Giant glories at the Hono Asagao-ten, Yasukuni Shrine

This is a post that I meant to post long time ago. Sorry that it didn't match the timing of the post. The photos are a mix of old and recently taken. 

I love waking up early to go for my walks, especially in the summer. So one fine (hot!) day, I woke and went to the Yasukuni Jinja for a potted morning glories exhibition or as they called it, Asagao-ten (朝顔展). As the morning glories wilted under the hot sun, the exhibition usually starts early at 6am which is great for me as I can go and then come back in time for my work. 

The morning glory plant is a popular household plant since the olden times in Japan for two reasons. The plant provides shade that cools the hot summer air and the flower provides beautiful blooms that pleases the eye. If the cherry blossom symbolizes spring, then "asagao" or the morning glory is the flower that symbolizes summer.  

And every summer in Japan, we are treated to several morning glory fairs around Tokyo. While these fairs are intended as a place for you to buy the plants, the exhibitions are to make the cultivation of the morning glory plant and its knowledge more widely known among the general public

This is my first time visiting a potted plant exhibition in Japan and it is a 'WOW' exhibition for me. I wasn't prepared for the surprise in discovering so many varieties of bloom size, shape and colour for such a simple plant. I have learned that the cultivation of the Japanese morning glory plant is a serious business, but it is also considered a unique one in the history of horticulture. 

Introduced from China for more than a thousand years ago, the flower, asagao, which can be literally translated as the 'morning face' in the Japanese language, has enjoyed a long cherished presence in Japan ever since its introduction. The morning glory plant was used as a medicinal plant during the Nara period. Later on, during the Edo period, it has been used as an ornamental plant.

The cultivation of the morning glory started in the late Edo period. Since then, the morning glory plant has experienced a number of periodical booms, especially during the Bunka and Bunsei eras (1804-1830), the Kaei and Ansei eras (1848-1860) and well into the Meiji and Taisho eras (1868-1926). After the Meiji-Taisho period, the popularity of the mutation techniques dwindles and gave way to the large-blossomed morning glories which you can view them at this exhibition.

This is the 39th time the Yasukuni Shrine has held their giant morning glory exhibition, Hono Asagao-ten, and exhibited these uniquely cultivated large-blossomed morning glory plants. You can see the morning glories in their full bloom under the shade exhibition stand. 

Apart from learning about the morning glory plant, there is a class where you can also try your hands in making your own pressed morning glory print. Actually, it is a class meant for children, but if they are not too busy, you can try it. I didn't after learning that I have to wait for an hour or two to dry the pressed morning glory print. Need to get back to work before that.

The potted morning glories exhibition at Yasukuni Shrine will still on display from now until Aug 7th 2012. 

Access: Kudanshita Station accessible by the Tozai, Hanzomon or Toei Shinjuku Subway Line.

*Update: The morning glory exhibition is on display from now until Aug 3rd 2014.

Japan's traditional hot spring: Kusatsu

Finally, managed to go to one of Japan's oldest hot spring. The hot spring experience was one of the best ones I've tried, but the town is really small with not much activities to do. My arm was hurting and a dip in hot spring made it go away. Really good waters!!

There are few recommended transportation from Tokyo  to Kusatsu. We took the highway bus instead of the train because it is much less of a hassle. To get to Kusatsu take 3.75 hours by bus. If you are plan early enough, JR Kanto Highway Bus offer the cheapest ticket of ￥2,500 instead of the normal fare of ￥3,200. Bookings have to be as early as one month ahead.

We took the Spa Resort Liner for 2,000yen but they have additional charges for holidays and holidays eve so this is a good deal if you are not traveling peak season. They also have other destinations.

The hotels that we stayed in are:
Kindai Pension
〒377-1711 群馬県吾妻郡草津町草津５４２－５
電話：０２７９－８８－７７８８
FAX：０２７９－８８－８６６０
It was this hotel that I took a bath in one of their hot springs, the lava rock bath (溶岩洞窟風呂) cured the pain in my arm. You can also see the mineral particles collecting around the bathtub. Genuine stuffs, I'd say. It was a wonderful bath. The beds have the fluffiest blanket, perfect for winter, but a bit hot after sleeping in it for a while. And we love the sofa the best! They served western dining style which was delicious. The only lament is the check-out time at 10am... Too early for us to hit the road, especially after such a nice breakfast.

湯宿　季の庭
〒377-1711 群馬県吾妻郡草津町大字草津４６４－２１４
This hotel has all the trained service and hospitality, but I think the hot spring waters somehow didn't work as well as Kindai Pension. But they served the best beef shabu-shabu! The meat's so soft that it just melted into your mouth! Overall, I think the stay was enjoyable too.

Maybe it is better to stay 2 nights at each hotel to enjoy the place and its ambiance rather than changing hotels every day. Some wonderful memories during our visit to Kusatsu.

Kusatsu town

草津熱帯園

草津西の河原公園

Japan Photo Blog: The very rare spring storm

Yesterday, we had a big storm-like weather with very strong winds and heavy rain! But the reward is a beautiful day with clear blue skies and cherry blossoms. These pictures are taken at the Rikkyo University in Ikebukuro.

I feel that the universities in Japan have some of the most beautiful university grounds in the world. And it is free to enter for anyone. Yes, you don't have to be a student to enter the university ^^

Have you thought of enjoying the spring in the university ground?

As for me, I hope that my path will be showered with cherry blossom petals where ever I go.

Japan Photo Blog: White carpet in the city

It seldom snows in Tokyo, but it is wonderful when we do have snow in the city. These photos are taken from the balcony of my apartment.

Notice how many people carrying blue umbrellas?

One is that not a blue umbrella.

But we are back to blue umbrellas.

Just taking my usual walk and took this photo of Ikebukuro covered in heavy snow.