Travel

Kofu's Plum Blossoms: A Colorful Prelude to Spring

Kofu, Feb 18 (News On Japan) - The plum blossoms are reaching their peak earlier than usual in Kofu due to the warm winter. Furoen Garden, a famous plum spot, is witnessing early blooms in over 2,000 plum trees in various colors, including red, white, and pink, spanning 30 different varieties.

This year, the unusually warm winter has caused the blossoms to peak about two weeks earlier than usual, with half of the garden's plum trees already in full bloom.

Early-blooming varieties like "Kan-Kobai" and "Toji-Bai" are nearly at full bloom.

Even the mid-blooming plum trees, which typically start flowering around mid-February, have nearly half of their flowers in bloom.

Many visitors are enjoying the sweet fragrance of the plum blossoms as they stroll through the garden and take photos.

The plum blossom season at this garden is expected to last until early March when the late-blooming varieties start to flower.

Website: 不老園; Garden Park of Eternal Life

Source: ANN

First Commercial Reactor Dismantling Begins at Hamaoka

Chubu Electric Power has begun dismantling the reactor at Unit 2 of the Hamaoka Nuclear Power Plant in Omaezaki, Shizuoka Prefecture, on Monday. This marks the first time a commercial nuclear reactor is being dismantled in Japan.

PM Ishiba Under Fire Over 100,000 Yen Vouchers

The controversy surrounding Prime Minister Ishiba’s 100,000-yen voucher program continued to face scrutiny in the Diet on Monday, with opposition parties intensifying their criticism. Within the ruling party, concerns are mounting that Ishiba may be an electoral liability.

Shizuoka Approves 4,000 Yen Mount Fuji Entry Fee, Aligning With Yamanashi

Mount Fuji will officially become a paid climb, as the Shizuoka Prefectural Assembly approved an ordinance on March 17th requiring hikers to pay a 4,000 yen entry fee. Following Yamanashi’s lead, Shizuoka will implement the fee starting in the summer of 2025.

Drunken Foreigner Arrested for Trespassing on Imperial Palace Grounds

A foreign man was caught trespassing on the Imperial Palace grounds early on March 16th and was arrested on the spot.

Japan’s Longest Pedestrian Suspension Bridge Opens in Osaka

A new leisure complex, Gravitate Osaka, opens this week near Aigawa Dam in Ibaraki, Osaka, featuring restaurants, activity areas, and Japan’s longest suspension bridge, stretching 420 meters.

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