Thank God It's Fall // A Visit to Massive Kochia Field in Ibaraki

Rather than a visit, it actually feels more like a pilgrimage to me. No exaggeration, I do have a serious obsession with Kochia, one of God's most pleasing masterpiece on earth. Green kochias are very refreshing to see. But the crimson ones are just out of this world. Think I can proclaim them as my spirit plant, my totem.

Bottom: Buckwheat, middle: Cosmos, top: Kochia

They're totally worth my 3-hours train ride. Yeah, that was all it takes from Tama Station, Tokyo to reach the majestic Hitachi Seaside Park in Ibaraki Prefecture. I know it was a long, long journey but it has always been a seasonal tradition for me to be in train for hours, getting out of Tokyo to enjoy flowers. To purify my sights.

And yeah, flower otaku does exist everybody. And Japan has been facilitating us flower otakus with numerous wonderful destinations, spreading all over the country. Making flower enjoying activity to a whole next level of seriousness. And the term "Hana Meguri", or I'd rather translate it as "flower pilgrimage", does exist in Japanese. Equipped with flower calendars to keep us updated about the kinds of varieties to enjoy every month.

So happy :)

Hey, meet my new friend, Marie-chan!

Apparently it wasn't only kochias that showed up at the party. This vast bed of pink cosmos were flirting with us too, by dancing nonstop to the wind. So cute, I know <3 

We were so lucky because all the beautiful flowers were in perfect bloom at the same time. Totally can't get enough of this view. This view reminds me to that famous quote about flower by Zen Shin, 

"A flower does not think of competing to the flower next to it. It just blooms." 

Totally correct.

Oh, and just in case you're wondering about how the green kochias look like,

here it is,

Location: Oishi Park, Kawaguchi Lake, Yamanashi Prefecture.

This picture of green kochia was shot on Summer, exactly on mid July when I went to enjoy the lavender season in Yamanashi. How time flies! Now I just realized that I haven't shared anything on the blog about my lavender story. I will, I will! 

After all, I'm very grateful to be able to witness this natural splendour. Every trip was indeed a treat for the soul. And I'm so looking forward to the next hana meguri. Well, haven't really planned yet on what kind of flower I'm going to see next. Moreover, when it comes to Fall/Winter, the varieties become very limited.

But, one thing for sure I can't wait to enjoy the soon coming autumn foliage and will of course, share everything on the blog! The earliest one is gonna be this weekend, as I'm going to have an excursion to Mt. Takao with my Japanese friends who are majoring in Indonesian. And the second autumn trip is going to be a bit far, as I'm flying to southern part of Japan for the first time! Woohoo... Can't be more excited :)

Well, see ya on the next post guys!

It's the first day of the month again, hope you had a great time today.

xx,

Shabrina.

Tokyo Rikugien // Evening Light Up

Almost forgot that I have these stock of photos taken at Rikugien Garden, Tokyo a week ago ! How careless I am to let this babies remain in a folder in my hard disk.

So this is it, evening light up ! Another dramatic way to enjoy autumn beside going to the park and having lunch under the Ginkgo trees. Went here with my friends (as ever), anyway. It was so interesting and thrilling, also for the one who's not so good at taking night photography like me it was quite challenging ! :D 

You know, I was busy with my camera's setting, stopped walking for a while to check if I got the best shots with it, while the security staffs kept on telling all the visitors to keep going and restrain from taking pics by standing still. haha, geez. They really didn't know how to enjoy light up I guess. Oops.

tea house inside the garden

I was so lucky, because the time when I went there, it was the last day of evening light up ! I guess now is the time for Christmas illumination. By the way,  I never imagined before that autumn in Japan will be extraordinarily romantic like this, lol. I enjoyed so much, although it was cold enough. I entered the garden around 5 p.m and left at 6:30.

Ah I love these lens flares ! They turned out so natural and sparkling, yeay (y)

Basic Information

Opening hours: 09:00 to 17:00 (entry until 16:30)

Evening light up until 21:00 during autumn color and cherry blossom seasons.

Closed: December 29th to January 1st

Admission Fee: 300 Yen

This garden is so recommended. I'm planning to visit it again someday with my Mom ! <3

See ya !

xx,

Shabrina

Gold Memories // Showa Memorial Park

Should I say goodbye to autumn like completely ? The fact, I'm no longer able to see that beautiful golden leaves lately in my surroundings and I just can't describe how I miss them so much. But still, I can't thank God enough for making me able to see them, even though only for a little while. It was such a great moment with Autumn, and surely I will never forget it. I promise to myself that I will meet Autumn again later on in life. So, no need to worry then ! :)

As I promised you in my previous post, I'm gonna tell you more about the beautiful park that I visited two weeks ago.

The Outer Part of The Park

The photos that you saw on the previous post as well as the photos above are the ones that were snapped during our walks to the entrance gate. We stopped walking like for scores of times here, because we saw too many interesting things and just couldn't help hitting our cameras' shutter buttons like for thousand times. Yep, we weren't even in the main spot yet everybody ! 

Okay, now let's move to the main spot, that is the inner part ! 

The Inner Part of The Park

1. Here in the inner part you will be welcomed by a row of Ginkgo trees. They were standing     breathtakingly beautiful, no lie ! :)

Everybody was so happy bellow these ginkgo trees ! <3

2. At the end of the shady ginkgo pathway, you'll find this view. as seen in the photos below xD

Anybody know what's the name of the trees with red leaves ? I love them too anyway ! <3

3. Kids Playground. This place was just too cute to be true. When the wind blew a bit strong, the flower shaped windmill would spin and the kids were so happy looking at it :D 

Do you spot Japan map there ? ;)

6. Keep walking and you'll find this fantastic view across the bridge ! 

Believe me, I used the standard mode to take these pics, and yeah, the pictures tell it all. The magnificence of God's work :) I'm running out of words.. 

7. A perfect twilight scenery by the Lake. I just love seeing how the universe conspired to create a romantic ambiance  while letting the sun sink in silent. I tell you, here is one of the perfect places to spend the evening with the ones you love. By rowing a boat together for instance ? ;)

Spot the ducks ? xD

Ah I love this girl's poncho !

8. A pleasing tree reflection on the way to the exit gate.You will love the calming atmosphere here. A perfect goodbye spot to the park and all its beauties.

9. The last play time before exit gate!

Yeay ! What a fun day back then :)

Basic information about the park 

Opening Hours:

 09:30-17:00 

09:30-18:00 (weekend and national holidays. Varies according to the season)

09:30-16:30 (December-February)

Park Entrance Fee: 

400 Yen (General/Adult), 80 Yen (Children)

Oh, I think have a few tips for you guys if you're planning to visit  Showa Memorial Park later on.

1. This park is extremely vast and have so many interesting spots. I recommend you to come no later than 12 p.m. because you guys won't be able to enjoy all the attractions. Even if you can, it must be in a hurry. And I'm sure it ain't fun.

2. As long as I remember, there was only one restaurant inside the park. So I guess it is better for you to bring your snacks or meals from home just in case you're reluctant to queue, since the restaurant will always be crowded.

3. I didn't see many vending machines inside the park, so don't forget to bring along your own drinks as well. Remember, this park is sooo vast. Just don't get yourself dehydrated. 

Well, I think that's all about Showa Memorial Park. Also, I think I'm done with my Autumn memories. It was so quick like a blink of an eye, but it's okay since I had so much fun back then ! 

See you on the next post ! ;)

xx,

Shabrina