Some of camellia trees in my neighbourhood were broken down because of heavy weight of snow which has fallen last weekend. Based on the ready consent of a tree owner, I broke off some of the branches, which had some buds, from broken tree and brought them back to my home to make flower arrangement. The one of them has just bloomed so beautifully this morning.
This is a scene of Lake Chyuzenji in winter.
The lake Chyuzenji spreads out at southern foot of Mount_Nantai (8,156 feet) which can be seen in the photo above.
This place is also one of the tourist spots in Nikko.
At the beginning of the Meiji period, summer villas were set up by Embassy of foreign countries like the UK, France, Italy and the US in this lakeside. Many foreign diplomats visited here to spend summer holiday on the lakeside. They introduced the trout fishing, yachting and boat racing to this place as same as they did in their home country.
It is said that they supervised the stocking of the lake with trout for their good catch of trout fishing, and they established first yacht club in Japan.
I enjoyed hot spring bathing in one Ryokan at Yumoto Onsen after two miles of snowshoe trekking in Senjyo-ga-hara.
The Yumoto onsen is located at the far end of Oku-Nikko area, and the place is famous in hot spring resort. People visit there to enjoy both ski or snowboard and hot spring bathing. The photos here show Kamakura Matsuri, that means Snow-hut Festival, held at Yumoto onsen in order to promote tourism. Many foreign visitors from Australia, Taiwan, Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore and other countries also visit there to enjoy wonderful nature of Oku-Nikko.
As for the access information for Nikko, try to check here.
Icicles and waterflow were shining with morning sunlight.
It was 23 degree Fahrenheit (-5 degree Celsius) at Ryuzu-no-taki waterfall, where is about 4200 feet above sea level, in Nikko, Japan.
Heavy snowstorm struck Japan on Saturday. All domestic flights departing from Tokyo were cancelled due to heavy snow. Other all public transportations were also delayed or cancelled.
According to the TV news, more than 400 people were injured by accidents which related by snow. Fortunately, I was safe even I took a walk in snow to take photos of snowy scene.
The image above was taken at a Shinto shrine in my neighbourhood.
When I opened window shutters this morning, everything outside was covered with snow.
The photo was taken through the window of my room.
Wintersweet is typical flower of winter.
It gives off sweet smell.
People visit the valley to find some signs of spring.
But, they can find only wintersweet in bloom.
Their shadows are still long on the ground.
Because, it is still midwinter.
I am really longing for spring.
Nature created such beautiful art on a withered leaf.
It is my joy to find it, and it is also my pleasure to take photos of such a nature scene.
I was a reluctant to take a walk on such cold day.
So I have decided to take photos of potted flower in the sunny room.
