ANy FIdelity will do.

Moved!

2010-10-13T21:50:00.001+09:00

ANy FIdelity will do has migrated to wordpress.com, with the new site at: http://anyfidelity.wordpress.com.

This move allows me an easier way of managing photos and a higher maximum resolution. It also facilitates a page design that is simpler with more white space to allow the photos to stand on their own. It was a cinch to migrate but it took a while to reformat all the pictures.

Part of the reason why I had stopped updating this blog was that the original Blogger was so time consuming when uploading multiple pictures. While the new Blogger is much better at uploading multiple pictures, and Wordpress is not ideal in this regard, Wordpress currently allows for more controls in other respects. It also has some interesting features that can be very useful. I trust this means I will be posting on ANy FIdelity more often in the future.

A new dawn: sunrise over Daisetsuzan National Park, Hokkaido

My first post on Wordpress (23 Sept, 2010) is an account of a hike in Daisetsuzan National Park, Hokkaido, with forty two photographs. Please have a look at Daisetsuzan and Clouds. (There are also some earlier, retrospective posts that do not appear on the Blogger version).

Thanks for getting me started, Blogger...

See you at anyfidelity.wordpress.com!

Ibuki

2010-09-10T22:58:00.004+09:00

The next mountain was Mt Ibuki, the tallest peak in the Kansai area, accessible from Osaka on a day trip. With an elevation change of more than 1100 metres, it should not to be taken lightly, but as mountain climbs go it is not so difficult. From the summit there are nice views across Lake Biwa and as far west as the Hira mountains. To the east, on clear days, you can see the Japan Alps. Apparently, Mt Ibuki sees a fair amount of precipitation. My day started with a blue sky with sparse clouds, but it darkened and eventually rained.

The trail starts behind a shrine going through a thick, wooded area that leads into an exposed slope which in the winter is used for skiing. Although it was early September, the droning of cicadas rang through the trees. Once I reached the grass-covered slope, this sound was replaced by the clicking of grasshoppers. Further along, as the path levels, the air was filled with birdsong. The trees thin out shortly after passing the last ski lift station, and the trail steepens as it climbs the west face of the mountain in a series of switchbacks, allowing nice views of Lake Biwa.

There was no solace to be had when I reached the summit, as it was host to several tacky souvenir shops and a surprising number of people milling about. This is explained by the massive parking lot on the east side of the summit--far more people must visit by car than on foot. It is hard to blame them as this mountaintop offers an easy escape from the summer heat and humidity of the neighboring cities.

Chasing Fuji

2010-09-03T22:45:00.012+09:00

Ever since climbing The Spear two weeks ago, I was itching to get back into the mountains. The summer of 2010 was fast approaching its end and I needed another alpine fix. I pored over a few maps, some hiking blogs and my Lonely Planet guidebook to decide on the Minami Alps--specifically, Mt Kita and Mt Aino (kitadake 北岳 and ainodake 間ノ岳 in Japanese). This called for a two night/three day trip. I was surprised to learn that getting there from Osaka would cost more than it would to get to Tokyo, and take much longer. But I was lured by the prospect of some nice shots of Mt Fuji, since Mt Kita and Mt Aino were nearby. I had always suspected the iconic mountain was better served by admiring it from a distance rather than by climbing it--and I was off to test this theory.

On recent excursions I had been using the Canon G11, but I decided this time to call up the Nikon D80, which hadn't been used in--gulp--a year or so. My excuses were that it was bulky and a pain to lug around. I never liked carrying it while on dodgy trails either, for fear of trashing it in a sudden fall, like that waterfall incident in Bali which not only wrecked an 18-200 VR lens but also ruined the remaining days of my vacation (made worse by R's upbraiding of 'I told you so'). Worried that the D80 would be cumbersome and inconvenient to put away every time I took a shot, I found inspiration in I-cjw's technique of hooking it to the front straps of the backpack where it would be carried by the chest and shoulders and protected under the arm, without needing to unclasp it every time I took a picture.

An early start got me to the city of Kofu an hour before the two-hour bus at noon to Hirogawara, the trailhead for Mt Kita. I knew I wouldn't have enough light to reach the mountain hut just below the summit. Instead, my target for the day would be the hut/campsite further down, at Shirane-Oike. The hike started at 1500 metres above sea level, and I had 700 metres of elevation to add to that by sunset.

The going was steep but the trees were warm and friendly and a few butterflies escorted me while I trudged up the trail. I noted the empty konnichiwas of exhausted hikers who passed by on their descent, but I was in great spirits because of the refreshing air, the rush of being back in an alpine setting, and the anticipation of chasing Fuji. In addition, I was buoyed by my pleasant train ride to Kofu, which was spent reading Of Human Bondage by Somerset Maugham in between pensive gazes through the window. Maugham had a very calming effect on me--his writing is sharp and inspiring; it cleared my mind of certain distractions and my resolve was fortified--much like the main character in his book, Philip Carey, who was determined to get out of the morass he made for himself after losing everything in the stock market.

Shirane-Oike is a model hut/campsite. At 2,200 metres above sea level, there is more grass than you would expect, and the camping spots are mostly level and fairly spaced out. The hut itself is spectacular, with the cleanest, most modern toilet facilities I have ever seen. The generator was turned off at 8:00 sharp and, after some boisterous campers had finally shut up, it was a peaceful night. A midnight toilet break got me out of my tent to see a beautiful, starry night and the entire area bathed in luscious moonlight. Ah, this was it. I was getting my fix, even before reaching the summit.

I am always amazed at how early Japanese hikers get up: the fellows in a tent near mine left camp at 2:30 am. I joined half a dozen others by breaking camp around four o'clock to start the near vertical climb with the moon as our guide.

It was not long before the sun broke over the ridge behind me.

I marveled how this climb was not as painful as it was to get up Yari. Maybe it was the adrenalin or the awesome views in pristine weather that helped me ignore all my exertions, but before long I was nearing Kitadake-no-koya, the hut/camp 200 metres below the summit. It was then that I spotted the first hint of Fuji behind a ridge and let out a gasp.

At the hut I stopped to prepare a meal and chatted with a few hikers from Tokyo before joining at the peak what seemed like a convention for the proliferation of plaid and thermal socks. Dozens of hikers milled about extolling the scenery and swapping stories. I gaped in astonishment at how there could be so many people who have the lungs to get up this far--3,180 metres above sea level, the second highest mountain in Japan--only to smoke a cigarette and try to ruin it for the rest of us. There were stunning views on all sides. To the north, the peaks of Aka, Kaikoma and Senjo were clearly visible. You could even point out distant Yari and Ontake.

But most attention was on Fuji, in all her glory, standing all alone and backed by a sky streaked with clouds. Collecting myself, I screwed the D80 to a mini tripod, perched this on a flat boulder and started shooting in bursts of three--auto bracketing in anticipation of HDR tweaking once I got back home.

Beyond Mt Kita there is an 'interesting' descent down to the col which had the next rest site, Kitadake-Sanso, where I was to stay the night.

I was followed by some new friends--about a dozen elderly women who liked to repeat the same questions: "Where are you from? How long in Japan? Do you like sushi?" My replies evoked too much giggling and high pitched jabbering for me to bear at any altitude, so I made my way to the front of the line in an attempt to escape them. As the distance between us grew and their pace slowed along some tricky parts of the descent, I heard someone in the group shout out to their guide that someone had fallen. I later looked up and saw the guide doing first aid. It reminded me to be cautious but the incident apparently wasn't serious, as a few hours later, while sitting in my tent with the tent fly open and rummaging through my backpack for lunch, I heard familiar voices. They each called out to me as they passed by. "Oh, it is the foreigner! The one from Canada? Yeah, the one who likes salt water eel…. Oh him! …He's been here for ten years! …Sugoi!…"

After a brief rest, I left my tent and with a smaller pack followed the ridge to Mt Aino. Along the way I took notice of some interesting mountain flora.

At the summit of Mt Aino I found an elderly man eating from a lunch box with two dozen flies lounging on his back. He waved his hands frantically while cursing the flies that were fighting him for the food. I left him to his battle and retreated thirty metres to have my lunch. I ate peacefully; not a single fly seemed interested in what I was eating. It was coming on to late afternoon and the clouds were thickening when I decided to return to my tent. On the way back I felt dwarfed by Mt Kita as it loomed before me but, utterly pleased with myself for having covered two more Hyakumeizan mountains, I relished that familiar elation of being on top of the world amid gorgeous views and pristine alpine air--all due to my own effort--and with nothing to worry about.

Back at my tent, I was relieved there was no more walking for the day and settled onto some rocks nearby to spend the remaining hours of sunlight reading Maugham.

As it grew darker, the clouds moved in and visibility was near zero. Then, all of a sudden, it cleared, prompting gasps of excitement from other hikers. I looked in the direction they were all pointing and spotted the sun hovering above the distant horizon while orange-tinged clouds danced nearby. Excitedly, I pulled out my camera and started shooting, making sure to take a few dozen snaps so that at least two or three could come close to capturing the moment. It ranks as one of the best sunsets I have ever witnessed.

On the other side of the mountain, Fuji was fading in the twilight.

As stunning as sunset was, sunrise was even better. Since I had pitched the tent on the very top of the ridge leaving it completely exposed--not like the other campers who set their tents beside the hut and below the ridge line--it was a very gusty and cold night. Still, I slept relatively well, waking with a start by my alarm at 4:40 am. I darted outside with my camera. It seemed promising that I would get some decent shots because there was a cloudless, half-lit sky. Since Fuji was to the east, a nice juxtaposition between it and the sunrise was my goal. More stunning views and plenty of shooting during a magnificent sunrise helped me ignore the fact that my hands were numb from the fiercely cold wind.

After breakfast it warmed up and I broke camp at eight o'clock for the descent to Hirogawara and the departure home. My return route was via a col that skirted the Mt Kita buttress and then down to the valley floor along a river.

Again I was reminded that it is far more painful going down a mountain than going up it. This is when everything conspires for the final test of your flirt with a mountain, a tease in which the mountain saves the worst for last: sunburn, fatigue, dehydration, muscle aches, loose rocks, dizzying heights, unrelenting monotony mixed with heart-stopping cringes down ladders and ropes, and the harrowing notion that the knees are sure to buckle at the next downward step, consigning you to certain death a few hundred metres below.

Exhausted, I finally made it back to the trailhead, a few hundred metres from the bus stop. My head was spinning and the knees were surely wrecked. My mouth was parched. Three days of accumulated sweat made me cringe at my own smell. The backpack felt like it was packing a load of bricks. While descending I hardly seemed to notice the scenery below the tree line: there were glistening waterfalls, colourful flowers, gentle brooks and pockets of interesting trees, but I passed them all without much thought and barely managed to take a few snaps; they were obligatory shots that didn't have my heart in them. All I wanted was to get off the damn mountain. One fall left me with bruises and scratches on my arm and leg, but fortunately only a bit of dirt on the camera.

Within an hour of resting and devouring a large bowl of rice and shredded beef at a nearby hut, I reflected on what I had experienced and thought to myself: "That was awesome; so which mountain is next?"

---

For information on climbing Mt Kita and Mt Aino, check out Hiking in Japan. For a fascinating account of a winter ascent of Mt Kita (with stunning pictures), see I-cjw's Thief in the Fortress.

In the Shadow of the Spear

2010-08-21T18:47:00.273+09:00

It is twenty-two kilometres from Kamikochi to the summit of Yari-ga-take. That sounds daunting but more than half the route is along an easy, well-trodden path following the Azusa River upstream. It is not until three or four hours into the hike, when approaching the Karasawa mountain hut--the fourth from Kamikochi, that the path gets steep and rugged.

By this point I have barely gained two hundred metres in elevation, and there is another 1475 metres to ascend. The hordes of squealing day trippers are no longer tagging me--you can be sure that from Karasawa hut all those left on the trail and heading north share the same goal: The Spear, a fitting moniker in Japanese for one of the most exciting climbs in the Kita Alps. At 3,180 metres it is the fifth tallest mountain in the country and an engaging setting for a test of the soul.

The approach from Karasawa hut is first through a light forest and then over exposed boulders buttressing Nishi-dake, Mt Yari's neighbour to the east. At a clearing I rejoin the Azusa and follow the valley floor. Looming on both sides are mountain ridges crowned with wispy, flirtatious clouds. Here and there I spot a distant waterfall halfway up a mountain, and along the path are flowers in purple, yellow and white. There is one flower that keeps catching my eye. It has purple petals and a shape which brings to mind the phrygian caps of the French Revolution.

Shortly before a junction where a path on the left leads to Minami-dake, the gentle, meandering trail merges into a ramp of white rocks. This is the start of a slow, seemingly endless slog where 1000 metres of elevation gain is rammed into the final two and a half kilometres. The Spear is but a mind game from here on. Congratulating oneself for making it this far is somewhat hollow; while you may feel chuffed for being physically able to have hiked close to twenty kilometres, the final, vertical push for that distant pyramid of silver boulders--supporting a 20 kg backpack along exposed rock, year-round snowfields and dizzying heights--is all mental.

Well above the tree line I am grateful for the occasional blast of wind to cool my sweat-drenched shirt. With a slow, steady ascent comes a growing awareness of marvelous views all around, as well as that dawning elation of being in a stunning alpine setting. Soon I am level with the ridges of nearby mountains and the sights of even more mountains and valleys beyond make me gasp. Curving north with half a kilometre to go, the route leads into a devil's garden of sharp boulders lying at the base of the last ridge 300 metres above, where lies The Spear, seemingly out of place with its surreal, triangular shape planted as if on a whim by a giant with a queer sense of humour.

My legs are screaming when I reach the second mountain hut below the summit. With its name derived from a compound of the Chinese characters for life and death, I think it is aptly named: I barely feel alive, and when I follow the hut manager's directions to look for the campsite which is supposed to be nearby--only to be greeted by more boulders as I climb into a small plateau--I reckon I will collapse from bewilderment, for there is no place to pitch a tent, it seems. No one else has camped here; all I see is jagged rock. I stand there alone at 3000 metres altitude, exhausted and nearly delirious, under the pounding rays of the sun and with The Spear still looming above me, to make what I can of this sea of boulders. I had noticed a dozen or so hikers along the route ahead of me--while some would pass this hut and spend the night at the hut above (on the ridge below the summit) surely I wasn't the only sorry soul who had lugged a tent this far. Where were the others? Then I spot the small, level spaces in between the boulders, just big enough for a one man tent. Ah. So I would be the only one here, after all. The other hikers must have pitched further up or are staying overnight in the huts.

By mid afternoon my tent is up and, after a quick snack, I begin the final climb to the summit. What a difference a short rest and some food make--I am still full of energy as I make it to the ridge, pass the last hut and head to the The Spear for the final hundred metres or so. Here is where it gets fun. Iron spikes, chains and ladders bolted into vertical rock guide you to the very top, which is a jagged area measuring about fifteen square metres. Acting as a summit marker is a small wooden shrine, and before you, all around, is the wondrous expanse of the Kita Alps--that is, when the clouds decide not to dart in.

Back at my tent, while the sun descends, I spot masses of long clouds below me, gliding like giant airships through the surrounding valleys. A magical twilight of tinted clouds dancing along the ridge fades into a starry night where I watch constellations, satellites and a shooting star. A chilly but slumbrous night follows. Sunrise is spent on the ridge between the peaks of Mt Yari and Mt Nishi. As the flared sun breaks above the peaks past Mt. Jonen, a distant Mount Fuji glows in an orange midst.

A golden glow envelopes the mountain. By now I feel in a state of grace, as The Spear assumes a mystic essence above me, and I sense in its shadow that for the last twenty four hours I was under a spiritual test. Refreshed, focused, enchanted, humbled and in a clear state of mind, I descend.

Spring in Japan

2008-04-20T21:29:00.004+09:00

It is spring in Japan so I guess I need something with cherry blossoms.

With Granpa

2008-04-06T00:11:00.001+09:00

Train Smile

2008-04-05T23:03:00.000+09:00

West

2008-04-03T00:04:00.001+09:00

Bamboo shades

2008-03-28T20:37:00.000+09:00

Buckets

2008-03-28T20:36:00.000+09:00

White cracks

2008-03-26T20:31:00.000+09:00

Pipes Again

2008-03-26T20:11:00.002+09:00

I have said it before: pipes are cool.

Side shots in Tokyo

2008-03-21T14:02:00.003+09:00

Hiking near Mount Fuji

2008-03-21T13:51:00.007+09:00

It is spring; everything is dull and colourless but there is a hint of freshness.

These pictures were taken while climbing Mitsu-toge mountain, near Kawaguchi-ko, Yamanishi prefecture. You can find more information on the climb in the excellent book Hiking in Japan (Lonely Planet), page 149.

Other hikes using this book are here:

Yakushima
Niigata mountains
Kurama-dera

Kyoto patterns

2008-03-14T15:08:00.000+09:00

Wood Crates

2008-03-07T13:06:00.000+09:00

More Yakushima

2008-02-28T12:58:00.000+09:00

Some more pictures from Yakushima that didn't fit in the earlier set.

Snowstorm

2008-02-23T00:06:00.011+09:00

Recently we had a light snowstorm here in Osaka. Frankly speaking, by Canadian standards it was just a "light snowfall" but judging by all the fuss that everybody made of it --and because it almost never snows in Osaka anymore-- it might as well be called a snowstorm.

It was a Saturday morning and I took a peek out the window to find a thin layer of the white stuff blanketing the neighbourhood. I was struck by the oddly nostalgic sight of large, fluffy snowflakes falling down everywhere. When had I last seen that? Years.

It took a while for me to go about my typical Saturday chores, and by the time I decided to head outside with the purpose of getting some pictures of this unsual event for Osaka, the falling snow had turned into falling slush. I took about twenty paces outside when I decided to call it quits. I wasn't going to risk getting myself and the camera wet just for some urban winter shots.

Fortunately, a mate of mine had different ideas, and he agreed to have them posted here.

Pictures by Mike Morrison:

Yakushima Wonder & Regret

2008-02-12T16:04:00.004+09:00

Covered in primeval rainforest, Yakushima is Japan's luscious island. I went there in mid January, the off season, which allowed me to have hiking trails to myself. But I was also blessed by unseasonably nice weather. Of the three days I was there, it only rained on one of them. Fortunately that was on my last day, and I had already taken lots of pictures on the first two days.

I thought I was being prudent by bringing my tripod. I knew that taking pictures under canopy trees would limit light even at midday. I was right, but I wasn't careful enough. While the tripod allowed me to shoot at a slower ISO and thus avoid graininess, I should have also been more careful with the aperture. Most of my pictures have short depths of field. In addition, one of the lenses I was using (35mm) I later found to be slightly off-focus (i.e., in need of repair). As a result, many of the shots are a tad fuzzy. I had thought it was preferable to use the 35mm over the VR 18-200, but this was also a lapse in judgement. When I finally starting using the VR lens towards the end of day two, I realised it was far better, not only because it was in working order, but also because the VR made a real difference when shooting in dim conditions -- a difference I couldn't fully understand until I was comparing images on my computer screen. I wish I had used the VR the whole time.

So my trip to Yakushima was one of wonder and regret. Wonder at the beauty of the island with so much to offer for the outdoor enthusiast, and regret over the disappointing pictures -- I could blame the lens issue but I'll want to do a better job regardless. Both feelings make me want to return as soon as I can.

More Yaksuhima pictures are on my gallery page at an-fi.com.

More Yaksuhima pictures are on my gallery page at an-fi.com.

She's Gone

2008-01-17T17:35:00.000+09:00

to the restroom.

Dinner

2008-01-04T17:33:00.000+09:00

I must have been doing something right because R made a fairly upscale dinner for me today.

Tempozan Stroll

2008-01-03T17:23:00.000+09:00

R and I need to do something outdoors after far too much indoor activity these last few days during the winter holdiay. We went to Tempozan.

A Friend's Flower

2008-01-02T17:21:00.000+09:00

Hand Work

2007-12-30T17:20:00.000+09:00

A Nice Day

2007-12-15T17:11:00.000+09:00

It was stunningly gorgeous morning so I went out with the camera. Initially I had no plans of where to go. I hopped on the JR Yamatoji Line and got off at a random station, Hirano, for a walkabout.

Wide and Macro

2007-12-08T17:09:00.000+09:00

In Tokyo for the weekend.

Tennoji Zoo

2007-11-17T17:07:00.000+09:00

Zoo pictures are cliche, according to a popular photo blogging site. Oh well, here goes.

But I find the animals the least interesting thing at a zoo.

Studying

2007-11-17T17:03:00.000+09:00

Preparing for the Japan Language Proficciency exam, which is in a couple of weeks. R just laughs at my nonsensical utterances. She grabbed the camera for this shot. At least she found the hands interesting.

Mother

2007-11-12T17:02:00.000+09:00

Amanohashidate

2007-10-06T16:54:00.000+09:00

Amanohashidate is supposed to among the top three beautiful scenes in the country. For years I had been aware of this honour given to a spot somewhere within a short train ride from Osaka, but I had never bothered to go there. Then a colleague spoke of how fun it was to camp on the sandy white beach, drink local wine and listen to the crash of waves at night, all the while antsy that they would be dragged off to the local police box and reprimanded for pitching a tent in a protected national park -- a definite no-no. Gee, I had to try that.

Amanohashidate's fame is for its slender, 3.6km sand bar that runs along the mouth of an inlet connecting its two ends. From the peak of one of the nearby hills, if you bend over and look at the scene upside down through your legs, the serrated edge of the sand bar is supposed to have the appearance of stairways to heaven. Amanohashidate itself means "bridge to heaven".

Located in northern Kyoto prefecture, it is easily accessed in two and a half hours by train from Osaka.

R and I had a fun time and we managed to avoid being reprimanded about anything. The area surrounding the train station is interesting on its own, and a walk along the length of the sand bar was lovely. As it was an October weekend, it wasn't crowded, but surely there would be droves of people in the summer.

Amanohashidate is worth a full day's stay. The surrounding area is full of things to see and do.

Summer Fun at Lake Biwa

2007-09-22T16:50:00.000+09:00

Despite being closer to October than August, it was very much a summer weekend at Lake Biwa, where R and I spent an entire day on a white sandy beach to ourselves. With a barbecue, a lovely view, and some fun swimming, it was a great way to say goodbye to the summer of 2007.

The specific spot? That's our secret.

Kurama

2007-08-29T22:46:00.000+09:00

A drizzly morning didn't prevent me from leafing through my "Lonely Planet Hiking in Japan" book in search of somewhere to go today. I settled on a short hike highlighting Kurama-dera, a temple north of Kyoto.

Marathon

2007-08-25T22:42:00.000+09:00

The IAAF World Championships Marathon in Osaka.

Before the Marathon

2007-08-25T22:39:00.000+09:00

The IAAF World Championships are being held in Osaka this week, and I thought I should do something for it. I woke up very early to head over to the Marathon route. On the way I found someone who hadn't woken up yet.

Niigata Mountains

2007-08-14T22:22:00.002+09:00

What a fabulous hike up Hiuchi-yama and Myoko-san. These are two mountains on a well-marked trail of 21 kilometres in length just north of the Nagano border in Niigata prefecture. I was blessed with great weather. The trail-head at Sasa-ga-me is at about 1300m and it was a day's climb to the summit of Hiuchi-yama at 2462m.

I camped overnight beside the Takidani-ike mountain hut at around 2100m and then climbed nearby Myoko-san at 2446m. It is hard to believe it was only a change of 350m in elevation because it was an arduous climb, taking over three hours. It was another three hours to get down the mountain. My legs were stinging and I was exhausted to the bone but I was also thrilled to have climbed my first real mountain in Japan.

Next time I climb, however, I think I should leave the D80 and VR 80-200mm lens at home, opting for something much LIGHTER instead.

See more pictures of "Niigata Mountains" are at my an-fi photo gallery.

See more pictures of "Niigata Mountains" are at my an-fi photo gallery.

Lake Nojiriko

2007-08-13T03:03:00.000+09:00

From Kanazawa I took a train into Niigata prefecture and then into the northern edge of Nagano prefecture where I camped near Lake Nojiriko.

Ishikawa Beach

2007-08-12T03:00:00.000+09:00

The first photo in this series is of the view I had when I poked my head out my tent in the morning, at a campsite north of Kanazawa. It is not as pristine as it looks -- there was a nearby road with traffic all night long. Just over the ridge is the Japan sea.

Kanazawa

2007-08-12T02:55:00.000+09:00

Kanazawa is another city known as "little Kyoto". (Just how many of them are there?). Capital of Ishikawa prefecture, it was one of the few major cities in Japan spared from U.S. bombing runs in World War Two. As a result, it boasts some picturesque historical areas in the centre of the city where it was a real treat to walk beside canals flanked by old wooden houses.

Kanazawa is the first stop on my short summer camping trip, also stopping on a beach north of Kanazawa, Lake Norijiko in Nagano, and a mountain in Niigata.

More of Kanazawa at the an-fi gallery.

More of Kanazawa at the an-fi gallery.

Return to Akame 48 Waterfalls

2007-08-10T14:06:00.000+09:00

When a high school student of mine said he had never seen a waterfall, I decided to take him to Akame Shiju-Hattake (Akame 48 Waterfalls) -- the lovely hiking trail that straddles a stream riddled with waterfalls (not quite 48 in number, as many people have noticed). I posted photographs of these waterfalls in a previous blog.

Picture-wise, This time I concentrated on the moss covered rocks and trail.

Otsu Fireworks

2007-08-07T14:03:00.000+09:00

Otsu, a small city on the southern side of Lake Biwa and a short train ride from Kyoto, hosts one of the best hanabi matsuri (firework festivals) in the Kansai area. Despite having far less fireworks than the big Tenjimbashi festival in Osaka, the fact that they explode over open water with no tall buildings nearby means that you and the other thousands of spectators can enjoy expansive unobstructed views. This is especially good for photographers.

I arrived two hours early to get a good spot on the bank, reading a book as the sky reddened and then darkened before the fireworks began. I used a small manfrotto tripod, no taller than 30cm, propped up on the water's edge. Thankfully, the cute little girl who sat beside me didn't kick it into the water.

See more pictures of "Fireworks" at my an-fi photo gallery.

See more pictures of "Fireworks" at my an-fi photo gallery.

Speed

2007-08-06T13:58:00.000+09:00

Wind swept trees

2007-08-06T13:52:00.000+09:00

Walking the full length of the Tottori Sand Dunes, I came to a short strip of wind-swept trees.

Swim

2007-08-06T13:50:00.000+09:00

Just after taking this shot I stripped down to my shorts, laid my clothes on the log and went for a swim. It is a great thing, swimming in the open sea.

Tottori Sand Dunes

2007-08-06T13:43:00.000+09:00

A large sand pile exists in western Honshu and I thought it was just the thing I needed to see to remedy a fit of wanderlust that hit me during the summer holiday break.

Measuring 16km by 2km the Tottori Sand Dunes lie just northeast of the city of Tottori on the Japan Sea coast, about three and a half hours by bus from Osaka.

I arrived in the late afternoon on a Saturday and slept in my tent at a free public campsite on the edge of the dunes. I woke up before sunrise and set out over the dunes, enjoying a a gorgeous day and a thrilling experience walking over the sand taking pictures.

See more pictures of "Tottori Sand Dunes" at my an-fi photo gallery.

See more pictures of "Tottori Sand Dunes" at my an-fi photo gallery.

Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine

2007-08-05T13:34:00.000+09:00

One of the oldest shrines in Japan, built in the 3rd century and located in southern Osaka.

Auto Portrait 3

2007-08-05T13:33:00.000+09:00

Graffiti

2007-08-05T13:30:00.000+09:00

Osaka is not as scarred with graffiti as most Western cities I know. But someone out there probably wants to change that.

Japan And Korea Expo Pavilions

2007-08-04T13:27:00.000+09:00

Tsurumi-Ryokuchi Koen in northern Osaka is a massive city park that was host to the International Garden and Greenery Exposition in 1990. There is a large pond, expansive fields with many trees and walking paths, and other recreational facilitires. Tucked away in a corner is the old site for the Expo with many of the old pavilion lots and signs intact. The Japan and Korean sites particularly caught my eye.

Arcade Gunman

2007-08-03T13:25:00.000+09:00

In Shinsaibashi.

Mist Over Town

2007-07-17T23:01:00.000+09:00

Hiking near Mt. Katsuragi.

Mist Over Mountains

2007-07-17T23:00:00.000+09:00

Hiking near Mt. Katsuragi.

A Fine Beverage

2007-06-23T23:58:00.000+09:00

Picnic View

2007-06-23T23:57:00.000+09:00

Unlikely Picnic Spot

2007-06-23T23:55:00.000+09:00

But we had our picnic anyway.

Shodoshima Island

2007-06-10T23:45:00.000+09:00

Shodoshima is an island gem in the Seto Island Sea, accessible by ferries from Osaka, Kobe, Himeji and other coastal cities nearby. A few regular buses run along the coastline and into the interior bringing you to a number of beautiful spots from which you can admire the sea and surrounding islands.

I went camping there with a small group of friends. It was a wonderful time and it must be even better in the summer. There is one spot in particular I recommend: just west of Kusakabe Port is "Olive Town", a clump of buildings showcasing Shodoshima's most interesting feature -- it's olive trees, first planted in 1908.

In addition to the olive groves, there is a herbal garden, a museum, a windmill and a spa -- all in a Greek architectural style. Just north of the area is Dutch Pancake Camping, a privately-run campsite with a scenic view, friendly owners and a lovely patch of grass (read: not gravel) to pitch your tent -- a rarity in central Japan.

Vents

2007-05-22T23:44:00.000+09:00

The view from my classroom.

This is the view from my classroom.

Some Curves

2007-05-02T23:42:00.000+09:00

Awaji Island Beach Front

2007-05-02T23:38:00.000+09:00

A two hour bus from Osaka brought me to Awaji island, where I spent the day testing some new hiking shoes.

Fishing

2007-04-30T23:27:00.000+09:00

View While Climbing...

2007-04-28T23:58:00.000+09:00

...Mount Rokko.

Lousy Day

2007-04-27T23:57:00.000+09:00

Subway Lamps

2007-04-21T23:54:00.000+09:00

Auto Portrait 2

2007-04-21T23:50:00.000+09:00

Namba Fair

2007-04-18T23:24:00.000+09:00

Something was going on near Namba Hatch by the Dotonbori canal, and I wasn't sure what.

Coffee Chime

2007-04-14T23:21:00.000+09:00

Visually Impaired

2007-04-14T00:19:00.000+09:00

Standard signal button for the visually impaired, Namba version.

Hiatus

2007-04-12T16:15:00.000+09:00

Well that was a quick two months.

For anyone who was checking this blog regularly, my apologies for the long hiatus. It has been about two months since the last entry. With the end of the Japanese school year in February I became especially busy but that was compounded by apartment-hunting (which took ages and all of my spare time) and then the subsequent packing, moving out, moving in and unpacking (which mysteriously takes ten times as long as the packing). After all that I took off to Bali for a few days, and upon returning to Osaka it took a good three weeks before having an Internet connection re-established.

Anyway I am back. I have made thirteen "retroactive entries" to cover the time I was gone, since I did take a few shots here and there but never had the time to upload them (click on the link to see the entry or just scroll down this page):

Rusted sign
Garage Door
Subway Men
Early arrival
Itch
Readers
In need of a reader
Seagull
ATC
Birthday Flower
Candy
Cherry Blossoms & Garishness
Luscious Bali

Luscious Bali

2007-04-12T15:37:00.000+09:00

Greenery. That is my lasting image of Bali after escaping from the cement fortress of Osaka and visiting this small luscious island in the Java Sea. Everywhere there was thick tropical foliage: squat banana trees, tall coconut trees, slender bamboo, rice terraces, lush creeping vegetation.

R and I avoided the touristy part of Kuta and divided our time between Ubud, a large town near the central mountains that is considered the cultural capital of Bali, and Pemuteran beach, a very secluded area in the northwestern part of the island between mountains and the Java Sea.

Balcony view in Ubud

Our hotel near Ubud, the much recommended Bali Spirit Hotel & Spa, was surrounded by jungle and overlooked a river in which local people bathed. It had a pool, spa, spacious rooms decorated with Bali artwork, and a large open-air eating area. Tropical flowers and palm trees dotted the huge hotel grounds, making the distance from the room to the any of the hotel facilities a very pleasant walking experience.

Swimming pool in Permuteran

In Pemuteran, The Aneka Bagus Hotel & Spa --where we stayed in a private villa-- was likewise huge, open-aired and dotted with flowers and foliage, with a swimming pool over-looking a rocky beach.

To be constantly surrounded by nature was a wonderful experience. There was all that greenery, but there were also other things, like the industrious ants that snaked their way along the dining area floor, moving small chunks of toast to their hole. Or the myriad of bright flowers, some of whom would fall from trees above into our paths. Or the awesome power of a thunderstorm that rattled the roof all night long. Or the expansive, multi-terraced rice fields that blanketed a hill, with its just-sown paddies reflecting the orange hues of a setting sun. Or the regal lotus flower in a pond of lilly pads in a temple surrounded by thick bamboo. Or the constant flight of birds or bats overhead whether day or night.

Our experience with Balinese people was delightful too. Coming from a society where strangers don't smile at you and greet you while walking by, it was at first embarrassing to come across welcoming smiles wherever you looked. Balinese usually followed this by a cheerful "HELLO!" while the children often added "PHOTO!" and would gleefully line up to pose. What is striking is that, away from the touristy areas, where you can mingle with local people, one could easily sense their sincerity and friendliness. Any kind of interaction was a pleasant one.

So I left Bali and returned to Osaka charmed and relaxed. It was such a short trip (only four and a half days!) but there is a long list of great memories.

More pictures are on the an-fi photo gallery page (62 images). As usual I don't pretend these are authoritative pictures of Bali. I was just a short-term tourist, these are just vacation-type pictures and most were taken within the near vicinity of my hotels.

Cherry Blossoms & Garishness

2007-04-10T14:46:00.000+09:00

It is April and the cherry blossoms have arrived in Osaka -- a time when everyone takes a trip to parks around the city populated with cherry trees for the annual rite of ohanami (cherry-blossom viewing). Groups of friends, co-workers or relatives spread out their "picnic blankets" (usually ugly industrial blue tarps) and congregate under a flowering cherry tree to eat, drink and chit chat until late evening. A typical weekend afternoon will see hordes of boisterous, drunken people milling about in these parks. It is a very festive nature with nary a policeman in sight; the sight of open BBQ fires, huge piles of trash and drinking alcohol in public would make most newcomer-foreigners whisper how this would be illegal in the home country. But it is all just plain fun, and walking along the paths there is an infectious communal spirit of playfulness and camaraderie in harmony with the small pink petals that can be seen everywhere.

Among the more popular places to see cherry blossoms in Osaka is the area north and east of Osaka castle, called Sakuranomiya (sakura itself means "cherry" in Japanese). Here cherry trees line the canal for a stretch more than a kilometre long, and cherry trees can also be found lining the moat to Osaka castle. The Osaka Mint, located nearby, is especially famous for its promenade of cherry trees. The grounds, which are normally closed, are open to the public only during the cherry-blossom viewing season. Throngs of people come to walk down the long paths that run parallel to the canal and are flanked on both sides by tall thick cherry trees. Collective gasps of wonderment and the clicking of cameras can be heard all the way through the grounds. (There is also the megaphone screeching of security guards trying to guide the mass of people along the route -- on a busy day there will be very little elbow room as you are carried along by a river of people.)

The grounds of the Osaka Mint are spectacular for viewing the blossoms, but the route directly along the canal in front is also gifted with a wonderful collection of cherry trees. This area would be pristinely beautiful if it were not for the massive caravan of vendors that descend on the canal banks every spring, selling all sorts of snacks, souvenirs, and trinkets. With the dizzying numbers of people, the constant shouting of vendors selling their wares, the ear-splitting loudspeakers, and huge trash bins that dot the paths, it isn't exactly an ideal way to enjoy one of the loveliest sights in nature. Still, viewing cherry blossoms is always worth doing with friends or family, and Japanese take this time as one of the most important social events in their calendar.

Along with the beer and octopus snacks, it's hard to do ohanami without a camera. Anyone who has seen cherry blossoms in Japan can attest to the unstoppable urge to capture them on film. But I think most photographers realise it is deceptively difficult to get a decent shot of cherry blossoms. Even harder to get something original. I didn't really try and opted instead for pictures juxtaposing the vendors' garish signboards with the cherry blossoms. It struck me as ironic that most of the cherry trees along the route near the canal are obstructed by these vendors. And yet there is something unmistakably Japanese about that.

Candy

2007-04-09T14:20:00.000+09:00

Birthday Flower

2007-04-05T14:14:00.000+09:00

ATC

2007-04-01T14:16:00.000+09:00

Interesting interior of the Asian Trade Centre, Osaka.

Seagull

2007-03-15T14:13:00.000+09:00

In need of a reader

2007-03-14T14:21:00.000+09:00

Readers

2007-03-11T14:11:00.000+09:00

Itch

2007-03-06T14:09:00.000+09:00

Early Arrival

2007-02-25T14:07:00.000+09:00

Subway Men

2007-02-21T14:27:00.000+09:00

Garage Door

2007-02-18T14:05:00.000+09:00

Rusted Sign

2007-02-15T13:58:00.000+09:00

Taisho stroll

2007-02-13T00:52:00.000+09:00

From a short walk around Taisho:

Canada 4 Brasil 0, dream on.

2007-02-12T02:54:00.000+09:00

In my football world, I finally had something to cheer about, but alas it had nothing to do with Spurs. (Man, it hurts. Blowing the lead against Gooners in the first leg of the Carling Cup, losing the second leg in atrocious fashion and then getting spanked by Manure at home was too much. Until yesterday, that is, when Spurs blew a one-nil lead and folded against scrappy Sheffield United. Bloody 'ell. The only wins so far this year have been against Southend and Cardiff. Yeah I know, who?)

It's incredible. Mr. Jol, please do something.

So what did I have to cheer about? Look at this score-line from Germany 2006 (Playstation 2) after a game with my mate Jimmy tonight:

Toronto's Julian de Guzman slotted home the final goal in Canada's 4-0 win over Brazil:

That's something to cheer about, even if it was just a video game.

Kabuki line-up

2007-02-07T23:05:00.000+09:00

Tickets go on sale at the Kabuki theatre.

2007-02-06T20:17:00.000+09:00

Subway friends.

2007-02-05T22:21:00.000+09:00

Waiting for mom.

Face Mask

2007-02-04T20:57:00.000+09:00

Face masks are commonly worn in Japan, especially in winter when the flu is doing its rounds. They are a good idea, both for the wearer's health and for people nearby. But they can look a little scary. This person has matching white gloves.

2007-02-02T22:57:00.000+09:00

Mural and phone.

2007-02-01T23:55:00.000+09:00

Man in Black.

2007-01-31T23:44:00.000+09:00

Schoolboy on stairs.

Kyoto things

2007-01-30T23:36:00.000+09:00

Ten things I spotted while on a short excursion to Kyoto today.

January garters

2007-01-27T22:27:00.000+09:00

No cause for alarm. Just an ordinary Saturday afternoon in Ame-mura. In January.

Pipes

2007-01-26T23:26:00.000+09:00

are cool.

Swastika

2007-01-24T19:06:00.000+09:00

Last week there was a BBC news item about the European Union proposing a ban on the display of the swastika. Hindu groups across the union were against the proposal because such a ban was discriminatory. See article.

They rightly point out that the swastika had been a religious symbol for thousands of years before the Nazis adopted it as a symbol of its fascist regime. And yet for Westerners --especially Europeans-- the swastika is understandably associated with an evil that resulted in the suffering and ruination of World War Two and the persecution of all peoples deemed inferior to the Nazis.

The swastika was extensively used by Hindus but was adopted --or developed independently -- by many peoples before the Nazis took it as their own. Examples include Buddhists, Celts, some Native American Indian tribes, and the Akan civilisation of south-west Africa. See Wikipedia: swastika.

Here in Japan, the swastika is not only seen at temples as an obviously religious symbol but also on secular maps to indicate the location of a temple. The same can be said in most other countries in Asia, from Korea to Indonesia.

When I lived in Canada, I associated the swastika with the German war machine. As a Westerner living in Japan, I now first see the swastika as a symbol of Buddhism. When the change happened I am not sure, but I was struck by that contrast when I came across the BBC news item. As for Japanese people, it is my impression that most are puzzled by how such a religious symbol was corrupted in the first place.

Perhaps it would be near impossible for Europe to reconcile with the conflicting meanings of the swastika, due to the incredible suffering associated with that symbol. And yet perhaps a visit to a Buddhist or Hindu temple in Asia might contribute towards its renewed understanding as a symbol of peace.

Urban lines, Japan style

2007-01-23T11:18:00.000+09:00

Some shots from the area of Miyakojima.

Auto-portrait

2007-01-22T23:52:00.000+09:00

That's an automated photo machine on the left. Good enough for me -- for a self-portrait.

note: no cropping whatsoever

Nagoya Colours

2007-01-21T23:43:00.000+09:00

A short trip to Nagoya brought back a flush of colours.

Bridge...

2007-01-20T21:45:00.000+09:00

...over the Yodogawa river; taken from the top of the Umeda Sky Building. (Nikon 18-200mm VR lens with six cross filter).

Namba alleys

2007-01-17T18:33:00.000+09:00

After a night of light showers, it was an overcast day with an abundance of soft lighting ideal for shooting. A walk down some alleyways near the office in Namba revealed some interesting juxtapositions of lines, shapes and colours. There is nothing quite like a Japanese alley...

Ikoma Skyland, whimsical

2007-01-16T23:45:00.000+09:00

Ikoma lies east of Osaka City, a thirty minute train ride from Namba station. It's one of Osaka's suburb cities, known for its mountain of the same name that, on clear days, can be seen from most tall buildings in central Osaka. The view from my own office building reveals the mountain peak is home to a half-dozen huge telecom towers, but I had never been to Ikoma mountain until Sunday, when I decided to go on a whim.

And it became a whimsical day starting with the cable cars which go from Ikoma station to the half-way point up the mountain. One is decked out as a dog, and the other a cat!

From the mid-point another cable car goes up to the top, which is home, oddly enough, to an amusement park called Skyland Ikoma. It's situated right beside the red and white telecom towers. Although the amusement park closes for the winter break, the entrance gates are left open and you can stroll through the grounds. That's probably to cater to hikers, as there are hiking trails over the mountain that might otherwise be inaccessible. It felt a little eerie walking through an abandoned amusement park, with all the rides closed and no one else to be seen. But it lent me three things: clean air, uncrowded space, and some things to photograph.

In a corner of Skyland Ikoma, beside an empty jet coaster, was an area of benches with a view over northern Nara prefecture. In front of the benches there was a white wire fence and latched onto the fence were dozens of security locks, apparently left there by someone's sweetheart declaring a promise or two. Some locks were very new, others rusted and partly corroded, the inscriptions barely visible.

Whimsical indeed.

Casually

2007-01-11T23:41:00.000+09:00

Shooting from an LCD screen certainly affords a different perspective than from a viewfinder.

My Power Shot G3 had lain in a cupboard for months ignored. Yesterday while cleaning the apartment I came across the retired digicam and slipped it into my satchel, thinking perhaps I could be inspired to use it on the way to work today. After all, one of my new year resolutions was to shoot more often and more casually.

Here is what I found...

...on the way to the bus stop

...on the bus

...on the way to the office

...at the coffee stand

...in front of the office (Smokers always try to ruin the morning).

There was also a stop for a self-portrait: