At the end of February and begging of March we had what is know as the “mini rainy season”, over a week of rain with each successive day getting a degree or so warmer. This rain brings about the Nanohana (called “Rape” in English). All around Nagaokakyo wherever there is a field or even by the rivers the Nanohana plants start to grow. Actually these plants continue to grow well into April. The local supermarket started putting up fake Nanohana as decorations and selling dishes with Nanohana in them. My favourite is Nanohana tempura.