July 2024

Kuizu Shrine, the general guardian of Bushu-Iwatsuki｜Look up at the tunnel of bright red wind chimes

This photo was taken looking up from below the tunnel of bright red wind chimes.

Year 2024July 2024JulySaitama prefecture (Kantou area)Kuizu Shrine, the general guardian of Bushu-IwatsukiVarious Scenerywind chime

Akebonoyama Agricultural Park｜Beautiful scenery of transparent petals and windmills

After the sun came out a little, I photographed the petals of the sunflower petals showing through. I focused on the third sunflower from the front and blurred the sunflower in the foreground. 2024, I was disappointed that the sunflowers were not facing the same direction.

Year 2024July 2024JulyAkebonoyama Agricultural ParkParks, theme parks and buildingsChiba prefecture (Kantou area)sunflower (Helianthus annuus)blooming (esp. of cherry blossoms)

Akebonoyama Agricultural Park｜A moment of sunflower with beautiful symmetry

I photographed the sunflower from the front to the back and tried to see through the petals. I photographed the metasequoia tree in the back so that the sunflowers are parallel to the metasequoia tree.

Year 2024July 2024JulyAkebonoyama Agricultural ParkParks, theme parks and buildingsChiba prefecture (Kantou area)sunflower (Helianthus annuus)blooming (esp. of cherry blossoms)

Kote Gongendo｜Spectacular view of claret sunflowers and blue sky at Kote Gongendo

There are three types of sunflowers in bloom at the Satte Gongendo in 2024, and this one is called "Claret". The key to photographing them is to shoot from a little lower toward the sky, making sure the sky is large and the clouds are included.

Year 2024July 2024JulyParks, theme parks and buildingssunflower (Helianthus annuus)Saitama prefecture (Kantou area)Satte Gongendoblooming (esp. of cherry blossoms)

Kote Gongendo｜Sunrich orange sunflower and blue sky in Kote Gongendo

There are three varieties of sunflowers blooming at Satte Gongendo in 2024, and this one is the "Sunrich Orange" variety. The key to photographing them is to shoot from a little lower toward the sky, making sure to capture the sky large and the clouds well.

Year 2024July 2024JulyParks, theme parks and buildingssunflower (Helianthus annuus)Saitama prefecture (Kantou area)Satte Gongendoblooming (esp. of cherry blossoms)

Kote Gongendo｜A spectacular view of the hybrid sunflowers that add color to summer in Kote Gongendo

The sunflower seen at 2024 Satte Gongendo is the main hybrid sunflower. When photographing them, it is important to look up from slightly below and incorporate the blue sky and clouds in the background. It is also important to capture the sunflowers in the back to express depth and three-dimensionality.

Year 2024July 2024JulyParks, theme parks and buildingssunflower (Helianthus annuus)Saitama prefecture (Kantou area)Satte Gongendoblooming (esp. of cherry blossoms)

Kote Gongendo｜Sunflowering hibiscus flowers add color to summer at Kote Gongendo, a spectacular seasonal spot.

One point to remember when photographing sunflower fields is that because sunflowers are tall, a stepladder is required where you can bring one. By getting on a stepladder, you can photograph sunflowers from above and take pictures with depth.

Year 2024July 2024JulyParks, theme parks and buildingssunflower (Helianthus annuus)Saitama prefecture (Kantou area)Satte Gongendoblooming (esp. of cherry blossoms)

Nogi Town Sunflower Field｜Nogi Town Sunflower Field for a spectacular summer view

When photographing sunflower fields, only one tall sunflower sometimes grows. I focused on that sunflower to take this shot. I tried to express depth by having the sunflower field reflected under the sunflower flower.

Year 2024July 2024JulyParks, theme parks and buildingssunflower (Helianthus annuus)Tochigi prefecture (Kantou area)blooming (esp. of cherry blossoms)Nogi Town Sunflower Field

Nogi Town Sunflower Field｜A spectacular view of summer spreading all around! Nogi Town Sunflower Field

A stepladder is a necessary item for taking large photos of sunflower fields stretching out in all directions. By looking down from a slightly elevated position, you can capture the sunflowers in the distance and create a sense of depth.

Year 2024July 2024JulyParks, theme parks and buildingssunflower (Helianthus annuus)Tochigi prefecture (Kantou area)blooming (esp. of cherry blossoms)Nogi Town Sunflower Field

The Castle Town Umbrella Sky｜Special scenery spread by colorful umbrellas

I took this photo looking up at the umbrella sky from directly below. When the sun was shining, the umbrellas shone through and made for a very beautiful photograph.

Year 2024July 2024Julyumbrella skyParks, theme parks and buildingsCastle Town Umbrella SkyBeautiful sceneryGunma prefecture (Kantou area)

Jomachi Umbrella Sky｜A special space with colorful umbrellas

Umbrella sky taken from the side at an angle. If you take a picture so that the umbrella is far away from the camera, you can get a three-dimensional effect by adding depth to the image. Also, when the sun is shining, the umbrella can be seen through the sky, making for a very beautiful photo.

Year 2024July 2024Julyumbrella skyParks, theme parks and buildingsCastle Town Umbrella SkyBeautiful sceneryGunma prefecture (Kantou area)

Shinobazunoike Pond｜Summer Poem: Lotus Blossoms and Wind Chimes

I photographed the specially installed wind chimes at Shinobazu Pond in Ueno. I focused on the wind chime in the foreground and blurred the lotus flowers and Benten-do in the background.

Year 2024July 2024JulyShinobazu PondParks, theme parks and buildingsTokyo Metropolitan areaBeautiful sceneryblooming (esp. of cherry blossoms)lotuswind chime

Shinobazunoike Pond｜A soothing view of wind chimes and lotuses in summer

I photographed the lotus of Shinobazu Pond and Benten-do Hall in Ueno at dusk. Since it was an evening photo, the lotus flowers were closed. I was disappointed that the clouds were thicker than I had expected and the sunset was not as bright as I had hoped; I wanted to take a good shot of the sunset, the lotus flowers, and the Benten-do in 2025.

Year 2024July 2024JulyShinobazu PondParks, theme parks and buildingsTokyo Metropolitan areablooming (esp. of cherry blossoms)lotus

Shinobazunoike Pond｜Summer Scene with Lanterns and Sunset

At dusk in 2024, I photographed the beautifully shining lanterns set up near Shinobazu Pond.

Year 2024July 2024JulyShinobazu PondParks, theme parks and buildingsLanternsTokyo Metropolitan areaBeautiful scenery

Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine｜Fu-ring and cool sounds that add color to summer

It is difficult to take pictures of wind chimes with a smartphone, but if you shoot with a 3x zoom, you can get a three-dimensional picture with more depth. If you shoot in a well-lit area, the image may be a little better.

Year 2024July 2024JulySaitama prefecture (Kantou area)Kawagoe Hikawa ShrineShrines, Temples, CastlesBeautiful scenerywind chime

Marigold Hill｜Fields of sunflowers spreading over the hill

Sunflowers are blooming beautifully at Marigold Hill. This location is very easy to photograph because you do not need a stepladder and the slope is three-dimensional. I visited on the morning of 2024 and found it to be a great spot in the evening and at sunset as well.

Year 2024July 2024JulyMarigold HillParks, theme parks and buildingssunflower (Helianthus annuus)Saitama prefecture (Kantou area)blooming (esp. of cherry blossoms)

Houtokuji Temple｜Fu-ring and refreshing summer sky

This wind chime was photographed from below in a slightly crouched position. It shows a distant view and the way it is swaying in the wind.

Year 2024July 2024JulyHoutokuji TempleShrines, Temples, CastlesBeautiful sceneryGunma prefecture (Kantou area)wind chime

Houtokuji Temple｜Beautiful summer scenery reflected by Japanese umbrella

This photo shows a Japanese umbrella display on a smooth floor. Bring your phone as close to the floor as possible and stand it vertically to take the photo. If the pillars and walls are vertical and parallel, the photo will look less uncomfortable.

Year 2024July 2024JulyJapanese umbrellaHoutokuji TempleShrines, Temples, CastlesBeautiful sceneryGunma prefecture (Kantou area)

Houtokuji Temple｜Summer scenery of fresh green maple leaves and Japanese umbrella

This is an exhibit of Japanese umbrellas reflected on the vine floor, and I took this picture with the maple leaves outside. Depending on where the focus is set, there is a possibility that the maple outside may be blown out, so I made sure the maple was green enough to take the picture.

Year 2024July 2024JulyJapanese umbrellaHoutokuji TempleShrines, Temples, CastlesBeautiful sceneryGunma prefecture (Kantou area)

Houtokuji Temple｜Calm view of Jizo and whooping cherries

The Jizo statue in the temple and the whooping crimson flowers above it were magnificent. I thought that by shooting from an angle down, the pink of the whooping crimson and the blue sky above the Jizo would match the one point of view.

Year 2024July 2024JulyHoutokuji TempleSarusuri (Japanese snowball)Shrines, Temples, CastlesGunma prefecture (Kantou area)blooming (esp. of cherry blossoms)