Shiny as emeralds and completely harmless to humans and pets, it would be easy to dismiss Japanese beetles as just another cute Japanese export. But these little devils are incredibly destructive to plants of all sorts, here devastating a huge field of Iceland poppies in a Tokyo park. Japanese Beetles snuck into North America in…
Tag: plant
Ajisai
Ajisai, or what is known in the West as Hydrangea, are a traditional symbol of Summer in Japan. Many species of ajisai are native to Japan and they come in many shapes and colors, from pure white to vibrant pinks and purples. Though hydrangea are known to blossom from early Spring to late Autumn in…
Bamboo
One could say that Asia was built on bamboo (竹）and few would dispute it. Bamboo is a fast growing plant that has provided Asia with food and building materials for thousands of years. But moreover, bamboo forests, though increasingly rare in Japan, are beautiful places to wander and be amazed in. Arashiyama in Kyoto boasts…
Tanpopo (Dandelion)
What fills children with glee and gardeners with irritation but is a beloved symbol of Spring in Japan? Behold the humble dandelion たんぽぽ, regarded as an invasive weed in most countries of the world but loved for it’s cuteness in Japan, where they are not only enjoyed, but new species are cultivated for the pleasure…
365 JAPAN 