Colors of My Heart

These photos were taken 21 years ago at a parking area located roughly halfway along the Onioshidashi Highway. At that time, it was simply an open parking lot with nothing else around. I was surprised to learn that the site has since been developed into what is now known as the Asama Mountain Campground. Onioshidashi HighwayMount Asama, located on the border between Nagano and Gunma Prefectures, is an active volcano with an elevation of 2,568 meters. It is one of Japan's most famous volcanoes and is widely regarded as a symbol of the Karuizawa and Saku regions because of its beautiful, cone-shaped profile. The mountain remains volcanically active today and is continuously monitored by the Japan Meteorological Agency. Mount Asama has a complex geological history. Its present volcanic activity is believed to have begun around 10,000 years ago. Throughout recorded history, it has erupted many times. Among these eruptions, the Great Tenmei Eruption of 1783 is particularly well known. D...

In late July 2005, my wife and I visited Furano in Hokkaido. Furano is known for its beautiful natural scenery and rich colors, and the lavender fields were especially delightful.  What impressed us most was Shikisai-no-Oka, where a vast expanse of flowers in red, yellow, white, blue, and purple created a truly breathtaking view. The sight of these vibrant flowers gently swaying in the breeze, along with their subtle fragrance, remains an unforgettable memory even today. We also visited the filming locations of the popular television series Kita no Kuni kara (“From the North Country”) and enjoyed experiencing the atmosphere of the story. In addition, during a tour of a wine cellar, we had the opportunity to learn about the wine culture nurtured by Furano’s unique climate and environment. Furthermore, we visited a railway station used as a filming location for the movie Poppoya (“Railroad Man”), where the quiet surroundings allowed us to reflect on the lingering impressions of the f...