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The last 2 months have been a whirlwind of activity including the usual Christmas busyness, several unexpected turns of events (all good but they took time), and a one-month visit to Canada to spend time with my parents. Whew! I returned last week expecting to leave Canadian winter behind, only to discover that Japan was experiencing a record-breaking cold spell! For one week Osaka was colder than Vancouver every single day! Yikes! (Keep in mind we don't have central heating so when the temperatures go below freezing, we are COLD!) So, although it's plum blossom season, I wasn't very optimistic when my husband suggested we visit the plum blossom orchard at Yamada Ike Park yesterday. However, to my delight, the plum trees had started to bloom, though they were only at about 30%. Here's some of what I saw yesterday.       The plum blossom orchard in Yamada Ike Park, Hirakata, Japan. Soon this will be a riot of color.
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On Awaji Shima, there is a famous weeping plum tree called 八木のしだれ梅 (Yagi No Shidare Ume / Yagi's Weeping Plum). It's a single tree and is spectacular when it is in full bloom! It's located in the countryside at the Murakami residence and is a popular place to visit in the early spring. This was our second visit to see this tree. The first time the tree was in full bloom. This time, it still had at least another week to go, even though we were visiting on the exact same day as the year before. Ah, well. It had been unusually cold for most of February, resulting in everything being a bit behind. Not to worry, though! It was still stunning. If you'd like to know more about the tree, visit the links below. English: https://yousakana.jp/weeping-plum/ Japanese: https://kankouawaji.com/yagiplum18/ (Oh, by the way! The last time we visited, they were selling small weeping plum trees - the same kind as the one in their yard. We bought one, brought it home, and this spring, it bloomed! I posted a photo of it on February 28th.)  Yagi's Weeping Plum Tree at the Murakami residence, Awaji Shima, Japan  Yagi's Weeping Plum Blossoms, Awaji Shima, Japan  Yagi's Weeping Plum Blossoms, Awaji Shima, Japan  Yagi's Weeping Plum Blossoms, Awaji Shima, Japan  The Murakami residence, Awaji Shima, Japan  Looking away from the Murakami residence, Awaji Shima, Japan (My husband is heading for the car. The parking lot is usually full but not today.) February has been unusually cold with strong, gusty winds. As a result, signs of spring have been showing up later than usual, and I have been getting rather impatient. Here and there, plum blossoms have finally started blooming, and I have been checking my plum trees daily. Not yet... Not yet... YES! I have plum blossoms at last! Spring is really here! \(^.^)/ The photo below is the first bloom on a small tree we bought last spring while visiting Awaji Shima. Plum trees can be a little fussy, so I'm pleased that mine survived the winter and seems healthy and happy.  Plum blossoms in My Garden Spring is in the air! It's still cold out, and we have been known to have snow this time of year. Regardless, spring is in the air! Buds are starting to form on branches, and, on the ground, there are sprouts of green here and there. What has us all most excited is that the plum blossoms are starting to bloom! The local park has a small hill covered in varieties of plum trees, so a few days ago, we spent a lovely afternoon enjoying the blossoms. There are many varieties, and some were well on their way while others seemed to be just thinking about blooming. I'm looking forward to returning soon.  Plum Blossoms, Yamada Ike Park, Hirakata, Japan  Plum Blossoms, Yamada Ike Park, Hirakata, Japan  Plum Blossoms, Yamada Ike Park, Hirakata, Japan  Plum Blossoms, Yamada Ike Park, Hirakata, Japan Are you familiar with Hirano Shrine in northwest Kyoto? I've been going there for years since we use Hirano Shrine's parking lot whenever we go to the monthly temple sale at Kitano Tenmangu Shrine, right next door. I've always enjoyed Hirano Shrine because of its early blooming plum trees and the lovely park connected to it full of irises, or spider lilies, depending on the time of year. What I did not know until today is that it's one of the top spots for cherry blossom viewing in Kyoto! The season isn't far away! I recommend a visit! These photos were taken on January 25th at Hirano Shrine. Ah, such a beautiful day! And the temple sale next door did not disappoint! For more information about the Cherry Blossom Festival at Hirano Shrine: https://en.japantravel.com/kyoto/cherry-blossom-festival-at-hirano-shrine/66567  Hirano Shrine, Kyoto  Plum Blossoms  Narcissus |
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I'm a photographer based in Osaka, Japan. I like to share.
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