Oga Sacred Lotus

Oga (or Ohga) sacred lotus (Nelumbo nucifera) is said that the ancient lotus species was discovered in the city of Chiba, Japan by Dr. Oga Ichiro. The seeds were found in a peat layer and estimated to be about 2,000 years old. He succeeded in germinating one of the seeds and bloomed it. The plants originated from this scred lotus were named Oga lotus after him. The plants were transplanted into 35 locations. One of them is here in the city of Nirasaki in Yamanashi Prefecture, Japan.

Sacred lotus (Nelumbo nucifera) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nelumbo_nucifera; https://www.illinoiswildflowers.info/wetland/plants/sacred_lotus.htm

Flowers and receptacles of the Oga sacred lotuses, Nirasaki, Yamanashi, 7/30/2025

https://history-here.com/en/stories/ohga-lotus; (In Japanese) https://www.nirasaki-kankou.jp/kankou_spot/kouen_bijyutsukan_shiryokan/kouen_teien/4330.html; https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E5%A4%A7%E8%B3%80%E3%83%8F%E3%82%B9

https://www.bbg.org/article/plant_profile_sacred_lotus_nelumbo_nucifera; https://nas.er.usgs.gov/queries/FactSheet.aspx?speciesID=244; https://www.nparks.gov.sg/florafaunaweb/flora/2/2/2257

Receptacle https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Receptacle_(botany)

Water lily (Nymphaeaceae) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nymphaeaceae

Leaves of the water lilies, Nirasaki, Yamanashi, 7/30/2025

Sounds of the cicadas surrounding the scene:

Cicadas https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cicada

Wildflowers in Mount Amari

Meadowsweet (Filipendula multijuga) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Filipendula; https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Filipendula_multijuga

Filipendula multijuga, Mount Amari, Nirasaki, Yamanashi, 7/28/2025

Japanese Spiraea (Spiraea japonica) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spiraea_japonica

Japanese Spiraea, Mount Amari, Nirasaki, Yamanashi, 7/28/2025

Lilium leichtlinii (Lilium leichtlinii) https://www.gardenia.net/plant/lilium-leichtlinii-leichtlins-lily; https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lilium_leichtlinii; https://nikko-bg.jp/nikko-old/5_jokyo/species/Lilium_leichtlinii.html

Lilium leichtlinii, Mount Amari, Nirasaki, Yamanashi, 7/28/2025

Japanese thistle (Cirsium japonicum) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cirsium_japonicum; https://mikawanoyasou.org/data/noazami.htm

Japanese thistle, Mount Amari, Nirasaki, Yamanashi, 7/28/2025

Great burnet (Sanguisorba officinalis) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sanguisorba_officinalis; https://nikko-bg.jp/nikko-old/5_jokyo/species/Sanguisorba_officinalis.html; https://www.pharm.kumamoto-u.ac.jp/yakusodb/detail/003687.php; https://www.wildlifetrusts.org/wildlife-explorer/wildflowers/great-burnet

Great burnet, Mount Amari, Nirasaki, Yamanashi, 7/28/2025

Geranium yesoense var. nipponicum (Geranium yesoense) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geranium; https://mikawanoyasou.org/data/hakusanhuuro.htm; (In Japanese) https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E3%83%8F%E3%82%AF%E3%82%B5%E3%83%B3%E3%83%95%E3%82%A6%E3%83%AD

Geranium yesoense, Mount Amari, Nirasaki, Yamanashi, 7/28/2025

Fireweed (Chamaenerion angustifolium) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chamaenerion_angustifolium; https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/55983-Chamerion-angustifolium

Fireweed, Mount Amari, Nirasaki, Yamanashi, 7/28/2025

Dianthus superbus L. var. longicalycinus (Dianthus superbus)

Dianthus superbus, Mount Amari, Nirasaki, Yamanashi, 7/28/2025

Aquilegia buergeriana https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aquilegia_buergeriana; https://www.ootk.net/cgi/shikihtml/shiki_1136.htm; https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E3%83%95%E3%82%A1%E3%82%A4%E3%83%AB:Aquilegia_buergeriana_08.jpg; https://mikawanoyasou.org/data/kibananoyamaodamaki.htm

Aquilegia buergeriana, Mount Amari, Nirasaki, Yamanashi, 7/28/2025

Common self-heal (Prunella vulgaris) subsp. asiatica https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prunella_vulgaris

Common self-heal, Mount Amari, Nirasaki, Yamanashi, 7/28/2025

Siebold’s plantain lily (Hosta sieboldiana) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hosta_sieboldiana

Siebold’s plantain lily, Mount Amari, Nirasaki, Yamanashi, 7/28/2025

Sium suave Walter var. nipponicum (?), Mount Amari, Nirasaki, Yamanashi, 7/28/2025

Anaphalis margaritacea https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anaphalis_margaritacea; https://neko-net.com/hana/archives/2018

Anaphalis margaritacea (?), Mount Amari, Nirasaki, Yamanashi, 7/28/2025

Japanese lady bell (Adenophora triphylla) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adenophora_triphylla; (In Japanese) https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E3%83%84%E3%83%AA%E3%82%AC%E3%83%8D%E3%83%8B%E3%83%B3%E3%82%B8%E3%83%B3

Japanese lady bell (?), Mount Amari, Nirasaki, Yamanashi, 7/28/2025

(In Japanese) Wildflowers in Mount Amari https://www.nirasaki-kankou.jp/kankou_spot/amariyama/amariyama_flower/6670.html

Sawara Pond and Mount Amari

Sawara Pond, an altitude of 1240 meters (4,068 feet) above sea level, is located in the middle of the way to Mount Amari in the city of Nirasaki in Yamanashi Prefecture, Japan. Mount Amari’s elevation is 1,731m (5,679f) above sea level.

Sawara Pond, Asahi-machi, Nirasaki, Yamanashi, 7/28/2025

Old man’s beard (Usnea lichens), the peak of Mount Amari, and a view of the Kofu Basin, Mount Amari, Nirasaki, Yamanashi, 7/28/2025

Listen to the surroundings:

Also, please read the article on June 19, 2025 https://yamanashietsuo.net/mount-amari-in-nirasaki-and-japanese-azalea/

I will talk about the wildflowers around the Mount Amari area in the next article.

Extremely Hot Summer Days 2025

Taisho (Dashu, solar term) of 2025 in Japan fell on July 22. It was extremely hot as the calendar indicated all over Japan. The city of Fukuchiyama in Kyoto Prefecture recorded the highest temperature of 39.0 degrees Celsius (39.0℃). The city of Ichinoseki in Iwate Prefecture recorded 38.3℃, which was the highest temperature on record in the city.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dashu_(solar term) ; https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/07/06/japan/heatstroke-alert-issued-in-tokyo/

In Japan, a day where the highest temperature reaches 35 degrees Celsius (or 95 degrees Fahrenheit) or higher is defined an “extremely hot day,” or “moushobi” in Japanese. It is a specific meteorological term used to categorize days with extreme heat. 

Here’s a breakdown of Japanese temperature classifications for summer days: 

Natsubi (summer day): A day with a maximum temperature of 25°C (77°F) or higher.

Manatsubi (hot summer day): A day with a maximum temperature of 30°C (86°F) or higher.

Moushobi (extremely hot summer day): A day with a maximum temperature of 35°C (95°F) or higher.

Nettaiya (tropical night): A night where the minimum temperature does not drop below 25°C (77°F).

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Climate_of_Japan; https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heat_wave

Europe has been experiencing record-breaking high temperatures in 2025, particularly during the months of June and July, with multiple heatwaves impacting various regions. These extreme temperatures are linked to a combination of meteorological conditions and the effects of climate change, with some areas experiencing temperatures 2.5°C warmer than in the past.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2025_European_heatwaves; https://climate.copernicus.eu/heatwaves-contribute-warmest-june-record-western-europe; https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/jun/28/europe-on-alert-as-first-major-heatwave-of-2025-pushes-temperatures-to-42c

A significant heat wave is currently impacting the central and eastern United States as well, with dangerous temperatures and high humidity affecting millions of people. 

https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/heat-domes-extreme-heat-and-humidity-triggers-alerts-across-eastern-u-s/; https://edition.cnn.com/2025/07/21/weather/heat-dome-midwest-south-east-climate; https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/jun/28/us-heatwave-climate-crisis

Guardian Dogs of Takeda Shrine, Kofu Yamanashi

Takeda Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in the city of Kofu in Yamanashi Prefecture, Japan, dedicated to the kami (deity) of Takeda Shingen. Takeda Shingen was a feudal lord in Kai Province durring the Sengoku period of Japan. 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Takeda_Shrine; https://kofu-tourism.com/en/see-and-do/11; https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Takeda_Shingen; https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sengoku_period

Also, please visit the article on https://etsuo.tokyo/2019/12/.

Guardian Dogs, Takeda Shrine, Kofu, Yamanashi, 7/20/2025

Shinto shrine guardian dogs, a pair of statues, often lion-like, are known as komainu that are traditionally placed at the entrance or within Shinto shrines to ward off evil spirits and protect the sacred space. These statues typically stand as a pair, with one often having its mouth open (representing the “a” sound, symbolizing the beginning) and the other with its mouth closed (representing the “un” sound, symbolizing the end). Together, they are thought to represent the totality of existence and are a common sight at Shinto shrines in Japan. Komainu are an integral part of the Japanese religious landscape, embodying both the protective function of guardian figures and the symbolic power of sacred spaces. 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Komainu; (In Japanese) https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E7%8B%9B%E7%8A%AC; https://www.kyohaku.go.jp/eng/learn/home/dictio/choukoku/komainu/

Oyanagawa Valley and Itajiki Valley

Oyanagawa (Oyana River) Valley is located in the town of Fujikawa in Yamanashi Prefecture, Japan. The Oyana River is originated in the Genji Mountain running through the Oyanagawa Valley and runs into the Fuji River.

Oyanagawa Valley, Jikkoku, Fujikawa-cho, Yamanashi, 7/19/2025

Oyanagawa Valley, https://yamanashi–hiking100-jp.translate.goog/course/detail/49?_x_tr_sl=ja&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en; https://www-town-fujikawa-yamanashi-jp.translate.goog/kanko/docs_kanko/2023090800075/?_x_tr_sl=ja&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=ja

Itajiki Valley is located in the town of Kawakubo in the city of Kofu in Yamanashi Prefecture, Japan. The Itajiki River is originated in the Deep Shosen Gorge running through the Itajiki Valley and runs into the Arakawa River.

Itajiki Valley, Kawakubo-cho, Kofu, Yamanashi, 7/20/2025

https://www.shosenkyo-kankoukyokai.com/en/

Itajiki Valley, (In Japanese) https://www.shosenkyo-kankoukyokai.com/%E7%A7%98%E5%A2%83%E3%82%B3%E3%83%BC%E3%82%B9.html

Our Nature Has Been Threatened By Our Activiies

Human activities have been significantly impacting the natural world, leading to a range of environmental problems like habitat destruction, climate change, and pollution. These issues, in turn, threaten biodiversity, ecosystem health, and human well-being. From the recent scientific articles, let’s see the current situations of the earth.

The five biggest threats to our natural world … and how we can stop them https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/oct/14/five-biggest-threats-natural-world-how-we-can-stop-them-aoe 

From Pollution to Solution: a global assessment of marine litter and plastic pollution

https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/8047115

https://www.unep.org/interactives/pollution-to-solution

Biodiversity: Around one-quarter of freshwater animals threatened with extinction

Sayer, C.A., Fernando, E., Jimenez, R.R. et al. One-quarter of freshwater fauna threatened with extinction. Nature 638, 138-145 (2025). 

https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-024-08375-z

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-024-08375-z

Environment High concentrations of nanoplastic particles found across the Atlantic

ten Hietbrink, S., Materić, D., Holzinger, R. et al.  Nanoplastic concentrations across the North Atlantic. Nature 643, 412–416 (2025). 

https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-025-09218-1

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-025-09218-1

Climate change: Whales faeces record warning-related toxic signal blooms

Lefebvre, K.A., Charapata, P., Stimmelmayr, R. et al. Bowhead whale faeces link increasing algal toxins in the Arctic to ocean warming. Nature (2025).

https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-025-09230-5

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-025-09230-5

Ecology: Inhibiting locust swarm behaviour

Guo, X., Gao, L., Li, S. et al. Decoding 4-vinylanisole biosynthesis and pivotal enzymes in locusts. Nature (2025). 

https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-025-09110-y
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-025-09110-y

More general information:

Biodiversity: state of habitats and species https://www.eea.europa.eu/en/topics/in-depth/biodiversity

Biodiversity – our strongest natural defense against climate change https://www.un.org/en/climatechange/science/climate-issues/biodiversity

Human Impacts on the Environment https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/resource-library-human-impacts-environment/

Human impact on the environment https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_impact_on_the_environment

Mount Nyukasa and Nyukasa Wetland

The peak of Mount Nyukasa is located on the border of the town of Fujimi and the city of Ina in Nagano Prefecture, Japan.

The peak of Mount Nyukasa, 1955m above see level, the town of Fujimi and the city of Ina, Nagano Prefecture, 7/12/2025

Mount Nyukasa https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Nyukasa

Nyukasa Wetland, Fujimi-cho, Suwa-gun, Nagano Prefecture, 7/12/2025

Japanese meadowsweet (Filipendula multijuga), Nyukasa Wetland, Fujimi-cho, Suwa-gun, Nagano Prefecture, 7/12/2025

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

Japanese iris (Iris ensata) and Japanese thistle (Cirsium japonicum), Nyukasa Wetland, Fujimi-cho, Suwa-gun, Nagano Prefecture, 7/12/2025

https://mikawanoyasou.org/data/nohanashoubu.htm, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iris_ensata; https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cirsium_japonicum

Leaves of Asian skunk cabbag (Lysichiton camtschatcensis), Nyukasa Wetland, Fujimi-cho, Suwa-gun, Nagano Prefecture, 7/12/2025

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

Erman’s Birch (Betula ermanii), Mount Nyukasa, Fujimi-cho, Suwa-gun, Nagano Prefecture, 7/12/2025

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

Lichens and mosses, Mount Nyukasa, Fujimi-cho, Suwa-gun, Nagano Prefecture, 7/12/2025

Old man’s beard (Dolichousnea longissima), Mount Nyukasa, Fujimi-cho, Suwa-gun, Nagano Prefecture, 7/12/2025

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

Also, plese refer to Fujimi Panorama Resort for the gondra ride and the wetland plants: (In Japanese) https://www.fujimipanorama.com/summer/

Small-Time Candy Stores and Retro Style Shops in Shimizu

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

The Shimizu Station-Ginza Shopping District is located next to JR Shimizu Station in Shimizu-ward in the city of Shizuoka in Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan.

Toy & Hobby Shop KADOYA, Shimizu-ward, Shizuoka-city, Shizuoka, 7/03/2025

(In Japanese) https://shimizu-ekimaeginza.com/shop/dally_necessltles/kadoya/

Stationery MARUYAMA, Shimizu-ward, Shizuoka-city, Shizuoka, 7/03/2025

(In Japanese) https://shimizu-ekimaeginza.com/shop/dally_necessltles/maruyama/

Candy, Toys and Miscellaneous Goods YAKICHI, Shimizu-ward, Shizuoka-city, Shizuoka, 7/03/2025

(In Japanese) https://shimizu-ekimaeginza.com/shop/grocery/%E9%A7%84%E8%8F%93%E5%AD%90-%E5%BD%8C%E5%90%89%EF%BC%88%E3%82%84%E3%81%8D%E3%81%A1%EF%BC%89/

Small-Time or Penny Candy Stores, https://pennycandy.com/; https://web-japan.org/kidsweb/cool/09-02-07/index.html; https://www.instagram.com/p/CwbYnz3Pl38/