The Season of Alpine Plants

It becomes warmer and warmer. The alpine flowers of Mt. Yatsugatake start to bloom. This is a dicentra which is called the queen of alpine flowers here. The curly red petals are cute.

Nice view of snow-covered mountains

I visited a village in fresh verdure at the foot of Japan Alps on a sunny day. I had a nice view of snow-covered mountains and dark green meandering river in lush green vegetation. 

Shirakoma Pond before breaking up its ice

I visited the pond on 23 April, when the road near there was open after clearing snow. The pond was still covered thick ice but I felt the breaking up it there soon. The middle of it was honey-combed and melted ice blocks were floating near the shore. Spring is near at hand!

Cherry-blossom Season in Kobe

From our Nagano in early spring to Kobe I went out to the reunion of our old mountain club. Walking along Ashiya River at the foot of Mt. Rokko, row of cherry trees was in full bloom.

Butterbur Sprout

We have gentle and warm rain this morning. Walking in our garden I found light green butterbur sprout, through which we surely feel spring has come. We are also able to eat the sprouts making Tempura and they fit beer very well. I am looking forward to have them with cold beer.

Spring Atmosphere at Lake Suwa

On a sunny morning I visited Lake Suwa with my wife, where snow is disappeared and early spring breeze blows along the shore. We saw young high school students rowing a boat there with good shout spirited.

Our forest covered with deep snow

Japanese archipelago has been covered in winter low pressure since the beginning of this week. Our forest has been covered with thick snow. Seasons seem to come and go in winter and spring.