"Touch-Me-Not" in full bloom

I visited the Watarase wetland this morning where has been registered as the Ramsar Convention as an internationally important wetland. I observed some plants. The most impressive plant was "Touch-Me-Not" that was in full bloom. Especially, the flowers are shown in the picture are native species in this wetland.

A hot air balloon flies over the marshland where is one of the Ramsar sites of Japan. The highest peak of mountains seen in far end of this picture is Mt. Sukai.

Ears of the reed shinning in autumn

The glittering light on the water surface has become beautiful bokeh.
The picture was taken in the Watarase Yusuichi wetland where is registered in the Ramsar Convention

YABURAN

The flower which I saw on a walking yesterday morning. That is called Liriope muscari. The common name of this plant in English exists several names like big blue lilyturf, monkey grass, border grass or lilyturf. In Japanese, it is called "Yaburan" that means "bush-orchid".

The promenade where flowers of red spider lily are in bloom.

A sign of spring

A sign of spring

Plum blossoms began to bloom. Spring seems to be one step closer.

Reaping work of reeds

Ahead of the annual reed burning of the Watarase Yusuichi wetland to be held on March 17th, reaping work of reeds was carried out on February 11th in order to provide fire protection zone. This fire protection zone aims to conserve important woods. Because, there are precious and rare plants in the woods.

Members who participated in reaping work of reeds

Extensive reed bed with a part of woods

The first plum blossoms this year

I decided to walk to the office I work, because I missed a commuting bus this morning. It takes about 40 minutes from my house to the office.
However, fortunately, I could see the plum blossoms on the way to the office. It was the first plum blossoms seen this year. I felt on the plum blossoms that spring is coming soon. So I took pictures of plum blossoms as shown in below. Thus I was late to the office.

Paper dolls floated downriver

The events for children wearing Yukata committed their wishes to doll made of Japanese paper and shed it in river. The event called "Nagashi-Bina (paper dolls floated downriver) in Japanese was carried out last Sunday in Oyama city, Tochigi Pref. Japan.

You can try to weave silk coasters by using of primitive back tension loom

The coaster weaved by three colors silk thread

 All of the silk fabric called “Honba Yuki Tsumugi” has been inherited from 15th century and produced in mainly Oyama city area. In order this silk fabric to be called “Honba Yuki-tsumugi”, it is necessary to make by hand in all steps like spinning, dyeing and weaving.

And all of those techniques in each step are included in the UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity since 2010.

You can try to weave silk coaster by using of primitive back tension loom at the Oyama Honba Yuki Tumugi craft hall.

Try to visit our city and make so beautiful silk coaster like photo above.

A girl tries to weave silk coaster with assisting by a instructor

A couple is enjoying weaving silk coaster

Taiwan Cherry in bloom

I saw the beautiful Taiwan Cherry that was in bloom just in front of gate of a Buddhist temple. It was now best time to see. This scenery is one of the pride of our city.　That's why we recommend there as a sightseeing spot.　There is also a shop for souvenirs in the precincts of this temple.

Reed Burning was held in the wetland last Saturday

The photograph shows reed burning held in Oyama city area.

It is the state of annual event for reed burning which was held in the Watarase-yusuichi wetland last Saturday.
28 ha of Watarase-yusuichi wetland has been registered in the Ramsar Convention since 2012, and 15 ha of reed bed spreads out in this wetland.
The purpose of the reed burning is to encourage or promote the germination of healthy reed, and further purpose is to get rid of noxious insects.

Japanese plum blossoms in Oyama-city

Japanese plum blossoms were at their best time to see in the plum garden of city park in Oyama.

Traditional festival for girls

The traditional girls' festival called "Hanaoke-katsugi" was held in Oyama city, Tochigi pref. Japan last Saturday. 
"Hanaoke" means the pail with flowers and "katsugi" means to carry. The girls who are aged five or seven and are dressed in so beautiful Kimono for visiting the shrine. At this time, they carry the pail with flower to shrine in order to prey for their healthy growth.
It is a kind of traditional rite of passage and festival for girls in this region. 

Silhouette of Mt. Fuji

The Mt Fuji can be seen far beyond over the river, called Omoi-gawa", flowing in the center of Oyama-city. The distance between this point and the top of Mt Fuji will be approximately 140Km. 
When I took this picture, it was strong windy evening.
You can see the ripples emerged by the strong wind blowing on the water surface.

Fire Festival carried out in Oyama-city

The one of Japanese traditional Shinto ritual called "Don-do Yaki" was carried out on 15th Jan. in Oyama city.
This is a kind of fire festival that is the event to burn off Kadomatsu and Shimenawa after first full moon of the new year.
According to the legend that it will not get any sick if people eat rice cakes baked with this fire.

Larch in autumn colour

Fallen leaves

I've stopped walking for a while and I've seen so beautiful fallen leaves.

One Sunday afternoon at the park

A happy family in the autumn sunlight.