Monday the 21st was a national holiday in Japan - Spring Equinox Day. I made plans to meet up with some friends for a walking tour. The day was a little gloomy with Mt. Fuji looking spooky.
This is the park where the walking tour began. The group was only six people with two volunteer guides.
The walking tour was outside of the park around the tea field area and was 4.5 kilometers. If the day had been clear, we would have had views of Mt. Fuji, like in the poster.
We did have some nice views.
This is a special tea field where tea for the Emperor is grown.
The black canopies can be rolled out on sunny days to prevent the growing tea from becoming bitter.
These are olive trees. I had no idea olives were grown here.
Another thing I learned on this tour is that they begin picking the tea 88 days after Setsubun.
After the walking tour, we walked around the park, which is very nice.
In addition to many steps, there are also gently sloping pathways making the park accessible to people with mobility issues.
There are several observation decks.
There is even a little shrine.
It was a good day to spend with friends.
