Dangerous heat waves during the Apricot Rains

Hot, hot, too hot, and too humid!

I don't feel like having a walk under this kind of weather, which saps my energy 

and makes me feel quite spent.

I found several unpublished photos taken during my trip to Kamikochi and Hida-Takayama 
on rainy days in 2011. 

Kamikochi is the plateau at the altitude of 1500 meters surrounded by so-called North Japan Alps, 

Hida Mountain Ranges.

People can enter from mid-April to mid-November; the rest of year, Kamikochi is in winter sleep.

I hope you can feel a little cooler while reading about the recent scorching heat.

Kamikochi Official Site

 Kamikochi Walk (a post in 2011)

While unseasonal heat started as early as May this year, it was relatively cool

during the continuous wet weather of late June.

Then it has gotten scorching, boiling hot on the arrival of July despite Apricot Rains.

Intense heat of 35 degrees C or higher with high humidity, nearly 40C in some places, 

is life-threatening.

“Heat-stroke special alert” is to be issued based on WBGT, which takes several variables 

into account; temperature, humidity, wind speed, sun angle, cloud cover and so on. 

Hida-Takayama City seen from our hotel

As I look at the photos of the old township of Hida-Takayama,

I'm reminded how the streets were vacant at around 9 a.m. back then

different from the recent bustling of tourists.

凸凹堂 (above) is a shop for hand-made accessories of natural stones, especially featuring 

blue colors of the deep sea.

Teashops; above and below.

Weather seems to have been becoming extreme year by year.
When it rains, it's torrential; when the sun shines, it’s dangerously hot.

During the Apricot Rains of late June, it often rained cats and dogs.

One day I went to the nearby park when the morning downpouring was eased.

The blades of grass glow with crystal-like raindrops.

Do you find peace in the rain?

Back home, Ajisai (Hydrangea) was showing off its radiance under the leaden skies.

This spider was the last-minute entrant before I came into the house.

The current heat wave will be stopped as the Apricot Rains is returning soon.

I look forward to walking in the rain.

I pray for no disastorous heat waves and devastaing rainfall.

Linked to Mosaic Monday

A trip to Kurashiki and Okayama Cities

Okayama Prefecture is called "Land of Sunshine" for its mild climate and sunny skies

typical of the Seto Inland Sea region.

I had an overnight trip to Kurashiki and Okayama cities in the south-west part 

of the prefecture with my son and his daughter.

Unfortunately my husband stayed home because of a cold he had.

In Kurashiki City, we spent most of the time in Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter,

the old merchants quarter,

where the city's former canal system and about 400-year-old buildings have been preserved.

The canal area dates back to the Edo Period (1603-1867), when the city served

as an important rice distribution center to Edo and Osaka.

Weeping willows and original storehouses line the canal and the stone bridges 

cross over the canal water.

There are sightseeing riverboats in operation.

There are narrow lanes from the main roads along the river.

The distinctive feature of the architecture is white walls and black tiles.

One block away from the canal, Storehouse Shopping Street runs parallel to the canal.

The historic townhousese are repurposed as cafes and restaurants, boutiques, 

souvenir shops as well as specialty shops including canvas (Kurashiki Canvas),

jeans, sake, and others.

Kurashiki is the birthplace of domestically produced jeans.

After a round trip of the quarter, we returned to the starting place.

The Seto Inland Sea is dotted with many small islands.

Right after the sunset, the sea turned into mellow oranges.

In Okayama City, we walked through Korakuen Garden to Okayama Castle.

Okayama Castle is called "Ujo 烏城 Crow Castle" for its black exterior.

It is in stark contrast to the white Himeji Castle, or "Shirasagi-jo 白鷺城 Egret Castle."

(White Egret in the sea of Sakura)

The original castle was built in 1597 during the Warring States period and was destroyed 

by fire almost completely during the WWII.

Reconstruction was made in 1966 and then major renovation was completed in 2022.

That's why the castle stands shiny.

The appealing points of the southern Okayama is historical towns and

the beautiful seascape of the Seto Inland Sea.

Okayama is also known as "Kingdom of Fruits".

White peaches, muscats, piones are special products grown there.

While I prefer raw fruits, fruit parfait served with ice cream, sauce, and others

 tastes exquisite.

I also like to see the ingredients artistically arranged in layers.

Center; the view of Koraku-en Garden and Okayama City beyond the castle moat,

Seto Ohashi Bridge, and the seascape 

Okayama Prefecture Official Tourism Guide

Websiste of sightseeing in Kurashiki

Linked to Mosaic Monday

A glimpse into Nanki-Shirahama, a seaside hot spring town

While enjoying brilliance of continuous sunny, warm days,

autumn foliage is at their best as "Momiji", Japanese Maples, are rapidly 

turning colors to yellow to orange toward final burst of fiery red. 

Putting colored leaves aside for the next post, however,

I'll report my last-week trip  to Southern Wakayama Pref., especially 

Nanki-shirahama area, a seaside town facing the Pacific.

It is noted for spectacular rock formation, a beautiful beach, and hot spring.

Sandanbeki Cliff is a precipitous cliff, 2 kilometers long and 50 meters high. 

Visitors can go down by an elevator to see a hollow in the cave.

When the sea water enters the cave, it blows up through the hollow.

Rough waves break on the cliff.

The vast horizon makes you feel the beauty and magnificence of nature.

"Senjojiki" of Senjojiki Rock Plateau means "One Thousand Tatami Mats". 

Since Japan is an island country surrounded by the four oceans, the Okhotsuk,

the Pacific, the East China Sea and the Sea of Japan, there are about ten places 

at seashore with that name.

Visitors can walk out onto the flat, sheet-like rocks which lie on top of one another. 

The rock of Senjojiki was formed about 1.8 million to 65 million years ago

when the stratum was gradually eroded by the waves. 

Walking on Senjyojiki, you can closely experience the stunning steep coast 

denuded by raging waves of the ocean.

 Shirarahama Beach is famous for its sparkling white sand.

The white sand consists of mostly silica sand used in glass manufacturing.

Most of the current sand is from Australia as the rivers got unable to carry down

the white sand because of development.

Shirarahama Beach signed a partnership with Waikiki Beach in Honolulu, Hawaii

 as sister beaches.

The beach is also famous for its crystal-clear ocean.

Simply walking on the beach, which is not as busy as in the summer, is refreshing.
We could take our time to savor the beach during the sunset time.

Sunset therapy time!

 

The mosaic contains the Engetsudo Island, Tenjinzaki Cape, and a hot spring bath

in our hotel room other than the three sites mentioned above.

Engetsuto means "Island of the full moon".

It was a good break and diversion from the ongoing autumn foliage show.

I'll see you next time with fabulous colorful leaves of autumn.

Linked to Mosaic Monday

My favorite landscape of twelve places

I selected some landscape photos from my past travels in ten years for the last post this year.

January

Narcissus Field at Nada Kuroiwa in Awaji-shima Island

(Click on the blog title to see more.)

Due to the relatively warm climate, white narcissus start to bloom mid-January

on a steep south slope of Mt. Yuzuruha.

Narsisuses at Nada-kuroiwa facing the Pacific, Awaji Island, Hyogo Pref.

February

Color and fragrance of early spring at Yatsuri

"Robai", or Wintersweet, at the entrance to Yatsuri, Asuka Village, on a misty morning

March

Ume blossoms at Tsukigase Ume Valley and Hillside

Ume (Prunus Mume) blossoms, the floral harbinger of spring of Japan, 

brighten up the hillside from pale wintry landscape.

Tsukigase Ume Grove, Nara Pref.

April

Sakura season from prelude to finale

Blooms of cherry blossoms tell full arrival of spring.

Kasugano Field in Nara Park

May

Therapeutic time at the mountain stream of Oku-Daisen

Crystal-clear water flows through moss-covered rocks from the beech forest of Mt. Daisen.

Kitanizawa mountain stream, Tottori Pref.

June

Lake Yogo witnessed ancient samurai warriors' dreams

Floral symbol of the rainy season, "Ajisai" Hydrangeas, at Lake Yogo, Shiga Pref.

July

Star Festival decorations at Mt. Rokko, Hyogo Pref.

August

The views from Ushimado: Japanese Aegean Sea

Olive farm facing Seto Inland Sea, Okayama Pref.

September

Road bridge over Ara-ike Pond in Nara City

Five-storied Pagoda seen from Ara-ike Pond, Nara Park, Nara Pref.

October

Hidden beauty of Japan off the beaten track

Oide Suspension Bridge, Hakuba Village, Nagano Pref.

November

A picturesque thatched houses hamlet Kita-mura, Kyoto Pref.

Thatched-roof village and Kitayama Cedars, Miyama Cho, Kyoto Pref.

Decemeber

Winter illuminations and reflections around JR Osaka Station

Grand Front Osaka

My eldest and youngest grandchildren, F and M, turned 11 and 4 early December.

The year 2021 is left only eleven days.

Many people are looking forward to going back parents' home in their hometown

over the years, which they had to give up last year-end.

I look forward to welcome back all my families.

Wish you the warmth of family getting together again

and a healthy, happy, and peaceful Holiday Season!

Mosaic Monday