Visiting Nyoirin-ji, a Buddhist temple in Ogori, Fukuoka

Before going to iris and hydrangea festival, we went to Nyoirin-ji (如意輪寺), the Shingon temple in Ogori. The temple is known as the temple of the frog; the chief priest that went on a trip to China and he brought back frog figurines made out of jade. There are now more than 5000 figurines placed in the temple.

A group of frogs welcome you visit.

A Sanmon or the temple gate of Nyoirin-ji.

Passing the temple gate, then go straight down the sando road to the main hall.

Colorful wind chimes hanging on the street.

We saw statues of Ebisu and Fudo-myoo on the way.

The main temple. The Nyoirin Kannon (如意輪観音), which said to have carved by a priest known as Gyoki, is in the main temple building.

The hugging frog. He'll send you good luck when you carry it by hand.

The god of Buddhist dragon saves the Buddhism.

The frog tunnel. It seems to be getting younger when you come out of the tunnel.

More frogs in art.

I looked back on the sando from the top of stone stairways.

I hand shake before saying goodbye.

I found a frog statue on top of the five yen coin beside the parking lot.

Seeing iris and hydrangea festival at Ishibashi Cultural Center Japanese garden

On Thursday we had decided to take a drive to see iris and hydrangea in bloom at Ishibashi Cultural Center Japanese garden, Kurume, Fukuoka. The garden's annual flowers event will be held between May 23 and June 16, with 30 species, of 10000 pieces of irises, hydrangeas and water lily flowers has been planted. The best time to see the flowers is around the beginning of June.

The pond's irises are approaching full bloom, with over 80% of the flowers already open.

The Kurume City Art Museum/Ishibashi Museum of Art with water fountain in background.

Going through the inner path, we came to the Japanese garden.

Iris blossoms in bloom in the garden.

The iris garden and the Kurume City Art Museum

A close up of some iris blossoms.

Colorful hydrangeas in full bloom.

More hydrangea blooms in the backyard.

I was tried to take a backlit picture of irises and hydrangeas together.

Seeing hydrangea in bloom at Hakozaki Shrine flower garden

Yesterday we had decided to take a drive to see hydrangea in bloom at Hakozaki Shrine flower garden, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka. The shrine's annual hydrangea festival will be held in June, with 30 species, of 5000 pieces of lily flowers has been planted.

The garden is open to the public. However, an admission fee of 300 yen per person is payable.

A close up of some lily and hydrangea blossoms.