Colors of My Heart

Even in the cold of winter, the daffodils blooming in Shinjuku Gyoen stand gracefully, offering comfort and tranquility to those who visit. Their peak season typically spans from mid-December to early February, during which two main varieties can be enjoyed throughout the garden: Paperwhite and Japanese daffodil (Nihon Suisen). The Paperwhite variety features pure white petals and a white central corona, giving a delicate and elegant impression. In contrast, the Japanese daffodil has a yellow corona that beautifully contrasts with its white petals, and its subtle fragrance adds to its charm. These daffodils can be found in several areas of the garden, including along the path just inside the Shinjuku Gate, around the Lower Pond, near the Service Center, and in front of the Eco House. Each location offers a unique atmosphere in which to appreciate the flowers. The photos I have uploaded this time were all taken along the path immediately after entering through the Shinjuku Gate. For pho...

 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 ...

  Shinjuku Gyoen is a wonderful place to photograph throughout the seasons.  In autumn, the vibrant reds of the maple trees are stunning, but the golden hues of the ginkgo leaves are equally breathtaking. The contrast between the clear blue sky and the brilliant yellow foliage creates a truly captivating scene.  Moreover, the overlapping colors of crimson maples and golden ginkgoes offer a harmony so beautiful that I find myself wanting to keep photographing endlessly. This particular visit was captured with my PEN camera. Looking back at these photos now, I can’t help but feel a nostalgic desire to use the PEN again.     Olympus PEN E-P2 / M.Zuiko ED 14-42mm F3.5-5.6 / 1/60s / F5.6 / ISO200 / ± 0.0     Olympus PEN E-P2 / M.Zuiko ED 14-42mm F3.5-5.6 / 1/400s / F4.5 / ISO200 / ± 0.0     Olympus PEN E-P2 / M.Zuiko ED 14-42mm F3.5-5.6 / 1/6s / F5.6 / ISO100 / ± 0.0     Olympus PEN E-P2 / M.Zuiko ED 14-42mm F3.5-5.6 / 1/2000s / F6.5 / I...

Even after coming to Japan, Sammy’s lifestyle remained unchanged. She spent her days sunbathing and napping peacefully.  Whenever work got hectic, I often found myself thinking, 'I wish I could be Sammy.' Two years later, when our daughter was born and life became a whirlwind of activity, Sammy was also swept up in the chaos—but that story is for another time.     Olympus PEN E-P2 ／ M.Zuiko ED 14-42mm F3.5-5.6 ／ 1/4s ／ F3.5 ／ ISO100 ／ 0.0     Olympus PEN E-P2 ／ M.Zuiko ED 14-42mm F3.5-5.6 ／ 1/200s ／ F5.1 ／ ISO100 ／ 0.0 Olympus PEN E-P2 ／ M.Zuiko ED 14-42mm F3.5-5.6 ／ 1/400s ／ F5.6 ／ ISO100 ／ 0.0 Olympus PEN E-P2 ／ M.Zuiko ED 14-42mm F3.5-5.6 ／ 1/80s ／ F5.6 ／ ISO100 ／ 0.0 Participating in the ranking If you think the content is good, please click and follow. 気に入っていただけましたら応援よろしくお願い致します。 にほんブログ村 にほんブログ村

The Hakone Museum of Art, located in Gora, Hakone Town, Kanagawa Prefecture, is renowned as Japan’s oldest museum dedicated to ceramics.  In autumn, however, it also enjoys great popularity as a scenic destination for viewing vibrant autumn foliage. Particularly captivating is the museum’s garden, known as “Shinsenkyo,” where a magical landscape unfolds as moss and maple trees blend harmoniously, enchanting all who visit. The peak season for autumn colors typically spans from early to late November, with the most breathtaking views often occurring around mid-November. Within the garden, approximately 130 varieties of moss cover the ground, while over 200 maple trees display their vivid hues above.  The striking contrast between the lush green moss and the fiery red leaves creates a scene reminiscent of a painting—one that is both rare and uniquely beautiful. This picturesque setting makes the garden a highly sought-after spot for photography enthusiasts.     Olympus ...

As autumn draws to a close in Hakone, the ground begins to fill with fallen leaves, gently reminding us that winter is just around the corner. Since I began taking photography more seriously, I’ve come to appreciate not only the vivid colors of the season, but also the quiet beauty of the leaves after they’ve fallen. Freshly fallen leaves still hold a kind of grace — a fleeting elegance that continues to move the heart. Even in their final moments, they offer inspiration and emotion to those who take the time to notice. I often find myself hoping that my own life can be like that — to remain meaningful and beautiful, even toward the end. With that thought in mind, I’ll keep doing my best, wholeheartedly, from this moment forward.     Olympus E-5 ／ Zuiko Digital ED 14-35mm F2.0 SWD ／ 1/25s ／ F3.4 ／ ISO100 ／ + 0.3     Olympus E-5 ／ Zuiko Digital ED 14-35mm F2.0 SWD ／ 1/60s ／ F3.5 ／ ISO100 ／ + 0.3     Olympus E-5 ／ Zuiko Digital ED 14-35mm F2.0 SWD ／ 1/25s ／ F...