The Seasons of Yamato

Stone Buddha statues stand quietly in the garden of Hashimoto-in Temple. Amid the falling snow, spring flowers are beginning to bloom. Brilliant crimson camellias and adorable pale pink flowers look like cherry blossoms. Even in the cold, you can quietly feel the approach of spring.

*According to the 24 Solar Terms of Reiwa 7 (2025), Usui is from February 18 to March 5.

Shrine maiden's ceremonial dance at Kasugataisha Shrine. The double-flowered plum trees are deepening in crimson. The moss glows green as it absorbs water, and the spring breeze is blowing. As the days grow longer, the murmuring of the water heralds the arrival of spring.

*According to the 24 Solar Terms of Reiwa 7 (2025), Keichitsu is from March 5 to 20.

The surface of the Yoshino River sparkles, rippling as the wind blows across it. In the distance, a train can be seen slowly crossing the iron bridge. The evening light gradually takes on a reddish hue, and the sparkle on the water's surface deepens. The silhouette of the train passing by on the bridge stands out in the setting sun. I wonder what kind of people are on board that train... A fantastical, once-in-a-lifetime sight that seems likely to take you far away.

*According to the 24 Solar Terms of Reiwa 7 (2025), Shunbun is from March 20 to April 4.

Mount Yoshino, which was frequently visited by emperors in ancient times, is known as a famous cherry blossom spot. The cherry trees in Yoshino are mainly "mountain cherry trees," and each one has a different color and blooms at a different time, boasting its own individuality. Pale pink, white, red, and the green of the cherry leaves... The morning mist brings moisture, and in the sunlight, Mount Yoshino is now beginning to shine in a variety of colors. A symphony is being played to celebrate the brilliance of life... for all living things.

*According to the 24 Solar Terms of Reiwa 7 (2025), Seimei is from April 4 to 20.