5-15-2011

Okay, this is the last photo of these bushes this season, I promise. It's just that they're EVERYWHERE and rather photogenic. Okay, okay, say goodbye to the mystery bush. I'll try not to photograph them anymore.

5-8-2011

My stepmom used to keep two types of purple clematis in the front flower box in Michigan. She kept trellises for them to climb. They never filled out the trellises but I still remember the flower. Apparently there are over 300 varieties. And from the many clematis I've seen in Japan, they're all over the world too.

5-7-2011

This flower caught my attention from across a parking lot while waiting for my bus. It never ceases to amaze me how bright the coloring of flowers is in Japan. I wonder if it's the volcanic soil...?

5-6-2011

While I'm not particularly partial to these flowers, it's nice how the bushes are completely covered in blossoms for almost an entire month. The varieties range from pinks, purples and reds to pure white and everything in between. They're a nice background for spring, although I don't know if I would consider planting them in my yard, since they're so common here.

5-4-2011

The Japanese love playing on words. The area of Tokyo I live in is called Ikebukuro. There is a distinct owl theme to the area, mainly because owl in Japanese is fukurou. Of course, they couldn't pass up the chance to have "IkeFukurou" everywhere. I guess it's okay; it makes shopping for my owl-loving family easier.

5-2-2011

Irises are one of my favorite flowers. The sheer number of varieties is spectacular.

4-28-2011

While the Japanese learn flower names from the time they are young, I don't have that in my favor.  As such, I have no idea what these are, but they're everywhere in Tokyo right now.  They are mostly pink, red, purple and white, but there are a few other colors too.  It's interesting to see whole bushes looking like bridal bouquets, which is what Tokyo spring feels like.

4-23-2011

There is always something blooming in Japan. It's kind of amazing. At the same time, the vibrancy of the blossoms is also something fascinating. I wonder if it's related to the soil or something else.

4-20-2011

In Japan, people go crazy over decorated nails. I'm personally not willing to pay someone lots of money to keep my nails looking nice (at least not yet), so I do them myself.

Here's my attempt at some festive flowers for cherry blossom season.

4-19-2011

These mini sakura cheesecase and macha desserts are little tastes of heaven.  Now I have to find sakura liqueur, which is apparently not seasonal.  And I also need to find the blossoms used in food...

4-15-2011

Mochi dango are a constant experiment for me.  There's a dango shop in Kamakura that has seasonal flavors as well as some unusual regulars.  From the top are sakura paste, honey-lemon paste and sakura matarashi.  Unfortunately, the weather caused them to turn before I could eat them. *sad face*

4-9-2011

I'm a sucker for bright pink cherry blossoms.  These were found in Kamakura in the garden near the Daibutsu (Big Buddha statue).  We decided to stop there for lunch and to admire the pretty pink.

4-2-2011

For my birthday I wanted to walk through Yoyogi park with glasses of wine while looking at sakura. I got my wish and also found some gloriously pink blossoms. The Japanese prefer the pale pink ones that are almost white, but I like these better.

3-29-2011

Walking back to the station, I stumbled upon these. At first I thought they may have blown over from the flower shop, but it's obvious these blooms were put here on purpose for people to enjoy. it makes sense to do if they fell off the plants anyway, and my friend and I certainly enjoyed them.

3-5-2011

This morning on my way out I noticed a tree of plum blossoms.  Before the coveted cherry blossoms come out, these bloom all over and confuse many of us.  Just today I heard that there are also plum blossom viewing parties, although in my opinion it's still too cold to sit outside and look at flowers.

I prefer peach blossoms, though they're in early February and there's not a chance I'd sit under a peach blossom tree that time of year.

3-4-2011

You know it's spring when you start seeing brightly-colored flowers all over the place.  Honestly, there are beautiful flowers all the time in Japan, although it does seem like the plants save the brightest for spring.

2-1-2011

The kindergarten I teach English at had these on the counter in the library where I prepare for my lessons.  My best guess is the flower garlands were made in preparation for spring.  It's only February, but spring is coming.

1-19-2011

In Osaka there's a lot more space than in Tokyo.  Along Midosuji street, there are bridges with planters along the pedestrian walkways.  It looks really nice with the general design of the bridge too.  Tokyo isn't nearly as pretty as Osaka in most places, which really is too bad.

11-28-2010

This rose was the centerpiece of my table for Thanksgiving.  The photos looked so nice that I couldn't choose one.  Instead here's a collage.

11-19-2010

In the country, sometimes flowers grow out of the rock walls surrounding homes or other areas.  It's not as common in Tokyo because of the upkeep (and the general lack of this type of wall), but it looks nice and brightens up the rock walls.