Photography Diary January - June 2026: Seasonal Photography on Kanto's Roads - Kanto Scenery Travel

Photography Diary May 23, 2026. Daughter is in love, father is chasing roses. Our family is running normally until the night of meat grilling.

This year's weekend is apparently going to seriously destroy the "weather legend".
Every time I look at the weather forecast, the skies over Kanto are dreary. Even the sky looks like Monday morning.

This past Sunday, I had plans to visit my mother at the nursing home and to go to my father's hospital to present his insurance card. In addition, I plan to present my father with a book by Keigo Higashino.

I will be bringing "Fictitious Crime," "Seven Days Spent with a Witch," and "The Goddess of the Camphor Tree.

By the way, I am not a big fan of reading books.
To be precise, I'm more of an ear-reader than a sight-reader; without Audible, my reading life would be almost in hibernation. Keigo Higashino's content is not well known to me because there is so little of it on Audible.

Audible, please help us.
Please save my reading ability first before offering it to my father.

Therefore, the only time I can move during the week is Saturday morning. Moreover, I am scheduled to have teppanyaki at home in the afternoon.
The mission is to return by noon.

Mission Name,
"Take a rose, roast a piece of meat."
It is. It is much more peaceful.

But the season is just between rose and hydrangea. It is hard to decide where to go.
This year, a week or a month just goes by so fast that it feels like my mind has not caught up.

My daughter is in her second year of high school and is already in exam mode. My son is busy job hunting.
Each life in the house is entering a rather authentic phase.

I, on the other hand, am chasing flowers with my camera every week.
So while my family is running toward the future, I am looking for composition under the arch of roses.

For a brief moment, there was a breeze in my chest that said, "Is this what I want?
But don't worry. I work on weekdays.
Probably.
No, they should be working.
At least, that's what he intends to do.

With this in mind, I looked at the weather forecast and found that the area in the Kanto region that looks like it will be a little sunny is the Mito/Ibaraki area.
Ibaraki, of course!"
A phrase I had heard somewhere before echoed in my head.

Then it occurred to me that the weather had been lousy on my previous visits,Ibaraki Flower ParkThis is the rose shooting revenge of the
I checked and it looks like there will be a bit of sunshine between 10:00 and 12:00. This means we have no choice but to go.

Roses can be photographed beautifully even when it is cloudy, but I would like to use light and shadow to capture them.
The little camera uncle in me nodded quietly.
I was probably nodding my head, coffee in hand.

Open at 9:00 a.m.
This time it is a short solo activity with a morning drive. A little more leisurely than our usual early morning departure.
However, it is early enough for the world. Only the standard of early rising is a little buggy.

I played a Drake album in the car. Drake, whom I haven't heard in a while, is still smooth and nice.
It's a little delicate if it's right for the morning, but the inside of my solo car is my own private music room. No one complains.
If anyone would tell you, it would only be the car navigation system.

I suddenly looked at the distance meter of the car and saw that it had exceeded 140,000 kilometers.
Even though I bought the car used, it runs quite well. Now that the loan is over, I would like to drive it until 200,000 km if possible.

For the dealer's staff,
You've driven quite a distance.
It's time for a replacement."
But I'm still riding.

We are not in the market for a replacement wave.
Only the distance is riding a lot.

I arrived at the site around 8:00 a.m., having plenty of time to spare.
I waited in the car for a while, replying to social networking sites and searching. Then, the sky gradually became brighter.

Good. You are right today in Ibaraki.
My winning percentage against the weather forecast has increased just a little bit. My season batting average is still low.

It is 9:00 and we are admitted. Advance tickets seem to have priority, and I felt a little remorse that I should have bought one.
By the way, I'm a cash person, and I rarely use PayPay.

It is not because I am an old man.
I am just a cash person.
Probably.
No, I don't think we should dig too deep here.

Once inside the park, the sunnyIbaraki Flower Parkwas still the best.
Roses, roses, roses, roses, BARA. various roses are in full bloom and make a picture no matter where you turn.

The slope here makes it easy to take pictures with a sense of depth. If you take a picture from the back toward the building in the foreground, the expanse of flowers will look very beautiful.

In addition, there are many subjects you will want to photograph with the roses, such as arches and tunnels.
It is a great place for photography enthusiasts because it can be combined with structures as well as flowers.

The crowds were not that bad first thing in the morning, and I was able to take many satisfying pictures.
I feel a little bad for my future self who will have to sort through too many photos later.
But my local self doesn't think about any of that. The sound of the shutter drowns out anything inconvenient.

This may be the last place for spring roses this year.
Starting next week, I am sure I will be chasing around the asses of hydrangeas and irises. It is a little strange to say, but I am serious in my feelings.

Unusually, the day ended with only one location being photographed.
On the way home, we took the Joban Expressway and the Gaikan ring road, and we went home quickly.

After returning home, I went to a nearby supermarket with my wife and son, with my son driving. We went to buy ingredients for teppan-yaki.
When I get behind the wheel of my son, I feel him growing up.
And at the same time, I feel a little bit old in the passenger seat. Life is quite complicated.

When barbecue is done at home, the smell fills the house well.
But unlike eating out, there is a loose enjoyment that can only be found at home.
The aroma of grilled meat that lingers in the room is also a "pleasant memory" until the next day. The day after that, it comes back to reality a bit.

As I was feeling tipsy from the generous portion of meat, I suddenly heard what sounded like my daughter's love talk.
Mmm-hmm.
I was washing dishes, so I couldn't ask for more details, but apparently there is something going on.

Parents are strange things; they worry if nothing is wrong. If something is wrong, they worry.
In other words, we are worried either way.

I am concerned. I am very concerned.
But if I ask too much, they won't like it, so my father quietly holds the sponge.
The safest position in the home is probably in front of the kitchen sink.

The next day I got up early in the morning and did a little work at the office.
I am the type of person who has a suplex system on my own, so I am tempted to work when the weather is bad and go shooting on sunny days.

How selfish.
But I call this superflex.
Useful words make life a little brighter.

Then I went to my father's hospital to renew his insurance card and to drop off a book. Then I went to visit my mother at her aged care center.
My mother has dementia to the point that she no longer remembers me at all.

Still, it is still good to meet.
Apart from what you remember or don't remember, there may be some parent-child time left.

My grandmother had the same kind of dementia, so I'm thinking a little bit about genetics.
That said, we still have to use our heads and work hard at work and play.
No, I will not try too hard. This is important.

You can't do everything perfectly, whether it's work, filming, or family.
But I think I can do it, too, if only to find a little sunshine in the gaps between cloudy skies.

Only one location, Ibaraki Flower Park, was photographed this week.
Still, it was a weekend filled with roses, teppanyaki, work, time with my parents, and much more.

Next week, the hydrangea festival will finally begin.
We plan to have a lot of fun this year.

See you next week.

IBARAKI FLOWER PARK｜Color of the Rose Garden Continues

This photo was taken at the Ibaraki Flower Park, showing the garden with roses that continue from the back toward the front.

Ibaraki Flower Park｜The beauty of a single rose

This photo was taken from the oblique side of a beautiful single rose at the Ibaraki Flower Park.

Ibaraki Flower Park｜Colorful Rose Garden

This photo was taken at the Ibaraki Flower Park to show the colorful rose garden.

IBARAKI FLOWER PARK｜Rose tunnel at the entrance

This photo was taken at the Ibaraki Flower Park, with the long rose tunnel near the entrance, with the curve in mind.

Photography Diary May 17, 2026: A steel mental photography trip starting from oversleeping｜Poppies, Kakitsubata, and Roses

Boo boo boo!
Boo boo boo!
Mmmmmm. ......!

My wake-up alarm is the vibrator function on my smartphone.

I usually wake up earlier than my alarm, usually at 4:00 a.m., but on this particular day, I went to .......

The truth is, I woke up at 3:00 a.m. and started toHomic Fureai ParkThe plan was to photograph sunrise and poppy fields at

However, due to my recent workload, plus the fact that I had played hard the day before and even went to make a suit, I was late getting home.
They must have been tired.

What a rare chance to sleep in!

Rather, I had not set my alarm for 3:00 in the first place.
You went straight to sleep.

I did it. ......

I slept until 4:00 am.
I completely overslept.

But my head was strangely clear, probably because I slept well.
My special skill is that I can "Po-ji-hen" immediately in such a situation.

In other words,
Let's put it in perspective."
That's what I mean. Tehe.

So, I got myself together and hurried off.

It is difficult to take partners in a row, so this day is a solo activity.

Soloing means getting in the car alone, listening to your favorite music, and heading out to a photo shoot.
It is completely my definition.

I recently found a song called "Fukuoka Cafe Noise" by "around the world lo-fi" that was the best chill, but it is only 42 seconds long.
Too short. Too short.
I would love to see a complete version made.

Not to change the subject, but I often listen to Audible in a one-ear headset when I am shooting.

Anyway, I have always had a hard time reading books, and even at my age, the number of books I have read in paper form is only as many as I can fit in my two hands.

With Audible, however, I can listen to about one book every day at 1.7x speed.
Over the past few years, I have been able to "listen" to, not "read", quite a few books.

If you see someone suddenly bursting into tears or laughing while commuting or at work, it might be me. Het.

In the book I listened to this week,
"Weird Maps."
My Husband's Girlfriend."
The Man Made Prime Minister.
was interesting.

Now, does this fall under the "# work-life balance" theme of this week's NOTE contest?

Probably,
You're just skipping work."
It is likely to be certified as

So we were a little late on this day, but we got back on track and set out.

We proceeded crisply along the Gaikan and Joban Expressways, and managed to get closer to our destination.
However, the sunrise was just a few steps away, and it started around the rice paddies.

We have no choice,Cheers in the beautiful rice field where rice planting was just finished.The following is a list of the most common problems with the "C" in the "C" column.

By the way, when I typed "high cheese", it was converted to "waste cheese".
It's kind of an interesting word, so I'll leave it as is on a mental note.

Now, we have managed to arrive at "Homic Fureai Park".

The sun was already up, and there were a few people who were already in the mode of going home.

Please wait for me.
I just arrived.

I really wanted to photograph the morning sunrise, but today I had no choice.
Still,Poppy field and Mt. Tsukuba are very beautifulAnd it was a view that made me glad I came.

Please let me have my revenge next year.

Personally, I think that if you want to get the morning glow and poppies, you need to go in the right direction.
Homic Fureai Park
."Akebonoyama Agricultural Park」
."Millennium Garden Lavender Garden」
The area seems to be good.

If it's sunsets and poppies,
."Cosmos Arena Fukage」
."Hirai Athletic Park」
I would recommend the following.

Reference.

Now, after taking many photos of the poppies, the next stop was .......

For some reason, Gunma Prefecture's ".Rakuzan-en」です。
Toco Toco.

It took about two hours by car from Homik Fureai Park to finally arrive.

This place is so nice.

."rabbitear iris (Iris laevigata)」and「pygmy waterlily (Nymphaea tetragona)was very beautiful.
It is a very elegant place where early summer flowers are quietly blooming in the serene atmosphere of the historic garden.

It took a long time, but I am glad I came.
Moreover, it was quite empty and easy to photograph.

We had just a little more time, so we decided to stop at one more restaurant.

The next stop was Kumagaya City, Saitama Prefecture, which is also the way home.Le Jardin SacréMr.".

On a previous visit, we were unable to enter and had to turn around, but this time we were able to enter safely under clear skies.

Here, too, is a very nice rose garden.
Best for.

There were many spaces to take a rest in the rose garden, and everyone seemed to enjoy chatting and laughing.

Among them, I was the lone, silent photography unit.

Shooting alone at a time like this can be a little bit of a challenge.
But I have a steel mentality and it's not valid for me.

The lady at the reception desk spoke to us and showed us some nice rose gardens.

I think he said Hamamatsu, Karuizawa, and Nasu .......
However, I have nothing to write down and my brain notes are on a stable breakdown.
I have a fragmented memory. Rurrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.

Still, it was a really nice garden.
Thank you very much, Le Jardin Sacré.
We will be back.

Since the appointment was only for the morning, we returned at noon and finished with some shopping at a nearby Belks.

This week, we were able to enjoy the roses, poppies, and kakitsubata well.

From now on, it is the season of hydrangeas and irises.
I'm still looking forward to more fun.

I will enjoy the first half of this year.

Early morning sunrise and rice fields after rice planting

This is a landscape photo of early morning sunrise and rice paddies after rice planting in Ibaraki Prefecture.

Homic Fureai Park｜A spectacular view of the morning sun, poppy fields and Mt.

This landscape photo was taken at Homik Fureai Park of a poppy field and Mt. Tsukuba with the morning sun shining through.

Hormik Fureai Park｜Poppies in lovely rows

This photo was taken at Hormik Fureai Park, showing a line of lovely poppies.

Rakuzanen (Amaraku Town, Gunma)｜Kakitsubata and pavilion taken with a wide-angle lens

This photo was taken at Rakuzanen (Ganraku-cho, Gunma) with a wide-angle view of the kakitsubata and the pavilion.

Rakuzanen (Ganraku-cho, Gunma)｜Low angle water lilies

This photo was taken at Rakuzanen (Ganraku-cho, Gunma) and shows water lilies from a low angle.

Le Jardin Sacré｜Lighted gazebo scenery

This photo was taken at Le Jardin Sacré from a short distance away to show the light hitting the gazebo.

Le Jardin Sacré｜Gazebo Clock and Roses

This photo was taken at Le Jardin Sacré to show the clock and roses in the gazebo.

Le Jardin Sacré｜Clematis bathed in light

This photo was taken at Le Jardin Sacré to show the clematis shining beautifully in the light.

Photography Diary May 16, 2026, the day I went to buy a suit for the last time with the demon Len Chan of the three roses.

A year goes by so fast.

In 2026, we find that Golden Week has passed in a blink of an eye, and the next long vacation will be left until summer vacation.
'What, no more vacation for a while?' I was lightly overwhelmed by reality on Friday, May 15, when I was told that I would not have a vacation for a while longer.

What shall we do on Saturday and Sunday?
Work was somewhat hectic, and I didn't decide on my schedule until my lunch break the day before.

At times like this, my lunch is usually McDonald's.
The reason is simple. It's close, fast, and easy on the wallet.

My recent favorite is the hamburger set for 500 yen.
Maybe it's my age, or maybe it's money, but these simple things are strangely calming to me these days.
And to further the simplicity of the dish, the fact that it is made without pickles is a bit childish, so I'll just keep it between us.

I have become accustomed to ordering on the large tablets in the store, which used to be unwieldy.
Pickles can be omitted for customization.
It is a small moment of triumph that confirms to me that I have not been left behind by civilization. Yes, it is.

I used my precious lunch break to the limit to make a plan for Saturday, and it was all about the roses.

Last week I went to shoot roses again.
And this week is another rose.
I am no longer sure myself whether the rose is calling me or whether I am persistently pursuing it from here.

The schedule for the day is,
."Verney Park」
."Odawara Flower Garden」
."Ayase Rose Garden」
."Machida Municipal Nozuda Park」
Four locations in the

In the style of a certain program, it is the rose demon Renchan.
However, singing ability is not required. All you need is an early start, stamina, and a little recklessness.

Since I had a partner that day, I woke up a little after 4:00 a.m., which was a little late.
When you call 4:00 a.m. "slow," your senses are much more eroded by the morning type.

At the convenience store, I bought canned coffee to replace the bottled hot coffee that had finally run out.
The can type is a bit more palatable, but it is not a luxury.
What a person heading out on the highway in the morning needs is caffeine, not the elegance of a cafe.

First destination,Verny Park in YokosukaThe following is a list of the most common problems with the "C" in the "C" column.

As usual, I thought I would take the Gaikan to the Metropolitan Expressway (......), but on this particular day, the navigator was a little different.
From Kannana to Daisan Keihin Road.
"Oh, that way?" I thought, "But sometimes it's not a bad idea to leave your life in the hands of a navigator.

As a result, they arrived at Yokosuka smoothly.

Verney Park is a place I visited again this time after seeing the warship on my last visit and learning that there is a rose garden next to it.
What a surprise, on this day, they were preparing for the Curry Fest.
Yokosuka is all about curry.
I came here to photograph roses, but I'm surrounded by signs of curry. It is quite an informative morning.

It was still before the event, so I photographed the roses and the warship before more people arrived.
Roses and warships.
This is a strange combination in the normal sense of the word.
Elegance and ruggedness. Flowers and iron.
I don't know if I can call it somewhat romantic ......, but I quite like it.

After photographing for about an hour, we next headed toward Odawara.

On the way to Odawara Flower Garden, the navigation system revealed that we would be passing through Kamakura.
This is where the detour sensor in me reacts.

Maybe there's a hydrangea, somewhere in bloom?"

It is a disgusting idea.
It's supposed to be rose day, but I'm already trying to get my hands on some hydrangeas.
There is no moderation with regard to flowers.

Research turned up Kousokuji Temple as a place in Kamakura where hydrangeas can be enjoyed early.
The opening time is just right.
This is the only way to stop by.

Kousokuji TempleAt the "Hibiscus", potted hydrangeas were beginning to bloom, and they were very beautiful.
Because it is still before the full-blown season, there is a sense of serenity, and the freshness of the first blooms is impressive.
And the blue maples are beautiful again.
I dropped by with the intention of seeing hydrangeas, but I was also taken by the blue maples.
Flirt with the flowers, flirt with the leaves. I am a totally busy person.

incidentallyOnly the gate of Hase Temple was photographed.The following is a list of the most common problems with the "C" in the "C" column.
We plan to visit this one again early next month.
I would like to take good pictures of hydrangeas around Haseji, Shimoda, Ohirayama, and Nogo-ji this year.
The schedule is always admirable. Whether or not you will be physically fit is another story.

Then, continue down the road to Odawara.
On the way there, I stopped to take a few pictures because the blue sky and the sea were so beautiful.

The ocean is nice.
There are no oceans or volcanoes in Saitama Prefecture.
That is why I get strangely excited when I see the ocean.
Perhaps there are a certain number of Saitama Prefecture residents who just see the ocean and the elementary school kids in their hearts start running. That's me.

And,Odawara Flower GardenArrived.

The day was full of people, as it was rose season.
It was difficult to take pictures in an unattended setting.

Still, I took a few pictures and went to the greenhouse, which I usually don't go into very often.
My wife loves greenhouses. In these situations, following your partner's preferences can lead to surprising discoveries.

And here was an unexpected harvest.

Chinese trumpet creeper (Campsis grandiflora)is.
There were many of these in bloom and they were really beautiful.

I had seen them before in a greenhouse in Chiba, but I had no idea they were so spectacular.
Its unique blue-green color is very mysterious, like a jewel of the plant world.
In addition, water lilies were beginning to bloom, which was also beautiful.
I came here to photograph roses, but was very satisfied with the greenhouse. Life, side trips and greenhouses are not to be underestimated.

The next stop was the most anticipated of the day,Ayase Rose GardenThe following is a list of the most common problems with the "C" in the "C" column.

This is the site of the redeveloped Rose Garden in Kouya Park, which reopened on May 1, 2025.

In conclusion, I highly recommend it.
And it's free.
This is the level of concern that makes me a little concerned that this is free.

The flowers are arranged and color-coordinated in a very tasteful manner, making it a pleasure to walk around.
Upon further investigation, it seems that a person named Shinji Kawai is involved in this project,Yokohama English GardenHe is also related to the
Well, that makes sense.

We shot quite a lot here.
Next year I definitely want to visit first thing in the morning.
I vowed to do so.
These kinds of pledges increase every year, so it's about time I had a traffic jam in my mind, a "list of places to go next year".

Finally,Rose Festival at Machida Municipal Nozuda ParkTo.

As expected, by this time I had lost a lot of energy, but I managed to arrive.
This is a laid-back park with a family-friendly atmosphere.
I took the photo with the last of my strength, and the day's rose samadhi was successfully completed.

Oni Renchan tours the rose gardens in four locations.
There is a sense of accomplishment.
However, the damage to the legs and feet will remain firmly in place.
Flowers are beautiful. But the photographer's body is fighting a rather muddy reality.

When I got home, I planned to relax.
But life does not let us rest so easily.

My son contacted me.
He has a job interview on Tuesday, but he has gained weight due to repeated night ramen and his suit is too tight.

Hee.

So we went straight to Menswear Aoyama.
It is quite an intense day to go shopping for a suit after visiting four places for roses.
Roses in the morning, jade honeysuckle in the afternoon, and suits at night.
The genres are too scattered.

By the way, to my son's credit, he was 170 cm and only went from 47 to 56 kg, which was too skinny to begin with.
In other words, it is a healthier direction.
However, it was a sudden development for the suits.

On the way home, I took out a large bowl of beef bowl at Yoshinoya.
And I also made a small contribution to his weight gain.

And so it was, May 16, 2026.
A day of chasing roses, stopping at hydrangeas, marveling at the ocean, encountering jewel-like flowers in the greenhouse, and ending with my son's suit problem.

Things don't always go as planned, but that's why it's interesting.
It was a tiring day, but we laughed a lot, took a lot of pictures, and moved a lot.

Life and photography may be fun because of the detours.
I would skip the pickles, though.

Obelisk of Roses and Warships

This photo was taken in the Parc de la Verny with the rose obelisk and the warship in the background.

Verney Park｜Rose obelisk at the entrance of Curry Fest

This photo was taken at the Parc de la Verny of a rose obelisk that was displayed at the entrance to the Curry Fest.

Kousokuji Temple (Kamakura)｜Fantastic hydrangea blooming in light and shadow

This is a fantastic photograph of hydrangea blooming on the border of light and shadow at Kousokuji Temple (Kamakura).

Kousokuji Temple (Kamakura)｜Blue maple flowing with light and shadow

This photo was taken at Kousokuji Temple (Kamakura), where blue maple leaves spread out as if flowing in light and shadow.

Hase Temple (Kamakura)｜Temple scenery with lanterns at the entrance

This photo was taken at Hase-ji Temple (Kamakura) from the front of the lanterns displayed at the entrance.

Kanagawa｜Scenery of people enjoying fishing at the seaside

This photo shows people enjoying fishing at the beach in Kanagawa Prefecture.

Odawara Flower Garden｜Red roses bathed in light

This photo was taken at the Odawara Flower Garden at a beautiful moment when the light hits the red roses.

Odawara Flower Garden｜Allium blooming against the backdrop of the rose garden

This photo was taken at the Odawara Flower Garden, with one of the alliums in the background of the rose garden.

Odawara Flower Garden｜Jade honeysuckle surrounded by green jade blur

This fantastic photo was taken in the greenhouse of the Odawara Flower Garden, with jade honeysuckle against a background of green jade blur.

Odawara Flower Garden｜Water lilies seen through pink flowers

This photo was taken at the Odawara Flower Garden of lovely water lilies blooming in the outdoor house over the pink flowers.

Ayase Rose Garden｜Small flowers blooming at the back of the rose tunnel

This photo was taken at the Ayase Rose Garden with the small flowers at the back of the rose tunnel in focus.

Ayase Rose Garden｜Brightly blooming chamomile flower garden

This photo was taken from the side of the Ayase Rose Garden with a lot of blooming chamomile in a bright atmosphere.

Ayase Rose Garden｜Kitsune-no-tebukuro (foxglove) glowing in the green

This photo was taken at the Ayase Rose Garden of foxgloves in full bloom against a green backdrop.

Ayase Rose Garden｜Contrast between white walls and bright red roses

This photo was taken in the Ayase Rose Garden to show the contrast between the white Japanese-style walls and the bright red roses.

Machida Municipal Nozuda Park｜A beautiful rose obelisk

This photo shows a beautifully photographed rose obelisk at Machida Municipal Nozuta Park.

Machida Municipal Nozuda Park｜Beautiful rose garden and gazebo

This photo was taken at Machida Municipal Nozuda Park with a view of the rose garden and gazebo.

Photography Diary May 10, 2026 I went to Gunma to photograph flowers, and we finally talked about Marugame Noodles.

The day before, I had a nice talk with my friends and found myself returning home after 9:00 pm.

I took an early bath, had a quick Kirin Hon Shibori, and went straight to bed.
It was more like going to bed, where the power would quietly turn off rather than going to sleep.

If humans have a sleep mode, I was probably on a very energy-efficient setting at this time.

And the next morning.

The strangely accurate on-time alarm in my head announced four o'clock.
The eyes open with a gulp.

Wake-up.

In my case, for sleep,
Sleep" or "wake up."
There are almost only two choices.

It apparently does not include such fashionable features as waking up shallow or slumbering gracefully under the covers.
Switchable.
On or off.

But I also feel that this simplicity helps.
If I overthink it, I will probably sleep twice.

Now, on this day, you are going out with your partner.
Moreover, there is a box lunch.

I appreciate it.
I really appreciate it.
It is no longer a small miracle to be able to prepare lunch boxes early in the morning.

As for me, I am just excited, getting my camera ready.
This is where the difference in human perfection comes into play.
No, I understand.
I know that.

Now, the destination for the day is Gunma Prefecture.

First,Norn Minakami Flower GardenThe following is a list of the most common problems with the "C" in the "C" column.
And,Shikishima Park Kadokura Techno Rose GardenThe following is a list of the most common problems with the "C" in the "C" column.

Norn Minakami Flower Garden because I saw it on Instagram and it looked kind of nice.
I am quite thoughtless, since I am getting on the highway early in the morning for this "looks kind of nice" reason.
But in photographic activities, this thoughtlessness is rather important.

On the other hand, Shikishima Park Kadokura Techno Rose Garden is my wife's choice.
I visited last year and it was so nice that I repeated this year.
This is a rose garden of trust and achievement.

And so, we departed.

From Gaikan to Kan-etsu Expressway.
The early morning highway feels a bit special.
It's a bit of a win-win, as if we are the only ones starting our day ahead of the others, at a time when the city is not yet fully awake.

On the way, we took a break at Akagi Kogen SA.

This is a pleasant service area where you can see beautiful mountains.
And,swallow chickwas there.

Cute.

This is the only way to take a picture.
Just by having a little life there, our hearts are easily untied.

A middle-aged man holds his camera up to a swallow chick in a morning service area.
When you think about it calmly, it is quite a peaceful scene.
I wish the world was made up of only these kinds of times.

And just like that, it happened so fast.Norn Minakami Flower GardenThe first time you arrive in Japan, you will find yourself in the middle of a long, hot day.

First, we will have a packed breakfast nearby.

Why do lunches eaten outside taste so much better?
We didn't do anything special, but the air and the scenery add seasoning on their own.

We eat our lunch and wait for the gates to open.
As time approached, the number of people gradually increased.

I am excited.

I actually quite like the time before the gates open.
Nothing has started yet, but it's already fun.
It's like the morning of a field trip.

I thought Norn Minakami Flower Garden would be somewhat like Tanbara Lavender Park.
It is like a flower blooming on a ski slope.
At this point, expectations are already high.

Now, let's begin.

Upon entering the park, tulips and daffodils were blooming on the ski slope.
Many colorful tulips are in bloom, and they are truly lovely.

When flowers bloom on a slope, it creates a three-dimensional effect that is different from a mere flower garden.
There are mountains beyond the flowers, the sky, the wind, and somehow even I feel like a slightly fresher person.

In fact, I just get up at 4 a.m. and wander around with my camera, but I just feel refreshed.
Mood is important.

After taking a series of pictures, the next step is to take the lift to the top.

Lifts are kind of exciting, aren't they?
There is a strange sense of elation, even though we are just sitting there being transported.

Even though I was not climbing on my own feet, the view gradually opened up.
Taste nature while being spoiled by the power of civilization.
Best for.

After a while, we arrived at the top of the mountain.

Up above, white and yellow daffodils were blooming beautifully.

Daffodils.
Building.
Mountains.
And the sky.

This combination is quite good.

Unintentional,
Yay."
This is the voice of the mind that is not age-appropriate.

It is a moment of great satisfaction.

Views like this make me glad I woke up early in the morning.
Rather, I feel I can forgive myself a little for getting up at 4:00 in the morning.

After that, we walked down the mountain and took pictures as we descended.

Take the lift up and walk down.
It is somewhat healthy at first glance.
The name "photographic activity" is a set of nature and exercise.
Very good.

However, he is not thinking, "Let's exercise," but just walking around saying, "Oh, this place is beautiful," or "Oh, I want to shoot here too.
Resulting health.
This is probably about right for me.

Well, the next stop was Minakami Hanamiyama.

I wonder if the timing of the cherry blossoms is beautiful here.
I feel such a sign.

Memo memo.
Remember.

I have been making more notes in my brain lately.
Cherry blossoms look good here."
The foliage looks good here."
I like to come here at sunrise."
That's all I can think about.

However, there is a major problem with brain memos.
The destination of the storage is a bit iffy.

I think I remember it correctly, but I can't pull it out only when I need it.
The cloud service of human memory is quite fickle.

Minakami HanamiyamaAt the "Kintetsu" area, beautiful azaleas were in full bloom.
Of course, this is also a photo shoot.

On this day, the flow of flowers is very good: daffodils, tulips, azaleas.
It is as if we are receiving the baton of the season one after another, which lifts our spirits.

The next stop was,home of the valiantThe following is a list of the most common problems with the "C" in the "C" column.

I decided to stop by to see what fresh vegetables were inexpensive.
Take pictures of flowers and buy vegetables.
It is very healthy.

When I visited last year, the higanbana (cluster amaryllis) was beautiful.
This time, I wondered if they were "irises," "kakitsubata," or "hanashoubu," or something along those lines.

Here, out of the blue, is the answer to your question.

What is the difference between irises, kakitsubata, and irises?

In this kind of situation, I'll ask Mr. Chappie Quill, who is your best friend.

First, Iris is said to be a flower that blooms in relatively dry places and is characterized by the reticulate pattern at the base of its petals.
It has a rustic and dainty atmosphere, and fits well in the natural landscape of early summer.

Next, the kakitsubata.
This is a cooler flower that blooms near water or in wetlands and is characterized by white streaks at the base of the petals.
These flowers enjoy an elegant and serene atmosphere.

And irises.
This gorgeous flower, often seen in iris gardens, has yellow streaks at the base of the petals.
A wide variety of varieties and colors are available, making it a popular choice for shooting during the rainy season.

I see.

Netting.
White streaks.
Yellow streaks.

...... Yes.
I think I understand, but I don't know.

Chappie explained to me in a very detailed manner.
The question is whether my eyes can discern it locally.

I will be honest with you.

To me, they look about the same.

No, I am sure it is not.
In the world of flowers, it must be properly different.
However, as I looked at the flowers in the field, I asked myself in my mind, "Is this a white streak? Is it a yellow streak? No, what is a streak in the first place?" I am thinking, "Is this a white streak?

Flower identification is deeper than you think.
And my understanding is shallower than I would like.

By the way, I am thinking that what was in bloom this time was kakitsubata.
Probably.
Probably.
I'm sure.
If not, ask Mr. Chappie Quill to gently correct you.

As such, I bought a lot of vegetables at Takumi no Sato.

Take pictures of flowers, buy vegetables, and feel the seasons.
He seems to be someone who is suddenly very careful in his living.

In reality, it is just a mixture of camera supplies and vegetables in the car, but one way to say it gives a different impression.

Now, we are heading to the second main event of the day.

Destination,Shikishima Park Kadokura Techno Rose GardenThe following is a list of the most common problems with the "C" in the "C" column.

We took the downhill road and arrived at the destination.

As expected, it is very popular.
It was extremely crowded.

The parking lot was hard to get into, and we were guided to a parking lot on the bank.
From there, we will head out on foot for a walk.

We headed through Shikishima Park, which also has a nice atmosphere.
It must be wonderful during cherry blossom season.

Memo note in brain.
Yes, there it is again.
I am a brain note-taker.

However, it is not bad to have more "I want to go there someday" like this.
Rather, it feels like a growing stock of life's pleasures.

On the way there, we bought some French bread and nibbled on it as we headed out.

Munch.

French bread is delicious.
I prefer the hard type.

Crispy on the outside and chunky on the inside.
I am attracted to that hardness for some reason.
I feel like my mouth is being tested a little each time I eat it, but I like that as well.

A middle-aged man nibbles on French bread on his way to the rose garden.
It is difficult to determine whether it is graceful or sloppy.

But he is quite happy.

And finally, we arrived.

In a word,

The most beautiful.

We were able to come on a nice day with nice weather.
This is now a win-win.

Shikishima Park Kadokura Techno Rose Garden is truly a wonderful place.
The number of roses, the colors, and the atmosphere are spectacular.

And this rose garden is my wife's favorite.
He seems to be in a good mood.

This is important.

The good mood of your companion is very important in photographic activities.
No matter how beautiful the flowers are, if the air next to them is cloudy, it will probably affect the photos.

It was a beautiful day, the roses were at their best, and my wife was in a good mood.
In other words, it is a pretty good day.

I took a lot of pictures this year, as I did last year.
Red, pink, yellow, white.
Roses of all colors bloom, bathed in light, and all are beautiful.

I think roses are a bit of a difficult flower to photograph.
It is so beautiful that I am not sure how to photograph it.

Do you shoot from the front?
You want to go for the profile.
Do you drop the background dark?
Do you want to put in a ball blur?

Once you start thinking about it, it is hard to stop.

And generally, I take too many pictures.

Look back at the pictures when you get home,
This is also a rose.
This is also a rose.
Roses again.
but they will still be taken locally.

Because it is beautiful.

The day was also very satisfying.

This weekend was quite productive, as I got to see friends and go to various shoots.
We played well, photographed well, and ate well.

Weekends like this make me want to work hard again.

And and and and and.

If I end here, it would be a beautiful photo diary, but there is one last thing I really want to report.

As the story goes, today, May 12, lunch was at Marugame Seimen's,

Pork shabu-shabu with ume plum and grated yam

It was.

It was a delicious dish with a complex flavor.
The refreshing taste of ume plum, the mildness of yam, and the satisfaction of pork shabu-shabu.
These were having a very good meeting on bukkake udon noodles.

It was delicious.

Why do I end up with a lunch report when it is a photo diary?
I don't understand it myself.

But maybe that's just the way life is.

He took pictures of daffodils, azaleas, roses, bites of French bread, and finally talks about Marugame Noodles.

It seems out of context, but it's all in a proper day.

It is not a perfectly organized day.
I'm a little flabby, a little picky, a little greedy.

But looking back, it was kind of a good day.

Then you must have done well.

Take your camera out again next weekend.
While asking Mr. Chappie Quill the name of the flower.
Pasting notes in my brain here and there.
And somewhere with good food.

Akagi Plateau SA｜Swallow chicks under a blue sky

This photo was taken at Akagi Kogen SA of a swallow chick on the roof and the blue sky.

Norn Minakami Flower Garden｜Tulips and objects in full bloom

This photo was taken at the Norn Minakami Flower Garden, showing a tulip field in full bloom and garden objects.

Norn Minakami Flower Garden｜Daffodil field and mountain scenery shown in foreground

This photo was taken at the Norn Minakami Flower Garden, blurring out the daffodils in the foreground while capturing the daffodils and mountains in the background.

Norn Minakami Flower Garden｜Flower Garden of Daffodils and Tulips

This photo was taken at the Norn Minakami Flower Garden to balance the daffodils, tulips, and the building in the background.

Minakami Hanamiyama｜New greenery, azaleas and road signs

This photo was taken at Minakami Hanamiyama, with azaleas blooming beautifully under the fresh greenery and a sign on Prefectural Route 61.

White azalea shining under the wisteria trellis

This photo was taken at Minakami Hanamiyama, from under the wisteria trellis, showing the glowing white azalea.

Takumi no Sato (Gunma)｜Field Buddha surrounded by fresh greenery

This photo was taken at Takumi no Sato (Gunma) of a "wild Buddha" standing under fresh greenery.

Takumi no Sato (Gunma)｜Japanese style building and blurred irises

This photo was taken at Takumi no Sato (Gunma) and shows the iris while blurring out the building in the back and the flowers in the foreground.

Shikishima Park Kadokura Techno Rose Garden｜Roses in full bloom and rest area

This photo was taken at the Shikishima Park Kadokura Techno Rose Garden, showing the roses in full bloom and the rest area.

Shikishima Park Kadokura Techno Rose Garden｜Rose Garden in full bloom

This photo was taken at the Shikishima Park Kadokura Techno Rose Garden, where the Rose Garden is in full bloom.

Shikishima Park Kadokura Techno Rose Garden｜Beautiful roses just before blooming

This photo was taken at the Shikishima Park Kadokura Techno Rose Garden, with beautiful roses just before they are about to open and the fresh green light.

Shikishima Park Kadokura Techno Rose Garden｜Roses enveloped in light and ball blur

This photo was taken at the Shikishima Park Kadokura Techno Rose Garden, where the light shines on the light pink roses and the roses around them become balled up.

Photography Diary May 9, 2026 Man Scared of Transparent Violence Regains Sanity in Sayama Tea Plantation

In a dimly lit room, I was pensive as I stared at the amber liquid.

If Haruki Murakami were to compare Strong Zero in his own words, what would he say?

I asked my cute little buddy, Chappie Quill, about such a silly but sincere question.

The only answer I got back was.

The Violence of Invisibility."

...... Quicksilver.

At that moment, I felt the 9% alcohol content that had been lurking in the can suddenly look back at me.
I was so surprised that I was salivating.

This is just my personal opinion, but I am currently drinking Kirin Hon Shibori, which I feel is healthier for my body.
Only fruit juice and vodka.
And yet, it is a solid 6%.

The gentler the face, the more careless you should be.
Life and alcohol are generally structured that way.

Now, the day before, Friday.
I had a little bit more alcohol than usual, wanting to wash away the fatigue of work in a moderate way.

Just a few.

Nothing is more stretching and shrinking for human convenience than this word "a little bit.
But the next morning is the morning after.
The photographic activity continues.

On this day, I had plans to meet a friend from junior high school.
We will meet at around 12:00 p.m. in our hometown, Fujimino City, formerly Kamifukuoka City.

In other words, that is the time I have been given until then for my photographic activities.

Only in the morning.
Limited time.
Early morning departure.
And a middle-aged man who is strangely motivated for some reason.

Looking at the conditions alone, it is much more dangerous.
However, he is very positive.
These are the only places where they are wasteful and healthy.

Wake up is at 4:00 a.m. early in the morning as usual.

However, at this time of year, getting up at 4:00 a.m. makes it difficult to arrive there at sunrise.
If you are serious about sunrise, you have to get up at 3:00 am.

No, it is quite hard.

I love photography.
But we are still just barely registered on the human side.
It takes a little more training to become a complete morning specter.

This may be the toughest time of year for morning photography specialists.
Instead, it is also a time when it is easier to engage in activities before coming to work.

Well, what can I say?
Weirdos have their own spring.

The destination for the day was,Sayama Tea Field and Chasho StreetThe following is a list of the most common problems with the "C" in the "C" column.

It occurred to me after a recent visit to a tea plantation in Shizuoka that was so spectacular.
So, how about Sayama tea, the pride of my hometown, Saitama?

I am a simple man who, immediately after being impressed by Shizuoka's tea plantations, starts looking into local tea plantations.
But the simpler people are, the lighter their footwork is.
Before you overthink it, toddle along on the lower road.

It took quite a while, but when we arrived,

Oh, wow.
It is quite spacious.
It is spectacular.

With all due respect, somewhere in the back of my mind, I quietly reflected to the swell of the tea fields, thinking to myself, "Well, it's Saitama.

Moreover,Fuji from this location.The first is the

Isn't it wonderful?
Local, you do it.

It is as if Saitama, always too familiar and overlooked, has suddenly started playing austere jazz music.
It was as if they were saying, "Well, what do you think, you still don't know our faces."

Although I was not able to take pictures, birds that looked like pheasants and animals that looked like foxes also appeared.
We do not know if it was really a fox.
Perhaps it was something fox-flavored.

But life is a little richer without the details in these situations.

Lines of neatly lined tea plantations.
Fuji in the distance.
Early morning air.
And I am strangely high-spirited.

Next time I would like to visit at the time of sunrise.
It was a wonderful place to be.

Local, thanks for the great spot.
I'm sorry, I usually consider myself a bit plain.
Saitama also had its proper morning magic.

The next stop was,Chikozan Parkis.

A place my mother used to visit when she was healthy.
However, my own memories are quite vague and this is the first time I have visited as a photographic activity.

My first thought upon arrival.

Wide.
It's so spacious.

And there is a rose garden in the back.

I parked my car in the parking lot near the entrance, which meant a short walk to the rose garden.
Well, it will be just right for the lack of daily exercise.

The roses in the park were just at their best and the place was crowded with visitors.
The colorful roses are in bloom.

However, we do not have much time here.

Because on this day I am greedy and poor.
I have seen tea plantations, I have seen roses, and yet I am still trying to see the poppies.

Normally, I would sit here on a bench and enjoy the afterglow with a canned coffee or two.
But in my case, I am more concerned about the next destination than the aftermath.

We took pictures of the roses, walked around the park a bit, and left early.

But this is also a photographic activity.
Behind every beautiful flower is usually a small reflection and a learning experience for the next time.

Incidentally, there are also irises in Chikozan Park.
It is a place I would like to visit again if the timing is right.

Next time, I would like to go around more slowly.

Come on, come on, hurry up.

The next stop was,Poppy field next to the Millennium Garden Lavender GardenThe following is a list of the most common problems with the "C" in the "C" column.

When we arrived, we found bright red Charley poppies all over the area.

Oh, this is beautiful.

However, there is one problem.

The wind is extremely strong.

Even just a flower called poppy is as fluffy as a jellyfish.
When the wind blows there, the photographic difficulty level goes up dramatically.

The moment we compose the image, the flowers turn in a different direction.
As soon as it came into focus, it shook again.
As soon as the shutter was pressed, somehow they all started moving as if they had started a meeting.

It's like .......

I can't find an analogy.

I wanted to be the kind of person who could come up with witty metaphors quickly at times like this.
In reality, however, I am a middle-aged man who, faced with poppies swaying in the wind, just mutters a small, "Wow, I can't do it.

I am sure Chappie Quill will come up with some great words.
It would be something like "red little boats tossed about by the wind."

I was there and just thought, "It's a blur. I thought, "It's very blurry.
The emotional inventory had been blown away by the wind.

Even so, I managed to take a variety of shots, including including the signage and the overall shot.
It is not perfect.
But I am a little satisfied.

Photographic activities do not always bring home perfection.
Rather, they usually bring back reflections, sore muscles, and a mysterious sense of accomplishment.

And it's not over yet.

From there, we headed to,Cosmos Arena Fukiage in KonohaThe following is a list of the most common problems with the "C" in the "C" column.
This is also a popular place for Charley poppies.

Essentially a beautiful spot in the evening light.
But this year I can't seem to get there in the evenings.
Then let's go, even if it's just in time.

This decision is how I am.
They can't afford it, but they are greedy.
Planning is thin, but only action is thick.

Upon arrival, we were given only 15 minutes.

It is an impossible game.

However, I have visited this place several times, so I kind of know how to move around.
Park the car, grab the camera, and take a crisp shot.

When I write "crispy shooting," it sounds like someone who is very handy, but in fact it's quite hectic.
In my head, the sound of the shutter and the hands of the clock are ringing at the same time.

This year, in addition to poppies, there were also bluish flowers.
What is that over there?
Just a little blue among the red poppies changes the impression of the landscape.

And finally, we are headed to our hometown.

From here, it is a matter of making it in time to meet up with a friend from junior high school.
Of course, safe driving is strictly observed.
Proceed calmly at around the legal speed limit.

Then, something unusual happened near Kawagoe.

Not long ago,
Traffic jam near Miyoshi PA, one kilometer, five minutes.
This was the indication.

Then all of a sudden,
Traffic jam near Miyoshi PA, 1 km, 30 min.
It changed to

1 km 30 min.

This is not just another traffic jam.
It is a darker danger signal rising from the road.

I immediately made a decision.
Escape at Kawagoe Interchange.
We are suddenly going to change to the lower road.

Knowing a little about the local roads here helped me to be sober.
The roads that we usually drive on somewhat are also reliable in times of need.

As a result, we managed to make it just in time.

Even if you are doing photo activities until the last minute, keep the meeting time.
And also observe safe driving.

Just hearing about this place, it seems like a fine human being.
But the reality is that people with overcrowded schedules are just desperately trying to keep their books in order.

Still, it's okay.

Although the day was limited to lunchtime, it was quite an intense morning, with visits to the Sayama tea plantation, roses at Chikozan Park, poppies at Sennen no En, and poppies at Konosu.

High winds, a bit of a rush to get around, and the fear of traffic jam displays are all part of the photographic activity.

It is not a perfect day.
Rather, it is quite a flurry.
There is also sloppiness.
The scheduling is also, well, messy.

But, waking up at 4 a.m., seeing the tea fields, photographing the roses, and being tossed about by the poppies swaying in the wind, I still feel like I had a good time at the end of the day.

Then you must have done well.

Maybe life is just right, always a little too full of plans and a little too full of reflections.

And I will probably go out again the next morning with my camera.

Beware of transparent violence.
While with this press in moderation.
While asking Chappie Quill for extra metaphors.

While falling in love with the local scenery a little more again.

Sayama Tea Field and Chasho Street｜Early morning view over the tea field Mt.

This photo was taken early in the morning on a clear day at the Sayama Tea Field and Tea Place Street, showing the greenery of the tea fields and the distant Mt.

Sayama Tea Field and Chasho Street｜Scenery of tea fields spreading out under a blue sky

This photo was taken at the Sayama Tea Field and Tea Place Street, using wide-angle mode to incorporate a large expanse of tea field and blue sky.

Chikozan Park｜Rose garden with many roses

This photo was taken at Chikozan Park, where the rose garden is blooming with many roses.

Chikozan Park｜Light pink roses with beautiful profile

This photo was taken from the side of a beautiful light pink rose in the rose garden at Chikozan Park.

Millennium Garden Lavender Garden｜Sign and poppies seen from a little distance

This photo shows the sign and poppies from a short distance away in a poppy field next to the Millennium Garden Lavender Garden.

Millennium Garden Lavender Garden｜Beautiful poppies waving in the wind

This photo shows a poppy field next to the Millennium Garden Lavender Garden, with beautifully shaped poppies waving in the wind.

Cosmos Arena Fukiage｜Scenery of blue sky, poppies and bridge

This photo was taken at Cosmos Arena Fukiai with the Charley poppies, blue sky, and the symbolic bridge in the background.

Cosmos Arena Fukage｜Poppies and bridges shown in the foreground

This photo was taken at the Cosmos Arena Wipe-up, with the Charley poppies blooming a little further back and the bridge in focus, and the foreground blurred.

Photography Diary May 5, 2026 Last day of GW, roses and meat. What more do you want?

Fourth day of Golden Week.
This day is May 5, Children's Day. I work on the 6th, so it is the last day of GW.

We have a son and a daughter.
My son is a senior in college. Daughter is a sophomore in high school.
They don't care about their parents anymore.

That's fine.
It is healthy growth.
Friends over parents, smartphones over parents, time to yourself over parents.
That's fine.

...... and I know it in my head.
Don't tell me that in the back of your mind, you are thinking just a little bit, "It's okay if you leave me alone once in a while.

It is Children's Day, and I have plans to go to Bronco Billy's with my family at 2 p.m.
Everyone loves Bronco Billy.
Perhaps the power to bring a family together is stronger with a steak and salad bar than with conversation.

Now, the problem is in the morning.

As expected, his partner, his wife, was exhausted after being out early in the morning for three days in a row.
Naturally.
Going along with a photographic activity is now a light training.
It's early in the morning, the trip is long, and I stop abruptly when I find my composition.
It may be more troublesome than observing wild animals.

So this day is a solo activity until noon.

Now, where to go?

Plan 1, go to Nasu to photograph rape blossoms and carp streamers.
Plan 2, early morning photo shoot of the rose garden in Yamashita Park.

What to do.
What am I going to do?

Then I suddenly remembered.

Oh, by the way, I had an annual pass for the Yokohama English Garden."

And until June.
In addition, there is an early morning premier opening.

Yes, it's settled.
The destination for the day is Yokohama.

Before departure, I went to my usual 7-Eleven.
What I am interested in is the hot BOSS.

...... last one.

Ah, here we are.
This is the season's annual countdown to the end of hot beverage sales.
The loneliness of a morning partner slowly disappearing from the shelves.
The end of spring is felt on the hot shelves of convenience stores before the cherry blossoms.

I gratefully purchased the last bottle and departed for Yokohama.

From the Metropolitan Expressway toward Yokohama.
The day was scheduled to be pecan clear.
At least that's what the weather forecast said.

However, as we approached the site, we sensed something unusual.

Only above me, thick clouds.

That.
Did I do something wrong?
Is it a blessing in disregard of my family that I take pictures all the time?

I even wash the bowls.
I also clean the bathrooms."
I'm probably doing, well, house stuff."

I throw such mental excuses at the sky, but the clouds do not budge at all.
It seems that housekeeping appeals don't work for weather.

First.To Yamashita ParkThe following is a list of the most common problems with the "C" in the "C" column.

We were a little late for sunrise, but the minuteThe theme of thick clouds and disturbing rose gardensI will try to take a picture with
A fresh rose garden on a sunny day is nice, but a rose garden on a cloudy day has a little more drama.
In other words, it is an excuse when the weather is not good.

Then, once,Harbor View ParkMove to.

We went back to Yamashita Park again, just as it was clearing up a bit,Hikawa Maru and Rose Gardenwas also photographed.

Yokohama is sneaky.
Roses, the sea, ships, Western-style buildings, bridges.
There are too many subjects.
The memory in a camera novice's brain fills up quickly.

Then 8:00.
Finally, the premier opening of the Yokohama English Garden.

It seems that only reservation holders and annual pass members are allowed in at this time.
The annual pass is, of course, a secret from my wife.

Occasionally a bulletin arrives at home, but they seem to think it is some kind of DM.
I am probably the only one who thinks .......

My wife is usually the one who notices these things.
They are aware of it and let it swim.
That is the depth of marriage.
It's scary.

When we arrived there, there were already two groups in the annual pass member line.
On the other side is a line of general reservation holders.

Just a few.
Really, it's just a little bit.
I felt a small sense of superiority that the Annual Pass member line could get in earlier.

I'm sorry.
I am a person who has few situations of superiority in my daily life.
I manage to sustain my heart with these small joys.

Enter the park as soon as it opens.

First.One unattended shot of the rose arch in front.The following is a list of the most common problems with the "C" in the "C" column.
This is a great appreciation of the early morning premiere.
Just being able to photograph the Rose Arch without people makes me feel like I've paid for my annual pass.
Don't ask the household accounting gods if you are actually getting it.

However, this year's Rose Arch seemed to have a little less roses.
Was it early, late, or just the way it bloomed this year?
To be honest, I am not sure.

Still, as we proceeded deeper into the park, the roses lit up by the sunlight through the trees were truly beautiful.

Yokohama English Gardenis always wonderful to visit.
The rose season is of course the best, but the hydrangea season is also the best.
Highly recommended for flower lovers and photography enthusiasts.

A rose with morning light.
Roses floating on a dark background.
A rose blooming softly amidst the greenery.
A rose in a ball blur.

Time melts away in an instant when you are taking pictures.
Every time I look at my watch, I think, "Hey, did someone steal the time?" I think to myself.
The culprit is probably a rose.

We took a lot of pictures and once we were done, we left.

Then park the car again at the parking lot in front of Yamashita Park,Harbor View ParkThe first time you visit the hotel, you will be heading to the
GW indeed.
It is crazy crowded.

Still, it was really beautiful here, too.
After returning home, I looked back at the photos and noticed that the combination of the Bay Bridge and roses looked pretty good.

I wanted to take a picture.
It was too late to notice.
You don't notice it at the site, you notice it at home.
There is a photo.
I have one more homework assignment for next year.

After that, we shot again in Yamashita Park.
This day is completely in Yokohama rose.

However, a family Bronco Billy awaits in the afternoon.
I'm also afraid of traffic jams on the way home.
If you get too greedy here, you risk being late for a family event.

Photographs are important.
But meat is also important.
And family is more important.

So, we will be leaving early.

On the way home, as expected, there was a little traffic jam.
Still, I managed to get home around 1:00 p.m.
The mission to photograph the Yokohama rose in the morning is successfully completed.

And in the afternoon, the meat festival that you have been waiting for.
Go to the Bronco Billy.

The salad bar is wonderful here.
Of course we look forward to the steaks, but the salad bar is filled with the happiness of the common man.
They eat meat, too, after all, while putting on a facade of "eating vegetables in a healthy way."
This is the adult's sense of balance.

Anyway, I ate a lot and was full.
I spent time with my family, ate meat, and even took roses in the morning.
The last day of Golden Week for me was quite satisfying.

I enjoyed this year's GW as well.

Azaleas in Hakone.
A tea plantation in Shizuoka.
Gunma wisteria.
Mountains of Nagano.
Carp streamers.
Roses in Yokohama.
And finally, Bronco Billy.

When you put them together like this, it's quite packed.
My fitness gauge was considerably reduced, but my photo folder and stomach were well-filled.

Thanks for a fun Golden Week.

I will work hard until summer vacation again, both at work and
I bit a little bit.
It seems that the mind has not yet accepted the reality of the situation before the vacation labor.

Yamashita Park｜Early morning sky, rose garden and Hikawa Maru

This photo was taken in Yamashita Park, a collaboration of the dynamic early morning sky, the rose garden, Hikawa Maru, and the Bay Bridge.

Yamashita Park｜Blue sky, Hikawa Maru, and Rose Garden

This photo was taken in Yamashita Park with a pleasant blue sky, Hikawa Maru and the Rose Garden.

Harbor View Park｜Roses in the early morning light

This photo was taken at Harbor View Park of beautiful roses with early morning light.

Harbor View Park｜Blue sky, roses, and waving flags

This photo was taken in Harbor View Park, with the roses against a blue sky, along with the flag waving in the background.

Harbor View Park｜Roses and Western-style buildings in front of the park

This photo was taken in Harbor View Park, with the Western-style house on the other side of the beautiful rose garden, taking advantage of the blur in the foreground.

Harbor View Park｜Butterfly spreading its wings on a flower

This photo was taken at Harbor View Park of a beautiful butterfly that spreads its wings a little on a flower.

Yokohama English Garden｜Early morning rose tunnel

This photo was taken at the Yokohama English Garden, first thing in the early morning of the rose tunnel.

Yokohama English Garden｜Rose Tunnel with Depth

This photo was taken at the Yokohama English Garden with a side-side rose tunnel, with depth in mind.

Yokohama English Garden｜Colorful jade blur and roses

This photo was taken at the Yokohama English Garden, with a colorful ball-and-socket background and lighted roses.

Yokohama English Garden｜Fluffy roses against the blue sky

This photo was taken at the Yokohama English Garden, with the beautifully blooming roses and blue sky in mind.

Yokohama English Garden｜Yellow roses and light

This photo was taken at the Yokohama English Garden with the yellow roses on the wall and the light leaking from the wall in mind.

Yokohama English Garden｜Rose Tunnel looking up

This photo was taken at Yokohama English Garden, looking diagonally up at the roses from inside the rose tunnel.

Photography Diary May 4, 2026 After taking a wisteria shower, I bathed in reality at Towashi Pass.

Golden Week.

This was the third day of GW.
This year, our company has a whopping 4 days off. It's the best. Yay!

On the first day, we went to Hakone and Shizuoka.
On the second day, while relaxing at home, we went to nearby Higashimatsuyama.
And the third day.

Well, what shall we do?

This is a Gunma & Nagano trip with partner accompaniment.
Gunma's destination is,KUROSAWA Wisteria Garden (Niagara Wisteria Garden)The following is a list of the most common problems with the "C" in the "C" column.
And Nagano is almost an untouched area for me in my photography trip. I was aiming for the majestic mountains and the Pinkoro Jizo, which I had been curious about for a long time.

As usual, he woke up at 4:00 a.m.

I am usually up around 4:00 am, regardless of weekends or holidays.
Since my family are all night owls, I am sure I am recognized as the alarm clock, or rather the alarm noise, in the household.
Sorry. Morning activities are the spice of life, but they may be an irritant to your family.

And the usual routine.
Buy hot coffee at 7-Eleven.

...... Huh?

Hot corners are not well replenished.
Only a few left.

There is a unique tension in this season's Seven.
The silent pressure of "It's time to finish hot."
No, please. Please put hot coffee all year round.
I like the type where you set the cups in the machine, but I am not that dexterous at 4:00 in the morning.
Early in the morning, people are still half “plants”.

With such a hot coffee crisis, we are headed to Gunma.

As expected of GW, there were more cars than usual.
I went to many places during this holiday weekend, and I really had the impression that there were many accidents.
I have to brace myself as well.
I also reminded myself that I need to make sure to tell my son, who got his license earlier this year.

Driving is scary when you're used to it."

This is a word that will slowly work on you as an adult.

Nevertheless, there were surprisingly few major traffic jams on the road that day, and we arrived at the site in no time.
The time is around 7 am.
There is some time before the gates open.

However, since it was my first time here, I was a little apprehensive at first.

The parking lot is completely in farmland.
I cannot see where the wisteria flowers are at all.
And no one is there yet.

Are we sure we're in the right place?"

With such anxiety, we eat lunch in the car and wait.
Bring your own lunch on this day.
Thank you for everything.
The journey with early morning lunches, and the gratitude is stomach-churning.

After a while, tourists began to arrive, and I felt relieved.
In addition, they opened the gates a little earlier than scheduled.

I appreciate this.

Opening the gates early is quite important for those of us who take pictures.
You can take pictures at a time when there are few people.
The rest of the schedule goes smoothly.
In other words, it increases the odds of winning the trip.

Thank you very much.

Once inside the park, the path is a bit like a jungle.
And the view that stretched beyond.

Wisteria flowers drooping all over a small hill.
It is truly a Niagara Falls.

."Niagara Wisteria GardenThe name "I see", I see.
This is brilliant.

Wisteria flowers are cascading down from above.
A shower of purple flowers.
Quiet morning air.
Slightly damp green smell.
Anyway, it is beautiful.

However, my photographic skills and the sun's rays left me a bit frustrated as to whether I was able to fully express the beauty of the scene.
The difference between the impression you see with your eyes and the result you see in a photograph.
I am sure that it is the training of the camera that will make up the difference.

It was large enough to go around in about 15 minutes, but every part of it was lovely.
While being showered with wisteria blossoms, visitors enjoy photographing such and such compositions.

This year, I am also working on updating the blog at the same time, so I am taking fewer photos on weekdays compared to last year.
Wisteria flowers have also visited only a few places.

You've been to several places!"

I am sure you might be prodded, but as a photo addict, there are still places I would like to visit.
Seasonal flowers do not wait for our convenience.
Flowers are more demanding of scheduling.

While I was taking these pictures, my wife was making about four laps around the park.
I am truly sorry.
It is quite a discipline to wait next to someone who is engrossed in photography.
Thank you for everything.

Now, we are heading to our next destination.

The next stop was Saku City, Nagano Prefecture.Ksitigarbha (jizo) who listens to people's thoughts and acts on themis.

Pinkoro Jizo is a famous place to visit with the wish to have a long and healthy life and to meet the end of life peacefully without suffering.
"I'm fine, I'm fine, I'm fine, I'm fine, I'm fine, I'm fine, I'm fine, I'm fine.
Because of this wish, it is called Pinkoro Jizo.

However, I have a few personal orders.

If it's too sudden and pinprickly, that's scary.
I would like a slight forewarning, preferably a month or so in advance.
But I don't want to suffer.

......Human wishes are quite selfish.
God and Jizo must be having a hard time.

As I was on my way there with such greedy requests in my mind, I saw an extraordinary view on the way.

What, Mount Roraima?

We could see a uniquely shaped mountain, like Mount Roraima in South America.
I had no idea that Japan had such a mountainous landscape that I longed to see.

Its true identity is on the border of Gunma and Nagano.Mt. ArabuIt was.

Amazing.
Cool.
The shape of the mountain is strong.
It has the presence of a huge ship that looks like a mountain as it is.

I am tempted to climb it, but it looks hard from the looks of it.
I will start out again around Mt.
Arafuneyama out of the blue is too much of an ordeal for middle-aged people who lack exercise.

I got out of the car for a bit and took a picture of Mt. Arafune.
Well, it's wonderful.

After that, we drove further into the mountains and entered Nagano Prefecture.
This is my first trip to Nagano as a photographer.

I am sorry to say that I have only been in the area for a short while, but each of Gunma's mountains has its own unique character, as if a god resides in each of them.
In Nagano, on the other hand, the entire land is magnificent.
The air is already different, as you can see far into the distance.

To put it simply, Nagano, because my vocabulary is not good enough, is wide.
And strong.

We arrive at our destination, Pinkoro Jizo, and pay a firm visit.

Please, please, please, please, please, please, please. Please give me time to say goodbye, preferably for a month or so."

After completing my greedy request, I took a picture of the carp streamers on the approach to the temple.
The carp streamers swimming in the wind were very beautiful.
It was worth the trip to Nagano.

From this point forward, we have almost no plan.

Children's Day is coming up, and we talked about going to one more place to see koinobori (carp streamers).
That's where the insta-search comes in.
At my wife's suggestion, Gunma Pref.Kanna Carp Streamer Festival in Kanna TownThe first time I went to the

It's in the direction of the way home, and it looks just right.

...... This light decision creates the hard mode that follows.

When running in Nagano Prefecture,Pink lawn cherry blossoms in a corner of farmlandwas visible.
It is beautiful even when viewed from the roadway.
Since I had come all the way to Nagano, I took a few pictures to commemorate the event.
Moss cherry blossoms and the mountains of Nagano.
Encountering such chance views is one of the joys of traveling by car.

Now, here's the problem.

The navigation system shows two routes.
One such route is through the Juushi Pass.

Since we are here, let's go to Towashi Pass.

This "since we are here" is the magic word in travel, and sometimes a trap.

In fact, the road to Juushi Pass was quite hard.
The roads are narrow and there are many motorcycles.
Curves also continue.
The scenery is nice, but you have to be very careful when driving.

If there is a next time, I will probably choose a different path.
Juushi Pass, the scenery is romantic.
Driving is a discipline.

And so, while time was pushed ahead of schedule, we managed to make it.Arrival at the Kanna Koinobori FestivalI did.

After being guided to the parking lot, I looked up at the sky and was amazed at the view.

A great number of carp streamers.
Koinobori (carp streamers) swimming in the sky.
This is great.

The fatigue of long hours of driving is rewarded at once.
The venue was lively and festive, and there were many children.
The atmosphere was joyful.

Photographically, we struggled with the composition because it was a little cloudy and there were many people.
Nevertheless, we managed to take the picture.

This is a place where I would like to take a good picture with the river someday when there are fewer people around.
Early morning carp streamers should definitely be good.

Thus, the third day of Golden Week ended successfully.

Wisteria at KUROSAWA Wisteria Garden.
The power of Mt.
A greedy request to Pinkoro Jizo.
Mountains of Nagano.
Trial of the Juishi Pass.
And the Kana Carp Streamer Festival.

The day turned out to be much more intense than I had expected.

A little traffic jam on the way home.
Still, the new Kelani album was the best I heard on the slow-flowing Kanetsu Expressway.

Traffic jams are a little more forgivable when the music is good.
A little bit.

Third day of GW.
What was supposed to be a trip to see wisteria turned out to be a trip to be trained by mountains, mountain passes, and carp streamers.

The strength gauge was shaved off, but the photo folder was well full.
This can now be called a victory.

KUROSAWA Wisteria Garden (Niagara Wisteria Garden)｜wisteria flowers and depth of stairs

This photo was taken at the KUROSAWA Wisteria Garden (Niagara Wisteria Garden), with the wisteria flowers pouring down like a shower and the staircase, with depth in mind.

KUROSAWA Wisteria Garden (Niagara Wisteria Garden)｜Wisteria of soft light

This photo was taken at KUROSAWA Wisteria Garden (Niagara Wisteria Garden), where the wisteria flowers are softly illuminated.

Arafuneyama｜Arafuneyama looking up

This photo is a close-up view of Mt.

Pinkoro Jizo｜Carp streamers and the approach to the temple shining in the blue sky

This photo was taken at Pinkoro Jizo with the approach and carp streamers with the blue sky in mind.

Pinkoro Jizo｜Blue sky, carp streamers and utility poles

This photo was taken at Pinkoro Jizo with the right side of the carp streamer, blue sky, and telephone poles in mind.

Nagano (Saku)｜Lawn Cherry Blossoms and Small Mountains

This photo was taken in Nagano Prefecture (Saku), Japan, of a beautiful pink gradient of lawn cherry blossoms and a small mountain spreading across a patch of farmland.

Kanna Carp Streamer Festival｜Vividly colored carp streamers swaying in the wind

This photo was taken at the Kana Carp Streamer Festival, and shows the colorful carp streamers swaying in the wind.

Kanna Carp Streamer Festival｜Carp Streamers Continuing in the Mountains

This photo was taken at the Kana Carp Streamer Festival, where a continuous string of carp streamers that continue up to the top of the mountain is seen.

Photography Diary May 2, 2026 It's too early to call a 3-day weekend GW, so I went to Hakone to make sure.

The day was supposed to be work.

In the mail-order business, orders usually come in even when the rest of the world is closed.
Many people would rather say, "Everyone is on vacation, so I'll take my time shopping on the Internet," and for us, it may seem like a vacation, but it is not.

The world is in the mood for a five-day GW holiday from May 2 to 6.
Meanwhile, our company is scheduled to be open on May 2 and 6.

In other words, it is actually a three-day weekend.

...... Can we call that GW?
I asked softly in my mind. Of course, it was inwardly. I am an adult.

However, thankfully, May 2 was also a holiday, and it was promoted to a four-day weekend, which I didn't expect.
From 3 to 4 consecutive holidays.
This is already a single azalea blooming on the folk calendar. Wow.

However, the vacation was decided just in time.
Furthermore, the weather during GW is as unstable as an adolescent's sky, whether it is sunny or cloudy.
So we had almost no plan until the night before.

Of the four days, three are likely to be sunny.
Now, where to go?

Full insta-search and brainstorming sessions.
The physical feeling is comparable to that of a quantum computer.
However, the processing power here is driven by caffeine and impatience.

The resulting answer that was derived was,

Let's go to Hakone."

It was.

There are two main destinations.
."Odakyu Yaman-no-Hotel azalea」and「Tea plantation at Obuchi Sasaba」です。

I really wanted to go to the tea girl photo session at the Obuchi Sasaba, but the schedule seemed too difficult.
Then we have to go ahead and do it.
Photography is always a gap industry between work, weather, and physical fitness.

Since I had worked hard the day before, I did not get up recklessly early; I woke up at 4:00 a.m.

...... No, it's usually faster.
But in my mind, I recognize that today is a slow day.
The sense of the early bird community is a bit bugged.

Departure around 5:00.
The garden of the mountain hotel opens at 9:00 a.m., so I planned to head there with plenty of time to relax.

But that's GW.
Both the Metropolitan Expressway and the Tomei are slowly getting crowded in the morning.
Everyone thinks the same way.
The "leave early in the morning and you'll be fine" crowd had all assembled.

Still, we managed to arrive at Hakone before 8:00 am.
Thinking it might be a little early, I go to check on the mountain hotel just to be sure.

As a result, it was securely closed.

Sometimes these places are ambiguous, like, "Is it open yet?" but this is a venerable hotel.
Opening time is strictly adhered to.
Security is also excellent.
Our faint hopes are splendidly met at the door.

Until the time, the Lake Ashinoko area andHakone Imperial Gift ParkStroll around the area of
In addition, you will be quietly returned to reality after checking your parking fee.
The cost of parking in tourist areas sometimes gets my heart rate up.

As 9:00 is approaching, we hurry back to the mountain hotel.
At the entrance to the garden, there were already several photo gawkers.
People who seemed to be meeting each other for the first time were happily talking about landscape photography.

I am shy, so of course I don't talk to them.
In my mind, I am participating.
I'm the type of person who can't get into a conversation, but only leave a sign.

At 9:00, the gates finally open.

Upon entering the garden, we were greeted with a spectacular view.
Historic hotel building.
Azaleas in full bloom.
Blue sky.
And Mt.

This is now a winner.
Thank you so much for giving me the day off on May 2.
I feel like putting my hand on the work schedule.

We didn't know where the best spots were at first, so we just went to where everyone was gathered.
There are beginners in photography.
Where people are, you're probably right."

However, we were a little late to the party, and it was not easy to take pictures of the uninhabited area.
People enter.
Wait.
People will enter again.
Wait.
The repetition.

Aiming for unattended photos in tourist areas is now a practice.
You want to be mindless, but people will be on the screen.

Still, I managed to get some satisfactory photos.
Good.
The morning's hard work was properly rewarded with azalea color.

Next, we headed for the Lake Ashinoko area, also in the Lake Ashinoko area.Hakone Imperial Gift Parkis.

Here,Fuji, Lake Ashi, pirate ship, azaleacan be taken, he said.
Incidentally, even though it is called a pirate ship, it is, of course, for sightseeing.
If there were real pirates, I would leave before I even set up my camera.

Parking at Hakone Park is paid in full.
I was planning to use it for a short time, so my heart was a little bit lulled.
But this turned out to be the right decision.

The park is much larger than I expected.
And the desired photo spot is hard to find.
Fuji, Lake Ashinoko, and azaleas, and wandered around the park.
It becomes difficult to tell whether you came here to take pictures or to do some light climbing.

When we finally arrived at the photo spot, there was a photographer who looked like a veteran of the war.
I was a little bit next to him.

I took a quick, whispered shot with a feeling of "Excuse me, just a little bit of the edge ......."
And then, I left quickly.

I yearn to take photos like the pros, where I can carefully explore the composition in one place and wait for the light.
It's cool, like fishing.
However, I am now completely a migratory fish type.
I am the type of camera beginner who gets anxious when I stop.

From next year onward, I would like to have a slightly more relaxed shooting style.
This year we will still run through it in flop style.

Next stop was Fuji City, Shizuoka Prefecture.Oobuchi SasabaThe following is a list of the most common problems with the "C" in the "C" column.

On the way.Mishima SkywalkWe also made a short stop at the
I took a peek to see what kind of place it is and it looks great.
However, I was in a hurry to get ahead that day, so I would have to wait until another time to go in earnest.
I said to myself, "I'll be back," to the sights, and moved on.

andOobuchi SasabaArrival at

This is also where we stopped on our way back from the first sunrise at Lake Tanuki on January 1 this year.
At that time it was deep winter color, but this time it is the season of new tea.
The yellow-green color of the tea fields was really beautiful.

Fuji is covered with clouds or broken.
Can you see it or hide it?
It is a development that plays on our minds.

Still, I managed to capture a beautiful composition of a tea field and Mt.
There was a TV film crew here as well as at the mountain hotel.

What if I get interviewed?
Maybe I can't speak well.
I am confident that the only thing that will come out is "Ki, it's beautiful. ......
So I will watch from afar.
Safety comes first.

The next stop was a tea plantation in Imamiya.

Oyuchi DistrictThere are a number of beautiful compositions that make you want to stop the car while driving through the
Fuji City, we cannot let our guard down.
The combination of tea fields and Mt. Fuji lurks here and there.

Tea plantation in ImamiyaThe balance between the tea fields and Mt. Fuji is beautiful, and the atmosphere of the stone walls is also nice.
There is nothing flashy about it, but the serene scenery is deeply moving.

Lastly, we headed to,Tea plantation in the Iwamoto area of Fuji CityThe following is a list of the most common problems with the "C" in the "C" column.
It is near Ryuganbuchi, which I visited during the cherry blossom season.

Here, too, we found a perfect composition.
Tea fields, Mt. Fuji, and early summer light.
This completes our mission for the day.

The day started with azaleas in Hakone, followed by a series of visits to tea plantations in Fuji City.
Worked well.
I want to pat myself on the back.
If possible, someone should also compliment me on my driving home.

And on the way home, of course, there was a traffic jam.
It's GW.
It is a beauty of style.

A quarter of the fun GW season has come to a successful conclusion.

May 3 as an added bonus.

The next day the weather looked bad, so we basically decided to stay home.
It cleared up a bit in the afternoon, so I went to check on my parents' house and then went to the Higashimatsuyama Botan Garden to see the flower garden.

By the way, the reason for checking my parents' house is that Amazon may have sent me a regular delivery of Bon Curry.
Bon curries are better than flowers.
No, I also see flowers.

The peony flowers were beautiful in the park, and the giant flower hand-watering basin in one of the children's play areas was also very festive.

Scheduled just in time.
The weather is also unreadable.
There is also traffic congestion.
Unattended photographs are also difficult.

Still, I can't stop my photography activities because I can encounter scenery that makes me glad I went out.

GW's first game, successfully won.
However, the strength gauge was cut down to a fair level.

Odakyu Yama-no-Hotel (Hakone)｜Azalea and Mt.

This photo was taken at the Odakyu Mountain Hotel (Hakone) with a slightly pulled back composition of azaleas, Mt.

Odakyu Yama-no-Hotel (Hakone)｜Mt. Fuji from the terrace

This photo was taken at the Odakyu Mountain Hotel in Hakone, Japan, and shows the view of Mt.

Hakone Imperial Gift Park｜Azalea and Mt.

This photo shows Mt. Fuji and a pirate ship over the sparkling azaleas at Hakone Imperial Park.

Hakone Park｜Sightseeing Boat through Azaleas

This photo was taken at Hakone Onshi Hakone Park, with a beautiful view of a sightseeing boat from the observation deck over the azaleas.

Obuchi Sasaba｜New tea plantation and Mt.

This photo was taken at the Obuchi Sasaba, showing a beautiful new tea field and Mt.

Shizuoka Prefecture Tea Plantation (Ohbuchi)｜Tower and Tea Plantation, Mt.

This photo was taken at a tea plantation (Ohbuchi) in Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan, and shows the tower, the tea plantation, and the looming Mt.

Tea plantation in Imamiya｜Lane leads to tea plantation and Mt.

This photo was taken at a tea plantation in Imamiya to balance the pathway up the tea plantation and Mt.

Shizuoka Prefecture Tea Plantation (Iwamoto, Fuji City)

This photo was taken at a tea plantation in Imamiya, showing the spreading tea fields and Mt.

Photography Diary April 26, 2026 "Just one more place" never ends, wisteria and azalea spring expedition

Because of shopping and house stuff, Sunday shooting activities are often only in the morning. Well, this all depends on the weather. However, if I pull too much on Sunday, it is quite hard for me on Monday. It is a common domestic, not self-inflicted problem, where my Monday morning self quietly resents me for getting carried away on Sunday afternoon.

This day is a single activity. As you can imagine, it is quite a don't-do deal to accompany the expedition for two days in a row. Generally, Sundays are for solo activities.

But when things are fun, we tend to lose track of time, don't we? It would be great if I could lose track of time at work as well, but why are the hands of the clock so heavy only during work hours? It is an eternal mystery.

Originally, we had planned to go to Soleil Hill, Kurihama Hananokuni, or Yokosuka area on this day. However, due to the weather, it turned out to be a good day to go north. No matter how much I stare at the map app, no matter how much I heighten my desire to go to Yokosuka, I cannot win against the weather. Human beings are helpless. Especially, the person who waits for fine weather with a camera is much more powerless.

I saw a saying on Instagram, "If it's raining, it's raining; if it's cloudy, it's cloudy. I have seen the saying, "You should take pictures according to the moment. Very true. Very cool. But I can't do it yet now. I am a total sunny specialist. The sun is my first priority. Can someone seriously tell me how to shoot on low light days? So far, my mind underexposes a bit on cloudy days.

So the first place we headed for this day was Kasama Azalea Park, which we could not reach yesterday. My plan was to go there for the sunset, but it was changed to the morning sunrise. Life does not always go as planned. Especially, flowers, weather, and physical strength do not listen to our convenience at all.

As usual, we depart with a cup of hot coffee. The song playing in the car that day is Starker's "LIVING TYPE DANGEROUS Vol. 1," which was the Best New Album in the latest Pitchfork. I have no idea what they are saying in English, but I can sense something disturbing. It is surely disturbing. Perhaps they are living dangerously. In a way, my life is a little dangerous because I am heading to Ibaraki in the morning. This is the kind of thing you listen to when you are alone.

Driving comfortably on the Gaikan and Joban Expressways, we were soon in the direction of Kasama. After getting off the highway, a car with Adachi license plate number was driving in front of us for a while. I thought, "Could it be that we are in the same business? I felt a sense of familiarity, but just before our destination, a car with Adachi license plate number went off on another road. It was just another business. This kind of thing happens often. You feel like one of us, and then you are left behind. It is a microcosm of life.

Kasama Azalea ParkWhen I arrived at the "Mere Old Man", there were quite a few locals who were walking. And azaleas are in full bloom. Full bloom. This was magnificent. However, the light was a little weak due to many clouds. Maybe this is the place for sunset after all. Next year, I would like to become stronger at night and try photographing in the evening. (I know it is a bit contradictory for a person who wakes up at 4:00 a.m. every morning to say that I will be strong at night.

Still,Cut from the bottom of the hillI was petitly satisfied to be able to photograph various things, including the view from the opposite side. The view of the colors of the flowers spreading across the slope is still very powerful. Azaleas are beautiful up close, but they are more powerful when seen from a distance as a mass of color. It feels like spring is rushing in to fill the screen.

But there is no time. Head next. NearbyKasama Inari ShrineIt is. This place is famous for its large wisteria tree, and since the season coincides with Kasama Azalea Park, it is a good place to stop by as a set. Since it is an Inari shrine, the stone statue of a fox is also adorable. The wisteria flowers were difficult to see in the light, but the atmosphere lit up by the lights was fantastic and very beautiful. While we call ourselves a sunny specialty store, we really can't rely on what people say when they think this kind of light is also nice.

The next stop was,Suigo Itako Iris GardenFrom here, it is downhill. From here, it is like going downhill. I visited last year during the iris season, but I remember it was a little out of peak season and I was disappointed. However, the bride boat I saw at that time was very beautiful. The Yomeiri-Bune at Suigo Shihoroi Ayameen is a traditional event held during "Suigo Shihoroi Ayame Festival" from late May to late June, in which a bride in white kimono goes to her groom in a rowing boat called Sappa-bune. I would like to go back to photograph that scenery properly.

The purpose of this visit was wisteria flowers. I was surprised at how beautiful they were. Moreover, there were very few people. It was almost a monopoly. It was the best. I was so excited to see the wisteria flowers sparkling in the light. There were few people, the flowers were beautiful, and there was light. I think I probably looked quite happy when I was shooting. I am a different person from my usual exhausted face. If possible, I would like to work on Mondays with that face.

At this point, time ran out. The order to go home is now in effect. There is a proper curfew for Sunday morning activities. We continued on the highway and headed home once. Then it was supposed to be ...... for shopping time.

Here, however, I suddenly remembered the wisteria flower garden I had seen on the Internet, the so-called Ushijima wisteria. I remembered it. It was a troublesome situation. "Why don't we just go here while we're shopping?" I suggested. I was like a child. Not just like a child, but almost like a child. He is an elementary school student who wants to see wisteria in the skin of an adult.

Reluctantly, I got the OK and drove 40 minutes to Kasukabe, a little too aggressive a distance to be called a shopping trip.wisteria flower gardenI was surprised to see the signboard. When we arrived, we were surprised to see a sign.

Too much to see."

Oh, no. Seriously.
However, I can't back down now that I've come this far. I am a man. I am a man who has lost his judgment.

The regular ticket price of 1,200 yen was reduced to 800 yen. I appreciate the discount. But discounted means that's what it means. Still, we forced entry. As a result, it was indeed completely peaked out. No deception in the sign. Rather sincere. Only our convenient expectations were blooming on their own.

I managed to find a good spot to shoot, but to be honest, I feel like I've done it. Maybe next year. Maybe. No, these "maybe's" are usually the ones I really go for.

And then the child's rambling begins even more. 'And by the way, just one more thing: ......'. It's in Koshigaya, near my hometown.Kiuizu ShrineThe wisteria flowers should have been in full bloom here as well. Wisteria flowers must have been in bloom here, too. The word "if only" is dangerous. The "if only" of a person with a camera usually destroys his/her schedule.

We arrived at Kuizu Shrine, but it too was a bit peaked out. Oh well. There are days like this. Still, I took pictures while looking for a place where the flowers were still beautiful. How to take pictures of flowers past their peak? This is a discipline. Following the sunny specialty store, I may have to graduate from the full bloom specialty store soon. If possible, please do so a little further down the road.

Temperatures are changeable at this time of year and do not always follow the usual pattern. It is really difficult. The best time to see flowers is a living thing. The information you see on the Internet can change completely if it differs by a few days. A flower that was the star of the show yesterday is a little tired today. It is similar here. The tiredness of yesterday's expedition will bloom well this afternoon.

After regaining my composure, I finally went shopping, which was my original purpose. I bought a week's worth of groceries and alcohol at a nearby OK store and headed home. After all, I had a good time this week.

And I, who am known as Nobita Nobi of Kawaguchi City, drank some alcohol and fell asleep like I was going to pass out. To be precise, no one told me. I say it myself. I am confident that only the speed at which I sleep is as fast as Nobita.

Ah, it was fun.
I was swept away by the weather, left behind by the peak of the flowers, took a side trip that I called a shopping trip but was not a side trip at all, and ended up passing out. It is quite a perfect spring weekend.

Next year, I want to move more systematically. I think I thought the same thing yesterday. Probably I will think it again next week. Growth is a difficult thing to achieve.

Kasama Azalea Park｜Azaleas in full bloom shining in the early morning

This photo was taken at Kasama Azalea Park, taking advantage of the early morning light to capture azaleas in full bloom from the top of the hill.

Kasama Azalea Park｜Azalea Hill Shining in the Morning Sun

This photo was taken at Kasama Azalea Park, looking up from below at the hill of azaleas bathed in the morning sun in the backlight.

Kasama Inari Shrine｜Wisteria and Lanterns in Depth

This photo was taken at Kasama Inari Shrine, with the wisteria flowers and lanterns lined up with depth in mind.

Kasama Inari Shrine｜Fox Statue over the hedge

This photo was taken at the Kasama Inari Shrine, where a fox statue can be seen behind a hedge.

Suigo Shihorai Iris Garden｜Iris and Wisteria

This photo was taken at Suigo Ushio Iris Garden, where beautiful "Iris" and wisteria flowers are in bloom.

Suigo Shihoroi Iris Garden｜Wisteria gradation pathway

This photo was taken at the Suigo Shihorai Iris Garden, with the gradated wisteria aisle in mind of depth.

Wisteria flower garden (Wisteria at Ushijima)｜Wisteria trellis viewed from the wisteria trellis

This photo was taken at the wisteria flower garden (wisteria at Ushijima), from underneath another wisteria trellis.

Wisteria trellis extending to the pond

This photo was taken from the side of a wisteria trellis approaching a pond at Kuizu Shrine (Koshigaya).

Photography Diary April 25, 2026 Spring flowers, blooming too fast problem. Chasing wisteria and azalea to Gunma

The weather forecast for the week was firmly confirmed on Friday afternoon, with clear skies on Saturday and only clear skies in the morning on Sunday. ...... is slow. It is slow to confirm.

My day job has been keeping me so busy lately that I haven't had much time to make proper plans for weekends. My day job? I am a bit preoccupied with my blogging activities, but it is my day job that sustains my life. I must not forget that. If I forget that, the air in my house will become a little cold.

In the little time I have, I am enthusiastically collecting material for my blog, "Kanto Scenic Travels. I have gone to various places to take pictures over the past two years, but it is still not enough. Especially spring flowers. There are so many places where I have never been or photographed azaleas, nemophila, lawn cherry blossoms, and wisteria flowers.

Last week, nemophila and shiba-zakura took center stage. And this week, wisteria flowers and azaleas are the mainstays. In this season of spring, flowers change their leading roles very quickly. Just when you think the cherry blossoms are over, the shiba-zakura come, the nemophila come, the wisteria bloom, and the azaleas burn. They don't take into account our stamina, wallets, and SD cards.

Every year around this time of year, I think to myself, "I wonder if there is a job somewhere where I can work only on rainy days and have all the sunny days off. I wonder if there is a job somewhere where I can work only on rainy days and have all the sunny days off. There are no such convenient jobs. Even if there were, the application rate would be as high as the sunrise seen from the top of Mt.

So here is the shooting menu for April 25. Godaison Azalea Park, wisteria flowers at Chosenji Temple, Fuji Blooming Hill, Nasataka Observation Hill of Flowers, and Tsutsujigaoka Park. It is quite a greedy set. If it were my stomach, I would have completely overeaten.

This day is an expedition with a partner. On Saturday, my wife will join me, which is very encouraging. While shooting alone is free and easy, it is also mentally demanding at times. However, when shooting landscapes, you want to shoot until you are satisfied with the results. Sometimes I make the people I come with wait, which is a bit distressing every time. Just a little more" is usually a long time. One more picture" from a person with a camera is as unreliable as "one last drink" at a drinking party.

I get up at 4:00 in the morning. As usual, BOSS café au lait is still hot even now that the weather has started to warm up. I also serve as the president of the "Association of Convenience Stores that Sell Hot PET Bottles All Year Round".

Playing in the car was "HYPER GAL," which I had noticed on Pitchfork. As soon as I started listening to it, I thought. This is the kind of music that looks like it would be better to listen to alone. I am quite selfish to play such a rough sound without a care in the world. A man who brings more sharpness than freshness into the car at 4:00 in the morning. I should learn to be a little more partner-friendly in my music selection.

First, we headed for Koshu-cho, Iruma-gun, Saitama Prefecture.Godaison Azalea ParkThe park is located in the center of Koso City, and is a popular destination for tourists. Echigo has a strong image of ume (plum) groves, but Godaison Azalea Park is not to be outdone. After driving along the Gaikan and Kan-etsu Expressways, getting off at the Sakado Nishi Smart IC, and driving down the road for a while, you can see azaleas all over the mountain even from a little far away.

I think azaleas are beautiful flowers to look at from some distance. A mass of color spreading across the mountainside. It is better to feel the whole thing pressing in on you than to see a single flower up close. When we arrived, there were a few people with cameras here and there, but I had the impression that many of them were more for hiking. Everyone was well dressed. On the other hand, this one was a mountain photographer in spirit only. My physical strength is at the level where I would be out of breath on Mt.

I want to climb Mt. Fuji. I also want to take mountain photos. I have such dreams. But before that, I should start with a swimming pool or a gym, or perhaps I should start by reviewing my diet. I don't mean to say this while making plans to eat ramen noodles.

Godaison Azalea Park was a bit difficult to photograph as the sun was not yet shining. Still, the park itself is very nice. We were able to climb to the top of the mountain, and it was the perfect place for a light stroll while admiring the azaleas. Sweating lightly and breathing lightly, I left the park feeling sorry for my lack of exercise.

The next stop was,Chosenji Temple in Honjo CityWisteria I visited this wisteria viewing spot last year as well. Last year, the wisteria in the front was in full bloom, but the large wisteria trellis in the back was not yet in full bloom. This year, the official website said that the wisteria was in full bloom for five minutes. However, I thought, "It is warm and it will be in bloom already. But I thought, "It's warm and the wisteria is already in full bloom. As it turned out, the flowers were still in full bloom. The official site was right. It is easy to think that a miracle will happen if you go there, but flowers do not bloom for human reasons.

Still, they were beautiful enough to be thoroughly enjoyed. Wisteria flowers have a unique elegance in their drooping appearance. It is as if they quietly see through our impatience and greed.

Now, let's move on to our first location, Fujioka City, Gunma Prefecture.Fuji Blooming HillIt was very good. This place was very good. I liked it a lot. We arrived early in the morning, so we were able to take pictures with few people. However, after a while, more and more people started to arrive. It must be a well-known spot among the locals.

The wisteria flowers are beautiful, the park is easy to walk around and take pictures. When you find a place like this, it is worth leaving early in the morning. Drowsiness and fatigue are forgotten for a moment. Well, you will be charged for it all on the way back home.

Next, we headed to our favorite spot, theNasataka Observatory Flower HillI am a member of the "I'm a fan of the place" group. This is a place I visit several times a year. This time of year, the rape blossoms and nemophila were in beautiful bloom. It is always a pleasant place to visit. Next time I would like to come back during the sunflower or cosmos season.

And it's near here.Shorinzan Daruma TempleI would like to go to a Daruma memorial service sometime in the future. I would like to go to a Daruma memorial service someday, but it is on January 15 every year. And it is usually on a weekday. So I asked Chappie-san, as I usually do. 'Mr. Chappy, how many years until January 15 is a Saturday?' The answer is January 15, 2028. It is a Saturday.

I have made a note of it. Everyone, I will see you at Shorinzan Dharma Temple on January 15, 2028. It is possible that we may have forgotten this one, but I am sure Chappie will remember it. Probably.

The final spot of the day was in Tatebayashi, Gunma Prefecture.Tsutsujigaoka ParkI will be back in a couple of days. Before that, a lunch break. This day's lunch was "Oogiya Ramen". It seems to be the soul food of Gunma Prefecture. The miso ramen had a strong punch and was very tasty. It is now on my favorite ramen list along with Odawara tanmen. I'm going to pretend I didn't see the story about reviewing one's eating habits.

After filling our stomachs, we finally headed to our final destination, Tsutsujigaoka Park. In fact, if I had had enough energy, I had ambitions to spend the evening at Kasama Azalea Park. But I did not have the energy. Human beings should not be too greedy. Especially when you are in your late 40s and get up early at 4:00 a.m., reality suddenly sets in in the afternoon.

I have been to Tatebayashi several times before. However, azaleas are honestly not my forte, and I had put off visiting Tsutsujigaoka Park. However, this was a spectacular view that made me regret putting it off. It was slightly past its peak, but still well worth seeing. Next year, I would like to visit this place at a more don't-miss time.

The density and power of azaleas at Tsutsujigaoka Park is amazing. With the weight of a historic landmark, the park has an atmosphere that is more than just flowers in bloom. No wonder it is so popular.

Thus ended our spring flower expedition to wisteria flowers, azaleas, nemophila, and rape blossoms. Oh, it was fun. And I was tired. But this tiredness is a good tiredness. We gathered a lot of material, and it was a great harvest as a blog activity. While being swept away by the spring flower relay, the time spent chasing after them like this is probably the most enjoyable of all.

Next year, I want to move more systematically. I think so every year. And I am sure that next year I will be impatiently watching the weather forecast on Friday afternoon. Growth is a difficult thing to achieve.

Godaison Azalea Park｜Spring scenery of azaleas and temples

This photo was taken at Godaison Tsutsuji Park to show the beautiful azaleas in bloom and the temple.

Godaison Azalea Park｜Azalea on stairs and mountainside

This photo was taken at Godaison Tsutsuji Park, showing azaleas blooming on the mountainside and the stairs leading up to them.

Wisteria shining in the sunlight and the main hall of Chosenji Temple (Honjo City)

This photo was taken at Chosenji Temple (Honjo City) with beautiful wisteria flowers and the temple's main hall when the sun was out.

Chosenji Temple (Honjo City)｜Mon gate and wisteria flowers

This photo was taken at Chosenji Temple (Honjo City), showing the gate and wisteria flowers inside the temple.

Fuji Blooming Hill (Fujioka)｜Fuji trellises in full bloom

This photo was taken at Fujioka, where the wisteria trellis in the pathway is in beautiful bloom.

Fujioka｜Flowerscape extending to the neighboring wisteria trellis

This photo was taken on a wisteria-blooming hill, with a shower of wisteria flowers and a blue sky, while also being very aware of the adjacent wisteria trellis.

Nitaka Observation Hill｜Single-flowered Nemophila

This photo was taken at the Nasaka Observatory Flower Hill, focusing on a beautiful single nemophila flower.

Nitaka Observation Hill｜Nemophila in two colors

This photo shows a mixture of pretty patterned nemophila and blue nemophila at the Nasaka Observatory Flower Hill.

Nasataka Observation Hill｜Rape blossoms field and utility poles

This photo was taken at the Nashitaka Observatory Flower Hill, with the depth of the rape blossom field and telephone poles in mind.

Tsutsujigaoka Park (Tatebayashi)｜Cute pink azaleas

This photo was taken at Tsutsujigaoka Park (Tatebayashi), focusing on the lovely pink azaleas.

Tsutsujigaoka Park (Tatebayashi)｜Atsutsuji and Rest Area

This photo was taken at Tsutsujigaoka Park (Tatebayashi) to show the colorful azaleas in bloom and the rest area.

Tsutsujigaoka Park (Tatebayashi)｜Azalea and Resting Hut

This photo was taken at Tsutsujigaoka Park (Tatebayashi) to show the beautiful azaleas blooming behind the rest hut.

April 19, 2026: I had no choice but to go around all of them｜Mown cherry blossoms, Mt.

On this day, it is the same expedition as the day before. The target was "Fuji Motosuko ResortThe "Mossy" lawn cherry blossoms. I really wanted to visit Hanamomo no Sato, but the distance was too great. I gave up this time. I will put a little pressure on my future self to stay overnight next year.

So, I woke up at 4:00 a.m., as usual. It was no longer an early wake-up call, but rather a “standard” wake-up call. Since I had a partner this day, the problem of drowsiness on the way to the hotel was solved. I am helped by the fact that I don't get sleepy when I am talking to other people, which is a welcome feature of the human race.

The day started with a safe purchase of hot coffee. Here is the biggest difference from yesterday. I feel that just by having coffee, human performance increases by about 30% (*personal opinion). As we proceeded from the outer ring road to the Chuo Expressway, we could clearly see Mt. Fuji is in full view. While we were talking about it, we quickly turned off the highway. And the temperature was displayed as "10 degrees Celsius. It was cold as usual. I didn't think it was spring. But I had packed thick clothes, and it was a good decision. This is the type of small success experience I like to cherish.

When I arrived...oh, it was the same scene as yesterday. There were already quite a few people. I could physically see about 30 people in line, and there was also a line for advance tickets. I had not purchased a ticket because I had been worried about the peach until the day before the event. It was a complete pattern of “fail later”. Shiba-zakura and nemophila bloom low in the sky, so I was worried about the reflection of people. Every time I visit, I wish I could use an eraser marker, but I still haven't mastered it yet. I am a representative of those who have not mastered the use of the tools of civilization.

In the midst of all this, I see a sign that reads "Priority Entry for Balloons for 4,000 yen. My heart was a little shaken. But I calmly thought to myself, "I came here today to take pictures of lawn cherry blossoms, not to ride in a balloon. I told myself that I would take a ride when I become a rich man. I will ride when I become a rich man (I say it every time).

After a while, the gate opens. A mysterious phenomenon occurred here. For some reason, I was admitted before the advance ticket line. I don't know how it works, but I am happy with the result. Sometimes in this world, you get lucky for no apparent reason.

As soon as you enter, head toward the pond side,How almost uninhabited!Start shooting here. Start shooting here. The combination of the lawn cherry blossoms and the small Mt. The grass cherry blossoms are well taken care of and are just beautiful. Fuji was also visible, although there were a few clouds. When I get this kind of “I got it right” feeling, I usually win that day.

The next stop wasShinnashogawa River (Oshino Village)I was thinking that the cherry blossoms would be tough to beat, but I was determined to go for it. I thought the cherry blossoms would be gone by now, but I went to the site with the spirit of “if there is a chance left, I win. As it turned out, the cherry blossoms had fallen. Yes, I knew that. But there were quite a lot of foreign tourists, and I realized that this place has completely made its debut in the world. After a bit of walking around, I managed to find a spot where I could take a picture of Mt. Fuji and the cherry blossoms. This is a place with tremendous potential if the cherry blossoms are in full bloom.

The next stop was theLake Yamanakako Hananomiyako Park". This is a safe place where I have come many times for sunflowers and cosmos. This time.Double weeping cherry blossoms and tulipsAim. When I arrived...the double weeping cherry blossoms, so beautiful. It was so beautiful that I couldn't help but say, "Wow! Moreover, the sky cleared up at this timing. Do I have it or is it just a coincidence? Probably the latter. But I feel good about the former. I was able to capture a perfect collaboration with Mt. Fuji, and the tension was completely restored.

Lunch break here. Whenever I visit this area, I usually go to Yoshida Udon. It is very thick and firm, and every time I bite into it, I feel like I am eating it. It is the exact opposite of the gentle Sanuki udon, which is a bit more spirited. It's a bit addictive in its own way.

It was Sunday, so I was planning to leave early... but I still had to stop by.Oishi Park".Combination of Nemophila and Mt.This is also a place where many people from overseas come. There are many foreigners here, too, so much so that I sometimes wonder if I'm in Japan. I had a moment when I thought, “Am I in Japan? Traffic was jammed around the area. But the view beyond the traffic jam is really nice. Fuji and nemophila are still strong. This year, I made more plans to visit at the same time as the lavender and sunset.

Thus ended the expedition for Saturday and Sunday in a row. The next day was work, so as expected, we had to leave here. On the way back on the Chuo Highway, the traffic jam was stable. But I got used to it. I feel like I've grown up a bit (probably because of my imagination).

As a result, a considerable “volume” was collected on Saturday and Sunday. Nemophila, shiba-zakura, azalea (a little), and wisteria (a little). It was a pretty good batting average. It was a very satisfying weekend.

The only thing I can say is that although I enjoy expeditions two days in a row, my body is properly honest. Monday morning, the damage is usually done quietly. Good luck to myself next week.

Fuji Motosuko Resort (Fuji Shiba Cherry Blossom Festival)｜Fuji Shiba Cherry Blossom in Full Bloom and Royal Spring Scenery of Mt.

This photo was taken at the Fuji Motosuko Resort (Fuji Shiba Cherry Blossom Festival) as a royal spring scene, combining pink shiba-zakura in full bloom, Mt.

Fuji Motosuko Resort (Fuji Shiba Cherry Blossom Festival)｜Playful scenery with Mt. Fuji as the main attraction of Shiba Cherry Blossoms

This photo was taken at the Fuji Motosuko Resort (Fuji Shiba Cherry Blossom Festival), focusing on the small Fuji-shaped shiba cherry blossoms and combining them with the cherry blossoms in the back.

Shinnashogawa River (Oshino Village)｜Composition in Depth with Cherry Blossoms Over the River and Mt.

This photograph was taken at Shinanasho River (Oshino Village) from the opposite side of the river, with the cherry blossoms and Mt. Fuji, and the composition over the water's edge expresses depth.

Shinnashogawa (Oshino Village)｜Quiet end of spring with falling cherry blossoms and a stream

This photo was taken at Shinanasho River (Oshino Village), combining a stream and falling cherry blossoms to create a quiet end of spring.

Lake Yamanakako Hananomiyako Park｜A spectacular view of weeping cherry blossoms, tulips and Mt.

This photo was taken at Lake Yamanakako Hananomiyako Park as a superb spring scene with depth by capturing the gorgeous double-red weeping cherry blossoms, the tulip field in the foreground, and Mt.

Yamanakako Hananomiyako Park｜Cherry blossoms captured with a wide-angle lens and the openness of Mt.

This photo was taken at Lake Yamanakako Hananomiyako Park, utilizing the wide-angle mode to capture the beautiful double weeping cherry blossoms and Mt. Fuji in a large, open composition.

Oishi Park｜Dynamic and spectacular views of nemophila in full bloom and Mt.

This photo was taken at Oishi Park as one of the shots that took advantage of the wide-angle mode to capture a dynamic image of a field of nemophila in full bloom and Mt.

Oishi Park｜Colorful spring scenery with pansies and Mt.

This photo was taken in Oishi Park as a colorful spring scene, combining a field of brightly colored pansies with Mt.

Photography Diary April 18, 2026: Health Checkup, Nemophila, and a Rather Rash Day

It was the day of the annual medical checkup. It was originally scheduled for Friday afternoon, the day before, but as usual, the “god of error” descended and we were double-booked with a business meeting in Tokyo. As a result, it was moved to Saturday, which is already a disturbing start.

A medical checkup is the day when you face that unique “reality” that you might have been happy if you had never known. Because I never miss a drink every day, and my latest regular is Kirin Hon Shibori 6% 500ml. Only fruit juice and vodka, no sweetener. This is a graceful, craftsmanship. Sake and whiskey are added on a whim, making my body a bit of a "multinational force. A health checkup in such a state is, well, a mild horror story.

Now, the diagnosis for the day is at 3:30 p.m., and the location is Hatogaya. The question is how to use the time until then. ...I guess I'll just have to take pictures. Blog "Kanto Scenery TravelsIn the “Photo Gallery”, I am playing a rather restrictive game of "I only use photos I have taken myself". As a result, there were not enough nemophila, shiba-zakura, and azalea this year. So, on this day, I took the following photos,Nemophila (Hitachi Seaside Park)→Shiba-zakura (Ichikai Town)→ If you have extra powerWisteria (Ashikaga Flower Park)I decided to take on the challenge with a three-stage plan, which I could not believe it was before the medical checkup.

First, Hitachi-Kaihin Park. The gates open at 7:00 a.m., so we counted backwards and got up at 4:00 a.m. Yes, it is a normal business day. However, coffee is prohibited on this day due to a medical checkup. No coffee in the morning is like riding on the highway without engine oil. And with the food still vague, I wondered if I could endure until 3:30 p.m. on tea alone. I was wondering if I would be able to endure until 3:30 p.m. with only tea.

After a smooth ride on the highway, we arrived at the west exit. Then, to my surprise, there were already about 100 cars. There were already about 100 cars. Is this the venue for the early bird championship? I am usually the first one to get up, but on this day, I was the 100th car. And the weather was cloudy. Where did the forecast go? My heart was already broken twice.

After the gates opened, as usual, the participants “dashed like uncles. The first minute of the race, I was overtaken by a young man, and then I rapidly returned to the reality of the race and just walked. As a result, I arrived at the gate in about 20th place. And then, miraculously, ”10 seconds unattended. Setting? Composition? I can't afford such luxuries. I just pressed the shutter. Press the shutter.Secured only a few pieces, and yes, it's over.The first year was a good one, but the second year was not. After the event was over, I was left with a full set of homework for next year: “Come earlier,” "Know the location," and "Consider a bicycle. It's a "dame to myself" that is updated every year.

After that,narcissusinterpoint (interword separation)tulipThe crowd was concentrated on the nemophilas, making it surprisingly comfortable here. Thanks to the concentration of people in Nemophila, this place is surprisingly comfortable. Rather, tulips, quite good. The potential of the day when they are not the main attraction, cannot be underestimated. This kind of thing makes me feel like I'm getting something out of it.

Continue,Shiba Cherry Blossom in Ichikai-choIt was supposed to take 1.5 hours, but it took 3 hours due to the winding mountain road. The navigation system was a bit of a letdown, but we arrived and took the shuttle bus to the site. I was impressed by the many lawn cherry blossoms on the slopes. However, there were also many people. I gave up taking unattended photos gracefully and passed the baton to my smartphone. The advantages of civilization are very important. On the way back, I took a few pictures of the cherry blossoms at Lake Shisho in Yoshina. I like these “just for the hell of it” shots more than you might think. It's a wonder that the ones that aren't the main focus of the photo are better when I look back on them later.

Now, here is the fork in the road. Do we go home or do weAshikaga Flower ParkKa. You have a ticket, don't you? Yes, I will go. I have no choice but to go.

The stay was about 40 minutes. It was no longer a sightseeing tour, but a “fast stopover. Even so, the wisteria, azalea, and yaezakura cherry blossoms were all magnificent, and it was ”traffic jam of the highlights. To be honest, it was a bit of an outrage to visit in 40 minutes when I wanted to spend 2 hours there. But it was worth the visit. In fact, I feel that I have developed my “ability to extract maximum satisfaction in a short period of time” (positive conversion).

Then, back to reality. I returned home, grabbed my papers, and went to Hatogaya. I made it safely in time. I've come this far, and I've already won. Today's MVP is “I managed my time” (*just in time).

Results of health checkup. (1) Weight and waist decrease -> I'm happy, but at my age, I'm afraid of the opposite. I'm afraid that I'll lose weight and waist. (2) Kidney stone. (2) Kidney stone: I had never heard of this before. And it seems he has had it since last year. A “stone” that has been living with him without his knowledge. He is a roommate with a punch.

And finally. A perfect ending to the day: after the inspection, I couldn't stand the hunger and poured myself a spring roll and a glass of Calpis water at Seven, and dinner didn't come in. It made me rethink what planning is (just thinking).

The day was a complete tightrope walk, but I managed to make it across without falling off. The only thing I can say is that you should not go from nemophila to shiba-zakura to wisteria on the day of your health checkup. I will say this strongly to myself next year. No, I will probably do it again.

Rhythm of Nemophila Hills and Pathways in Hitachi-Seaside Park

This photo was taken at the National Hitachi Seaside Park, Japan, to capture the undulating pathways of the nemophila hill and the spreading flowers, while trying to find the right moment to take the shot.

National Hitachi Seaside Park｜Silent moment of daffodils in the light

This photo was taken at the National Hitachi Seaside Park to capture the moment when a slight light shining through the daffodil forest hits the daffodils.

National Hitachi Seaside Park｜The sense of density of tulips compressed by telephoto

This photo was taken at the National Hitachi Seaside Park using a telephoto lens to focus on the tulips in the foreground, creating a sense of density due to the compression effect.

National Hitachi-Seaside Park｜Impressive flower scenery with windmills as the main attraction

This photo was taken at the National Hitachi Seaside Park, with the small windmill object in the center of the tulip field in focus and striking as the main subject.

Ichikai-machi Shiba-zakura Park｜Crisp contrast of white grass cherry blossoms and blue sky

This photo was taken at Ichikai-machi Shiba-zakura Park with the white lawn cherry blossoms as the main subject, from an angle looking up from below to emphasize the contrast with the blue sky and to create a refreshing atmosphere.

Lake Shiseido in Hana｜Lakeside view with depth followed by cherry blossoms

This photo was taken at Shiseido Lake in Hana, with the cherry blossoms in the foreground and the lake, followed by the cherry blossoms further back in the composition to give a sense of depth and the expanse of spring.

Ashikaga Flower Park｜An open composition of dogwood trees looking up

This photo was taken at Ashikaga Flower Park with a composition of dogwood blossoms looking up from below, with an eye toward the openness that seems to spread to the sky.

Ashikaga Flower Park｜The three-dimensional beauty of wisteria in full bloom

This photograph was taken at Ashikaga Flower Park, capturing wisteria flowers on the wall in full bloom in a composition that is conscious of depth and expresses three-dimensional beauty.

Ashikaga Flower Park｜The power of wisteria falling from overhead

This photo was taken at Ashikaga Flower Park, looking up from under a wisteria tree in wide-angle mode, with an awareness of the power of the wisteria flowers as if they were pouring down from overhead.

Ashikaga Flower Park｜A colorful landscape of wisteria and azaleas

This photo was taken at Ashikaga Flower Park to capture the wisteria flowers in the foreground of the azalea hill and the azaleas in the background at the same time, with an eye to the overlapping colors and depth of the scene.

Ashikaga Flower Park｜Beautiful composition with a bird's eye view of well-groomed wisteria

This photo was taken at Ashikaga Flower Park, capturing a well-shaped wisteria tree from a slightly elevated position, with the overall balance and beauty in mind.

Photography Diary April 12, 2026: A day when our schedule collapsed due to too many side trips in Gunma (but satisfaction level is the highest ever)

On this day, we were to attack Gunma Prefecture.
The genesis was simple: a request from a rather peculiar family member who wanted to see a sharp rocky mountain. Usually they say something like hot springs. Ours is a rock.

However, it is in my nature to not stop at just looking at rocky mountains. I want to tie it in with something else anyway. And that's what I found,Iwai Water ParkThe first time I went to the park, I was surprised to see the daffodils and cherry trees. The collaboration of daffodils and rows of cherry trees is a somewhat unusual combination. I am already in the "I want to visit" mode. According to the blooming information, the cherry blossoms have begun to fall. But it doesn't matter. I will go ahead with the spirit of "It's going to be all right," I thought.

The day consisted of a luxurious configuration of rocky mountains + cherry blossoms. The route was called "Iwai Water Park」and「Myogisan Sakura no SatoThe rest is always haphazard. It's a style that doesn't seem to have a plan.

Wake-up time is a steady 4:00 a.m. I no longer need an alarm. My body moves on its own. We proceeded from the Gaikan to the Kan-etsu Expressway and arrived at the site in about two hours. Several photographers were already on standby. The cherry blossoms were at the end of their season, and the daffodils were a little damaged in the front, just as we had been told. I thought to myself, "Oh, it was last week, wasn't it?" But there were too many choices in spring.

Still, it is definitely a place with high potential. I invoked a technique that is common among photographers, which is to look for a zone of full bloom and take a picture of the area as if it were in full bloom. I don't mind such tricks. I thought it was a nice and peaceful place, and I have already decided to add it to my list of places to return to.

Here's a word from my wife. "Nakanojo Gardens Hanamomo no OkaI'm close.

Search.
What a beautiful place!"

I discovered a spot at a level that made me wonder why I had never heard of it before. Moments like this make me excited. I immediately change the route. And so our plans fall apart.

Arrival at the site. However, it was before the park opened. We had no choice but to “look outside” from the upper path. But this was more than beautiful enough. Including the view from the top of the mountain, I was convinced that this was definitely the place to come. While taking pictures, I gave some homework to my future self.

Now next,Myogisan Sakura no Sato. It was Sunday, so it was supposed to be a peaceful short plan: "Let's go home at 3:00 p.m. at the latest.

...until this time.

The first thing that started to drive me crazy was the intensity of the landscape. Gunma, it is a bit foul. The whole place is too beautiful.

The first miscalculation,Mt. Iwabitsu. The combination of rocky mountains and cherry blossoms seen from near Gohara Station is magnificent.Too much and an emergency stop. Unscheduled shooting. The schedule is already starting to fall apart at this point.

Afterwards, I was too hungry and took refuge at a ramen restaurant in town. The miso ramen and gyoza were too good. These restaurants are usually a hit. Machinuka, never betrayed me.

Further on, this time to the left, I saw a magnificent weeping cherry tree. I found myself getting sucked in and stopped by,Grand Unji TempleThis is another bonanza. This was another bonanza. The combination of the stone wall and the cherry blossoms was so beautiful that I wondered why I had never heard of it before, for the second time today.

From the people I've met here, I've learned that "Myogi ShrineIt is also a good idea. With this kind of “local information,” there was no reason to refuse. I was hired immediately.

Myogi ShrineArrival.
Stairs, steep. Extremely steep. It is a light mountain climbing.

But the view is great for that. The stone walls, the cherry blossoms, and the atmosphere of the shrine. It was a place I was glad to have come to. I thanked the person who just said thank you from the bottom of my heart.

And finally, today's main event #2,Myogisan Sakura no SatoTo.

Here I come.
Someiyoshino in full bloom + sheer rocky mountains.

Yay!"

The tension is completely elementary school. Looking at the sheer mountains, I kept taking pictures while interrupting my calm judgment, "I'll never be able to climb this. Rocks and cherry blossoms are a strong combination.

Thus, in retrospect, it was a long course, not a completely short one. The schedule collapsed. But the satisfaction level is one of the highest ever.

Maybe tomorrow, Monday, I'll be a little tired. But that's okay. If you are satisfied after seeing so much and taking so many pictures, then you have already “won”.

Gunma, it was a little too strong.
We will come back. I will come back for sure.

And next time, I will plan my rounds a bit more systematically.
...probably not possible, though.

Iwai Water Park｜Scenery where daffodils, cherry blossoms and mountains overlap

This photo was taken at Iwai Shinsui Park in good light, capturing the yellow daffodil field, rows of cherry trees, and even the mountains in the distance.

Iwai Water Park｜Fantastic spring scenery with dancing petals

This photo was taken at Iwai Shinsui Park to capture the fantastic sight of the daffodil field and dancing cherry petals in the backlight.

Iwai Water Park｜A quiet shot focusing on a single white flower

This photo was taken at Iwai Shinsui Park, focusing on a single white flower blooming among the daffodils, which made an impression.

Nakanojo Gardens, Hanamomo no Oka｜Spring composition with cherry blossoms drawn to the center

This photo was taken at Hana-Momo no Oka, with the cherry blossoms of Nakanojo Gardens visible between the peaches and cherry trees, positioned closer to the center.

Nakanojo Gardens, Hana-Momo no Oka｜Spring scenery of peach tunnels and snow willows

This photo was taken at Hana-Momo Hill with an eye toward a spring-like landscape of peach blossom tunnels and snowy willows.

Gohara Station(Gunma)｜An impressive view of mountains and cherry blossoms

This photo was taken at Gohara Station, capturing the impressive combination of Mt. Iwabitsu and cherry blossoms.

Daiunji Temple (Gunma Prefecture)｜A view of weeping cherry trees and temples in harmony

This photo was taken at Daiunji Temple from a distance, with an eye to the harmony between the weeping cherry trees in full bloom and the temple building.

Daunji Temple (Gunma Prefecture)｜The powerful composition of the gate looking up over the cherry blossoms

This photo was taken at Daiunji Temple in a more dynamic composition looking up from under the weeping cherry tree in front of the entrance gate.

Myogi Shrine｜The power of looking up at cherry blossoms on a stone wall

This photo was taken at Myogi Shrine in a powerful composition looking up at the cherry blossoms on the stone wall.

Myogi Shrine｜Seasonal changes contrasting leafy cherry blossoms and buildings

This photo was taken at Myogi Shrine with an eye toward the contrast between the cherry blossoms, which were beginning to turn into leafy blossoms, and the building in the background.

Myogisan Sakura no Sato｜Highland scenery where cherry blossoms and mountains harmonize

This photo was taken at the Myogisan Sakura no Sato, balancing the cherry blossoms in full bloom from a high vantage point with Mt. Myogi towering in the background.

Myogisan Sakura no Sato｜Contrast between pointed mountains and cherry blossoms

This photo was taken at the Myogisan Sakura no Sato, with an eye to the contrast between the silhouette of the distinctive spiky mountain and the cherry blossoms.

Photography Diary April 11, 2026 Record of an adult whose day ended with being swept away by tulips.

Well, here we are. The Someiyoshino have fallen, leaving a gaping hole in our hearts. As if to fill that hole, the Tulip Festival is about to begin. In English, it's called Tulip Fest. ...Well, it doesn't matter which way you say it. Even if you change the wording, what you do is the same. All you do is look and take pictures.

This Saturday, I'm taking the liberty of making a triple feature.
interpoint (interword separation)Akebonoyama Agricultural Park
interpoint (interword separation)Sakura Furusato Plaza
interpoint (interword separation)Tokyo German Village
...Oops, this is the Sazae-san method. It is a slight rebellion when it is done on Saturday instead of Sunday.

Friday afternoon. As I sit at my desk, my mind is 90% work and 10% shooting spots. It's true. It's not the other way around. Definitely not. Probably. There were some candidates, such as Hitachi-Kaihin National Park, shiba-zakura (lawn cherry blossoms), and hanamomo (peach blossoms), but the peak of the season would be next week or later. I made an unusually calm decision, "Not now...". Then I saw the tulips at Tokyo German Village on Instagram...so beautiful. Yes, it's decided. People are creatures who change their plans in three seconds.

First of all, it is a stable home ground,Mt. Akebono (in Japanese mythology, Mt. Fujiwara)I went to the airport. I bought a BOSS café au lait at the usual Seven, completed my “morning ritual,” and departed. The background music in the car is a mysterious artist, played only because he is highly rated by Pitchfork. I used to have a hard time buying a single CD, but now I just play it because I hear it's good. Has it become more convenient or more cluttered? Probably both.

The eternal rice field road after getting off the highway at Kashiwa. And the enemy of the day - fog. I couldn't see what was in front of me. I thought to myself, "This is not the best time to shoot." but I went on, because I am the type of person who doesn't turn back. On the way, I saw a fantastic view of a bridge and a train floating in the air. I really want to take pictures here, too. But I can't stop. Good views are usually found in places where you can't stop.

Arrival at the site. I thought I was early, but there were already more than a hundred people there. I told myself, "I'm not ready for this yet..." I gave up on the tripod and entered the competition hand-held. At this point, I am half defeated. After a while, the sun appears. The sun is about to come out.Yeah, it's still beautiful.This is really an excellent spot to take pictures. Tulips, sunflowers and cosmos are all excellent. Satisfied with a quick photo shoot, we moved on.

On the way to the German Village--"Huh?" If we take a little detour...Sakura Furusato PlazaThere is. And it's under construction, but I hear you can see part of it. ...I'll stop by, won't I? It's normal if you are on the street. This place is also compact, in a good way. But it is beautiful. In addition to tulips, there are also nemophilas. Completely over-serviced. There were few photographers, so it was quite comfortable. I replayed in my mind the line that everyone says on the way home, "This kind of hole-in-the-wall is the best, isn't it?

And today's main event,Tokyo German VillageWe arrived before 9:00 and waited in the car. I love this time before the park opens. The gates open a little early. I love this kind of small luck. Once inside, it's colorful. Just colorful. I don't know who I'm fighting with, but I'm winning. The topography with the difference in elevation gives it depth. Very good design, easy to photograph. Showa Kinen Park is wonderful, but this place is not losing at all. In fact, I might even like it.

I found myself shooting for a long time. Satisfied. Completely satisfied. However, I could only take a few pictures of the lawn cherry blossoms. It is no good to be greedy. I went home at this point. Because I was ordered to go home. This is the most important mission.

And then the afternoon session. We headed for the weeping cherry blossoms at Hitachi-Fudoki-no-Oka. It was a little out of peak season. But "subtlety" is better than "regret of not being able to come. This is a truth of life. The area was in festival mode. There were many cosplayers. Oshidama? Oni no Sai? I'm not sure, but they look like they are having fun. This is just a camera guy. He is in a different genre.

The weeping cherry trees are somewhat finished. But I was convinced. I was convinced that this was a bad place to visit when the cherry trees were in full bloom, so I decided to make a second visit next year. The list is growing and growing. On the way back, we bought some food at the roadside station and left.

Thus, looking back, 3 tulips + 1 weeping cherry tree. It is completely too much. Still, I think to myself, "Where should I go next? After moving so much and seeing so much, I still find myself thinking, "Where should I go next? Perhaps I am just about hooked. No, I may be going a little beyond.

Akebonoyama Agricultural Park｜Pre-dawn windmill and pond

This photo was taken at Akebonoyama Agricultural Park to capture a fantastic view of the pond and windmills as they began to lighten slightly just before dawn.

Akebonoyama Agricultural Park｜Tulips awaken softly in the morning sun

This photo was taken at Akebonoyama Agricultural Park at a time when the sun was rising slightly after sunrise and the tulip field was beginning to softly brighten.

Akebonoyama Agricultural Park｜Dark colors peeking through the pink

This photo was taken at Akebonoyama Agricultural Park, focusing on the dark pink peeking through the pink tulips.

Akebonoyama Agricultural Park｜Photographer, Windmill and Flower Garden

This photo shows a photographer at Akebonoyama Agricultural Park taking pictures in a tulip field at the time of day when the sun was well up, along with a windmill.

Sakura Furusato Plaza｜Balanced composition of flowers and windmills

This photo was taken at Sakura Furusato Square from a little distance to get a good balance of rape blossoms, tulips, and windmills.

Sakura Furusato Plaza｜Blurred composition to enhance the main subject

This photo was taken at the Sakura Furusato Square with a well-shaped red tulip as the main subject and the surrounding area blurred.

Sakura Furusato Plaza｜The Beauty of Transparent Nemophila

This photo was taken at Sakura Furusato Square from a low angle to show the nemophila through the back side.

Sakura Furusato Plaza｜Nemophila and windmill scenery

This photo was taken at Sakura Furusato Square, combining the nemophila blooming in the bridge flowerbed with the windmills.

Tokyo German Village｜Waves of flowers that go all the way to the back

This photo was taken at Tokyo Deutsche Village to capture the undulations of the tulip fields that extend all the way to the back of the building.

Tokyo German Village｜Flower Garden and People Overlooking

This photo was taken at Tokyo German Village, looking down from a high vantage point to show the tulip fields and the people enjoying them.

Tokyo German Village｜Red and Orange Swell

This dynamic photo shows countless undulating red and orange tulips at Tokyo Deutsche Village.

Tokyo Deutsches Mura｜The slope of lawn cherry blossoms at the beginning of blooming

This photo was taken at Tokyo Deutsche Mura, showing a slope with an expanse of lawn cherry blossoms at the beginning of blooming.

Hitachi-Fudoki-no-Oka｜Edaharezakura viewed from the bridge

This photo was taken at Hitachi-Fudoki-no-Oka, looking down on the gracefully drooping weeping cherry trees from the bridge.

Hitachi-Fudoki-no-Oka｜Yaezakura Moment in the Light

This photo was taken at Hitachi-Fudoki-no-Oka, capturing the moment when the double-flowered cherry tree near the entrance looks beautiful in the light.

Hitachi-Fudoki-no-oka｜Lively spring with food stalls and double-flowered cherry trees

This photo was taken together with a lively spring scene of lion's head, furifuri fries stall, and yaezakura cherry blossoms at the Hitachi-Fudoki-no-Oka.

Hitachi-Fudoki-no-oka｜Azure maple with red winged fruit

This photo was taken at Hitachi-Fudoki-no-Oka, where the red winged fruits on the blue maple look lovely and impressive.

Photography Diary, April 8, 2026, the excuse of a person who comes to work at 4:00 a.m. on a Wednesday morning to take pictures of tulips.

Wednesday's criminal record (I think I'm doing my job)

It is a weekday again. And it is a Wednesday in the middle of the week. There is no escape. It is the number one day of the week for which excuses are hard to come by. But it is spring. Yes, it is spring.

In spring, the sun rises earlier. In other words, it is the season when the sun wakes up before human reason. This is no longer the case. We have no choice but to get up too. On this day, too, I woke up at 4:00 a.m., on time. It is no longer "getting up early," but "normal operation.

What is morning activity? It is a highly self-satisfying activity in which you go out to take pictures before you leave for work and pretend it never happened. At this time of year, approaching the summer solstice, sunrise in Tokyo is around 4:00 am. In other words, if you put a little effort into it, you can take a picture of the sunrise and make it to the office in time, which is just barely acceptable as a member of society. The essence of morning activities is to attack this “just barely acceptable line.

So, the destination for the day wasSarue Onshi ParkThe tulip festival of the Hot coffee in hand, in the car. The world is still asleep at this point. Victory.

The background music was Elmiene, a recent favorite, with a sweet, slightly nostalgic air that reminded me somewhat of Babyface. About 30 minutes of driving on the Tokyo Metropolitan Expressway, with an unfounded confidence that "This is the kind of place where you can take good pictures today. We arrived. I was too early.

As is often the case in parks, early in the morning there are many “healthy” people, not “hardcore” people. Walking, doing radio exercises, walking the dog. A mysterious man with a camera blends in. The man is looking at you with a "What is he filming? It's Tulip! I don't say it out loud. I am an adult.

But here is the problem. The park is in the city, surrounded by buildings, so the light is slow in coming. Tulip is there. I am there, too. But there is no light. The site is completely devoid of the main actor.

We have to wait. But this is before I come to work. This is life with a time limit. And finally - just a small part of it - there is a light. "Here it comes!" I release the shutter. I release it. I release it. ...the end.

It was one of the most inefficient morning activities in terms of efficiency, with 90% of the time spent waiting and 10% of the time spent shooting. Here's one thing I learned. The secret of morning activities: choose a place where the light hits you. This is the key to morning activities.

For example, Akebonoyama Agricultural Park and Mizumoto Park, where we used to go, are by far the easiest fields to fight in, with easy access to morning light. Choosing the right location = winning the battle.

However, the harvest for the day was minimal. But that's okay. Morning activities are not about results, but about data collection activities, "What time is the right time for this place? It is not a defeat. It is a defeat that we can use next time (convenient word).

On the way home, I was stuck in traffic for a bit. My companion at such times is Audible, and I'm listening to "The Salesmanship of a Hitman" right now. It's also interesting. I can't tell you what it's about, but it goes beyond the level of listening while listening.

I find myself reading at a pace of five books a week, with 1.7x speed becoming the norm and 1x speed beginning to feel like slow playback, lightly exceeding human processing capacity.

Then I arrived at the office at 7:30. It is before the start of the workday, but I start working. I'm impressed. I can't say it myself, but I'm not the kind of person who starts playing at 4:00 in the morning.

By the way, I have taken the liberty of adopting a flex system. Instead of coming in early, I don't work overtime. Because - I go to bed at 9:00. It is completely the rhythm of an elementary school student's life.

Still, what I think is that photography is not just a hobby for weekends. It is possible to get in touch with the extraordinary in a small amount of time, either before or after work. In fact, I feel that the weight of a single photograph increases because of the limited time available.

So, I went to take pictures of tulips on Wednesday morning and came back to work with a nonchalant look on my face. I will probably do it again.

Sarue Onshi Park｜Quiet sky tinted with morning glow

This photo was taken at Sarue Onshi Park to capture the impressive morning sky seen from within the park.

Sarue Onshi Park｜Red tulips shining through the backlight

This photo was taken at Sarue Onshi Park with the bright red tulips shining through the backlight of the morning sun.

Sarue Onshi Park｜Cute tulips peeking out from the shade

This photo was taken at Sarue Onshi Park, focusing on the lovely shapes of flowers poking out of the shaded tulip field.

Sarue Onshi Park｜Cherry blossoms and Sky Tree

This photo was taken at Sarue Onshi Park with an eye toward the collaboration of the Tokyo Skytree with the cherry blossoms at the beginning of their fall.

Photography Diary April 5, 2026 When the sun shines, you lose. the story of a 3.5 hour trip to Kumagaya and back (and then steaks)

The day before was a gathering with friends and rain. In other words, no shooting. The day before, I had a gathering with friends and it rained, which meant no shooting. I woke up at 6:00 a.m., thinking, "This is the first time in a while that I can take it easy. It was a much later morning than usual, so it was a gentle morning for my body. In the afternoon, I go on a family mission. We have a rather important event coming up: eating all the meat and salad at the Bronco Billy. This is now a complete day off. So I decided, and with a cup of coffee in my hand, I opened my computer and spent some peaceful time organizing the photos I took on Friday.

And that...is...where...

Suddenly, I saw a ray of light through a gap in the curtains. “Huh?” I look again. It's sunny. No, no, today is supposed to be cloudy and rainy. The time was 8:30. What the heck, it's sunny. I don't know who I'm talking to, but the tension is rising. Then came the usual words. "Can I go out for a little while?" I fully understand that this "just a little bit" is not to be trusted. I'll be back by 2:00 p.m." With the Bronco Billy as collateral, a deal was struck. The temperature of his gaze is a little low, but we are on our way.

We had about three and a half hours. Just as I was thinking, "Let's go to the nearby Minuma rice paddies," another person appears out of nowhere. I thought to myself, "Didn't we have that place you said you wanted to go?" Yes, there it is. Kumagaya Sakura-tsutsumi and Moto-arakawa River, which I had decided to visit this year. I searched and found that it takes about 60 minutes one way. If it takes 30 minutes each way there...I can make it, according to my calculation. No, I usually don't go there. But at this point, I was completely switched on, so I put my calm decision on the shelf for a while. We found ourselves on the Kan-etsu Expressway from Gaikan.

But as we proceeded, the skies steadily clouded over. By the time I thought, "Where's that sunshine I saw earlier? By the time I thought, "Where's that sunshine I saw earlier? This is the pattern every time. Still, I was able to take a good picture, and I arrived at theformer TairasagawaThe rows of cherry trees in the Kumagaya area. As I found out later, there seem to be spots scattered all over the area, this time in Kumagaya. The landmark is nearby Sekiyakuhin. Of course, I did not use the parking lot, which is very important. The light was weak, and the contrast was not good. Still, I took all the shots I could and added a homework assignment to my future self: "I'll have to take a second shot next year.

NextKumagaya Cherry Blossom BankThe first thing I thought when I arrived was, “This is already an event venue. The first thing I thought when I arrived was how crowded it was, ”This is already an event venue. People, people, people. I managed to park my car, made the minimum cut, and left. This place was completely designated as an "early morning-only spot. The scale is overwhelming. That's why I wanted to take good shots. Yes, I'll be back next year.

We were already on the edge of time. Normally, I would have left here, but I stopped by just one more place.Fukaya Green Park (patio)The place is a very greedy place to take pictures of tulips and cherry blossoms at the same time. It is quite a greedy place where you can take pictures of tulips and cherry blossoms at the same time. I was worried about the effects of the previous day's rain, but the conditions were rather good. I thought, "Oh, this is nice. However, there were a fair number of people there, so I gave up on taking unattended shots. This day alone made me think "Next year, I'll take more pictures like this. I feel like I say the same thing every year.

So I did my best to take pictures and hurried home. I made it home in time. It's strange how the balance of accounts is strangely balanced only in such places. Then I went to Bronco Billy. The salad bar was very tasty, and my body, which had had only one cup of coffee since this morning, was feeling the effects of the salad bar. Or rather, the speed of absorption is different. Perhaps my body was thinking, "Finally!

As for the photos, I have to admit that I am not fully satisfied with some of them. The weather and timing were not perfect. Still, this day, which moved from the moment I thought, "Oh, it might be sunny," was kind of fun. Zero planning, lack of preparation, and limited time. Still, we were able to see some of the sights only because we were moving. ...Well, next year I will prepare properly. Maybe.

So, it was quite a dense day, swamped by cherry blossoms and steaks.

Moto-arakawa River (Kumagaya)｜soft scenery of softly blurred cherry blossoms and river

This photo was taken at Moto-arakawa River (Kumagaya), with the river at the back in focus and the cherry blossoms softly blurred to create a soft impression.

Moto-arakawa River (Kumagaya)｜Scenery of spreading cherry blossoms and banks captured from a bird's eye view

This photo was taken at Moto-arakawa River (Kumagaya), capturing the Someiyoshino in full bloom and the bank from a bridge with a bird's eye view of the expansive spring scenery.

Kumagaya Sakurazutsumi｜Scale spring scenery of rape blossoms and cherry blossoms

This photograph captures the rape blossoms on the bank and someiyoshino cherry trees in full bloom at Kumagaya Sakura-tsutsutsumi, which seem to go all the way to the back, to create a spring scene with a sense of scale.

Fukaya Green Park｜Balanced composition of tulips and cherry blossoms in line

This photo was taken at Fukaya Green Park, with the tulips lined up horizontally, and the cherry blossoms in the background for balance.

Fukaya Green Park｜Red tulips bathed in light

This photo was taken at Fukaya Green Park, capturing the moment when the light hits the red tulips, with a bright and soft atmosphere in mind.

Fukaya Green Park｜Late spring scenery decorated with cherry blossoms and petals

This photo, taken at Fukaya Green Park, combines the beauty of someiyoshino in full bloom with petals fluttering to the ground, and also shows signs of the end of spring.

Photography Diary April 3, 2026 From Dawn Till Dusk (I'm working on the way) Cherry Blossom Day

The operation code name for the day is “From Dawn Till Dusk (including work in progress)”. If this title rings a bell, you're usually of the same generation. I was the one who went to the movie theater back then. The original movie starts at night, but this one starts at 4:00 in the morning. The content of this film is not violent, but rather a story of "quiet resistance by people who don't want to miss the cherry blossoms," which is a story that has a much more lived-in feel.

Come to think of it, I haven't seen a movie recently. Last year, I thought about going to see “National Treasure,” but it spontaneously disappeared as a "maybe. These days, I'm content with just listening to books on Audible and popping in a few YouTube videos. It's efficient, but immersion is shallow. I would like to review this area a little. ...but I'll probably stay like this for a while.

Now the reality. This weekend was cloudy and rainy both days. Normally, the correct answer would be to “give it a miss this week. However, ”normal" does not work at all when it comes to cherry blossoms. The criteria for judgment can be easily rewritten with just one word: "This may be the end of it. Yes, this time was no exception.

So this time the movement is simple. Shoot in the morning, work, leave, shoot, return, shoot again. It may sound a bit risky in writing, but this is a “rearrangement of time. This is not skipping work. I would like to emphasize this quietly.

First.Okunohara Park30 min. from office. 30 minutes from the office. Proximity = enough reason to go. However, I don't go directly to the office. I stop by the office, start up my PC, and do some light work. This sets an air of "I'm doing it right before leaving the office" inside me. Early mornings in Tokyo are strangely gentle, and even the same road looks a little different. In the car, Ladytron is playing, a texture that reminds me somewhat of Pet Shop Boys, which is just right for this time of day.

As for the local cherry blossoms, they are somewhat difficult to determine. The areas that are in bloom are beautiful, but as a whole, it is a little vague as to whether they are just starting or just about to finish. The person I happened to talk to also came to the same conclusion: "I'm not sure about this year. Perhaps the cherry blossom side is also unsure. Nevertheless, I chose a place where the cherry trees were in bloom and took pictures without hesitation. On a day like this, it is just right not to go too deep.

I took a quick picture and went straight to work with a nonchalant look on my face. This transition is becoming smoother and smoother every year. For lunch, I went to the bank of the Arakawa River in Toda. I went through a McDonald's drive-through and went straight to work atToda cherry tree parsleyGo directly to the "Mere Old Man". The stay was about one hour. I focused on the points and took pictures at a good tempo. This kind of limitation makes me make a quicker decision. Human beings are creatures that get lost when they have a lot of time.

After that, I returned to work again with a nonchalant look on my face. I will not count how many times I used this skill today. The evening ends at 4:00 p.m. with no trouble. I start again, with a convenient word of advice, "It's okay once in a while. First things first.Arakawa Athletic Park Cherry Blossom LeveeThe area is compact and satisfying in a short period of time. The compact collection of yasugyo cherry blossoms, someiyoshino cherry blossoms, and yaezakura cherry blossoms will satisfy even a short visit.

NextKawaguchi ShrineThe cherry blossoms were a bit leafy here, and the timing was just a bit off. This one is a little closer to the leafy cherry blossoms, and the timing seems just a little off. Cherry blossoms lightly leave our convenience in just a few days every year.

And the Arakawa bank on the Akabane side. The "Kita Ward Arakawa Akabane Sakurazutsumi Green SpaceLightly photographed in "The World's Best" as well.

FinallySumida River Cherry Blossom FestivalThis was my first visit. This was my first visit, and the cherry blossoms spread across both banks are still worth seeing. However, the time of day is somewhat difficult. The light was not stable from evening to night, and the settings were a bit lost. I wondered if I was doing the right thing, but kept on shooting. Including this time, it is not bad.

As for the photos, they are a bit incomplete. Still, as a day, I am happy enough. I move in the morning, get some work in between, and then go back out again. It is a little busy, but I do not dislike this rhythm. Maybe next year I will do the same thing. I am sure I will be saying again then. "Today is light."

Okunohara Park｜Lined with weeping cherry trees in the morning light

This photo was taken at Okunohara Park in the quiet early morning hours to capture the sunlight streaming into the rows of weeping cherry trees, capturing the soft morning light and the beauty of the cherry blossoms.

Okunohara Park｜The depth of the rows of cherry trees with impressive light and shadow

This photo was taken in Okunohara Park, capturing the light shining into the cherry trees behind the rows of Someiyoshino trees, with the contrast of light and shadow in mind.

Arakawa river bank｜Rhythmic spring scenery with tiered cherry blossoms

This photograph was taken on the bank of the Arakawa River (Toda), overlaying the terraced grass on the bank with someiyoshino cherry trees in full bloom to create a rhythmic spring scene.

Arakawa bank｜Spring scenery of depth created by stairs, cherry blossoms and blue sky

This photo was taken on the Arakawa river bank (at the river mouth), combining two Someiyoshino cherry trees, the stairs, and the clear blue sky from the bottom of the stairs, with an eye toward depth and a spring-like sense of openness.

Arakawa bank｜Scenery of spring with rows of cherry trees and the river

This photo was taken on the Arakawa river bank (Akabane), capturing the seemingly endless rows of cherry trees and the Shinkagishi River that flows along the border, creating a spring scene with the river and cherry blossoms.

Arakawa bank｜Scenery of spring flowers with cherry blossoms and lawn cherry blossoms

This photo was taken on the bank of the Arakawa River (Akabane), combining someiyoshino in full bloom with mossy lawn cherry blossoms spreading out at the foot of the river, as a landscape where visitors can enjoy the coexistence of different spring flowers.

Kawaguchi Shrine｜Quiet spring scenery of cherry blossoms shining over the gate

This photo, taken at Kawaguchi Shrine, captures the moment when the cherry blossoms seen behind the gate shine in the slightest of light, capturing the quiet atmosphere of the shrine and a hint of spring.

Sumida River (Sakura Festival)｜Sakura and lanterns floating in the dusk

This photo was taken at the Sumida River (Sakura Festival), capturing the Someiyoshino and lanterns at dusk from a short distance away, a scene enveloped in soft light.

Photography Diary March 29, 2026 I was supposed to "go light today," but I went to six cherry blossom spots. Once again, reason was defeated by the full bloom.

On this day, I am acting alone. The previous day was a long expedition from Shizuoka to Yamanashi, and I returned home before 21:00. Normally, I would have said, "I should take the rest of the day off," but that was my usual pattern. I decided, "No, I can still do it. However, I'm not completely invincible, so I'm just a little kinder to myself and get up at 4:30 am. It's a little bit of a recovery day for me, because I'm a very late riser. I work as hard as I can on Saturday and Sunday, and then I run out of energy on Monday morning, which is my usual rhythm. Whether it is efficient or not, my body seems to remember.

We have proper brakes today. I'll be back by noon." It is strange that just by saying this one word, it somehow seems like an adult decision. We had about six hours. I was really interested in the Meguro River, but considering the blooming situation, it seems a little early. After a fair amount of deliberation on Friday night about whether to go to Tokyo or Saitama, I came to the conclusion, "I'm going to Saitama! I was so excited that I decided to go to Saitama. In the end, it was just a matter of momentum, but it is a good thing because such a light decision directly leads to lightness of footwork.

This time, the axis is "Sakura Dike ParkI've been to this place for a few years now. Last year, I took a photo of the manjushage at this place, and it got a bit of a jump on Instagram. People are weak against this kind of success experience. It's a perfect test of luck. I have set up a cherry blossom route around this place, which I will visit only in the morning.Tsugi River Cherry Blossom Bank, ,Hie Shrine (Taguro), ,Sakura Dike Park, ,Jogatani Bank, ,temple in which resided a member of nobility or imperial family, ,Jigenji Temple........ I think to myself. I think to myself, “This is not the amount of work I can do in six hours. But strangely enough, I felt like I could make it. I usually don't trust this ”I feel like I can do it," but this time, I decided to go for it.

The first stop was the cherry blossom bank of the Tsugegawa River. The first thing I felt when I arrived was tranquility. There were no people. There were only a few walkers, but no so-called photographers. It was just after sunrise and a little foggy,Soft and blur-like depiction when backlitto be. I quite like this one. On the other hand, when the sky is in the background, the blue color comes out well, and it is interesting to see a totally different look in the same spot. However, the trees as a whole are not yet in full bloom, so we move on to find a point where they are in bloom. This is where the “composition in full bloom”. Technology that advances the season only in the frame, and we are using it today with great vigor.

Next was Hie Shrine (Taguro). This is the place where there were almost no blooms last week, and this time was my revenge. As soon as we approached the shrine, we could tell that the atmosphere was different today.Shidarezakura in full bloomencompasses the precincts of the temple, and even though it is a small space, it is very dense. I personally like this place a lot. There are not many people here, so it is good to be able to take pictures in the quietness of the place. Every time I visit here, I think of the “power spot dispersion theory. I feel that when there are many people, the power is dispersed, and the less crowded a place is, the more dense it is. There is no scientific basis for this theory, but it is strangely convincing in my experience. I will ”recharge“ my batteries and move on to the next destination.

And today's main course,Sakura Dike ParkI was As soon as I arrived, I was convinced that this was a hit. The balance between the cherry blossoms and the rape blossoms, and the morning light. The light coming in at an angle from the top of the embankment makes the rape blossoms appear to be slightly luminous. It is a beauty unique to this time of day. Moreover, there are not too many people. The fact that there is room for composition is quite significant from a photographic point of view. You can take a wide shot or get close. This is a fun one. I find myself stopping at the same place over and over again to take pictures of similar compositions with subtle changes. These times, I am completely immersed.

as isJogatani BankMove to the "Cherry Blossoms" section of the park. Although this place is compact, the distance between the cherry blossoms and the rape blossoms is just right. The presence of people is also somewhat peaceful, and the place has a strong sense of leisure. I was thinking, "It would be great to have lunch here," while I was just looking through the viewfinder. Both are the right choice for a holiday, although the direction is different.

Just around the cornertemple in which resided a member of nobility or imperial familyTo. A single weeping cherry tree is impressive and has a very good shape. The way the branches flow and spread, it is balanced from every angle. Lately, I have been completely addicted to weeping cherry trees. Unlike the glamorous Someiyoshino cherry trees, there is a calmness to them that I never get tired of seeing. As a photographer, I enjoy the freedom of composition.

And finallyJigenji TempleThis is another place where there were no blooms last week. This is another place that was not in bloom last week. When I arrived and looked up,Splendidly in full bloomI am very happy that I was able to do it right. When the timing is right, I can honestly say that I am glad I made the right move. The combination of a temple and a lone cherry tree is a strong one. The simplicity of the background makes the presence of the cherry blossoms stand out. The final shot was a good one.

I found myself enjoying quite a few cherry blossoms in the morning alone. There was a lot of variety, with rows of trees, weeping branches, and a combination with rape blossoms. As promised, we leave before noon. I feel a bit like patting myself on the back for keeping this “proper return” policy.

Time to fight sleepiness lightly in the car on the way home, playing Thundercat and Joji. It's only natural, since I've been working since this morning, but the music helps me manage to hold it together. I return home while suddenly thinking, "This week's Audible book was good, too," or "Where shall we go next? The neighborhood is strong.

After returning home, we ate lunch and went straight to the store. Our kitchen, Okay and Lopia. The peace of mind of having these two nearby is quite great. We restocked our pantry with food and alcohol, and went home. We take a bath early, eat dinner, and go to bed. This flow of life is very nice and lean.

We moved well this week. Or perhaps I moved a little too much, but this is about right. I'm already thinking about what to do next when I look at the weather forecast for next week and say, "It's going to rain...what should I do?

Tsuchikigawa Cherry Blossom Bank｜Cherry Blossom Trees in the Tranquility of Morning Mist

This photo was taken at the cherry blossom bank of the Tsugegawa River, where the rows of cherry trees are shrouded in early morning mist, creating an impressive sense of stillness and softness.

Tsugui River Cherry Blossom Bank｜Central Composition: A View of Cherry Blossom Trees Leading to the Back of the River

This photo was taken at the cherry blossom bank of the Tsugegawa River, with a slightly pulled composition to lead the viewer's eye to the center of the road, where the rows of trees seem to go on forever.

Hie Shrine (Taguro)｜Scenery of cherry blossoms and torii gate leading to the back of the approach

This photo was taken at Hie Shrine (Taguro) from under the mountain with the shrine's torii gate and weeping cherry blossoms in the back to show the atmosphere of the approach to the shrine with its depth.

Sakura Tsutsumi Park｜Spectacular spring road with cherry blossoms and rape blossoms

This photo was taken at Sakura Tsutsumi Park with a spectacular view of someiyoshino in full bloom and a seemingly endless road of rape blossoms.

Sakura Tsutsumi Park｜Scenery of softly painted rape blossoms and man-made structures

This photo was taken in Sakura Tsutsumi Park, with the elements of the fence, rape blossoms, and telephone poles brightened and fluffed up.

Jogadani Tsutsumi｜Cherry blossoms and rape blossoms along the path

This photo was taken at Jogadani Tsutsumi, on a path lined with cherry trees, with a combination of cherry blossoms and rape blossoms.

Houkouji Temple (Shidare-zakura at Ishido-juku)｜Cherry blossoms and building in the distance

This photo was taken at Houkouji Temple (Ishido-juku Shidarezakura) from a slightly distant position to show the entire area, including the weeping cherry tree and the building.

Weeping cherry tree at Jigenji Temple｜Cherry blossoms and buildings arranged with an emphasis on balance

This photo was taken of the weeping cherry tree at Jigenji Temple, with the weeping cherry tree and the building placed just right for overall balance.

Photography Diary March 28, 2026 - The Scale Bug: From Shizuoka to Yamanashi, Cherry Blossoms and the Headquarter of Mt.

On this day, I am up even earlier. Or, rather, I am beyond the realm of early risers. I woke up at 3:00 in the morning. I wake up before my alarm goes off, and I'm in full elementary school mode before a field trip. And it's the kind of thing that no one praises.

The reason is simple. Shizuoka Prefecture.Taiseki-ji TempleI want to see cherry blossoms in full bloom in That's all. I am a little taken back myself that people can get up so early for such a simple reason.

Every spring, I think to myself, “Aren't the weather gods being too hard on the cherry blossoms? Rain, gusty winds, and cool temperatures just when the cherry blossoms are in full bloom. I want to say to myself, ”Not now! I feel like tsk tsk-ing every time. And this is a weekend-only shooting style. Weekend, sunny, and in full bloom.

In such a situation, the forecast is for clear skies. This is at a level where I would be angry if I didn't go.

Departure before 4:00. We proceeded on the Gaikan Ring, the Metropolitan Expressway, and the Tomei Expressway in a fluid flow. In the still-dark car, I sip warm coffee and repeat Emi Maria's new song, "Shunka Akiu Tofu (Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter). I'm a little drunk with myself at this kind of time. It's safe to say that no one is watching me.

Fuji," I thought, and at that moment, Mt. Fuji suddenly appeared. Fuji, poking its head out of the clouds and turning red in the morning sun. It is beautiful. Or rather, it was so divine that it scared me. However, at that moment, I was driving. That's right, I can't take a picture. The camera is quiet on the passenger seat. You, this is not the time.

First destination,Longyan PondArrive at The cherry blossoms are just before full bloom. But this is fine. The problem is Mt. Fuji was the star of the show until a few minutes ago, but as soon as we arrived here, it went into the clouds. Please stop being shy all of a sudden.

Still, I persevered for about 30 minutes and took a picture, aiming for the moment when I could see through a gap in the clouds. Since I was dealing with nature, I had no choice but to adjust. I am the type of person who says to myself, "This waiting time is part of photography, isn't it?

After getting back on track, we went to the main event. We went to Taiseki-ji Temple and Joko-ga-mine. The road is already strong.Green of tea plantationThe pink of the cherry blossoms, and Mt. Fuji. The scenery continues to make me want to say, "Yes, I won!

everlasting lamp or candle peakArrival at the Someiyoshino in full bloom and Mt. Fuji. It is simple, yet highly finished. I changed the composition, shifted my standing position slightly, and went back to the previous shot, saying, "No, that was better. This is a common practice in photography, isn't it? You find yourself wandering around the same place.

andTaiseki-ji TempleTo. This place was completely beyond my imagination. It is spacious. And there are many cherry trees. And beautiful. In other words, you can't move. The weeping cherry blossoms along the approach were just amazing. The amount of information entering my vision was too much for my brain to process. The only word that comes out of my mouth is "Oh no." My vocabulary is at its limit.

And here's what I think.
The head temple of Nichiren Shoshu is really great.
This is a “headquarter” feeling that is very satisfying. Words may make it sound light, but it is truly profound.

I shoot and shoot, but it never ends. I don't feel like it will end. This is a dangerous place. A time thief.

I managed to pull myself away and move on. Yamanashi PrefectureKyuonji TempleThe first time you visit the hotel, you will be heading to the

On the wayTerraced paddy field in KamiinagoI love places like this. I love places like this. I added it firmly to my "list to come back", thinking that it would be even better with water in it. The list just keeps growing and growing.

The soba noodles I had at a roadside station were surprisingly delicious. I have a theory that anything tastes good on a day like this. No, it is delicious.

Kyuonji TempleArriving at the So I think here again.
The head temple of Nichiren Shoshu is also amazing."
It is interesting that the same “head temple” has a different atmosphere. This one is a little softer, as if it is embraced by a mountain.

Take the shuttle bus,To the famous steep stairsBut he avoided it by using a brilliant three-step excuse: "I still have a long way to go today," "My knee is bothering me a little," and "Taipa is important," among others. As a result, I took a shared cab. Thank you, civilization.

When we reached the top, it was a little past its best. But it was still beautiful enough. And those stairs looking down from the top. I looked at it as if it were someone else's problem. Well, I was a party to it until a while ago.

And on this day, it's a slow and steady process,
The fact that "you are touring two head temples in one day."
Quite a power word. I'm a little impressed with myself.

And finally,Wanizuka Cherry BlossomFuji. Here, the sky became suspicious and Mt. Fuji faded out. Today was really a battle with timing.

Quite a crowd at the site. Unattended photography is almost impossible. In this situation, I had no choice but to change my mindset. I took a close-up, included the surroundings, and captured the atmosphere of the place. This is also fun.

But I still think, "This place would be absolutely amazing if I combined it with Mt. Fuji," I thought to myself, "Yes, I'm sure I'll get my revenge. Yes, I'm sure I'll get my revenge.

The return trip was on the Tomei Expressway. Traffic jam on the way up in the evening, yes. I knew it. But somehow it was calm on this day. Maybe it's the specification that high level of satisfaction reduces the stress of traffic jams. Humans are simple.

It is just before 9:00 p.m. when I return home. My body is tired, but I feel strangely refreshed. This feeling is a bit addictive.

And what awaits is the reality of organizing photos. But this is also a fun time. Trace the scenery of today once more.

Where shall we go next? I am sure I will wake up early again, thinking about that. I will try to delay my alarm a little...but he will probably wake up before I do.

Fuji in the early morning and cherry blossoms at the beginning of blooming

This photo was taken at Ryuganbuchi, with the cherry blossoms just beginning to bloom, and with Mt. Fuji really showing up faintly in the clear early morning air, giving a sense of serenity and the beginning of spring.

Shizuoka Prefecture｜Gradient scenery of tea fields in the morning light

This photograph of an early morning tea farm near Ryuganbuchi in Shizuoka Prefecture captures a beautiful gradation of green in the soft morning light.

Jochigamine｜Composition of Mt. Fuji surrounded by cherry blossoms

This photo was taken at Jochigamine with a slightly pulled composition to give the impression that Mt. Fuji is surrounded by cherry blossoms.

Fuji reflected on the water surface and cherry blossoms in full bloom

This photo was taken at Taiseki-ji Temple to capture the reflection of Mt. Fuji and cherry blossoms in full bloom in the temple's pond, a fascinating scene with fantastic reflections on the surface of the water.

Composition of weeping cherry blossoms with a sense of depth

This photo was taken at Taiseki-ji Temple of a very beautiful weeping cherry tree blooming beside the approach to the temple, with the depth of the approach in mind.

Taiseki-ji Temple｜A springtime shot of tourists and cherry blossoms together

This photo was taken at Taiseki-ji Temple from near the gate steps at the end of the approach to the temple, together with a tourist photographing the cherry blossoms and the weeping cherry tree.

Terraced rice paddies in Kamiinago｜Original Japanese landscape with terraced rice paddies and cherry blossoms

This photo was taken at a terraced rice field in Kamiinako, climbing up to the top and looking down from there to capture the scenery of terraced rice fields and cherry blossoms in the distance, giving a sense of the original Japanese landscape.

Minobu-san Kuon-ji Temple｜Serene scenery with stone monuments and cherry blossoms in harmony

This photograph of a stone monument and cherry blossoms in full bloom at Kuonji Temple on Mt. Minobu shows a serene scene of history and spring colors in harmony.

Minobu-san Kuon-ji Temple｜Composition of the approach with impressive steep stairs

This photo was taken at Kuonji Temple on Mt. Minobu with an impressive steep staircase that seems to go on forever.

Weeping cherry blossoms in full bloom, captured at the moment of light

This photo was taken at Kuonji Temple on Mt. Minobu, where I took advantage of a moment of brightening to capture a beautiful shot of the entire magnificent weeping cherry tree.

Minobu-san Kuon-ji Temple｜Spectacular view of cherry blossoms from a bird's eye view

This photo was taken at Kuonji Temple on Mt. Minobu, looking down from a high vantage point to capture the many cherry blossoms spread out below, creating an expansive and spectacular view.

Cherry blossoms at Wanizuka｜The contrast between the steel tower and the cherry blossoms is an impressive composition.

This photo of a cherry tree in Wanizuka, Japan, shows the striking contrast between the cherry tree and the steel tower next to it.

Photography Diary March 22, 2026 I try to do well, but I usually pack too much in. A spring day of over-indulgence in weeping cherry blossoms, Asakusa, and Rikugien

It is also a very busy day. This is what I call my style. I am also aware that it might be a little annoying to those around me. I am aware of it. Yes, I am aware of it.

The day's schedule was two-pronged. In the morning, I had a meeting with an expert on the operation of X (formerly Twitter) at Tokyo Station, and then met up with a friend for a photo shoot. I am completely involved. Thankfully, I have a friend who is willing to accompany me.

The first rendezvous is at 9:00. What to do until then? For some reason, I am almost zero tired from the previous day. I am basically in good spirits, but for some reason I am the type of person who is unusually tired only on Monday mornings, and I am aware of how I am as a member of society.

Since I enjoyed the weeping cherry blossoms in the Saitama area the day before, the main focus of the day was a revenge project. This is the weeping cherry tree at Sensoji Temple. I had a bitter experience last year when I visited the temple the day after it was "in full bloom" and found that the blossoms had fallen completely, so I was very careful this year. I gathered all the information I could find and secretly vowed not to miss it this year. And it was a fine day. I had no choice but to go.

...But when you have a little time before that, you still get greedy. That's when I found a place in Ichikawa City, Chiba Prefecture, calledMamayama Koboji TempleI'm in the middle of the road. I was told that the weeping cherry blossoms were at their best, so this was the perfect time to stop by.

So I woke up at 4:30 in the morning. A little late. It feels a little strange, but I've gotten used to it. I get ready on my feet so as not to wake up my family. By the way, everyone in my family is a night person except me. Our life rhythms are completely opposite.

Taking the Gaikan (outer ring) in the direction of Chiba, we arrived at a point beyond Misato when we thought, "Hey, it's closer than I thought. Deep in a residential area, on top of a small mountain isMamayama Koboji TempleIt is. The temple is a bit unusual when it is still dimly lit, quiet, and empty, and the air is a bit taller. When I am photographing alone in a place like this, I feel a strange energy. Perhaps it's just my imagination, but it's a fun time to be there.

It was a nice place where I took my time to photograph the weeping cherry blossoms and the temple and honestly felt glad to have come. Encounters like this are why I can't stop taking side trips.

Now for the real deal.Sensoji TempleI've been here just a few days ago, so I've learned a bit. We have been here just the other day, so we have learned somewhat. Getting in before the crowds is everything. I parked my car near the outer gate and hurried to the precincts. At this time of the day, there were still few people, and it was a rare opportunity to take pictures.Shidare-zakura (weeping cherry blossoms) are in full bloom.So, I achieved revenge for last year.

Looking up from below, crouching down, and going back and forth between camera and phone. This kind of time is fun.

...and this is not the time to be complacent. Next stop: Tokyo Station. Next stop is Tokyo Station for a meeting about the operation of X (formerly known as Twitter). We recently had an automatic posting system set up using Google Spreadsheets, and we are discussing how to make the best use of it. We spent about an hour at a bookstore cafe near Tokyo Station. It was quite a nice time in a relaxed atmosphere. We are looking forward to the full-scale operation of the system in the near future.

After that, I met up with a friend. ...but it's hard to find them. It happens sometimes that we can't see each other even though we are supposed to be near each other, doesn't it? We wandered around for a bit and met up safely. We drove on.RikugienThe first time you visit the hotel, you will be heading to the

This is another famous spot for weeping cherry trees, and naturally they were in full bloom. I was prepared for the crowds, but the parking lot was surprisingly smooth. For some reason, this was a lucky day for parking. It was a little cloudy, but I managed to take some pictures. As it is a famous spot, there were a lot of people, but that was part of the seasonal scenery.

And one more place,Chomyoji Temple in YanakaTo. Located near a shopping street, this temple has beautiful weeping cherry trees. The lower part of the tree is well-groomed, and its silhouette is impressive, like a big hair. However, there is no parking space here, so we had to play for a very short time. I quickly took a picture and quickly moved on. I would have liked to stay a little longer, but that will be next year's homework.

Afterwards, I had dinner with a friend, dropped him off and went home. I realized that I had been on the move since this morning. It was quite a hard day, but I think I was able to pack in a good balance of family, time with friends, and shooting.

...Well, I am sure you are tired on Monday. That's part of the usual process. I will recover slowly while working.

Manmayama Kobo-ji Temple｜Quiet scenery of cherry blossoms and temples before dawn

This photo was taken at Manmayama Kobo-ji Temple in the dim morning light with weeping cherry blossoms and the temple building.

Sensoji Temple｜Cherry blossoms and gate, lanterns, and five-story pagoda captured from both sides in a balanced composition

This photo was taken at Senso-ji Temple, with the gate, lanterns, and five-story pagoda balanced on the left side of the weeping cherry tree in full bloom, with the beauty of a typically Japanese landscape in mind.

Sensoji Temple｜A diagonal composition emphasizing depth

This photo was taken at Senso-ji temple from an oblique angle, focusing on the weeping cherry tree in the back and blurring the foreground and background to emphasize depth and a three-dimensional effect.

Rikugien｜The expression of softly and softly painted cherry blossoms

This photograph, taken in Rikugien, shows the softness of weeping cherry trees in a bright and fluffy depiction.

Rikugien｜The garden composition with depth, with the pine tree as the main feature

In this photo of Rikugien, the pine tree is the main subject while the weeping cherry tree in the background is blurred to express the depth typical of a Japanese garden.

Rikugien｜A view of cherry blossoms with depth peeking through the gate

This photo was taken at Rikugien Garden to express a sense of depth by composing a view of the weeping cherry trees over the gate near the exit.

Chomyoji Temple (Nakaya)｜A serene view of weeping cherry trees and roofs in harmony

This photo was taken at Chomyoji Temple, combining the beautifully blooming weeping cherry blossoms with the roof of the temple.

Photography Diary March 21, 2026 Somehow, the more the schedule disappears, the more intense the day becomes. A record of spring spent between the cherry blossoms and my family.

On this day, I was originally scheduled to visit my mother at 14:00 p.m. with my sister at the aged care center. My sister had decided to move to Niigata due to her husband's job change, so this was the last visit before the move. After that, we were supposed to visit her grave, have a cup of tea, and report on the latest news...it was supposed to be a "proper" day.

However, the day before, I received a call from the facility. The day before, however, I received a call from the facility: "We can't allow you to visit us because of the norovirus. Oh, I see. Plans can easily fall apart like this. I try to be prepared, but the virus doesn't read the atmosphere. Well, there's nothing we can do about it, so we're going to change course gracefully.

So we decided to meet at Kamifukuoka station at 2:00 p.m. and just visit the grave and have tea. At this point, I would normally have said, "Let's take it easy in the morning," but I also wondered for a bit and settled on the conclusion, "Since we're going all this way, let's go take a few pictures in the morning. After all, this is how it goes. This is what I usually end up doing every time.

The cherry blossoms in Kanto have been Kawazu-zakura (Kawazu Cherry Blossoms) and Yasuyuki Cherry Blossoms, and now we are just before Someiyoshino (Somei Yoshino). This week is the turn of weeping cherry trees. Weeping cherry trees are wonderful, aren't they? Fluffy, translucent in the light, and a bit fragile. Just looking at them makes you think, "I'm glad I got up early," and they are quite a force to be reckoned with.

The destination for the day is,Edohigan (Ujibo Cherry Blossom) at Hachigata Castle, ,the empress, the empress dowager and the grand empress dowager, ,Yama's pole (with a human head on the top)I will be taking the usual greedy course. I also visited some places I was curious about. I woke up at 4:30 am. It is strange to feel like "Oh, I'm late..." even though it is later than usual. I was surprised that I felt as if I was running late. My body clock is completely overworked.

It's still cold, so I boot up with a cup of hot coffee. Without this cup, I am just a sleepy person. Since we have time, we don't take the expressway, but take the lower road. We proceed under the Gaikan ring, connecting with the Omiya Bypass and local roads. The early morning roads are really comfortable, with few traffic lights and cars. I was driving while chanting to myself, "All people who drive at this time of the day are getting a little bit of a break.

In front of Hachikata Castle, the sky slowly brightened.The sunrise was so beautiful that I couldn't help but stop and take a picture with my phone.I'm not sure what to do. By the way, I have three phones. The main one is a Galaxy S23 Ultra, the Galaxy S21 which I like the colors for shooting, and the Galaxy 8 is dedicated to Spotify. It's a bit much when I think about it calmly, but they are all working properly. Not in vain, probably.

as isRuins of Hachigata CastleI arrived at the There were already several cars parked and a few people here and there taking pictures. It is quiet at this time of the day, but there is a sense of people with the same goal. We don't exchange words, but there is a sense of camaraderie. Just in time for the sunrise,Edohigan (higan) cloaks itself in fluffy light.Quietly satisfied, he said, "Yeah, I guess I made it."

After that, I walked around the area, taking pictures of this and that. I found myself walking around the railroad tracks, shrines, castle ruins, and so on. Then I think to myself, "This is only the first place I've been... I think to myself, "This is only the first stop...". I pull back lightly from the route I've set up for myself.

NextHie Shrine (Taguro)We arrived after a 20-30 minute drive. But it was a little too early. The weeping cherry trees were in a “wait a little longer” state. Nature does not always work according to schedule. We had no choice but to adjust. Even so, I tried to get the shot to take shape and persevered with the light and composition. Shooting at such times is usually an exercise in discipline.

Moving on further.high-ranking temple in Fujiwara (Edo period)The temple is located in the center of the city. This is a temple with magnificent mimosas and a personal favorite spot every year. This year, too, the mimosa trees were full of life. This kind of “place that never betrays you” makes my heart stable.

in the course of thisKita Asaba Sakurazutsumi ParkI was half expecting to see the flowers in full bloom. I had half-expected to see the flowers in full bloom last week, but I was surprised to find that they were still in full bloom. This was a perfect guess. I was a little excited in the morning. I took a picture of the curving rows of cherry trees in my usual composition. I think the same thing every year, "I really like this place.

And then to Kawagoe.the empress, the empress dowager and the grand empress dowagerとKita Ward (Tokyo Metropolitan Area)This is the weeping cherry blossom combo of In the central temple,Mimosa and weeping cherry trees overlap beautifully.I stop in my tracks. When I encounter such a “right moment,” I feel a little rewarded. At Kita-in, you can enjoyshidare cherryとthe 500 arhatsThe light and shadows on the stone statues are nice and I took too many pictures. The light and shadows hitting the stone statues were so nice that I ended up taking too many pictures. I find myself taking quite a few shutters. I feel a little sorry for my future self who will organize them later.

The last is Shiki'sYama's pole (with a human head on the top)The view is beautifully combined with the Buddha statue and weeping cherry blossoms. The combination of the Buddha statue and weeping cherry blossoms is beautiful and a fitting view to end the tour. And here, finally, I begin to feel a little tired. It is late.

Arriving at Kamifukuoka Station, I suddenly realized, "I haven't eaten anything today. I haven't eaten anything today. This is a very common type of person. I'm the type of person who loses my appetite when I concentrate. It is probably not a very complimentary thing. So I went to Matsuya in front of the station. I finished my hamburger steak set meal almost silently. My stomach does not betray me.

Afterwards, I joined my sister to visit the cemetery. A place where I used to come with my family. And before that, a place where I used to come with my grandparents. The shape of the place has changed little by little, but when I stand in the same place, I feel that time has been properly accumulated.

Afterwards, while dropping my sister off, we talked about work and children. We stopped at Gusto on the way, talked some more, and broke up. As expected, I was a little tired after moving around all morning, but more than that, I felt satisfied that I had had a good time. Work is important, but it would be a waste if we don't take time to enjoy days like this. That's what I thought on this spring day.

Silence before dawn and silhouette of morning glow

This photo was taken on the way to the ruins of Hachigata Castle in Yorii Town, Saitama Prefecture, and captures the moment when the sky slowly brightens with a large tree in the stillness of the pre-dawn hours.

Cherry blossoms at Hachigata Castle, Edohigan (Ujibo cherry)｜Overall view of cherry blossoms taken from a distance

This photo shows a general view of the Edohigan (Ujibo cherry tree) from a distance near the ruins of Hachigata Castle.

Hie Shrine (Taguro)｜Cherry blossom composition with the torii gate as the main attraction

This photo was taken at Hie Shrine, with the torii gate as the main subject of the composition with weeping cherry blossoms.

Kyuzanji Temple｜Stereoscopic representation of overlapping mimosa trees

This photo shows a three-dimensional view of overlapping mimosa flowers at Kyuzanji Temple.

Nakagane｜Depth of cherry blossoms expressed by foreground blur

This photo was taken at the Chūin temple, with the mimosa in focus and the weeping cherry tree in the background blurred to create depth.

Kita-in Temple｜Scenery of weeping cherry blossoms at the entrance

This photo was taken at Kita-in Temple of the magnificent weeping cherry trees at the entrance to the toll area.

Kita-in Temple｜A sense of rhythm of Buddhist statues lined up in a row

This photograph is one of the Five Hundred Arhats at Kita-in Temple, showing a series of statues lined up in a row.

Hodannerji｜Spatial expression of cherry blossoms with a sense of expanse

This photo, taken at Hodan-ji Temple, shows the overall atmosphere of the space and the expanse of weeping cherry trees by taking a short distance away from them.

Photography Diary March 15, 2026: A day of shooting cherry blossoms, grilling meat, and being properly tired

On this day, I had plans to have a yakiniku lunch with my family in the afternoon for the first time in a while. It is nice to have a family yakiniku once in a while. I am not sure why, but I feel that the conversation becomes a little softer than usual.

The candidates were Gyukaku, Yakiniku Kingu, and Premium Karubi. I was really worried about them. I'll just say that taking time to make such an “unimportant but important choice” is the luxury of an adult. In the end, I chose the premium kalbi. The reservation was made at 13:20. So far, so perfect.

The problem is the time before.

The option to "do nothing until then" does not exist in my mind. I found myself waking up at 4:00 a.m. as usual. Having experienced a slight sense of defeat at the Kawazu Cherry Blossom Peak-Out Festival the day before, I was determined to take my revenge on this day. Quietly but surely, only my motivation is in full bloom.

We headed to a popular local spot calledSanzang Temple (in Tang-dynasty China)This time it was an “early morning challenge. This time, it was an ”early morning challenge. Arriving before dawn and shooting in an empty space, it was a battle against myself, so to speak.

It was supposed to be ......, but when I arrived, there was already one guest ahead of me. He was early. We are completely of the same mindset. At times like this, I don't know whether I feel a sense of camaraderie or a slight nervousness.

To be honest, I do not know much about night photography. I just go with the "I'll figure it out" mentality and release the shutter. I feel like I've learned a lot from videos and instagrams, but it's usually not my imagination that I can't reproduce it with my own camera. If you know more about this, please tell me seriously.

As I take my turn taking pictures with a bit of reserve, I notice that more and more people are coming. More and more people arrive. In no time at all, it was the “usual Mikurain”. I saw the true spirit of this popular spot.

As the sky gradually brightens, it becomes easier to take pictures. As a camera enthusiast, this is the best time of day. The shutter goes off smoothly and my mind finally catches up.

In addition to the standard composition of the gate, there are many other photo points, such as the slope at the entrance, the point where the sunrise can be intertwined, and a bird's eye view from a slightly elevated position. I can see why it is so popular. Ah, it was a good time in the morning. I really like Mikurain Temple. I would like to visit again next year for revenge.

We still had some time left, so our next stop was Koshigaya's "Patisserie Naturel" I have been seeing this store on Instagram recently and have been curious about it for a long time. Normally, I should have visited the shop during business hours to buy a cake, but due to my schedule, I arrived before the shop opened that day. I was only able to quietly take pictures around the entrance.

With beautiful mimosas in bloom and a small terrace, this is definitely a popular choice. If you like photography, especially if your “girlfriend” likes photography, you should take note of this place. I will come back next time to buy a cake. I am sorry about that.

Well, we still have a little time left. Let's go to Kawazu-zakura and Iwatsuki area that we are interested in here. The first place we visited was "Jogenji Temple". When we arrived, they were apparently preparing for the festival. With the air a bit busy, I was given permission to quickly take a picture.

Kawazu cherry blossoms are already in leaf. The timing is completely off. However, I could feel the atmosphere that it would definitely be beautiful if it were in full bloom. Furthermore, a nearby visitor told me that the weeping cherry trees were very beautiful here. Indeed, there was a hint of it in the back. I am sure I will return in the near future. Timing is difficult with weeping cherry blossoms, so this time I would like to make sure I get the right shot.

Then, just around the corner, "temple in which resided a member of nobility or imperial familyGo to “The first floor of the building”. The gate was closed, so I took some photos from outside. As expected, the Kawazu cherry blossoms were out of peak bloom. However, I could feel its potential when it is in full bloom. In this way, I have more and more "homework" for next year.

Overall, the Kawazu cherry blossoms were just starting to peak in the Saitama and Gunma areas this week. I wish I had done a little more research...but this is all part of the preparation for next year. I will think of it that way. I feel like I am thinking the same thing almost every year.

Once home, I loaded the data into my PC and took a short nap. Finally, I went to the main event of the day, premium kalbi.

We each order what we like, without alcoholic beverages. Just looking at the table full of meat and side dishes, we are already satisfied. When you actually eat it, you will be even more satisfied. Yakiniku once in a while is still good.

After returning home, I did some light shopping at the supermarket and had a drink at home. It is not so bad to look back on the day in this way. Although I had been working since 4:00 a.m., I felt that I had had a good day's fun.

And I will be back at work tomorrow. I got into bed a little early and went to bed easily.

Move as fast as you can, eat as much as you can, and get properly tired.

Such a day is not so bad.

Sanmon Gate and Ayasugyo Cherry Blossoms before Dawn

This photo was taken at Mikurain Temple in the pre-dawn hours, when it was still dark, with the front gate, lanterns, and the beginning of blooming anguyo cherry blossoms combined to create a quiet morning atmosphere.

Sanmon Gate and Ayasugyo Cherry Blossoms in the Bright Morning

This photo was taken at Mikurain, visiting the front gate area again after the surrounding area had brightened, and again capturing the gate, lanterns, and ango cherry blossoms in a calm atmosphere.

Approach lined with cherry trees where the morning sun shines through

This photo was taken at the Mikurain Temple with an eye toward the beautiful moment when the morning sun rises and the light shines through the rows of cherry trees leading to the back side of the temple.

Mikurain｜Ayasugyo cherry blossoms overlooking the temple and the morning sun

This photo was taken at Mikurain, looking down on the entire temple from a slightly elevated position, to convey the atmosphere of the temple along with the morning sun and the Ayasugyo cherry blossoms.

Patisserie Naturelle｜Mimosa and exterior view of the store

This photo was taken at Patisserie Naturelle to give an overall view of the store's exterior and mimosas from further away.

Patisserie Naturel｜Mimosa and spring scenery colors of the store exterior

This photo was taken at Patisserie Naturelle, capturing the mimosa flowers, the exterior of the store, and the entrance door together for a spring-like view.

Jogenji Temple (Iwatsuki)｜Quiet spring with leafy cherry blossoms and temple

This photo was taken at Jogenji Temple (Iwatsuki), showing the Kawazu cherry blossoms, now completely in leaf, and the temple building.

Horinji Temple (Iwatsuki)｜Spring scenery of temple and leafy cherry blossoms

This photo was taken at Horinji Temple (Iwatsuki) from the front, showing the temple building and the leafy Kawazu cherry trees.

Photography Diary March 14, 2026 A day that should have followed spring, but was a little late for most everything.

This is the day of the monthly gathering with old friends.

The content is quite simple. We eat dinner, talk about trivial things, and before you know it, time is quietly passing by. In the same atmosphere as in the past, we laugh at a single word, or have a good time talking about unimportant things. I am strangely grateful for such time and feel a little bit of love for it now. Perhaps it is times like these that allow me to go about my daily life again.

The meeting will be at 10:30 in Fujimino City. The weather is forecast to be fine. And wake up, of course, at 4:00 a.m. You already know this process, don't you? ......

Work as hard as you can on weekdays. On Saturdays and Sundays, I give my all to work and play. As a result, I lead a life that I don't really understand: I am the most tired during the week on Mondays. Moreover, I wake up at 4:00 a.m. on both weekdays and weekends. I feel like my family is looking at me a little coldly, but I'll pretend it's just my imagination.

Now, the theme of the day was "cherry blossoms. I wondered whether I should go after the Kawazu cherry blossoms, which are moving northward, or the Ayuko cherry blossoms, which are in full bloom, but then I remembered my goal for this year. I remember my goal for this year: "I will rush to places I have never been before. I am continuing with my "rush-and-rush" style.

So, we headed for Gunma. We decided to attack Isesaki and Takasaki area. Even though ...... is a very detailed plan? There is no such thing. Basically, it was just a random trip. If I had a companion, I would have been angry, so I would have done my research, but I was solo on this day. I am free.

Before leaving, I bought a hot coffee at 7-Eleven. It was a café au lait, meaning with more milk. A cup of coffee after waking up from sleep soaks into all five of my internal organs, and the caffeine finally makes me start up as a human being.

From the Gaikan Ring to the Kan-etsu Expressway, we headed north with a good feeling. After exiting at the Takasaki Tamamura Smart Interchange, the first stop was theKawazu Cherry Trees in Tamamura Town". I saw this place on Instagram the day before and fell in love at first sight. social networking sites, sometimes they do a good job.

We arrived just as the sun was rising. From the pedestrian bridge, the sun peeking out from behind the rows of Kawazu cherry trees was quite a rewarding sight. The only regret is that the composition is a little difficult and the sun is slightly peaked out. Still, this location, with its curving rows of cherry trees and snowy view of Mt. I am already looking forward to returning next year.

The next stop was Maebashi City's "Etagami Shrine“. Once back on the highway, it takes about 20 minutes to go further north. It is a small shrine, but the combination of the torii gate, the main shrine, and the Kawazu cherry blossoms is so beautiful that it makes you want to quietly release your shutter. As a camera enthusiast, I appreciate this kind of ”just the right distance" from the shrine.

Thereafter, "theIsesaki City Mirai ParkTo the "Mere Old Man". We move around a bit concerned about the time, but, well, it is always the same, so we are not in that much of a hurry. When we arrived, we found a pleasant place with Kawazu cherry blossoms spread out on a large grassy hill. However, it was still a little out of peak season here as well. Still, I took some good shots while looking for trees in bloom. Even if it is not the best, it is important to pick up the best of the day.

Well, it is getting close to time. The truth is that "Azumayuki Cherry Blossoms in SakadoI had wanted to stop at the "Honjo Kodama Interchange," but as expected, I decided not to this time. The navigation system showed me the Honjo Kodama Interchange, and at that moment, I suddenly remembered that I had to stop at the "Honjo Kodama Interchange".Hauhinomori ParkI think I can make it. I lightly calculated that it would be possible to stop by for about 10 minutes. So we decided to make a side trip.

After a long absence, Hauhinomori Park peaked out beautifully. I had faintly expected this, but it was still a bit disappointing. Still, it was a good thing that we were able to stop by like this. The timing was a little late on this day, but perhaps that is part of the fun of following the seasons.

After leaving Harunomori Park, we took the highway to Miyoshi. And arrived one minute before the meeting time. For not having planned it, it is quite accurate.

Lunch with friends was 1000 yen for ramen & fried rice. A very reasonable price these days. Eating rice while laughing at silly stories is still good. Maybe it's times like this that make me want to do my best again the next time.

Thus, the day that started at 4:00 a.m. ended successfully. As a result of all the fun we had, it is almost certain that Monday will be the most tiring day of the week, but it was not a bad day, including that. Now, where shall we rush to next?

Kawazu Cherry Trees in Tamamura Town｜Cherry trees in the morning glow and cars on the national highway

This photo was taken at the rows of Kawazu cherry trees in Tamamura-cho at the time of morning glow, capturing the rows of cherry trees and the cars driving along the national highway together, with an awareness of the quiet atmosphere and expanse of the rows of cherry trees that only early morning can bring.

Kawazu-zakura trees in Tamamura-cho｜Depth of the rows of cherry trees following the backlight

This photo was taken at Kawazu-zakura trees in Tamamura-cho, taking advantage of the backlight, while keeping in mind that the rows of Kawazu-zakura trees, which are just beginning to turn into leaf cherry blossoms, continue all the way to the back of the tree.

Kawazu-zakura trees in Tamamura Town｜Curving rows of cherry trees and mountains in the distance

This photo was taken on a row of Kawazu-zakura trees in Tamamura-cho, with Mt. Asama in the distance in the background, while being aware of the curving line of Kawazu-zakura cherry trees that are just beginning to turn into leafy cherry trees.

Edagami-jinja Shrine (Maebashi City)｜Depth composition of shimenawa and cherry blossoms

This photo was taken at Edagami Shrine (Maebashi City), with the shimenawa of the torii gate in the foreground in focus, while keeping in mind the depth of the Kawazu cherry blossoms and shimenawa in the background.

Edagami-jinja Shrine(Maebashi City)｜Complete view of the shrine with torii gate and cherry blossoms

This photo was taken at Edagami Shrine (Maebashi City) from behind the intersection, showing the torii gate, Kawazu cherry blossoms, and the shrine building all together.

Isesaki Mirai Park｜Vivid Kawazu cherry blossoms on a hill

This photo was taken at Mirai Park in Isesaki City in the form of a simple expression of the beauty of the bright pink Kawazu cherry blossoms that were blooming on a small hill.

Isesaki City Mirai Park｜Blurred cherry blossoms against a mountain range

This photo was taken at Mirai Park in Isesaki City, with the Kawazu cherry blossoms in the foreground blurred out while the distant mountain range is in focus.

Harunomori Park｜Spring looking up at rape blossoms and cherry blossoms

This photo was taken at Haibunomori Park in a composition looking up from a low position, with rape blossoms placed in the foreground while the Kawazu cherry blossoms are in the background.

Photography Diary March 8, 2026 The best part of traveling is making mistakes. Spring Stroll in Yoshino Plum Grove and Takao Plum Grove

Plum Festival consecutive matches, and a steady stream of beatings.

This day is the several times this year that I have toured the Ume Festival.

Last week, we went to Mt. Tsukuba and then to Kairakuen Garden. While touring the famous ume plum blossoms, we have continued to take photographs looking for signs of spring. And this week, we spotlightedYoshino Plum DistrictとTakao Plum GardenI am a little greedy, but momentum is important in times like these. It is a bit of a greedy plan, but momentum is important in times like these.

Yoshino Umego is a place that holds some personal memories for me. When I used to work as a salesman, I used to go to this area often because there was a store where I did business. With such nostalgia, I wanted to visit there again after a long time.

However, there is a bit of special background to this location. In 2009 (Heisei 21), the ume ring crest virus (PPV) was confirmed for the first time in Japan from ume trees in Ome, and about 40,000 ume trees, or plum trees in the city, had to be cut down. Subsequently, replanting was approved, and replanting of ume trees began in 2016. And 2026 marks the 10-year anniversary of the replanting. This was a place I really wanted to visit at this time.

And one more thing. I saw this online and was curious about it.Takao Plum GardenI am looking forward to seeing the photos of the house. From the pictures, it looks very beautiful. I would like to visit this one.

...but you can't play too much with it.
So I set a goal to be home by 1:00 p.m. on this day. This is my "home peace line," so to speak.

We left at 5:00 in the morning. Our first destination was Yoshino Umego, where we had heard that it was easy to get sunshine in the morning. We made smooth progress on the Gaikan, Kan-etsu, and Ken-O Expressways, and arrived earlier than expected. Since it was a little too early, we bought some drinks at a nearby convenience store and took a short break. When the sun came out a little, we headed for the site.

And when I arrived, I couldn't help but shout.

Oh...!

Young plum trees spread across the entire slope of the mountain. And the morning sun shining on them. This is also very beautiful. The young plum trees that have been replanted seem to be gradually restoring the landscape of the mountain.

A small mountain across the street was a lookout point, so we climbed up to it,Photographing a plum slope in the morning sunThis was truly a moment that made me glad I came.

Now for the next destination,Kinoshitazawa Plum Grove in Takao Plum GardenThe location is in the center of Takao, a small town in the southwestern part of Japan. You cannot drive here and must take a bus from Takao Station. So we first went to the parking lot. I parked my car in a private parking lot, paid about 1,000 yen, and went to the bus stop.

Here, however, a problem arises.

I am supposed to take the Keio bus bound for Kobutsu from the north exit,
...I don't see a bus stop.

Huh?"

A closer look,
This is Takaoyamaguchi Station.

I did it.

The destination is Takao Station.

I made a complete mistake. Moreover, I have already paid the parking fee of 1,000 yen. It is quite a blow. However, there is no use in feeling down at this point. The only thing I have going for me is my ability to switch gears quickly.

Why don't you just take the train?"

So I jumped on the train and headed for Takao Station. It was a very silly development, but I convinced myself that this was one of the best parts of the trip.

At Takao Station, buses were frequent and we were able to board right away. And as soon as I started driving, I immediately noticed. I see, this is the one I shouldn't have come by car.

The road is very narrow. It is a very difficult road if an oncoming car comes. It was a good decision to come by bus. Thank you very much for guiding us.

After driving for a while, we arrived at our destination. However, it was around 9:00 when we arrived. The park opens at 10:00. It was a little too early. But the plum grove alone, which can be seen from outside, is quite beautiful.Some shots from outside the parkI was somewhat satisfied when I was doing it.

We'll come back later."

With this in mind, I boarded the return bus that had just arrived. We returned to Takao Station and again took the train to Takaoyamaguchi Station.

Ladies and gentlemen, I have something important to tell you.
Takao Station and Takaoyamaguchi Station are different.

I learned this day firsthand.

Well, there is still some time left. Should we go to Hodosan Plum Garden or head back to Tokyo? After much deliberation, I decided to visit Hodosan slowly when I have more time, and headed for Shioiri Park this time.

Shioiri Park was crowded with families enjoying hanami. Looking at them, I kind of felt like having a barbecue or something.

Here is one apology.
Sorry, everyone.

Last month, when I visited on February 15, Kawazu cherry trees were not in bloom and I wrote something like, "Someiyoshino, I guess they were someiyoshino. In fact, however, theSpot of the Great Winter Cherry BlossomIt was.

I am completely mistaken. Sorry.

But anyway, the rows of trees are very beautiful. AndCollaboration with Sky TreeThe view from the top of the mountain is also magnificent. There are many photo opportunities, and it may be a good place to take pictures.

So we shot here for an hour or so and then left.
I look at my watch, just in time.

It appears that we will be able to return home around 1:00 pm. After returning home, the task of grocery shopping awaits.

Hard work starts again on Monday. That's why I'm going to enjoy the weekend. With such a balance, this week's photo trip has come to a successful conclusion.

Yoshino Plum Blossom Village｜Ume blossoms spreading over the mountain captured by telephoto

This photo was taken from a vantage view of Yoshino Plum Village, using the 2x mode of a smartphone to crop the plum blossoms spreading to the mountains in the distance, highlighting the scenery typical of the plum season.

Yoshino Plum Village｜Plum grove and townscape overlooking the mountains

This photo was taken at Yoshino Plum Village from a vantage point looking down from the top of the mountain, and together it captures the view of the spreading plum blossoms and the cityscape beyond.

Kinoshitazawa Plum Grove (Takao Plum Village)｜A view of the spreading plum grove from afar

This photo was taken at the Kinoshitazawa Plum Grove (Takao Plum Village) from a slightly remote and distant location to capture the view of the plum grove spreading across the entire mountain as an expansive landscape.

Kinoshitazawa Plum Grove (Takao Plum Village)｜A plum grove with impressive light and shadow

This photo was taken at the Kinoshitazawa Plum Grove (Takao Umego), aiming for the moment when the light shines on the plum grove, and considering the contrast between light and shadow, I tried to balance the yin and yang.

Shioiri Park｜Spring scenery of cherry blossoms and Sky Tree

This photo was taken at Shioiri Park with a spring-like view of the Great Cold Cherry Blossom, the Tokyo Sky Tree, and a blue sky.

Shioiri Park｜Cherry blossom trees seen from the bridge

This photo was taken at Shioiri Park, with the apartment building and the rows of big cold cherry trees together from the bridge.

Shioiri Park｜Cherry blossoms sparkling in the light

This photo was taken in Shioiri Park of a large cold-weather cherry tree with the flowers on the central branch in focus and the twinkling of light.

Shioiri Park｜Curving road and cherry blossoms

This photo was taken at Shioiri Park with a view of the curve of the road and the great cold cherry blossoms blooming above it.

Photography Diary March 7, 2026 Family Duty begins at 2:00 p.m. Morning photography trip to Kawazu Cherry Blossoms and Tulips

Time-limited trip, then bicycle mechanic in the afternoon.

This is another time-limited trip with a promise.

Some of you may have a sneaking suspicion, but if you go out shooting every week, this question may be on your mind.

I wonder if his family will be all right..."
"Your wife seems angry..."

Yes.
That is exactly right.

So this moderation is of paramount importance.
Life is about balance. Balance is the key to survival.

So the mission is firmly set for this afternoon.
Bicycle checks for four family members.

Apparently there is something wrong with the children's bicycles and they need to go back and forth to the local bicycle shop. This is already an important task for me as a father.

It's not a big deal.

However, the mission starts at 14:00.
So, that means free time until then. Yes, we will use it gratefully.

I woke up at 4:00 in the morning as usual. It was still dark outside, coffee in hand, and off we went. I was a little anxious as I had recently been experiencing some pain due to my lack of preliminary research, so I headed for the repeat spot from last year,Kawazu cherry blossoms on the Aoge Horikawa Riveris.

We drove away with faint hopes of seeing the morning glow and Kawazu cherry blossoms. We arrived a little early, so we waited at a convenience store while nibbling on bread. After that, we went to a nearbyWashinomiya Shrineto the parking lot. Thank you for your continued support.

After a short walk around the shrine,pond skater (any insect of family Gerridae)The morning sunrise seemed to be a little difficult due to the cloud formation. The morning sunrise looked a little difficult due to the arrangement of clouds, but once the sun started to shine, the scenery changed dramatically. It was also very beautiful.

Kawazu cherry blossoms, rape blossoms, and daffodils bloom along the river, creating a colorful spring scene. The scenery is colorful and peaceful.Reflection of clouds and cherry blossoms on the river surfaceThe "I'm not sure if this is the best timing," he said. I thought to myself, "This must be the best timing for me to come here." I popped my guts out.

After that, we returned to Washinomiya Shrine once more, and next headed forSatte GongendoThe following is a list of the most common problems with the "C" in the "C" column.Famous for its cherry blossoms and rape blossomsIt is. Someiyoshino are yet to come,Kawazu cherry blossoms in full bloomThe area is very popular with the public. Thankfully, there are not that many people at this time of year, making it easy to take pictures.

Kawazu cherry trees are blooming in clusters, so when photographed from a low position, it looks like a tunnel of cherry blossoms, which is very beautiful. It is fun, and you will find yourself clicking the shutter more often.

Well, there is still time. We cannot leave here.
Next stop.Ashikaga Flower Park. Tulips in full bloom.This is because I found the information that

Are you okay with the time frame?
Yeah, I'm fine. Probably.

However, there is one problem.
I have only eaten one piece of bread in the morning.

I am already hungry. I am quite hungry.
Yes, Ashikaga Flower Park is near the Sano Interchange. Sano means Sano Ramen. I wonder if there are any stores that are open in the morning...I wonder as I drive down the highway.

And the moment I got off the Sano Interchange, Yamaoka-ya jumped out at me. I had heard the name a lot on the Internet recently, and my son had told me that he had been to Yamaoka-ya, so I was curious about it, but I had never been there yet.

Thinking time, 0.5 seconds.
You turn the wheel and enter the restaurant.

I see.
This certainly packs a punch. It has a rich, guttural taste. It is the kind of ramen for young people that my son would like.

With our stomachs full, we finally went to Ashikaga Flower Park. Since it was not high season, the admission fee was about 700 yen. The variable admission fee is a welcome feature for visitors.

Every time I come here, I am truly impressed by how carefully the staff maintains the park. The park is always clean and the flower management is excellent. I guess this kind of steady effort supports that high quality. Thank you for everything.

I looked for the tulips, but they were already blooming here and there.tulip field, ,Tulip flower bedsAnyway, tulips are everywhere. It's like the colors of spring are spreading all at once.

I took a lot of pictures and was very satisfied.
This is the moment when I think, "It's already spring. Though it is a little cold.

Well, now is not the time to relax here.
Removal. Withdrawal.

An afternoon assignment awaits.

Since it was early in the day, there was no traffic jam and we returned home smoother than expected. As soon as we got home, we started working on the bicycles. The whole family came together to inspect, repair, and adjust the bicycles. Piston work, going back and forth to the bicycle shop.

I found myself there for about three hours.
The mission is successfully completed.

After all, in order to continue to enjoy taking pictures like this, I have to take care of both my work and my home. With this realization sinking in, I had a delicious drink at night and went to bed early as usual. I went to bed early as usual.

It was one of those days when I felt a hint of spring.

Washinomiya Shrine｜The view of the approach with lanterns

This photo was taken at Washinomiya Shrine with a depth-conscious composition of a row of lanterns.

Washinomiya Shrine｜Dragon and flowing water in the hand-watering basin

This photo was taken at Washinomiya Shrine to capture the impressive sight of water flowing from the dragon's mouth in the hand-watering basin.

Aogebori River｜Spring scenery of iron fence and cherry blossoms

This photo was taken at the Aogebori River with the iron fence along the river in the foreground and the pink Kawazu cherry blossoms in the background blurred out.

Aoge Horikawa｜Spring scenery of blue sky and rows of Kawazu cherry trees

This photo was taken at Aogehori River, with an eye to the contrast between the blue of the sky and the color of the cherry blossoms, so that the bright pink of the rows of Kawazu-zakura trees that continue under a blue sky would look impressive.

Kote Gongendo｜Cherry blossom tunnel with bright light

This photo was taken at Satte Gongendo, with the tunnel of Kawazu cherry blossoms positioned low below to emphasize the bright tones and spring atmosphere.

Ashikaga Flower Park｜Tulip beds arranged in a circle

This photo was taken at Ashikaga Flower Park to successfully capture a flowerbed with tulips neatly planted in a circular pattern and to convey the beauty of the colors and arrangement.

Ashikaga Flower Park｜Color contrast between grass front and tulips

This photo was taken at Ashikaga Flower Park, with the grass in the foreground blurred out while the tulips in the background are in focus, and the composition is intended to create a contrast in color.

Ashikaga Flower Park｜Red tulips shining through the light

This photo was taken at Ashikaga Flower Park to capture the transparency of the petals as the bright red tulips shined through in the sunlight.

Photography Diary March 5, 2026 I was supposed to be at work, but went for a camera walk. Took pictures of Kuramae Shrine and Asakusa at night on the way home from an exhibition.

The day I was supposed to be at work, but for some reason I had my camera with me.

This day is a weekday. Yes, it is a Thursday. Of course, I am working. Yes, I am working. On this day, I had to go to Tokyo to observe an exhibition. In the online shopping business, we basically spend a lot of time working in the office, and we don't have that many opportunities to go out.

Is that why? Whenever I plan to go to Tokyo, somewhere in the back of my mind I think this.
"...... is there somewhere we can shoot on the way home?"

Of course, I don't say it out loud. It's all in my mind. It is completely private.

Now the day of the event. I planned to finish my morning duties twice as fast as usual. That was the plan. However, only on days like this, there is always more work to be done. I wonder why. It's a phenomenon that when I think, "Today is a busy day," I get even busier. I wonder if there is a name for this phenomenon.

Processing orders, responding to emails, preparing for shipping. I never seem to be able to finish, no matter how much I do. I'm like, "Hey, what's going on? Can I really go out today? Despite these worries, I managed to get my work done in a flurry and was ready to leave.

The destination is Tokyo Ryutsu Center. I was planning to go by train until just before, but when I checked Google Navi, it indicated that it would be faster to go by car. Oh well.... Certainly, a car would give me more freedom in my subsequent activities. Flexible movement is important. So, we suddenly decided to go by car. I am a quick judge at times like this, aren't I?

First thing in the afternoon, we drove there by car and arrived more easily than expected. At a nearby exhibition hall, I greet the person in charge and listen to his explanation of the products while studying them hmmm. This is an important time for work, so as one would expect, it is not a "quick tour. I listen carefully to what they have to say and check out various products. As I think every time, I really learn a lot at exhibitions. I am grateful for the many new discoveries I make. Thank you to everyone in charge.

Well, the exhibition is over and I look at my watch and see that there is still some time before sunset. I was in trouble. I'm really in trouble. What should I do? No, this is a problem. ...... is why I rememberedKuramae ShrineIt is a place famous for its collaboration of Kawazu cherry blossoms and mimosa. The place is famous for its collaboration of Kawazu cherry blossoms and mimosa.

I had thought that timing would be difficult this year, but it is only a little over 30 minutes from here. This would allow us to arrive before dusk. The road was relatively empty, and we arrived more smoothly than expected. Moreover, we were lucky enough to find a nearby parking lot that was also empty. Today is my lucky day.

But when I arrived at the site, I was astonished. People, people, people. There were so many people. It was a weekday, right? I was naive. I was completely caught off guard. However, I am one of them, so I can't complain.

The large number of people made it difficult to take pictures of the entire area. In addition, it was difficult to get sunlight, so conditions were a bit difficult. Therefore, we decided to useA few light shotsI was so happy that I could make it to the next location. I'll be back again at the best time," I murmured to myself as I headed to the next location.

The next stop wasSensoji TempleI have been looking for a place to shoot at night for a long time. In fact, this is a place that I had hoped to photograph at night someday. But I am basically not good at night. I am an early riser, so my battery runs low rapidly at night. But today is different. I am already outside. And I have my camera. This is an opportunity.

Lots of tourists on Nakamise-dori. Many of them are foreign tourists, and they are all tall. I tried to take pictures of the lanterns, but could not get a clear view. I waited for the right moment several times,Finally, a shutter chance. A small sense of accomplishment when you get the shot.I can't stop taking pictures because of this. This is why I can't stop taking pictures.

After that, I continued to take pictures while trying various angles. It would have been more enjoyable with a tripod or stepladder, but it was difficult with this crowd. We proceeded to the back and checked out the weeping cherry trees. They have not bloomed at all yet. I had a bitter experience last year when I came here thinking that the cherry trees were about to bloom, only to find that they had already fallen. So this year, this is the most promising spot for revenge.

After that,Night streets of AsakusaI returned to the parking lot, snapping photos of the When I returned to the entrance of Omotesando Avenue, I suddenly remembered. I had seen this picture taken from the top of the building in front of the building. I looked it up and found that it was the Asakusa Culture and Tourism Center. I found out that it is the Asakusa Culture and Tourism Center, which has a space for observation. I had no choice but to go there.

We took the elevator to the top. And the view spread out in front of me. Nakamise Street, Kaminarimon Gate, and the streets of Asakusa.The view was even more spectacular than I had imagined.This is a place I would like to visit in the daytime.

I am usually cooped up in the office, but it is nice to have time to get out and take pictures once in a while.

Now, the next day is Friday. One more day of hard work and it will be the weekend. ...... Well, I think I'll probably be somewhere with my camera this weekend, too. That's another story.

Contrast between yellow mimosa and Kawazu cherry blossoms

This photo was taken at Kuramae Shrine, just before dusk, with the yellow of mimosa in the background and the Kawazu cherry blossoms in the background, to create a contrasting color scheme.

Sensoji Temple｜Nakamise Street and big paper lanterns at the back

This photo was taken at Senso-ji temple from a high vantage point at the end of the main approach to the temple where the Nakamise is located, with a composition that looks out to the large lantern at the end of the approach.

Asakusa Streetscape｜Scintillating signboards in the shopping street at night

This photo captures the twinkling lights of a shopping street sign in the streets of Asakusa to capture the bustling atmosphere of Asakusa at night.

Sensoji Temple｜Bird's eye view of the temple grounds from the observation deck

This photo was taken at Sensoji Temple, looking down from the observation area of the Asakusa Culture and Tourism Center, and captures a bird's-eye view of the Sensoji temple grounds.

Photography Diary March 1, 2026: Woke up at 4:00 a.m. and went on a plum blossom tour. From Mt. Tsukuba to Kairakuen, and finally a day of encountering history.

Before you know it, it will already be March.

It feels like it was New Year's just a few days ago, but time in the world is apparently in high speed mode.
It is so fast that I suspect that I might be the only one on a time warp device somewhere.

So the first shooting day of March.

On this day, I decided to go to a place I had always been curious about.
Kairakuen Garden in Mito.

as a matter of factKairakuenI have visited the "Mere Old Man" many times in the past.
We came here when the children were small and have been here several times since then.

However, strangely enough, there are no "plum pictures".

For some reason, I have only been there during the season of autumn leaves since I started using a camera.
It is quite a strange state of affairs, as it is a famous plum blossom spot, but I have not taken any plum blossoms.

So this was one of the places I was determined to visit this year.

The annual strategy meeting was held on Friday evening.
I searched for a place where I could stop by if I went all the way to Mito, and I found it,

Mt. Tsukuba Plum Grove.

And it is just in full bloom.

Upon further investigation, I found that there is also a place called "Umezono Park" in Tsukuba City.
This is already enough to make a course of three plums.

So the plan for the day's shoot went like this.

Mt. Tsukuba Plum Grove
Umeen Park (Tsukuba City)
Kairakuen

Perfect.
A full course of plum blossoms.

Of course, I woke up at 4 a.m. as usual.

This is now completely constitutional.
I wake up before my alarm goes off.
It seems convenient, but it is a slightly more complicated speciality that makes people get up early even on their days off.

After getting ready, we departed for the Tsukuba Plum Grove.

Enter the Joban Expressway from the Gaikan Expressway near your home and head north.
It was closer than I had imagined and I arrived in no time.

It was rather too early.

It is before sunrise.

So I stopped at a nearby convenience store and waited while eating a rice ball.
It is important to have a good appetite before shooting.
Photographers need energy, too.

finallyMt. Tsukuba Plum GroveTo.

When we arrived, there were already many cars in the parking lot.
This is highly anticipated.

The nearest parking lot was full, so we went to a parking lot a little farther away.
From there, a long flight of stairs leads to the site.

This is a tough one.

However, physical strength is also important to continue a long life of photography.
You also have to work on your lung capacity.
I tell myself this as I climb the stairs.

Then we arrived.

What unfolded before us was an amazing view.

Ume blossoms spread all over the mountain slopes.
White, pink, red.

A carpet of plum blossoms indeed.

It is difficult to describe with my photographic skills, but this is truly a stunning view.
It was a moment when I could honestly say, "I'm glad I came.

However, in the early morning hours, the sun's rays do not yet hit the slopes.

A little wait.

Gradually, the sun's rays began to shine through and the plum blossoms began to glow softly.

After all, light is important.

Plum blossoms are beautiful and have a slight sweet fragrance.
And lots of whitebait.

Spring shoots are really fun.

After thoroughly enjoying the photo shoot, we moved on to our next destination.

Tsukuba CityUmeen Parkis.

This one was a city park or a smaller park,
There were many beautiful plum trees and the place had a very serene atmosphere.

Again, whitebait made an appearance.

Apparently, this was the day of the whitebait.

Now, next comes the main event of the day.

Kairakuen Garden.

We will take the expressway again and head for Mito.
Mito has an image of being far away, but from Kawaguchi, it is surprisingly close.
If you go to Kaihin Park, it is a long distance, but if you go to Kairakuen, you will get there sooner than you think.

However, this day is the Plum Blossom Festival.

The parking lot was a splendidly jammed.

However, I had found one way to do this on a previous visit.

Nearby "history museumThe strategy is to park in the

It is relatively easy to park here, and besides, the plum trees are in beautiful bloom.
Thank you, History Museum, for everything you do.

After a quick photo shoot, walk toKairakuenTo.

When I arrived, there was a huge crowd.

As one would expect from Japan's three most famous gardens.
The popularity of the Ume Festival is indeed impressive.

White plum, red plum, and weeping plum.
Everywhere you look there are plums, plums, plums.

The view from the high point was beautiful, and I enjoyed the photography a lot.

I really wanted to shoot from the top of the Kobun-tei,
Abandoned due to too much congestion.

There are days like this.

Speaking of which, there was something that caught my attention when I purchased my ticket.

A "set ticket with Kodokan."

KoudoukanI had never been to the
I had purchased it because I was so excited about it.

So, the next stop was the Koudoukan.

When I went there, I found this to be a very nice place.

The calm building and the plum blossoms are in perfect harmony,
Very quiet and comfortable space.

According to my research, Kodokan was founded in 1841 by Tokugawa Nariaki, the lord of the Mito domain, and was one of the largest clan schools in Japan.

Well, it is a place where you can feel the weight of history.

While taking pictures of the plum blossoms, we will also touch on a bit of history.
This was quite a luxurious time.

Thus ended the day's shooting.

Since I worked full time on Saturday and Sunday, I am sure that Monday will be a lazy day.

Well, I have no choice but to recover my strength while working.
It may seem like the end of the world, but that's how life is.

Still, tour the places you like and take lots of pictures,
It was a very enjoyable day.

Mt. Tsukuba Plum Grove｜A fantastic view of a pure white plum grove spreading out like a snowy landscape

This photo was taken at the Mt. Tsukuba Plum Grove from the top of a hill, where the plum trees are in full white bloom.

Tsukuba Plum Grove｜Gorgeous plum grove scenery with colorful plum trees in full bloom

This photo was taken at the Tsukuba Plum Grove, where white, pink, and red plum blossoms are mixed together.

Umeen Park (Tsukuba City)｜Calm spring park scenery with plum trees and bicycles

This photo was taken in Plum Garden Park from the top of a small hill with a white plum tree and a bicycle.

Ibaraki Prefectural Museum of History｜Gorgeous spring scenery with white plum blossoms spreading like clouds

This photo was taken at the Ibaraki Prefectural Museum of History to show the many white plum blossoms in full bloom.

Kairakuen｜Close-up of lovely pink plum blossoms

This photo was taken at Kairakuen with lovely pink plum blossoms.

Kairakuen｜Spring scenery of a vast ume (plum) grove overlooked from a hill

This photo was taken at Kairakuen Garden, looking down on a forest of plum trees from a high vantage point.

Koudoukan｜Scenery of the building with beautiful contrast of light and shadow

This photo was taken at the Koudoukan to show the light and shadows created in the gaps between the buildings.

Koudoukan｜Historic spring scenery with a wide view of the building and plum trees

This photo was taken at the Koudoukan from a short distance away, showing the entire building and the plum trees.

Photography Diary February 28, 2026 I went to Kawagoe praying for sunshine. In the end, mimosa, plum blossoms, and udon noodles made it all look good in the morning.

On this day, as usual, there was no time.

This was the day of a monthly gathering of old friends.
At 10:30 a.m., we will gather in Fujimino City (formerly Kamifukuoka City), the hometown where I grew up.

There is something strangely special about time spent meeting with old friends.
You don't have to pay attention, you can laugh at silly things, and before you know it, time flies by.
Well, it is usually a rehash of old mistakes, but it is also fun.

However, it is morning time until the meeting time.
It is unsettling to spend time doing nothing about this.

I wake up at 4:00 in the morning as usual.
To be precise, I wake up on my own without even thinking about waking up, but this is my constitution and I can't help it.
This is a special skill that seems useful and sometimes annoying.

The weather forecast for the day was "cloudy → sunny (from around 10:00).

This is also troubling.
Should I go to the shoot or should I proceed with the computer work that has accumulated?
Time to think about something that sounds a little cool, but isn't actually that noble, like a strategy for the future of the blog.

Or,
Or do you head out to the site with the hope that the weather might clear up at least once in a while?

When I went outside and looked up at the sky, I saw a magnificent cloudburst.
No matter how you look at it, there is no sign of clearing right now.

This is tough.

At any rate, I decided to head to the office, make some coffee and see what happened.
By the way, coffee is hot all year round.
Hot even in midsummer.
I am not sure why myself.

I checked the sky while getting a little work (my day job, that's right, my day job) done at the office.

...... Hmmm, looks like a no-go.

This day was actually the day of the "Kawazu Cherry Blossom Festival," famous for the Kawazu Cherry Blossoms.Cherry Blossom Shrine (in Kyoto)I was thinking of going to "The
It is a very pretty shrine with pink ribbons, and I went there once before I got my mirrorless SLR.
I had hoped to take another shot with my camera this time, but it appears that the timing will not be right this time.

Then, a sudden change of strategy.

Mimosa at "Chu-in" in Kawagoe, which has been getting a lot of blog traffic lately.
And "Kita-in" next to it.

Here, it is easy to head for Fujimino City even after shooting.
This is a realistic plan in terms of time.

We will be lucky if it clears up by the time we get there.
If it doesn't clear, you can adjust the time by watching YouTube in the car.
By the way, my recent favorite program is the example (NOBROCKTV).
The comfortably funny video is just right for the morning brain.

So we took the Metropolitan Expressway from Kawaguchi and headed toward Saitama Shin-Toshin.
Get off on the way and head toward Kawagoe.

And as we approached the site--

The sun has come out.

Firmly.

'Oh, maybe I should have stayed at Sakura Jingu.'

I thought so for a moment, but life is all about positive thinking.
I would like to say that I am the type of person who doesn't look back on the past...but in fact I do look back a bit.
But, well, this time I decided to look ahead.

First.the empress, the empress dowager and the grand empress dowagerThe following is a list of the most common problems with the "C" in the "C" column.

There is coin-operated parking nearby, but be aware that there are many one-way streets and it is a little difficult to find.
If you are in doubt, you can use the parking lot of Kita-in Temple.

Once inside the precincts of the temple,Mimosas in splendid full bloomThe following is a list of the most common problems with the "C" in the "C" column.
The yellow flowers were surrounded by spring light, creating a soft and bright landscape.

Just this mimosa.
Very tall.

It is quite difficult to photograph with the building.
In the end, I ended up mainly taking pictures while looking up.

But taking pictures of flowers while looking up is not a bad idea.
The view of the blue sky beyond the yellow flowers is still pleasant.

Even more delightful, even the plum blossoms were in bloom.

The scenery looks as if spring has come all at once.

Then, right next doorKita Ward (Tokyo Metropolitan Area)To.

This is a well-known local temple, and I have been here many times since I was a child...or should be,
For some reason, I don't remember much from that time.

Perhaps play was more important than temples at that time.

In the precincts,plum blossom designとKawazu Cherry Blossomwere blooming beautifully.
The soft pink color is very spring-like and gorgeous.

The shoot was short because we didn't have much time,
Still, it was enjoyable enough.

Incidentally, both Naka-in and Kita-in (in the toll area) are famous for their beautiful weeping cherry trees.
In a little while, it will be that season.

I declared in my mind, "I'll be back soon."

On the way back, take the Kawagoe Interchange to the expressway.
Then, escape at the exit of the Miyoshi parking lot.

It's really convenient these days because you can get out of the parking lot with ETC.
I quietly thanked those who built the highway from the bottom of my heart.

Afterwards, he met up with his friends.

Lunch was udon.

I think I used to eat only gutsy food,
These days, I enjoy this kind of refreshing food.

Is this age or growth?
Probably the former.

I talked and laughed a lot with friends I hadn't seen in a long time,
I found that the time passed quickly.

I got to shoot and see my friends,
What a very productive day.

It's days like this that make me want to go out again for another shoot.

Jung-in｜Spring scenery of pretty mimosa flowers against the blue sky

This photo was taken in the middle temple, with the lovely, shapely mimosa flowers and the sky in mind, and captures the fresh spring atmosphere of the yellow flowers against the blue sky.

Jung-in｜Spring scenery of fluffy mimosa flowers shining in the light

This spring-like photo was taken at the Chūin, where soft light shone on the pretty mimosa flowers, bringing out the texture of the fluffy yellow blossoms.

Kita-in Temple｜Scenery of calm precincts with blue sky and beautiful temple architecture

This photograph was taken at Kita-in Temple, with the temple's buildings and the blue sky in mind, and was cropped to highlight the calmness of the tiled roofs and architecture and the freshness of the clear sky.

Kita-in Temple｜Spring scenery with early-blooming Kawazu cherry blossoms and temple buildings

This photo was taken at Kita-in Temple to capture the Kawazu cherry blossoms blooming inside the temple and the building, and is summarized as a spring scene in which the splendor of the early-blooming cherry blossoms and the atmosphere of the temple can be enjoyed at the same time.

Kita-in Temple｜A quiet view of the impressive stone statues of 500 arhats with light shining through

This photograph, taken at Kita-in Temple, captures the moment when light hits the Five Hundred Arhats statues and the expressions and textures of the stone statues come to life, creating a sense of serenity.

Kita-in Temple｜Vivid red plum blossoms and impressive buildings in spring

This photo was taken at Kita-in Temple to capture the beautiful red plum blossoms near the exit and the building in the back, with the vividness of the red plum blossoms accenting the composition to convey the depth of the temple grounds.

Photography Diary｜February 22, 2026 Kawazu Cherry Blossoms in Full Blossom Revenge and My Son's Driving Practice

I want revenge. I really want to.

Visited last year.Kawazu Cherry Blossoms on Miura CoastA quiet case of "almost no bloom" occurred due to poor prior research. Facing those scanty branches, I vowed to myself, "Next year, I will hit the perfect full bloom. Next year, I will hit the perfect full bloom.

So this year, we tried again. The setting was the Miura Coast Cherry Blossom Festival. This time, it was also a drive to Kanagawa to practice driving for my son, who got his driver's license this year. My father was in the passenger seat, and he was nervous inside. But his face was calm. This is important.

Today's plan is,Miura coastline→Kannonzaki Park→Walking.Yokosuka Art Museum→Mimosa at Yokosuka Chuo Station→Verney ParkThis is a relaxing and safe driving plan that is not too crammed. It is a relaxing and safe driving plan that is not too packed. Probably.

I invited my daughter, too, just in case. "Wanna go?" I asked. The reply was a quick "no." She said she had a lot of assignments to do in high school. She is busy. He must be going through puberty. My father accepts it quietly. He says, "No."

The music in the car is my son's choice. Light Japanese hip-hop. To be honest, I don't really know the names of the artists. I do know some of them, but I am an adult enough to keep quiet about that.

Miura Beach is closer than I expected. I parked at the cheapest coin-operated parking lot I had researched beforehand and walked to the venue. And - it was in full bloom! The cherry blossoms were in full bloom! Kawazu cherry trees are in full bloom. Successful revenge.

But the problem is the light. Here, the sun is difficult to get in. The light is limited, and the battle for the best position is beginning. I was taking it easy, but in no time at all, there were people, people, people. My father was in a hurry.

roadside treeand moved toward the pond from theIntertwined with the water surfaceAim for the Then climb a little higher.Collaboration with trainsalso tried. However, the morning sky was a little whitish. Hmmm, should I change the time of day next time? I guessed the full bloom, but could not read the light. Photography is a bottomless swamp rather than a deep one.

It also brings back memories of the Miura daikon I saw here long ago. I would have definitely bought them if they had been available in that powerful size, but I couldn't find them this time. Why is it that I am still more unmoved by daikon radishes than cherry blossoms?

NextKannonzaki ParkI was informed that there are Kawazu cherry trees here as well. I was informed that there were Kawazu cherry trees here as well. When I arrived, I thought, "Isn't this place too big? Isn't it too big?" I don't know where they are blooming. I don't know where they are blooming. The staff showed me the way and I went to the flower garden. It was quite a walk from the parking lot near the museum, about 20 minutes. It was a good exercise.

At the Flower PlazaRape blossoms and Kawazu cherry blossoms line upThe spring colors of yellow and pink co-starring together. A local festival was just taking place, and the air was lively. Under the blue sky, time passed leisurely.

Downhill from there,Yokosuka Art MuseumWhen I arrived at the restaurant, I found that it was undergoing renovations. When I arrived, I found it was under renovation. Oh, no. I was a little disappointed because I was so impressed with this place during the hydrangea season. However, the Kawazu cherry trees in the garden were blooming beautifully.Mejiro Festival (white-tailed catfish festival, held annually on May 15)Such and such a pose. Such a pose, such a pose. The subjects have a great spirit of service. The continuous shooting never stops.

NextMimosa in front of Yokosuka Chuo StationA man holding a telephoto lens in front of a train station. A man holding a telephoto lens in front of a train station. The stares from the people around him sting a little, but they don't move. I am used to it. When I returned to the car, my son said, "What were you filming?" I was taking pictures. That's right. My father was frantically taking pictures of the yellow tree in front of the station. I gave a brief explanation.

FinallyVerney ParkThe city is famous for its military port tours. It is famous for its military port tours. There is also a rose garden, which must be gorgeous in season. The tour of the military port is very popular and sold out. This time, I photographed the warships from the park. The contrast between the massive ships and the soft spring air is interesting. The contrast is interesting.

Lunch was at nearby Sushiro. Although conveyor-belt sushi is no longer 100 yen, the satisfaction level is still high. Eat well and recharge your energy.

Today was just a light drive that also served as driving practice. On the way back, I took the wheel and drove to Kawaguchi with safety first. The next day is a national holiday, but I am working.

Revenge of the full bloom was a success. Driving practice went well. My daughter dumped me, but that is part of our spring.

Well, tomorrow, the engine will start full throttle again. Let's go to bed early. Spring is busy. But that makes me a little happy.

Miura Coast Cherry Blossom Festival｜First light in the morning, rape blossoms and cherry blossoms

This photo was taken of rape blossoms and Kawazu cherry blossoms at the Miura Coast Cherry Blossom Festival, at the stage where the light begins to shine first thing in the morning.

Miura Coast Cherry Blossom Festival｜Scenery of cherry trees along the pond

This photo was taken at the Miura Coast Cherry Blossom Festival, showing the rows of cherry trees blooming along the inner pond.

Miura Coast Cherry Blossom Festival｜Passing train and rows of cherry trees alongside

This photo was taken at the Miura Coast Cherry Blossom Festival, showing a passing train and a row of cherry trees alongside.

Kannonzaki Park｜Combination of rape blossoms curves and cherry blossoms

This photo was taken in Kannonzaki Park, showing the curve of the rape field and the cherry blossoms.

Yokosuka Art Museum｜Pink petals and white-eye

This photo was taken at the Yokosuka Museum of Art of a Kawazu cherry tree with beautiful pink petals and a white-eye there.

Yokosuka Museum of Art｜The dignified white-eye and Kawazu cherry blossoms

This photo was taken at the Yokosuka Museum of Art of a dignified white-tailed godwit perched on a Kawazu cherry tree.

Mimosa at Yokosuka Chuo Station｜Mimosa and coffee shop sign

This photo was taken at Yokosuka Chuo Station with a mimosa and a coffee shop sign.

Verny Park｜Frontal view of the sea and warships

This photo was taken in the Parc de la Verny, with the sea and warships in the foreground.

Photography Diary｜February 21, 2026 Spring Color Doubleheader (Mimosa x Kawazu Cherry Blossom / Morning Only)

On this day, I had no time anyway. In the afternoon, I accompanied my son to the hospital. Family comes first, this is the unspoken top priority in our family. Photos are important. But not in the wrong order. I finally learned recently (too late) that this is the key to keep going for a long time.

However, we were given only the morning. Moreover, we are bound to return to Kawaguchi before noon. I know that a small amount of time can make the difference between winning and losing. Meticulous schedule management is required, but in reality, it is just the manager in my head saying, "I can probably make it.

Today's destination,Kawazu cherry blossoms at Nagisa Park, ,Mimosa in Irifune ParkandMimosa around Yokohama MotomachiWe move at sunrise and return in the morning. The mission is clear.

On a morning when the air was still cool, I set out a little late. When I arrived at Nagisa Park, the deep pink of the Kawazu cherry trees stood out in the bluish morning light. The soft morning sun shone obliquely on the small tree-lined avenue. People strolling under them, one with a dog, and me holding a telephoto lens. I am completely floating.

White-tails busily flitting from branch to branch.I held the 70-200mm and took a series of shots, holding my breath. But the angle of the sun and the direction of the trees were not quite right. The flowers are beautiful, but the light is not quite right. Getting up early is supposed to be the best of three virtues, but today it's about two and a half. I was making a mental note to myself, "Wouldn't it be better to get up in the afternoon? I take note inwardly, but the manager in my head shouts, "Move! the manager in my head shouts, "Let's move!

Riding the expressway, I headed toward Yokohama. The morning roads are relatively smooth. Jill Scott's new album is playing in the car, and a soothing soul rhythm fills the cabin. I remember that Pitchfork scores have recently become limited to paying subscribers, and though I'm mildly damaged, I encourage myself that "at the end of the day, it's my ears. When I think of the number of subs I'm already subscribed to, it's tough to go any further.

Irifune Parkwas the prettiest park imaginable. The grass, the playground equipment, the peaceful air. In the midst of it all, I walked right and left, looking for mimosa. Where is it? I was wondering where it was, but it was too far out of sight.Giant yellow treeI found a There is a middle-aged person who doesn't notice it because it is too big.

When I looked up, fluffy yellow flowers covered the sky. However, the morning light was still low and only brightened one side of the tree. I fine-tune my standing position, looking for the boundary between shadow and light. A suspicious man moving his feet a few centimeters at a time. Still, the moment the light hit the fluffy yellow, I couldn't help but say, "Oh!

The sign warns, "During busy times...". It may be a popular spot during the day. It is quiet now. Biting into the luxury of being able to take pictures while it is quiet, we move on.

FinallyYokohama MotomachiThe following is a list of the most common problems with the "C" in the "C" column.Harbor View ParkWe parked our car nearby and took a short detour. The morning air was clear and the view across the harbor was clearer than I had imagined.Panoramic view to the Bay BridgeI said to myself, "This is a definite revisit at sunrise or sunset. I have more homework to do.

Walking to Motomachi, I found a line already formed in front of cafes and bakeries. In the fashionable air, I was carrying a telephoto lens on my shoulder. I am completely out of place, but I have gotten used to it.Mimosa next to the cafeThe yellow color of the photo is a good match for the white walls of the building, and the yellow color is more vibrant. The time spent exploring the composition while adding the atmosphere of the city to the background is enjoyable.

Mindlessly release the shutter. There is no time to worry about being seen. Rather, I take the liberty of interpreting that not caring is the first step toward improvement.

The return trip is smooth. Clock is on schedule. Returned to Kawaguchi in the morning. The mission is a success. After that, my son drives to the hospital, and I quietly face my father in the passenger seat.

Photos are important. But it is the priorities that we must protect that make the morning hours special. As spring approaches, the number of places I want to visit increases rapidly. This year I want to travel a little farther than last year. But first, we must carefully follow the season in front of us.

Well, tomorrow is early. For a man who gets up at 4 a.m., staying up late is his worst enemy. Spring is busy. But that busyness makes me a little happy.

Nagisa Park｜Backlit Cherry Tunnel from an angle

This photo was taken at Nagisa Park from an oblique angle of the Kawazu cherry blossom tunnel in backlit conditions.

A moment of a white-tailed godwit flying down and spreading its wings

This photo was taken in Nagisa Park at a dynamic moment when a white-tailed godwit jumped down from the branches of a Kawazu cherry tree and spread its wings.

Irifune Park｜Mimosa up with powerful volume

This photo was taken at Irifune Park with a powerful amount of mimosa flowers in close-up.

Irifune Park｜Glowing mimosa that fascinates by the difference of light and dark

This photo was taken of mimosa flowers in Irifune Park, with an eye to the contrast between the glowing areas and the light and dark areas.

Harbor View Park｜A springtime view of ume plum blossoms and a bridge in the distance

This photo was taken at Harbor View Park with beautiful plum blossoms and the Bay Bridge in the distance.

Harbor View Park｜View of the bridge from the observatory

This photo was taken at Harbor View Park, where the Rainbow Bridge is beautifully visible from the observation deck.

Mimosa in Motomachi｜Moment of the bee visiting Mimosa

This photo shows bees visiting mimosa flowers in Motomachi, Yokohama.

Mimosa in Motomachi｜Snapshots of Mimosa and Cafe Stores in Spring

This photo was taken in Motomachi, Yokohama, to show mimosa flowers and a cafe store.

Photography Diary｜February 15, 2026 Sunday Morning Photography Tour by a Man Who Has No Option of Taking a Day Off

The day before, I woke up at 2:30 a.m. for a day trip across Minami-Izu to Kawazu Town. He returned home at 9:00 p.m.
Normally, the correct response would be, "Let's take it easy today. Yes, normally.

However, I am not the one with the shooting disease.
For some reason, I am most tired during the week on Mondays. On Sunday I can still move. I would rather move. It's a problem.

So, I woke up “slowly” at 5:00 a.m. on this day.
As one would expect, we refrained from going too far and made a short expedition in Tokyo with a promise to stay until noon.

Click here to see the plan.

interpoint (interword separation)Shioiri ParkCherry blossom walking in
interpoint (interword separation)Kameido TenjinPrunus mume var. japonica
interpoint (interword separation)Kuramae Shrinemimosa in
interpoint (interword separation)Mukojima HyakkaenUme Festival at

Returned to Kawaguchi at noon. Perfect time management. Probably.

First, Shioiri Park.
I had always been curious about this place because of the rows of cherry trees I used to see from the highway.

I will look for it as soon as it arrives.
...... Huh? It's not blooming.

Recently, the "Kawazu cherry blossoms at their best in Shioiri ParkWe have seen information that "the
A complete brain mix with the row of trees seen from the highway.
The result was a row of Someiyoshino trees (probably); there was no way they would bloom on February 15.

Preliminary research, important. Learn.

I was so frustrated that I carefully photographed the two Kawazu cherry trees in the park.
Petals at the beginning of bloom are beautiful and fresh.
Then,Appearance of Mr. MejiroIs it a Is it comforting?

I activate the tracking mode, set up the EOS R, and frantically follow the flying figure.
Thank you, Mejiro. It meant a lot to come here today.
I'll come back again when the Someiyoshino is around.

Next stop was Kameido Tenjin for the second time this year.
Splendid weeping plum blossomsThe location is in the middle of the city, in the middle of the city's most popular shopping area. It was early in the morning and there were few people, so you could take all the pictures you wanted.

I can't wait to spend time exploring the composition, thinking about the way the light comes in.
also herewhite-tailed catfishIt is a good idea. Collaboration with ume plum is an iron plate.
Although he must have been a little tired after the expedition every day, his fingers were in high spirits as he snapped the shutter.

NextKuramae ShrineThe following is a list of the most common problems with the "C" in the "C" column.
Kawazu cherry blossoms and mimosa are famous for their coexistence, but on this day, only mimosa were on display.

Yellow pompons are beautiful against the sky.The following is a list of the most common problems with the "C" in the "C" column.
Mimosa is a flower that makes me think "there must be a better composition" every time I take a picture of it.
I have yet to take a serious collaboration with Kawazu cherry blossoms with my mirrorless camera, so I need to be prepared when they are in full bloom. I'm also prepared for the crowds.

Last isUme Festival in Mukojima HyakkaenThe following is a list of the most common problems with the "C" in the "C" column.
This is my first visit since the fall foliage season.

The park is bustling with activity. Plum trees are in full bloom and the air is gorgeous.
Depending on the composition, a collaboration of plum blossoms and the Sky Tree may also be possible.
On days when there is a time limit, on the contrary, you will be able to concentrate more. Quick shooting, quick take-down.

Drive safely on the expressway to return home.
Arrived at Kawaguchi at 12:00 pm as scheduled. Excellent.

We went straight to the neighborhood OK store to buy groceries.
In the morning, he takes pictures of cherry blossoms and plum blossoms, and at noon, he chooses foodstuffs.
This swing is life.

Next week is going to be busy, so prepare your blog now.
Full operation on Saturday and Sunday. My body is a little tired, but my heart is full.

Shooting disease, well underway.

Shioiri Park｜Mejiro's leaping among the cherry trees

This photo was taken in Shioiri Park of a white-tailed godwit spreading its wings as it flew among the Kawazu cherry trees, creating a sense of dynamism.

Kameido Tenjin｜Colorful overlapping weeping plum trees

This photo was taken at Kameido Tenjin with depth in mind, showing weeping plum trees with colorful layers of red and pink.

White-eye sitting on a plum tree

This photo was taken at Kameido Tenjin, where a white-tailed godwit sat perched on the branch of a blooming plum tree, capturing the cute moment.

Kuramae Shrine｜Japanese landscape with lanterns and mimosa

This photo was taken at Kuramae Shrine, with the lanterns in the back as one point of reference and mimosa flowers to emphasize the Japanese atmosphere.

Mukojima Hyakkaen｜Vivid contrast between blue sky and red and white plum blossoms

This photo was taken at Mukojima Hyakkaen with dark pink and white plum blossoms and a blue sky to create a colorful spring contrast.

Mukojima Hyakkaen｜Cute white-eyes perching on plum blossoms

This photo was taken at Mukojima Hyakkaen, where I photographed a white-eye perched on a plum blossom, capturing the lovely coexistence of flowers and wild birds.

Photography Diary February 14, 2026: Called by Kawazu Cherry Blossoms. Greedy one-day trip across Izu

I have been thinking about this for the past month.
I wondered if it would really be possible to go on a day trip."

My goal for 2026 is to “challenge places that have been difficult to reach in a day trip due to distance. We did go on an outing at the end of the year and the beginning of the new year, but that was an overnight stay. This time, however, it will be a one-day trip of 100% purity. My basic stance is to take day trips. Staying overnight relaxes my mind. And your wallet loosens up, too. That's why we are going for a day trip. But I don't tell you that my heart shakes every time I see a hot spring resort.

Destination,Kawazu Town, birthplace of Kawazu cherry blossomsI was so excited to see the cherry blossoms and rape blossoms in Minami-Izu Town. Then, while researching, I found the Minami Izu Town "Minami no Cherry Blossom and Rape Blossom Festival". I also found the Kawazu Nanadaki Loop Bridge, Shuzenji Plum Grove, and Shuzenji Temple.
If I think about it calmly, it is a completely crammed plan. But it is my nature to trigger the "I'm going all the way here, so..." feeling. The engine of my poor nature was running at full throttle from this morning.

If you want to photograph the sunrise, it is natural to count backwards. As a result, I woke up at 2:30 am.
I am an early riser. I get up at 4:00 every morning. But 2:30 is different. This is not a morning activity, but a “continuation of the night. As I was getting ready in the quiet house, I thought for a moment, ”Isn't that a bit much? But as soon as I got my camera bag on my back, I turned on the switch. We loaded up the car and headed out.

From the Tokyo Metropolitan Expressway to the Tomei Expressway, I passed through a toll booth before 4:00 p.m. I was told, "This qualifies for a discount. I was already in an expedition mode with a small hope that I could get a discount. I was already in the mood for an expedition. We entered the Izu area and took the inland route as instructed by the navigation system. The twisting and turning road over Amagi in the dim light was quite thrilling. I was thinking to myself, "Are you sure we are going the right way? I wondered to myself as I gripped the steering wheel. I felt zero drowsiness. Rather, excitement prevails.

Arrived in Minami-Izu town in about 3 hours. Just before sunrise. The moment the sky turns slightly orange, the tension quietly rises in the car.
First, a light photo was taken in a field of rape blossoms near the venue. The yellow color covered with morning dew was beautiful. And then, "theMinami Cherry Blossom and Rape Blossom FestivalTo the "Go to. I was first impressed by the free parking. In this day and age, I really appreciate it.

Kawazu cherry blossoms in full bloom along the river. The scenery, with both banks of the river dyed pink, was beyond my imagination. The steam from the hot springs was rising in the air, and the peaceful atmosphere flowed through the air. I am glad I came. The backlit shot I took on the stairs was the best shot of the day. The chase between light and shadow is the best.
The moment I thought, "Now I want to come back for an overnight stay," my day-trip mentality was shaken up a bit.

Next, we went to Kawazu Town. The drive along the sea is just so nice. We stopped on the way.Shirahama BeachThen, the clarity of the water was so clear that I braked. I slipped into a parking lot that happened to be empty and took a short break. Blue ocean, white sandy beach. I took a deep breath.
I'm convinced, "This is why I can't stop going on expeditions."

And Kawazu Town.Cherry trees along the Kawazu RiverThe view of the Kawazu cherry blossoms was breathtaking. I walked around the gazebo, the original Kawazu cherry trees, and the seaside, and kept snapping the shutter. No matter where I took a picture, it was a picture. It was a moment when all the hard work of getting up early was rewarded at once.
We filled our stomachs with yakisoba noodles from a food stall, and moved on to the next, chewing on our modest happiness.

Kawazu Nanadaki Loop BridgeOn the way to the "Giant Loop Bridge," as expected, we took a wrong turn and wandered into a narrow alley. However, we arrived at the huge loop bridge, which was very impressive. As a structure lover, I can't get enough of it. For some reason, the sight of the loop bridge drawing a circle around the bridge makes me very excited.

The last stop was in the direction of Shuzenji. We crossed the Amagi Mountains again. The clouds were getting threatening, and we were halfway to giving up on Mt.Shuzenji Plum GroveIt was still a little disappointing that I couldn't see it. Still, the scent of ume plum blossoms and the sight of white-eyes are soothing.
Just as I was about to leave, I saw a faint white shadow. Ah, there he is! It was Mt. It was Mt. It wasn't a perfect collaboration with the plum blossoms, but it was definitely there. I couldn't help but applaud in my heart. Blessings, blessings, blessings.

Shuzenji TempleThe air was quiet and the weeping ume (Japanese apricot) trees gently welcomed us. The atmosphere of the hot spring resort town was also pleasant, and my heart was again moved to say, "I would like to stay overnight here, too. My day-trip policy is in jeopardy.

The hot ramen noodles I had at the PA on the way home soaked into my body. I woke up at 2:30 am. As expected, I was tired. But when I recall the cherry blossoms along the river, the sea at Shirahama, and the faint view of Mt.

The first day trip expedition, a great success.
The distance I thought I might not be able to cover was surprisingly long.

Now, how greedy will they be next time?
I'm kind of looking forward to it myself.

Minami no Cherry Blossom and Rape Blossom Festival (Minami Izu)｜A view of curving beauty peeking out from under the cherry blossoms

This photo was taken at the Minami no Sakura and Rape Blossom Festival (Minami Izu Town). The composition peeks out from under the light-enveloped Kawazu cherry blossoms to show the curving beauty of the cherry blossoms and bank at the back.

Minami no Cherry Blossom and Rape Blossom Festival (Minami Izu)｜Bridge overhead view of the bank and cherry blossoms

This photo was taken at the Minami no Sakura and Rape Blossom Festival (Minami Izu Town), looking down on the bank and Kawazu cherry blossoms from a bridge, and composed with an awareness of depth.

Shirahama Beach｜Clear water and white sand beach

This photo, taken at Shirahama Beach, shows the clear waters and white sands of the beach, and conveys the charm of one of Izu's most spectacular spots.

Kawazu Cherry Blossom Festival (Kawazu Town)｜Lighted paths and curves of cherry blossoms

This photo was taken at the Kawazu Cherry Blossom Festival (Kawazu Town), with an eye for depth and curves as the light shines on the Kawazu cherry trees blooming along the path along the bank.

Kawazu Nanadaki Loop Bridge｜Loop bridge and cherry blossoms captured from a wide angle

This photo was taken at the Kawazu Nanadaki Loop Bridge, taking advantage of the wide-angle mode to capture the Kawazu cherry blossoms and the loop bridge from below, emphasizing the dynamic perspective.

Shuzenji Plum Grove｜Early spring scenery decorated with red and white plum blossoms

This photograph was taken at the Shuzenji Plum Grove (Izu City) to capture the colorful scenery of early spring, with plum blossoms in red and white.

Shuzenji(Izu)｜The neat appearance of the main hall from the front

This photo was taken in Shuzenji (Izu), Japan, from the front of the main hall to show the beauty of the historic temple architecture.

Shuzenji Temple (Izu)｜Air in the precincts conveyed by stone statues and flags

This photo was taken at Shuzenji (Izu) to show the stone statues and flags in the back of the temple, and one that conveys the atmosphere of the temple.

Photography Diary February 1, 2026 Atami and Odawara, and the vanished Mt.

Originally, I would have liked to go on Saturday, but I normally work on Saturday.
So this time, I changed my mind and said, "No, thank you, it's Sunday! I changed my mind, and dared to make a one-day trip to Atami and Odawara.

The content is quite simple.
Sea, cherry blossoms, and plum blossoms" in Atami and "castle and plum blossoms" in Odawara.
It is ......, but this day is the mayoral election in Kawaguchi city where we live. Voting is a must.
If possible, I would also like to vote in advance for the House of Representatives election.
This means that we must be home by 4:30 p.m., which is quite a binding time.

Atami → Odawara → Kawaguchi, returning home at 16:30.
...... This is going to be a hard day.

Wake up is at 4:00 am as usual.
Most of the luggage has already been moved to the car the day before. This is the wisdom of a working person who can leave immediately upon waking up.
With a warm cup of coffee in my hand, I went from the Gaikan ring to the Metropolitan Expressway to the Tomei Expressway.
The highway is empty and comfortable early Sunday morning. It takes about 40 minutes from home to Tomei.
While I was thinking, "What time would be the best time to get the late-night ETC discount?

There are many fine toll roads around Atami.
A particularly high probability of getting in is the 500-yen section along the coast.
It would be great if the weather was clear and we could see the view, but it was still dark on this day.
Yes, no sense. I did it.

As we approach Atami, there is a slight brightness before sunrise.
There were clouds on the horizon. I was a little disappointed, thinking, "This will be a tough morning sunrise....

Still, as we waited on the beach, the sun peeked out from above the clouds, and the sky quickly turned red.
Ah, beautiful.
Sunrise at seais still a great feeling.
There were a surprisingly large number of people in the morning, and everyone felt like they got a little something out of it.

As soon as you see the sunrise.Atami cherry (Prunus incisa)To.
Cherry blossoms and townscape along Itogawa River, full of emotion.
The white-eyes came too, and the shutter didn't stop.
It is still nice to see cherry blossoms at this time of the year.

Next, we actually visited for the first timeAtami Plum GardenThe following is a list of the most common problems with the "C" in the "C" column.
The area is larger than expected and the plum trees vary from early bloom to full bloom.
The weeping plum blossoms are just beginning to bloom.
The park has elevation changes and a river, making it easy to photograph.
The time of autumn leaves looks good, too. This is a definite revisit.

Next, a famous power spot.Kuromiya ShrineThe following is a list of the most common problems with the "C" in the "C" column.
...... but the parking lot is full, full, full.
Still wanting power, I park in front of the station and walk.
The grounds have a fun atmosphere with cafes and a sense of entertainment.
Power supply is firmly replenished.

Next, we went to Odawara.
In fact, I had never walked properly.Odawara Castleis.

But first, let's get hungry.
We revisited Odawara Tanmen, which we visited last time.
Tanmen and dumplings. No doubt. Satisfying.

Odawara Castle is magnificent.
Many plum trees are in bloom around the perimeter and smell good.
Collaboration with the castle seems a bit difficult, but it definitely looks good during cherry blossom season. Memo.

FinallySoga Plum GroveThe following is a list of the most common problems with the "C" in the "C" column.
The aim is a collaboration of plum blossoms and Mt.

...... Huh?
Fuji, where?

It's sunny. It's crazy.
And yet, I can't see it.
That's when I started thinking, "No way, was that AI I saw on social media?"
A word from a passing wife.
Fuji was visible just a few minutes ago.

Eh.
Only a small portion of the area was slightly cloudy, but it was apparently hidden there.
Is that possible?
No luck today, so I took a picture of the plum grove, bought some pickled plums, and left.

There was no traffic jam on the way home, and we returned home at exactly 4:00 p.m.
Advance voting for the mayoral and lower house elections was also completed successfully.

Shooting, traveling, and elections.
It was quite an accomplishment to complete the whole day.

Let's keep up the good work this week.

Sea of Atami｜Sea and sky dyed by morning glow

This photo captures the beautiful morning glow of the sky and ocean tones in the Atami Sea.

Atami Sakura Itokawa Cherry Blossom Festival｜Cherry blossoms and overlapping cityscape

This photo was taken at the Atami Sakura Itokawa Cherry Blossom Festival, showing the cityscape with the cherry blossoms in the background.

Atami Cherry Blossom Itokawa Cherry Blossom Festival｜Lingering Puddles of Water

This photo was taken at the Atami Sakura Itokawa Cherry Blossom Festival, showing the slightly forlorn appearance of cherry petals floating in a puddle of water.

Atami Plum Garden｜Scenery of plum blossoms in layers of red and white

This photo was taken at the Atami Plum Garden, with a grouping of red and white plum trees in a composition looking down.

Atami Plum Garden｜The moment of sucking nectar upside down

This photo was taken at the Atami Plum Orchard at the moment of a white-eye sucking nectar from a red plum blossom while upside down.

Raiku Shrine｜Torii characters in the light

This photo was taken at the Raikyu Shrine at a striking moment when the light hit the word "nou" on the torii gate.

Odawara Castle｜The keep seen through the garden

This photo was taken at Odawara Castle, with the plum tree and Odawara Castle Keep together from the backyard.

Soga Plum Grove｜Waterway and white plum blossoms captured in close-up

This photo was taken at the Soga Plum Grove, with the waterway and white plum trees in front from a slightly pulled back position.

Photography Diary January 31, 2026 A day chasing signs of spring from morning glow to white-eye festival

On this day, the plan was to take "just a little bit" of time off from work to take pictures.
Yes, it is a Saturday, but it is a normal work day. Yes, it's Saturday, but I have to work as usual. There are days like this in order to survive.
Am I a respectable adult now that I seriously start thinking about "a plan to work only on rainy days"? Probably not.

I have to work in the afternoon, so the morning is the best time.
I would like to say that it is fun ...... again to think about where to go in a short time, but the CPU in my brain is already under high load due to month-end inventory and closing work. Thinking time, I am completely short.

On Sunday, we plan to go to Atami and Odawara area. Then, Saturday is the right time to be in the vicinity.
I remember that your son had just told me that he wanted to practice driving too, and my mind is filled with thoughts of the Zao Onsen snowboarding trip that is coming up next week. Four college students driving on snowy roads. I have nothing but anxiety .......
Portable toilets, sleeping bags, food. This is the only way to let them have it.

Now back to the story.
I visited last week.Kasai Rinkai ParkCinderella Castle was very nice, but no tripod at that time.
I could clearly hear the voice of heaven saying, "Take your tripod and try again.
He also added a heavenly voice from another route, "In Shinjuku Gyoen, the cold cherry blossoms are in bloom and the white-eyes are peeping.

There is no more time to think.
Okay, let's go with that trend.

In the morning, I woke up at 5:00 a.m. as usual. Depart a little slower.
Kasai Rinkai Park is about 40 minutes from my home, Kawaguchi. The ocean is close. Closer than you can imagine.
"Perhaps this is the nearest ocean from Kawaguchi? We arrived at the beach with a smoother route than last time, thinking such questions as "Is this the nearest beach from Kawaguchi?

This time we are serious.
Tripod, ND filter, release. Fully equipped.
I'm going to try a "way that looks like it" that I saw on the internet.
Set the shutter speed as slow as you can and release it gently.
Only the attitude of not allowing even the vibration of pressing a button is one of a kind.

Result?
It was a sunny-leaning day, so I forced myself to agree, "Well, this is how it looks like.
This is another case of trying again on a day when the weather is going to be rough.
I have been a camera operator for a year and a half, and my training continues.

Afterwards, the park'sPlum,Wax plum,narcissusand move on to the next.

Next stop is Shinjuku Gyoen. We are aiming for the cold cherry blossoms and white-eye.
We slipped in just in time for the park to open. There it was,Cherry Blossom Festival (Kitano Shrine, Feb. 25)The following is a list of the most common problems with the "C" in the "C" column.
Piyo-piyo, piyo-piyo, spring here and there.
The number of whitebirds does not decrease no matter how many pictures I take.

But then suddenly a large green guest appeared.
"...... parakeets?"
Check it out,Wakame Hong Kong parrot (Phoenicopterus macrophyllus)They say it is called. Wild.
I was mildly shocked to see them munching on the blossoms rather than sucking the nectar of the cherry trees. Tokyo is a deep city.

narcissusI will take some photos of the "K" and "M", and that's all for this day. I am heading back to work.

And night.
I suddenly realized on my way home from work.

...... tripod, but no.

I did it completely.
I have cleanly forgotten about it in Kasai Rinkai Park.
I'll call you tomorrow. I will.

The tripod disappeared, but it was a very intense day, packed with shooting and work.
The photo diary continues to include these failures.

Kasai Rinkai Park｜Quiet Location of the Castle with the Rising Sun

This photo was taken at Kasai Rinkai Park with a calm atmosphere, using a tripod and filters to slow down the shutter speed, with an eye to the positioning of Cinderella Castle and the sunrise.

Kasai Rinkai Park｜Gentle expression of daffodils in the morning sun

This photo captures the daffodil flowers blooming in the soft morning sun at Kasai Rinkai Park in the early hours of the morning.

Kasai Rinkai Park｜The expanse of daffodil fields shining in the morning sun

This photo was taken at Kasai Rinkai Park, where the morning sun shines on a field of daffodils spread out below a Ferris wheel, making them glow like light daffodils.

Kasai Rinkai Park｜The beginning of the season heralded by plum blossoms in full bloom

This photo was taken at Kasai Rinkai Park, with plum blossoms in full bloom in the park, as the season was coming.

The lively behavior of white-tailed godwits sucking on honey

This photo was taken in Shinjuku Gyoen as a moment of motion, as a white-tailed godwit sucks nectar while arching its back.

Shinjuku Gyoen｜City and Cherry Blossom Lined Scenery

This photo was taken in Shinjuku Gyoen, with an eye to the combination of the cherry blossoms and a building that stands out even in Shinjuku.

Shinjuku Gyoen｜Parakeet with flower petals in its mouth

This photo was taken at the Shinjuku Gyoen garden, showing a striking wakakehonosei parakeet with a cherry blossom petal in its mouth.

White Narcissus Floating in the Light

This photo was taken in Shinjuku Gyoen with an impressive paperwhite daffodil with a slight light shining through the darkness.

Photography Diary: January 25, 2026, Noon Return, A Reckless Plan Named "Four Scenes of Flowers

On this day, too, the morning was a flurry of activity.
The day before, I had a reunion with a friend from junior high school and had a good night, but the next day, the 25th, we were scheduled to meet at 14:00 at Fujimino station, which is only for lunch.
In other words, until then, it is free time.
When it comes to ......, there is only one thing to think about.
How far can you shoot before you get there?"
To my family, I apologize ahead of time for today.

What is the ideal flow that you have drawn up in your mind,
Shooting → return home → lunchtime drink (reunion with friends).
It is elegant in writing, but in reality it is almost a tightrope walk.
It's tough to go far away. Then let's go to Tokyo.
The day before was at Hanegi Park, so it naturally came to mind--
."EBARA Shrine, the problem that white-eye seems to be out.".

However, that place is not sunrise oriented.
So where do we go before we get there?"
Asking myself questions, and feeling appalled at my own greedy nature, here is the route I finally decided to take.

Kasai Rinkai Park (sunrise and daffodils)
Daiba (ice tulip)
Ebara Shrine (scarlet cherry blossoms and white-eye)
Kiba Park (mimosa, scarlet cherry and white-eye)

I accomplished everything and went home at 12:00.
The code name is "Noon Return, Four Views of Flowers".
If it fails, it is just a self-indulgent drive.

On the day of the event, I woke up at 4:00 a.m. as usual.
We are assuming that we will return home once, so our luggage is light.
The Gaikan ring and the Metropolitan Expressway will take you to Kasai Rinkai Park in no time.
It was still quite dark, but we walked quickly in the direction of the sea.

I thought, "No one will be there," but for some reason there were so many people.
...... That's what I mean.
Visible from the ocean at this time of year.Disneyland's Cinderella Castle and the rising sun nearly overlap.It seems.
It was a complete no-show.
I kneeled quietly in my mind, wishing I had brought my tripod.

I photographed the castle and the sunrise, and suddenly looked the other way,Beyond the sea, Mt.The following is a list of the most common problems with the "C" in the "C" column.
Winter air, too much work.
Also photographed here.

In addition, they started blooming near the Ferris wheel.Daffodils are illuminated by the morning sun.The following is a list of the most common problems with the "C" in the "C" column.
At this point, I'm already quite satisfied.

Daffodil flowers bathed in the morning sun

NextIce tulips in DaibaTo.
Flowers on both sides of the aisle, Rainbow Bridge in the back, and even Tokyo Tower.
This is already the violence of the golden ratio.
I release the shutter without hesitation.

Ice Tulip and Rainbow Bridge x Tokyo Tower

It's about 20 minutes from there.Ebara ShrineThe following is a list of the most common problems with the "C" in the "C" column.
When we arrived, camera enthusiasts were out in force.
Everyone is silent, but the air is hot.
The scarlet cherry trees are in full bloom, and the white-eyes are close.The following is a list of the most common problems with the "C" in the "C" column.
Easy to take. Thankful.

white-eye family of birds (Zosteropidae)

Another 20 minutes,Kiba ParkTo.
Mimosas are beginning to bloom.
I was frightened by the speed of time in January, thinking, "Oh, it's that time of year already.
NearbyScarlet cherry blossoms along the riverWell then,The short tree makes the whitebaitis just around the corner.
Commemorative photo, complete.

Watch the clock.
...... Oh no.
Go home, go home!" And he turns the wheel hurriedly.

I returned home a little after midnight.
I shovel down the curry and do my best to spoil my reliable son, who offers to drive me to the station.
They are going to Sano on that leg.
You just got your license. I'm a little worried.

Reunited with old friends at 14:00 in Fujimino.
At the yakitori restaurant "Big," the old stories and updates never stop. One beer and five highballs. Still, I am surprisingly sober. It is almost 7:00 p.m. before I realize it.
The good times always come early.

On the way home, my son picked me up at Fujimino station. Thank you, son.
I went home smoothly on Kan-etsu and Soto-Kan.
What a day.
Shoot, run, drink, and laugh.

There was a lot going on, but it was great.
Very satisfied.

Kasai Rinkai Park｜Silhouette of a castle over the sea

This photo was taken at Kasai Rinkai Park with the Disneyland castle visible in the distance over the ocean.

Kasai Rinkai Park｜Morning Sun Tints Mt.

This photo was taken at Kasai Rinkai Park, where Mt. Fuji turns red in the morning sun.

Kasai Rinkai Park｜Petals of daffodils shining through in the backlight

This photo captures the backlight filtering through the daffodil flowers at Kasai Rinkai Park.

Symbol Promenade Park｜Red Flowers and Urban Symbols

This photo was taken at Symbol Promenade Park (Daiba) with the red ice tulips in the foreground and the Rainbow Bridge and Tokyo Tower in a slightly clearer view.

Ebara Shrine｜Sitting a little on a flower

This photo was taken at EBARA Shrine of a white-eye sitting a little on a cold scarlet cherry blossom.

Ebara Shrine｜A shot that captures the moment of flight

This photo was taken at EBARA Shrine of a white-eye at the moment it flew away from the branch of a scarlet cherry tree.

Mimosa peeking through the leaves

This photo was taken in Kiba Park of a mimosa flower in a composition that looks as if it is peeking through the leaves.

Kiba Park｜Tiny Visitors Seeking Nectar

This photo was taken in Kiba Park of a white-eye looking down and sucking nectar from a cold scarlet cherry tree.

Photography Diary January 24, 2026: A railroad bridge in the morning and a plum grove in the evening---Tokyo in January, a double feature shoot

This week, I had plans to meet with a friend from junior high school on Saturday and Sunday, and as of Friday, all I could think was, "This is going to be a slam dunk...".
However, the desire to shoot does not look at a schedule.
We will meet at 10:30 on Saturday and at 14:00 on Sunday. Until then, you are completely “free”.
Family, I apologize ahead of time this week.

So, first up is Saturday, January 24.
I was reasonably busy with my day job (which I do have) during the week and did not have time to plan for a weekend shoot.
Lunch break, a second at McDonald's to fill my stomach, smartphone in hand, and a furious search for Insta and X.
It's time for the plum blossoms to start moving in the Kanto region. And if you are lucky, whitebait too.
With such faint hopes in mind, I chose Hanegi Park, one of the best plum groves in Tokyo, for my first visit.

However, there is a slight pause between sunrise and the brightness suitable for photography.
"Can't you shoot something at that time?" I found it by looking forHachiko Line, Tama River Bridge".
Reflection of sunrise x railway bridge x running train x water surface.
My insta-brain whispers, "This is going to look good.
Okay, the bridge for sunrise and the plum grove for main. Let's use this double feature.
The goal is to meet a friend in the Fujimino, Saitama area at 10:30.

The day of the event, I woke up at 4:00 a.m. as usual.
Of course, it was still dark. I wish the sun would rise a little earlier," I say to myself every year.
Lighter luggage, heavier feelings (time limit). Convenience store addicts buy BOSS and off we go.

Hachioji, through the Gaikan Ring, the Metropolitan Expressway, and the Chuo Expressway.Hachiko Line, Tama River BridgeGo to.
...... Huh? Hachioji is so far away from here?
Lately, my sense of distance has been completely broken. With a mysterious sense of urgency, I managed to arrive before sunrise - or should have.

Here is a certain festival.
Lack of preliminary research and do not know the point of shooting.
Which side of the river? It's dark, scary, and empty.
"Is this...the place?" I was half in doubt,
Train suddenly passes.

...... Yes, I didn't look at the timetable.
Hachiko Line at this time of the day, the number of trains seems to be low.
The decision was made to wait for about 30 minutes on the extremely cold riverbed.

In times like this, civilization is the best tool.
Open YouTube on your phone and watch "Mr. Sakuma's NOBROCK TV".
Alone on a dark riverbank, I burst out laughing.
If someone sees you, you are completely suspicious.
But time flies when you are laughing. Thank you, Mr. Sakuma.

The train is about to arrive, and this time we wait diligently.
After wondering whether to take a video or a photo, this time I decided to take a video and then take a squash.
Mission successfully completed.
Frankly, the light was more beautiful at the time before one.
And the composition is different from what I saw in the installations.
...... maybe the other side of the river.
If anyone knows the correct answer, please sneak it to me.

After getting back into the swing of things, next comes today's main objective,Plum trees in Hanegi ParkTo.
Returned by Tomei and arrived before 8:00 a.m.
But then, the parking lot opens at 8:00.
Is the bar broken?" I thought to myself for a moment and waited.

Park at the gate when it opens and go straight to the plum grove.
Flowering has just begun.
Still, some trees are blooming well and are fragrant.
Although I was unable to photograph them, I did see a few white-eyes here and there.
What a treat to even see Mt. Fuji over the plum grove.
I kept clicking the shutter until just before 9:00 a.m., a very satisfying morning.

Abstract plum blossoms photographed in Hanegi Park.

Meetings with friends are on schedule. Time management is completed in my personal life. Main business will be implemented in the future.
For lunch, we went to Sanuki Udon Jobe near Kamifukuoka Station.
Former Giant and Jobe pitcher's restaurant.
It's cheap, tasty, and crowded. I can see why.

Shooting, getting lost, waiting, laughing,
See friends, eat good food.
It was a good day.

Dear family, I am so sorry for this week.
But I will probably say the same thing next week.

Tama River Bridge (Hachiko Line)｜Reflection of the bridge and water surface in the morning glow

This photo was taken at the Tama River Bridge (Hachiko Line) in the quiet early morning hours, timed for the morning glow as the sky gradually turns red, with the silhouette of the bridge reflected in the water and reflections in mind.

Tamagawa Bridge (Hachiko Line)｜A Moment of a Train Running in the Morning Sky

This photo was taken on video at the Tama River Bridge (Hachiko Line) as a screenshot of a train running in the early morning glow.

Hanegi Park｜Ume blossoms against the blue sky

This photo was taken in Hanegi Park, with plum blossoms blooming vigorously against a clear blue sky.

Hanegi Park｜Ume blossoms with formative beauty

This photo was taken at Hanegi Park, where I selected beautifully shaped plum blossoms and used slightly darker tones to create a calmer impression.

Hanegi Park｜A winter morning with plum blossoms and Mt.

This photo was taken in Hanegi Park, combining a distant view of Mt. Fuji with a plum tree.

Hanegi Park｜Scenery of blue sky and spreading ume (plum) grove

This photo was taken in Hanegi Park, where plum trees line the plum grove, along with the expansive blue sky.

Photography Diary January 18, 2026 Operation Boomerang in Minami-Boso. Going to see cherry blossoms and white-eyes

The day was named "Operation Minami-Boomerang. It all started the night before, when I got into my futon and heard a piece of information that jumped into my ears. It was in Minami-Boso, Chiba.lakefront parkI heard that the cherry blossoms are already in bloom, and the white-eyes are coming in like crazy. ...... Wait a minute, it's January! Cherry blossoms already? And a white-eye festival? If I hear something like that, I'm screwed. A little green bird starts chirping in my head, and I am completely turned on.

I woke up at 4:00 a.m. as usual. I left a few words, "I'll be back by noon," and set off almost without any hesitation. I just wanted to see my white-eyes, that was all I cared about.

We drove safely, not at a brisk pace, via the Gaikan ring and the Metropolitan Expressway. We arrived at Kamogawa just before dawn. I was thinking how beautiful the ocean was when I arrived at my destination.lakefront parkI went to the The first thing I thought when I arrived was, "Oh, we are on top of a mountain. And on top of the mountain, the early-blooming cherry trees were almost in full bloom. With about 60 cherry trees, rape blossoms, and daffodils, it was already a springtime traffic jam.

First.Morning glow from the mountain topphotographed. No, this alone is worth the visit.Then daffodils. Great with the morning glow.And the shutter doesn't stop. And finally, the main dish of the day. It's not just a question of "Is there a white-tailed dog here? Yes, they are. There are so many of them. It was a complete white-eye heaven. Flying, perching, pecking, flying again. There were even a couple of white-tailed godwits in action, so this was more of a training session than a photo shoot. The number of pictures keeps increasing, but I decided not to look into the future of editing.

Before you know it, a lot of time has passed. However, I have a commitment to return home at noon. ...... is just one more place to go, please. So,Kamogawa Nanohana RoadI had been here before, but this time it was in full bloom. I had been here before, but this time it was in full bloom. Yellow carpets as far as the eye could see. I took a lot of pictures, both with forward light and backlight. Yes, I was very satisfied. I was able to photograph the first white-eye of the year, so I have no regrets.

The return trip went smoothly without traffic jams, and we got home safely around noon. After lunch, we went back to another mission in the afternoon. My son's driving practice resumed. This time, we took the Tohoku Expressway from the Gaikan Ring Road to "Michi no Eki Sakai" (Roadside Station). This is a roadside station that I personally like a lot, and it is a fun place with Okinawan collaborations. We bought mandarin oranges, hoshi-imo, sake, etc., and completed a nice side trip.

There is also Sekijuku Castle nearby, which I recognized again as a place I often see on Instagram. I made a mental note to come back in the evening when Mt.

The return trip was smooth with no traffic. My son drove, and it was a pleasant drive. It was a day with a lot of travel from the morning, but we had a great day of shooting and driving practice. It was a very satisfying and intense day.

The sun rising through the trees

This photo was taken at the moment the sun rises through the cherry trees at Hokoen (Minamiboso).

Daffodil and morning glow

This photo was taken at Hokoen (Minamiboso), where the combination of daffodils and the morning glow was captured.

Hokoen (Minamiboso)｜Dignified white-eye and early-blooming cherry blossoms

This photo was taken at Hokoen (Minami-Boso), where dignified white-eyes and early-blooming cherry trees line up.

Hokoen (Minamiboso)｜Daffodils shining in the light

This photo was taken at Hohkoen (Minamiboso), where the daffodil flowers shine in the light in an impressive way.

Hokoen (Minami-Boso)｜The moment of dynamic spreading of wings

This photo was taken at Hohko-en (Minamiboso) in a dynamic moment of a white-tailed godwit spreading its wings on a tree branch.

The moment when their beaks meet

This photo was taken at Hohkouen (Minamiboso) and captures the moment two white-tailed godwits on a cherry tree put their beaks together.

Kamogawa Rape Blossom Road｜Focus on the rape blossoms that are illuminated

This photo was taken on the Kamogawa Rape Blossom Road, focusing on the light hitting the shaped rape blossoms.

Kamogawa Rape Blossom Road｜Spacious rape blossom fields

This photo was taken at Kamogawa Rape Blossom Road with a composition that shows a spacious field of rape blossoms in a relaxed manner.

Photography Diary January 17, 2026 - A day of shooting in Gotanda and side trips with a novice driver

The day started out with a bit of an eventful morning. The day before, my son had finally, really finally, obtained his driver's license, and we decided to practice. However, I was surprised when I heard where we were going. It was Gotanda, Tokyo. And it was the first day of getting his license. No, no, no, that's too high a hurdle, no matter how much I want to go there. I thought to myself, "I'm not going to use the highway," "I'm not going to overdo it," and "I'm going slowly.

The departure time is 10:00 a.m. Oh, 10:00 a.m.? Then the time until then is completely mine. Yes, yes, I understand.

So we woke up at 5:00 am as usual. I got up, got ready right away, and went to the standard spot ofArakawa bankWe headed to the We arrived before dawn and stood by in the quiet air. As I waited, thinking that a spectacular sunrise might not be possible because of the clouds, the sky slowly began to lighten. The clouds were sitting on the horizon, so it was not a fiery sunrise, but the sunrise had a somewhat disturbing and heavy atmosphere. This is not so bad. It's more of a "a lot is going to happen today" sky, which I personally quite like. Satisfaction.

Then we headed toOmiya No.2 ParkI saw on Instagram that the ume (Japanese apricot) trees were beginning to bloom. I saw information on Instagram that the plum blossoms were beginning to bloom, so I dropped by to do some reconnaissance. The parking lot was already open and there were a few people there. I went straight to the plum grove without hesitation. The state of blooming varied from tree to tree, but there were some trees that I thought, "Oh, these are in full bloom," giving me the impression that the season was almost over. Still, I took good pictures while looking for a place with good branches.

In addition, in the parkDaffodils were also in bloom, and I used the morning light to take sparkling ball blur photos.It is quite a luxurious time in the morning. It is quite a luxurious time in the morning. I returned home with petit satisfaction.

After breakfast, we finally departed for Gotanda. To be honest, I was a little nervous because I rarely sit in the passenger seat, but when we started driving, the driver was surprisingly calm. He was also checking for safety, and I thought to myself, "Oh, isn't he better than I thought he'd be? Isn't he better than I thought he would be? That was my honest impression. Probably much better than when I got my license. I was a little concerned about some points unique to Tokyo, such as changing lanes at intersections, but for a first day with a driver's license, it was probably a good performance. Am I an idiot? Yes, I am aware of it.

We arrived at the venue about 90 minutes later. While my son was shopping for snowboarding equipment, I stayed in the car. I asked him if he wanted me to drive him home, but he said, "I'll drive you home too. Oh, that's very encouraging. Then, let's ask him to be a little more selfish.

So, there are only two stops.
First.Kameido TenjinI got out of the car quickly and took a picture for about 10 minutes. I quickly got out of the car and took pictures for about 10 minutes. Plum blossoms, white plum blossoms, daffodils, etc., were blooming at the entrance, and I realized that it was early this year.

NextUeno ParkI was parked at the perfect spot and quickly took a 10-minute photo. I was parked at the right spot again and quickly took a 10-minute photo. The fountain square and ice tulips looked great. This “touch-and-go shooting” method is surprisingly excellent. Parking is expensive in Tokyo, and it may be easier to concentrate on a short period of time. I am thinking of contracting my son as a part-time driver.

So, while accompanying my son's driving practice, I was able to enjoy shooting in between. It was a good day off, with a good mix of tension and fun.

Arakawa bank｜A sign of morning glow before sunrise

This photo was taken on the bank of the Arakawa River in the dim morning glow atmosphere before the sun rose.

Omiya Daini Park｜Bright and soft plum blossoms

This photo was taken at Omiya Park No. 2, where the plum blossoms are brighter and softer.

Omiya Daini Park｜Daffodils in Tamaboke

This photo was taken of daffodil flowers in Omiya No. 2 Park with a ball blur background.

Kameido Tenjin｜A little daffodil from the fence

This photo was taken at Kameido Tenjin, where daffodils peek out from the fence.

Ueno Onshi Park｜Focus on red with yellow blurring in the foreground

This photo was taken in Ueno Onshi Park with the red tulips in focus and the yellow in the foreground blurred.

Ueno Onshi Park｜Yellow tulips and pond

This photo was taken in Ueno Onshi Park, with the yellow tulips and the pond together.

Photography Diary January 11, 2026 Morning glow dud, winds explode, but still a satisfying trip to Kanagawa

On this day, I went to Kanagawa in the morning.
Let's photograph the morning glow and plum blossoms!" This is a day of "Let's shoot the morning glow and plum blossoms!
Even though I had come home late the day before to see the icicle lights, I woke up at 4:00 am.
I am restless. I am a person who is in a hurry. Ha-ha-ha.

First, we will aim for the morning glow at Inamuragasaki.
I'm just fired up. I set out while it was still dark and bought a BOSS café au lait as usual.
By the way, the coupon is gone. But I will buy it as it is.
It's what you want. Completely.

While cheating sleepiness with a café au lait, the music was Clipse's 2025 album.
We approach the site through the Metropolitan Expressway, the Tomei Expressway, and a highway that feels like a barrier, as if to say, "How many times can we stop here? We are approaching the site after passing through the Metropolitan Expressway, the Tomei Expressway, and the expressway, which has a sense of a barrier.

...... Huh?
Stars, no.
Not a single one, no.

'Daily routine?' I doubted myself for a moment,
Yes, it was completely cloudy.
Morning glow? What's that? State of affairs.

That's enough.
On days like this, it is adults who do not drag it out.
It will clear up sooner or later anyway. Give up on the sunrise quickly and move on to the next.

So, to keep away from the disaster of "fogging up while shooting",
Famous in all directions.Samukawa ShrineThe first time you visit the hotel, you will be heading to the
When I arrived at the restaurant, thinking that it might be a little early, or that it might not be open, I found that something was wrong.

Traffic jam.
And it's not just a traffic jam.

Yes, January.
I completely underestimated the timing.
Ridiculous people, people, people. The lines in all directions are just amazing.
This time, due to time constraints, we were not able to visit the Happo Yoshiwara, but we did pay a visit to the temple.
I'll come properly next time," he declared in his mind.

The precincts of the temple are lined with food stalls. Takoyaki, yakisoba, this and that.
This liveliness, it has been a long time.
We didn't see the sunrise, but this was a good time.

Well, it looks like it's about to clear up, so next up.Odawara Flower GardenTo.
Plum blossoms and daffodils are beginning to bloom.
Frankly, I feel like I come here every year.
And I feel like I take pictures of the same little pink plum trees every year.
But that's okay.
You can take as many pictures of your favorite subject as you like.

We stayed quite a while, so what's next?
Yokosuka or Atami?
The final decision is made by looking at the sky.
It's Yokosuka today."Soleil HillThe first time you visit the hotel, you will be heading to the

But first, let's get hungry.
The desire to eat ramen suddenly arose, and I stumbled upon Odawara Tamen Sohonten.
The name already sounds delicious.
We shared the Odawara tanmen and fried yakisoba, which was a great decision.
Both are delicious.
This is a repeat case for sure.

Full stomachs and a fresh start.
Soleil HillNow, I will try to capture "rape blossoms and Mt.

The .......

On this day in Kanagawa Prefecture, the wind was just strong.
Strong winds or storms.
The level of agitation when holding up the camera.
I managed to cope by increasing the shutter speed.
To be honest, it was quite a struggle, but I think I just barely managed to get the shot.

I'm getting tired by now, and I think it's time to go home,
I was walking around the park, thinking, "Let's go around first."
The ocean seen from the top of the cliff at the far end is the most beautiful.

The stronger the wind, the rougher the waves.
The waves splash and are very powerful.
I took many shutterbugs here as well.

What was even more surprising was that you could go down to the beach. I had no idea.
Once you get down there, this is a different world.
It is too powerful and a bit scary.
The water splashes and it doesn't look good for the camera, so we left after a moderate amount of time.

I didn't see the sunrise, though,
The flowers, the sea, and the wind, all in all, a satisfying day.

The days that don't go the way you want them to, the more memorable they are."
With these thoughts in mind, I headed home.

Nebuta decorating the entrance of Samukawa Shrine

This photo was taken at the Samukawa Shrine to document the Nebuta of the Year of Noon set up at the entrance.

Odawara Flower Garden｜Fluffy plum blossoms in front focus

This photo was taken at the Odawara Flower Garden with the beautiful plum blossoms in the foreground in focus and the back largely blurred.

Odawara Flower Garden｜Peering white plum blossoms through pink

This photo was taken at the Odawara Flower Garden of white plum blossoms over pink plum blossoms.

Odawara Flower Garden｜Daffodil from diagonally above

This photo was taken at the Odawara Flower Garden of paperwhite daffodils from above at an angle and composed in such a way that the shape of the flower is easy to recognize.

Soleil Hill｜Rape blossoms in focus, Fuji softly

This photo was taken at Soleil Hill, with the field of rape blossoms in focus and the distant Mt.

Soleil Hill｜A scene from a trip where objects are reflected

This photo was taken at Soleil Hill of the "SOLEIL" objects installed in the park.

Soleil Hill｜Rough seas and Mt.

This photo was taken at Soleil Hill and captures the view of the rugged ocean seen from high above and the distant Mt.

Soleil Hill｜Combination of rocky terrain and splashing waves

This photo was taken at Soleil Hill, combining the craggy rocks with the spray from the waves.

Photography Diary January 10, 2026 Full course of icicles, starting with a car inspection, mostly haphazard

The day was unquestionably sunny.
However, I had a slightly less dreamy and less romantic schedule: a one-year inspection of my car in Nerima starting at 11:00 a.m.
In the last five years or so, the mileage has been about 100,000 km. The pace is 20,000 kilometers per year. It could be said that I drive too much, but the memories are accumulating as well. Since they work hard and are taken around a lot, inspections are important. This is already like a preparatory exercise before a photo shoot.

In the morning, I worked diligently on updating the blog.
Just when you think, "Okay, that sounds good," you look at your watch and it's time to go. It's the same story every time.
The inspection was completed successfully in about 60 minutes. In addition, I also completed the renewal of my son's limited driver's license because he is finally getting his license.
The feeling of "Here we are at last," and the ulterior motive of "The day when I can ask you to drive for me is near at hand.

Outside, the sky is still full of motivation.
I was convinced that "today is not the day to go home like this," even though no one had told me otherwise.
A place I could go in the afternoon: ...... Yes, the three major icicles of Chichibu.
I found myself in Chichibu for navigation. I am the type who moves before thinking.

First.icicle in MisotsuchiThe following is a list of the most common problems with the "C" in the "C" column.
The icicles lining the cliffs along the river are as spectacular as ever. The temperature is low and the air is crisp.
Here's a serious fact you'll notice. I left my tripod in the car.
For a moment, I wondered whether I should go back to get it, but I quickly decided, "Well, I guess today is hand-held training.
The result is dark, blurred, and more excuses.
But strangely, I don't feel bad. I am strangely convinced, "That's the kind of day it is today."

After the photo shoot, I bought miso at the store.
It instantly brought back memories of the delicious taste I used to buy. I forget the setting of the photo, but the memory of the taste is never blurred. Human beings are a wonder.

NextIce Pillars in Onouchi ValleyThe following is a list of the most common problems with the "C" in the "C" column.
Suspension bridge, canyon, icicles. The composition is perfect.
However, there is almost no place to set up a tripod.
When you think, "Here it is," the line of flow of people; when you think, "If it's here," the footing is unstable.
Nature does not always spoil us. But it is fun.

Since we started in the afternoon, we noticed that the sky was the color of evening.
I said, "We have to hurry," and headed for the end,icicle atop a high pole (esp. in Kyoto and Osaka prefectures)The lights are on. Lighting up is the real work here.
The nights in Chichibu are really dark, but that makes for a very extraordinary experience.

Aim for the tripod-allowed area and walk equipped with a tripod and boots.
To be honest, I walked quite a bit more than I had imagined.
Still?" in my mind several times, I finally arrived at the restaurant.
There is a world of colorful glistening icicles. There are many people, but that is part of the winter event atmosphere.

Setting up a tripod for a long exposure challengeThe following is a list of the most common problems with the "C" in the "C" column.
The setting is half intuition. But there is a feeling that I gradually grasp each time I release the shutter.
I feel that photography responds well when you face it properly.

Although we left in the afternoon, we stayed until nighttime to conquer the three major icicles in Chichibu.
On the way home, we bought rice at a roadside station and ate it in the car.
A few parts went as planned. But the satisfaction level is high.
It's days like this that make me think I'll "just go out" again the next time.

Sanjutsuchi icicles｜A panoramic view of the icicles from the top of the cliff

This photograph of the icicles of Sanjutsuchi (三十槌) was taken by looking down from the top of the cliff where the parking lot is located and using a tripod to get a stable composition of the entire area.

Ice Pillars in Onouchi Valley｜A view overlooking the ice-covered valley

This photo was taken using the wide-angle mode of a smartphone, looking down on the icicles in Onouchi Gorge from the top of a suspension bridge, and conveys the sense of scale of the ice-covered gorge.

Onouchi Gorge Ice Pillars｜Pulling up the suspension bridge that stretches into the gorge

This photo of icicles in Onouchi Canyon shows a slightly pulled-back composition of a suspension bridge spanning an ice-covered canyon.

Ashigakubo icicles｜Illuminated icicles that turn red

This photo was taken in the tripod-accessible area of Ashigakubo icicles, with the icicles lit in red, using a tripod to emphasize the impact of the colors.

Ashigakubo icicles｜Icicles and human figures in the blue-green light

This photo was taken at Ashigakubo icicles, with the icicles lit in blue-green and a silhouette of a person, with the contrast between the light and the ice in mind.

Photography Diary January 3, 2026 Inubosaki Beyond the Snow, New Year's Holiday Not Over Yet

This year's New Year's holiday is a whopping six days.
It is a length of time that I can hardly remember when I counted it in my working life.
On the 2nd and 4th, I will be at home relaxing & working on my computer. This means that the three days in between - I have no choice but to move.

This day had been planned for some time.Inubosaki, ChibaSunrise photography at
However, from the evening of the 2nd, full-blown snow began to fall in Kawaguchi City.
Moreover, our car was not equipped with studless tires. I gave up at first, thinking, "This is impossible....

However, it rained during the night and then cleared up.
The road conditions look fine. This...can work.
So, I woke up at 3:00 a.m. again. I definitely wake up earlier on my days off.

The highway is deceptively snow-free.
But as we approached Inubosaki, the scenery became snowier and snowier.
This was careful...well, super-careful. We proceeded slowly and surely, arriving safely just before sunrise.

Because it was the 3rd, there were fewer people than expected.
And the view in front of me is just perfect. The snow that fell during the night remains,
The ocean, a lighthouse, and snow. The combination, which is not often seen, raises the tension at once.

I found myself unable to stop releasing the shutter.
Cold? I don't feel it. Probably.

After the shoot, we visited the previous summerManganji TempleAfter a short stop at the "K" (the "K" in Japanese) to photograph the quiet precincts of the temple, we headed north.
NextKashima ShrineI visited the shrine at The crowd here was quite the turnaround. It is indeed a popular place.

Further north,National Hitachi Seaside ParkTo. While strolling in the park, I took pictures of ice tulips and wax plum blossoms.
Winter flowers are not flashy, but they are good.

I did not go deep that day and went home early. Looking back,
I feel that we really moved well from the end of the year to the beginning of the new year.

I would like to get through the year at this rate, though,
One practical problem. I took too many pictures, too many pictures. I can't finish organizing .......

I thought to myself, "I'll have a whole day on the 4th to organize photos."
It was still a wonderful day.

Inubosaki｜The dazzling morning sea

This photograph captures the intense sunlight and the sea at Inubosaki.

Inubosaki｜Brightening Beach

This photograph was taken at Inubōzaki, capturing the sunrise and the sandy beach covered in snow from the previous day, shot with a slightly brighter exposure.

Lake Tanuki｜Mountains reflected in the lake

This photograph captures the moment when Mount Fuji first became visible and reflected on Lake Tanuki during the sunrise on January 1st.

Manganji Temple｜Morning in the Fields and Temple

This photo was taken at Manganji Temple, showing the fields and temple with snow remaining from the previous day.

Kashima Shrine｜Winter Reflections on the Pond

This photo was taken at Kashima Jingu Shrine to show the lonely Mitarashi Pond.

Hitachi Seaside Park｜The Expansive Flower Beds

This photograph captures the ice tulip flower beds at Hitachi Seaside Park.

Hitachi Seaside Park｜Shimmering Pampas Grass

This photograph captures the sparkling silver grass and blue sky at Hitachi Seaside Park.

National Hitachi Seaside Park｜Fragrant Winter Jasmine

This photo was taken at Hitachi Seaside Park, capturing the fragrant waxflowers.

Photography Diary January 1, 2026 First Sunrise Starts Cloudy, But Still a Miracle Happens

Happy New Year!
We look forward to working with you again this year.

Now, the New Year's Eve, December 31, 2025, will be celebrated at the No Way to Go Club.
It was indeed a much more secure experience than staying in the car. Civilization is amazing.

Then January 1. As on the previous day, we woke up at 3:00 AM.
I was ready to go. and making a mysterious onomatopoeic sound, he prepared and immediately set out.
I move as soon as I have an idea, and this is my style.

We were headed for a sudden change of plans the day before.Tanuki LakeThe following is a list of the most common problems with the "C" in the "C" column.
Yes, today is the first sunrise of the year. I had heard that it would be crowded anyway, so I was a bit nervous as I headed there, but thanks to my early arrival, I managed to park successfully.
But when I look around, I see people people people people .......
It creates a strange sense of solidarity, as if to say, "We all think alike.

That's all well and good, but here is the biggest problem.
It's cloudy. No, it's quite cloudy. And snow? Sleet? It even started to rain.
What, since New Year's Day?" For a moment, it felt like the year was already over.

However.
Miraculously, there are no clouds in one part of the sky where the sun is about to rise.
That's really the only place. It was as if a spotlight was shining on it, and light began to shine through it.

The sky gradually brightens.
In the mystical atmosphere, I was able to safely see the first sunrise of the year, and I was already very satisfied with that.
Fuji at sunrise, but as the sun rose, Mt.

I returned home early that day and had plans to have dinner with my family, so it was time to move out.
...but I took a little detour.

On the way home, I had been curious about it for a while.Oobuchi SasabaTo.
This is a preliminary inspection for the new tea season.
The combination of the deep green tea fields and Mt. Fuji was so beautiful that I couldn't help but promise in my heart that I would come back.

After overcoming the Tomei and Metropolitan Expressway (which for some reason was very crowded), we returned home around noon.
We ate dinner and went on a first visit to the temple,
Thus, New Year's Day 2026 was a quiet but satisfying day.

Lake Tanuki｜The tranquility of the pier and boats

This photograph captures the scene of the lake pier and boats at Tanuki Lake during the first sunrise of the year on January 1st, just as the sun began to appear.

Lake Tanuki｜Overlapping Skirts and Light

This photograph was taken at Lake Tanuki at sunrise on January 1st, capturing the base of Mount Fuji and the sunlight together.

Lake Tanuki｜Mountains reflected in the lake

This photograph captures the moment when Mount Fuji first became visible and reflected on Lake Tanuki during the sunrise on January 1st.

Ōfuchi Sasaba | Tea Fields and Towering Mountains

This photograph captures the view of the expansive tea fields at Ōbuchi Sasaba with Mount Fuji towering in the background.