The Japan Meteorological Agency announced the start of the rainy season in the Kanto-Koshin and Tokai regions on June 7, 2026. Hydrangea flowers, known as ajisai in Japanese, bloom perfectly in time with tsuyu, Japan’s rainy season. https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20260607_11/
Tomi Farm located in the city of Kai in Yamanashi Prefecture, Jaspan, is well known for its seasonal mulberry-picking experience. The farm makes use of the surviving mulberry fields in the region, a nod to the area’s once-thriving silk-farming industry. The mulberry-picking event this year was held during May 27 through June 7.
Silkworm farming (sericulture) and its related silk-reeling industry were a massive part of Yamanashi Prefecture’s history and economic success. The mountainous terrain and favorable climate made it an ideal environment to grow mulberry trees, whose leaves are the primary food source for silkworms.
Lanceleaf coreopsis (Coreopsis lanceolata), locally known as Okinkeigiku, is troublesome in Yamanashi and all over Japan because of its extreme hardiness and aggressive reproductive traits. Originally introduced for ornamental and greening purposes from North America, Coreopsis lanceolata outcompetes native vegetation and harms the region’s biodiversity. Coreopsis lanceolata is legally designated as an Invasive Alien Species in Japan and the cultivation, transportation, and sale of the plant are strictly prohibited.
The plant poses a significant threat to Yamanashi’s unique ecosystems for several concrete reasons:
Aggressive Soil Competition: Coreopsis lanceolata grows a dense foliar canopy that blocks vital understory light. This shades out and displaces native grasses and endemic riparian plants.
High Reproductive Capacity: The plant produces thousands of seeds that can survive in the soil for years.
Tough, Perennial Constitution: It spreads rapidly through both seeds and rhizomes. Even after rigorous cutting or mowing, the plant recovers quickly and easily.
Disruptive to Infrastructure and Scenery: It frequently invades roadsides, riverbeds, and hiking trails, making local conservation efforts necessary to protect indigenous species from being choked out.
Because the plant has been integrated into the local pollinator community (like Halictidae, sweet bees), its seeds are easily and consistently propagated.
Several municipalities and volunteer groups across Japan are frequently forced to organize massive, labor-intensive eradication events to dispose of Coreopsis lanceolata properly.
Shizuoka City conducted a simultaneous eradication campaign for Coreopsis lanceolata across eight locations to protect native plant species from this highly invasive alien species on May 26, 2026.
As one of the Corporate Social Responsibility activities, Sango Co., Ltd., based in the city of Miyoshi in Aichi Prefecture, has been involving in eradication of Coreopsis lanceolata since 2016. Sango Co., Ltd.: https://sango.jp/en/
In Yamanashi Prefecture, the cities of Nirasaki, Fuefuki, and Fujiyoshida and the towns of Hayakawa and Fujikawaguchiko and also the government of Yamanashi Prefecture have organized eradication events to dispose of Coreopsis lanceolata properly.
Also, please read the article on Invasive Plants: Lance-leaved tickseed and Kudzu: https://etsuo.tokyo/2022/06/.
Premium coffee beans have been scarce for some time. The demand is specifically spiking for high-grade Arabica beans, the kind characterized by complex acidity, rich distinct flavor notes, and smooth finishes.
Global shortages and supply chain disruptions have severely affected premium Arabica and single-origin coffee availability. Weather extremes in major coffee regions like Brazil and Vietnam have created tight inventories, which has particularly impacted delicate single-origin beans and mocha varieties.
Furthermore, the conflict involving Iran has significantly impacted global agricultural supply chains, indirectly pushing up coffee bean prices. The closure of the Strait of Hormuz and heightened geopolitical risks have led to skyrocketing global shipping rates, maritime insurance premiums, and fertilizer costs, making coffee production and logistics substantially more expensive.
Ethiopia is the birthplace of Coffea arabica, known for its unmatched genetic diversity and premium, complex flavor profiles. The country’s ideal microclimates, high-altitude volcanic soils, and traditional harvesting methods produce some of the most sought-after specialty beans in the world.
When sourcing premium Ethiopian beans, you will typically find coffee categorized by its specific growing region, each offering distinct tasting notes:
Yirgacheffe: Widely considered the gold standard of Ethiopian coffee. These beans feature brilliant citrus acidity with prominent floral, jasmine, and fruit notes (like lemon and blueberry).
Sidamo: Known for a balanced, full-bodied cup with juicy citrus undertones and a sweet, spicy finish. It is excellent both as a pour-over and as a cold brew.
Harrar: Grown in eastern Ethiopia, these are typically dry-processed (natural) and known for bold, heavy-bodied profiles featuring complex chocolate, spice, and wine notes.
Guji: Sourced from the Guji Zone, these beans share similar qualities to Yirgacheffe but are celebrated for rich tropical fruit profiles, heavy sweetness, and tea-like finishes.
However, importing Ethiopian coffee beans is widely considered challenging. The process involves navigating a mix of stringent government export regulations, rigorous international sustainability laws, and complex local logistics.
There is an interesting company which is involved in coffee bean production in the city of Ueda in Nagano Prefecture, Japan. The company named Shinshu Tomoet Farm is located in an unexpected, cool place in the middle of the Honshu island.
Shinshu Tomoet Farm is operated by plastic molding and processing manufacturer Tomoet Engineering Co., Ltd. operated under the brand name Tomoet Plastics: (In Japanese) https://www.tomoetplastics.com/.
Tomoet Plastics is well-known for leveraging 50 years of traditional plastic and rope manufacturing into high-performance, ecofriendly biodegradable alternatives. Their products break down naturally into water and COâ‚‚ in soil without leaving harmful microplastics.
Their standout biodegradable product lines include Tomoet Biolineâ„¢, Biodegradable Ropes, and Repellent / Food Damage Prevention Bands.
Coffee cup sleeves, also known as coffee sleeves, are roughly cylindrical sleeves that fit tightly over handle-less paper coffee cups to insulate the drinker’s hands from hot coffee. The coffee cup sleeve was invented by Jay Sorensen in 1991. The paper-based Mizuno Sangyo Cup Sleeve features 3 distinct notches for three-stage adjustments. The three notches serve as locking tabs or slots and allow you to adjust the length of the sleeve to fit three cup sizes (such as Small, Medium, and Large, or 8 oz, 12 oz, and 14 oz cups).
Japanese shrub mint and fuki (Japanese butterbur) are both distinct perennial plants native to East Asia. While they are both shade-loving woodland plants, they belong to entirely different botanical families and offer vastly different culinary and visual characteristics.
Japanese shrub mint, near Narusawa Ice Cave, Narusawa-mura, Yamanashi, 5/28/2026
Tenninsou, Japanese shrub mint, scientifically known as Leucosceptrum japonicum is a perennial plant native to Japan belonging to the mint family (Lamiaceae). It is primarily utilized for ornamental landscaping and gardening and for cut flowers and floral arrangements.
It is highly valued as a “shade plant” (for shaded or woodland gardens) due to its excellent shade tolerance and bright, attractive foliage. Cultivars like the ‘Golden Angel’ are popular choices to brighten up dark areas in gardens. It blooms in late summer to autumn with dense, elegant spikes of pale yellow or white flowers; therefore, it is commonly used as a cut flower or as an autumn flower for traditional Japanese tea ceremonies (chabana).
Fuki (Butterbur), near Narusawa Ice Cave, Narusawa-mura, Yamanashi, 5/28/2026
In Japanese cuisine, fuki, Japanese butterbur, is highly prized for its crisp texture and refreshing, earthy bitterness. It serves as a seasonal delicacy, with both the stalks and the early flower buds utilized in a variety of traditional and modern dishes.
Because fuki contains natural astringency, the stalks and buds must always be boiled and soaked in cold water before eating.
1. The Stalks (Fuki)
The long, slender stalks are the most commonly eaten part of the plant. After boiling, the fibrous outer skin is peeled away to reveal a pale green, tender stalk that is used in:
Simmered Dishes (Fuki-no-nitsuke): The stalks are simmered with dashi (Japanese soup stock, broth), soy sauce, and mirin (a sweet, syrupy Japanese rice wine used as a fundamental seasoning) to absorb delicate flavors.
Stir-fries (Kinpira): Strips of stalks are stir-fried with sesame oil, soy sauce, and sugar to make a sweet-spicy side dish.
Mixed Rice (Takikomi Gohan): Chopped, cooked fuki stalks (and sometimes leaves) are mixed into steamed rice along with ingredients like soy sauce and fried tofu.
Pickles: The stalks can be pickled or preserved in soy sauce for long-term storage.
2. The Flower Buds (Fukinoto)
Appearing in late winter to early spring, these flower buds are cherished as the very first sign of spring. They are known for their strong, pleasant bitterness.
Tempura: The buds are coated in a light batter and deep-fried, offering a crispy texture and a rich flavor that pairs perfectly with salt.
Red Japanese Maple or Nomura-momiji acer (Acer palmatum cv. sanguineum) is a deciduous small tree celebrated for its striking red-to-purple foliage that evolves through the seasons. Unlike standard Japanese maples (Acer palmatum) that green up in spring, the new growth of sanguineum (meaning “bloody” or “deep red”) emerges dark purple to brilliant red. In summer, the foliage tends to transition to deep green or bronze, followed by a vibrant purple-red autumn display.
Nomura-momiji acer with samaras, Koyodai Entrance, Narusawa-mura, Yamanashi, 5/23/2026
