CHRYSANTHEMUMS
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I had absolutely no interest in chrysanthemums before I came to Japan. I found them rather boring and, honestly, quite ugly. However, imagine my surprise when I first visited a chrysanthemum exhibition not far from my home. This area is famous for its chrysanthemums, and the local city hosts a three-week-long exhibition every year in the fall, complete with competitions and prizes. I was stunned! I had no idea there were so many varieties, colors, shapes, and sizes! Now, I make it a point to attend every year and, as you can imagine, no longer think of them as boring or ugly. Most of the images below are from the local chrysanthemum exhibition, while a few are from local parks and gardens. Enjoy!