Photography Diary, July–December 2026: Walking Through the Kanto Region in Search of the Seasons

Shooting Diary: July 11, 2026—Hurry Up and Get on That Train! Chasing Lotus Flowers and Wind Chimes—A Train-and-Bus Trip That Feels Great! —The Story of the Old Man Who Realized His Nose Needed an Update—

I'm writing this diary entry on Tuesday, July 14.

I happened to check the weather forecast for the next day, and the high was 37 degrees.

37 degrees...

It's not so much the temperature as it is my body temperature.

The moment I stepped outside,

"I have a slight fever today."

It's the kind of thing that would make you believe it if someone told you that.

As I watched the elementary school students on their way to school, a thought suddenly occurred to me.

Were summers really this hot when I was in elementary school?

When I looked into it, it seems that while there were certainly hot days, the heat wasn’t life-threatening on a daily basis like it is now.

Back in the day,

"It's supposed to be 30 degrees today! It's hot, isn't it?"

But now, whenever I hear it's 30 degrees,

"It's a bit more comfortable today, isn't it?"

I end up making a face like that.

Humankind has taken a slightly wrong turn in adapting to the heat.

In the summer, there are so many things I want to photograph—sunflowers, wind chimes, fireworks, and summer festivals.

On the other hand, both the camera and the smartphone are piping hot.

The photographer was drenched in sweat.

I was on the edge of my seat, at least emotionally.

Should I protect the camera, or save my own life?

Of course, I have to follow both rules, but it’s easy to lose track of the order while filming.

"Ouch, the camera's hot!"

The very next moment after I thought that, I realized I was getting pretty worked up myself.

To everyone on the daytime filming crew.

Don't forget to stay hydrated, wear a hat, and use sunscreen.

Apply sunscreen until you feel like you've used a little more than you need.

It's okay if it looks a little white.

The subject is the one in the photo.

That's not our face.

Let's Talk About Perfume Right Off the Bat

This might come out of the blue, but I'm going to change the subject.

This is about perfume.

"How about a photo diary?"

You might think so, but this is a photography journal.

However, I didn't say we'd only be talking about filming.

Earlier this year, my son got his driver's license.

It seems he's been going out for ramen with his friends night after night lately.

This is the Yamaoka family.

I suppose the young people’s nights will slip away along with their ramen.

One morning, when I got into my car, a mysterious scent filled the interior.

Hair product?

Hair growth treatment?

It’s a scent that’s really hard to describe—one that isn’t registered in my olfactory database.

When night fell, I asked my son about it.

"Do you know what that smell in the car is?"

He says he has no idea what it might be.

I thought it was probably my friend's hair gel or something, but the next day, my wife found a bottle of perfume in our son's room.

He brings it over with a smirk on his face.

The culprit was perfume.

Plus, it's quite pricey.

The scent is "Fig," which is all the rage right now.

It's a fig.

After doing some research, it seems that juicy scents like fig and melon have been popular lately.

I see.

In our day, when you thought of perfume, you thought of CK One.

Wrapped in a refreshing citrus scent,

"I'm kind of a city guy."

He was doing his absolute best to convey that kind of vibe.

But these days, it's all about figs and melons.

Where has our CK One gone?

Upon further research, it seems there are even scents with names like “Forest of Sunbeams” and “Mossy Spring.”

The scent of moss.

It's a little concerning.

And so, my sense of smell, too, is slowly evolving from the Showa and Heisei eras into the Reiwa era.

Well, the shoot is finally set for July 11.

Believe it or not, I took the train that day.

The reason is simple.

It was because the car had broken down.

During our trip to Niigata last week, my wife...

"Isn't that noise kind of loud?"

I realized that.

After having it checked at the dealership, it turned out to be a faulty hub bearing.

Photographers are sensitive to changes in the scenery, but surprisingly oblivious to unusual noises coming from their cars.

Repairs will begin at 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, July 11.

In other words, even if I leave early in the morning, I have to be back home by around 2:00 p.m.

Actually, I wanted to go see the sunflowers in Choshi or the lavender at Oishi Park.

But I don't have a car.

Since you can't defy fate, I thought about places I could reach by train and decided on the Ofuna Flower Center.

I woke up at 3:30 a.m.

I'm riding my bike to the station.

I'm really looking forward to catching the first train.

Along the way, the sunrise was beautiful, so I took a few photos.

If the sun is in the right spot, maybe I can get a shot of the train and the sunrise together?

Could there be a hidden scenic spot in my neighborhood that I haven't discovered yet?

With those thoughts in mind, I headed toward the station.

I parked my bike at a coin-operated parking lot and set off on the Keihin-Tohoku Line.

The Ofuna Flower Center opens at 7:00 a.m.

Since I had a little time, I decided to stop by Shinobazu Pond in Ueno first.

Early in the morning at Ueno Station, there are lots of young people who appear to be coming home from a night out.

Among them was a middle-aged man carrying a camera bag on his back.

Young people come home in the morning.

Uncle is doing his morning routine.

Even though it’s the same early morning, the direction of their lives is completely different.

Shinobazu PondThere were already a lot of people taking pictures of the lotus flowers there.

We're comrades.

I'm Comrade Oji.

"Comrade Uncle, take a picture of the lotus."

A phrase I didn't understand popped into my head, but it's early in the morning, so I guess that's to be expected.

The lotus flowers didn't seem to be in full bloom yet, but I looked for some that were blooming beautifully and took some photos.

There were wind chimes on display, but the light was still dim.

Deciding to come back later, I head toward Ofuna.

On the train,

Sound asleep
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YouTube
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Instagram Shorts
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Sound asleep

We arrived after repeating this several times.

I realized that I was acting much the same way as my son.

Take the bus from Ofuna Station to the nearest stop, “Okamoto.”

We arrived around 8 o'clock.

I didn't make it right when the park opened, but it turned out okay.

Ofuna Flower CenterSince it was during the early-morning opening period for the lotus flowers, the park was bustling with people.

It seems the staff are giving a presentation on lotus flowers, and everyone is listening intently.

As soon as I enter the park, I turn left right away.

Photos over explanations.

Practical experience over theory.

I'm heading straight to the lotus corner.

Pink, white, light colors, dark colors.

There were many beautiful lotus flowers in bloom.

Lotus flowers are really easy to photograph.

Just seeing them blooming there makes for a beautiful scene.

I wish I could just stand there and look like a work of art, but in reality, I'm just a sweaty old guy with a camera.

In addition to lotus flowers, I also photographed wind chimes, hydrangeas, and yellow cosmos.

The sunflowers looked like they were about to bloom.

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

If you're coming all the way to Ofuna, you'll probably go to Kamakura, too.

I'll take the bus back to Ofuna Station, then take the train to Kamakura.

I realized that while I was in the car.

The guy sitting next to me smells like melon.

Another juicy one.

I never thought I’d notice a perfume trend twice in just a few days.

Maybe this really is the era of melons and figs.

Even now, from my days when my sense of smell was still intact, citrus scents still have a calming effect on me.

Your nose needs an update.

On the walk from Kamakura Station to Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine, there were lots of restaurants that looked delicious.

It sounds like fun to go on a food tour.

And as I looked at the row of cherry trees lining the approach, I found myself thinking.

"This place must be amazing during cherry blossom season. I'd like to come back next year."

……I feel like I thought the same thing last year.

It seems that notes in my head aren't saved.

An approximately 500-meter-long avenue of cherry trees stretching from the Second Torii Gate to the Third Torii Gate.

I'd like to try my hand at early-morning time-lapse photography.

The lotus flowers at Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine seem to be just a little bit away from their peak blooming season.

Even so, white lotus flowers were blooming here and there.

White lotuses, white doves, and banners.

After taking lots of photos of things that caught my eye, I wrapped up my photo shoot at Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine.

So, what should we do from here?

I'll be home at 2:00 p.m.

There's still a little time left.

Should we eat?

Should I keep filming?

I opened my smartphone and asked Chappy for advice.

"I'm in Kamakura—is there anywhere I can take pictures of lotus flowers, wind chimes, or sunflowers?"

Then,

."Kōmyō-ji Temple"What do you think? The lotus flowers are beautiful."

That was the response.

Hohoho.

I like you.

So, we headed to Komyo-ji Temple.

By the way, how do you all usually interact with Chappy?

"Please draw a picture of how I usually treat you."

If you ask them to, they'll draw an illustration of your relationship with Chappy.

In my case, Chappy...

"Thanks for always being so kind to me. I love you! Mwah!"

They were portrayed as having a pretty good relationship, as if they were saying that.

There wasn't any "Chu!" though...

However, for some reason, I was depicted as a woman.

I am a man.

Plus, he's an older guy.

On the other hand, when my daughter asked for the same thing, smoke started coming out of Chappy Computer, and it caught fire. There was a “pssh” sound.

I suppose it's because I tend to ask him too many difficult questions at school on a daily basis.

Please try to be kind to AI, too, if you can.

Kōmyō-ji Temple is about a 10-minute bus ride from Kamakura Station toward Zaimokuza.

The temple grounds had a serene atmosphere, and lotus flowers were blooming in the courtyard.

There was someone painting nearby, so I snapped a quick photo to avoid getting in their way.

It was a quiet place that made you want to take it easy.

The problem is the trip back.

The bus isn't coming.

I waited, but he didn't come.

Even when I look at the schedule, I still feel a little uneasy.

It's about a 30-minute walk to Kamakura Station.

I'm walking now!

Just as I made up my mind and was about to take a step forward, the bus arrived.

That's dangerous.

Just a little longer until “The Impatient Older Brother: The Episode Where He Dies in a Walking Accident"I was about to say that."

I took the bus back to Kamakura Station, and since I still had a little time left, I headed back to Ueno.

There wasn't enough light in the morning—I was there to photograph the wind chimes at Shinobazu Pond.

On the train, once again,

Sound asleep
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YouTube
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Instagram
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Sound asleep

It's no longer just about getting around—it's a rotation of sleeping and watching videos.

Amid strong winds,Shinobazu PondTaking a photo of a wind chime

When I arrived in Ueno, the sun was out.

All right.

With this setup, I should be able to take some nice photos of the wind chimes.

Just as I thought that, the wind picked up.

The wind chime sways, sways.

Since it's a wind chime, it's only natural that it sways.

But as a photographer, I wish they would just stop for a split second.

Since there was plenty of light, I used a fast shutter speed to take the photo.

The lotus flowers were completely closed, but I took plenty of photos of the wind chimes and called it a day.

カップヌードルBIGは高級料理

撮影を終え、急いで帰宅。

カップヌードルのシーフード味BIGを食べ、すぐにディーラーへ向かいました。

朝から何も食べずに動いた後のBIGは、もはや高級料理です。

修理には2時間ほどかかるとのこと。

待っている間は、パソコンで写真整理です。

整理
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Sound asleep
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整理

電車の中と大して変わりません。

修理を終え、車はすっかり元気になりました。

ディーラーさん、いつもありがとうございます。

おまけです。

7月12日は仕事と除草と撮影

翌日の7月12日は、早朝から会社で仕事。

私は「勝手にフレックス制度」を導入しているので、天気が悪い休日は仕事をすることがあります。

その代わり、平日に朝活や夕活をします。

もちろん、会社が正式に認めている制度ではありません。

私が勝手に、そう呼んでいるだけです。

仕事を片づけた後は、実家で伸び放題になった雑草に除草剤を散布。

私はなぜか、雑草を前にすると少しだけ戦闘的になります。

せっかく川越まで来たので、「Zenchōji Temple」で蓮を撮影し、さらに「Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine」で風鈴も撮影しました。

曇り空でしたが、少し明るさがあったので、何とか撮影成功。

初夏は、蓮と風鈴ですね。

そろそろ、ひまわりも咲き始めます。

開花情報を見ながら、毎日そわそわしています。

この週末も、たくさん歩いて、たくさん撮って、たくさん寝ました。

あ～楽しかったー！

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Photo Diary: July 4, 2026 — The "Kanto Rain-Weary Guy" Escapes to Niigata in Search of Sunshine ~A "Niigata-Style" Weekend Photo Diary~

I'm writing this diary entry on July 7.
I'm planning to go to a sports-related trade show today. Since I have some personal business afterward, I need to be back by 5:30 p.m.

...And yet, my mind wasn't on planning my work, but rather,

"I wonder if we can stop somewhere along the way to take some pictures?"

It's full of [...].

Work, trade shows, personal matters, and travel time.
A typical adult would focus on managing their schedule at this point.

But I'm different.
In my mind, I'm already carrying a camera bag.
I guess my priorities as a working adult are a little off.

Wind Chimes at Shinobazu Pond in UenoStarting July 10.
Forest Wind Chime Path (Nihonbashi)）Starting July 17.

Hmm, it's still a little early.

While getting through a busy morning, I consider where to take photos.
While I’ve been running my online store since early this morning, my mind is already off on a trip to the weekend weather forecast.

Summer is finally here.

This year, I’m hoping to take on the challenge of photographing fireworks displays—a field that’s still uncharted territory for me.

But I really want a mentor.

Everyone’s taking such beautiful photos of the fireworks, aren’t they?
The streaks of light flowed beautifully, like flowers blooming in the night sky.

On the other hand, what would happen if I took the photo?

"Wait, are these fireworks? Or is this some kind of art festival featuring camera shake?"

I can see a glimpse of that future.

Just how well can the Canon EOS R hold its own with older EF lenses?
Even though I know it’s skill over equipment, the problem is that my skills aren’t even at the warm-up stage—I’m still just tying my shoelaces.

Well, I’m going to suddenly share something that’s been bothering me lately.

This is the desk calendar at my workplace.
It’s the kind of calendar where January and July, and February and August, are on opposite sides, but it seems I must have thrown that paper away as soon as January ended.

June has come to an end, and

"Ah, so half the year is already over..."

Just as I was getting a little sentimental, I realized July had flown by.

This is no time to get sentimental.
I was shaping my own future with my own hands.

That's just plain silly.
But I kind of like this side of myself.

I'm currently deciding whether to go without a July calendar or buy a new one.
As an adult, you should buy it.
As far as the topic goes, we should just let things be as they are.

But enough about that—back to my diary.

Saturday, July 4, 2026.
I went to Niigata that day.

The reason is simple.

It was because it was sunny only in Niigata.

"Huh, is that the reason?"

That's right. That's the reason.

June in the Kanto region was nothing but rain, rain, rain, clouds, clouds, rain, rain, rain.
As the head of the weekend photography team, it was quite a challenging situation for me.

For people who can only get out and about on the weekends, the weather on Saturday and Sunday is like a report card on their life.
If it's sunny, it's Yu.
It's okay if it's cloudy.
If it rains, there will be a makeup exam.

Amid all this, as I was poring over the weather forecast, it occurred to me.

"Niigata, Ijan"

Since it's on the Sea of Japan side, the weather is different from the Kanto region.
You're saying Niigata isn't part of the Kanto region?

Yes, I know.

I’m involved in various projects, mainly through a website called “Kanto Landscape Travelogue,” but I’m not a stuffy person.
I went to Shizuoka. I went to Yamanashi. I went to Nagano.
In that case, Niigata is also fine.

I'm the kind of guy who trusts the sunny weather icon more than the lines on a map.

My wife is coming along this weekend.
Taking my wife's opinion—she loves greenhouses—into account, here's what this lineup looks like.

Niigata’s Principal Shrine: Hakusan Shrine
Niigata Prefectural Botanical Garden
Echigo Hills National Park
Hydrangea Park (Tokamachi City)

I woke up at 2:30 that day.
It's not early morning. It's already nighttime.

We're leaving at 3 o'clock.
The reason is that I'll be passing through the Niiza Toll Plaza on the Kan-Etsu Expressway just before 4:00.
I think the late-night discount should apply.

Yes, that should be right.
He's the kind of guy who gets strangely particular about the numbers only at times like this.

While I tend to just shrug and say, “Oh, well,” when it comes to everyday shopping, I suddenly become a certified public accountant when it comes to highway toll discounts.
People are truly mysterious.

From the Outer Ring Road to the Kan-Etsu Expressway.
Normally, I’d say, “It arrived in the blink of an eye,” but this time was different.

Nothing but a straight line.
A straight line all the way.

Junction and turns help take my mind off things, but driving straight ahead the whole time is surprisingly tough.
Maybe life, just like a highway, is less boring when there are a few turns along the way.

Amid all this, my wife predicts an ominous event that will occur later.

"Isn't this car noisy?"

Hmm.
My current car is a reliable companion for city driving and hauling cargo, but it does make quite a bit of noise on the highway.

I'd love to drive a Lexus or something like that.
However, for now, I’m just a Lexus fan at heart.
The contents of my wallet reflect reality accurately.

At the time, I just brushed it off, thinking, “Well, I guess that’s just how it is.”
This is later fully resolved.

The first place I visited was, in the early morning, to photograph lotus flowers, “Niigata’s Principal Shrine: Hakusan Shrine".
I was looking forward to the Wind Chime Festival, which is currently underway, and it was even better than I imagined.

First, the lotus pond.
They're in full bloom. They're beautiful. They're the best.

I really do want to photograph lotus flowers against the light.
I just can't get enough of the way the petals look translucent.
The lotus flowers bathed in the morning light are truly beautiful, aren't they?

And wind chimes.
Colorful wind chimes were hanging all over the shrine.

The sun is out for the first time in a while.
Lotus flowers, wind chimes, hydrangeas.

At this point, I'm already satisfied with how much footage I've shot today.
It's still morning, but I already feel like I'm in the end credits.

Thank you, Hakusan Shrine.

When I think of Hakusan Shrine, I’m reminded of the hydrangea festival at Hakusan Shrine in Bunkyo Ward, Tokyo, but the Hakusan Shrine in Niigata was truly wonderful as well.
I'm glad I came.

Next, we're heading to,Niigata Prefectural Botanical GardenThe following is a list of the most common problems with the "C" in the "C" column.
However, since there was still some time before it opened, I decided to stop by Fukushima Lake.

Since we were there anyway, we decided to take the coastal route, and along the way, “Yorii BeachGo to.
Living in the Kanto region, when I think of the ocean, I tend to picture the Pacific Ocean, so seeing the Sea of Japan is definitely a new experience.

The water was crystal clear, and although I couldn't make it all the way to the sandy beach, I was able to fully enjoy the ocean air.

I stopped by there afterwardFukushima LakeIt is a natural spot that embodies the essence of Niigata, featuring waterways, wild birds, plants, and rural scenery.
We observed lotus flowers and water lilies.

There are a lot of people taking photos there, so I think it’s a place that’s loved by the locals.

At that moment, my wife said to the woman who was engrossed in taking photos,

"Going along to photo shoots is such a drag, isn't it?"

He was saying things like that.

The lady looked a little tense.
But it didn't seem like he was entirely opposed to the idea.

As wives of husbands who love photography, I suppose there’s something we understand about each other without even having to say a word.

I think there’s a “sense of solidarity among those who wait” there.
While I’m here taking pictures of lotus flowers, they’re over there cultivating patience.

After that, when you think of Niigata, you think of rice paddies.
The rural scenery in Niigata really is beautiful.

There are few obstructions, so you can see far into the distance.
A vast expanse where the rice fields seem to stretch all the way to the horizon.
Since I started taking photos, I’ve come to appreciate the beauty of scenes like this all over again.

Although I wasn't able to meet them this time due to time constraints, my sister and her husband live in Niigata.
It suddenly occurred to me that going there in the winter might be a good idea.

My car doesn't have studless tires, and I'm not used to driving on snowy roads.
But my sister and her husband have two cars. I'm sure they have studless tires.

So, does that mean you'll take me to see the snowy scenery?

Oh.
That's a brilliant idea.

I don't want to drive myself; I just want to take pictures of the snowy scenery.
It’s a pretty convenient way of thinking, but as a photographer, I want to be honest.

For lunch, I had rice balls at the "Agano" roadside station.
When you think of Niigata, you think of rice. It really is delicious.

The water is clean, and the food is delicious.
That's just cheating.

While eating a rice ball,

"Did rice always play such a central role?"

I thought to myself.

After that, I stopped by the roadside station “Tagami,” which my sister had told me about, and bought some vegetables and other items.
I actually quite enjoy buying local vegetables at roadside stations in the areas I visit.

When I buy vegetables at a roadside station while traveling, it makes me feel like someone who’s truly enjoying life.
Actually, I'm the kind of person who skips July on the calendar.

And finally,Niigata Prefectural Botanical GardenTo.

I hear this place has one of the largest greenhouses in the country, so it's my wife's destination.
It seems she wants to see the "Oogiba-shō."

To be honest, I wasn't that interested at first.
Even when I hear the term “Oogibashou,” my understanding of it is still limited to something like “something big.”

But if you see it from outside, it looks pretty cool against the sunset.
I hear that on southern islands, you can even watch it outdoors.

I want to go to a southern island.
I'd like to go under the pretext of taking photos.
If possible, I’d like to mentally classify my travel expenses as part of my photography equipment costs.

I didn't go inside the greenhouse; instead, I enjoyed taking pictures of the water lilies, hydrangeas, dragonflies, and other things in the outdoor garden.

We each do whatever we want and have fun.
This is how our family travels.

Even though we came together, we tend to go our separate ways once we're there.
It's not that we don't get along.
We're simply respecting each other's areas of expertise.
Probably.

The garden was also quite beautiful, with lots of water lilies in bloom.

Next, I headed to my destination, “Echigo Hills National Park".

As expected, the facilities at national parks are really well maintained.
There were lots of hydrangeas blooming on the spacious grounds, and it was really beautiful.

Especially the hydrangea staircase.
I really liked this.
It was a place that photography enthusiasts would absolutely love.

In the rose garden, the second flush of roses was also blooming beautifully.
It’s quite a treat to be able to enjoy both hydrangeas and roses.

By this point, my desire to take photos had been pretty much satisfied.
As far as my stomach is concerned, it’s like I’ve just finished a large set meal.
But when it comes to photos, that's a different story.

The last place I stopped by was,Hydrangea Park (Tokamachi City)The following is a list of the most common problems with the "C" in the "C" column.

It's located quite high up, and you have to walk up a narrow alley to get there.
It's the kind of thing that makes you wonder, "Is it really really ahead?"

At times like this, I always find myself thinking...

"Navi, are you sure this is the right way?"

But it’s often in places like this that you’ll find the best views waiting for you.

They were holding a festival here, and the atmosphere created by the lanterns and hydrangeas was absolutely beautiful.

And just like that, my trip to Niigata that day came to an end.

I thought I might be getting home late, but it only took a little over two hours to get home from Tokamachi City.
Niigata is a big place, but we might consider expanding our coverage to include areas as far as Nagaoka in the future.

Even though I call this a “Kanto Landscape Journey,” my scope is constantly expanding.
It might eventually turn into something like “A Journey Through the Landscapes of Eastern Japan.”

And the next day, Sunday.

We decided to go grocery shopping, and since my son was driving, I took the passenger seat.

Then, from the car—

"Woon"

That sound.

Is this it?
So this is what my wife was talking about.

I didn't really notice it from the driver's seat, but I could tell clearly from the passenger seat.
That's definitely strange.

I hurriedly called the dealer and had them inspect it that same day; they told me the hub bearing was faulty.

Well, with this many people on board, I guess it can't be helped.
But I'm really glad it didn't turn out to be anything serious.
It's scheduled to be repaired next week.

Come to think of it, my wife’s comment, “Isn’t this car noisy?” wasn’t just a casual observation.
That's a human sensor that can distinguish between different warning sounds.

I think that,

"It's a highway, so I guess that's to be expected."

...and played it.

And just like that, I dropped another spot in the rankings for my ability to detect crises at home.
I'm probably in last place.
Still, at least I got plenty of good photos.

And just like that, my Saturday-only trip to Niigata came to an end.

I drove all the way to Niigata in search of sunny weather, took photos of lotus flowers, wind chimes, hydrangeas, rice paddies, the Sea of Japan, water lilies, and even roses—and to top it all off, my car started making a strange noise.

It was quite an eventful weekend.

Even though I call this a “Kanto Landscape Journey,” my scope has expanded a bit once again.
But that's okay.

Niigata, Yijang.

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