Kokuu (Grain Rains)

The 160-year-old giant wisteria at Ashikaga Flower Park. (© Ashikaga Flower Park)

Cherry blossoms against a misty moon oborozuki. (© Pixta)

Tea plantations in Shizuoka Prefecture with Mount Fuji in the background. (© Pixta)

Nawashiro (rice plant beds) in a greenhouse. (© Pixta)

A Boy’s Day display. (© Pixta)

Tulips in bloom. (© Pixta)

The Himatsuri pottery fair is held in Kasama, Ibaraki Prefecture, every spring and autumn. Potters set up stalls to sell their pots directly to customers.

Peony flowers. (© Pixta)

Salt-grilled ayu. (© Pixta)

Kusamochi are sticky rice cakes containing ground yomogi and filled with azuki bean paste. (© Pixta)

Horse mackerel served tataki-style. (© Pixta)

Grilled turban sazae shell. (© Pixta)