Saturday, August 31, 2013

Amabiki Kannon Hydrangea garden

Aamabiki kannon is buddhist bodhisattva for the protection of children and easy delivery located the border between prefectures "Ibaraki" and "Tochigi". Untitled 

This shrine is famous for hydrangea garden. There are over 3000 flowers of 10 types hydrangea.
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I went there on June 24th. It was the best time to view.
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The color of flowers depend on soil pH. Basically the color is white but becomes blue when the soil is acidly. An alkaline soil will produce flowers more pink. Untitled

In this shrine, their color is mostly white and blue.
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There is hydrangea macrophylla,  too.Untitled


This shrine has free-range peacocks. They are not afraid of human.
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Since the shrine is located on the top of the mountain, you can see great view.
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This shrine is also famous for autumn leaves and cherry blossom. You should go every four seasons.
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Information:
View Larger Map Address 1 Motogi Sakuragawa, Ibaraki
Open 7:00 - 18:00
Close None
Fee Free
Web site http://www.amabiki.or.jp/
(Japanese only)

Thursday, August 29, 2013

Ducklings have debuted in Ushiku city

On June, I went to see iris to Ushiku-Kanko-Ayame-En in Ushiku city, Ibaraki.
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Purple is my favorite color.
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There are yellow iris, too.
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Oh?
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ummmm..
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Woooooooooooooow!!!IMG_1740

Ducklings! Everyone, there are ducklings!!!
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Ducklings are born at anywhere in Japan in the spring. They make headline news on TV by their prettiness.

In this park, one braze of ducks lay eggs every spring but eggs were eaten by crows until this year. It's first time to grow up so far.Untitled

How pretty they are!
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I wish I had a single-lens reflex camera.IMG_1746 

Ushiku city is famous for a kappa, a water sprite. Since everyone in the park chased ducklings to take photos, the kappa seems to pout, saying, "OK, nobody's interested in me".
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I'll come back soon to see their growing.
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Information
Address 2831-2 Jochucho Ushiku-shi, Ibaraki
Open Everyday, everytime
Close None
Fee Free
Web site http://www.ushikukankou.com/ushikushikankouayameen.htm
(Japanese only)

Tuesday, August 27, 2013

"The world of bryophytes: Fascinating micro forest" exhibition at Ibaraki nature museum

"The world of bryophytes: Fascinating micro forest" exhibition was held on June at Ibaraki nature museum.
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This is my first time to go to the museum. I was surprised at how great this museum is.
At the entrance, dinosaur fossil greets visitors.Untitled

Moving dinosaur. How real!
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The entrance of the exhibition.
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Big replica moss.
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Mossy carpet.
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There are mushrooms on mossy sheet.Untitled

The museum has great pond "Sugao-numa" for their experiment on their property. IMG_1694 

This is the largest nature conservation area in the prefecture.
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The bridge leads to the camp ground on the other side of the pond. Untitled

Information:

View Larger Map
Address 700 Osaki, Bando, Ibaraki, Japan
Open 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (No entry after 4:30 p.m.)
Close Every Monday, the year-end and new year
Fee Adult: 520YEN(During special exhibition: 720YEN)
Web site http://www.nat.pref.ibaraki.jp/english/index.html

Sunday, August 25, 2013

Tsukuba Spring Bonsai Exibit

Spring is the season of bonsai exibit.

Different from Tsuchiura bonsai exibit, there are big bonsai in this exibit. It's amazing that such a big tree can grow up on small land.
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Maple tree.
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It looks a great tree when looking from underneath.
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"The bonsai", pine tree.
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Chokkan(upright) elm.
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Moss covers soil. It's really difficult to grow moss beautifully....Untitled

Thursday, August 22, 2013

Bosai exhibit in Tsuchiura city

I visited to the 52nd Tsuchiura Shohin-bonsai and alpine plants exhibit in Tsuchiura city, Ibaraki prefecture.
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I want to use such a beautiful display shelf for my bonsai someday.
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The most popular bonsai is pine tree.
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White sandalwood.
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I focused on maple bonsai because I've just got it in my house.
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Zoom!
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I love such a miniature set.
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Flog figurine adds a nice taste to the bonsai.
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Wednesday, August 21, 2013

Forestry and Forest Products Research Institute Open House

"Science and Technology Week" was held from April 15th to April 21st.
A lot of national institutes in Tsukuba city, known as "science city in Japan", was opened to the public during that period.

I visited several institutes. First, I want to introduce "Forestry and Forest Products Research Institute".

Forestry and Forest Products Research Institute Web site

Just a short walk away from the entrance, there is big fruit farm. "First fruit farm" is always opened to the public.

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Research results were published.

Study of non-cedar pollen. I hope this technology will be put to practical use soon because I have an allergy to pollens...

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The institute succeeded in coexistence of matsutake mushroom, a fancy mushroom most commonly associated with Japanese Red Pine, and Cedrela odorata, tree from South America.
Since Cedrela is very easy to grow, matsutake can be much more accessible for the general public.

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I got novelty goods. Eco-friendly shopping bags and cell-phone strap made with Japanese cypress.

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