Category Archives: Photos

Agriculture journalist Ayumi Kotani visits sites in Japan designated as Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS). One region in Shizuoka Prefecture maintaining its GIAHS-recognized Chagusaba Farming Method is now busy plucking the first flush tea leaves. It’s also one of the most active seasons for the fresh green tea gardens to welcome many tourists. ■ ■ Kawanehon Town is located in a mountainous area near the upper Oi River. Tetsuro Tsuchiya (83) and his eldest daughter Yuko (59) were busy covering their Yabukita tea trees at the Tsuchiya Tea Farm, which is known as the “tea garden in the sky.” They plan to enter the carefully-grown tea leaves in this … Continue reading →

TOKYO, Apr. 15 – At “Hana Biyori,” a flower park in Inagi City, Tokyo, an aerial display of carnations wrapped in balloon-like packaging attracts attention. The display of floating flowers that can last about two weeks without adding is intended to boost the sale of flowers toward this year’s “Mother’s Day” on May 14th. The aerial display will continue until April 19th. A flower wholesaler at Kasai Metropolitan Wholesale Market, Tokyo Flower Port, developed the product using a commercially available packaging material called “Air Fleur,” which is an inflatable plastic bags designed to protect flowers. The company adopted unique technologies to make flowers last long, such as raising the humidity … Continue reading →

WAKAYAMA, April 3 — Agriculture journalist Ayumi Kotani visits sites in Japan designated as Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS) to gain insights into revitalizing agriculture and farming villages for a sustainable future. Visitors to the Minabe and Tanabe districts in Wakayama Prefecture in early spring are impressed by ume Japanese apricot trees in full bloom turning mountain slopes here and there all white. In particular, Nanbu ume groves in the town of Minabe offer a superb view overlooking the ocean, with some 30,000 people visiting the area during the ume blossom season. “Visitors are surprised by how steep the slopes are and ask us how the harvesting is done, … Continue reading →

FUKUSHIMA, Apr. 1 – A 200-year-old weeping Shidare cherry blossom tree is in full bloom on the bank of an agricultural pond in Tanagura Town, Fukushima Prefecture. The Edo-higan variety cherry tree stands out on the dike between the reservoir and rice fields. When there is no wind, you can also enjoy the “upside-down cherry blossom tree” on the water’s surface. This year, the tree started to bloom on March 15, 10 days earlier than usual. Volunteers from the Hanazono Branch of the Tanagura Tourism Association cut weeds and maintain the area. When the tree is in full bloom, they serve drinks, hold a concert, and sell locally-harvested rice called … Continue reading →

SHIZUOKA, Mar. 24 – A 63-year-old man from Shimada City, Shizuoka Prefecture,developed a new siphon green tea maker for extracting flavor-rich green tea only by pouring hot water from the top. The device creator, Yoshiki Kajiyama, named the device Chaiphon. It consists of three parts: a container to receive hot water, a container for extracting tea, and a server for fresh green tea. You pour boiling water into the top container. Then, the hot water runs through the siphon, the tube connected to the container, and its temperature drops to 80 degrees F or lower, which is the best temperature for extracting green tea. In around three minutes, you’ll have … Continue reading →