Osugi Shrine

A typhoon brought heavy rain, strong winds, and an unusually quiet morning to Osugi Shrine in Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan. With the grounds nearly empty, I photographed the rain-soaked vermilion and gold architecture, torii gates, and more, while reflecting on the shrine’s history where Shinto and Buddhism once intertwined, and on Japan’s long tradition of adapting outside influences into something distinctly its own.

Read my full write-ups with links to Google Maps and sources for a deeper dive: 

• https://www.pix4japan.com/blog/20260603-osugi

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Jiro-sugi Cedar Tree・次郎杉

• Location: Inashiki, Ibaraki Pref., Japan
• Timestamp: 2026/06/03・06:08
• Pentax K-1 II + Irix 15mm f/2.4 Blackstone
• 15 mm ISO 100 for 0.8 sec. at ƒ/14

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Guardians in the Rain・雨に佇む稲荷の守り狐

• Location: Inashiki, Ibaraki Pref., Japan
• Timestamp: 2026/06/03・06:18
• Pentax K-1 II + Irix 15mm f/2.4 Blackstone
• 15 mm ISO 100 for 1/10 sec. at ƒ/2.4

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A Rain-Washed Path to Prosperity・雨に濡れた開運の参道

• Location: Inashiki, Ibaraki Pref., Japan
• Timestamp: 2026/06/03・06:24
• Pentax K-1 II + Irix 15mm f/2.4 Blackstone
• 15 mm ISO 100 for 13.0 sec. at ƒ/14

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Phoenix and Peonies: The Ornate Torii of Osugi-jinja｜鳳凰と牡丹・大杉神社の華麗な鳥居

• Location: Inashiki, Ibaraki Pref., Japan
• Timestamp: 2026/06/03・06:31
• Pentax K-1 II + Irix 15mm f/2.4 Blackstone
• 15 mm ISO 200 for 1/60 sec. at ƒ/2.8

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Gold Tengu Fans and Arabesque Vines: The Ornate Torii of Osugi-jinja・天狗の羽団扇と唐草・大杉神社の「二の鳥居」

• Location: Inashiki, Ibaraki Pref., Japan
• Timestamp: 2026/06/03・06:36
• Pentax K-1 II + Irix 15mm f/2.4 Blackstone
• 15 mm ISO 100 for 1/60 sec. at ƒ/2.8

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Vermilion in the Rain: Ōsugi Shrine, Ibaraki・雨に映える朱｜茨城県・大杉神社

• Location: Inashiki, Ibaraki Pref., Japan
• Timestamp: 2026/06/03・06:40
• Pentax K-1 II + Irix 15mm f/2.4 Blackstone
• 15 mm ISO 400 for 1/30 sec. at ƒ/14

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© 2011-2026 Pix4Japan. All rights reserved.

Unauthorized use for AI training is strictly prohibited.

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Meiji Tunnel

Located beneath the forested slopes of Utsunoya-tōge Pass (宇津ノ谷峠), the Meiji-era Utsunoya Tunnel (officially known as Meiji Utsunoya Zuidō・明治宇津ノ谷隧道) cuts through the mountain along the historic route between present-day Shizuoka City and Fujieda City.

Often called the Meiji Tunnel by locals, its red-brick interior, retro-style lamps, and cool mountain air offer a quiet glimpse into Japan’s early modern history. In this photowalk, I explore the tunnel’s distinctive brickwork, atmospheric lighting, and peaceful surroundings beneath the forest.

For a deeper look at the tunnel’s history, location, and the cultural context behind each photograph, visit my latest write-up: https://www.pix4japan.com/blog/20260104-tunnel

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Brick Tunnel Beneath Utsunoya Pass・宇津ノ谷峠に残る明治のレンガ隧道

• Location: Suruga Ward, Shizuoka, Shizuoka Pref.
• Timestamp: 2026/01/04・14:20
• Pentax K-1 II + DFA 28-105mm F3.5-5.6 + CP
• 105 mm ISO 100 for 1.3 sec. at ƒ/10

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Brick Tunnel Beneath Utsunoya Pass・宇津ノ谷峠に残る明治のレンガ隧道

• Location: Suruga Ward, Shizuoka, Shizuoka Pref.
• Timestamp: 2026/01/04・14:21
• Pentax K-1 II + DFA 28-105mm F3.5-5.6 + CP
• 73 mm ISO 100 for 1.3 sec. at ƒ/10

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Brick Tunnel Beneath Utsunoya Pass・宇津ノ谷峠に残る明治のレンガ隧道

• Location: Suruga Ward, Shizuoka, Shizuoka Pref.
• Timestamp: 2026/01/04・14:22
• Pentax K-1 II + DFA 28-105mm F3.5-5.6 + CP
• 58 mm ISO 100 for 1.3 sec. at ƒ/10

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Brick Tunnel Beneath Utsunoya Pass・宇津ノ谷峠に残る明治のレンガ隧道

• Location: Suruga Ward, Shizuoka, Shizuoka Pref.
• Timestamp: 2026/01/04・14:26
• Pentax K-1 II + DFA 28-105mm F3.5-5.6 + CP
• 88 mm ISO 100 for 2.0 sec. at ƒ/10

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Brick Tunnel Beneath Utsunoya Pass・宇津ノ谷峠に残る明治のレンガ隧道

• Location: Suruga Ward, Shizuoka, Shizuoka Pref.
• Timestamp: 2026/01/04・14:49
• Pentax K-1 II + DFA 28-105mm F3.5-5.6 + CP
• 68 mm ISO 100 for 0.8 sec. at ƒ/10

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Brick Tunnel Beneath Utsunoya Pass・宇津ノ谷峠に残る明治のレンガ隧道

• Location: Suruga Ward, Shizuoka, Shizuoka Pref.
• Timestamp: 2026/01/04・14:51
• Fujifilm X100V with 5% diffusion filter
• 23 mm ISO 3200 for 1/125 sec. at ƒ/2
• Astia/Soft film simulation

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Copyright Notice for All Images:

© 2011-2026 Pix4Japan. All rights reserved.

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Utsunoya Hamlet

Photowalk through Aino-Shuku Utsunoya in Shizuoka, Japan

間の宿・宇津ノ谷の写真散歩・静岡県静岡市

Located at the eastern foot of Utsunoya-tōge Pass (宇津ノ谷峠), the small hamlet of Aino-Shuku Utsunoya (間の宿・宇津ノ谷) once served travelers making their way along the former Tokaido Road (旧東海道) during the Edo period (1603–1867).

Although it was not an official post town, Utsunoya developed as an aino-shuku (a kind of rest stop between larger post stations) with teahouses, inns, and small businesses that supported travelers preparing to cross the mountain pass.

Many of the historic structures have been carefully maintained by the local community, preserving the atmosphere of a quiet roadside hamlet that once bustled with travelers moving between eastern Japan and Kyoto.

For a deeper look at the history, locations, and cultural context behind each photograph, visit https://www.pix4japan.com/blog/20260104-utsunoya.

Rengeji Remnants

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Rengeji Teahouse at Rengeji-ike Park・蓮華寺池公園のれんげじ茶屋

• Location: Fujieda, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan
• Timestamp: 2026/01/04・10:29
• Fujifilm X100V with 5% diffusion filter
• 23 mm ISO 160 for 1/1600 sec. at ƒ/2.8
• Eterna/Cinema film simulation

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Rengeji Inari Daimyojin Shrine at the Former Rengeji Temple Site・蓮華寺跡の稲荷大明神

• Location: Fujieda, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan
• Timestamp: 2026/01/04・10:30
• Fujifilm X100V with 5% diffusion filter
• 23 mm ISO 160 for 1/1600 sec. at ƒ/2.8
• Eterna/Cinema film simulation

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Torii Gate of Rengeji Inari Daimyojin・蓮華寺 稲荷大明神の鳥居

• Location: Fujieda, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan
• Timestamp: 2026/01/04・10:31
• Fujifilm X100V with 5% diffusion filter
• 23 mm ISO 160 for 1/1600 sec. at ƒ/2.8
• Provia/Standard film simulation

Where Rengeji Still Lingers・蓮華寺の名残をたどる

A quiet corner of Rengeji-ike Park in Fujieda, where traces of the former Rengeji Temple remain in small local structures: Rengeji Inari Daimyojin Shrine, a traditional teahouse, and buildings with kawara-tiled roofs and wooden facades.

Not every piece of local history is marked by a grand monument. Sometimes it survives in modest places like this, tucked into the everyday scenery.

Full write-up (1-minute read) with sources:

• https://www.pix4japan.com/blog/20260104-rengeji

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© 2011-2026 Pix4Japan. All rights reserved.

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Japanese Garden

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A Quiet Japanese Garden at Rengeji-ike Park
蓮華寺池公園の小さな日本庭園

A small Japanese garden beside Rengeji-ike Pond in Fujieda offers a quiet mix of traditional details: a white-plastered wall capped with roof tiles, a simple wooden gate, carefully pruned garden pines, clipped shrubs, and a low grassy mound catching the winter light. It may not be as grand as the famous gardens of Kyoto or Tokyo, but that modest scale is part of its charm. Full write-up on the blog with a closer look at the garden’s history, tiled walls, and shaped pines.

Full write-up (1-minute read) with a closer look at the garden’s history, tiled walls, and shaped pines: https://www.pix4japan.com/blog/20260104-garden

Photo 1

• Timestamp: 2026/01/04・09:29
• Fujifilm X100V with 5% diffusion filter
• 23 mm ISO 160 for 1/4000 sec. at ƒ/2
• Classic Chrome film simulation

Photo 2

• Timestamp: 2026/01/04・09:31
• Fujifilm X100V with 5% diffusion filter
• 23 mm ISO 160 for 1/4000 sec. at ƒ/2
• Astia/Soft film simulation

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Copyright Notice for All Images:

© 2011-2026 Pix4Japan. All rights reserved.

Unauthorized use for AI training is strictly prohibited.

Visit www.pix4japan.com to learn more.

Wisteria

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Local Symbols Around Rengeji-ike Park
足元に見つけた藤枝の物語

A weathered manhole cover and a small concrete signpost might seem easy to overlook, but both revealed little pieces of Fujieda’s local identity: wisteria, pine, Mt. Fuji, and the city’s connection to the name “Fuji-eda” itself.

I put together a short write-up on the local symbols I found while walking around Rengeji-ike Park.

Full write-up (1-minute read): https://www.pix4japan.com/blog/20260104-wisteria

Photo 1

• Timestamp: 2026/01/04・09:29
• Fujifilm X100V with 5% diffusion filter
• 23 mm ISO 160 for 1/4000 sec. at ƒ/2
• Classic Chrome film simulation

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Photo 2

• Timestamp: 2026/01/04・09:31
• Fujifilm X100V with 5% diffusion filter
• 23 mm ISO 160 for 1/4000 sec. at ƒ/2
• Astia/Soft film simulation

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Copyright Notice for All Images:

© 2011-2026 Pix4Japan. All rights reserved.

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Blue Jacaranda

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Winter Color from a Purple Cloud Tree
紫雲木の冬の彩り｜蓮華寺池公園

The bright green and yellow foliage of these blue jacaranda trees at Rengeji-ike Park in Fujieda, Shizuoka Prefecture, felt like a small preview of the warmer days still to come.

Blue jacaranda is called shiunboku (紫雲木) in Japanese, which literally means “purple cloud tree.” It is such a fitting name for a tree known for its violet-blue blossoms, and one more reason I would like to return to Fujieda when the jacaranda flowers are in bloom.

 

Read my full write-up (1-minute read) with sources for a deeper dive: 

• https://www.pix4japan.com/blog/20260104-jacaranda

Photo 1

• Timestamp: 2026/01/04・09:28
• Fujifilm X100V with 5% diffusion filter
• 23 mm ISO 160 for 1/4000 sec. at ƒ/2
• Astia/Soft film simulation

Photo 2

• Timestamp: 2026/01/04・09:34
• Fujifilm X100V with 5% diffusion filter
• 23 mm ISO 160 for 1/2000 sec. at ƒ/2
• Astia/Soft film simulation 

If this scene speaks to you, prints and downloads are available:

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Copyright Notice for All Images:

© 2011-2026 Pix4Japan. All rights reserved.

Unauthorized use for AI training is strictly prohibited.

Visit www.pix4japan.com to learn more.