Colors of My Heart

Nakijin is a town located in the northern part of Okinawa's main island, known for its captivating blend of history and natural beauty. The town is surrounded by stunning beaches, offering activities such as diving and snorkelling.  It is accessible by car in approximately two hours from Naha, making it a relatively peaceful destination compared to other popular tourist spots in Okinawa. Nakijin is a place where you can experience Okinawan history and culture, as well as enjoy local traditions and festivals.​​​​​ ​​These photos were taken at a private beach recommended by the owner of the inn where I stayed. The blue sea and white sandy beaches were absolutely beautiful. Not only the scenery but also the food and the people were wonderful, and I continued to visit Okinawa regularly to this day. Olympus E-5 ／ Zuiko Digital ED 14-35mm F2,0 SWD ／ 1/2000s ／ F2.8 ／ISO100 ／+ 0.3 Olympus E-5 ／ Zuiko Digital ED 14-35mm F2,0 SWD ／ 1/4000s ／ F2.8 ／ISO400 ／+ 0.3 Olympus E-5 ／ Zuiko Digital ED...

Hakone Botanical Garden of Wetlands is located in Sengokuhara, Hakone Town, Kanagawa Prefecture, and is Japan’s first botanical garden dedicated to wetland plants. It was established in 1976 with the aim of preserving and promoting awareness of wetland environments. The garden features approximately 1,700 species of plants that thrive in wetlands, rivers, and lakes, blooming beautifully throughout the four seasons. The garden is divided into eight distinct zones, allowing visitors to experience the ecological transitions from lowlands to alpine areas, and from early-stage wetlands to more developed ones. Seasonal flowers such as Asian skunk cabbage ( Mizubashō ), dogtooth violet ( Katakuri ), great burnet ( Waremokō ), gentian ( Ezorindō ), daylily ( Nikkōkisuge ), and primrose ( Sakurasō ) can be enjoyed throughout the year. The walking trail within the garden takes about an hour and a half to complete at a leisurely pace, especially if you stop to take photographs along the way. Stro...

Hakone Yamano Hotel is a luxury accommodation located in the hot spring area of ​​Hakone and is particularly attractive for its spectacular views and luxurious services. The hotel offers relaxation and healing to visitors in a quiet environment surrounded by the nature of Hakone. Hakone Yamano Hotel is about a 90-minute drive from Tokyo and is located in a place where you can enjoy beautiful views of the Hakone mountains. Rich nature spreads around, and you can enjoy the scenery of the four seasons. I have not stayed there yet, but the hotel offers a choice of Japanese-style or Western-style rooms, and all rooms have hot spring baths. In particular, many of the rooms allow you to enjoy beautiful views while bathing in the hot spring. The hot spring is a natural hot spring, and the water is good for the skin. As you can see from some of the photos, every room has a panoramic view of the Hakone mountains and green nature, and the hotel is known for its particularly beautiful morning and ...

Aoyama Cemetery, located in Minami-Aoyama, Minato City, Tokyo, is a serene and peaceful place, quietly nestled away from the hustle and bustle of the city center. In spring, the grounds come alive with the vibrant bloom of approximately 320 cherry trees, making it one of Tokyo’s most distinguished yet understated cherry blossom viewing spots. The cemetery features a diverse array of cherry tree varieties, with Somei Yoshino as the main species, complemented by Yaezakura and Shidarezakura, offering visitors a rich and colorful visual experience. One of the most captivating sights is the cherry-lined road that runs north to south through the center of the cemetery. This path stretches for about 750 meters, with cherry trees blooming on both sides, creating a breathtaking tunnel of blossoms. Simply walking along this road allows one to fully embrace the gentle spirit of spring. Due to the nature of the cemetery, no festive events, illuminations, or gatherings are held, making it an ideal ...

The flowering peach (Hanamomo) is a deciduous small tree belonging to the Prunus genus of the Rosaceae family. It is a cultivated variety of the peach tree, bred specifically for ornamental purposes. Unlike common peach trees, which are grown for their fruit, Hanamomo is cultivated primarily for the beauty of its blossoms. These photographs capture the exquisite Hanamomo trees in Shinjuku Gyoen, one of Tokyo’s most renowned gardens. One of the most striking characteristics of Hanamomo is the diversity of its flower shapes and colors. The blossoms come in various forms, including single-petaled, double-petaled, and chrysanthemum-like varieties. Their colors range from pure white and delicate pink to vibrant red and even bicolor combinations of red and white, creating a stunning visual display. Blooming from mid-March to early  April, Hanamomo flowers appear around the same time as cherry blossoms, adding to the vibrant scenery of spring. The tree typically grows to a height of 2 to ...