Etsuo Yamamoto _ Certified National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter
The Eurasian coot (Fulica atra) in the Arakawa River in the city of Kofu, Yamanashi Prefecture.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eurasian_coot; https://flightforsurvival.org/birds/common-coot/
Eurasian coots, Arakawa River, Kofu, Yamanashi, 1/29/2025
The Arakawa River is a river primarily flows through the city of Kofu, Yamanashi Prefecture. It merges with the Fuefuki River after crossing the Chuo Expressway and the New Yamanashi Ring Road. The Fuefuki River is a tributary of the Fuji River.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fuefuki_River; https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fuji_River
Mallards and grebes in the Arakawa River, Kofu, Yamanashi, 1/28/2025
Facing Yatsugatake (eight mountains), Arakawa River, Kofu, Yamanashi, 1/28/2025
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Southern_Yatsugatake_Volcanic_Group
Facing Akaishi Mountains, Arakawa River, Kofu, Yamanashi, 1/28/2025
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Akaishi_Mountains
FYI: Chūō Expressway https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ch%C5%AB%C5%8D_Expressway; The New Yamanashi Ring Road is a planned regional expressway that will encircle the city of Kofu area in Yamanashi Prefecture.
A common ladybug or seven-spot ladybird (Coccinella septempunctata) strolling.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coccinella_septempunctata
Arakawa River, Kofu, Yamanashi, 1/26/2025
A restaurant ChrysanThème Shigetomo in Kofu, Yamanashi Prefecture.
ChrysanThéme Shigetomo, Kofu, Yamanashi, 1/25/2025
Pine trees, Yotsuya, Shinjuku-ward, Tokyo, 1/24/2025
Meiji Jingu (shrine)
https://www.meijijingu.or.jp/en/
Meiji Jingu, Yoyogi Kamizono, Shibuya-ward, Tokyo, 1/20/2025
A pair Camphor trees (Camphora officinarum), Meiji Jingu, Yoyogi Kamizono, Shibuya-ward, Tokyo, 1/20/2025
Kai Choshizuka Tumulus, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kai_Ch%C5%8Dshizuka_Kofun; https://www.sonekyuryo.jp/en/map/map06/; https://etsuo.tokyo/2022/02/
A tree in Kai Choshizuka Tumulus, Sone Kyuryo Park, Kofu, Yamanashi, 1/18/2025
Views of Mount Kita, Sone Kyuryo Park, Kofu, Yamanashi, 1/18/2025
The first full Moon in Japan this year was observed on January 14, 2025. According to the Old Farmer’s Almanac in the USA, the full Moon in January is called the Wolf Moon.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Old_Farmer%27s_Almanac; https://science.nasa.gov/solar-system/skywatching/the-next-full-moon-is-the-wolf-moon/; https://eco.mtk.nao.ac.jp/koyomi/yoko/2025/rekiyou253.html.en
Full Moon, Kofu, Yamanashi, 1/14/2025
In Japan, there is a custom of eating seven-herb rice porridge on January 7th to promote good health and ward off evil spirits in the coming year.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nanakusa-no-sekku; https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jinjitsu; https://www.foodinjapan.org/japan/nanakusa-gayu
A set of seven herbs, produce of Hakone Seiroku Mishima Yasai* in the city of Mishima, Shizuoka Prefecture, Kofu, Yamanashi, 01/07/2025
(Bottom, left to right): Chickweed (Stellaria media) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stellaria_media; Japanese radish (Raphanus sativus) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daikon; Water dropwort (Oenanthe javanica) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oenanthe_javanica; Turnip (Brassica rapa) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turnip; Shepherd’s purse (Capsella bursa-pastoris) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capsella_bursa-pastoris
(Top, left to right): Shepherd’s purse; Cudweed (Pseudognaphalium affine) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pseudognaphalium_affine; Nipplewort (Lapsana communis) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lapsana_communis
* Hakone Seiroku Mishima Yasai: https://hakoneseirokumishimayasai.jp/?lang=en
Happy New Year!
This year 2025 is the year of the snake in the Chinese zodiac (though China starts its zodiac from January 29). https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snake_(zodiac)
Snake Dharma doll by Arai Darumaya, Kofu, Yamanashi, 01/01/2025