2021-03-03

Negishi Shinrin Park


This week's photo shoot in Japan takes us to Negishi Forest Park (Negishi Shinrin Koen) for some long-exposure nightscape photography. The park is located in Naka Ward of Yokohama approximately 35 km (22 mi) south of Central Tokyo.

The park was originally Japan’s first European style racecourse and was in operation from 1866 to 1942. Originally set up to entertain the expat community living in Yokohama, the racecourse proved to be a big hit among the local Japanese, including Emperor Meiji who visited the track 14 times. After the Great Kanto Earthquake, American architect, J.H. Morgan designed the grandstand that we see standing today.

In 1942, the Japanese military used the facilities as a printing house, and the nearby stables were used to house foreign POWs. After the war, General MacArthur took over and used the printing equipment turning the grandstands into a communications headquarters.

Soon after, the U.S. Navy took control of the entire bluff area  near the trace track and built a housing facility for the influx of GIs and their families. The Negishi Heights housing base had pools, cafeterias, bars, houses with expansive yards, schools, gas station, and a golf course.

In 1977, the stands and the golf course were returned to Japan and the city of Yokohama created a huge park for the citizens to enjoy.

The park is a wonderful place to enjoy nature, plum tree blossoms, cherry tree blossoms, enjoy picnics, dog walks, and leisurely strolls. 

Access by public transportation:

From Yokohama Station, go to the East Exit and catch the Yokohama Municipal Bus No. 103. Get off in front of the park at the Taki-no-Ue (滝の上) bus  stop. Under normal traffic, the bus ride will take about 30 minutes with Taki-no-Ue being the 19th bus stop.

Yokohama Station:

⇨ Bus terminal No. 7 (bus fare: 220 yen)
⇨ Bus No. 103 bound for Negishidai (根岸台ゆき)
⇨ Get off at the Taki-no-Ue (滝の上) bus stop:

Access by car/taxi:

Negishi-Shinrin Koen Dai-Ichi Parking Lot (根岸森林公園 第一駐車場):

Negishi-Shinrin Koen Dai-Ni Parking Lot (根岸森林公園 第二駐車場):


Midnight Pond
Reflections on pond at the Negishi Forest Park (Negishi Shinrin Koen) during midnight photoshoot.
YouTube Video: https://youtu.be/qJHFvZcZdK0
Pentax KP + smc Pentax-DA 18-135mm F3.5-5.6 ED AL [IF] DC WR
18 mm ISO 400 for 160.0 sec. at ƒ/14
#nightscapephotography #landscapephotography #pond #park #reflections #NegishiForestPark #Yokohama #Japan #Pentax #pix4japan
#池 #夜景写真 #夜景の写真 #横浜の風景 #根岸森林公園 #長時間露光写真 #横浜 #ペンタックス

Classical Abandoned Architecture
Long-time exposure of a grandstand that was once a part of the Negishi Racecourse between 1866 and 1942. Originally an entertainment venue for expats, the racecourse rapidly became popular among the local Japanese, and more notably the Emperor Meiji.
YouTube Video: https://youtu.be/qJHFvZcZdK0
Pentax KP + smc Pentax-DA 18-135mm F3.5-5.6 ED AL [IF] DC WR
18 mm ISO 100 for 120.0 sec. at ƒ/11
#nightscapephotography #landscapephotography #racecourse #park #ruins #grandstands #NegishiForestPark #NegishiShinrinPark #NegishiRacecourse #Yokohama #Japan #Pentax #pix4japan
#根岸森林公園 #旧一等馬見所 #根岸競馬場 #横浜 #夜景写真 #夜景の写真 #横浜の風景 #長時間露光写真 #横浜 #ペンタックス

Waterfront Nightscape Skyline
Long-time exposure of the Yokohama waterfront skyline at night featuring Yokohama Landmark Tower (left), Queen’s Tower A & B (center), and The Tower Yokohama Kitanaka (right) as viewed from Negishi Forest Park on the bluff overlooking the Port of Yokohama.
YouTube Video: https://youtu.be/qJHFvZcZdK0
Pentax KP + smc Pentax-DA 18-135mm F3.5-5.6 ED AL [IF] DC WR
88 mm ISO 100 for 30.0 sec. at ƒ/11
#nightscape #nightscapephotography #cityscape #skyscraper #cityscapephotography #skyline #Minatomirai #Yokohama #Japan #Pentax #pix4japan
#夜景 #夜景の写真 #都市の景観 #横浜のスカイライン #みなとみらい #横浜の風景 #超高層ビル #ランドマークタワー #ペンタックス
Below is a list of the equipment I take with me on photo shoots.

Camera Gear:

Pentax KP
https://amzn.to/2EbbLRZ
Standard zoom lens: smc Pentax-DA 18-135mm F3.5-5.6 ED AL[IF] DC WR
https://amzn.to/2Ysz5lJ
Telephoto zoom lens: HD Pentax-DA 55-300mm F4.5-6.3 ED PLM WR RE
https://amzn.to/3iNEsDF
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

Video Gear:

Canon EOS Kiss M/M50 Double Zoom Kit
https://amzn.to/2Ef3mNg
SIGMA 16mm F1.4 DC DN | Contemporary C017 (Canon EF-M Mount, APS-C Size, Mirrorless Only)
https://amzn.to/3axkn1w
PolarPro 67mm QuartzLine Circular Polarizer Filter
https://amzn.to/2FUTBVS
Zhiyun Weebill-S Gimbal
https://amzn.to/32c0FFL
RODE Road Wireless GO Wireless Microphone System WIGO
https://amzn.to/35lygz1

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.

Music Tracks Licensed for this video through Epidemic Sound. Visit this link to subscribe:


"Maps" composed by August Wilhelmsson and performed by Epidemic Sound.
“First Moon” composed by Martin Veida and performed by Cerulean Skies.
“Tree Shadow” composed by Martin Veida and performed by Cerulean Skies.
“Ambient Sun” composed by Martin Veida and performed by Cerulean Skies.
“Bermuda” composed by Henrik Olsson and performed by Ooyy.
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