Buttercup Witch Hazel (Corylopsis Pauciflora) ヒュウガミズキ（日向水木）

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The winter hazel or the buttercup witch hazel (Corylopsis pauciflora) is native to Japan and Taiwan. This winter hazel resembles another type of winter hazel, Corylopsis spicata, and because of that I couldn't tell which was which but I think I can now. The trees in these photos have a cluster of only 1 to 3 flowers, as opposed to Corylopsis spicata, which usually has a cluster of 5 to 8 flowers.

2026/3/15

2026/3/15

Pink Star Magnolia (Magnolia Stellata) ベニシデコブシ（紅四手辛夷）

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The star magnolia (Magnolia stellata) is native to Japan, producing flowers ranging from white to pink. The flowers in these photos are pink ones.

2026/3/15

2026/3/20

Star Magnolia (Magnolia Stellata) シデコブシ（四手辛夷）

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The star magnolia (Magnolia stellata) is native to Japan, flowering in early spring. The plant resembles white magnolia (Yulan magnolia), but there are several differences. Star magnolia flowers are star-shaped and a little smaller than white magnolia. The way of flowering is also different, i.e., star magnolia flowers fully open while white magnolias only half open even when in full bloom. 

On 13 September 2025, I found something interesting. A star magnolia tree had several fruits beside another tree with many buds, one of which was half open (4th photo). This is, however, not unusual (at least in Japan). Magnolias are known to flower outside the flowering season due to unusual weather or other reasons. This magnolia tree may have produced buds and flowers in September because of the extremely hot summer this year.

2026/3/15

2024/3/19

Winter Hazel (Corylopsis) ヒュウガミズキ（日向水木）、トサミズキ（土佐水木）

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Winter hazel (Corylopsis) is native to eastern Asia and can be found across Japan. The plant produces a cluster of 1 to 8 yellow flowers from March to April. So pretty! 

In Japan, you would see mainly two types of Corylopsis, Corylopsis pauciflora and Corylopsis spicata, and there are several differences according to the internet. A Corylopsis pauciflora tree produces a cluster of 1 to 3 flowers with yellow anthers while a Corylopsis spicata tree is larger, producing a cluster of 7 to 8 flowers with red anthers. So, it should be easy to tell one from the other but it's not for me. The post therefore contains photos of both types. When I become able to tell which is which, I'll create a post for Corylopsis pauciflora and Corylopsis spicata each. 

2026/3/8

2026/3/8

White Daphne (Daphne Odora Alba) シロバナジンショウゲ（白花沈丁花）

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This is Daphne odora Alba. Winter daphne is native to southern China, coming to Japan before the Muromachi period (1336 to 1573) and now can be found across Japan. As one of the most fragrant plants in Japan with cape jasmine and orange sweet osmanthus, winter daphne produces fragrant flowers from February to April. Winter daphne usually produces white and pink flowers, but it also produces white and "cream white" flowers.  

2026/3/8

2026/3/8

Yaoyorozu No Kami (Eight Million Deities) - Everything Flows

I've been looking for some guidance in life for the last couple of years. I thought I would be able to find it in the teachings of True Pure Land Buddhism because I come from a family that follows the school, but I wasn't able to. The True Pure Land school teaches that enlightenment can be realized through tariki, or 'other power,' but I don't believe in relying on an external power to attain enlightenment.

Double-Flowered Variegated Camellias 八重咲きの斑入り椿

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You can find Japanese camellias scattered all over Tokyo and across Japan, but variegated blooms are much harder to come by.

Cucumber Herb (Trigonotis Peduncularis) 胡瓜草（キュウリグサ）

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Small plants have woken up from winter sleep. These are cucumber herbs (Trigonotis peduncularis). Cucumber herbs are native to Asia, producing tiny flowers (0.2-0.3 cm in diameter) from March to May. Because of such tininess, they're invisible, often removed or trampled without being noticed. But no worries. Cucumber herbs are so hardy that they always survive, bringing you happiness.   

2026/2/28

2026/2/28

2026/2/28

Taiwan Cherry Blossoms (Prunus Campanulata) カンヒザクラ（寒緋桜）

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Taiwan cherry (Prunus campanulata) is native to Japan, Taiwan, southern and eastern China, and Vietnam, blooming from January (in Okinawa; the southernmost and westernmost prefecture) to March (the mainland) in Japan. The blossoms are pink but much deeper than other cherry blossoms and are bell shaped, which is also different from others. 

Cherry blossoms usually mean Somei Yoshino cherry blossoms (Prunus x yedoensis) in mainland Japan but Taiwan cherry in Okinawa. Somei Yoshino and Taiwan cherry blossoms are quite different but both are beautiful respectively. 

2024/3/3

2024/3/3

Grape Hyacinth (Muscari) ムスカリ（葡萄風信子）

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Grape hyacinth (Muscari) is native to Eurasia but can be found across Japan, producing flowers from March to April in the country. Grape hyacinth is known to have blue purple flowers but some produce white or pink flowers. 

According to "A to Z Flowers," Muscari or grape hyacinth is a symbol of "power," "confidence," "mystery" and "creativity." In the Japanese language of flowers, however, the plant means "disappointment." 

2026/3/1

Japanese Witch-Hazel (Hamamelis Japonica) マンサク（満作）

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Japanese witch-hazel (Hamamelis japonica) is native to Japan and can be found across the country. The plant produces string shaped flowers with yellow petals and red sepals from February to March. The Japanese witch-hazel signifies the return of happiness in Japan. 

2026/3/1

2026/3/1

2026/2/23