Author: Benkei

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B&B Gekkasosha in Kobuchisawa

Gekkasosha is a bed and breakfast located in the town of Kobuchisawa in the city of Hokuto in Yamanashi Prefecture, Japan. (In Japanese) https://gekkasosha.net/. The owner also organizes salon concerts. There was a baroque concert one afternoon by Duo Rutin. The B&B has a nice garden. Here are some plants growing there.

Butterbur (Petasites japonicus): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Petasites_japonicus

Butterbur, Gekkasosha, Kobuchisawa, Hokuto, Yamanashi, 5/18/2025

Greater celandine (Chelidonium majus): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chelidonium_majus

Greater celandine, Gekkasosha, Kobuchisawa, Hokuto, Yamanashi, 5/18/2025

Fairy bells (Disporum viridescens): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disporum_viridescens; https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disporum

Fairy bells, Gekkasosha, Kobuchisawa, Hokuto, Yamanashi, 5/18/2025

Japanese dog’s tooth violet (Erythronium japonicum): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erythronium_japonicum

Japanese dog’s tooth violet, Gekkasosha, Kobuchisawa, Hokuto, Yamanashi, 5/18/2025

Moss phlox (Phlox subulata): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phlox_subulata

Moss phlox, Gekkasosha, Kobuchisawa, Hokuto, Yamanashi, 5/18/2025

Duo Rutin is composed of Asakura Mikira (Flauto traverso) and Kimura Fumi (Virginal). The next Duo Rutin concert is scheduled at a Cafe Kumakarado in Nakano, Tokyo on June 8th, 2025.

(In Japanese) https://kumakarado.com/

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Kenshin Falls in Hayakawa

Kenshin Falls is a 55meter high waterfall. It is located in the area of Amehata in the town of Hayakawa in Yamanashi Prefecture, Japan.

As soon as I arrived at the waterfall, it started to rain and the raindrops hit the camera.

Kenshin Falls, Hayakawa, Yamanashi, 5/17/2025

Kenshin Falls, Hayakawa, Yamanashi, 5/17/2025

The Amehata area is known throughout Japan as one of the best sources of inkstones (suzuri), a slate-based object used in traditional Japanese calligraphy to produce ink: https://www.yamanashi-kankou.jp/english/discover/amehata-suzuri-no-sato-kenshoan.html.

Amehata inkstones: (In Japanese) https://houkendo.base.shop/; https://www2.nhk.or.jp/archives/movies/?id=D0004990681_00000

About an inkstone: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inkstone; https://www.inkston.com/shops/inkstone/

Also, please visit the following site as well: https://etsuo.tokyo/2021/09/, 2021-09-12 Ink-stone House Kenshoan _ Hayakawa-town.

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Shinryoku, Fresh Green Color

“Shinryoku” in Japanese refers to the fresh, vibrant green color of young leaves seen in spring and early summer, or the trees themselves displaying this color. It’s a beautiful time of year when nature feels particularly alive and refreshing.

The trees with young leaves in the Yamanashi Prefectural Museum. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yamanashi_Prefectural_Museum

Katsura Tree (Cercidiphyllum japonicum) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cercidiphyllum_japonicum;

Katsura trees, Yamanashi Prefectural Museum, Fuefuki, Yamanashi, 5/06/2025

Kousa Dogwood (Cornus kousa) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cornus_kousa

Kousa Dogwood trees, Yamanashi Prefectural Museum, Fuefuki, Yamanashi, 5/06/2025

Lilytree (Magnolia denudata) or Yulan magnolia  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnolia_denudata

Lilytree or Yulan magnolia trees, Yamanashi Prefectural Museum, Fuefuki, Yamanashi, 5/06/2025

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Spring Flowering Trees

Pearlbush (Exochorda racemosa): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exochorda_racemosa; https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exochorda

Pearlbush, Kaneyamaen, Fujiyoshida, Yamanashi, 5/01/2025

Mitsuba Tsutsuji (Rhododendron dilatatum) https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E3%83%9F%E3%83%84%E3%83%90%E3%83%84%E3%83%84%E3%82%B8; https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Azalea; https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhododendron

Mitsuba tsutsuji, Kaneyamaen, Fujiyoshida, Yamanashi, 5/01/2025

Satsuki (Rhododendron indicum): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhododendron_indicum

Satsuki, Kaneyamaen, Fujiyoshida, Yamanashi, 5/01/2025

Renge tsutsuji (Rhododendron japonicum): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhododendron_japonicum

Renge tsutsuji, Kaneyamaen, Fujiyoshida, Yamanashi, 5/01/2025

Hotel Kaneyamaen & Bessho SASA: https://www.kaneyamaen.com/eng/

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Riverbank Flowers

Siberian iris (Iris sanguinea): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iris_sanguinea

Siberian Iris, Arakawa River, Kofu, Yamanashi, 4/29/2025

Cornflower (Centaurea cyanus): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Centaurea_cyanus

Cornflowers, Arakawa River, Kofu, Yamanashi, 4/29/2025

Hairy vetch (Vicia villosa): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vicia_villosa

Hairy vetch, Arakawa River, Kofu, Yamanashi, 4/29/2025

Centaurea cyanus and Vicia villosa are considered invasive in Japan. They are non-native plants that have been introduced and can spread aggressively.