Image 1/25

@ Kiso Mountains, Nagano, And Gifu, Japan
Harmony begins her journey through Honshu!
Kiso Mountains, Nagano, And Gifu, Japan
Clear starry skies and mountains covered in snow make a visually stunning picture. The Kiso mountains are located in the prefectures of Nagano and Gifu. This mountain range is also known as the Central Alps; they meet up with the Hida Mountains and the Akaishi Mountains to form a group collectively known as the Japanese Alps.
Mount Komogatake is the most prominent peek at 2,956 m. The famous summit is named in a song called “The Land of Shinano”, the official song of Nagano.

Image 2/25

@ Japanese Park in Autumn

White Daisy Egg
My pets are in awe of these beautiful eggs—they would love to try to paint their own one year. Easter and spring are times of joy as the earth awakens, plants are pushing forth from the soil, and the days are becoming warmer. Many baby animals are born in the spring, and life is burgeoning. May these eggs bring you joy and be a reminder of the earth renewing itself.

Japanese Park in Autumn
An autumnal scene at the Chubu Sangaku National Park.

Image 3/25

@ Thatched Roofs, Shirakawa-Go
"It says here that fortune cookies were first made in Japan," remarked Audrey.
"Oh wow, I didn't know that!" responded Harmony.

Image 4/25

@ Rice Terraces Lit at Night
The Aoi Festival celebrated in Kyoto is one of the festivals in Japan with the most elaborate parades. The parades consist of individuals in historical costumes and makeup because they relive the glory days of Kyoto when it was still the capital city of Japan. More than 500 people are included in the parades all dressed in noble and aristocratic style clothing. At the end of the parade, offerings are given to the deities of the Kamo Shrine – an offering by the Emperor to the gods. It is one of the three most popular festivals in Japan.

Image 5/25

@ Rustic Snow Houses, Shirakawa-Go
"One of the trains in Japan floats above the tracks due to magnetism. Its speed is 340 mph (550 km/h)!" remarked Ivory.
"Wow! That's amazing!" responded Harmony.
Rustic Snow Houses, Shirakawa-Go
Rustic houses in the snow in Shirakawa-Go.

Image 6/25

@ Japan's Alpine Treks
Nearly half the zippers worldwide are made in Japan. If you check your zipper, chances are, it will say YKK on it, which stands for Yoshida Kogyo Kabushikikaisha. Founded in Tokyo in 1934, it is estimated that 7 billion zippers are produced by this manufacturer each year.
Japan's Alpine Treks
The Yatsugatake mountain range was formed from volcanic eruptions over thousands of years. Legend has it that Mt. Fuji was of inferior height but the goddess of Fuji tore down Yatsugatake leaving Fuji as the higher of the two.

Image 7/25

@ Cloudy Peaks in Honshu
"It says here that fortune cookies were first made in Japan," remarked Feisty.
"Oh wow, I didn't know that!" responded Harmony.
Cloudy Peaks in Honshu
A windy, cloudy scene in the peaks at a height of 2600m in the Chubu Sangaku National Park in Nagano, Japan.

Image 8/25

@ Autumnal Japanese Landscape
You may have heard of Maglev (“Magnetic Levitation”), and Japan has it covered. Planning to have a route from Tokyo to Nagoya done and dusted by 2027, there are further plans to link the city of Nagoya with Osaka by 2045.
Autumnal Japanese Landscape
This beautiful misty autumnal scene was photographed in the mountains of the Chubu Sangaku National Park.

Image 9/25

@ Mount Hotaka, Japan
Viewing Cherry Blossoms in Japan is one of the most popular means to enjoy the April months in the country. This is the time when cherry trees bloom its finest and most beautiful blossoms. Celebrated as the Hanami festival, people wine and dine under the trees for days starting the peak of the blooms. It is said that this is the best way for families and friends to bond in the warm weather of the spring time. It is also one of the best ways to enjoy and appreciate the beauty that nature has to offer. It is a celebration of renewed life and beauty.
Mount Hotaka, Japan
In Japan, autumn colours start in September at high mountains in Honshu and northern island, Hokkaido. This shot was taken at the Dakezawa Valley of Mt Hotaka (3,190m).

Image 10/25

@ Japanese Alpine Valley
The Shinano River (Shinano-gawa) is the longest and widest river in Japan at 228 miles (367 km). It flows from the Japanese Alps to the Sea of Japan.
Japanese Alpine Valley
This stunning view of snow-covered peaks at sunrise is from the Chubu Sangaku National Park in the Northern Japan Alps. Eighty per cent of Japan is mountainous terrain.

Image 11/25

@ Origami Crane
Europeans first arrived in Japan in 1543, bringing with them a range of new technologies and cultural practices, including the Christian religion. But in 1635, the ruling shogun closed Japan to foreigners and forbade Japanese to travel abroad, beginning a state of isolation that would last more than 200 years. In 1868, the shoguns were overthrown and emperors returned. This was a time of great change and modernisation for Japan.

Image 12/25

@ Serene Japanese Garden Bridge
“I don't know how to pronounce half of these place names, Harmony!” said Chase ruefully.
"Never mind," said Harmony. "We'll look them up when we get back to the hotel tonight!"

Image 13/25

@ Samurai Statuette
"Japan—the perfect choice for our travels this winter, Harmony!" enthused Star pop.
"Yup. Karaoke, kimonos, karate and koi. I can't wait to go shopping"
"Oh! I was thinking more of world famous architecture, history, culture and technology. Japan has given the world so much!" said Star pop.
Harmony unwrapped a Hello Kitty chocolate for herself, popped it in her mouth and offered the packet to Star pop. "Sure! You know me, I love a bit of culture. As long as there's a nice gift shop at the end, I'm happy."

Image 14/25

@ Sake Barrels
"In Japan there is a custom to forecast the day when cherry blossoms start blooming," remarked Kia.
"A bit like Groundhog Day?" asked Harmony.
"Perhaps!"

Image 15/25

@ Japanese Sika Deer
Oh look ... you won a pet!

Image 16/25

@ Japanese Red Viburnum
"More film trivia here, Torch!" remarked Harmony. "Can you name a 1985 Japanese film influenced by Shakespeare's King Lear about an ageing warlord who attempts to pass his kingdom to his three sons?"
"No, I'm not familiar with it, Harmony!"
"It's called Ran, and it says here it's one of the best films ever made."
"We'll have to make a point of seeing it, then," said Torch.

Image 17/25

@ Mt Azuma, Tohoku
"It says here that fortune cookies were first made in Japan," remarked Rosco.
"Oh wow, I didn't know that!" responded Harmony.

Image 18/25

@ Mount Iide, Tohoku
You may have heard of Maglev (“Magnetic Levitation”), and Japan has it covered. Planning to have a route from Tokyo to Nagoya done and dusted by 2027, there are further plans to link the city of Nagoya with Osaka by 2045.

Image 19/25

@ Yellow Blossoms, Tohoku
Europeans first arrived in Japan in 1543, bringing with them a range of new technologies and cultural practices, including the Christian religion. But in 1635, the ruling shogun closed Japan to foreigners and forbade Japanese to travel abroad, beginning a state of isolation that would last more than 200 years. In 1868, the shoguns were overthrown and emperors returned. This was a time of great change and modernisation for Japan.

Image 20/25

@ Hazy Lake, Akita, Tohoku
"More film trivia here, Skye!" remarked Harmony. "Can you name a 1985 Japanese film influenced by Shakespeare's King Lear about an ageing warlord who attempts to pass his kingdom to his three sons?"
"No, I'm not familiar with it, Harmony!"
"It's called Ran, and it says here it's one of the best films ever made."
"We'll have to make a point of seeing it, then," said Skye.

Image 21/25

@ Mountain Flowers, Japan
You may have heard of Maglev (“Magnetic Levitation”), and Japan has it covered. Planning to have a route from Tokyo to Nagoya done and dusted by 2027, there are further plans to link the city of Nagoya with Osaka by 2045.
Mountain Flowers, Japan
Snow still lingers on the mountain passes while flowers announce the start of the warmer weather.

Image 22/25

@ Forest Cascade, Tohoku
" 'Japan has over 5 million vending machines that can sell almost anything, be it batteries, ramen, sake, bananas, umbrellas, flowers—you name it and the vending machines probably stock it.'," read Moonabelle from the tour guide.
"That's incredible! We'll have to go into town and look to see what we could get!" responded Harmony.

Image 23/25

@ Iide Mountains, Tohoku
"In Japan there is a custom to forecast the day when cherry blossoms start blooming," remarked Twitch.
"A bit like Groundhog Day?" asked Harmony.
"Perhaps!"

Image 24/25

@ Night Forest, Hachimantai
“I don't know how to pronounce half of these place names, Harmony!” said Choose a name Thisisme ruefully.
"Never mind," said Harmony. "We'll look them up when we get back to the hotel tonight!"

Image 25/25

@ Mt Mitsuishi, Tohoku
Harmony has now completed her journey through Honshu! As she prepares to go home, she receives a wonderful gift!
Fox, Looking For A Hill To Sled Down
Ah! Wintertime. This Fox is ready to go out and enjoy the snow that fell during the night. I have a brand new sled; you can guess how I acquired it. I put some wax on the runners as I am told this will make it go fast, and I want to feel the wind in my fur. Are we all ready?

Look, I found a hill. It looks a tiny bit steep, but I can do this. Have I been sledding before? Well, no, this is my first time, but how hard can it be? You sit, see here, the green boards–this is where you sit. You hold onto this rope, and you push off with your feet.

Here we go. Oh my, this is quite fast. Oh! Now I am going much faster; the hill must have become steeper. Why can’t I steer this? I forgot there is a tree on the lower part of the hill. If I just put all my weight to one side, I should be able to…fall over into a pile of snow. Well, that was fun. Should I do it again?


Harmony has enjoyed her journey through Honshu, but it is time to go home now! "xxxxxx" is over now, but there will be more events in PnF soon!