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  • Shoseien Garden: Tranquility among Kyoto’s hustle and bustle

    Shoseien Garden: Tranquility among Kyoto’s hustle and bustle

    Kyoto’s Shoseien Garden is a hidden gem nestled in the heart of the city. Located just a short walk from Kyoto Station, this picturesque garden is a must-visit destination for anyone looking to escape the hustle and bustle of the city and immerse themselves in the natural beauty of Japan. History of Shoseien Garden Shoseien…

  • Kodaiji Temple: A Spiritual Haven in the Heart of Japan

    Kodaiji Temple: A Spiritual Haven in the Heart of Japan

    Nestled in the eastern foothills of Kyoto, Kodaiji Temple is one of the most prominent Zen Buddhist temples in Japan. With its tranquil gardens, stunning architecture, and rich history, Kodaiji Temple is a must-visit destination for anyone seeking a glimpse into Japan’s spiritual heritage. A Brief History of Kodaiji Temple Kodaiji Temple was founded in…

  • Old Mitsui Family Shimogamo Villa: An awe-inspiring example of traditional Japanese architecture

    Old Mitsui Family Shimogamo Villa: An awe-inspiring example of traditional Japanese architecture

    Nestled in the serene district of Shimogamo in Kyoto, the Old Mitsui Family Shimogamo Villa stands to the city’s rich cultural history. This estate was built in 1925 with its meticulously preserved architecture and compact gardens. It offers visitors a glimpse into the opulent lifestyle of the Mitsui family. The family was one of the…

  • Toji Temple: Viewing the cherry blossoms at night

    Toji Temple: Viewing the cherry blossoms at night

    In a previous post, I wrote about visiting Toji temple in 2022 when I first came to Kyoto. At that time it was May and the cherry blossoms were long past. This year during a two-week break, I was able to spend part of it in Kyoto during the cherry blossom season. Blooming of the…

  • Exploring the Natural Wonders of Japan’s Ikeda Lake

    Exploring the Natural Wonders of Japan’s Ikeda Lake

    Nestled in the southern part of Japan’s Kyushu island lies the stunning Ikeda Lake, a hidden gem that offers a serene escape from the hustle and bustle of the city. The lake sits near the city of Kagoshima, surrounded by lush green forests and stunning mountain ranges. It is the perfect destination for nature lovers…

  • Tofuku-Ji Temple and Tsuten-Kyo Bridge, Kyoto, Japan

    Tofuku-Ji Temple and Tsuten-Kyo Bridge, Kyoto, Japan

    After visiting Fushimi Inari and Mt. Inari, the next stop on my trip to Kyoto was Tofuku-ji Temple (東福寺) and Tsuten-Kyo Bridge. Tofuku-Ji is one of the “Five Great Zen Temples in Kyoto” and it is easy to see why. Combined with its garden, which contains the Tsuten-Kyo (covered) bridge, it is easy to see…

  • Hydrangea Festival at Takatôyama Park (Kitakyushu, Japan)

    Hydrangea Festival at Takatôyama Park (Kitakyushu, Japan)

    If you know anything about the Japanese, it is that they love their monoculture gardens. Many Japanese people also know when different flowering plants are in full bloom. Plum blossoms early in the year, cherry blossoms in April, Wisteria in mid-May, Peonies in late May/early June, etc. So what about mid-June? In mid-June the hydrangeas…

  • Eden Project, UK – The Eighth Wonder of the World

    Eden Project, UK – The Eighth Wonder of the World

    There are some things that humans have made in the name of science that are just amazing. One example is Biosphere 2 for climate change and space research in Arizona. Another is the Eden Project in Cornwall, England. History The Eden Project arose out of an idea from 1996. At a site in St Blazey,…

  • Fukuoka Botanical Garden – Roses Galore

    Fukuoka Botanical Garden – Roses Galore

    While May may be the month best known for Peonies in Japan, we mustn’t forget the roses that are also out in bloom at this time. One of the best places to see roses in their full glory is the Fukuoka City Zoo and Botanical Garden, located in the heart of Fukuoka. The Fukuoka Botanical…

  • Peony Garden in Fukuoka’s Ohori Park – Japan

    Peony Garden in Fukuoka’s Ohori Park – Japan

    Just like the bees that pollinate them, the residents of Fukuoka flock to the peony garden in Ohori Park in early May. Like the nearby Wisteria Garden, you will find many Japanese people coming here to photograph the peonies. Peonies, or 芍薬 (しゃくやく, shyakuyaku) in Japan (some species are also called ボタン (botan)), represent symbolise…

  • A Garden After Blooming – Wisteria Garden, Ohori Park, Fukuoka

    A Garden After Blooming – Wisteria Garden, Ohori Park, Fukuoka

    We see the effects of flowering plants year-round: sniffling and sneezing because of pollen, bees and insects invading picnics, and a sweet smell in the air. What many of us fail to realise is how fast flowers come and go. Nowhere is this more evident than in a single-species garden – also called a monoculture…

  • Wisteria in Fukuoka – Purple cascades

    Wisteria in Fukuoka – Purple cascades

    If you are a fan of purple flowers, wisteria (フジの花) may be just the thing for you. Wisteria typically blooms in Japan in late April and early May. Because it is further south in Japan, the wisteria in Fukuoka usually blooms before the wisteria on the islands of Honshu and Hokkaido. One of the best…

  • Sonora Desert Museum, Arizona – Natural history and botanical garden

    Sonora Desert Museum, Arizona – Natural history and botanical garden

    Central and southwestern Arizona is covered by the Sonoran Desert, part of which also lies in California and the Mexican states of Sonora, Baja California and Baja California Sur. West of Tucson, just south of Saguaro National Park, lies the Sonora Desert Museum – a botanical garden, natural history museum, zoo, aquarium and art gallery.…

  • Agua Caliente, Tucson, Arizona – An Oasis in the Desert

    Agua Caliente, Tucson, Arizona – An Oasis in the Desert

    Tucson sits in a desert and has the climate to match. Everywhere you look, there is sand, dust, Saguaro cacti (cactuses) and other spikey plants. You can see a perfect example of the typical, unspoilt landscape at Saguaro National Park, Arizona. However there is also some water here as well – Agua Caliente. Agua Caliente…

  • Saguaro National Park, Arizona – Home of giant Saguaros

    Saguaro National Park, Arizona – Home of giant Saguaros

    Just outside Tucson on both sides, Saguaro National Park is the home of the giant Saguaro cacti. These majestic giants, able to stand tall up to 12 metres (40 feet) tall, dominate the landscape of central and south Arizona as well as Sonora state in Mexico. While you can see them across central and southern…