Bakery

A Storybook Bakery in the Yatsugatake Highlands
八ヶ岳高原の苔むすカントリーキッチンベーカリー

Tucked in the forest of Fujimi-Kogen in Nagano Prefecture, this storybook-like bakery is known for stone-oven bread and baked goods featuring seasonal ingredients from Nagano and Yamanashi Prefectures.

What captured my attention, however, was the building itself: its stone facade, weathered green shutters, climbing vines, and thick layer of moss covering the roof. With Dale-chan resting beside the entrance, I found myself wondering whether the moss is simply part of the bakery’s rustic charm or an ongoing maintenance challenge.

Full write-up (1-minute read), Google Maps Links, and sources for a deeper dive: 

• https://www.pix4japan.com/blog/20260609-bakery

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

・Order prints, digital downloads, or commercial licenses

・Explore gifts and merchandise

• Location: Suwa Village, Nagano Prefecture, Japan
• Timestamp: 2026/06/09・09:59
• Pentax K-1 II + Irix 15mm f/2.4 Blackstone
• 15 mm ISO 100 for 1/50 sec. at ƒ/4

---

Gift Store | Become a Patron | Prints・Downloads・Licensing

---

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.

Kousa Dogwood

Kousa Dogwood in Hokuto, Yamanashi・ヤマボウシ｜山梨県北杜市

While traveling to Nagano Prefecture, I stopped at Ciao Café in rural Hokuto, Yamanashi. Its simple outdoor seating—especially welcome when traveling with my border collie—rests beneath a large kousa dogwood covered in pale pink and creamy-white bracts. This short post shares a few photographs from the visit and a closer look at the tree known in Japan as yamabōshi (ヤマボウシ).

Full write-up (1-minute read), Google Maps Links, and sources for a deeper dive: 

• https://www.pix4japan.com/blog/20260609-dogwood

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

・Order prints, digital downloads, or commercial licenses

・Explore gifts and merchandise

Pink Kousa Dogwood

• Location: Hokuto, Yamanashi Prefecture, Japan
• Timestamp: 2026/06/09・08:59
• Fujifilm X100V with 5% diffusion filter
• ISO 2000 for 1/250 sec. at ƒ/2.0
• Velvia/Vivid film simulation

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

・Order prints, digital downloads, or commercial licenses

・Explore gifts and merchandise

Close-Up of Pink Kousa Dogwood Bracts

• Location: Hokuto, Yamanashi Prefecture, Japan
• Timestamp: 2026/06/09・09:10
• Fujifilm X100V with 5% diffusion filter
• ISO 3200 for 1/125 sec. at ƒ/5.0
• Astia/Soft film simulation

---

Gift Store | Become a Patron | Prints・Downloads・Licensing

---

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.

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

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

・Order prints, digital downloads, or commercial licenses

・Explore gifts and merchandise

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

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

・Order prints, digital downloads, or commercial licenses

・Explore gifts and merchandise

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

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

・Order prints, digital downloads, or commercial licenses

・Explore gifts and merchandise

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

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

・Order prints, digital downloads, or commercial licenses

・Explore gifts and merchandise

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

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

・Order prints, digital downloads, or commercial licenses

・Explore gifts and merchandise

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

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

・Order prints, digital downloads, or commercial licenses

・Explore gifts and merchandise

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

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

・Order prints, digital downloads, or commercial licenses

・Explore gifts and merchandise

Bronze Dragon at the Purification Fountain of Osugi Shrine, Ibaraki, Japan・手水舎の青銅の龍｜茨城県・大杉神社

• Location: Inashiki, Ibaraki Pref., Japan
• Timestamp: 2026/06/03・06:42
• Pentax K-1 II + Irix 15mm f/2.4 Blackstone
• 15 mm ISO 100 for 1/40 sec. at ƒ/2.8

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

・Order prints, digital downloads, or commercial licenses

・Explore gifts and merchandise

Kirin-mon: The Grand Gate of Osugi Shrine・麒麟門｜大杉神社の楼門

• Location: Inashiki, Ibaraki Pref., Japan
• Timestamp: 2026/06/03・06:47
• Pentax K-1 II + Irix 15mm f/2.4 Blackstone
• 15 mm ISO 100 for 1/20 sec. at ƒ/3.5

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

・Order prints, digital downloads, or commercial licenses

・Explore gifts and merchandise

Kirin-mon Doorway: Color, Craftsmanship & Tradition・麒麟門の華麗な扉｜大杉神社

• Location: Inashiki, Ibaraki Pref., Japan
• Timestamp: 2026/06/03・06:49
• Pentax K-1 II + Irix 15mm f/2.4 Blackstone
• 15 mm ISO 100 for 1/20 sec. at ƒ/3.5

 

If this scene speaks to you, prints and downloads are available:
・Order prints, digital downloads, or commercial licenses
・Explore gifts and merchandise

 

Sacred Cedars and the Worship Hall of Osugi Shrine・御神木と大杉神社の拝殿

• Location: Inashiki, Ibaraki Pref., Japan
• Timestamp: 2026/06/03・06:50
• Pentax K-1 II + Irix 15mm f/2.4 Blackstone
• 15 mm ISO 200 for 1/40 sec. at ƒ/8.0 

 

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

・Order prints, digital downloads, or commercial licenses

・Explore gifts and merchandise

Cast Bronze Lantern at Osugi Shrine・大杉神社の唐銅燈籠

• Location: Inashiki, Ibaraki Pref., Japan
• Timestamp: 2026/06/03・06:52
• Pentax K-1 II + Irix 15mm f/2.4 Blackstone
• 15 mm ISO 100 for 1/50 sec. at ƒ/2.4

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

・Order prints, digital downloads, or commercial licenses

・Explore gifts and merchandise

Cast Bronze Lanterns at Osugi Shrine・大杉神社の唐銅燈籠

• Location: Inashiki, Ibaraki Pref., Japan
• Timestamp: 2026/06/03・06:53
• Pentax K-1 II + Irix 15mm f/2.4 Blackstone
• 15 mm ISO 100 for 1/50 sec. at ƒ/2.4

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

・Order prints, digital downloads, or commercial licenses

・Explore gifts and merchandise

Worship Hall of Osugi Shrine・大杉神社の拝殿

• Location: Inashiki, Ibaraki Pref., Japan
• Timestamp: 2026/06/03・06:56
• Pentax K-1 II + Irix 15mm f/2.4 Blackstone
• 15 mm ISO 800 for 1/20 sec. at ƒ/11

---

Gift Store | Become a Patron | Prints・Downloads・Licensing

---

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.