Summer in Rural Japan: A Photo Essay
Photos from the past week of my life here in rural Yamagata, Japan.
Here are a few photos from the past week.
Manoma Tsuruoka
First up, last Friday I had lunch with some friends at Manoma. When you go to rural Japan, besides the seafood, you should definitely see if you can find a so-called “farmers” restaurant, or something along those lines. The produce is fresh, and combined with the skill of a great chef, like those at Manoma, you simply could not ask for better.
This was the menu.
Manoma had this awesome calendar as you walked in. This calendar even had the microseasons written on it.
Very cool.
Living in Japan you notice Japanese people love calendars, or at least the people I come across do (my mother-in-law has at least three in her room. It’s not excessive if everyone does it).
I think it’s because Japanese people think in terms of date, rather than day. Tell a Japanese person you want to meet them next Wednesday and they’ll either look for a calendar to check the date, or ask you ‘what date was that’?
Well,
it’s when the irises are in bloom (あやめはなさく).
(They also sometimes use a 24 hour clock in normal conversation. I’ve also had people ask me if I meant 2 PM or 2 AM to meet up…)
It wouldn’t be a Kiwi Yamabushi post without mountains
Is it a lawn mower, or a snow clearer?
Can’t it be both?
These are one of the most genius things I have ever seen. I guess that’s what happens when you live in a place that gets inundated in snow in winter, and blisteringly hot in summer. Needs must and all that.
The Very Japanese Problem
Here we have a very nice shot of some shrine grounds, with the huge Torii, the path leading to the shrine, and some ornate lanterns.
Take a few steps back though…
I love you Japan, but your signage is killing me.
Speaking of:
The Uniquely Japanese Superpower
Kia ora koutou. Tim Bunting the Kiwi Yamabushi here bringing you concepts, life advice, and hiking guides from the Japanese mountains.
Daily Yamabushi for The Week
Daily Yamabushi posts for the week of June 28 to July 3, 2025.
Read Daily Yamabushi at timbunting.com/blog. Everything I make is free of charge if you know where to find it. I’d start here.
I think this sign was better - https://substack.com/@francisturner/note/c-130114006 :)
And yes. I think it’s a law in ruralish Japan to have at least half a dozen calendars in the house, including one in the toilet just in case you forget what day it is
Amazing pictures, I can almost smell the fresh air and the delicious food!