All Roads Lead to Traffic Safety: Why the Hook Turn Matters in Japan 二段階右折は大切

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The traffic rules in Japan can be quite complicated for cyclists, especially the hook turn for those coming from countries without the rule. To understand key rules for cyclists in Japan and why the hook turn matters, I went to a local police box (Koban). Two officers on duty gave me the following information:

Canadian Goldenrod (Solidago Canadensis) セイタカアワダチソウ（背高泡立草）

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Native to North America, the Canadian goldenrod (Solidago canadensis) arrived in Japan around 1880 and can now be found across the country. Its bright yellow flowers stand out in autumn as the landscape begins to lose its color in October. Some Japanese people say that the plant is the cause of autumn hay fever, but they're mistaken. The true culprit is the common ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia). In winter, the Canadian goldenrod prepares for winter by producing fluffy pappi (scroll down).

2026/10/11

Common Straight Swift (Parnara Guttata) イチモンジセセリ（一文字挵）

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The common straight swift (Parnara guttata) is found across Japan, where it is a much-loved insect. While moths usually open their wings when resting and most butterflies keep theirs closed, the common straight swift sometimes rests with its wings open to absorb warmth from the sun. This behavior allowed me to see that its back is green (scroll down). You can also scroll down to see an ant carrying a dead common straight swift.

The butterfly's Japanese name is "ichimonji seseri," which translates to "straight-line skipper" due to the white spots aligned on its wings. In contrast, the small branded swift (Pelopidas mathias), which features white spots arranged in a circle, is called "chabane seseri" in Japanese, translating to "brown-wing skipper."

Personally, I really love common straight swifts because of their cute, squirrel-like eyes.

2026/10/4

Winter Cherry (Cerasus x Parvifolia/Cerasus Subhirtella) フユザクラ（冬桜）

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Fragile and lovely, the winter cherry (Cerasus x parvifolia 'Fuyu-zakura') is a crossbreed of Cerasus incisa and Cerasus speciosa. This tree differs from most other cherry trees in its blooming schedule. It blossoms twice a year—once in the winter (from October to December) and again in the spring—which is why it is called the 'winter cherry' in Japan.

It is also known as 'koba zakura,' which translates to 'small leaf cherry' due to its relatively small leaves. While these winter cherry blossoms are less vibrant, they last longer than other cherry blossoms, which generally fall within two weeks.

Some people see a winter cherry tree and say it's silly for blooming out of season. But whenever I hear that, I always think to myself, 'No, you're the silly one!😝 

2021/11/25

Pale Grass Blue (Pseudozizeeria Maha) 大和小灰蝶（ヤマトシジミ）

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A male pale grass blue butterfly (Pseudozizeeria maha) looks completely different depending on whether its wings are open (1st photo) or closed (2nd photo). With its wings closed, you might overlook it as a plain, small grey-and-white butterfly with black spots. When it opens them, however, you are greeted by the striking pale blue upperside that gives the species its name. (See the 5th photo to view both sides at once.) Because butterflies bask in the sun to warm their bodies, you are more likely to catch a glimpse of that vibrant blue during cooler sunny days.

The pale grass blue resembles the plains cupid (Luthrodes pandava) very much, except the latter has orange spots on its wings. I once mistook a plains cupid for a pale grass blue.

2025/11/2

Hamilton's Spindletree (Euonymus Hamiltonianus) マユミ（檀）

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Some plants bring you happiness throughout the year and Hamilton's spindletree (Euonymus hamiltonianus) is one of them. Native to East Asia, the plant can be found across Japan. It produces tiny, cream flowers from May to June and fruits in autumn. The fruits are four-lobed and green at first, later turning pale pink and cracking open to show seeds with red arils.

One great thing about photographing plants is that it makes people more talkative. When I was photographing Hamilton's spindle tree fruit this past September, two women approached me to ask what they were. I told them they were the fruits of a Hamilton's spindle tree, but the women insisted they were buds about to flower, not fruit. It was fun chatting with strangers about the little things.

2026/4/24

2025/5/9

Sawtooth Oak (Quercus Acutissima) クヌギ（櫟）

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The sawtooth oak (Quercus acutissima) is native to Northeast Asia and can be found all across Japan. While the tree is famous for its acorns, its unique cupules and flowers—which bloom from April to May—are also beautiful. The hanging flowers have always reminded me of a 'noren', the traditional fabric curtains hung at the entrance of Japanese izakaya restaurants 😆.

Toad Lily (Tricyrtis Formosana) タイワンホトトギス（台湾杜鵑草）

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They are toad lilies (Tricyrtis formosana). While this plant is typically said to flower from August to September, I’ve come to believe that toad lilies actually bloom year-round. I have seen them in May, as well as in December and September.

The plant is named after spots on a toad's skin and its preference for shady, moist places like toads. In Japan, however, the toad lily is called 'hototogisu,' which translates into 'lesser cuckoo.' This name also comes from the plant's spots, which look like the chest plumage of the bird to Japanese people. Perception varies.

2026/10/4

Sphaerophoria ミナミヒメヒラタアブ（南姫扁虻）

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Philadelphia fleabane (Erigeron philadelphicus) is native to North America, introduced to Japan around 1920, and can now be found across the country. In fact, the plant is so prevalent as a weed that it is called "binbo gusa" (poor weed) or "binbo giku" (poor chrysanthemum) in some areas of Japan. Sitting on one Philadelphia fleabane is a tiny hoverfly (Sphaerophoria indiana). It is so small, yet very beautiful.

2026/10/4

A Bee with Pollen Baskets🐝 花粉荷を運ぶハチ🐝

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They are honey bees with pollen baskets. Pollen baskets are part of the tibia on the hind legs of some female bees. They pack pollen into these baskets to carry it back to their nest or hive. The bee in the last photo was covered in pollen and vibrating its body on a leaf. 

2023/7/5

Beef Jerky at Midnight 真夜中のビーフジャーキー

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On a weekday afternoon, I was in the office talking with a colleague of mine. He loves steak—in particular, grilled beef steak. As always, he was passionately telling me about his favorite steak restaurants. It was nearly 1 p.m. I had many things to do that afternoon, but he kept talking. I glanced at my phone, pretending to check the time, and when I looked up, I was surprised to see a slice of raw beef on his right palm. He said with a broad grin, "This is the best beef I've ever had. You should try this!"