Hydrangeas, cormorant fishing and firefliesEarly summer sensations and celebrations
Hydrangeas: Ajisai, which flower in a wide variety of blues and lavenders, is a symbol of the rainy season. Real connoisseurs of ajisai will want to visit Mimuroto-ji Temple. This old temple, established in the Nara period (710-794) has a fine old garden with over 10,000 (30 different kinds) ajisai bushes. The garden is open to the public and will be beautifully lit up. Tel: 0774-21-2067 Access: a 20-min. walk from Mimuroto Sta., Keihan Uji line.
Cormorant Fishing: Gazing across the river, glowing red from the torch lights of the old fishing boats, you'll hear the echoing voices of fishermen trying to catch ayu (sweet fish) in the darkness of the night. But they are not using poles. Dressed in traditional head gear with aprons made of straw, each fisherman skilfully controls the six cormorants tied to his boat to catch fish for him. This unique and traditional way of fishing, which is known as ukai in Japanese, originated in the 8th century. Today, it remains little more than an exotic tourist attraction. But what a sight indeed! The fishermen and their birds can be viewed, in Uji, from mid June to early September, from boats. Tel: 0774-23-3334. Access: a 15-min. walk from Uji Sta., JR Nara line or a 10-min. walk from Uji sta., Keihan Uji line.
Fireflies: Watching and marvelling at hotaru was a highly popular pastime in traditional Japanese life. It was especially popular as a family outing along rivers and streams, where hotaru thrive after a light rain during the rainy season. In Ayabe City: A hotaru festival is held in mid June in the Kanbayashi Sanso area. Info: 0773-54-0390. Access: Get off at Ayabe Sta. (JR Sanin line), then take a bus to Teramachi. In Miyama Town: An overnight hotaru photography tour (you must be accompanied by a Japanese speaker) will be held here in late June. Miyama Town is also known for its many thatched roof houses. Info: 0771-77-0014 .