Colors of My Heart

When people think of Kinchakuda in Saitama Prefecture, the vibrant red spider lilies (Manjushage) are what usually come to mind. However, just a short distance from Kinchakuda lies a beautiful field of cosmos flowers.  Every year, when I visited to photograph the spider lilies, I would always make a stop at the cosmos field to capture their beauty as well. The sight of cosmos blooming in profusion under the clear autumn sky was truly breathtaking. Olympus E5 / Zuiko Digital ED 50-200mm F2.8-3.5 SWD / ISO100 / f3.5 / 1/640s / +0.7 Olympus E5 / Zuiko Digital ED 14-35mm F2,0 SWD / ISO100 / f2.9 / 1/1250s / 0.0 Olympus E5 / Zuiko Digital ED 14-35mm F, 2. 0 SWD / ISO100 / f2.6 / 1/3200s / 0.0 Olympus E5 / Zuiko Digital ED 14-35mm F2.0 SWD  / ISO100 / f3.0 / 1/2000s / 0.0 Olympus E5 / Zuiko Digital ED 14-35mm F2,0 SWD / ISO100 / f3.1 / 1/2000s / 0.0 Olympus E620 / Zuiko Digital ED 14-35mm F2.0 SWD / ISO100 / f5.7 / 1/1600s / 0.0 Olympus E5 / Zuiko Digital ED 14-35mm F2.0 SWD / ...

Kinchakuda in Hidaka City, Saitama, is a must-visit spot for photographers in autumn. From mid to late September, around five million cluster amaryllis bloom across the fields, creating a vivid red carpet that stretches along the winding Koma River. This breathtaking sight is not just a floral display, but a beautiful harmony of nature and landscape. The flowers bloom densely along the river’s curves, offering excellent composition opportunities. Early mornings often bring mist and soft light, adding a dreamlike atmosphere to your shots. Using side light enhances the petals’ translucence, while dappled sunlight in the woods creates rich contrasts between red flowers, green leaves, and shadows. Wide-angle lenses capture the scale of the bloom, while telephoto lenses highlight the density and rhythm of the flowers. Nearby, fields of blooming cosmos also offer wonderful photo opportunities—I'll share more about them in my next post. The photos taken with the E-5 were by me, and those ...

 The garden located in Chichibu City, Saitama Prefecture, is a famous destination for robai (wax plum) flowers, which bloom every winter and attract many visitors with their vibrant yellow blossoms. The garden is situated at the foot of Mount Hōtōzan, offering opportunities for hiking and mountaineering. At the summit of the mountain stands the Hōtōzan Shrine, making it a popular tourist spot. Additionally, the Chichibu area is known for its hot springs and other tourist attractions, so it's highly recommended to explore the surrounding area after enjoying the robai flowers. Robai are winter-blooming flowers known for their strong fragrance and striking yellow color. They typically bloom from December to January, offering a splash of bright color in the cold season, becoming a winter tradition for those who visit. The Hōtōzan Robai Garden spans approximately 2.2 hectares, and thousands of robai trees are planted throughout the garden. A variety of robai species are cultivated, and ...