Autumn 2014: Koko-en

It's that time of year again! The beauty of the leaves helps to offset the inevitably chilly weather. Winter will be here soon enough, but until it truly starts I'll be doing my best to enjoy the autumn colors!

So, two weeks ago I went to the Koko-en, just as the leaves are beginning to show their changes. I'll probably visit again as the season picks up, but I'm glad I went that day. I got to see the Koi fish eating their lunch, and it was really cool! There were also some very neat art displays inside the main building; they looked like paintings, but when you get closer you realize that they're landscapes created from meticulously pressed plants, flowers, and feathers. I've seen a few other pieces like these through my time in Japan, but it was the first time I've seen so many. (Alas, no photography was allowed!) I am not sure what kind of technique it is, but the effect is amazing, and I'd love to learn how to make them too!

Look at all of those koi! There's almost more of them than autumn leaves.

Lunch time!

A part of the castle wall poking out from the autumn leaves.

A lone lotus blossom blooming a bit late. Looking pretty, though!

As you can see, not too many plants within the garden were turning yet. But there's still another month of autumn to go!

The maples here were just barely beginning to change colors.

I caught this Japanese dove just before it took off; it was a tad camera-shy!

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