Nikko National Park, Hikes and Fall Color.

 

 

 

Autumn in Nikko, Japan is the best season to visit the Unesco World Heritage sites and the Nikko National park in Tochigi Prefecture. Targeting the end of my adventure in Japan to see these historic sites along with getting to see some fall colors, I imagined, would be the perfect capping of my Japanese Odyssey. After researching extensively on the heritage sites and the transition to the fall season (which occurs more in the later part of November), I hoped the timing would be perfect to capture both experiences.

Having just finished some extensive tours of heritage sites in Kyoto, Nara and Kamakura, I was a little bit "templed out" from seeing more sites which were starting to blur from the multiples of artwork and detailed carvings at each site. In order to prevent a fast burn out, I decided to take a more laid back approach and follow my B&B host's tip on a more sedate hike along the Daiya river, passing the iconic red Shinkyo bridge, and the gateway to the national park grounds. Even though the bridge is on everyone's first "Must do photo shot", I thought it was quite beautiful framed with the first hint of autumn's glory and the range of pale blue mountains in the distance.

 

 

 

 

 

Walking along the river, I start seeing more fall foliage with the pyracantha, aralia and japanese maples starting their colorful transformation to burnt oranges, ochres and indian red leaved foliage. Even though this area is just getting starting to transition to autumn, I can already envision what this whole view will look like a few weeks filled with vibrant fall colors all along the river banks and into the hillsides.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Continuing along the trail, I trudge onward through a forested area. The river gets very narrow and is hidden from view from thick jungle, but then suddenly becomes dramatically visible against huge and rounded boulders lining the curved banks. The river is swirling into aqua blue pools and short waterfalls cascading down their banks. Its stunning, and I breath deeply while taking in all the woody and pastoral views to this scenic panorama. 

 

 

Continuing along the solitary path,  I pass by a few locals walking around the paths with their dogs, conversing (I imagine) about the day's happenings and some juicy gossip while the dogs run around aimlessly through the graveled areas.  Finally, I reach my destination and walk through the dilapidated wooden arbor into the Jizu shrine - its mostly a string of almost seventy Buddha-like statues lining the banks of the Daiya river.  Each Buddha is donning a fuchsia red bib and matching crochet hat. I didn't really know the significance of these Buddha's until I researched and found out that they represent Bodhisattva who console those that are traveling or deceased souls awaiting rebirth, hence the formations along the pathways and river banks greeting travelers in their midst.

 

 In Japanese they are called Bake-Jizo or Hyaku-jizu. This solo Bake-jizu seemed to have lost its cap but gained a pair of white miniature straw slippers.  Enveloped with a verdant green body of thick moss, lichen and ferns, I almost wanted to take this and bring it back home (I wish) and make a perfect addition to my zen garden.

 

 

 

 On the other side of the river is the Nikko botanical garden, and you could just see some small  waterfalls,walking trails and a variety of maples turning colors along the river bank. Unfortunately, there were no crossing to the other side so I could not visit the garden on this tour, but getting a glimpse from the other side was a nice visual treat.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Climbing over some boulders to a small pagoda overlooking the river, I sit a spell to take it all in and cherish this special moment  - knowing that my trip will be ending very soon. I'm quite content to have started the last part of my visit in Nikko with an easy walk just to reflect on my travels in Japan and enjoy the panorama around me. This spot was also perfect for capturing some great photos with a nice vantage point of the riverbanks and valley.

 

 

 

The trail continues climbing through some stone walkways all the way to the top of this hillside where there is a small waterfall.  At this point, I decide to head back down to the city because dusk is falling quickly and I want to make sure that I wouldn't get lost in the dark on the way back into town. It was a fantastic hike and I was ready to enjoy the heritage sites in the following day ahead.




 

A Visit to Nagoya in Central Japan

Nagoya doesn't seem to be on most visitor's wish list in visiting Japan, outside of making train connections to various places of interest within the region. In fact, I was just doing that and making a one day/evening excursion before I head out to the foothills around the Japanese Alps.

Surprisingly, there is alot to see in Nagoya. I had a very tight schedule of places to visit in just one  day including the local shinto shrine at Atsuta, just outside of the main downtown area.  Shinto, which is the indigenous religion of Japan followed beliefs of sacred spirits forming from organic and natural representations of rain, wind, mountains, rivers and other organic matter. In adhering to these principles, the areas around the shrines are also organic and utilize wood, stone and other natural materials for building structures, walkways and their gardens.

 

(Beautiful walkways and bridges passing multiple streams and rivers along the

route to the main temple)

The approach to this shrine is similar to most Shinto shrines with long and contemplative gravel paths leading to the main shrine and other adjunct buildings. Old trees are revered here especially the ancient cypress trees that rare in these environments and were used in building the temples. The large tree below is wrapped in heavy cord and paper to symbolize entering a holy and spritual place. Large casks of sake sometimes made around the shrines or donated by local groups are assembled and displayed as offerings to the shrine.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

At the main Asuta shrine, various activities are practised daily outside of personal visits to the shrine. Fortunately on the Sunday I was there, a wedding was in progress and there were families visiting with their children dressed in elaborate costumes of beautiful geishas and little shogun lords. 

 

 

 

 

Large ornate lanterns are found throughout the shrine area for illumination at twilight and night time. This huge lantern along the pathway leading to the main shrine is over twenty foot tall, one of the largest lanterns I've seen on my journey.

I was able to photograph this happy couple posing for a special moment next to the shrine with their elaborate and gorgeous wedding outfits. ( I happened to be standing right next to the official photographer so the timing was perfect!)

 

 

 

I happened upon another special celebrations occuring that Sunday, a Japanese tradition with families bringing their young girls between 5 and seven, and young boys between three and five to have their young children blessed and attend special ceremonies at the shrines. The children are dressed in colorful outfits for the blessing ceremony at the temple, and of course alot of picture taking. Japanese people are not shy about taking pictures and allowing others to take pictures of their children unlike other cultures that do not like photographs being taken of their children.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Entire families come regularly for pilgrimage to the shrine and receive blessings and good luck from religious practitioners at the shrine.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What an excellent visit, this last photo shows a sweet girl who wanted to sing me a little song which I couldn't understand but still enjoyed.

 

 

I enjoyed my visit to the shrine at Atsuta along with a buddist temple and a visit to a reconstructed castle in the center of the city, alot to see in one day. I wish I had more time to see some of the other attractions that were on my list, but the timeframe was limited to places I had already planned out for my intinerary.  For a very limited timeframe, Nagoya is a perfect place to visit and see some amazing sites only to be found in this region.

 

 

 

 

  

Konichiwaaaaah, Japan Here I come

Konichiwa.....A Plant Fantatic is going to be on a short hiatus for an autumn vacation to Japan.
Its going to be a fun explorating the ancient capitals seeing all the amazing sites in Japan. I'm really looking forward to the autumn colors and festivals that maybe occuring along my journey, not to mention all the beautiful gardens that will be in their primary fall colors. (Although I keep reading that peak fall throughout Japan happens in the mid-November timeframe - so we shall see)

Stay tuned for some amazing updates from Japan. Meanwhile, I'll leave you with an authentic tea ceremony  performed at our local tea house in the Queen Liliuokalani gardens at Hilo.

Sayonaaaaaraaaa!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Taste of the Hawaiian Range–A Foodie Extravaganza

For foodies living or visiting Hawaii island, this Friday’s Taste of the Hawaiian range at the Hilton Waikoloa Village was an amazing tasting event to experience.



(The audience awaits anxiously for the conch shell to announce the start of this tasting event)



With over 35 of Hawaii’s best restaurants participating, the entire event was a feast for the eyes and of course the tummy. Each restaurant was given a different portion of locally grown grass-fed beef and they delivered amazing tasty pupus (appetizers) to wow the audience.



(Town restaurant presents its Hawaiian version of shepherds pie with mutton)





The Taste of the Hawaiian Range is an event that focuses on promoting and educating audiences to support local production and visit markets, restaurants and providers of locally grown produce and sustainable grass-fed beef.










A few audience members were skittish about trying beef mountain oysters that were presented by the Honolulu Burger Company, but those that were brave enough to take a bite were pleasantly surprised by the onolicious and varied textures from this pupu (appetizer)



(Mountain oysters from Honolulu Burger company)





There were many produce providers and growers in attendance including local CSA’s that service the West Hawaii county markets. The variety of food grown in Hawaii is outstanding and quite amazing when purchased fresh from the market to prepare a meal.







The Mauna Kea Beach Resort Hotel presents their cut of beef, oxtail soup and just-poured broth that smelled and tasted amazing – its all about the broth in this soup!







(A detail shot of the oxtail soup below, what a taste!)






Even edible fuschia flowers were presented on this delicious manapua dish from 
The Blue Dragon made with sweet guava and bok choy kimchee.







Lots of vendors were participating at this locally grown event including coffee and tea growers, candies, fruit and vegetable farmers, honey and even a saddle maker Ka Hana No’eau showing their hand made saddles below.





This popular event seems to be getting bigger every year and support for locally grown produce, providers, markets and restaurants is clearly becoming a norm on Hawaii island. When there are so many amazing restaurants supporting island growers, it’s a nice way of keeping the local economy thriving – one tasty bite at a time.

An Orchid Fashion Show in Hawaii

 

 

One of the best new events at the Orchid Show this year was a the orchid fashion walk and it was really spectacular to see beautiful women and one orchid creature strut down the runway.

 

 

 

There were all shapes and sizes of orchids worn by Hilo Orchid Society members, donning their best show outfits to complement their flower installations like this beautiful off the shoulder arrangement below.

 

 

 

 

 

What a beautiful smile and don't you love the photo with the dendrobiums in the back of her gown, the white against ruby red sets off the orchids perfectly don't you think?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Another beautiful model with victorian regalia and large orchids to match her jewelry.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here is our victorian lady below with a more proper collection of yellow oncidiums to match her hat,  below you will see her in her orchid garden room.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Whats a fashion show without a bride and this model steals the show with her almost all white orchid ensemble of dendrobium and oncidium orchids...below is a detail shot and complete outfit.

 

 

 

 

 

Watch out its a major orchid collection walking down the catwalk!

I love this last photo, it shows how everyone really loves their orchids on their outfits, even zany ones work at this show!

Well that was a first for this year, and hopefully more to come. It was a fun event to see and I hope that you enjoyed our first orchid fashion show.

This is my contribution fertilizer friday, visit here to see other flowers in the world todayhttp://www.tootsietime.com/
 

Hilo Orchid Society Show 2012

 

 

One of the best orchid shows to experience in Hawaii is at the annual orchid show by the Hilo Orchid Society.  The combination of commercial orchid growers, enthusiasts and orchid lovers makes this one of the must see shows for all orchid lovers.

Every year a new theme is chosen and this year’s title ‘ Islands of Orchids’ creates the lure of these exotic orchids throughout the island chain.  This three day event is jammed packed with educational seminars, musical entertainment and pre-view parties, complete themed displays and of course the opportunity to purchase some of the most exotic, unusual and newer hybrids that are being introduced into the market, many not available in your regular garden centers.

Its definitely worth a visit to put this in your itinerary when visiting Hawaii Island since it's the biggest show in all of the state focused on just orchids.

Here are a few highlights from this year’s events.

 

Beautiful vignettes created like this one below with a victorian attired model in Hawaiian regalia along with live orchids details on her costume.

 

 

Another orchid vignette with an exploding volcano and lava flowing in the midst of this colorful orchid forest below.

 

I stopped immediately when I saw beautiful light illuminate the petals of these intensely colored cattleyas, making them appear to take flight.

 

 

Another grouping of beautifully backlit cymbidiums, making them more vivid and alive.

 

 

There were lots of exciting and unusual color combinations to be seen like this vivid hot pink

and maroon cattleya orchid.

 

More subtle and textural, these vandas give you a moment of calm and respite to the

shocking and bright colors all around the show.

 

I usually am not fond of pale colored orchids but this light pastel cattleya drew my attention right away…I think the quiet orchids also can demand a lot of attention if you spend the time to look at all their amazing details.

 

 

I’m guessing this is a variety of oncidium, unfortunately I did not have anything to write on and I wanted to really just enjoy the flowers and photography at this point.

 

 

Another dramatic paphiopedilum variety, I love the showy petals on this beauty.

 

 

These paphiopedilum or lady slippers have so much presence and color assaulting me with their strange forms and inviting a more detailed observation.

 

 

Following are more unusual or colorful varieties I spotted while walking around the show.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This years event was truly spectacular. I enjoyed it thoroughly and even sang with our men’s chorus on the weekend event when the general audience attends and the audience enjoyed our music while seeing some amazing flowers.

 

This is my contribution to garden bloom day, to see other gardens in bloom today go visit

http://www.maydreamsgardens.com