Cosmos season!

I love cosmos season. In my area right now, they're popping up in parks, fields, and along country roads, and I always wonder why they don't get more attention.

I think we all know by now that Japan is pretty famous for its seasonal color, but when people talk about things they love, it's usually cherry blossoms, wisteria, hydrangeas, or even autumn leaves that come to mind. Cosmos seem to get overlooked.

I've lived here for years, and I still get excited when I start seeing them. There's something about a whole field of cosmos in pink, white, and red that just looks so cheerful, particularly on a sunny autumn day. Even on a cloudy day, like the day I snapped this picture, they still add some happiness!

I also like that seeing cosmos doesn't usually involve the same crowds you get at Japan's better-known flower spots. Some of the best displays I've come across have been in fairly ordinary parks or rural areas, often with rice fields or mountains nearby.

The timing makes them especially nice, too. Cosmos generally bloom from around September through November (depending on your area!) so they add some color to that period when summer is finally easing off and the autumn leaves haven't quite arrived yet.