First flowers of the season: Nanohana, Mitsumata, Sumire

After Plum Blossom it is time for Nanohana...

Rapeseed blossom, brassica napus (菜の花) is used for oil and eaten as a Japanese vegetable in spring. The bright yellow fields are like an explosion of spring

... and Mitsumata

Oriental Paperbush, Edgewortia chrysanha (ミツマタ) The wood is used for Japanese paper.

Here with my first butterfly this year: Indian Red Admiral, アカタテハ

Japanese Violet, Viola mandshurica (スミレ)

Sago palm (ソテツ)