Yahiko Chrysanthemum Matsuri

Today is Culture Day and what better way to spend the day off than to go to the Chrysanthemum Festival in Yahiko! I first heard, rather read about this festival in May after climbing Yahiko mountain and obtaining a pamphlet about other events in Yahiko. I've been excited ever since. It seemed like a long way away but the day approached rapidly now that I look back. So here are a few pictures of the beautiful festival as well as the transitional stage of the fall leaves here in Yahiko Koen. In a couple weeks Yahiko Koen will be predictably at it's peak in color so there will be more of that to come as well. Enjoy the mums!
(These first ones are about the size of my head.)













There where also spidery ones a little thinner but the same width around.







Other mum types.





Also there was a huge landscape display all formed in chrysanthemums.




In the month of Novemeber Japanese people celebrate the ages of children 3, 5 and 7. So throughout the month of Novemeber you can see children dressed up.




Mums are also formed into tree shapes, shield shapes and of course if there's a plant in Japan you'll always find it's version in Bonzai mini.










The Yahiko Shrine at night.






Yahiko Koen Day/Night