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 shef 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.

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.