Wa-pedia Home > Japan Forum & Europe Forum
Results 1 to 7 of 7

Thread: Tokyo's winter flora

  1. #1
    Twirling dragon Maciamo's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 17, 2002
    Location
    Posts
    2,434

    Cool Tokyo's winter flora

    Tokyo enjoys a mild climate in winter with fair blue sky a norm. It hardly ever experience frost and can consequently keeps greenery and flowers all year round. Although all Japanese are proud to announce that their country has four seasons, Tokyo itself is almost sub-tropical. Cherry trees do lose their leaves in autumn (as late as end of November) and blossom in spring (as early as March, or even February for plums). So winter is very short and actually most trees are evergreen in the capital.

    What I find exceptional as a Northern European is that different flowers bloom at every season, including winter. Pansies are so numerous in January and February that these months are among the most colourful for residents of drab concrete streets. One thing I find amusing is the decorative cabbages. At least homeless people don't steal them for their evening pot-au-feu !

    Spring certainly has its bunch of colour too. "Ume" (Japanese "plum-apricot") start blossoming in late February, then come "momo" (peach trees) and eventually the famous "sakura" (cherry) end of March or beginning of April. "Tsutsuji" (Japanese azaleas) appear in May, along with "fuji" (wisteria).

    Here is a shot of flowerbeds in this period (early February). It's already varied and vivid.

    Go to the gallery for more photos.
    Attached Images Attached Images

    Visit Japan for free with Wa-pedia
    See what's new on the forum ?
    Eupedia : Europe Guide & Genetics
    Maciamo & Eupedia on Twitter

    "What is the use of living, if it be not to strive for noble causes and to make this muddled world a better place for those who will live in it after we are gone?", Winston Churchill.

  2. #2
    Decommissioned ex-admin thomas's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 14, 2002
    Posts
    212

    Thumbs up

    Curious as usual, I know... but where were these pics taken?

  3. #3
    free spirit lineartube's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 29, 2002
    Location
    Vila Franca de Xira/Portugal
    Age
    48
    Posts
    29
    Pansies are so numerous in January and February



    Ok, I'm sorry... couldn't help myself...

    Since we are talking about flowers, can any one recognize what is a BUGEMBIRIYA? A Japanese friend asked me if this type of flower existed in Portugal but I can't find any reference about it. I ewven tried the all mighty Google, but to no avail.
    Ln.

  4. #4
    Decommissioned ex-admin thomas's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 14, 2002
    Posts
    212
    You're right, there's not even the remotest hint of "bugembiriya". Perhaps a typo...?

  5. #5
    Twirling dragon Maciamo's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 17, 2002
    Location
    Posts
    2,434
    Sorry for the late reply and my absence last week. I was away from home again.

    These pics were taken in central Tokyo. In fact, that's the century park tower's garden, if you remember the pics I uploaded in the gallery.

    The cabbages were in front of Shinjuku's Tocho.

    Anyway, these are common sight everywhere in Tokyo's street at the moment.

  6. #6
    Twirling dragon Maciamo's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 17, 2002
    Location
    Posts
    2,434
    Spring is early in Japan. I've taken this pic a few days ago. I've seen these cherry trees blossoming since early March (around the 8th). These are actually 劦 (ookanzakura) or winter cherry trees. They bloom a few weeks earlier than the other kinds.
    Attached Images Attached Images

  7. #7
    Villain Iron Chef's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 26, 2003
    Location
    Fukuoka (current), Nagoya, Sapporo
    Age
    52
    Posts
    49

    Talking

    Great pic as usual Maciamo. Gotta love those Sakura trees. There's something about them when in full bloom that justs makes one feel all warm and fuzzy inside (ok, corny I know but it's true!). They are the true epitome of what springtime means in Japan imho.

Similar Threads

  1. Japan plagued by house fires in winter
    By Maciamo in forum Other News
    Replies: 11
    Last Post: Aug 31, 2005, 09:02
  2. Tokyo's architecture : from hovel to skyscrapers
    By Maciamo in forum All Things Japanese
    Replies: 1
    Last Post: May 11, 2004, 12:33
  3. Tokyo's most popular residential areas (for Tokyoites)
    By Maciamo in forum Life in Japan
    Replies: 3
    Last Post: Mar 31, 2004, 03:28
  4. Cigarettes banned of Tokyo's streets
    By Maciamo in forum Other News
    Replies: 8
    Last Post: Nov 11, 2002, 01:24

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •