Mt. Takao

今日のテーマは、東京都の「高尾山」。

撮影スポットの写真撮影しながら、カメラ・撮影技術・撮影スポットの英会話を楽しもう！

 ぜひＩＤＣＳ英会話の『Pix & English』をご参考ください！

 

This week's photo shoot takes us to Mt. Takao, which is located about 55 km (approx. 34 mi) west of Central Tokyo for some landscape and woodland photography in Japan.

Google Maps Links:

• Takaosanguchi Station (高尾山口駅) on the Keio Line
• https://goo.gl/maps/65cyHdBJvZCWMdtE8
• Trailhead for Trail No. 1 (高尾山（1号路）出入口)
• https://goo.gl/maps/bpQMtNc4iV5ff9yk9
• Takaosan Cable Car Kiyotaki Station (高尾山ケーブルカー 清滝駅)
• https://goo.gl/maps/Yye3GaGTDwXJXHwe7

From the cable car terminus, you can take a 1.7 km walk (26 minutes) to the peak

• Visitor Center on peak of mountain
• https://goo.gl/maps/eb7MPZRCc427Tuj77

Mt. Takao is a historically sacred mountain located about 55 km (approx. 34 mi) due west on the border of Tokyo Prefecture and Kanagawa Prefecture. With numerous temples, shrines, sacred objects including trees, and more with a history dating back more than 1,200 years.

There is so much history to learn, deeply held traditions to experience, and an oasis of nature to enjoy all on the footsteps of Tokyo Prefecture. As a sightseeing destination, Mt. Takao is super easy to access, and the climb to the peak is doable without the need for any special hiking or climbing gear. With two sets of cable cars that reach close to the peak, young families with babies, or elderly parents with limited mobility should have no problem accessing the top of the mountain.

• Live Japan: Perfect Guide: Detailed guide with overall useful information regarding the many attractions of Mt. Takao.
• Mount Takao Guide: 12 Best Attractions At The World's Most-Climbed Mountain
• Donny Kimball: In depth review of a first-hand experience of Mt. Takao (I am often inspired to go on photo shoots at locations reviewed by Mr. Kimball.)
• Mt. Takao & the Tengu | A Sacred Mountain in Tokyo Prefecture

As a photo shoot location, timing is very important if you want to avoid the crowds. Taking any one of the numerous trails other than Trail No. 1 will allow you to get off of the beaten path and give you closer proximity to natural woodlands, wildlife, and depending on the weather and lighting, you can have access to some beautiful panoramic views of the Tanzawa Mountain Range and the Tokyo metropolis.

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Distant Mountain Range

 

Long exposure shot of the Tanzawa Mountain Range located about 19 km (12 mi) due west of Mt. Takao in Tokyo Prefecture.

Moss-Covered Tree Limb

 

Possibly the leaves of a Weeping Fern (Lepisorus thunbergianus) growing a the limb of an old, moss-coverd cherry tree at the peak of Mt. Tako.

Lone Tree

 

Small opening in the canopy allowed some evening light to reflect off of the moss that has enveloped the trunk of this lone tree.

Suspension Bridge

 

Trail No. 4 on Mt. Takao is one of the more popular trails due to its relatively wide trails and its main attraction: Miyama Bridge.

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Below is a list of the equipment I take with me on photo shoots.

Camera Gear:

Pentax KP
https://amzn.to/2EbbLRZ
Standard zoom lens: smc Pentax-DA 18-135mm F3.5-5.6 ED AL[IF] DC WR
https://amzn.to/2Ysz5lJ
Telephoto zoom lens: HD Pentax-DA 55-300mm F4.5-6.3 ED PLM WR RE
https://amzn.to/3iNEsDF
Tripod: Manfrotto MT190CXPRO4 (carbon fiber legs with quick locking clamps)
https://amzn.to/2Fqpghd
Ball head: Manfrotto Cloud XPRO Series Ballhead BHQ2 with 200PL locking plate
https://amzn.to/3g6WI9j

Video Gear:

Canon EOS Kiss M/M50 Double Zoom Kit
https://amzn.to/2Ef3mNg
SIGMA 16mm F1.4 DC DN | Contemporary C017 (Canon EF-M Mount, APS-C Size, Mirrorless Only)
https://amzn.to/3axkn1w
PolarPro 67mm QuartzLine Circular Polarizer Filter
https://amzn.to/2FUTBVS
Zhiyun Weebill-S Gimbal
https://amzn.to/32c0FFL
RODE Road Wireless GO Wireless Microphone System WIGO
https://amzn.to/35lygz1

Filters & Filter Systems:

PolarPro QuartzLine ND 64 Filter - 67mm (ND64 6-stop reduction in light)
https://amzn.to/2J9VSOM
PolarPro QuartzLine ND1000 Filter - 67mm (ND1000 10-stop reduction in light)
https://amzn.to/39rwWwW
PolarPro QuartzLine ND100k Filter - 67mm (ND100K 15-stop reduction in light)
https://amzn.to/3q7YHAm
PolarPro QuartzLine Circular Polarizer - 67mm
https://amzn.to/3fOwgCY
PolarPro Summit | Landscape Filter System Custom Kit (Core, Thread Plate, ND4-GR filter, ND8-GR filter, Circular Polarizer)
https://amzn.to/37hjkBv

Pack:

F-stop Tilopa 50L Adventure and Travel Camera Backpack (Essentials Bundle: backpack, rain cover, internal camera unit)
https://amzn.to/2XfjDIE
F-stop Tripod Bag (large)
https://amzn.to/3pXW57n

*Links to Amazon are affiliated links, which means that if you choose to purchase an item that I may get a small commission, which has no effect on your purchase price whatsoever.

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Photos used with permission.

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