Japanese apricot trees started bearing fruit. Fresh green apricot or ume fruit (Japanese apricot) has been seen. While the blossoms appear in early spring, the green fruit—known as ao-ume in Japan—is available for a very short, specific season, coinciding with the rainy season (tsuyu).
Saiko Iyashi-no-Sato Nenba is a traditional restored thatched-roof village located on the western shore of Lake Sai (Saiko) in the town of Fujikawaguchiko, Yamanashi Prefecture, Japan.
Thatched roofs in Japan, known as kayabuki, primarily use kaya (a general term for thatch) harvested from Miscanthus grass, specifically Japanese pampas grass susuki (Miscanthus sinensis) and kariyasu. Other materials include reed (yoshi), cogongrass (chigaya), and rice straw. These materials are harvested, dried, and bundled to create a durable, insulating 30–40 year roof.
A wine tasting tour for an American couple was conducted on April 2, 2026. Five wineries Grace Winery, Lumiere Winery, Marufuji Winery, Haramono Winery and Manns Wines Katsunuma Winery were visited.
As I previously wrote in my sites (#1 ~ #3), in the town of Katsunuma, located in Koshu City, Yamanashi Prefecture, is renowned as the birthplace of Japanese wine, boasting over 80 wineries concentrated in the area. As Japan’s premier grape-producing region, it offers scenic vineyards, numerous wine tastings, and deep historical roots in wine-making. With a long history and tradition, it’s wine production accounts for about 30% of Japan’s domestic wine.
The Kofu Local Meteorological Observatory announced the opening of Somei-Yoshino cherry blossoms in Kofu City in Yamanashi Prefecture, Japan, on March 16, 2026. This is the earliest recorded flowering since observations began in 1953.
Mount Kaikoma (Kaikoma-ga-take) is a mountain of the Akaishi Mountains, located on the border of Hokuto in Yamanashi Prefecture, and Ina in Nagano Prefecture, in the Chubu region of Japan. Mount Kinpu (Kinpu-san), or Mount Kinpo (Kinpo-san) is a mountain and the main peak in the Okuchichibu Range in Kanto Mountains. It is located in Chichibu Tama Kai National Park on the boundary of Nagano Prefecture and Yamanashi Prefecture, Japan.
Views of Mount Kaikoma and Mount Kinpu (or Kinpo), and views from Yozaburo Rock, Panorama Hill Ropeway Station, Shosen Gorge, Kofu, Yamanshi, 3/08/2026
Some popular house plants, a jade plant and a snake plant:
Nishizawa Gorge is located at the headwaters of the Fuefuki River, a tributary of the Fuji River, in the city of Yamanashi in Yamanashi Prefecture, Japan.
Ryujin Falls (a height of approximately 6 metres, just under 20 feet), Nishizawa Gorge, Yamanashi-city, Yamanashi, 2/28/2026
Views of Nishizawa Gorge, Yamanashi-city, Yamanashi, 2/28/2026
ITINERARY
(START) Nishizawa Gorge Parking Lot – Mie Falls – Hojo Bridge – (return) – Nishizawa Gorge Parking Lot (GOAL)
Time: 3h 8min (Rest: 23 min), Distance: 7.5 km, Ascend: 416 m, Descend: 386 m
Also, please read the articles “Nishizawa Gorge Hiking” on August 18, 2025 and “Hiking the Nishizawa Gorge Trail” on May 6, 2021 (https://etsuo.tokyo/2021/05).
