Shibuya246

Mothers Day Japan

Shibuya246 — Sun, 12 May 2013 07:54:13 +0000

The weather is great today. Lots of people out taking advantage of the sunny weather on Mothers Day. I changed up my cameras today and took this one with the Sony NEX7. I have had the camera sitting around for about a year now and decided to give it another go after seeing Trey’s review here.

The discolouration in the top left and right of the photo is a bit annoying and something I would not have probably noticed from my Nikon D700, but its nice to use different equipment, and its also nice to know a small camera like the Sony NEX7 can produce good quality works with much less weight. I still prefer looking through the viewfinder of the D700 and knowing the shot is going to be what I expect and more, but sometimes I like to head out without deciding whether I am going to take photos or not, and that’s when it is nice to have a small camera in my pocket which can still deliver a result.

For those of you who don’t know Trey, he produces some very cool HDR and other photos from great places all around the world. His site is definitely worth a look on a daily basis. Trey also has a lot of tutorials explaining how he takes such great photography. If you want to find inspiration and get motivated with your photography then StuckInCustoms is the place.

Shirahige Jinja

Shibuya246 — Tue, 07 May 2013 09:57:37 +0000

Cycling around Lake Biwa over Golden Week, I got to see some great countryside. This was one of the standout views. Shirahige Jinja with its Torii Gate in the clear waters of the lake. Lots of people around here taking photos. Great atmosphere.

I had started my trip at from Biwako Ohashi at the southern end and worked my way anticlockwise, keeping the lake on my left as I cycled. Getting as far as Shirahige Jinja meant I didn’t have far to go until I reached my goal back at the starting point.

The roadway to cross to get to the Torii Gate. Quite busy at this time of year.

Biwako Cycling

Shibuya246 — Sun, 05 May 2013 12:34:55 +0000

I have been cycling around Lake Biwa in Shiga-ken for the last 3 days. The trip covered 160km and passed through some wonderful scenery. I didn’t manage to capture everything as my hands were kept mainly on the handle bars rather than on the camera shutter.

I just got back today and have a few photos of the trip to show. Here is the first couple of shots as a preview.

Plenty of wind to blow these carp

Stopping in for something to eat at “Village” near Lake Biwa

Has anyone else cycled around Lake Biwa? I would be interested to hear what you thought of it.

Hikone flowers

Shibuya246 — Wed, 01 May 2013 15:07:47 +0000

I took a brief visit to Hikone a few days ago. I didn’t get chance to see Hikone Castle yet. Maybe next time.

Biwako Ohashi

Shibuya246 — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 04:14:21 +0000

Taking a look at the Biwako Ohashi bridge from Kome Plaza

Princess Mononoke Forest

Shibuya246 — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 14:55:41 +0000

Nice mossy areas

Deer in the forest

Hard to find the path here

The rain made everything fresh

Interesting

The rock sizes and very green scenery was a stark contrast

Like a scene from the movie

Lots of years for this to grow wild

Vines wrapped around trunks

People used to live in the forest some years ago

These items are not rubbish and are part of the sites heritage

Items left from when people lived in the forest

Deer on the road before heading into the forest

Rock pools by the shore

The beach area had quite different views back towards the mountains

Mountain mist

A monkey hiding from me and the rain

Sakura at Kyoto Incline

Shibuya246 — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 07:38:42 +0000

Breathtaking

Spring Sakura

Catching a glimpse

Kimono with Sakura

embankments

Getting set for photos

Strolling

Kyoto poi

Closeup

Happy

Every man and his dog was out today in the great weather

So many trees

Details of the Incline

The old interchange between tracks and water

Sunny day

Playing in the park

Sakura wedding

Wouldn’t be Japan without the tour guides

A picnic with the city backdrop

Petals falling

Different shades

Nice

pink pink pink

Walking the rails

Everyone looking for a good photo spot

The dark and the pink

Spring

Contrast of pink with the blue sky

Tunnel under the incline

Moss Ocean House, Yakushima

Shibuya246 — Thu, 04 Apr 2013 04:55:20 +0000

I stayed at Moss Ocean House on Yakushima recently for 3 days and enjoyed a combination of warm ocean breezes with great views, rainy trekking in the World Heritage forests and some delicious food served up by the wonderful people at Moss Ocean House. I have many other photos to share from the trip, but first wanted to show some of the scenery from where I stayed. There is a link at the bottom to the official website for Moss Ocean House.

Moss Ocean House

Entrance

Wonderful breakfast

Welcome

The main house

Inside the house

Flowers

Sunset from back garden

Great mountain views

The people here were so friendly and nice. The food was great and it was difficult to have to think about leaving for the airport on the last day.

Official Site
Moss Ocean House

Yakushima Sunrise

Shibuya246 — Wed, 03 Apr 2013 13:32:03 +0000

I took a 3 day trip to Yakushima and came back with a few nice photos. Here are some rocks on the beach with a nice sunrise at Yakushima on my birthday.

Playing at the Temple

Shibuya246 — Thu, 28 Mar 2013 12:14:10 +0000

These children were enjoying themselves at the local temple. On a warm spring day it looks like a great place to play and pray.

Plum Blossoms

Shibuya246 — Thu, 21 Mar 2013 06:45:16 +0000

Some very nice plum blossoms our in Kyoto ahead of the more famous sakura season to follow

Spring Walk, Kyoto Gosho

Shibuya246 — Sun, 17 Mar 2013 04:05:26 +0000

Beautiful Spring day

Palace Gardens

Deciding where to focus

Catching the blend

Contrast of colors

Easy strolling

Good weather to take your rabbit to play in the park

Everyone gathering around this one tree

Different colors

Some suitcase laden travellers on the right hand of the picture

Spring is here

Nice weather

Plum blossoms

Starting to see some nice colors here

Yoshida Jinja Sunset

Shibuya246 — Mon, 11 Mar 2013 03:01:13 +0000

The light falls on the stairs

At the base of Yoshida Jinja

Impressive wall

Nighttime lanterns

Climbing up the hill

2 Jinjas on the path

Trees highlighted by the sun

The sky changes color

Time to make a choice

Quite a large forest area for being so close to the city

The view towards Daimonji

Daimonji close up

Cafe in the woods

Unspoken words

The sun sets

Walking the trail

The sun dropping in to the trees

One of the gates to Yoshida Jinja

Walking back down the stairs

Yoshida Jinja at sunset

Snow on Mt Fuji

Shibuya246 — Sun, 24 Feb 2013 02:37:26 +0000

Always nice to catch a glimpse of Mt. Fuji when traveling on the Shinkansen. Everyone on the left side of the train had their cameras and phones pointed at the window. I didn’t want to be left out so here is my iPhone snap