Gyoi-kō (Gyoikō) is a plant in the genus Prunus of the Rosaceae family. It is a Japanese-origin cultivated variety of satoyama cherry (satozakura) that originated from the Oshima cherry. The name has been seen since the mid-Edo period and comes from a color close to the light green of aristocratic robes. It is apparently also called “Misogi (purification).” The Gyoi-kō shown in this photo is the one at Akiba Shrine in Shimizu-cho, Suwa City. This shrine features several large zelkova trees and three small shrines at their roots, creating a very otherworldly atmosphere that seems like it could appear in a Ghibli film. Entering Akiba Shrine and going to the left rear, you will find this Gyoi-kō. This cherry blooms about two weeks later than Somei Yoshino and generally flowers around Golden Week. The timing is similar to that of yaezakura (double-flowered cherry). When the flowers first open, the petals are pale green even inside, and as they near the end of blooming faint pink streaks appear toward the center. Although the tree’s vigor has declined compared with the past, the sign says the average tree age is about 20 years. If you look closely, it was planted on May 25, 1975 (Showa 50), so it is 49 years old this year. Amazing, isn’t it! Unlike the famous pink cherries, its pale yellow-green color gives off a lovely hue. Every year I enjoy seeing yaezakura and this Gyoi-kō after the Somei Yoshino finish blooming. Answer! The phrase “light green colored cherry blossom,” which I posted in English on Instagram on January 18 of this year, referred to this Gyoi-kō at Akiba Shrine. Please take a look at the English post as well. Also, as far as I know, there is a green cherry that appears to be Gyoi-kō on the grounds of the former Suwa City Cleaning Center, now a Suwa City facility for recycling pruned branches. Because this is a Suwa City facility, if you go to recycle pruned branches in early spring and have a chance, please take a look. If you miss the Somei Yoshino bloom around April in future years, please consider adding Gyoi-kō to your list of blossoms to see. In particular, if you know of any unusual cherry trees in Suwa City or the six neighboring municipalities, or if you have other local information to share, please leave a comment. I will visit as many as possible! Suwa Tourism Association Instagram → @suwa_nagano Please follow us!

Akiyoshido Cave 2023.05.04 Akiyoshido Cave, one of Japan's one of the best limestone caves, opens at the southern foot of Mt., 100 meters underground in Akiyoshidai National Park. After passing through a grove of cedar trees with a cool air that touches your skin, you will reach the entrance of Akiyoshido Cave. The Sightseeing Course in the cave is about 1 km the total length exceeds 11.2 km, the second largest in Japan, and the temperature is constant at 17°C throughout the four seasons, and it is cool in summer and warm in winter, so you can enjoy sightseeing comfortably. The mysterious natural formations that seem to have frozen time are rich in variety and evoke great impression in our hearts.

Baekje Temple 2023.06.23 The fresh greenery was beautiful. It is located east of Lake Biwa and on the western slopes of the Suzuka Mountains. According to the temple legend, it was built in the 14th year of Emperor Suiko 606 by Prince Shotoku. When Prince Shotoku came to this place with the Goryeo monk Huiji, who was visiting at the time, he saw a mysterious light in the mountains. When I went to visit the source of the light, I found that it was a cedar tree. The prince carved the cedar as a standing tree with roots to make an eleven-sided Kannon statue Ueki Kannon and built a hall around the statue. This is said to be the beginning of Baekje Temple, and it is said that the temple was built after Yongunji Temple in Baekje, so it was named Baekje Temple.

“Hidden Spots of Shinano-Omachi” Photography Workshop — Learn Camera Techniques on Omachi Shopping Street Join a tour to learn camera techniques on Omachi Shopping Street. The event is finally approaching on June 8. We will walk and practice photography at historic locations: Matsubaya Ryokan (Matsubaya Guest House), built in the Taisho era; Takara Shokudo, built in the Meiji era; and Omachi Meitengai, built in the 1960s (Showa 40s). For this shooting tour, we have special permission to enter these buildings, and participants will have the chance to hear from an instructor who knows Omachi inside and out. The instructor is Kiyoshi Kashiwabara, a photo instructor certified by the Japan Association of Photography Instructors, a native of Omachi who shares the charm of Omachi’s landscapes and people through his photography.

One at Ryutan Temple in Shizuoka Prefecture. The well-kept Japanese Garden was very beautiful.

One at Ryuunji Temple in Shizuoka Prefecture. It is home to the world's largest Hannya Heart Sutra 16 meters wide × 4 meters high, which was Dedication by calligrapher Shoko Kanazawa. Squid may be hard to see in the photo, but when I actually saw it in front of me, I was overwhelmed by its size.

【Chiba Port Tour Sightseeing Boat / Factory Night View Roux】 With the theme of "a sightseeing boat that is fun to ride and can see and learn", it is a Roux where you can feel Chiba Port up close while enjoying the powerful scenery of container terminals and factories. There are various popular plans such as "Chiba Port Tour Driving Course", "Makuhari Messe Offshore Sightseeing Driving Course", and "Ryobune Plan", but we especially recommend "Factory Night View Roux"! The waterfront area of Chiba City, one of Japan's 12 largest factory night views, is lined with factories and food complexes along Chiba Port, and their countless lights shine at night, creating a fantastic factory night view. Flights are limited to the 2nd and 4th Saturdays. You can enjoy the amber factory night view seen from the sea side, which you can't usually see! Also, on Sundays and holidays, a common pass that includes the Chiba Port Tower Observation decks admission fee and a sightseeing boat embarkation ticket is sold, so it is recommended to visit it together with the Observation decks. Please check the official website for the latest information. [Chiba Port Service] ■ Ticket sales counter: 1st floor of the complex K's Harbor ■Business hours: 9:00~18:00 ■Access: About 7 minutes on foot from Chiba Minato Station on the JR Keiyo Line and Chiba Monorail ■Address: 1-20-1 Chuoko, Chuo-ku, Chiba City ■ Fee: Please check the official website.

Noto Peninsula Mitsuke Island and the Milky Way 2023.04.23 Mitsuke Island before the earthquake It seems to have collapsed a little due to the earthquake.

The name Gozaishi Shrine comes from the fact that Prince Satake Yoshitaka, the lord of Akita Domain, sat down to rest when he toured Lake Tazawa in the 3rd year of Keian 1650. Spot is a popular spot 🌌 for stargazing at night

Gozaishi Shrine Torii shrine gate The name Gozaishi Shrine comes from the fact that Prince Satake Yoshitaka, the lord of Akita Domain, sat down to rest when he toured Lake Tazawa in the 3rd year of Keian 1650. Spot is a popular spot 🌌 for stargazing at night

It is located in Maki Manoon Nature Park, Daisen City, Akita Prefecture Summerless Waterfall Fallen trees and you can feel the long age. It's a very cool place because I don't know summer.

Jo Takeda 2019.11.23 Takeda Castle shrouded in a sea of clouds This is a photo taken from a little below the second Observation decks of Ritsuunkyo It is a photo shoot to avoid the crowds.

Heart-shaped Teppei Stone East of Kamisuwa Station toward the Kirigamine side stands Arc Suwa. In front of it, a sidewalk paved with Suwa’s specialty, teppei stone, contains a small heart-shaped piece of teppei stone. Four of those heart-shaped teppei stones are also arranged together to form a four-leaf clover. In Japan, the four-leaf clover is a symbol of good luck, so look out for it🍀 Nearby you can also find a manhole cover depicting the Suwa Lake fireworks and Suwa’s floating castle, Takashima Castle. Try to find that one too! Teppei stone (teppeiseki) is a pyroxene andesite with well-developed tabular jointing that is widely distributed in the Suwa and Saku regions of Nagano Prefecture. It splits easily into plates, and teppei stone peeled into slabs about 2–3 cm thick is widely used as interior and exterior building stone.

Just like ringing a bell when praying at a shrine, the sound of a bell has been believed since ancient times to have the power to connect gods and people and bestow blessings. This year, I would like to express my wishes to God and Held in wind chime Dedication so that you can continue to live with hope and peace in the future. Please write your wish on a strip of wind chime and offer it to God with the sound of a pure wind chime. During the summer until the end of August, wind chimes are hung throughout the corridor of the Precincts. We will also distribute wind chime Dedication Limited Time wind chime shuin stamps this year as well. Please come to the reception desk of the company office within the period. Last but not least, under the divine virtue of the great god of Oi Shrine, I would like to pray for your continued happiness and good health. 〔Dedication acceptance period〕　　 June 1st ~ August 20th *Wind chimes will be displayed until August 31st Daily 8:30~17:00 　

A red Torii shrine gate ⛩️ gate photographed at Mt. Hotayama Soeiji Temple in Shizuoka Prefecture The weather was cloudy, but the darkness added to the silence On the way, we had Dango with a history of more than 150 years

Fireworks 🎆 in the sky of Odaiba "STAR ISLAND 2024" will be the first Held in in Tokyo Events Held in around the world have landed in Tokyo for the first time! The history of Odaiba is that the Edo shogunate, which felt threatened by Perry's arrival in Japan in 1853 Kaei 6, built six daiba artillery batteries. In the process leading up to the present, the 3rd Daiba and the 6th Daiba have been preserved, and the 3rd Daiba is preserved as a park, and the 6th Daiba is preserved on the Ocean as a historical site rich in nature and valuable academically! I'm 🤤 looking forward to next year

Osaka Castle, also known as "Osaka-jo" in Japanese, is a five-story iconic symbol of Japan with a history spanning nearly 450 years. It stands as a testament to Japan's rich past and is a must-visit for travelers seeking to immerse themselves in the country's history and architectural wonders. This popular landmark attracts both local and international visitors year-round, offering a glimpse into Japan's fascinating past and captivating with its timeless beauty.

Uji City, Kyoto Ujigawa cormorants are said to have already been practiced in the Heian period, and have a long history Impression when I saw it for the first time, it was 😌 a mysterious sight with a female cormorant being active I didn't know if flash photography was good for animals, so I dared to shoot without flash

A townscape that makes you feel like you've traveled back in time to Edo Narai juku, Nagano There was also a large Kiso Bridge nearby, and it was a 😌 place where you could feel the history

Water wheel in Shinno, Kamikawa-cho, Hyogo Prefecture It is said that it has existed since before the 6th year of Genroku 1693, and 11 water wheels with a diameter of about 3 m are scattered in the waterway with abundant flow, and Ume Plum algae baikamo, which only lives in clear streams, can be seen nearby, and you can encounter a rural landscape rich in rich in nature and a beautiful original landscape that should be protected. There is 😌 a scene here that I want to visit many times in the past and connect from the history of the past to the future

Water wheel in Shinno, Kamikawa-cho, Hyogo Prefecture It is said that it has existed since before the 6th year of Genroku 1693, and 11 water wheels with a diameter of about 3 m are scattered in the waterway with abundant flow, and Ume Plum algae baikamo, which only lives in clear streams, can be seen nearby, and you can encounter a rural landscape rich in rich in nature and a beautiful original landscape that should be protected. There is 😌 a scene here that I want to visit many times in the past and connect from the history of the past to the future

Water turbine in Shinno, Kamikawa, Hyogo It is said to have existed since before the 6th year of Genroku 1693, and 11 water wheels with a diameter of about 3 m are scattered in the waterway with abundant flow, and Ume Plum flower algae baikamo, which only live in Clear streams, can be seen nearby, and you can encounter Rich in nature rural scenery and beautiful original scenery that should be protected. There is 😌 a scene here that I want to visit many times in the past and connect from the history of the past to the future

【Okuwa Village】Atera Canyon Atera Canyon, which has been recognized as a Japan Heritage Site, is a lush scenic spot surrounded by clear streams of emerald green and dense national forests. Surrounded by a beautiful river called "Atera Blue" and deep greenery, it is one of the One of the largest scenic spots in Kiso. Kiso Goki grows on both banks of the Adera River, and Spots such as waterfalls and pools are scattered. There is also a campsite, and inside the campsite there is a famous water of Shinshu called "Bigao Water". During the summer July ~ August, vehicle regulations are required. If you want to move around Atera Canyon easily, you can also rent an e-bike electrically assisted bicycle. [E-bike rental location] Atera Canyon 2nd Parking Lot [Fee] 1,000 yen / 1 hour [Contact Us] 090-6173-9467 Atera Blue Co., Ltd.

Tomorrow will be the start of ☂ June From June, the Annual event summer Limited Menu "Black Chilled Noodles" will appear! Sansho, which accentuates the spiciness of cold noodles, gives the rich black soup a refreshing taste, making it a perfect summer noodle 🌻 In addition, "Hokkaido beef steak bowl" will appear on the menu in the first half of June! It is a very affordable lunch set with a side buffet of salad, dessert, 😲 and soup Please enjoy it 💕 Reservations and details 📞011-222-1255 direct line to restaurant reservations Or check 👀 the hotel's website

Hitachi Seaside Park 2024.04.25 Blue Sky and Nemophila I did my best at a little trot.

Ashikaga Flower Park 2024.04.25 Miraculous wisteria illumination

Imagine a time when samurai ruled the land and constructed magnificent forts. Himeji Castle, a UNESCO Cultural Heritage site, is a sight to behold. Its most striking feature is the daitenshu, the main donjon. This impressive structure stands at 31.5 meters tall with five stories on the outside and seven interior floors, reaching a total height of 46.3 meters. The castle is surrounded by three smaller keeps connected by roofed passages, adding to its grandeur. Designated as national treasures, the donjons and watariyagura are a testament to Japan's rich history and architectural ingenuity.

Ondo, Kure, Hiroshima Recommended Spots in Hiroshima #Ondo 👈 One piece 📸 in the idyllic port town of Ondo One of my favorite points is the relaxing and healing scenery 😊 If you walk along the road ahead, you can 😊 interact with quaint alleys like Onomichi and stray cats 🐈 ⬛

Hirosaki Castle Flower Raft 2024.04.20 In Hirosaki Castle, there is a "Team Sakura Guard", and this team protects the cherry blossoms. Cherry trees that are over 100 years old also produce a lot of flowers thanks to this team. Gari will drop a lot of petals because it will have a lot of flowers, and this raft will be completed.

Snow-covered Kinkakuji Temple　 2021.12.18 Where I went with studless tires for the first time There was still snow from the night before.