Originally Posted by
mosburger
These are actually memorable times to visit this parallel Universe masquerading as a city.
O-bon with the evening time mountainside fire symbols (daimonji) is something I will never forget in my life. It's soaking humid and hot until darkness falls but that's what the surrounding mountains and the onsen hidden there are for. (And transport can be arranged for those in need)
And, ah, green tea ice cream cones...
On the other hand, winter can be equally charming. Again, a hot bath and a hearty stew (nabe) are pre-requisites of staying warm but then, this is ancient knowledge in all of Asia.
Even rainy season has the Gion Matsuri...After all these years I finally understand why people prefer to wear airy and light yukata then.
You make me wish I lived closer to Japan - and were younger too (with greater capacity to travel halfway around the world without spending a lot of money to be comfortable).
"Had we but world enough and time..."
I went to Japan in 2006 during spring blossom season because my late mother - who was a bonsai master who always wanted to visit Japan - but never made it - died in 2005. I made my trip in her memory - saw all the flowers and plants I know she would have loved seeing - and hoped I was channeling what I saw to her - in some way/shape/form. My mother's best bonsai have been displayed at the Japanese pavilion at Epcot during the flower festival - and are now installed permanently at Morikami Gardens in Boca Raton FL. Robyn