Summers in Japan are famous for local matsuri festivals, roof garden beer halls, and fireworks festivals. But what I look forward to the most are the lotus (hasu in Japaneses). Japanese lotus are unique. The huge green leaves are soft and round. And the flower, whether open or closed is a thing of beauty. Ueno Park and its famous Shinobazu Pond is home to one of the largest collection of lotus you will ever see. The pond is jam-packed with beautiful pink or white lotus. The fact that it is located right in the middle of one of the world's biggest cities is incredible! This year (2014), the Ueno lotus appear to be blooming late, so there is still plenty of time to go over and have a look, perhaps until late August or so.
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