An exhibition titled 2026 Early Term Special Exhibition “Birds of the Mountains” has been held at the Yabuucni Masayuki Art Museum in Hakushu-cho in the city of Hokuto in Yamanashi Prefecture, Japan, during March 20 through July 14, 2026.
The Shosenkyo Bakuzaka Kodo Trail is a short 1.6 km mountain biking trail located in the Shosenkyo area, along with the Shosenkyo Ropeway. The trail is part of the ancient path network in the area and is exclusively accessed through guided tour.
An exhibition titled ZEN BUDDHIST CULTURE IN YAMANASHI has been held in the Yamanashi Prefectural Museum, Fuefuki-shi, Yamanashi, Japan, during March 14 through May 6, 2026.
“Among the various Buddhist sects that developed in various regions after the Kamakura period, Zen Buddhism had a deep connection with Yamanashi, as seen in the visit of the Zen monk Rankei Doryu to Yamanashi, and the achievements of Muso Soseki and his disciples, who were highly valued by the Muromachi shogunate. This exhibition will introduce the rich Zen culture that developed in Yamanashi through artworks such as paintings and sculptures, as well as the influence of Zen monks.” Cited from: https://www.porta-y.jp/en/event/188180
Japanese snowball (Viburnum plicatum f. plicatum), commonly known as Oodemari in Japan, is a deciduous shrub prized for its large, rounded, white flower clusters that bloom in late spring.
Japanese snowball plants, Road Station Nanbu, Nanbu-cho, Yamanashi, 4/10/2026; Japanese snowball trees, Mount Kuno Tosho Shrine, Suruga-ku, Shizuoka-shi, Shizuoka, 4/10/2026
Futaba-aoi or Kamo-aoi (Asarum caulescens, syn. Japonasarum caulescens) is a low-growing, deciduous, perennial herb in the Aristolochiaceae family. It is native to Japan (and parts of China), featuring creeping rhizomes, heart-shaped leaves in pairs, and small, purple-brown, bell-shaped flowers hidden beneath the foliage in spring. It is culturally important in Japan, known as the plant that inspired the design of the Tokugawa family crest (Mitsuba Aoi) and used in the Kamo Shrine’s Aoi Festival in the city of Kyoto, Japan. Asarum: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asarum; Futaba-aoi: https://mikawanoyasou.org/data/hutabaaoi.htm; https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E3%83%95%E3%82%BF%E3%83%90%E3%82%A2%E3%82%AA%E3%82%A4
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.
