoya, with the very large Central Park.

280 - Random Nagoya garden.

321 - Koi pond in Central Park.

322 - Oasis 21 is (or was) a kind of shopping area and gathering place. I found this particular feature really interesting.

323 - The view from the roof of Oasis 21. Nagoya Tower was under refurbishment at this time. I think I get a picture of it complete on a later trip. But what is that ↙️ ? Is that water?