Author: Benkei

Mount Fuji at sunset at Lake Yamanaka with Japanese pampas grass.

Sunset at Lake Yamanaka with Japanese pampas grass, Yamanakako, Yamanashi, 11/11/2024

Sunset at Lake Yamanaka, Yamanakako, Yamanashi, 11/11/2024

Tokai Nature Trail Guide, Narusawa Village, Yamanashi, 10/24/2024

Jersey cow mushroom (Suillus bovinus), Narusawa Village, Yamanashi, 10/24/2024

Microporus longisporus, Narusawa Village, Yamanashi, 10/24/2024

Giant leaf-footed bug (Acanthocephala declivis) and lichen, Narusawa Village, Yamanashi, 10/24/2024

Japanese cypress (Chamaecyparis obtusa), Narusawa Village, Yamanashi, 10/24/2024

Autumn leaves, Narusawa Village, Yamanashi, 10/29/2024

Tree bark peeling most likely damaged by deer, Narusawa Village, Yamanashi, 10/29/2024

Green bristlegrass (Setaria viridis), Kofu, Yamanashi, 10/27/2024

Starting from Koyodai Kiso Horse Ranch to the Tokai Nature Trail, I trekked to Koyodai (1,164m), Sankodai (1,202m) and Gokodai (1,355m), and descended to Ippongi Bus Stop.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/T%C5%8Dkai_Nature_Trail

Views of Lake Motosu and Lake Kawaguchi from Gokodai, the top of Mount Ashiwadayama, Fujikawaguchiko town, Yamanashi, 10/22/2024

Giant miscanthus (Miscanthus × giganteus) [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miscanthus_%C3%97_ giganteus] and Japanese pampas grass (Miscanthus sinensis) [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miscanthus_sinensis] looking toward Lake Motosu through Aokigahara Woodland, Fujikawaguchiko town and Narusawa village, Yamanashi, 10/22/2024

Kumazasa (Sasa veitchii) [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sasa_veitchii], Fujikawaguchiko town, Yamanashi, 10/22/2024

Momi fir (Abies firma), Fujikawaguchiko town, Yamanashi, 10/22/2024

Pine cones of Japanese red pine (Pinus densiflora), Fujikawaguchiko town, Yamanashi, 10/22/2024

Acorns of Oak (Quercus serrata) [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quercus_serrata], Narusawa village, Yamanashi, 10/22/2024

Perilla (Perilla frutescens) [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perilla_frutescens], Narusawa village, Yamanashi, 10/22/2024

Aconitum japonicum, Narusawa village, Yamanashi, 10/22/2024

Smaller white-moss (Leucobryum juniperoideum), Narusawa village, Yamanashi, 10/22/2024

Other plants, foliose lichens (Hypogymnia physodes), mosses and mushrooms, Narusawa village and Kawaguchiko town, Yamanashi, 10/22/2024

Koshu Daigahara Shuku, now part of the Hakushu town area in the city of Hokuto, Yamanashi Prefecture, was the 40th of 44 post towns along the Koshu Kaido. Kaido were major routes originated in the Edo period.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kaid%C5%8D; https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edo_Five_Routes

Daigahara Shuku Ichi (market) 2024 was held from 10/18 to 10/20, 2024.

https://daigahara-syukuichi.jp/; https://www.yamanashi-kankou.jp/english/discover/daigahara-shuku.html

Daigahara area in the city of Hokuto, Yamanashi, 10/20/2024

Mugs by Studio TON BOH (Hakushu town, Hokuto, Yamanashi) and chopsticks by Miyagawa Lacquerware Shop (Kiso Village, Nagano; http://www.kiso-shikki.jp/),

Balloonplant (Gomphocarpus physocarpus), Daigahara, Hokuto, Yamanashi, 10/20/2024

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gomphocarpus_physocarpus

Red tip photinia (Photinia × fraseri), Daigahara, Hokuto, Yamanashi, 10/20/2024

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Photinia_%C3%97_fraseri

The Edo-Tokyo Museum is currently closed for major renovation. During the renovation, the curators of the museum will visit several cities to tell you about the history and culture of Edo-Tokyo. Part of the museum has been displayed in Shizuoka City Museum of History from October 5 to December 15, 2024 (https://www.edo-tokyo-museum.or.jp/en/; https://www.edo-tokyo-museum.or.jp/en/s-exhibition/outside; https://scmh.jp/en.html). A talking event on Cities Loved by Tokugawa Ieyasu, Sumpu and Edo, Their Life and Culture, was held in Shizuoka City Culture Hall on October 14, 2024.

Paper cutout work created by Tsuruoka Sayuri has been displayed at Fujikawa Kirie Art Museum, Minobu, Yamanashi Prefecture, during October 5 until December 22, 2024. The exhibition is titled Tsuruoka Sayuri Modern Paper Cutouts, Butterfly and Wonder Forest (https://www.kirienomori.jp/3698/). You may be wondered by her artwork in the middle of paper butterflies and cutouts.

Kirie paper cutouts created by Tsuruoka Sayuri, Fujikawa Kirie Art Museum, Fujikawa Craft Park, Minobu, Yamanashi, 10/13/2024

Rose hip (Rosa canina) fruit, Fujikawa Craft Park, Minobu, Yamanashi, 10/13/2024

Yoroi, Japanese Armor, possessed by the town of Ichikawamisato, Yamanashi Prefecture, has been on display in the Furusato Hall in Kabuki Bunka Park, Ichikawamisato, Yamanashi, since October 1, 2024.

Special exhibition “Kai Ueno Castle” held at Kabuki Bunka Park Furusato Kaikan showing Ichijo Nobutatsu related materials: https://www.town.ichikawamisato.yamanashi.jp/50sightsee/50guide/kabukibunkakouen.html

About Japanese armor, please refer to https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_armour; https://www.japanesearmorsociety.com/.

Views from the top of Furusato Hall, Kabuki-Bunka Park, Ichikawamisato-town, Yamanashi, 10/13/2024

It was a fine October day in Kofu, Yamanashi Prefecture. We visited Maizuru Castle Park where the ruins of Kofu Castle are located. The Park was opened to the public in 1962 and designated as a Cultural Asset of Yamanashi (Kofu Castle Ruins, Historical Site) in 1968 (Leaflet of Maizurujo Park, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maizuru_Castle_Park). Also, please read the article, Kofu Castle Ruins, on February 19, 2024.

Inari Turret Tower (reconstruction), Kofu Castle, Kofu, Yamanashi, 10/12/2024

Kurogane Gate (reconstruction), Kofu Castle, Kofu, Yamanashi, 10/12/2024

A Mount Fuji diorama showing a trail route to the top of the mountain and a town located at the foot of the mountain is displayed in the Oshi Town Rest House Information Center. A mannequin wearing attire for Fujiko (Mount Fuji worshipers) climbers is also on display.

https://fujiyoshida.net/spot/56

Oshi Town Rest House Information Center, Fujiyoshida, Yamanashi, 10/05/2024

Also, please refer to the article, Oshi Houses, on May 21, 2024.

It was another hot day in the city of Shizuoka, Shizuoka Prefecture. Although it is autumn, the temperature exceeded 30℃. An unseasonal heat wave seems continue for a while. A cotton rosemallow (Hibiscus mutabilis) plant was blooming in Maple Mountain Garden in Sumpu Castle Park.

Maple Mountain Garden, Sumpu Castle Park, Shizuoka, Shizuoka, 10/02/2024