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Wednesday, October 22, 2014

Surreal

Between summer and autumn, there is a must-see place in Japan that everyone must see. The Hitachi Seaside Park is often listed as one of the most surreal places to visit. Though seasonal flowers are being showcased throughout the year, mid-April to mid-May and end of September to mid-October are considered perfect time to visit. Nemophila or baby-blue eyes turns the park into a blue mountain in April / May and kochia bushes turn it to a blushing hill in October. It must be noted that Kochia or fire bushes are quite selfish as they turn green just after two weeks of being red.

bloomsville

My friend had planned it months ago since it was expected that the travel tours will be sold-out very quickly. We decided to join a photography group bus tour since it gave a longer “shooting” time to participants compared to regular bus tours. However, there was a big problem unforeseen. A super typhoon was coming to Japan exactly the same date of our trip. Should we cancel it or not? After lots of discussion, complaints included, we decided to give it a go. The bus was relatively unfilled and much to our surprise, the park was almost empty too. Because of its popularity, I never thought we will find it less crowded.

prelude
drownshoot

Aside from the kochia bushes, cosmos are also in full bloom as shown on the above photo but still it was the former that steal everyone’s attention. Surreal and overwhelming. It felt like being in a fantasy world but it’s not. You are in a REAL world. And once you realize it was real, you allow yourself to get lost in the labyrinth. No one was exempted, be it the photographers and or the sightseers.

lost

souls seeking solace
surreal scarlet shelter
stranded spirits' songs

/totomai


Maybe because of excitement, some were confused and in panic mode on what to use in capturing the scenery – a mobile phone camera or a DSLR. As I mentioned earlier, the park was empty and it was very easy to appreciate its magnificence despite of the rain. Consider it as a case of sweet lemoning. No one cared for the rain.

dilemmadatetwo
drizzle

No one seems interested in viewing the bushes closely as it is more appealing when viewed at some considerable distance. I was curious on how it looks like and since I was armed with macro lens, I took couple of shots of what’s inside the bushes and it’s another world. A visual haiku.

emptykochia

This was my second visit. Last May 2014, I was here with my friends too. No matter what flowers are being showcased, a single tree will try to get your attention and everyone called it as The Lonely Tree. I wonder if it is really lonely considering the blooms surrounding it?

  The Lonely Tree in May
nemophiliaparadise
The Lonely Tree in October

I think I might go back again this winter to check how lonely this tree will become when the field is filled with snow.

 /totomai 
2014/10/22

44 comments:

  1. Now I am confused whether to go here during Spring or Autumn, either way the flowers still look lovely. Beautiful pictures again btw.

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    1. I still think you should go spring. This is before autumn so nothing else to see ...

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  2. What an antidote to the storm..beautiful...and likewise very good to be back at your blog

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    1. Thanks Jae Rose... it's been a while since I've visited your blog..

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  3. Love the park, I'd visited for sure! ~ Thanks for stopping by :)x

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    1. Thanks Humbird... plan to go back this winter..

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  4. That is truly beautiful... thanks for sharing!

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  5. Woowwww!!!!! And that expression is even an understatement.

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  6. a visual treat!!..enjoyed "stranded spirits' songs"...thanks so much for this amazing post :)

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  7. Wow, this is truly beautiful, Totomai. So bright and beautiful for only a short period of time. How fortunate those who are able to see the firebushes when they bloom! It seems you are a wonderful photographer. If you ever have some photos to share with Poetry Pantry, please email using the email address I left at the Pantry!

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    1. Noted Mary ~
      Yeah - seeing fire bushes in bloom is a dream. Thank you very much!

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  8. Astonishingly beautiful Totomai, wow!

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  9. wow. what an absolutely beautiful place...and i bet it was solace walking around such beauty...love the winding pathes through all the flowers and bushes....

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    1. i didn't want to leave the place. i'll go back there again soon. Thanks Brian.

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  10. This is an amazing place. Thank you for sharing it with us. I am sure such a location speaks to the soul.

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    1. Indeed Gabriella. Looking at the reds, my stress went away.

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  11. Beautiful... and love your notes.
    ZQ

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  12. I have read about this and wanted to see the garden blooming one time ~ Stunning pictures and thanks for sharing your journey with us ~

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    1. You should Grace. It will be an experience of a lifetime.

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  13. What BEAUTY!!!!!! Captured wonderfully in your glorious photos. Thanks for sharing. And I would love to see photos of that tree in winter. It must be amazing to be in that place so full of blooms and color.........

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    1. I will try to go back there Sherry. I can't wait when it is covered with snow...

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  14. How you continually delight us with your outstanding photos.

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    1. I will continue sharing my journey through photos

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  15. The poem really pulls at me. Very well written.

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  16. It looks like a sea of red. I like the other flowers as well.

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  17. This is beautiful, sir Totomai!!! <3 Definitely adding this to my must-go and must-see places in Japan! :)

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    1. Hi Sumi - be careful of the dates though, these fire bushes disappear quickly haha

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  18. Woww! The beauty is too much. Thanks for capturing and sharing. :)

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  19. Japan is really so awesome and its people are very spiritual and artistic! I would love to visit your wonderful nation atleast once in my lifetime :)

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any thoughts to distill?

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