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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

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

FYI: https://www-kodama–foods-co-jp.translate.goog/sihan/nanakusa?_x_tr_sl=auto&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=ja&_x_tr_pto=wapp

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

https://arai-darumaya.com/

Dry ice fog cooling the salad, Steak House Watayoshi, Kofu, Yamanashi, 12/28/2024

https://steakhouse-watayoshi.com/

Himuro Shrine is located in the middle of Mount Kushigata at an altitude of about 1,000 meters. The original buildings were built by Gitan Gyouen as Takao Temple belonging to Shingon Buddhism in 770. However, the temple buildings were destroyed at the time of the Meiji Restoration and replaced by Shinto Shrine ones. Ever since the incident, the place has been known as Himuro Shrine. There are 575 stone steps to reach the main house of the shrine. There are large cedar trees and they are estimated to be about 100 to 150 years old. Some sacred trees were thought to be a lot older than those years.

Torii(s), stone steps, cedar trees, shrine houses and stone lanterns, Himuro Shrine, Fujikawa, Yamanashi, 12/22/2024

Japanese thuja (Thuja standishii), Himuro Shrine, Fujikawa, Yamanashi, 12/22/2024

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

https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E9%B7%B9%E3%81%AE%E7%BE%BD; https://www.gov-online.go.jp/eng/publicity/book/hlj/html/202212/202212_03_en.html; https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mon_(emblem)