Welcoming spring in Iwata

A few days earlier I spotted a place from the passenger seat of his bike and I just couldn`t get the image out of my mind. We just had to go there. And here what we`ve got after our first official outdoor photo-hunting day in Iwata.

Rivers seem to be easily find in Iwata. Japan has impressively clean rivers and the ones I saw in Iwata are no exception. This one actually has a branch on its left, but it`s too bad that our gears couldn`t accomodate our intention to get the whole view.

On the river bank, there is a park with a smiley face on it. I was so busy admiring the whole view that I didn`t notice that particular spot until my husband told me at home!

But wait, that wasn`t the place I actually intended to visit. The one I saw is right here. Spring is coming already!

Seriously, can you pass by this place without looking back?

After consulting with my flower encyclopedia (or something like that), here`s what I`ve found about the flower:

Japanese name: 菜の花 or "nanohana"

English name: field mustard

Sctientific name: Brassica rappa var. amplexicaulis

Flowering time (in Japan): Feb-May

Nanohana are edible and they are easily found in supermarket as fresh ingredients and cooked item as well. The one I had somehow seemed to have bigger stalk than these ones in the picture. I don`t if it`s because they are not fully flowering yet or something else.

Looking up we got to see the pale moon above us.

Looking down we saw this equally beautiful flower. 

Let`s just put the blame on me because I couldn`t find any info about it in my encyclopedia. Grrr....

Next to field mustard is a row of ume (Japanese apricot) trees. I though they were sakura trees. I hope you`re not confused because I am :p

This one is ume too, I think.

Evening already. The wind blew even stronger and it was time to go home.

See you again on our next journey (with some pictures on food too, hopefully!)!