Dragonfly on Break

Found this dragonfly in the iris garden yesterday. It looked like posing on the iris bud for a couple of minutes.

This is part of Outdoor Wednesday.

Iris Garden

The rainy season has just started in Osaka. Iris flowers are symbols of this season. I took these pictures at the Shirokita Garden in Osaka city today.
This is part of Outdoor Wednesday.

Wisteria Shower

When the wind blows,  I smell the sweet flagrance of wisteria. Like a wisteria shower! Had a wonderful time at Dasai Shrine in Hyogo Prefecture.
This is part of Outdoor Wednesday.

Ryoanji Temple & Ninnaji Temple

Still now we can enjoy the cherry blossom viewing of the late kind in Kyoto. The first picture was taken at Ryoanji Temple today, and the second one was at Ninnaji Temple.
This is part of Outdoor Wednesday.

Cherry Blossom IV

 The cherry blossom peak is over near here. Today's strong wind took lots of petals away.  We enjoyed snow-like cherry blossom falling. So beautiful.
This is part of Outdoor Wednesday.

Cherry Blossom III

The cherry blossoms are at their best now.  This picture was taken in Gion, Kyoto today.
This is part of Outdoor Wednesday.

Red Heart

What a unique Valentine's Day display!  Bamboo trees are decorated in an artistic way.
I found it at Nunobiki Herb Garden in Kobe.
This is part of Outdoor Wednesday.

Winter Illumination

Today I went to Nabana-no-sato Garden in Kuwana city, Mie Prefecture to see winter illumination. This year's theme is "Mt. Fuji."
This is part of Outdoor Wednesday.

Kinkakuji Temple

at the Kinkakuji Temple or the Golden Pavillion in Kyoto

 

at the Kiyomizu Temple in Kyoto

Autumn Leaves

 

This time of the year I like driving. The purpose is to know the autumn color change in the town.  And when I find a good place to take pictures, of course, I pull over the car and enjoy pictures.
This is part of Outdoor Wednesday.

Nara Park

This is a picture of fall foliage in Nara Park taken a few days ago.
This is part of Outdoor Wednesday.

Windy Lake Biwa

Two days ago I took this picture at the lakeside of Lake Biwa, the biggest lake in Japan. As you see, it was very windy.
Now the big typhoon #26 is approaching Japan . Hope it will swerve away from us.
This is part of Water World Wednesday and Outdoor Wednesday.

Taizo-in Temple

There are lots of Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines in Kyoto. Among them, Taizo-in Temple is one of my favorites. Taizo-in is a sub temple of  Myoshinji Temple, Rinzai Zen Buddhism. This Japanese garden is said to be one of the masterpieces of Showa period(1926 ~1989). It looks much deeper than in reality. Every season it offers us the different beauty.
This is part of  Outdoor Wednesday and Wordless Wednesday.

Terraced Paddy Fields

Today I drove to see terraced paddy fields in Chihaya-akasaka village, the southern end of Osaka Prefecture. Completely different from other places in Osaka, I can feel the tranquil landscape. In autumn, this green color will change into golden harvest color. I'm sure I must come back then.
This is part of Outdoor Wednesday.

River Terrace

in the evening

in the morning

This is a seasonal view of Kyoto. You see wooden floors standing in the river.
It is a terrace to enjoy dinner in the cool breezes of the evening. Their wooden floors, connected with restaurants, are built over the Kamo River in summer (from May 1 to September 30). The custom goes back to the Edo period (1603-1867).

This is part of Water World Wednesday and Outdoor Wednesday.

Frog Equipment

I had a fun day with my daughter and two grandkids ( two-year-old boy Rintaro and one-month baby girl Koharu) in the Expo Park.

This is part of Outdoor Wednesday.

Red-and-white Carp

Look at this carp's eyes. Red eye-lined! And I like these sunlight stars.
This is part of Outdoor Wednesday.

Cherry Blossom #9

This is Hirano Shrine in Kyoto, where we can see many kinds of cherry blossoms. Can you see the differences of colors and shapes?

These two pictures are Nijo Castle. I tried to record falling petals, but it was hard for me and my camera.
This is part of Outdoor Wednesday.

Spring Lake

Was taken on the lakeside of Lake Biwa in Shiga Prefecture. Two men were enjoying fishing on the boat.
This is part of Outdoor Wednesday and Water World Wednesday.

Winter Garden

 

At the Japanese Garden in Expo Park in Osaka. It is like my own garden, because very few people visit in this time of the year! I love the purity of this time.
I dedicate this to Water World Wednesday and Outdoor Wednesday.