The PennZone

TOKYO, Japan - PennZone -- Although the world is on pause, time is still passing. The flowers of the new season are still brightening the cities and countryside of Japan. While, Japan's cherry blossoms are world famous, other gorgeous flowers continue to bloom in in the succeeding seasons, even after the sakura have long faded.

The Japanese "Flower Calendar"

The Japanese "flower calendar" called Hana-goyomi, reflects their intrinsic love and appreciation for seasonal natural beauty. Japanese often mention a particular seasonal flower based on the Hana-goyomi in their formal letters and greetings. Seasonal flowers are also important "current news," especially on television.

After early April cherry blossoms, the flower calendar showcases, in order through June: wisteria, irises, rhododendrons, and clematis. During the rainy season -- from the end of June to the beginning of July -- the hydrangea look especially beautiful. Perhaps this is because the subtle shades of the hydrangea flower appear deeper and more brilliant when sprinkled in raindrops.

More on The PennZone

• Dominican Fashion Designer Raiza Bonaparte presents the Sovereign Despampanante Collection at the Library of Congress
• Roohid Parast on How AI Is Changing What Bench Scientists Can Do
• What Happens When Congress Says No? New Book Examines the Boland Amendments, Iran-Contra Affair & Jamaican Posse, as US Congress Debate Over Military
• Warm, Dry Summer Forecast Points to a Stronger Wasp and Yellowjacket Season Across the Pacific Northwest
• Qscription Technologies Appoints Anurag Velekkatt Sunil Kumar to Drive Enterprise Scale

Flowers of Nikko, Tochigi Prefecture

In historic Nikko, two hours north of Tokyo, along the Tobu Railway Limited Express line, spring and summer flowers bloom everywhere. In the Senjugahama area, on the shores of Lake Chuzenji in what is known as Oku-Nikko or "deep Nikko," Kurinsou, Japanese Primrose, blooms from early to mid June. The pretty flowers from pale pink to magenta make an exquisite contrast to the green marshland.

Nikko-Kisuge, a daylily, begins to appear in June, reaching full bloom in mid-July. Kirifuri Highland's observatory offers a breathtaking view of blooming Kisuge from an altitude of 1600 meters.

Even if your dream to visit Japan doesn't come true this year, please visit Nikko next year or as soon as you can, to experience these magnificent seasonal flowers firsthand.

Okunikko Flower Calendar http://www.nikkoyumoto-vc.com/nature/flower.html (only Japanese)

Nikko Kirifuri Highland Kisugedaira Park http://www.kirifuri-kogen.jp/english/

More on The PennZone

• SafeBets Named Presenting Sponsor of IMCX 2026, Bringing Its No-Deposit Prediction Platform to the Creator Economy's Deal-Making Conference
• Turnstone Creative's Ashley Russo Serves as Emcee for United Way's 2026 NERC and Women's Summit
• A New Pulse for Cardiac Care in Baltimore: St. Elizabeth Rehab & Nursing Welcomes Dr. Hakim Uqdah and Expands Advanced Heart Program
• Lighthouse 153 Brings Fresh Seafood, Craft Beer, and Coastal Charm to Downtown Hanover This Summer
• Inframark–Slater Joint Venture Selected to Manage Fulton County Wastewater Operations

Ashikaga Flower Park, also, in Tochigi Prefecture, is known worldwide for its extensive and dramatic wisteria: https://www.ashikaga.co.jp/english/index.html

TOBU Railway Company, Ltd. is a major Japanese corporation consisting of approximately 90 companies. The Tobu Railways cover the longest operating distance in Metropolitan Tokyo, leading to numerous tourist attractions including: Asakusa and TOKYO SKYTREE TOWN in Tokyo; Nikko and Kinugawa Onsen, famous for its world heritage sites and hot springs; the Tatebayashi and Ashikaga areas, known for their blooming flower fields; and Kawagoe, where the atmosphere of the old Edo era lives on. Tobu is also invested in a portfolio of hotels, including the highly anticipated The Ritz-Carlton, Nikko and Nikko Fufu Resort (both opening in 2020).