Wednesday, April 6, 2022

Harbor View Park

今日のテーマは、横浜の「港を見える丘公園」と「フランス山公園」。英語の興味がある方なら、何卒IDCS英会話のホームページの御覧ください。

 


Springtime at this park presents an abundance of colors and textures with carefully tended flower beds and lovely water fountains throughout the park.

The park is a popular destination for young families, young couples, photographers, and tourists from the world over. 

First, a little history:

After the Namamugi Incident where a British merchant was killed by the retainers of a samurai in 1862, French and British forces established garrisons on the Bluff in Naka Ward, Yokohama, to protect their respective citizens from further attacks under the treaties that gave foreigners extraterritoriality. 

French Hill Park was the site of the French marines from 1863 until 1875. After the Meiji restoration the marines withdrew and the French Consulate was built on the same site in 1894.

The Great Kanto Earthquake of 1923 destroyed the consulate along with the rest of Yokohama and Tokyo. Remnants of rebuilt consulate, which burned down in 1947, can still be seen along with the windpump.

Like the French, the British had troops assigned to a garrison from 1862 to 1875. The British located their forces higher up on the bluff at the crest of the hill. The British garrison had barracks, a naval hospital, storage facilities, a church, and a large parade ground.

After the British forces left in 1875, wealthy foreign merchants and expats rented lots on the Bluff for residential and commercial use. 

In 1962, land was turned over to the city of Yokohama where French Hill Park and Harbor View Park were established.

Entrance to the park is only a 1-minute walk from Motomachi-Chukagai Station on the Minato-Mirai Line, which runs through Yokohama Station onto the Tokyu-Toyoko Line to Shibuya Station in Tokyo.



Yokohama Marine Tower | 横浜マリンタワー
Pentax K-1 II + D FA 28-105mm F3.5-5.6
45 mm ISO 100 for 20 sec. at ƒ/13

French Hill Windpump | フランス山の風車
Pentax K-1 II + D FA 28-105mm F3.5-5.6
40 mm ISO 100 for 40 sec. at ƒ/11

Located just below Harbor View Park on the Yamate Bluff (Yokohama, Japan), French Hill Park was the site of the French marines from 1863 until 1875. The French Consulate was built on the same site in 1894 after the Meiji Restoration (1864 to 1889).

The Great Kanto Earthquake of 1923 destroyed the consulate along with the rest of Yokohama and Tokyo. Remnants of the rebuilt consulate, which burned down in 1947, can still be seen here at the park next to the old windpump, which is still standing.

Harbor View Park Observatory | 港の見える丘公園 展望台
Pentax K-1 II + D FA 28-105mm F3.5-5.6
28 mm ISO 100 for 15 sec. at ƒ/10

The semi-circle shaped observatory deck of Harbor View Park (Yokohama, Japan) includes a covered space with benches and a roof designed in the shape of seabird wings in flight.

This observation deck is one of the main attractions at this park for both photographers and tourists, and is especially popular among couples looking for a romantic view of the harbor.

Located only within a 1-minute walk of Motomachi-Chukagai Station on the Minatomirai Line, the park draws visitors from not only residents of Kanagawa Prefecture, but also Tokyo and overseas tourists enjoying a day in Yokohama. 

Urban Waterfront Skyline | 横浜港
Pentax K-1 II + D FA 28-105mm F3.5-5.6
45 mm ISO 100 for 20 sec. at ƒ/13

View of the Yokohama waterfront from an observation deck of Harbor View Park in Yokohama, Japan, featuring the Wangan Shuto Expressway in the foreground, the Yokohama Marine Tower on the left, the cruise ship Osanbashi Pier in the mid-ground, and high-rise apartment towers in the background.

What was once a fishing village until the arrival of U.S. Naval Commodore Perry in 1859, Yokohama has become the 2nd largest city in Japan. The waterfront district is the biggest attraction for residential use, commercial activities, and is a popular tourist attraction. From this viewpoint of Harbor View Park (1-minute walk from Motomachi-Chukagai Station on the Minatomirai Line), you can enjoy beautiful views of the harbor.

Yokohama Bay Bridge | 横浜ベイブリッジ
Pentax K-1 II + D FA 28-105mm F3.5-5.6
105 mm ISO 100 for 25 sec. at ƒ/13

Harbor View Park, near Motomachi-Chukagai Station on the Minatomirai Line in Yokohama (Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan) offers fantastic nightscape views of Yokohama Bay Bridge--the gateway to the Port of Yokohama for ships sailing in and out of Tokyo Bay. The bridge has a cable-stayed design with an 860-meter/2,820-foot span that crosses Tokyo Bay allowing vehicular traffic to bypass congestion on the bayshore route for quicker access to Tokyo and Chiba Prefecture.

Completed in September 1989, the bridge was high enough to accommodate one of the world’s largest ships at that time—the Queen Elizabeth 2. Twenty years later, mega cruise ships became  too tall to pass under the bridge and had to dock farther away from the central piers of Yokohama.

Honmoku Pier | 本牧ふ頭
Pentax K-1 II + D FA 28-105mm F3.5-5.6
105 mm ISO 100 for 25 sec. at ƒ/13

Shot of the Harbor View Park nightscape view looking west from the park’s observatory (Naka Ward, Yokohama, Japan). You can see the numerous mega-gantry cranes standing idle on the berths of Honomoku Pier, which make for great nightscape subjects.

Harbor View Park is located about 37 km (23 mi) south of Tokyo,  or a 58-minute train ride from Shibuya Station (Tokyo) on the Tokyu-Toyoko line.

There are  several coin-parking lots near Harbor View Park, making it an easy park to visit if you drive. If visiting by train, you can easily access Harbor View Park via French Hill Park, which is only a 1-minute walk from Motomachi-Chukagai Station on the Minatomirai Line.


References:

Harbor View Park (Minato-no-Mieru Oka Koen) by the Yokohama Convention & Visitors Bureau:
Address:
  • 114, Yamate-cho, Naka-ku, Yokohama, 231-0862
  • 〒231-0862 神奈川県横浜市中区山手町114
Map:
“French Consulate, Yokohama, c. 1910” by Steve Sundberg:
Namamugi Incident by Wikipedia:
Section 2: French military advisers and military modernization by the National Diet Library, Japan:
港の見える丘公園(中区)by Yokohama City Hall:
Yamate by Wikipedia:
横浜山手外国人居留地データベース|BLUFF Archives by 法人横浜山手アーカイブス:


Google Maps Links:

French Hill Park | フランス山公園:
Motomachi-Chukagai Station | 元町・中華街駅: Take exit No. 5 and turn right. Only a 30-second walk!
Showa Park France Yama Parking Lot:
Kyoritsuyamate Parking Lot:
  • https://goo.gl/maps/RL5RXmCP9SQAWz3g7
Minatonomieruoka Park Parking Lot:
Observatory of Harbor viewing hill park:
Harbor View Park Sunken Flower Bed | 港の見える丘公園 沈床花壇:
English Rose Garden | イングリッシュローズの庭:
British House (Former British Consulate) | 横浜市イギリス館:
Water Fountain | 噴水広場:

    Commercial licenses, advertising license, and personal license available here:
    Stock Photos:
    Quality Prints:
    Consider becoming Patron of Pix4Japan at Patreon:
    Below is a list of the equipment I took with me on this photo shoot.

    Camera Gear:

    Pentax K-1 Mark II  (K1-II)
    https://amzn.to/3gM4KqJ
    Standard zoom lens: Pentax D FA 28-105mm f3.5-5.6ed DC WR HD Lens
    https://amzn.to/3JlBBPs
    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

    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.

    Creative Commons License
    Photos used with permission.
    Pix4Japan by Iketani, Daisei is licensed under a
    Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
    Permissions beyond the scope of this license are available at Pix4Japan.

    Tuesday, March 29, 2022

    Satoyama Garden

    今日のテーマは、横浜の「里山ガーデン」&「江川せせらぎ緑道」です
    英語の興味がある方なら、何卒IDCS英会話のホームページの御覧ください。




    Satoyama Garden in Yokohama, Japan, is a small flower garden that is meticulously tended to, and includes trails and some paths that are barrier free—perfect for visitors needing a wheelchair or using a baby stroller.

    The garden has no entrance fee, is pet-friendly, and accessible by shuttle bus. I found it easier to drive to the park, and was pleased with a flat parking fee of only ¥1,000. 

    The garden staff plant seasonal flowers, so regardless of when you visit, you will be enthralled with the variety of flora in full bloom!

    Food and drink trucks are available near the entrance to the garden along with tables, chairs, covered rest areas, and small shops selling small gardening related souvenirs, gifts, and plants.

    After spending most of the morning and afternoon at Satoyama Garden, I headed over to Egawa River Babbling Green Road, which is accessible by bus, although driving is a lot easier. Just be aware that you’ll need to find a coin parking lot. 

    This river has about 200 cherry trees and 15,000 tulips that have been carefully tended to by about 50 volunteers and local school children since 1985. 

    Access details, Google Maps links, and handy references can be found at the bottom of this blog post.


    White California Poppy and Lupine Rainbow Flowers

    Satoyama Garden located adjacent to Yokohama Zoological Gardens Zoorasia is a city park accessible via bus from Nakayama Station on the JR Yokohama Line, or from Mitsukyou Station on the Sotetsu Line. Access to the park is free and pet-friendly, and wheel-chair accessible. Parking costs a flat fee of ¥1,000 yen for all-day-parking. 

    The park also includes food trucks selling ice cream and snacks near the entrance, and tents are set up to sell garden related items, including small live plants. The park is basically a huge flower bed with an area of 10,000 m2, making it one of the largest in Yokohama city.

    Rhododendrons

    Widely celebrated for their displays of color, rhododendron shrubs are said to be the epitome of spring. Here in Japan, they might rank second only to the gorgeous cherry blossoms. 

    Rhododendrons are just one of over a hundred different flowering plants on display at Yokohama’s Satoyama Garden (Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan).

    Tasso Strawberries & Cream English Daisies

    Satoyama Garden located adjacent to Yokohama Zoological Gardens Zoorasia is a city park accessible via bus from Nakayama Station on the JR Yokohama Line, or from Mitsukyou Station on the Sotetsu Line in Yokohama (Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan).

    The park has about 300,000 plants of more than 100 varieties during spring, with about 250,000 plants during fall.

    Osteospermum “4D Violet Ice” (African Daisy)

    Native to South Africa, the variety seems to go by other names including African daisy, Cape daisy and Blue-eyed daisy.

    Osteospermum are just one of over a hundred different flowering plants on display at Yokohama’s Satoyama Garden (Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan). If you ever visit Yokohama, please take the opportunity to visit this garden!

    Satoyama Garden Picnic Grounds

    Although 3 or 4 food truck vendors are available just inside the main entrance of Satoyama Garden (Yokohama, Japan), if you want to enjoy some homemade cooking in the shade of trees on lush, green  grass, the park has you covered with a small picnic ground.

    Visitors can spread out a picnic blanket and take in the greenery and flower blossoms while enjoying some rice balls, sandwiches, or whatever it is that your family packs in the picnic basket.

    Japanese Carp Kites

    Traditionally flown from April through early May, a carp kite (鯉のぼり, koinoboiri) is actually a windsock shaped like a koi fish with its open mouth attached to a pole or rope so that its tail flutters freely in the wind.

    Freshwater carp represent energy and determination as they can fight their way against swift-running streams and obstacles making them symbolic of courage and success.

    Families and communities fly the koinoboiri in hopes that their children will grow up with courage, determination, and the ability to overcome obstacles.

    Border Collie & Japanese Carp Streamers

    Fortunately, Satoyama Garden (Asahi Ward, Yokohama, Japan) is a pet-friendly park as long as you keep your dog on a leash and clean up after any droppings.

    Osteospermum “4D Violet Ice” (African Daisy)

    Native to South Africa, the variety seems to go by other names including African daisy, Cape daisy and Blue-eyed daisy.

    Osteospermum are just one of over a hundred different flowering plants on display at Yokohama’s Satoyama Garden (Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan). If you ever visit Yokohama, please take the opportunity to visit this garden!

    Barrier-Free City Flower Garden Park

    Two primary objectives were met when I chose to visit Satoyama Garden here in Yokohama, Japan: 1. No entrance fee; and 2. Pet friendly.

    The view of this shot gives you a basic idea of how the garden was designed. The city took the extra effort to ensure that the park was mostly barrier free making it easy to bring family or friends who rely on wheelchairs to get around. 

    The slopes in this shot are not that steep, making it easy to push a wheelchair around and allow your family member or friend to enjoy the flowers up close!

    Cherry Blossoms & Tulips

    A small babbling creek named “Egawa River Babbling Green Road” (江川せせらぎ緑道) is a small community project that was born in 1985 with a crew of 50 volunteers and extra help from local elementary school children. Over the years, the volunteers and children have planted more than 200 cherry trees and continue to  maintain the nearly 15,000 tulips.

    Egawa River (Tsuzuki Ward, Yokohama, Japan) runs through an area that has drastically changed from rice paddies and fields to a zone of heavy industry. The river and its beautiful trees and flowers stand in dark contrast with metal recycling yards, factories, warehouses, and distribution centers.

    With no designated parking nearby, and somewhat cumbersome access via public transportation, I was pleased to find such a pleasant oasis of greenery, and signs of nature’s spring rebirth.


    References & Links

    Satoyama Garden | 里山ガーデン

    Google Maps: 
    Satoyama Garden Festa | 里山ガーデンフェスタ by Yokohama City (Japanese only):
    Article by Cathy Cawood with photos at Japan Travel K.K.:
    Translations:
    • White California Poppy | エスコルチアアルバ
    • Lupine Rainbow | ルピナスレインボー
    • Yokohama Garden Necklace | 横浜ガーデンネックレス
    Types of flowers used in many Yokohama parks by Yokohama City:
    Egawa River Babbling Green Road | 江川せせらぎ緑道 by city of Yokohama (Japanese only):
    Google Maps to Egawa River Babbling Green Road:
    Nearest  coin parking to Egawa River Babbling Green Road:

    Commercial licenses, advertising license, and personal license available here:
    Stock Photos:
    Quality Prints:
    Consider becoming Patron of Pix4Japan at Patreon:

    Below is a list of the equipment I took with me on this photo shoot.

    Camera Gear:

    Pentax K-1 Mark II  (K1-II)
    https://amzn.to/3gM4KqJ
    Standard zoom lens: Pentax D FA 28-105mm f3.5-5.6ed DC WR HD Lens
    https://amzn.to/3JlBBPs
    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

    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.

    Creative Commons License
    Photos used with permission.
    Pix4Japan by Iketani, Daisei is licensed under a
    Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
    Permissions beyond the scope of this license are available at Pix4Japan.

    Monday, February 28, 2022

    Kawazu-Zakura

    今日のテーマは、伊豆半島の「河津桜祭り」です。英語の興味がある方なら、何卒IDCS英会話のホームページの御覧ください。




    Cherry Blossoms on Riverside

    Native to Kawazu town located on the eastern coast of the Izu Peninsula (Shizuoka Prefecture), the Kawazu-Zakura are a species of cherry blossom trees that bloom quite early, typically from early February to early March. This shot includes the rooftops of Odoriko Onsen Kaikan hot-spring resort on the shore of Kawazu River.

    Early Spring Cherry Blossoms

    Kawazu-Zakura cherry blossom trees are a native species to the town of Kawazu on the southern half of Izu Peninsula (Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan). The 32nd annual Kawazu-Zakura Matsuri cherry blossom festival ran from early February 1st to the 28th this year.

    You can reach Kawazu Station on Izukyuko Line after transferring at JR Atami Station. If you have a larger breed dog, or prefer the freedom of driving, the route through central Izu is a lot of fun with many winding roads, scenic views, and you can enjoy the aromas of mountains and small villages as your drive through the area. Plenty of parking lots are available and it only costs ¥1,000 for the whole day.

    Cherry Blossom Petals

    According to the book titled “Sakura” by Toshio Katsuki (2015), the custom of cherry blossom viewing in Japan dates back to the Nara Period (710–794).

    The darker pink petals of the Kawazau-Zakura variety are the first ones to bloom and last for about a month. These beautiful petals assure us that spring is indeed just around the corner and that the cold days of winter will give way to warm weather and rebirth across the landscape.

    Girder Bridge & Blossoms

    I like the analogous color scheme of the red oxide paint on the girder bridge and the pinks of the cherry blossom trees. Additionally, I was drawn to the hard straight lines of the bridge, which stand in stark contrast with the soft puffs of cherry trees and the gradual bend of Kawarazu River (Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan).

    Cherry Blossom Petals

    The cherry blossom trees of the Kawazau-Zakura variety are the first species to bloom in Japan and last for about a month. Originally from the town of Kawazu, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan, these beautiful petals are famous for their darker shade of pink and long blooming time.

     Japanese Vermillion Bridge & Blossoms

    Practically speaking, vermillion (red-orange) paint used on Japanese bridges, torii gates, shrines, temples, etc. provides a preservative function against the elements. 

    Culturally speaking, vermillion serves as a talisman against evil spirits. I surmise the color is used in this sense to protect the structure from destruction due to earthquakes, floods, mountain slides, fires, and engineering defects. 

    Regardless, I am a huge fan of vermillion bridges that often stand in stark contrast to green mountainscapes, flowing blue rivers, or in this shot where the vermillion bridge is analogous to the dark pink cherry blossoms.

    Cherry Blossom Petals

    Lone cherry blossoms against a background of cherry blossom trees and clear, blue, spring sky in the town of Kawazu, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan, the birthplace of the Kawazu-Zakura variety of cherry blossom trees.

    Rapeseed and Cherry Blossoms

    Cluster of cherry blossoms against a background of rapeseed blossoms in the town of Kawazu, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan. In Japan, rapeseed (canola) flowers are called nanohana (菜の花), which translates literally to vegetable flower. 

    During this time of year, you can purchase bunches of nanohana at the supermarket. The top 15 cm of the plant is boiled and often served in mustard and soy sauce or sautéed with bacon.

    Luxury Train & Cherry Blossoms

    Shot of the Resort 21 Kinme train that operates between Atami Station and Izukyu Shimoda Station on the Izu Kyuko Line on the eastern coast of the Izu Peninsula in Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan.

    To visit the Kawazu-Zakura festival, you can take this train and debark at Kawazu Station. Unlike commuter trains, the Resort 21 Kinmei train (solid red) and the Resort 21 Kurofune (black and red) train are modeled on the history of the local areas and provide passengers with a higher level of comfort and amenities. Seating in the cars with large windows offer expansive views of the ocean as you travel along the coastline of the Izu Peninsula.

    Waves Lapping the Beach

    After a leisurely 3-kilometer-walk of enjoying the cherry blossoms along the Kawazu River, we reached Kawazuhama Beach where the breakwater offshore ensures a peaceful beach with gently lapping waves.

    Kawazuhama Beach (Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan), is not well known, which helps keeps the crowds to a minimum. The beach itself is not that big, but offers a chance to take some nice sunrise photos or maybe even have a barbecue during summer.

    Although driving to the beach offers opportunities to see more of the local area (162 km southwest of Tokyo), you can easily reach the beach within a 6-minute walk of Kawazu Station on the JR Izukyuko Line.

    Bank of River under Canopy of Cherry Blossoms

    The banks of Kawazu River in Kawazu-machi, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan on the eastern coastline of the Izu Peninsula draws crowds from late February to late March for the annual Kawazu-Zakura Matsuri, a festival of the kawazu-zakura cherry blossom trees, which are a native species to this small coastal town.

    You can reach Kawazu Station on Izukyuko Line after transferring at JR Atami Station. However, if you like driving, you can take National Route 135 from Odawara and just follow the winding road that hugs the rugged coastline. Another option is National Route 414 from Odaira Interchange on the Izu-Jukan Expressway. Route 414 features the Kawazu Nanadaru Spiral Bridge, which is a lot of fun to drive on!

    Rainbow Over Coastal Resort

    Roadside snapshot of a rainbow arched over the DHC Akazawa Onsen Village spa resort in Ito, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan. The resort has 10 facilities nestled in the forest of Izu Kogen that covers the headland jutting out into the Pacific Ocean on the eastern coastline of Izu, located about 146 km (91 mi) southwest of Tokyo.

    I took this shot on the 3-hour drive back to Tokyo from the Kawazu-Zakura Matsuri cherry blossom festival. Visiting any resort, beach, or festival located on the eastern coastline of the Izu Peninsula limits you to Route 135 if you want to save money and avoid expressways. On this drive, traffic was congested at certain points, but with so many beautiful views along the coastline and the ocean breeze wafting through the car windows, my dog and I thoroughly enjoyed ourselves on the drive back home.


    Reference Material:

    Information provided by Kyuhoshi, a travel web magazine with excellent details regarding the Kawazu Cherry Blossom Festival in English. Recommend locations to visit, stay, in addition to access info. The site is plagued with obnoxious ads, so be sure to switch your web browser to Reader View mode:

    Information provided by Japan Wireless. A little bit light on details, but a good resource to supplement info from Kyuhoshi:

    The official website for the Kawazu Cherry Blossom Festival. Access info with a nicely prepared PDF map that can be downloaded. Information is in Japanese only. 

    The always useful Japan-Guide.com website provides a good review in English of what the festival has to offer, highlights basic historical information, and offers an easy to understand train access map.

    The Tokyo Past 3 blog by Mizhelle Agcaoili provides lovely photos from the festival, provides travel options for varying budgets, and places a bit more emphasis on the variety of foods available at the festival.

    Tabea Greuner has a nice write up on the Tokyo Timeout site with some basic info and nice photos from the festival.

    Information on the onsen resort seen in the first photo of this blog post:
     
    踊り子温泉会館 | Odoriko Onsen Kaikan
    Address:
    • 〒413-0511静岡県賀茂郡河津町峰457-1
    • 〒413-0511 Shizuoka-ken, Kamo-gun, Kawazu, Mine 457-1

    Google Maps link to Kawazuhama Beach (see 11th photo in this blog post):

    河津浜海水浴場 | Kawazu-Hama Kaisui-Yokujō (Kawazu-Hama Swimming Beach):

    河津駅 | Kawazu Station (Izukyuko Line)

    The original Kawazu-Zakura cherry tree:

    Tourist Information Center:


    Below is a list of the equipment I took with me on this photo shoot.

    Camera Gear:

    Pentax K-1 Mark II  (K1-II)
    https://amzn.to/3gM4KqJ
    Standard zoom lens: Pentax D FA 28-105mm f3.5-5.6ed DC WR HD Lens
    https://amzn.to/3JlBBPs
    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

    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.


    Commercial licenses, advertising license, and personal license available here:
    Stock Photos:
    Quality Prints:

    Creative Commons License
    Photos used with permission.
    Pix4Japan by Iketani, Daisei is licensed under a
    Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
    Permissions beyond the scope of this license are available at Pix4Japan.

    Wednesday, February 16, 2022

    Jogashima Island

    今日のテーマは、神奈川県・三浦半島の「城ヶ島灯台」。

    英語の興味がある方なら、何卒IDCS英会話のホームページの御覧ください。

    IDCS英会話の「Pix & English」


    Check out the beautiful views of Tokyo Bay and Sagami Bay from the shores of Jogashima Island at the tip of the Miura Peninsula in Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan. Located only about 76 km south of Tokyo, visitors can easily access the island by train, bus, taxi, and private vehicle.


    On a clear day, photographers and tourists can enjoy a clear views of Mt. Fuji to the east, Oshima Island to the south, and Chiba Prefecture to the east.

    Access by Car:
    • There are several large parking lots located on the island making this destination easily accessible by car. Parking lots are reasonably priced as well. If you have a large dog or small children, I’d recommend driving to this location. If you take a combination of the Shuto Expressway and the Yokohama-Yokosuka Expressway, you can easily reach the island in less than two hours depending on traffic.
    Access by Public Transportation:
    • By Train: Take the Keikyu Main Line to Misakiguchi Station. Take the “三9” bus to the “Jogashima Bus Stop,” which is the last stop.
    Maps for walking trails can be found here:

    Japanese (more detailed information with photos):
    English (basic details with a simple map):
    On this photo shoot, I arrived at one of the large parking lots on the island and waiting for the sunrise. Overall, I spent about 6 hours on this photo shoot. Parking only cost ¥450. 


    References:

    城ヶ島 | Jogashima
    Address: Jogashima Misakimachi, Miura, Kanagawa 238-0237

    城ヶ島灯台 | Jogashima Lighthouse

    Jogashima Lighthouse (Kanagawa Prefectural Government):
    The lighthouse was designed by a French engineer, Francois Leonce Verny and completed in 1870. The lighthouse collapsed in the Great Kanto Earthquake (1923), so it was reconstructed in 1926. The height of lighthouse is 11.5 m and it stands on a cliff top, which is 30 m above sea level.
    みはらし広場 |  Miharashi Lookout Point
    Monument Calls for Lovers with Spectacular View of Jogashima (Miura Town News Co., Ltd.)
    The monument was established in September 2016 to provide a park with benches to attract young lovers to the island to enjoy the romantic views from the look-out point. From the spot, one can see Boso Peninsula and Izu Oshima Island on a clear day.
    馬の背洞門 | Uma-no-se (Horseback) Cave

    “馬の背洞門” (Umanose Cave/Arch) by Nippon Travel Magazine

    馬の背洞門(赤羽根崎)(Umanose Cave/Arch (Akabanezaki)) by Miura Hanto Biyori

    150 Years of Service | Past and Present of Japanese Aids to Navigation
    Japan Coast Guard Maritime Traffic Department

    旧安房埼灯台跡 (Kyū awasakitōdai ato) | Awasaki Lighthouse

    ニ代目安房埼灯台 | 2nd Generation Awasaki Lighthouse

    野草紀行 城ヶ島 | Wild Grasses on Jogashima

    Geoeducation and disaster prevention through exploring the Jogashima geosites | Japan Geoscience Union Meeting 2015 (English)


    Gallery

    Sunrise over Island

    Winter sun rising over the island of Jogashima located at the tip of the Miura Peninsula jutting out into Sagami Bay near the mouth of Tokyo Bay.

    Jogashima Lighthouse

    Located at the western end of Jogashima Island (Miura Peninsula, Kanagawa Prefecture), the Jogashima Lighthouse was designed by Francois Leonce Verny, a French engineer, and completed in 1870 with a brick structure. As was the case with so many structures, the lighthouse collapsed during the 1923 Great Kanto Earthquake.

    The current structure is a concrete reconstruction dating back to 1926. Even with the advent of modern technologies for Tokyo Bay maritime traffic (VTS in 1977 and DGPS in 1997), the lighthouse is still in operation.

    If you visit the eastern end of the island, there is a nice, well-maintained park and the recently constructed Awasaki Lighthouse. 

    Access is easiest by car, but you can catch a bus from Misakiguchi Station on the Keikyu Line (approx. 76 min. from Shinagawa Station in Tokyo) and get off at the Jogashima bus stop. From there, it is a short walk to the top of the island. 

    Wild Grasses of Jogashima Island

    In this shot, I was drawn to the golden morning light reflected off of the slender stems of the grass in stark contrast with the dark blues and grays of the cold ocean waters of Sagami Bay. I also liked how the grass was nearly perfectly perpendicular to the horizontal lines of the shore and horizon.

    The grass, hachijo-susuki (八丈薄), is a perennial plant that grows everywhere along the coast of Jogashima Island. At 1.5 to 2 meters tall, this grass is similar to Japanese pampas grass, but differs in that the back of the leaf is tinged with a white powder (during full bloom) and serrations on the edge of the leaf are sparse.

    According to a pamphlet titled, “三浦三崎の白秋碑,” (Miura-Misaki Hakushuuhi), there are nearly 40 native species of wildflowers growing on the island. In addition to the large number of decorative flowers brought over to the park on the eastern end of the island, there is a large number of flora for visitors to enjoy.

    Sedimentary Record of Island Formation

    The exposed coastal rocks of Jogashima Island (Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan) reveal alternating layers of pyroclastic sandstone and mudstone that were deposited on the seafloor about 10 to 4 million years ago. Throughout the island’s shoreline visitors can see a low coastal terrace that was formed by uplift during the 1923 Great Kanto Earthquake.

    The western end of the island has been a popular destination not only for tourists, but also for many high school and college students who use the island for geological field trips. Various deformations in the sedimentary record can be seen with the naked eye including imbricate thrusts, slumps, and flow folds.

    Waves Crashing on Fisherman

    Jogashima Island has a fishing port that is home to tuna (maguro) fisherman. The port and coastline has a “rough around the edges” vibe with a touch of charm. Weekend fishermen enjoy offshore fishing on smaller fishing boats and cruisers, or can venture out to the water’s edge to catch fish in the deep waters surrounding the island.

    In this shot, a wave crashes onshore as a fisherman seems to be casting a line. Shortly after this shot, the fisherman packed up his gear before the high tide came in.

    Border Collie on Coastal Rocks

    My border collie taking a break from slipping and sliding on wet, mossy rocks close to the water’s edge. Fortunately, she is a good swimmer and loves the water. Even in the dead of winter, she can’t resist playing in the freezing waters.

    Stone and Moss

    The exposed coastal rocks of Jogashima Island (Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan) reveal sandstone and mudstone that have undergone interesting erosion from the constant forces of wind and waves creating microecosystems of flora and fauna that thrive in these tide pools peculiar stone and various colored moss.

    Cloudy Island Coastline

    Southern coastline of Jogashima Island (Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan) with a view of the Umanose Arch in the far distance.


    Below is a list of the equipment I took with me on this photo shoot.

    Camera Gear:

    Pentax K-1 Mark II  (K1-II)
    https://amzn.to/3gM4KqJ
    Standard zoom lens: Pentax D FA 28-105mm f3.5-5.6ed DC WR HD Lens
    https://amzn.to/3JlBBPs
    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.

    Music tracks used in the YouTube video were licensed through Epidemic Sound. Visit this link to subscribe:


    “Calme” composed by Jakob Ahlbom and performed by Ever So Blue.
    “Empty Sky” composed and performed by Victor Lundberg.
    “Bermuda” composed by Henrik Olsson and performed by Ooyy.


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