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Fruit picking is a popular activity in Japan.

With my not quite so looong stay here in Japan,
I was able to go and see different fruit farms.
This time i have to decided to go for Apple Farm.

Nakagomi Orchards a fruit picking farm in Yamanashi Ken.
They offer different types of fruits depending on the season.

Apple Farm

Peach:   Middle May ~ Middle August
Pear:      Middle May ~ Middle August
Grape,Apple: Middle June ~ Middle October
Japanese Persimmon:  Middle August ~ End November

They have tents available where you can rest and eat.  

They offer eat-all-you-can ready picked fruits.
This time they have grapes available which cost ￥500 eat-all-you-can for 30 mins.
The grape picking is ￥1,000.

All freshly picked grapes are available, you can get as much as you want.

And now for the Apple Farm...♫ ♫ ♫ ♫ ♫ ♫ 

This was such a delightful experience.

Different types of Apple inside their farm.

Apple Picking cost ￥1,000

The Reminders while inside the farm:

You can pick and eat fruits as much as you like, but you are not allowed to take any fruit outside.



You are not allowed to carry any bag when you enter the farm.

They are usually open between 10 am-5pm.

There are different types of fruits to choose from. Depending on your taste buds, you can just chose the right season to go.

A definitely must visit here in Japan.

Lovin' Japan ♥♥♥

Location: 

          2281-1 Iinoh, Minami-Alps City Yamanashi Pref. 400-0222 

Website:  http://nakagominouen.com/en/

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11:54:00 PM

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Since I was not able to made it to the peak of Zama Sunflower Festival,
I was hoping I could still catch the blooming Akeno Sunflower Festival in Hokuto City.
Still I was late..
But then, there are these other of type of sunflower that was blooming 
there..
The Teddy Bear Sunflower..

Teddy Bear Sunflower at Hokuto City

Perfectly named ....big and cuddly and golden.

This variety of sunflower is so beautiful!! 

Blooming Teddy Bear Sunflower

The name Teddy Bear is appropriate.

 

For Flower fanatics and nature lovers it is best to go from late July through August, where 

more than half a million sunflowers bloom.

Beautiful sun rays

I was also able to capture a beautiful sun rays on this afternoon.

It was like a perfect scenery, a backdrop of rays with surrounding mountains.

It was a picture of peace and serenity, makes me appreciate nature much more :)

It could be a long drive to Hokuto City, but for fanatics like me, it was all worth it.

Looking forward to visiting this again next year.

How I love this!

My smile says it all :)

Event period:
Late July  -  Late August 

8 am - 5 pm

Location:

Address: 5664 Asao, Akeno-cho, Hokuto City (北杜市明野町浅尾5664)

Access:

By car:

A 20-minute drive from JR Nirasaki Station

By public transportation:

Take Mizugaki Line bus (茅ヶ岳・みずがき田園バス) outside of JR Nirasaki Station. 

Get off at the Heidi-no-Mura Kurara-kan stop (ハイジの村クララ館) and then walk for 5 minutes.

Website:

http://www.city.hokuto.yamanashi.jp/tourism/area/sunflower.html#13092355933( External link ) (Japanese)

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10:38:00 PM

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Summer was almost over. 

It was a last minute trip to Zama Kanagawa-ken with my friend.

We've decided to go after calling the Zama City's Information Office confirming that there are still  

Sunflowers in the field available for viewing.

I was looking forward to visiting sunflower fields again, after almost 5 years.

The Sunflower Festival was over. 

The sunflowers are still there, but the peak was over since most are not holding their heads up. 

But still beautiful indeed.

There are also over-sized pumpkins.

As per Zama's Sunflower  Festival website it was almost 550,000 sunflowers in bloom, but since it was past the peak for blooming most of them are has their heads down. 

Sunflower viewing is free of charge, and they also allow you to pick 3 stems of Sunflowers for  ¥200.

How to Go there:

By Train: 15 minute walk from Sobudashita station JR Sagami Line

Website : http://japan-attractions.jp/nature/zama-sunflower-festival-zama/

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10:20:00 PM

Fuji Shibazakura Festival

The Fuji Shibazakura Festuvak (富士芝桜祭り) is a flower festival near Mt.Fuji where you can enjoy various colors of shibazakura(phlox moss).

Almost 800,000 Shibazakura or 'moss phlox' bloom at the base of Mt. Fuji.
A Festival of flowers which gives color to Mt.Fuji with its gorgeous colors.

After the Cherry Blossom season is almost over its time for the Shibazakura to be in full bloom.
It was like a pink floral carpet all over.

There has been contrast at the lawns of pink, red and white, with the backdrop of green forest and blue sky with snow capped Mt.Fuji.

There are also tempting local dishes to indulge that will gratify your body.

I got to taste the Yaki Imo or  "Baked Sweet Potato" .

Actually, it was sweet and delicious.

It was a majestic view.
Looking forward to visit this again next year.

Location:
Fuji Motosuko resort
212, Motosu, Fujikawaguchiko-machi Minamitsuru-gun, Yamanashi 401-0337

Access : http://www.shibazakura.jp/eng/access/


Entrance fee: ￥520

Website : http://www.shibazakura.jp/eng/

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4:14:00 PM

“Open your arms to change but don't let go of your values.” 
― 14th Dalai Lama

“Give the ones you love wings to fly, roots to come back and reasons to stay.” 
― 14th Dalai Lama

“Happiness doesn't always come from a pursuit. Sometimes it comes when we least expect it.” 
― 14th Dalai Lama

“Time passes unhindered. When we make mistakes, we cannot turn the clock back and try again. All we can do is use the present well.” 
― 14th Dalai Lama

“pain is inevitable,suffering is optional...
we have bigger houses,but smaller families. More conveniences,but less time. We have knowledge,but less judgements; more experts,but more problems ; more medicines but less health.” 
― 14th Dalai Lama

“If I am only happy for myself, many fewer chances for happiness. If I am happy when good things happen to other people, billions more chances to be happy!” 
― 14th Dalai Lama

“When life becomes too complicated and we feel overwhelmed, it’s often useful just to stand back and remind ourselves of our overall purpose, our overall goal. When faced with a feeling of stagnation and confusion, it may be helpful to take an hour, an afternoon, or even several days to simply reflect on what it is that will truly bring us happiness, and then reset our priorities on the basis of that. This can put our life back in proper context, allow a fresh perspective, and enable us to see which direction to take.” 
― 14th Dalai Lama, The Art of Happiness: A Handbook for Living

“Learn and obey the rules very well so you will know how to break them properly.”
― 14th Dalai Lama


“The greater the level of calmness of our mind, the greater our peace of mind, the greater our ability to enjoy a happy and joyful life.” 
― 14th Dalai Lama

“no matter what is happening, no matter what is going on around you, never give up” 
― 14th Dalai Lama

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3:33:00 PM