July 7, 2014Hike to Mount Nyoho in NikkoIn May, I went back once more to Nikko. This time, I climbed Mount Nyoho (女峰山), the sister peak to the better-known (and barely higher) Mount Nantai (男体山). At 2483m, it was the highest point during my year in Japan. This is the trail direction I followed (except I started at the Futarasan Shrine).CONTINUE READING
May 12, 2014Azalea Festival at the Rikugien GardenThere was an azalea festival held recently at the Rikugien Garden. I went there the first day so the flowers were not in full bloom yet.CONTINUE READING
May 5, 2014Azalea Festival at Shiofune Kannon-ji Temple in OmeWhile I was in the Ome area, I went to see the azalea festival at Shiofune Kannon-ji Temple (塩船観音寺). The temple is surrounded by a huge azalea garden with a giant statue of Kannon watching over it.CONTINUE READING
April 21, 2014Bunkyo Azalea Festival at Nezu ShrineThe Bunkyo Azalea Festival is currently taking place at Nezu Shrine. Its garden contains more than 3,000 azalea plants.CONTINUE READING