Under the leaden skies

We are currently in the middle of the rainy season, Tsuyu, or Apricot Rains.

I visited some places in Kyoto on a cloudy break in the season.

The Old Mitsui Family Shimogamo Villa was originally built in 1880, then relocated and

 extended in the south of Shimogamo Shrine in 1925.

 It served as a shared villa for the Mitsui family, one of the most prominent and influential

 merchant conglomerates in Japanese history.

 

You can sit on the traditional tatami mats and watch the garden covered with moss

and dotted with baloon flowers, which is one of the seasonal blooms.

The residence features a moss garden with a gourd-shaped pond that mirrors 
the deep green hues.

There is a winding stroll path along the water’s edge.
You can look back at the historic three-story Taisho-era residence.

The third-floor watchtower is restricted to those who book a special program or dining plan.

As you see in the photos, natural tones appear much richer 

when the sky looks dull, heavy, and dark gray.

The Hydrangea garden is on the west side of the main garden within the villa grounds.

Hydrangeas are the floral symbol of Japan's rainy season.

At the ponds in the Kyoto Botanical Garden, green reflection becomes dense and dramatic, transforming the landscape into a peaceful sanctuary.

With a little of sunshine for a few seconds, colors turned vibrant emerald.

In the Lotus Pond, there is a harmonious blend of greens composed of 

fresh maple leaves, lotus leaves, and iris blades.

 I’ve enjoyed this humid yet relatively cool period before our notoriously brutal summer sets in.

Linked to Mosaic Monday