Fields of lotus in the countryside

Large pink lotus grace Uji's rural areas

Cathy Cawood Aug 31, 2014 - 1 min read

<p>The blooms are magnificent at all stages</p>

<p>Lotus fields beside the Okubo Bypass road</p>

<p>It's hard to believe this is an agricultural crop!</p>

<p>Fully open lotus bloom about to shed its petals</p>

<p>Seed head with big blue-black seeds</p>

<p>Tea and rice were growing side by side with lotus in some places  </p>

<p>Lotus field beneath electricity pylons</p>

On one of my long bicycle rides through the countryside around Kyoto I found a large area with many lotus ponds. At first I though that some altruistic Japanese had decided to create a vista of extraordinary beauty for the enjoyment of passersby. I was wrong, although I don't think my assumption was unreasonable because people have done just that all over Japan with plantings of cherry blossom, hydrangeas, cosmos and other flowers. However I realized that like the beautiful yellow rapeseed blossom in spring, the lotuses are a food crop. Lotus root is used in salads, tempura and stir fries. Beauty and usefulness!

Cathy Cawood @cathy.cawood

I came to Japan in 2003 to teach English. I lived in Shiga prefecture for 1 year, and it still holds a special place in my heart. I lived in Kyoto for 9 years, then moved to Machida, Tokyo in 2014 after meeting my Japanese partner. I love to take photos, and my Japan in Pictures Facebook page ha...