Month: April 2026

Peach blossoms, Fuefuki-shi, Yamanashi, 4/03/2026

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.

Saiko Iyashi-no-Sato Nenba: https://saikoiyashinosatonenba.jp/en/

Saiko Iyashi-no-Sato Nenba, Fujikawaguchiko-machi, Yamanashi, 4/03/2026

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.

susuki (Miscanthus sinensis): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miscanthus_sinensis

kariyasu (Miscanthus tinctorius (Steud.) Hack): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miscanthus

yoshi (Phragmites australis): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phragmites_australis

chigaya (Imperata cylindrica): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Imperata_cylindrica

rice (Oryza sativa): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oryza_sativa

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.

1. Grace Winery: https://www.grace-wine.com/en/
2. Lumiere Winery: https://www.lumiere.jp/en
3. Marufuji Winery: https://www.rubaiyat.jp/en/
4. Haramono Winery: https://www.haramo.com/index.html
5. Manns Wines Katsunuma Winery: https://mannswines.com/

Manns Wines: https://mannswines.com/

Manns Wines, Katsunuma-cho, Koshu-shi, Yamanashi, 4/02/2026

Haramo Winery: https://www.haramo.com/

Haramo Winery, Katsunuma-cho, Koshu-shi, Yamanashi, 4/02/2026

An old storehouse and an old Citronnelle grape planted in 1949

Dodan-tsutsuji (Enkianthus perulatus): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enkianthus_perulatus

Wood violet (Viola odorata): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Viola_odorata

Japanese maple (Acer palmatum) : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acer_palmatum

Lumiere Winery: https://www.lumiere.jp/en

Lumiere Winery, Katsunuma-cho, Koshu-shi, Yamanashi, 4/02/2026

Scenes from the veranda of Grape Hill Katsunuma, Katsunuma-cho, Koshu-shi, Yamanashi, 4/02/2026

Grape Hill Katsunuma: https://budounooka.com

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.

#1. https://yamanashietsuo.net/visiting-chateau-mercian-katsunuma-winery-2/

“2. https://yamanashietsuo.net/chateau-mercian-katsunuma-winery-and-miyakoen/

#3. https://yamanashietsuo.net/wp-admin/post.php?post=2187&action=edit

Sago cycad (Cycas revoluta): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cycas_revoluta

Sago cycad ♀, Miho Shrine, Shimizu-ku, Shizuoka-shi, Shizuola, 3/27/2026

Nihondaira Ropeway, Mount Kuno Tosho Shrine, Negoya, Suruga-ku, Shizuoka-shi, Shizuoka, 03/27/2026

https://ropeway.shizutetsu.co.jp/; https://www.toshogu.or.jp/english/

Blue rock thrush (♂) is greeting to the visitors, Mount Kuno Tosho Shrine, Negoya, Suruga-ku, Shizuoka-shi, Shizuoka, 03/27/2026

Blue rock thrush (Monticola solitarius): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blue_rock_thrush