Memories of summer, 2025

September is almost over and it has gotten nice and crisp at last after a lingering summer heat.

It’s so great to sleep without the air conditioner on. 

This summer was the hottest and the longest on record with temperatures above 35 degrees C  day after day. 

Hundreds of millions of cloud-troops march out to end the clear sky suddenly.

After downpouring, sun-flowers sway on the wet deck.

During the Apricot Rains, Gangoji Temple creates a profound atmosphere with the serene, earthy scents, 

verdant colors of moss and vegetation, purple bell flowers and stone Buddhist statues.

This area of the roof tiles are since the 8^th century, which made me feel eternity of the temple.

Nara Kingyo Museum is the largest goldfish museum in Japan.  

Gold fish are raised in nearby Yamato-Koriyama City,  one of Japan’s Top 3 goldfish cultivation areas. 

Geothelphusa dehaani, commonly known as Japanese freshwater crab or sawagani is endemic to Japan. 

These small size crabs inhabit clear mountain streams with healthy freshwater ecosystem.

 The Rhinoceros beetle larvae emerged in early-July and lived through summer.

Eating “kakigori” (shaved Ice) or chilled watermelon is one of the ways to cool you down. 

This fruit-parfait-like multi-layered shaved ice made by a chef tasted exquisite with the special syrups and flavor.

Pudding, ice cream, biscuits, seasonal fruits, are artistically arranged on and within the very soft shaved ice.

“国宝Kokuho” (National Treasure) is one of the most engaging films I’ve ever seen.

Coping with swestering deadly heat is challenging, but we could lead a pleasant and memorable summer, 

pacing ourselves with preventative measures and staying indoors in air-conditioned spaces as much as possible.

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Where has the rainy season gone?

 The end of the 梅雨 Apricot Rains was announced officially on June 27 in Kansai region.

 Rainy season usually ends in mid-July when seasonal rain front is pushed northward
 by a strong Pacific high-pressure system. 

The temperature has hit 35 C or higher since the late June when temperatures 

are typically milder at between 25C and 30C.

I’ve loved the relatively cool weather during the Apricot Rains before the arrival of 

full force of summer. 

There are so many nice things during the season.

Rain-making post - nice things during the rainy season

Nice things during the rainy season, 2017

and all the posts labelled "rainy season"

Hydrangeas are the floral symbol of the Apricot Rains.

Hydrangeas thrive along a brook in the Nagai Botanical Garden, Osaka City.

Agapanthus

It was a hot and humid day.

I tried to be in the shade as much as possible.

Umbrella Sky suspended on a path is a popular insta-worthy spot.

These umbrellas would have served mostly as parasols during the short-lived, 

dry rainy season.

The ethereal sound of the wind bell brings out the coolness.

I love blue Hydrangeas.

Vibrant red Common coral-tree flowers and violet-colored Jacaranda shine in the summer sun.

Photographic summary of the botanical garden.

At home, the cake named Hydrangea reminded me of the Hydrangea garden.

Hydrangea Garden and a cake "Hydrangea"

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A glimpse into Expo 2025

Hearing from my daughter that her family had a great time at the Expo 2025 

at Yumeshima Island, Osaka,

I made up my mind suddenly to visit there just to see what it is like.

 I registered for an Expo ID, bought a week-day ticket, reserved admission date and time,

and I was there the next day May 8th.

The white big circle in the map below is the Grand Ring, which  is a representative symbol 

of the Expo Osaka and is the largest architectural structure in the world.

The central zones of the venue with overseas pavilions is enclosed within the Grand Ring

 as the notion of the world as one.

Though Japan Pavilion itselfl is outside the Ring, other Japanese pavilions are inside the Ring.

Expo 2025 Official Site

The Grand Ring is a vast circular structure with a circumference of 2 kilometers.

The Skywalk, the pathway on the roof, is two-tired, rising 12 to 20 meters high.

It is made of local woods, from hinoki cypress to sugi cedar.

Under the Ring is shaded and very cool with comfortable breeze from the sea.

It is the fusion of cutting-edge and traditional Japanese carpentry nuki-joints techniques 
seen in Japanese shrines and temples. 

Metal reinforcements are added for anti-earthquake measures.

Nuki is Japanese style of joint connection.

The Forest of Tranquility located at the center of the Expo site symbolizes  

humans' coexistence and harmony with nature.

It is a relaxing place amid the hustle and bustle of the site.

There are many fantastic buildings I've never seen before.

The unique, distinctive, experimental architecture is possible

because the temporal pavilions are not subject to the building standard code.

Some pavilions including Portugal, Commons-D, The US, France, Ireland, 

Canada, and Germany Pavilions

Autonomous  trash box robots patrol about 2-kilometer Grand Ring 

except on rainy days and extremely crowded days.

Visitors can dispose of trash as they pass by.

I walked along the Ring looking over the pavilions and the sea as well as skywatching.

A large globe "Earth at Night" with a diameter of 1 meter is Wajima-nuri lacquerware which is 

characterized by the delicate beauty of its jet black and gold coloring. 

The globe is a symbol of reconstruction, having miraculously remained undamaged in the Noto Earthquake January 1st, 2024.

Wajima Museum of Urushi Art

The sun is setting over the Rokko Mountains.

I'll return in the late September as  I could reserve admission to Italy Pavilion.

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