The water shield is an aquatic plant in the water lily family. Its underwater buds are covered with a jellylike substance called "nuru." When boiled or added to miso soup, it offers a unique texture.

Water lilies, often likened to "water fairies," are now at their best at the Nobeoka botanical garden in the city of Nobeoka, Miyazaki Prefecture. In the garden's pond, cute white flowers peek out ...

The water shield is an aquatic plant in the water lily family. Its underwater buds are covered with a jellylike substance called "nuru." When boiled or added to miso soup, it offers a unique texture.