Four Seasons In Japan

Soaring to a height of 2,909 meters, Mt. Nishi-Hotaka lies in the steep Northern Alps and is affectionately known among mountain climbers as "Flower Mountain." In July, snow lingers in the valleys just below the summit, where colorful alpine flowers bloom. Many birds can be found during the summer months, including rock ptarmigans that inhabit the rocky moraine and Japanese accentors that raise their young under low-growing Siberian dwarf pines.

Lying off the coast of Fukui Prefecture, tiny Oshima Island comes alive with birdlife in the early summer. Oriental reed warblers rest in the grasslands near the shore while Narcissus flycatchers and Asian brown flycatchers hunt for insects in the forest that covers the center of the island. Many of these birds are migrating from southern lands on the Asian continent to breeding grounds in the north. Others, like the house martin, raise their young on the island itself. They must always be mindful of peregrine falcons that threaten their young from above.

Hegura Island is a lone island off the Noto Peninsula in the Sea of Japan. Each autumn, it welcomes a wide variety of migratory birds. They come to Hegura to rest their wings on their way from Siberia and other northern lands to wintering grounds such as Japan and southern Asia. Greater white-fronted geese search for food in the rocks near the coast. Common kestrels stop to hunt for their insect prey. Japanese bush warblers wash the dirt off their wings in puddles. The blessings of the island give the birds fuel to continue their journeys. This is a look at the activities of migratory birds as they come and go on this small island.

Nose Town is located about 30 kilometers north of central Osaka. With terraced rice fields and villages surrounded by groves of trees, the satoyama landscape from long ago is interwoven with the people's lives. In a part of a village, a huge Japanese zelkova tree that's over 1,000 years old provides a place for owls to raise their young. In early summer, butterflies such as the zephyrus relative known as the "jewel of the forest" flutter about the trees in the surrounding mountains. Local residents work to protect the butterfly paradise. Take a closer look at the diverse workings of life in the satoyama foothills near Osaka.

Mt. Daisen in Tottori Prefecture towers over the Sea of Japan. It stands at 1,729 meters, and its mountainside has a wide-reaching Japanese beech tree forest. In late October, the trees turn beautiful colors and produce berries and seeds. All kinds of birds come to feast on this bounty. Bramblings fly down from Siberia and other regions. Varied tits store seeds to prepare for winter. Northern goshawks target these birds. Take a closer look at the fascinating life on Mt. Daisen in the busy autumn season.

The Kaifu River flows through the southern part of Tokushima Prefecture and empties into the Pacific Ocean. With a deep forest at its source, it is known as one of the clearest rivers in Shikoku. This pure water is a treasure trove of creatures. Japanese eels are among the many fish swimming in the river. In autumn, countless ayu sweetfish gather in the shallow areas downstream for their spawning period. Great egrets and other birds come to hunt for the sweetfish as they rush to leave their offspring. And some unexpected enemies also come after the eggs. Visit Kaifu River in autumn to see life in action.

Nomozaki in Nagasaki Prefecture sits at the tip of a peninsula in the East China Sea. In winter, the cape area and nearby Kabashima Island welcome all kinds of birds. Brown boobies rest their wings on the seaside cliffs. As many as 200 visit in some years. The area is also home to ospreys, birds of prey that feast on fish. The abundant ocean around the peninsula provides nourishment for this life. Birds plunge into the sea to catch fish. Visit Nomozaki in winter and see its fascinating creatures.