Sign in Seasons – Jun-Spade

Fall colors with hot springs in Hakone

November 28, 2019 jsukigara

Hakone is one of the nearest Hot Springs and the beautiful sights. Although the fall coming has been getting delayed due to the impact of global warming anywhere, finally the leaves are changing to Red and Yellow at the end of November at Hakone area.

Early sunny morning, it’s getting pretty colder, then the steam is coming from the surface of Lake Ashinoko. It’s a kind of fantastic illusion. Then around Lake Ashinoko, mountains and forests are ablaze with fall colors. One of the most popular scenery in Hakone is the one from Motohakone. The beautiful contrast of snow-capped Mt. Fuji, red gateway of Hakone shrine, sightseeing pirate ships and deep blue color of Lake Ashinoko.

After the few weeks closure due to the damage of several heavy typhoon coming this year, Owakudani is opening again. Owakudani means a great bubbling valley and is the place where you can see the real volcanic activity and smell volcanic gases such as H2S (Hydrogen Sulfide) and SO2 (Sulfur Dioxide) detrimental to our health. It was created by volcanic activity of central cone called Kami-yama (1438 meters above sea level and the highest of all Mt. Hakone) about 3,000 years ago. Owakudani is one of the most scenic Mt. Fuji observatory places as well as Otome pass, Mikuni pass, Mt. Taikan and Motohakone.

Autumn in Okunikko

November 22, 2019 jsukigara

Nikko is one of the easy access resort places from Tokyo Metropolitan. Getting up early morning, then driving over 2 hours, we can see the sun rising at Akechidaira Plateau, is located near the top of Iroha Slope, just beyond the Nikko city. Nikko is very famous as “World Heritage”, Sanctuary of Syncretism of Shinto and Buddhism. Nikko Toshogu Shrine cerebrated its 400^thanniversary in 2015 as one of the most memorable historical sights. However, we are skipping Nikko city today, due to enjoy the day trip to Okunikko, to feel the earliest fall season in the Metropolitan area.

Around the lake Chuzenji-ko, there are lots of scenic places especially in early fall because of the temperature gap between day and night, then colorful leaves are changing to impressive red, orange and yellow. The Chuzenji Temple and the observatory of Mt. Hangetsu are the beautiful spots that can see the beautiful colored leaves around blue lake Chuzenji-ko and Mt. Nantai-san. At the lakeside near Chuzenji Kanaya Hotel, memorable and impressive colored leaves of maple & are there. In addition, Ryuzunotaki Falls, Yunoko Lake and Senjyogahara marshy field are welcoming with their beautiful autumn colors to make a striking contrast to blue and clear sky.
(2019 late October)

Mt. Goryudake in Summer

July 29, 2019 jsukigara

Mt. Goryudake is one of the most spectacular mountains in Japan North Alps. After a night stay in the hut just under Mt. Karamatsudake (2,696m) that is located at upper part of Happouone in Hakuba, one of the most famous mountain resorts in Japan, we can see the impressive sunrise at the hut area early in the morning. From the hut to the top of Mt. Goryudake, it takes 3-4 hours mountain walking in the fresh air. Although the walking to the top is not easy, the fantastic and magnificent mountains view is waiting. At the top of Mt. Goryudake (2,814m), toward north, Hakuba three mountains (Mt. Shiroumadake, Shakushidake, Hakuba-Yarigatake) are overlooks, then South side, Mt. Kashimayarigatake is towering. Additionally, West side, overwhelming views of the peaks of Tateyama and Mt. Tsurugidake are impressed. Not only a moving mountain view, some alpine plants please our eyes. In Summer, tiny and colorful Komakusa, Nikko-Kisuge, Hakusan-Furo and so on are blooming here and there.

Elegant Rose Season

May 18, 2019 jsukigara

One of the most elegant and beautiful seasons has come to Tokyo in the middle of May. The colorful and lovely roses are blooming in the park: Red, White, Yellow, Pink and so on. Moreover, some of the roses smell sweet, and they bring us the fantastic, delightful and happy feeling. They also give us the deep healing as an oasis in the metropolis.

Spring in Hokkaido

May 8, 2019 jsukigara

Hokkaido is the northernmost island of Japan. So, spring has come at the beginnings of May, as the latest spring in Japan.
Goryokaku, located in Hakodate, is a starshaped fortress in Tokugawa era, which was originally built in 1864 to defend Hokkaido against northern invasion. It is known as the first and the largest Western-style fortress in Japan, where the final battle, the Battle of Hakodate, was fought between the Imperial Force and the last remaining supporters of the Tokugawa shogunate. The site of the fortress was later converted into a park and is now an immensely popular viewing spot for cherry blossoms. In the first weekend of May, first weekend of newly started Reiwa era, many people have enjoyed Hanami party there.
Shiretoko National Park on the Shiretoko Peninsula in northeastern Hokkaido is a pristine wilderness area inhabited by countless species of wildlife, which consists of virgin forests, caldera lakes, volcanoes, and coastal cliffs. This World Natural Heritage-listed site is famous for Hokkaido’s highest volcanic mountain named Mt. Rausu, which is reflected on the breathtaking Shiretoko Five Lakes. In early spring, although Shiretoko is still windy and cold, the series of mountains, including Mt. Rausu, with remaining snow are impressively beautiful.

Last flurry of cherry blossoms

April 15, 2019 jsukigara

At still cold Spring Equinox Day in Tokyo, the awaited announcement that the cherry trees are in bloom has come eventually. Although the first cherry bloom has come to Tokyo, because of rather colder final week of March, the most of cherry trees have bloomed step by step with rather slower pace. Then people have to have enjoyed “Hanami” party in a little bit cold weather, they have also been enjoying it longer than usual year by first weekend of April.
In the historical final weeks of Heisei era, people have been fully enjoyed last cherry blossoms each by each with their heart’s content deeply. What a beautiful, romantic and healing flurry of cherry blossoms in Tokyo!

Signs of early Spring

February 11, 2019April 10, 2019 jsukigara

It’s still the coldest season of the year in Tokyo even in the bright sunshine. Early morning frost has formed into ice needles on the ground, and ice has also formed on the pond over the sleeping Japanese killifish. Although the trees are still bare, the season has been changed step by step, then the sign of early Spring has come at the beginnings of February. Chimonanthus praecox begins to bloom and smells sweet here and there. Then red and white plum blossoms bloom. Cheerful and yellow Adonis ramosa is blooming on the ground bathed in sunshine. Everyone is waiting the cherry blossom season that will come to Tokyo within 6 or 7 weeks, the end of March. (2019 early February)

New Year Decorations

January 23, 2019 jsukigara

New Year’s Day is a very important day for Japanese people as a sacred year beginning. Each of the houses decorate the entrance with pine, bamboo, plum, straw rope and so on that is like a Christmas wreath in Western countries. Many people go to shrines to make wishes for coming year. (2019 early January)

Colorful Leaves in Metropolitan

January 23, 2019 jsukigara

The beginnings of December, Tokyo Metropolitan meets with the colorful autumn leaves one or two months later than the mountain and country sights in Japan. Lots of maple and ginkgo leaves turn to red and yellow anywhere in the parks and gardens all around Tokyo. After the falling of beautiful red and yellow leaves, Tokyo welcomes one of the most celebratory Christmas and New Year season. (2018 early December)

Hot Spring in Kusatsu

January 14, 2019January 14, 2019 jsukigara

Kusatsu is one of the most celebrated hot spring in Japan, located 3 hours from Tokyo, in northern Gunma prefecture. It’s about 1 hour from Karuizawa and Mt. & Lake Haruna, very popular resort sights around there.
The hot spring in Kusatsu is known as the highest medical virtues of the water as well as Arima and Matsunoyama, called three highest quality hot springs in Japan. It springs more than 30,000 liters every minutes naturally, as the largest amount of water. It also noted for its therapeutic effects with strong acid springs with sterilizing power. Moreover, although the temperature of the water is between 50 to 90℃, too hot to bathe, people do not fill the water at all to keep the spring quality. Then the people in this spa village have made several efforts cooling down the hot spring without additional water. One is manual cooling down by wooden board called “Yumomi”. Another one is very famous symbol, “Yubatake”, that is located in center of the village, long wooden way cooling down the hot spring naturally. Looking at “Yubatake” closely, foggy steam and sulfurous smell could be quite impressive.
In early winter, it is a little bit cold in the morning and evening, then it comes the best season for the hot spring bathing. Try and enjoy the most powerful hot spring in Kusatsu with its unspoiled natural beauty.
(2018 early Nov.)