Mar Yan

Category: Japan

  • Nagasaki Chinese Lantern Festival

    Nagasaki Chinese Lantern Festival

    Nagasaki City, in Kyushu Japan, celebrates The Lantern Festival every Chinese New Year.

    This year, the Year of the Rooster, celebrated on January 28,2016, marks the opening of the two-week Chinese Lantern Festival in Nagasaki.

    Below are some of the photos I took. Yes, its only a few because I take a lot of photos like crazy. Blame it to the aspiring photographer in me. Or maybe I just love festivals.
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    The lanterns in Chinatown

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    The place was filled with people. You can feel the festive mood.

    One of the giant lanterns that lit up the city.

    Another giant lantern.

    This year’s animal.

    People climbing  up the stairs to the shrine to pray.

    Lanterns in close up.

    The altar where a great crowd of people wanted to see (pray?).

    The dragon – symbol of Chinatown.

    The tallest lantern-the Rooster.

    The Megane Bashi. Megane is eyeglasses in Japanese. The bridge looks like an eyeglasses if seen from afar. The two arches with its reflection on the water look like eyeglasses. 

  • Japanese Elementary School Tour Part 2

    Japanese Elementary School Tour Part 2

    Hello everyone! Here is the second part of our school tour. Come on! Let’s go outside the main building.

    Gymnasium

    city.tomisato.lg.jp

    Here is the gymnasium. The gymnasium is one of the most important and most memorable places in school because this is where the school ceremonies are held. Opening ceremony, entrance ceremony and closing ceremony are held in the gymnasium. P.E classes are sometimes held here too. On rainy days when kids can’t play outside, they play in the gymnasium instead.

    Swimming Pool (Pu-ru)


    gakko.shikokucho.jp

    It doesn’t matter if the school is big (with hundreds of students) or small (with just thirty students all in all), there will always be a swimming pool in its grounds. Elementary students learn swimming twice week starting around the month of June until the end of the first semester before the school closes for summer vacation. This is one thing about Japanese elementary schools that I really like because we don’t have it in our country. We just learn swimming by ourselves.

    Playground (Undojo)

    Author’s photo

    All study no play will certainly make the Japanese children go bored. So the school has a wide playground for the kids to play. They also do their P.E classes here. And of course, this is the venue for the sports festival. It is also very safe and kept clean. No trash or broken glasses whatsoever or anything that could hurt the kids. By the way, If you use your Google map and just wander about, and see a light brown spot on it, that is a school playground! So it’s easy to find a school in Google map by its playground.

    Classrooms (Kyoshitsu)

    blog.tochipro.com

    This is the students’ classroom. Each classroom is equipped with audio video systems. The most number of students in a classroom is forty. Nothing more than that. School in the countrysides has less (I had 8 and my friend has only 3). The classrooms are very well-ventilated with big sliding windows and enough light bulbs. Doors are sliding, too. Each room has (always) two doors. Each of the chair has drawers for the students’ stuff and at the back of the room are cabinets to hold the students’ bags.

    Music Room (Ongakushitshu)

    city.ebina.kanagawa.jp
    In the music room is of course the musical instruments and the star of these instruments is the piano. I like the elementary music in Japan. They always sing songs and the music echoes all over the place. So sweet to hear the kids singing. Such innocent voice.

    Science Room (Rikashitsu)

    tue.edu.city.iwakuni.yamaguchi.jp

    The advancement of technology starts here.This science room is fully equipped. A real laboratory. Complete with all equipments and experiment tables.

    Arts and Crafts Room

    atoriepepe.ti-da.net
    For the artistic and creative hands, this room is heaven. Many students like arts and crafts and when they do it, they are serious. It is really an art. They usually display their work of art in the school lobby and hallways.

    Multi-Purpose Room (Tamokutekishitsu)

    sunface.or.jp

    As the name implies, the multi-purpose room is used for just any purpose. It could be a meeting room for students’ club, a changing room (for P.E uniforms) but more often, it is used as the English room. English classes are held once a week in the elementary schools.

     

    Home Economics Room (Kateikashitsu)

    el.aso.ac.jp
    Like the other rooms, the home economics room is also fully-equipped to develop the kids ability more specifically in cooking. It has stoves in every table and the cabinets are full of kitchen tools and equipments.

    Broadcasting Room(Housoushitsu)

    weblog.city.hamamatsu.szo-ed.jp
    For the young journalist, this room is a very good place for practice. Selected elementary students use the broadcasting room in the morning before classes start (to greet everyone) and during lunch time (to do some announcement and explain the lunch ingredients and nutrition). Teachers also use this for some important announcements.

    Computer Room (Pasokonshitsu)

    ed.city.izumisano.osaka.jp
    Japanese kids start learning about computers in elementary schools. And they have enough high quality computers to speed up their learning. All schools have Internet connection.

    Hand-washing Area (Araiba)

    cms.edu.city.hiroshima.jp
    I would like to mention this area in our tour because this is very important for the kids health. Hand-washing areas are found in every corner or alley of the school. Students are trained to wash they’re hands before and after eating and after playing.
    And there is one place I almost forget to mention which is liked by many students. It is the place where the school keep its pet animals. It is usually rabbits that are kept in that ‘cage’. It’s a big cage and students are trained to take care of the animals.

    Conclusion

    Japanese is being praised around the world for its advance technology, rich culture, clean environment and well-mannered people. If any country would like to imitate Japan, I think it is better if they start imitating Japan’s educational system. Invest in quality education and the rest will follow to the road of success.

  • Japanese Elementary School Tour Part 1

    Japanese Elementary School Tour Part 1

    Japan is a highly educated country. It’s government invest a great amount of its resources on the education sector which is evident on the school resources and facilities. Educational institutions all over Japan are  fully equipped and is therefore a very good training ground for schoolchildren.
    In this article, I will take you inside a Japanese elementary school for you to see and take inspiration in creating an excellent learning environment. Let’s now start our school tour.

    Entrance (Genkan) 

     
    seturakai.seesa.net
    It is very common to have a floor step (a step or two) in the school entrance. It is always elevated from the ground. In the entrance, you will see the school logo and the school name. Take note that the entrance for students is separate from the entrance for teachers and other school workers.

    Shoebox (kutsubaku)

     
    suginami-school.ed.jp

    schoolnet.edu.city.yokosuka.kanagawa.jp
    In Japan, one needs two sets of shoes when going to school. Outdoor shoes and indoor shoes. Upon entering the school entrance, outdoor shoes are put in the shoebox and indoor shoes are used. These shoeboxes are labeled per grade, per class, and per students on each box. The same goes with the teachers. Don’t worry if you visit a school. There are always indoor slippers ready for visitors.

    Hallway (Roka)

    todagumi.com
    Right after the entrance and the shoeboxes is the hallway. The hallway leads to the different parts of the school. This is also where posters and announcements are being displayed.

    Principal’s Office (Kochoshitsu)

    asahi.com
    tokiwae.blog.fc2.com
    The Principal,’as the school’s highest official has a very nice working space, the Principal’s office. It usually has sofa to entertain special guests and a nice long table to conduct important meetings.

    Teachers’ Room (Shokuinshitsu)

    tatemono.art-saitama.jp
    education.city.nonoichi.ishikawa.jp
    The teachers before and after their classes stay, meet and work in the Teachers’ Room. Each teacher has her own table and chair. The tables are lined-up side by side and fronting each other. The tables are grouped according to grade level. The top three school officials (Principal, Vice-Principal and Head Teacher) are positioned in one side of the room with their tables also lined up.

    Registrar’s Office (Jimushitsu)

    tue.edu.city.iwakuni.yamaguchi.jp
    tochigi-film.jp
    The Registrar’s office is where the non-teaching personnel work. School visitors can inquire from here. Teachers also get their school supplies from this room. Everything a teacher needs in class: paper, clips, rubber bands, laminating film, etc.)

    Printing Room (Insatsushitsu)

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    As the school is a paper tiger, a printing room is indeed necessary. Here teachers can do their photocopying and other printing needs. This room is complete with paper cutters and all sizes and sorts of paper.

    Toilet (toire/benjo)

    komei.or.jp
    Toilets are found on each floor of the school. Boys are separate from girls, as well as the teachers toilet with separate females and males.
    Toilets are supplied with unlimited tissue and hand soap. It is kept very clean. Indoor slippers are not used inside the toilet. Toilet slippers are used instead.

    Library (toshokan)

    caritas.or.jp
    Usually on breaktime between the second and third period and after lunch students go to the library. Japanese elementary schools really promote reading among students. They even have a chart to show who has read the most number of books and they also have a regular list of reccomended books to read.

    Clinic (hokenshitsu)

    weblog.citi.hamamatsu-szo.edu.jp
    School clinics are so cool and relaxing. A very accommodating place for kids who get sick while in school. Plus, the school nurse is very kind. The school clinic gets crowded when it’s time to measure students height and weight or if they have dental or eye check up, and in winter when flu spreads.

    Pantry (kyuushokushitsu)

    kurodamich.exblog.jp
    Most schools have their own pantry where the school lunch is being prepared. This area gets very busy during lunchtime when students get their food and utensils and later when they return them after eating. Other schools don’t have pantry but there is a separate area called kyushoku center located where they prepare the lunch for the school’s within the community.
    Let’s have a break. Sit back and relax. Let’s continue our school tour in the next article. In the next part, let’s go outside the main building of the school and see what’s around. See you in a short time.
  • Eat Indian Curry in a Rustic Japanese House

    Eat Indian Curry in a Rustic Japanese House

    Have you ever been to a restaurant that looks nothing like the modern restaurants in the busy streets of big cities but more like grandma’s house  or an ancestral house situated in residential and quiet place?

    There is one Curry restaurant in Koga, Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan, that we always frequent to.

    The Restaurant

    The restaurant’s name is  古々地庵 read as Kokojian. It specializes on Indian curry. The restaurant building is actually an old Japanese house.

    Below are pictures from outside the building.

    Inside the house turned into a restaurant, you can see the Japanese sliding door on your left that leads to the main serving area.

    Below is one of the rustic tables that will greet you once you enter the serving area.

    The biggest table that will catch your attention.


    There are still many other things that will fill your eyes once you visit this restaurant.

    The best part of it is to enjoy their delicious Indian curry.

    You can enjoy eat-all-you-can Nan or cheese nan. You can also choose the level of spiciness from 3-10 stars.

    Location

    Japan, 〒811-3122 Fukuoka-ken, Koga-shi, Komono, 福岡県古賀市薦野１３０２−１

  • How to learn Japanese Fast

    How to learn Japanese Fast

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    You are coming to Japan. Or maybe you are already here. Not as a temporary visitor but for a short-term stay. Maybe you are a student or a contract worker. You need to learn some Japanese. Hurry! Your mind said. You start grabbing a paper and pen ready to scribble some Japanese characters. You search the Internet for Japanese lessons. Perhaps for the first days you are so enthusiastic and excited to learn and use the language, but as soon as you realize that it’s not a straight, paved road to success, you start dwindling down like an old yellow leaf of a Ginko tree.

    What to do? Here are some advice I extracted from my years of experience learning the Japanese language.

    1. Enroll in a Japanese language school. 

    If you want to (really) learn, go to school. Of course you can study on your own and avoid spending money on tuition, but, if you use your hard-earned money to pay tuition, there will be no reason for you to back out and quit studying when times get rough. You will make sure that you will get back every penny you spend by studying hard. Moreover, the classroom atmosphere will help you follow strict rules like attendance and submission of assignments, which, when you just do a self-study, can be easily neglected and disregarded. Most importantly, it is always better and fun to learn when you interact with teachers and classmates.

    me in kyudai

    2. Self-study

    Wether you can afford a language school or not, self-study is not an option. It is a must! Most language schools offer classes only few times a week and this is not effective (that, if you want to learn the language fast). In order to learn a language, you have to do it everyday, at least for the first three months. It is always better to support your formal study with self-study. Even for just an hour a day.
    3. Watch Japanese TV, animes, and movies.

    asiatvforum.com

    Sometimes, it gets so boring learning Japanese from a book. It makes your head heavy and full (of kanji) and you start to dazzle. Have a break (in learning from a book, but not in learning Japanese). Watch Japanese anime or a movie you like (with subtitles will help). Drama, comedy, action, horror. Japanese movies are great. Even Japanese pranks will help. Don’t worry if you don’t understanding everything that you hear. Listening is important. It is the basic of learning a language. You will certainly catch some words used in the movie you watch. By the way, my favorite anime is Chibi Marukochan 🙂
    4. Find a language partner

    language-exchanges.org

    Language is not a language until you use it to communicate. So, while doing 1, 2 and 3 above, it is advisable to find a language partner who can help you practice what you are learning. When I was studying Japanese, I had my Japanese tutor who I met once or twice a week. She is a university volunteer and she likes to learn English, so it was a language exchange. If you have no Japanese friends or you are not in Japan, you can tap another friend who is also learning Japanese and you can set a ‘Japanese only’ time. And don’t forget that the world is in a web. Maybe you can find some in the chat room. Just always be careful about your privacy and be straightforward in the beginning that you just want to practice your Japanese.
    5. Talk to the natives

    The best of all the rest, talk to the natives. When you finally arrive in Japan, don’t be afraid to go out and use the language. Talk to the sales personnel, the station attendant, the waiters and waitresses. Even if you just speak a few words, Japanese will always admire you and say

    “Jouzu”, meaning, you’re good! Join a club where the members are Japanese and try to talk to them. Be friends with them and spend more time with them (than your fellow countrymen). Immerse yourself in the language with the native speakers.
    You can always disregard these advice if you don’t care about learning Japanese fast or simply you’re not interested to learn the language at all.

  • Halo-halo in Japan

    Halo-halo in Japan

    When I did my self-introduction in class, I introduced Halo-halo as one of the Filipino’s favorite desserts. Some students said it is being sold in Mini Stop. So, one afternoon, on my way home,  I dropped by the convenience store Mini Stop and tried the Japanese style Halo-halo.

    I was a little bit disappointed because I was expecting to have the kind of Halo halo that I know.

    Instead, what I got is the one below.


    There are four choices of Halo halo in Moni Stop. From left to right: Halo halo hakutou (white peach), Halo halo ramune (lemon soda), Halo halo kuromitsukinako (soybean in blackhoney?), and Halo halo reitou mikan (frozen oranges). I got the the first one on the left. It cost me ¥270 yen. It’s far from what I know Halo halo is but it’s good as what it is.


    Philippine Halo halo

    Halo halo is a famous dessert in the Philippines. It is made of finely crushed ice, top with fruits (usually jackfruit, banana, avocado,) sweet corn, red and green gelatin, ube, nata de coco, sago, sweet buko (coconut flesh), sweet beans, cornflakes, sugar, milk and finally ube ice cream on top. Halo means mix in English.    You have to mix it before you eat it to enjoy this awesome dessert at its best.


    One serving of Halo halo is about ₱40.00 equivalent to about ¥100.00. “Yasui!!!”, means cheap. As what my students said.

  • Annual Events in Japan

    Annual Events in Japan

    Whether you want to maximize your travel experience or you just want to stock some knowledge in the pocket of your head, it is good to know the annual events of a country we want to visit. Annual events in Japan is called Nenchuu Gyooji 年中行事. Below is a list of holidays and events celebrated all over Japan.1. New Year’s Eve (Oomisuka) and The New Year (Oshoogatsu)

    b-post.com

    This is Japan’s most celebrated event of the year. It is not only a one-day celebration, but it is celebrated for a couple of days. Days before Oomisuka (on the eve of December 31st), Japanese do the “oosouji” (general cleaning) and decorate their houses with kadomatsu (bamboo display), shimenawa (rice straw ornament) and kagami mochi (mirror rice cake) to prepare for the coming New Year. On New Year’s Eve, they eat a special dish called osechi ryouri which symbolizes good fortune for the new year, and toshi-koshi soba (buckwheat noodles) for saying goodbye to the old year. On the first day of the year (gantan), most people watch the first sunrise locally known hatsuhinode and visit shrines and temples known as hatsumoude. And the kids most excited about is receiving their otoshidama, a money-gift from parents and relatives.2. Bean-Throwing Ceremony (Setsubun)

    goldenjipangu.com

    Setsubun, literally means “seasonal division”, is a celebration for the last day of winter in the traditional Japanese calendar (usually February 3 or 4). During the celebration, Japanese throw beans to drive away the demons (usually played by the father wearing a demon’s mask) and draw in happiness. While throwing the beans they shout “Oni wa soto, fuku wa uchi” (Demons out, happiness in.) And at the end, you have to eat as many beans as your age.

    3. Valentine’s Day


    qualiajournal.blogspot.com
    On February 14th, while many women in most countries are feeling elated with all the love and admirations, chocolates, flowers and balloons they receive from their boyfriends and admirers, Japan does the opposite. It is customary for women to give chocolates to the man they admire. However, nowadays, giving chocolates to friends (tomochoco) is becoming common.
    4. Girls’ Festival (Hinamatsuri)
    aboutmauinui.com

    On the third day of March, families with girls celebrate their daughters’ good health, growth and prosperity. Hinamatsuri, also called Doll’s Festival in English, is a one-day celebration when you can see a display of dolls on a seven-tiered platform (sometimes five) covered with red cloth. Different sizes of dolls and other miniatures are displayed on each platform. It is also common to see just one platform (the top platform) with two dolls – the emperor and the empress.

    5. White Day


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    White Day is, as far as I know, an event celebrated only in Japan. On March 14th, a month after Valentine’s Day, men are expected to give back to women in twice or thrice the amount of whatever they received on Valentine’s Day. For some men, it is “mendoukusai” (troublesome) so they don’t do it which disappoints women, but, many are still living the culture and makes the heart of women sing in a nice melody.

    6. Children’s Day (Kodomo no hi)

    chengtsui.com

    Although it is called Children’s day, the focus is more on boys. Celebrated every fifth of May, families with boys put up carp streamers known in Japanese as “koinobori” to wish for their son’s health and vitality. Carp symbolizes courage and strength because of its ability to swim against the strong current. Typically, carp streamers are arranged in order from the biggest and colored black to represent the father of the family, red as second to represent the mother, and the smaller carps represent the boys.

    7. The Star Festival (Tanabata)

    scccjapan.com

    Tanabata is celebrated on July 7th (August 7th in some places) based on the legend of the star Altair and the star Vega. Japanese write their wishes on a strip of colored paper and hang it on a bamboo.8. Obon Festival (Obon)


    thejapans.org

    Celebrated on July 13-15 or August 13-15 in Japan, Obon is a Buddhist custom where it is believed that the spirits of ancestors are said to return home. To welcome the spirits, families lit lanterns called “mukaebi” on the eve of 13th and “okoribi” on the eve of 16th to send the spirits back to their graves. The highlight is the Obon dance, a traditional dance which vary according to regions. People in yukata (summer kimono) gather (usually in the community center or parks) and dance in a circle following the simple rhythm of taiko (Japanese drums.) Anybody can join and so I did.

    9. Moonviewing (Otsukimi)


    inhamatsu.com

    In the middle of September, Japanese enjoy viewing the full moon while eating rice cake. This event is also known as Jugoya. Around this time in Autumn, the moon is big and bright and according to Japanese legends a rabbit pounding rice cake can be seen in the moon. It is also the time to celebrate the good harvest.

    10. Festival for 7,5,3-year-old children (shichigosan)


    sakurahostel.com.jp
    This is a celebration for children aged seven, five and three. Girls celebrate at the age of three and seven, while boys celebrate at the age of three and five. Parents take their children in kimono to shrines and offer prayers for the children’s health and good fortune.
  • Discover Fukuoka, The Queen City of Kyushu

    Discover Fukuoka, The Queen City of Kyushu

    You heard about Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto and Hiroshima for sure, but what about Fukuoka? Where is it located in Japan? Is it as nice as the other big cities I mentioned?

    Fukuoka City in Fukuoka Prefecture is located in Kyushu, one of the four main islands in Japan. The other three main islands are Hokkaido, Honshu and Shikoku. Most of the big and famous cities are located in Honshu, where the capital Tokyo is. So, what’s in Fukuoka?

    People

    Generally speaking, Japanese people are well-known to be kind. They are very disciplined and considerate of others. It is embedded in their culture. On the not so positive side, they tend be shy and rather shun away from foreigners. It is not that case in Fukuoka. Most of the people in Fukuoka are open to foreigners. They are very outgoing and are well-known as the friendliest people all over Japan. They like to engage in conversation with foreigners. Be always prepared to say “Konnichiwa” and answer questions such as “Where are you from?” and “Why did you come to Japan?” anytime.

    Landmarks

    When in Fukuoka, go to Fukuoka Tower and see the amazing view of the city; go to the nearby Ohori park and take a walk around the big pond; go to Tenjin and shop until you drop; go to Hakata and enjoy the blend of culture and tradition and industrialization. Take note, you can go to anywhere in Japan from Hakata station – the gateway of the city.  Enjoy outdoor recreation in Nokonoshima Island and Uminonakamichi. 

    Fukuoka Tower

    2 Chome-2-3-26 Momochihama, Sawara Ward, Fukuoka, Fukuoka Prefecture 814-0001

    Ohori Park

    〒810-0051, 福岡県福岡市中央区大濠公園

    Tenjin

    Hakata Station

    Food

    When in Japan, try eating the very popular noodle soup called Ramen. And when it’s Ramen, it should be Hakata Ramen in Fukuoka. There are so many different flavours of Ramen according to regional taste. But, I bet, the best Ramen is Hakata Ramen. 

    Conclusion

    A gem in the southwest Japan, Fukuoka, is indeed a great vacation destination or more than that, a good place to reside. It might not be as big and famous as other big cities throughout Japan, but it has its own glamour and charm. There are so many fun things you can do and great things you can find in Fukuoka. Go! Get there! Discover and experience it yourself.

  • Rose Festival in Huis Ten Bosch

    Rose Festival in Huis Ten Bosch

    Rose and festival – two completely different words but are both related to love, happiness and celebration. Just imagine these two words being used together. It is indisputably pleasurable experience.

    The Location

    Huis Ten Bosch is a Dutch-inspired theme park in Nagasaki. It is a huge park where the buildings and surroundings would make you feel you are in Europe, but in fact you are in the island of Kyushu, Japan. Here is the location: 1-1 Huis Ten Bosch Machi, Sasebo, Nagasaki Prefecture 859-3292

    You can do so many fun things in this park, but here I will talk primarily about the theme park’s Rose Festival occurring in spring(around May to June).

       

     

    All About Roses

    One of the grandest flower celebrations in Huis Ten Bosch in Nagasaki is the Rose Festival. By the name itself, rose fanatics will certainly go crazy about it. The park boasts of its one thousand varieties of rose which blooms in full during this event. There you will see that roses are not just red. There are so many different shades of colors. There are shades of red, pink, purple, yellow, orange. A blast of colors everywhere. Also you will see roses in different sizes and forms. Big, small, tiny. There are even single-petalled roses.The kinds or roses that you may have never seen before. It’s absolutely amazing!

    My Experience 

    I can still remember even now how unexplainable the feeling was when I first experienced it four years ago. It was like heaven on earth. I was surrounded with roses. Everywhere I turned, there were roses. I smelled the air, smiled and said ‘cheese’ to my camera. And almost everyone who was there was doing the same. The sweet smell of the air was so amazingly pleasant. It was like I was in a fragrance commercial tipping my head back smelling the air.  It was ecstasy! That spot where roses of all colors and all sizes bloom is more than a ‘bed’ of roses. It was a ‘world’ of roses. 

    Conclusion

    If you like the pictures, how much more in  person? With its pretty colors, soft petals and pleasant fragrant, roses are just wonderful. A true nature’s gift. No wonder why so many girls are named Rose. It doesn’t only mean a flower. It means beauty. It means magnificence.

  • Sakura and Other Flowers That Bloom in Spring 

    Sakura and Other Flowers That Bloom in Spring 

     

     

    Sakura

    Sakura is undebatably the most famous seasonal flower in Japan. It is the symbol of spring. People from all over Japan look forward to this season, when they can roll open their picnic mats and gather over a neatly-packed bento and cans of beer while viewing the pretty cherry blossoms.  It is undoubtedly the most awaited season after the long cold winter months. Sakura viewing signals the start of the warm season of spring.

    Plum blossoms


    What signals the blooming of sakura? Most people from outside Japan do not know that before sakura blooms, an equally beautiful and stunning flower worthy of praise and gaze flourishes. It is the plum blossoms, known as Ume in Japanese.

    Ume, like Sakura, come in many varieties. It also can be seen everywhere in Japan. Many foreigners have mistakenly thought Ume as Sakura. Dazaifu Tenmango Shrine in Kyushu is a famous place for plum blossom viewing which occurs in mid-February to March. Here is the exact address: 〒818-0117 Fukuoka Prefecture, Dazaifu, Saifu, 4 Chome−7 宰府４丁目７−１ Dazaifu Tenman-gū

    Nanohana

    Yellow, yellow, yellow everywhere. Another awesome blooms in spring is Nanohana.

    They usually grow near riverbanks and ricefields. Its bright yellow color will surely brighten up your day.

    Wisteria


    One of the most fragrant and amazing spring blooms is Wisteria. There are also many varieties but  the most common is the purple one.  It blooms from a tree and spreads wide. One of the most famous wisteria viewing place is the wisteria tunnel which can be found in Kitakyushu, Fukuoka.

    This is the exact address:

    〒805-0045 Fukuoka Prefecture, Kitakyushu, Yahatahigashi-ku, Kawachi, ２丁目２−４８ 河内藤園

    Azalea


    Another spring blossoms that paints the surroundings with different waves of colors is Azalea. It is known as tsutsuji in Japanese. It can also be seen typically anywhere. In the park, the neighbors’ garden, temples and shrines, sidewalk. It looks like small lilies.

    There are so many flowers that bloom in spring. Not only Sakura. They bloom everywhere. They come in many different vibrant colors. Some are fragrant, some are not. All these flowers make spring a season to look forward to. And all these flowers, sad to say, are short-lived. Two weeks, three weeks, a month maybe and they’re gone. They fall to the ground and be swept by the wind. Gone in the soil. Another year to wait.