Blume Messe Akita

Hubby and I visited Blume Messe Akita on November 26th. Blume Messe Akita is a roadside station located in Showa district of Katagami city in Akita prefecture. Here various kinds of fresh and durable flowers, plants, fruits, and vegetables produced directly at the farms of Showa district are available. The roadside station also has local specialty products, a restaurant, a greenhouse, a lawn field, and a golf field. It is a nice place to enjoy with friends and families.

Blume Messe Akita is located about 65 kilometers north of our home and it took us one hour to reach there by our car. We reached the car parking facility of the road station at about 10.30 am. The parking area is located in a lawn flower bed plaza named Shibafu Kadan Hiroba. It is a vast lawn that encompasses a total area of 20000 square meters. Here seasonal flowers are grown throughout the year in flower beds having an area of 3000 square meters. The beauty of tulips in spring, sunflower and tropical sage in summer, and cosmos in autumn are enjoyed by the visitors. Right in front of the car parking area, we saw a beautiful heart-shaped seasonal flower bed made out of 2000 potted ornamental cabbage (kale) in purple-pink color. The Japanese character ‘Kizuna’ was created using white colored ornamental cabbage in this flower bed. Kizuna means bond between people, which incidentally has been selected as the kanji character of the year 2011. We were really impressed by the beautiful display. There were a few other big flower beds in the lawn but we skipped seeing them.

Hubby standing next to a map of Blume Messe Akita

Blume Messe Akita

I am standing in front of the heart-shaped flower bed made out of ornamental cabbage

First we visited a greenhouse named Kansho Onshitsu. The interior of the greenhouse is divided into three sections, each having a different theme. The theme of greenhouse A is the proposal of a green living space. We enjoyed viewing various kinds of flowers and plants in containers and hangings that are made using familiar materials. Also in this section, Santa Claus and his friends are arranged beautifully on a large decorated stage for an ongoing winter event. These displayed objects seemed to welcome the visitors. In addition, there is a corner for cactus plants and Tillandsia (air plants). Hubby enjoyed viewing various kinds of cacti.

I am sitting on a wooden bench in front of flowering plants in containers

I am sitting on a wooden bench in front of a beautifully decorated large stage with many objects

Cacti

More cacti

Hubby along with cactus plants and Tillandsia

The theme of greenhouse B is enjoying the flowers of Akita. In this section, the flowers produced in Akita prefecture are scattered amongst the conifers. Several kinds of seasonal flowers and herbs also adorn this place. We saw blooming Cyclamen plants everywhere around us. In addition, presently a Poinsettia Tower is exhibited for an ongoing winter event. Poinsettia Tower is a giant red tree that is made from Poinsettia plants produced locally in Showa district. About 2800 plants are used which are critically arranged to make a 4 meter tall red tree. The top of the tree is decorated with a cute Santa Claus, his friends, and reindeer. We were very impressed by the giant tree and were already in a Christmas mood although it was just the end of November. The atmosphere in this section was so peaceful and serene. We took some rest here and refreshed ourselves.

Conifers and the flowers of Akita prefecture

I am standing in front of the conifers and the flowers of Akita prefecture

Hubby enjoying the conifers and various colors of Cyclamen flowers

I am standing in front of Poinsettia Tower

I am sitting on a wooden bench in front of the giant red tree

Top of the tree is decorated with Santa Claus and his friends

Hubby walking inside greenhouse B

The theme of greenhouse C is warm green surroundings. This section has a tropical mood where we can enjoy seeing many tropical plants and trees all year round. We saw white bird of paradise plants (Strelitzia), Paphiopedilum, potted mikan plants, banana plants, ferns, and many other varieties of tropical plants. It was really fun to walk around and enjoy various kinds of plants and flowers in this section. Some of the plants and flowers reminded me of India.

I am standing next to white bird of paradise plants

Hubby and the white bird of paradise plants

Hubby pointing a Paphiopedilum flower

I am walking inside greenhouse C

Tropical setting of greenhouse C

Hubby standing next to potted mikan plants

Hubby walking inside greenhouse C

Me, the white bird of paradise plants, and banana plants

Banana saplings and ferns

After enjoying the greenhouse, we next visited Agriplaza Showa. It is a shopping space having a variety of items like durable fresh flowers of Showa district, locally produced vegetables, specialty products of Katagami city, and souvenirs of Akita prefecture. The coming season’s green seedlings and plant saplings are also sold here. Funny and curious items collected from roadside stations of other prefectures, which are hard to come by in Akita prefecture, are also available here. At the front entrance gate of the shop, we saw a striking display of a variety of potted flowering plants with colorful blooms. Inside the shop there was a huge corner selling seasonal potted blooming Cyclamen plants. We bought two potted flowering plants, mochi rice, and locally produced vegetables and fruits from this shop. We also had pear flavored softcream which was refreshing. Near the entrance gate outside the shop, we bought grilled squid from a stall and had it. It was delicious.

Potted ornamental cabbage displayed at the front entrance of Agriplaza Showa shop

I am standing next to various kinds of potted flowering plants at the front entrance of the shop

I am standing next to potted Poinsettia plants at the front entrance of the shop

A corner selling potted blooming Cyclamen plants inside the shop

I am holding a blooming Cyclamen plant

We bought two potted flowering plants, mochi rice, and locally produced vegetables and fruits

Fresh spinach, potatoes, pumpkin, carrots, long onion, and pears

Hubby having softcream

Hubby eating grilled squid

We left Blume Messe Akita at about 1 pm. Later we went to Akita city where hubby practiced his batting skills at a baseball batting center named Tennoh Batting Dome. He batted for three games, with each game having 20 pitches. I compiled a video of him practicing in the second game.

A compiled video of hubby practicing batting at a baseball batting center

It was a nice day out with hubby.

Oyasukyo Gorge

On 5th November, hubby and I visited Oyasukyo Gorge located at the entrance of Kurikoma Quasi National Park in Yuzawa city of Akita prefecture. Oyasukyo Gorge has 60 meters high V-shaped cliffs that continue for about 4 kilometers. The gorge was formed as a result of erosion caused by the rapid currents of Minase River. The river flows through the bottom of the gorge and continues flowing along the base of Mount Kurikoma. The area is very scenic and well known spot for enjoying beautiful fresh green leaves during spring and colored leaves during autumn. There are many hot springs located in this mountainous area. Legend has it that the therapeutic quality of the hot spring water has cured many people and even animals since ancient times.

Oyasukyo Gorge is located about 90 kilometers southeast of our home and it took us 2.5 hours to reach there by our car. We reached the spot at 10.30 am and parked our car at a parking area. Near the parking area, we saw a foot hot spring called ashiyu where many visitors relaxed by plunging their feet in to the hot water. We skipped visiting this interesting foot hot spring.

I am standing at the car parking area

A sign with foot hot spring ‘ashiyu’ written on it

Visitors relaxing their feet in the hot water

We walked up to the entrance of Oyasukyo Gorge which is located near the car parking area. Then we had to walk down about 250 stairs to get to the walking path along Minase River. The views around us were really superb.

I am standing at the entrance of Oyasukyo Gorge

I am walking down the stairs

I am standing on the stairs and taking rest while descending into the gorge

Many more stairs to walk down

After about 15 minutes of descending down the stairs, we reached the walking path along the riverside. After walking along this path for a few minutes, we saw an interesting spot where hot water was bubbling out and steam was coming out from the cracks in the rocks near the riverside. The views around us were breathtaking and so scenic. We took a few photos of the wonderful views and compiled a video of the boiling water and steam coming out from the rocks.

Wonderful view to our left while facing Minase River

View right in front of us

View to our right along with the walking path

A compiled video of water bubbling out and steam coming out from the rocks

As we walked further on the walking path along the riverside, we saw a huge red bridge named Kawarayu over the gorge right above us. To our right, we noticed that hot water was steadily flowing out from many cracks in the cliff. I touched the flowing water and it was almost scalding hot. To our left, the emerald green river offered a beautiful view.

Kawarayu Bridge right above us

Water flowing out from the cracks in the cliff was really hot

Emerald green Minase River

After leisurely walking along the riverside pathway for about 25 minutes, we reached the best scenic spot named Daifunto and enjoyed the dynamic scenery up close. This spot is known as the symbol of Oyasukyo Gorge. At this spot, about ten tons of water as hot as 98 degrees Celsius gushes out fiercely from the cracks in the cliff and forms a horizontal geyser. In addition abundant amount of hot air and steam spews out violently. As we walked along the pathway, we were surrounded by hot and humid steam. There was a strong smell of sulfur everywhere around us. Such a dynamic sight made us feel as if the ground and cliffs were breathing. It was a remarkable experience. We took a few photos of the spot and compiled a video of the water spurting out from the horizontal geyser.

Steam near Daifunto spot

I am standing on the walking pathway

Hot water and steam gushing out fiercely from a crack in the cliff

It was very hot and humid and smelled strongly of sulfur

I am standing on the pathway with Daifunto spot in the background

Daifunto along with Kawarayu Bridge

A compiled video of the horizontal geyser at Daifunto

After walking further along the pathway for another 10 minutes, we noticed that Minase River became considerably narrower and many large rocks were scattered along the river course. After walking for a couple of more minutes, we saw that the stream of the river was hardly noticeable and only rocks could be seen.

Hubby walking along the pathway

River became narrow and many rocks could be seen along the river course

Stream of the river is hardly noticeable and only rocks are seen

At this point the walking pathway along the riverside ended, and we had to start climbing up the stairs leading us back to the car parking area. As we started climbing up the stairs, we reached another beautiful spot from where we got a fantastic view of the gorge lined on both sides by cliffs along with the river and rocks at the base. In addition, there were two waterfalls tumbling off one of the cliffs. The scene was so prefect and superb.

Gorge lined on both sides by cliffs along with the river and rocks at the base

Two waterfalls tumbling off a cliff

Hubby and the gorge

Me and the waterfalls

We, the gorge, and the waterfalls

We had to climb up almost 300 stairs to reach the car parking area. About halfway up the stairs, to our left we got a beautiful view of the cliffs, the river, and Kawarayu Bridge. To our right, we saw that the cliffs were rather steep as compared to our left side. In addition, we could enjoy autumn colored foliage although the colors had already peaked.

Beautiful scenery to our left as viewed from halfway up the stairs

Scenery to our right as viewed from halfway up the stairs

Autumn colors

Vivid autumn colors

A view from the top of the stairs

It took us almost 45 minutes to climb up the stairs. By the time we reached the top of the stairs, I was totally exhausted. So we took rest for some time. Afterwards we walked up to Kawarayu Bridge and leisurely walked across the bridge. From the midpoint of the bridge, we could look at the entire gorge, the river, and even the walking pathway along the riverside. We enjoyed the autumn colors also.

Hubby standing next to Kawarayu Bridge

Gorge and the river as viewed while looking to our left from the midpoint of the bridge

Hubby standing on the bridge

Me and the gorge

Gorge and the river as viewed while looking to our right from the midpoint of the bridge

The river as viewed while looking to our right from the bridge

Walking pathway along the riverside

Next we had lunch at a nearby restaurant. I had a bowl of rice cooked with various kinds of mountain vegetables. Hubby had a bowl of Inaniwa udon, a specialty of Yuzawa city. Afterwards we went to a souvenir shop located near the restaurant and bought a pair of cute ceramic owl couple as souvenir.

Our lunch

Hubby having Inaniwa udon

A pair of cute owl couple

We left the gorge area at 2 pm and returned back home at about 5 pm. It was really fun to visit Oyasukyo Gorge.