Colors of My Heart

A Tranquil Celebration of Color and Fragrance Nestled in Chōfu City, Tokyo, Jindai Botanical Garden is a spacious and serene haven known for its annual Autumn Rose Festival. Each fall, the garden bursts into bloom with approximately 400 varieties and 5,000 rose bushes, transforming the rose garden into a vibrant tapestry of color. Unlike their spring counterparts, autumn roses are slightly smaller but possess deeper, richer hues and a more intense fragrance. Their elegant charm is best experienced in the early morning, when the scent is at its peak. To accommodate this, the garden opens early on weekends throughout October, offering visitors the chance to admire dew-kissed roses in the soft morning light. The rose garden is designed in the style of a French sunken garden, with clearly defined walkways and flower beds. Informational signs accompany each rose variety, allowing visitors to learn about the flowers while enjoying photography at a relaxed pace. As autumn deepens, the garden ...

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 ...

​​Okinawa's Daiseki Rinzan (currently called Asmui) is a natural tourist destination located in the southern part of the island, renowned for its unique limestone topography and rich ecosystem.  The landscape is dotted with distinctive rock formations, shaped by erosion into what appears to be a natural work of art. This area is home to endemic plants and animals, making it an excellent spot for trekking and hiking.  Additionally, it holds cultural significance as a sacred site, steeped in many local legends. Well-maintained trekking paths, viewpoints, and dining facilities catered to tourists make it easily accessible by car from Naha City.  When visiting, it is essential to adhere to good practices, such as wearing appropriate clothing and footwear, staying hydrated, and taking your trash with you. Daiseki Rinzan is a valuable destination to appreciate the nature and culture of Okinawa.​​​​​​ ​​​It has already been over 12 years since I first visited this place. By a st...