2025-04-08

Otsuyama Jisso-ji Temple

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Spring Awakens with Cherry Blossoms and Daffodils in Yamanashi Highlands
水仙と神代桜に見守られる實相寺


Otsuyama Jisso-ji Temple (大津山 實相寺), located in the Hokuto Highlands of Yamanashi Prefecture, is home to around 30 Somei-Yoshino cherry trees and a stunning display of 80,000 trumpet daffodils. These vibrant blooms create a striking contrast with the snow-capped peak of Mt. Kaikoma (甲斐駒ヶ岳), part of the Southern Alps, offering a perfect blend of spring warmth and alpine majesty.

Getting to the temple is relatively easy with only a 2.5-hour drive (156 km/97 mi) from central Tokyo via the Chuo Expressway if you set off before sunrise. The early start is well worth it, as you’ll arrive just in time to witness the morning light illuminating the blossoms and Mt. Kaikoma.

Unfortunately, the temple grounds were closed during my visit, so I wasn’t able to make an offering or pay my respects before exploring the area for some nice compositions. Over the years, I’ve made it a habit to offer my respects whenever visiting a holy site. It’s a personal ritual that helps me set my mindset, reminding me that I am stepping into a place that holds deep significance for the locals—even if, for visitors like me, it may feel more like an adventure.

Though the morning air was still crisp with winter’s lingering chill, the vibrant spring blossoms filled me with hope for warmer days ahead. After what has felt like an unusually harsh winter back home in Yokohama, this glimpse of spring was a much-needed reminder that brighter days were just around the corner, encouraging me to shake off the winter blues.

  • Location: Hokuto, Yamanashi Prefecture, Japan
  • Timestamp: 2025/04/08・06:11
  • Pentax K-1 II + DFA 28-105mm F3.5-5.6 + CP
  • 45 mm ISO 100 for 1/40 sec. at ƒ/9

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2025-04-07

Jigen-ji Temple

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Where Cherry Blossoms Bloom in Remembrance: Jigen-ji Temple in Odawara
慈眼寺の松月：元禄地震犠牲者供養の寺


After a meeting with clients in Odawara, which is a historic castle town located about 30 minutes south of Tokyo by bullet train, I stumbled upon this quiet temple on my way back to Odawara Station.

Though I wasn’t able to find specific details about when the temple or its Sanmon Gate was built, I did learn that the temple itself was originally constructed to honor the many lives lost during the Great Genroku Earthquake.

This devastating earthquake struck at 2:00 a.m. on December 31, 1703, with Odawara near the epicenter. In addition to widespread structural collapse, fires broke out across the city, greatly compounding the destruction and loss of life.

What first caught my eye was the Sanmon Gate--a traditional gabled structure with dark gray clay tiles, seamlessly connected to a white plaster wall crowned with matching tiles. Behind the gate, a grove of cherry trees was in full bloom.

The variety, known as Shogetsu (Prunus serrulata ‘Shogetsu’), is especially striking. Each blossom begins as a pale pink bud and opens into a large white flower with around 20 delicate petals. The soft clouds of blossoms spilling over the temple wall created a moment of quiet beauty that was both fleeting, yet timeless.

  • Location: Jigen-ji Temple, Odawara, Kanagawa, Japan
  • Timestamp: 2025/04/07・10:35
  • Fujifilm X100V with 5% diffusion filter
  • ISO 160 for 1/340 sec. at ƒ/8
  • Classic Negative film simulation

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2025-03-19

Canopy of Ancient Junipers

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Canopy of the Ancient Ones: Divine Junipers of Cape Osezaki・大瀬崎のビャクシン樹林：日本国の天然記念物

A trio of centuries-old juniper trees (Juniperus chinensis) called out to me with their weather-worn canopy of branches and  limbs stretching into the sea-spray-laden sky. Among the roughly 130 trees huddled together at the tip of Cape Ose in Shizuoka Prefecture, these three seemed to be the tallest I came across. Sitting so close to the ocean shore—just 2.5 meters above sea level—I am in awe of how these majestic conifers have survived over 1,500 years of typhoons and the occasional tsunami.

Cape Ose is a place where nature's resilience is written in the twisted trunks and gnarled branches that seem to reach out to the sea. The junipers, with their sprawling limbs and ancient presence, feel like guardians watching over the coastline. It's astonishing to think that these trees have quietly endured, bending with the wind but never breaking.

In 1932, the Japanese government recognized the unique significance of this forest, designating it a National Special Natural Monument. This protection has allowed the grove to remain untouched by development, preserving its natural beauty for generations to come. Walking among these grand sentinels, I couldn’t help but feel a profound sense of gratitude for the foresight of conservationists who understood the importance of safeguarding such a rare living legacy.

Before the governmental designation, these ancient trees were already considered sacred by the local villagers. Centuries ago, they built a Shinto shrine nearby (Ose Shrine) to honor the god of the sea, believed to be embodied by one of the largest and oldest trees in the forest, which is a testament to the reverence these trees inspire.

Standing beneath their sprawling branches, I found myself imagining all they had witnessed; how many storms they had braved; and how many generations had passed beneath their shadows. The junipers of Cape Ose are more than just trees; they are living chronicles of endurance and grace against the constant roar of the sea.

If you ever find yourself along the shores of Suruga Bay in Shizuoka, take the time to walk among these ancient ones. Listen closely. You might just hear their story, carried softly on the ocean breeze.

  • Location: Numazu, Shizuoka, Japan
  • Timestamp: 2025/03/19・11:29
  • Pentax K-1 II + DFA 28-105mm F3.5-5.6 + CP
  • 58 mm ISO 100 for 1/160 sec. at ƒ/6.3

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Divine Juniper


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  • Location: Numazu, Shizuoka, Japan
  • Timestamp: 2025/03/19・11:18
  • Pentax K-1 II + DFA 28-105mm F3.5-5.6 + CP
  • 28 mm ISO 400 for 1/160 sec. at ƒ/6.3

Revered Grove of Divine Junipers at Cape Osezaki
大瀬崎のビャクシン樹林：夫婦ビャクシンの発見

At the end of Cape Ose lies a revered grove of approximately 130 juniper trees, which is the northernmost natural old-growth juniper forest in Japan. This rare and small colony of naturally growing junipers is particularly unique in the Japanese archipelago.

Among these towering, centuries-old trees, some are estimated to be over 1,500 years old. Recognizing its significance, the Japanese government designated the forest a Natural Monument in 1932, naming it the Osezaki Juniper Forest. Since then, it has been protected not just as a biological rarity, but as a spiritual sanctuary.

The species, Juniperus chinensis—commonly known outside Japan as Chinese juniper—belongs to the cypress family (Cupressaceae). While found throughout Korea and central China, this conifer is native to Japan, thriving in coastal regions on the islands of Honshu, Shikoku, and Kyushu. Adapted to rocky shores and strong winds, these trees often develop dramatically twisted trunks and limbs, which add to their visual and spiritual allure.

One tree in particular caught my attention: a towering pair known as the Husband and Wife Juniper (夫婦ビャクシン・Meoto Byakushin). Two trunks, born from the same root, stretch upward in quiet union. Around them, a braided shimenawa straw rope wraps gently, marking them as sacred in the Shinto tradition. These conifers are divine trees (御神木・Goshinboku) believed to house the presence of spirits or deities.

Standing before these trees, I couldn’t help but feel a quiet reverence. Their age of over fifteen centuries renders them almost beyond my comprehension. They've witnessed the rise and fall of empires; survived the movement of earthquakes, tsunamis, and typhoons; and have been a focus of worship and prayers by generations of local villagers, local fishermen, and countless travelers.

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  • Location: Numazu, Shizuoka, Japan
  • Timestamp: 2025/03/19・11:18
  • Pentax K-1 II + DFA 28-105mm F3.5-5.6 + CP
  • 28 mm ISO 400 for 1/250 sec. at ƒ/3.5
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  • Location: Numazu, Shizuoka, Japan
  • Timestamp: 2025/03/19・11:24
  • Pentax K-1 II + DFA 28-105mm F3.5-5.6 + CP
  • 34 mm ISO 400 for 1/200 sec. at ƒ/4

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  • Location: Numazu, Shizuoka, Japan
  • Timestamp: 2025/03/19・11:29
  • Pentax K-1 II + DFA 28-105mm F3.5-5.6 + CP
  • 63 mm ISO 400 for 1/200 sec. at ƒ/4.5

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Cape Ose

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Tranquil Coastline under a Brooding Sky

大瀬崎の穏やかな海岸線


A serene view of Cape Osezaki’s rocky shoreline, where deep green coastal forests meet the calm, turquoise waters of Suruga Bay. The overcast sky and distant hills add dramatic contrast, highlighting the natural beauty and quiet isolation of this rural Japanese peninsula in Shizuoka Prefecture.

In the left mid-ground lies the Osezaki Juniper Forest, an ancient grove of around 130 naturally growing juniper trees—some believed to be over 1,000 years old. This is one of the rarest and most ecologically unique forests of its kind in Japan.

On clear days, this vantage point offers a breathtaking view of Mt. Fuji rising above Suruga Bay. Remote coastal fishing villages, centuries-old trees, and the iconic snow-capped peak make for one of my favorite seascape scenarios. Alas, capturing a clear view of Mt. Fuji can be elusive, often requiring multiple visits and patience. It is this pursuit that is part of the magic—and a welcome escape from the relentless pace of my daily grind in the concrete jungle of Tokyo’s metropolis.

  • Location: Numazu, Shizuoka, Japan
  • Timestamp: 2025/03/19・10:54
  • Pentax K-1 II + DFA 28-105mm F3.5-5.6 + CP
  • 63 mm ISO 100 for 1/125 sec. at ƒ/11

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Ose-jinja Torii

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Mossy Torii and Stone Guardians on Tranquil Cape Ose
松風が吹き抜ける中、佇む大瀬神社の鳥居と苔むす狛犬

A serene view of a traditional Shinto shrine entrance in Japan, framed by a weathered stone gate (鳥居・torii) and flanked by moss-covered lion-dog statues (狛犬・komainu). Stone lanterns (石灯籠・ishi-doro), a sacred straw rope (注連縄・shimenawa), and engraved kanji stone tablets emphasize the cultural and spiritual significance of this sacred site. Nestled among dense Japanese pine trees (松・matsu) and rugged stone pathways, the setting captures the peaceful atmosphere and enduring traditions of Japanese spirituality and architecture.

On the evergreen bush to the left, you can see paper fortunes (御神籤・omikuji) tied to its branches. These fortunes reveal one’s luck for the near future. If you draw a good fortune, it's customary to keep it and take it home. However, if the fortune is bad, you can leave it at the shrine by tying it to a designated rack or a sacred tree or bush (as seen in this photo). The belief is that shrine staff will later burn the bad fortunes, and the shrine’s deity will purify or exorcise the misfortune on your behalf.

Ose Shrine may not be well known outside the bounds of the local fishing village, but that is precisely what draws me to it. It embodies the essence of a truly local shrine—quietly cherished by generations of villagers. While I still appreciate the grandeur and historical significance of major shrines, there's something uniquely heartfelt and grounded in visiting a place created for and by the local community. The experience feels more intimate, and the connection to the spiritual presence more immediate.

  • Location: Numazu, Shizuoka, Japan
  • Timestamp: 2025/03/19・10:40
  • Pentax K-1 II + DFA 28-105mm F3.5-5.6 + CP
  • 28 mm ISO 100 for 1/160 sec. at ƒ/3.5

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Ose Shrine

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Intricate Carvings and Enduring Traditions of Ose Shrine
精巧な彫刻が施された大瀬神社の本殿


According to traditional stories passed down through generations, the shrine was founded in 684. However, no surviving records confirm the exact year of its establishment.

Today, the shrine enshrines Hikitajikara-no-Mikoto (引手力命), a guardian deity of the sea. For centuries, fishermen navigating the formidable depths of Suruga Bay have worshipped here, holding annual festivals to pray for bountiful catches and safety at sea.

The upper woodwork beneath the eaves showcases exquisite craftsmanship. Among the carvings are two long-nosed, semi-divine figures known as yamabushi tengu (山仏師天狗), a warrior wielding swords and a folding fan, and delicately rendered trees—resembling pine or juniper—alongside a bird figure that, to my eye, may represent a phoenix.

The yamabushi tengu, often seen in carvings at both Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples, are long-nosed supernatural beings said to inhabit mountains. They typically have wings, enabling them to fly, and are believed to possess magical powers used for both benevolent and malevolent purposes.

Historically, tengu were regarded as demonic figures and enemies of Buddhism—an interpretation that echoes their origin in Chinese folklore, where they were considered inauspicious omens. One theory suggests tengu were believed to be reincarnated Buddhist priests who had succumbed to pride and arrogance.

Beginning in the Edo period (1603–1868), the image of the tengu began to soften. They transformed from fearsome bird-like monsters into more human-like beings with long noses. Over time, some communities came to revere tengu as protectors capable of preventing disasters such as forest fires, and as enforcers of humility, punishing those who displayed excessive pride.

These intricate carvings and enduring traditions are more than artistic expressions, they embody centuries of spiritual devotion and cultural storytelling that help explain the natural world. Whether you’re interested in mythology, Japanese history, or religious architecture, many Shinto shrine offer a captivating window into Japan’s spiritual and artistic legacy. 

  • Location: Numazu, Shizuoka, Japan
  • Timestamp: 2025/03/19・10:31
  • Pentax K-1 II + DFA 28-105mm F3.5-5.6 + CP
  • 28 mm ISO 800 for 1/160 sec. at ƒ/5.6

Google Maps links + list of references:


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