2022-07-13

Motomachi-Chukagai & Yamshita Park

On this afternoon, I took my Fujifilm X100V to Motomachi, Chinatown, and Yamashita Park in Yokohama to try my hand at some street photography.

Canine & Feline Standoff
Fujifilm X100V (23 mm at ƒ/2)
ISO 160 for 1/220 sec.
Classic Negative film simulation

A stray cat chilling at a parking garage entrance remaining unfazed by my border collie who was itching to start barking and  chasing after the cat. Such a totally chill, no-drama feline surely disappointed Dale-chan.
String Puppet Witch
Fujifilm X100V (23 mm at ƒ/2)
ISO 320 for 1/160 sec. 
Classic Negative film simulation

“Green Thumb,” a local shop on the famous Motomachi shopping street in Yokohama, Japan, which was established in 1985 with the tagline “Witches and Herbs.”

According to the store’s website, witches were not scary things in ancient Europe, but were more like pharmacists who held a wealth of knowledge of the natural world and especially the health benefits of herbs. 

I initially thought the carvings were dried-apple head dolls!

Green Thumb: http://www.green-thumb.co.jp/

Temple in Chinatown
Fujifilm X100V (23 mm at ƒ/2)
ISO 160 for 1/200 sec. 
Astia/Soft V2 film simulation

Tianhou Temple, or “Palace of the Heavenly Empress,” is  dedicated to Mazu (or Matsu), the Goddess of the Sea. The temple is a popular tourist destination as well as a holy site where the local Chinese can have their  spiritual, social, and cultural needs met in Yokohama’s Chinatown—the largest one in Japan.

The first temple in Yokohama’s Chinatown, Kuan Ti Miao was established in 1886, where Mazu (Goddess of the Sea) was also enshrined. The current temple structure was dedicated  specifically to Mazu and was inaugurated on March 17, 2006.


Zenrinmon Gate
Fujifilm X100V (23 mm at ƒ/2)
ISO 500 for 1/160 sec. 
Astia/Soft V2 film simulation

Zenrimon (善隣門) is one of 6 gates Yokohama’s Chinatown. This gate is known as the Goodwill Gate as it was gifted to Chinatown from the city of Yokohama in February 1955 as a part of postwar reconstruction efforts.

The characters on the gate are written right to left (隣善仁親) and read as Shin-Jin-Zen-Rin in Japanese.

The four characters that were chosen can be translated as follows:

親 (shin): Closeness (like between a parent and child)

仁 (jin): Benevolence or compassion (among humanity)

善 (zen): Goodness

隣 (rin): Neighbors (local or global scale)

In the context of postwar reconstruction, the gate symbolizes a hope for peace and love among not only local citizenry, but also among the international community.

Nippon Travel Magazine:


Yokohama Chinatown Development Association:


Hachokubai:


Boy and Girl
Fujifilm X100V (23 mm at ƒ/2)
ISO 160 for 1/160 sec. 
Astia/Soft v2 film simulation

A young couple leaving Chinatown together in Yokohama, Japan. Their loose shirt and blouse reflect how hot and humid this afternoon was. I was drawn to how the girl had her arm on the boy while the boy was carrying her rucksack while eating something on their way out of Chinatown. I hope they had a nice date on this day!

Kimono Shop
Fujifilm X100V (23 mm at ƒ/2)
ISO 320 for 1/160 sec. 
Astia/Soft v2 film simulation

Founded in 1896, the Obebe-Hohoho kimono shop is currently located on a small street off the main drag of the Motomachi Shopping Avenue in Yokohama, Japan. 

Motomachi is the high-end name-brand retailing center of Yokohama, which used to primarily cater to wealthy expats who lived in nearby settlements prior to the war.

Some of the shops survived the war by catering to the thousands of American GIs and their families during the post-war occupation. Over time, overseas name brands set up stores on the main avenue to cater to the tastes and wallets of upper-middle class Japanese and fans of pricey name-brand handbags, jewelry, fashion, etc. 


Clothing Store Mascot
Fujifilm X100V (23 mm at ƒ/2)
ISO 320 for 1/160 sec. 
Velvia/Vivid v2 film simulation

Familiar, a Japanese clothing brand of clothes for babies and children, was founded in the 1950s by four housewives in Kobe, Japan. This shot was taken at their Motomachi, Yokohama store—a district of stores selling high-end, name-brand products marketed to the expat community and upper-middle class Japanese shoppers.

As for me, I just like the colors and patterns on the mascot bear in the store window!


Border Collie at Cafe
Fujifilm X100V (23 mm at ƒ/2)
ISO 3200 for 1/60 sec.
Astia/Soft V2 film simulation

Border Collie at Cafe
Fujifilm X100V (23 mm at ƒ/2)
ISO 640 for 1/160 sec.
Astia/Soft V2 film simulation

After hours of wandering around Chinatown and Motomachi in Yokohama, we took a short break at a cafe and chatted with strangers sitting nearby.

Park & City Skyline
Fujifilm X100V (23 mm at ƒ/2)
ISO 800 for 1/160 sec. 
Film simulation: Astia/Soft V2

View of the Minatomirai waterfront district as seen from the southern end of Yamashita Park in Yokohama, Japan. Although the 58-story tower apartment (left) can still be seen in its entirety, the upper floors of the 71-story Landmark Tower (right) have been swallowed by the clouds.

Border Collie at City Park
Fujifilm X100V (23 mm at ƒ/2)
ISO 3200 for 1/60 sec.
Astia/Soft V2 film simulation

Shot of Dale-chan the border collie posing with the floating museum, NYK Hikawa Maru, which is permanently moored at Yamashita Park in Yokohama, Japan.

Port City Waterfront
Fujifilm X100V (23 mm at ƒ/2)
ISO 2500 for 1/160 sec. 
Classic Chrome V2 Simulation

View of the Minatomirai waterfront district as seen from the water’s edge of Yamashita park in Yokohama, Japan. I love how the low-lying clouds obscure the tops of the hotels and office towers in the distance.

Yokohama Marine Tower
Fujifilm X100V (23 mm at ƒ/2)
ISO 2500 for 1/160 sec. 
Classic Chrome V2 Simulation

Originally built as a lighthouse in 1961 to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Port of Yokohama’s opening, the tower was the largest lighthouse in the world until 2008.

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Location: 2 Chome Motomachi, Naka Ward, Yokohama, Kanagawa 231-0861, Japan

2022-06-28

Makaino Ranch near Mt. Fuji

In June 2022, I visited Makaino Ranch (まかいの牧場) located in the city of Fujinomiya, Shizuoka Prefecture, which is located at the base of Mt. Fuji on the western slope. The ranch is a family-friendly and pet-friendly ranch/farm resort, that offers some fun and unique experiences for folks that might be living most of their daily lives in urban Japan.

Although the ranch (references also use the terms farm, park, and resort) primarily caters to families with children, there were many young couples on dates visiting the ranch as well. If you have a teenager in your family, they might not be terribly excited about visiting this ranch—but you can tell them there are several Instagrammable spots and activities they can post on TikTok if that is their thing.

My primary attraction to Makaino Ranch lies with the nostalgia of seeing a smelling farm animals after living in Japan for nearly 40 years. I was raised on a dairy farm, so my experience at the ranch brought back many childhood memories making the trip well worth my time and delightfully enjoyable.

I arrived with my border collie at around noon. It was only a two hour drive from Tokyo on the Tomei Expressway, and upon arrival, I had three large different parking lots to choose from—so parking does not seem to be an issue unless you try to visit late in the afternoon on a weekend or on a national holiday.

In conversations with the staff, the park was closed most of 2021 and has slowly opened up this year with guests asked to wear masks when indoors, sanitize your hands, maintain social distancing, and use designated mats at certain points to clean the soles of your shoes (this is standard practice to help prevent exposing the animals viruses and is not related to COVID-19).

Interactive activities include riding saddled horses, petting ponies, feeding calves with milk bottles, milking a cow, walking goats, and more. Note that milking cows and feeding calves cannot be done willy-nilly anytime a tourist wants to try. Cows and calves have a regular milking and feeding schedules, so be sure to check such schedules in advance if this is one of the activities that you would like to experience.

They also give visitors rides on trailers hitched to actual farm tractors that can take you on small tours of the ranch. There were a few modern and older tractors on display (deactivated for safety) where children were lining up to sit in the driver’s seat and pose for shots by mom and dad. For kids raised in the city, this must be an exciting activity on a par with sitting in the driver’s seat of a fire engine!

Since I visited with my border collie, I had to skip most of the interactions with the farm animals. Regardless, I was more than satisfied with just letting her see and smell farm animals for the first time in her life. Having spent her whole life in an urban setting, she showed very little interest in the sheep and was a bit scared of the cows, horses, and ponies! 😂

Whereas I visited on a weekday, not all of the facilities were open. But if you visit on the weekend, there are several buildings offering classes for both adults and children on various crafts using natural materials from the surrounding woods, tote bag decorating, spinning wool into yarn, and more. Be sure to check ahead before scheduling a visit if the crafting workshops are a part of your plans.

Other facilities provide the opportunity to make butter, sausage, and cookies using locally sourced ingredients— especially the milk and butter from the dairy cows on the ranch.

In addition there are several photo spots where you can take selfies for Instagram (here the teenagers might get excited) where you can have Mt. Fuji as your backdrop assuming the skies are clear. There are also wooded areas where you can take a nap on hammocks strung up between the trees, a day-glamping ground, a “sky-high” swing (use at your own risk), several flower gardens, and many spots where you can just sit and relax, have a picnic, or just take a break.

If you visit with young kids, they will likely have a blast especially if they have been raised in an urban setting. Teenagers can wander off by themselves for the all-important Instagram shots or TikTok videos, and adults, too, can just enjoy a break from the concrete jungle and cooler temperatures the park has to offer.

Before heading home, be sure to try out one of the cafes near the park entrance that offer locally produced ice cream. After the a long day walking throughout the entire ranch shooting photos and enjoying time with my dog, the ice cream was even more delicious than I could have anticipated!

Address:

1327-1 Utsuno, Fujinomiya-shi, Shizuoka-ken 418-0104

〒418-0104 静岡県富士宮市内野1327-1

Google Maps:

https://goo.gl/maps/xXSayu7eZUBJ6Spn6

Website:

Makaino Farm Resort

English info (downloadable PDF)

Sheep at Ranch Resort
Pentax K-1 II + D FA 28-105mm F3.5-5.6
105 mm ISO 200 for 1/250 sec. at ƒ/11

Mt. Fuji Towering above Grazing Sheep
Pentax K-1 II + D FA 28-105mm F3.5-5.6
45 mm ISO 200 for 1/125 sec. at ƒ/11

Grazing Sheep at Ranch
Pentax K-1 II + D FA 28-105mm F3.5-5.6
105 mm ISO 200 for 1/400 sec. at ƒ/5.6

Grazing Ewe at Ranch near Mt. Fuji
Pentax K-1 II + D FA 28-105mm F3.5-5.6
105 mm ISO 200 for 1/320 sec. at ƒ/6.3

Border Collie Chilling at Ranch
Pentax K-1 II + D FA 28-105mm F3.5-5.6
105 mm ISO 200 for 1/125 sec. at ƒ/6.3

Up Close with Grazing Ewe
Pentax K-1 II + D FA 28-105mm F3.5-5.6
48 mm ISO 200 for 1/250 sec. at ƒ/5.0

Up Close with Grazing Ewe
Pentax K-1 II + D FA 28-105mm F3.5-5.6
68 mm ISO 200 for 1/200 sec. at ƒ/5.0

Flowers and Grazing Ewe
Pentax K-1 II + D FA 28-105mm F3.5-5.6
105 mm ISO 100 for 1/250 sec. at ƒ/7.1

Vintage John Deere Model 40T Tractor
Pentax K-1 II + D FA 28-105mm F3.5-5.6
63 mm ISO 100 for 1/200 sec. at ƒ/11

Vintage John Deere Model 40T Tractor
Pentax K-1 II + D FA 28-105mm F3.5-5.6
45 mm ISO 100 for 1/250 sec. at ƒ/4.5

Rusty Old John Deere Model 40T Tractor
Pentax K-1 II + D FA 28-105mm F3.5-5.6
88 mm ISO 100 for 1/200 sec. at ƒ5.6

Broken Headlight
Pentax K-1 II + D FA 28-105mm F3.5-5.6
68 mm ISO 100 for 1/200 sec. at ƒ5.6

Ranch Windpump near Mt. Fujji in Japan
Pentax K-1 II + D FA 28-105mm F3.5-5.6
105 mm ISO 100 for 1/200 sec. at ƒ5.6

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 Pix4Japan by Iketani, Daisei is licensed under a
 Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
 Permissions beyond the scope of this license are available at Pix4Japan.

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2022-06-08

Yamashita Park and Osanbashi Pier


Dock Lighthouse and Floating Pier
Pentax K-1 II + D FA 28-105mm F3.5-5.6
105 mm ISO 100 for 1/320 sec. at ƒ/5.6

Yamashita Park in Yokohama, Japan, offers clear views of the Port of Yokohama and all of the related floating docks, harbor lights, berthing, etc. for the museum ship NYK Hikawa Maru cruise liner ship and sea bus loading docks.

Retired Ocean Liner and Lovers on Park Bench
Pentax K-1 II + D FA 28-105mm F3.5-5.6
58 mm ISO 100 for 1/200 sec. at ƒ/6.3

Regardless of the time of day, the benches of Yamashita Park facing the waterfront are enjoyed by young mothers looking to take a break, elderly couples out for a short walk, young embracing couples, elderly men listening to the AM radio broadcast, young skateboarders at night waiting for pedestrians to disappear, and more. 

The first time I boarded the NYK Hikawa Maru cruise ship was back in the mid-80s. I hope to go back to visit again and take photos when I’m able to leave my dog at home.

Before the war, this ship was the most luxurious means of travel to the U.S. with passengers that included members of the Japanese imperial family, Charlie Chaplin, and Babe Ruth to name a few.

Cruise Ships Docked at Osanbashi Pier
Pentax K-1 II + D FA 28-105mm F3.5-5.6
80 mm ISO 100 for 1/160 sec. at ƒ/10

The Royal Wing cruise ship (foreground) takes passengers on daily two-hour cruises around the Port of Yokohama. The ship is especially popular for hosting weddings, anniversaries, lunch cruises, and especially the dinner cruise that departs from Osanbashi Pier offering passengers beautiful views of the nighttime skyline.

The Asuka II ship, with a passenger capacity of 872, sails up and down the eastern coastline of Japan on 3- or 4-day cruises. Although my office is not that close to Osanbashi Pier, I can hear the blast of this ship’s horn when she leaves the dock at least once or twice a week. If I were any closer, it might cause my heart to skip a beat!

Long-Span Cable-Stayed Bridge
Pentax K-1 II + D FA 28-105mm F3.5-5.6
53 mm ISO 100 for 1/200 sec. at ƒ/6.3

Yamashita Park in Yokohama, Japan, offers fantastic views of Yokohama Bay Bridge--the gateway to the Port of Yokohama for ships sailing in and out of Tokyo Bay. The bridge has a cable-stayed design with an 860-meter/2,820-foot span that crosses Tokyo Bay vehicular traffic quicker access to Tokyo and Chiba Prefecture.

Completed in September 1989, the bridge is high enough to accommodate the Queen Elizabeth 2 cruise liner. Twenty years later, however, mega cruise ships became too tall to pass under the bridge and now dock farther away from the central piers of Yokohama.

Mission Bells of El Camino Real
Pentax K-1 II + D FA 28-105mm F3.5-5.6
105 mm ISO 100 for 1/10 sec. at ƒ/6.3

To commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Yokohama and San Diego sister-city relationship, the city of San Diego gifted a series of bells in 1983 that were exact replicas of the original bells found along the 600-mile route called “El Camino Real” that stretches from San Diego to San Francisco.

Guardian of Water Fountain
Pentax K-1 II + D FA 28-105mm F3.5-5.6
40 mm ISO 100 for 0.5 sec. at ƒ/11

Replica of the original Guardian of Water sculpture by artist Donal Hord located in Yokohama’s sister-city of San Diego. San Diego gifted the sculpture to Yokohama in 1960 after Yokohama gifted a traditional Japanese tea room to San Diego that same year.

Warehouse Converted to Fashion Boutique
Pentax K-1 II + D FA 28-105mm F3.5-5.6
40 mm ISO 100 for 10.0 sec. at ƒ/11

Blue Blue Yokohama, a local fashion store selling in-house brands focused on casual clothes and accessories with an emphasis on denim, has been in operation since July 1996.

Located near Osanbashi Pier (Yokohama, Japan) and smaller docks next door, this shop was originally just one of the many warehouses that were built to facilitate the global trade that entered Japan through Yokohama. Once a heavy-industry and shipbuilding port, many of the older industrial buildings from the post-war era have been converted into fashion boutiques, restaurants, cafes, bars, pubs, art studios, and more.

This attempt to restore, convert, and preserve older, smaller structures gives many neighborhoods in Yokohama a small-town vibe despite being the 2nd largest city in Japan with a population of over 3.7 million people.

Cruise Ship and Terminal Pier
Pentax K-1 II + D FA 28-105mm F3.5-5.6
105 mm ISO 100 for 2.0 sec. at ƒ/6.3

A blue-hour shot of Asuka II, which is a cruise liner docked at Osanbashi International Terminal Pier. The Asuka sails out of the Port of Yokohama two or three times a week and makes port visits as far north as Hokkaido and as far south as Kyushu.

Waterfront Skyline in Yokohama, Japan
Pentax K-1 II + D FA 28-105mm F3.5-5.6
80 mm ISO 100 for 240 sec. at ƒ/11

A long-exposure of the Yokohama Minatomirai waterfront skyline as seen from the Zo-no-Hana Breakwater next to Osanbashi Pier. This scene shows icons of Yokohama, including the Yokohama Cosmoworld Ferris wheel, the InterContinental Yokohama Grand hotel, which resembles the shape of a yacht under sail, and the Queen’s Square towers with rooflines resembling rolling waves.

Cruise Ship and Terminal Pier
Pentax K-1 II + D FA 28-105mm F3.5-5.6
105 mm ISO 100 for 170.0 sec. at ƒ/11

A nightscape shot of Asuka II, which is a cruise liner docked at Osanbashi International Terminal Pier. The Asuka sails out of the Port of Yokohama two or three times a week and makes port visits as far north as Hokkaido and as far south as Kyushu. 
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 Pix4Japan by Iketani, Daisei is licensed under a
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 Permissions beyond the scope of this license are available at Pix4Japan.
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2022-04-06

Harbor View Park


Springtime at this park presents an abundance of colors and textures with carefully tended flower beds and lovely water fountains throughout the park.

The park is a popular destination for young families, young couples, photographers, and tourists from the world over. 

First, a little history:

After the Namamugi Incident where a British merchant was killed by the retainers of a samurai in 1862, French and British forces established garrisons on the Bluff in Naka Ward, Yokohama, to protect their respective citizens from further attacks under the treaties that gave foreigners extraterritoriality. 

French Hill Park was the site of the French marines from 1863 until 1875. After the Meiji restoration the marines withdrew and the French Consulate was built on the same site in 1894.

The Great Kanto Earthquake of 1923 destroyed the consulate along with the rest of Yokohama and Tokyo. Remnants of rebuilt consulate, which burned down in 1947, can still be seen along with the windpump.

Like the French, the British had troops assigned to a garrison from 1862 to 1875. The British located their forces higher up on the bluff at the crest of the hill. The British garrison had barracks, a naval hospital, storage facilities, a church, and a large parade ground.

After the British forces left in 1875, wealthy foreign merchants and expats rented lots on the Bluff for residential and commercial use. 

In 1962, land was turned over to the city of Yokohama where French Hill Park and Harbor View Park were established.

Entrance to the park is only a 1-minute walk from Motomachi-Chukagai Station on the Minato-Mirai Line, which runs through Yokohama Station onto the Tokyu-Toyoko Line to Shibuya Station in Tokyo.


Yokohama Marine Tower | 横浜マリンタワー
Pentax K-1 II + D FA 28-105mm F3.5-5.6
45 mm ISO 100 for 20 sec. at ƒ/13

French Hill Windpump | フランス山の風車
Pentax K-1 II + D FA 28-105mm F3.5-5.6
40 mm ISO 100 for 40 sec. at ƒ/11

Located just below Harbor View Park on the Yamate Bluff (Yokohama, Japan), French Hill Park was the site of the French marines from 1863 until 1875. The French Consulate was built on the same site in 1894 after the Meiji Restoration (1864 to 1889).

The Great Kanto Earthquake of 1923 destroyed the consulate along with the rest of Yokohama and Tokyo. Remnants of the rebuilt consulate, which burned down in 1947, can still be seen here at the park next to the old windpump, which is still standing.

Harbor View Park Observatory | 港の見える丘公園 展望台
Pentax K-1 II + D FA 28-105mm F3.5-5.6
28 mm ISO 100 for 15 sec. at ƒ/10

The semi-circle shaped observatory deck of Harbor View Park (Yokohama, Japan) includes a covered space with benches and a roof designed in the shape of seabird wings in flight.

This observation deck is one of the main attractions at this park for both photographers and tourists, and is especially popular among couples looking for a romantic view of the harbor.

Located only within a 1-minute walk of Motomachi-Chukagai Station on the Minatomirai Line, the park draws visitors from not only residents of Kanagawa Prefecture, but also Tokyo and overseas tourists enjoying a day in Yokohama. 

Urban Waterfront Skyline | 横浜港
Pentax K-1 II + D FA 28-105mm F3.5-5.6
45 mm ISO 100 for 20 sec. at ƒ/13

View of the Yokohama waterfront from an observation deck of Harbor View Park in Yokohama, Japan, featuring the Wangan Shuto Expressway in the foreground, the Yokohama Marine Tower on the left, the cruise ship Osanbashi Pier in the mid-ground, and high-rise apartment towers in the background.

What was once a fishing village until the arrival of U.S. Naval Commodore Perry in 1859, Yokohama has become the 2nd largest city in Japan. The waterfront district is the biggest attraction for residential use, commercial activities, and is a popular tourist attraction. From this viewpoint of Harbor View Park (1-minute walk from Motomachi-Chukagai Station on the Minatomirai Line), you can enjoy beautiful views of the harbor.

Yokohama Bay Bridge | 横浜ベイブリッジ
Pentax K-1 II + D FA 28-105mm F3.5-5.6
105 mm ISO 100 for 25 sec. at ƒ/13

Harbor View Park, near Motomachi-Chukagai Station on the Minatomirai Line in Yokohama (Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan) offers fantastic nightscape views of Yokohama Bay Bridge--the gateway to the Port of Yokohama for ships sailing in and out of Tokyo Bay. The bridge has a cable-stayed design with an 860-meter/2,820-foot span that crosses Tokyo Bay allowing vehicular traffic to bypass congestion on the bayshore route for quicker access to Tokyo and Chiba Prefecture.

Completed in September 1989, the bridge was high enough to accommodate one of the world’s largest ships at that time—the Queen Elizabeth 2. Twenty years later, mega cruise ships became  too tall to pass under the bridge and had to dock farther away from the central piers of Yokohama.

Honmoku Pier | 本牧ふ頭
Pentax K-1 II + D FA 28-105mm F3.5-5.6
105 mm ISO 100 for 25 sec. at ƒ/13

Shot of the Harbor View Park nightscape view looking west from the park’s observatory (Naka Ward, Yokohama, Japan). You can see the numerous mega-gantry cranes standing idle on the berths of Honomoku Pier, which make for great nightscape subjects.

Harbor View Park is located about 37 km (23 mi) south of Tokyo,  or a 58-minute train ride from Shibuya Station (Tokyo) on the Tokyu-Toyoko line.

There are  several coin-parking lots near Harbor View Park, making it an easy park to visit if you drive. If visiting by train, you can easily access Harbor View Park via French Hill Park, which is only a 1-minute walk from Motomachi-Chukagai Station on the Minatomirai Line.

References:

Harbor View Park (Minato-no-Mieru Oka Koen) by the Yokohama Convention & Visitors Bureau:
Address:
  • 114, Yamate-cho, Naka-ku, Yokohama, 231-0862
  • 〒231-0862 神奈川県横浜市中区山手町114
Map:
“French Consulate, Yokohama, c. 1910” by Steve Sundberg:
Namamugi Incident by Wikipedia:
Section 2: French military advisers and military modernization by the National Diet Library, Japan:
港の見える丘公園（中区）by Yokohama City Hall:
Yamate by Wikipedia:
横浜山手外国人居留地データベース｜BLUFF Archives by 法人横浜山手アーカイブス:

Google Maps Links:

French Hill Park | フランス山公園:
Motomachi-Chukagai Station | 元町・中華街駅: Take exit No. 5 and turn right. Only a 30-second walk!
Showa Park France Yama Parking Lot:
Kyoritsuyamate Parking Lot:
  • https://goo.gl/maps/RL5RXmCP9SQAWz3g7
Minatonomieruoka Park Parking Lot:
Observatory of Harbor viewing hill park:
Harbor View Park Sunken Flower Bed | 港の見える丘公園 沈床花壇:
English Rose Garden | イングリッシュローズの庭:
British House (Former British Consulate) | 横浜市イギリス館:
Water Fountain | 噴水広場:
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    Below is a list of the equipment I took with me on this photo shoot.

    Camera Gear:

    Pentax K-1 Mark II  (K1-II)
    https://amzn.to/3gM4KqJ
    Standard zoom lens: Pentax D FA 28-105mm f3.5-5.6ed DC WR HD Lens
    https://amzn.to/3JlBBPs
    Tripod: Manfrotto MT190CXPRO4 (carbon fiber legs with quick locking clamps)
    https://amzn.to/2Fqpghd
    Ball head: Manfrotto Cloud XPRO Series Ballhead BHQ2 with 200PL locking plate
    https://amzn.to/3g6WI9j

    Filters & Filter Systems:

    PolarPro QuartzLine ND 64 Filter - 67mm (ND64 6-stop reduction in light)
    https://amzn.to/2J9VSOM
    PolarPro QuartzLine ND1000 Filter - 67mm (ND1000 10-stop reduction in light)
    https://amzn.to/39rwWwW
    PolarPro QuartzLine ND100k Filter - 67mm (ND100K 15-stop reduction in light)
    https://amzn.to/3q7YHAm
    PolarPro QuartzLine Circular Polarizer - 67mm
    https://amzn.to/3fOwgCY
    PolarPro Summit | Landscape Filter System Custom Kit (Core, Thread Plate, ND4-GR filter, ND8-GR filter, Circular Polarizer)
    https://amzn.to/37hjkBv

    Pack:

    F-stop Tilopa 50L Adventure and Travel Camera Backpack (Essentials Bundle: backpack, rain cover, internal camera unit)
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    F-stop Tripod Bag (large)
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    Creative Commons License
     Pix4Japan by Iketani, Daisei is licensed under a
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    Location: 114 Yamatechō, Naka Ward, Yokohama, Kanagawa 231-0862, Japan

    2022-03-29

    Satoyama Garden


    Visiting Satoyama Garden and Egawa River Babbling Green Road in Yokohama Japan for landscape photography
    里山ガーデン＆江川せせらぎ緑道（神奈川県・横浜市）の写真撮影。

    Satoyama Garden in Yokohama, Japan, is a small flower garden that is meticulously tended to, and includes trails and some paths that are barrier free—perfect for visitors needing a wheelchair or using a baby stroller. どんな季節でも、神奈川県横浜市の「里山ガーデン」と「江川せせらぎ緑道」の散歩と写真撮影がおすすめです！

    The garden has no entrance fee, is pet friendly, and accessible by shuttle bus. I found it easier to drive to the park, and was pleased with a flat parking fee of only ¥1,000. 

    The garden staff plant seasonal flowers, so regardless of when you visit, you will be enthralled with the variety of flora in full bloom!

    Food and drink trucks are available near the entrance to the garden along with tables, chairs, covered rest areas, and small shops selling small gardening related souvenirs, gifts, and plants.

    After spending most of the morning and afternoon at Satoyama Garden, I headed over to Egawa River Babbling Green Road, which is accessible by bus, although driving is a lot easier. Just be aware that you’ll need to find a coin parking lot. 

    This river has about 200 cherry trees and 15,000 tulips that have been carefully tended to by about 50 volunteers and local school children since 1985. 

    Access details, Google Maps links, and handy references can be found at the bottom of this blog post.

    White California Poppy and Lupine Rainbow Flowers

    Pentax K-1 II + HD PENTAX-D FA 28-105mm F3.5-5.6ED DC WR
    105 mm ISO 400 for 1/250 sec. at ƒ/5.6

    Satoyama Garden located adjacent to Yokohama Zoological Gardens Zoorasia is a city park accessible via bus from Nakayama Station on the JR Yokohama Line, or from Mitsukyou Station on the Sotetsu Line.

    Access to the park is free and pet-friendly, and wheel-chair accessible. Parking costs a flat fee of ¥1,000 yen for all-day-parking.

    The park also includes food trucks selling ice cream and snacks near the entrance, and tents are set up to sell garden related items, including small live plants.

    The park is basically a huge flower bed with an area of 10,000 m2, making it one of the largest in Yokohama city.

    Rhododendrons

    Pentax K-1 II + HD PENTAX-D FA 28-105mm F3.5-5.6ED DC WR
    105 mm ISO 400 for 1/250 sec. at ƒ/8.0

    Widely celebrated for their displays of color, rhododendron shrubs are said to be the epitome of spring. Here in Japan, they might rank second only to the gorgeous cherry blossoms. 

    Rhododendrons are just one of over a hundred different flowering plants on display at Yokohama’s Satoyama Garden (Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan).

    Tasso Strawberries & Cream English Daisies

    Pentax K-1 II + HD PENTAX-D FA 28-105mm F3.5-5.6ED DC WR
    105 mm ISO 400 for 1/250 sec. at ƒ/8.0

    Satoyama Garden located adjacent to Yokohama Zoological Gardens Zoorasia is a city park accessible via bus from Nakayama Station on the JR Yokohama Line, or from Mitsukyou Station on the Sotetsu Line in Yokohama (Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan).

    The park has about 300,000 plants of more than 100 varieties during spring, with about 250,000 plants during fall.

    Osteospermum “4D Violet Ice” (African Daisy)

    Pentax K-1 II + HD PENTAX-D FA 28-105mm F3.5-5.6ED DC WR
    105 mm ISO 800 for 1/250 sec. at ƒ/8.0

    Native to South Africa, the variety seems to go by other names including African daisy, Cape daisy and Blue-eyed daisy.

    Osteospermum are just one of over a hundred different flowering plants on display at Yokohama’s Satoyama Garden (Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan). If you ever visit Yokohama, please take the opportunity to visit this garden!

    Satoyama Garden Picnic Grounds

    Pentax K-1 II + HD PENTAX-D FA 28-105mm F3.5-5.6ED DC WR
    105 mm ISO 800 for 1/250 sec. at ƒ/8.0

    Although 3 or 4 food truck vendors are available just inside the main entrance of Satoyama Garden (Yokohama, Japan), if you want to enjoy some homemade cooking in the shade of trees on lush, green  grass, the park has you covered with a small picnic ground.

    Visitors can spread out a picnic blanket and take in the greenery and flower blossoms while enjoying some rice balls, sandwiches, or whatever it is that your family packs in the picnic basket.

    Japanese Carp Kites

    Pentax K-1 II + HD PENTAX-D FA 28-105mm F3.5-5.6ED DC WR
    105 mm ISO 400 for 1/250 sec. at ƒ/5.6

    Traditionally flown from April through early May, a carp kite (鯉のぼり, koinoboiri) is actually a windsock shaped like a koi fish with its open mouth attached to a pole or rope so that its tail flutters freely in the wind.

    Freshwater carp represent energy and determination as they can fight their way against swift-running streams and obstacles making them symbolic of courage and success.

    Families and communities fly the koinoboiri in hopes that their children will grow up with courage, determination, and the ability to overcome obstacles.

    Border Collie & Japanese Carp Streamers

    Pentax K-1 II + HD PENTAX-D FA 28-105mm F3.5-5.6ED DC WR
    105 mm ISO 400 for 1/250 sec. at ƒ/5.6

    Fortunately, Satoyama Garden (Asahi Ward, Yokohama, Japan) is a pet-friendly park as long as you keep your dog on a leash and clean up after any droppings.

    Osteospermum “4D Violet Ice” (African Daisy)

    Pentax K-1 II + HD PENTAX-D FA 28-105mm F3.5-5.6ED DC WR
    105 mm ISO 800 for 1/250 sec. at ƒ/8.0

    Native to South Africa, the variety seems to go by other names including African daisy, Cape daisy and Blue-eyed daisy.

    Osteospermum are just one of over a hundred different flowering plants on display at Yokohama’s Satoyama Garden (Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan). If you ever visit Yokohama, please take the opportunity to visit this garden!


    Barrier-Free City Flower Garden Park

    Pentax K-1 II + HD PENTAX-D FA 28-105mm F3.5-5.6ED DC WR
    34 mm ISO 1600 for 1/125 sec. at ƒ13

    Two primary objectives were met when I chose to visit Satoyama Garden here in Yokohama, Japan: 1. No entrance fee; and 2. Pet friendly.

    The view of this shot gives you a basic idea of how the garden was designed. The city took the extra effort to ensure that the park was mostly barrier free making it easy to bring family or friends who rely on wheelchairs to get around. 

    The slopes in this shot are not that steep, making it easy to push a wheelchair around and allow your family member or friend to enjoy the flowers up close!

    Cherry Blossoms & Tulips

    Pentax K-1 II + HD PENTAX-D FA 28-105mm F3.5-5.6ED DC WR
    105 mm ISO 3200 for 1/250 sec. at ƒ/5.6

    A small babbling creek named “Egawa River Babbling Green Road” (江川せせらぎ緑道) is a small community project that was born in 1985 with a crew of 50 volunteers and extra help from local elementary school children. Over the years, the volunteers and children have planted more than 200 cherry trees and continue to  maintain the nearly 15,000 tulips.

    Egawa River (Tsuzuki Ward, Yokohama, Japan) runs through an area that has drastically changed from rice paddies and fields to a zone of heavy industry. The river and its beautiful trees and flowers stand in dark contrast with metal recycling yards, factories, warehouses, and distribution centers.

    With no designated parking nearby, and somewhat cumbersome access via public transportation, I was pleased to find such a pleasant oasis of greenery, and signs of nature’s spring rebirth.

    References & Links

    Satoyama Garden | 里山ガーデン
    Google Maps: 
    Satoyama Garden Festa | 里山ガーデンフェスタ by Yokohama City (Japanese only):
    Article by Cathy Cawood with photos at Japan Travel K.K.:
    Translations:
    • White California Poppy | エスコルチアアルバ
    • Lupine Rainbow | ルピナスレインボー
    • Yokohama Garden Necklace | 横浜ガーデンネックレス

    Types of flowers used in many Yokohama parks by Yokohama City:
    Egawa River Babbling Green Road | 江川せせらぎ緑道 by city of Yokohama (Japanese only):
    Google Maps to Egawa River Babbling Green Road:
    Nearest  coin parking to Egawa River Babbling Green Road:

    Commercial licenses, advertising license, and personal license available here:
    Stock Photos:
    Quality Prints:
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    Below is a list of the equipment I took with me on this photo shoot.

    Camera Gear:

    Pentax K-1 Mark II  (K1-II)
    https://amzn.to/3gM4KqJ
    Standard zoom lens: Pentax D FA 28-105mm f3.5-5.6ed DC WR HD Lens
    https://amzn.to/3JlBBPs
    Tripod: Manfrotto MT190CXPRO4 (carbon fiber legs with quick locking clamps)
    https://amzn.to/2Fqpghd
    Ball head: Manfrotto Cloud XPRO Series Ballhead BHQ2 with 200PL locking plate
    https://amzn.to/3g6WI9j

    Filters & Filter Systems:

    PolarPro QuartzLine ND 64 Filter - 67mm (ND64 6-stop reduction in light)
    https://amzn.to/2J9VSOM
    PolarPro QuartzLine ND1000 Filter - 67mm (ND1000 10-stop reduction in light)
    https://amzn.to/39rwWwW
    PolarPro QuartzLine ND100k Filter - 67mm (ND100K 15-stop reduction in light)
    https://amzn.to/3q7YHAm
    PolarPro QuartzLine Circular Polarizer - 67mm
    https://amzn.to/3fOwgCY
    PolarPro Summit | Landscape Filter System Custom Kit (Core, Thread Plate, ND4-GR filter, ND8-GR filter, Circular Polarizer)
    https://amzn.to/37hjkBv

    Pack:

    F-stop Tilopa 50L Adventure and Travel Camera Backpack (Essentials Bundle: backpack, rain cover, internal camera unit)
    https://amzn.to/2XfjDIE
    F-stop Tripod Bag (large)
    https://amzn.to/3pXW57n

    *Links to Amazon are affiliated links, which means that if you choose to purchase an item that I may get a small commission, which has no effect on your purchase price whatsoever.

    Creative Commons License
     Pix4Japan by Iketani, Daisei is licensed under a
     Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
     Permissions beyond the scope of this license are available at Pix4Japan.
    Posted by at No comments:
    Location: Satoyama Garden
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