hanashobu

Although the rainy season also started in Kanto area on May 29, the weather has stayed fine.  The cherry blossoms are still blooming in Nenuro, Hokkaido.

Hydrangeas and hanashobu(花菖蒲, Iris ensata var. ensata, Japanese water iris) are blooming.

viewing spots for hanashobu:
http://www.ne.jp/asahi/ashikawa/smile/HanaSyoubuguide.html (Japanese version only)

viewing spots around Tokyo:
http://flower.enjoytokyo.jp/shobu/tokyo.html (Japanese version only)


Tagajo-Ato Iris Garden
photo by Miyagi Prefectural Tourism Division


An iris festival will be held in at at the Tagajo-Ato(the ruins of Taga Castle) Iris Garden in Tagajo City, Miyagi Prefecture from June 24 to July 7. The garden has two million irises of 250 different kinds that include ayame(Iris sanguinea) and hanashobu.

Tagajo-Ato Iris Garden
photo by Miyagi Prefectural Tourism Division



Horikawa
photo by Shimane Prefectural Tourism Federaion

 A moat surrounding Matsue Castle in Shimane Prefecture is called Horikawa. The castle and moat were built in 1611. The keep of the castle and the moat remain in their original form.



photo by Shimane Prefectural Tourism Federaion


Matsue Castle, Horikawa and Uga Bridge







photo by Shimane Prefectural Tourism Federaion


Horikawa in winter






















Photo by Yokaphoto.net


Yanagawa in Fukuoka Prefecture




Yanagawa
Photo by Yokaphoto.net

 the groom in black kimono decorated with a family crest, the bride in shiromuku(white kimono), their family members and relatives on the two boats




Photo by Yokaphoto.net


Kyushu Azalea (Rhododendron kiusianum) on Mount Kuju(九重山, Kuju-san) in Oita Prefecture are now at their peak.