"Surrounded by Wisteria"

Hello everyone! I'm Murasaki Sachi, a photographer.

This is the third article to celebrate the 45th anniversary of Serakogen Farm, and this time we will introduce "Serafuji Garden." This flower farm was taken over by Serakogen Farm in 2021 and reopened after renovation.

I was shown around before it opened, but at the time it had been abandoned for a while, so I remember feeling anxious about whether it would really be able to open. However, the staff have since worked hard to restore the wisteria and maintain the garden, and now in May it creates a beautiful world of purple and pink. And with each passing year, the trees have recovered and grown, and the amount of flowers is increasing rapidly. There are about 1,000 wisteria trees planted in the garden, as well as 12,000 lupine plants known as ascending wisteria.

There are not many wisteria gardens on such a large scale. Because the wisteria hangs down, you can see it at human eye level, and it has a lovely scent, so it's fun to "experience flowers."

My personal favorite spot is the straight wisteria path.

Just looking at it makes me feel good.

Looking at the gentle colors of wisteria soothes the soul.

Maybe it's because I look up and smile, but it also lifts my spirits.

The air feels clean and makes you want to take a deep breath.

And walking makes me a little sleepy.

I feel like it has a stronger healing effect than any other flower (although this is just Murai's personal opinion).

Each section of the garden has a different theme, so even though the wisteria is the same, there are many different ways to enjoy it, so you'll never get bored.

First, take a leisurely walk around the park.

Taking a wide-angle shot to capture its beauty brings out the distinctive features of Serafuji Garden.

However, wisteria flowers are beautiful even when photographed up close. The wisteria flowers hang down so low you can almost touch them, so take a good look at them up close. And try to smell them too. They have a very soothing, refreshing scent.

Along the way, there is an area where lupines bloom, known as Noborichika.

Nemophila flowers are also planted underneath, which is said to represent the sky.

And at the end of the tour around the garden, you will see the largest sacred tree in Serafuji Garden, Fukurokuju Fuji. It is a magnificent tree that you will find yourself bowing down to.

It has been watching over the wisteria garden in this place for many years.

Finally, I'd like to end by showing you a few of my favorite photos.

What did you think of the wisteria photos this time?

The new Serafuji Garden has reopened as part of the Serakogen Farm group. New trees have been planted and original trees have been restored. I enjoy visiting every year to see the trees grow and to see the changes in the garden, which I also enjoy.

There are surprisingly few flowers that can be seen at the same level as humans, so wisteria makes you feel very happy, as if you are surrounded by flowers.

Be sure to visit Serafuji Garden, where you will find it truly relaxing.

Easygoing photographer Murai Sachi

After working as a diving guide in Zamami Village, Okinawa Prefecture, he entered the world of photography.

After working as a photographer for a diving magazine, he went independent.

Currently, he works across the globe, focusing on underwater photography, landscapes, flowers, and more.

He continues to produce works in his unique, bright, gentle, and "soft and fluffy" style.

In 2024, the underwater photography exhibition "FantaSea" will be held in Tokyo, Sapporo, and Osaka.

Tokyo: May 17th - 23rd (FUJIFILM SQUARE), Sapporo: July 12th - 17th, Osaka: August 30th - September 5th, both at FUJIFILM Photo Salon.

At the same time, he also released an underwater photo book titled "FantaSea" to commemorate his 20th anniversary as a photographer.

Tourism Ambassador for Zamami Village, Okinawa Prefecture.

She is the owner of Murai Sachi's Fluffy Photo Salon.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/murai_sachi/

Official Web: http://murasiachi.com

Fluffy Photo Salon: Photographer Murai Sachi's Fluffy Photo Salon CAMPFIRE Community ( camp-fire.jp )