Canon Japan Tour (Day 6) Nagano to Yamanashi
Hello, travelers. This is Kumi. I guided a Canon Australia's Japan tour for two weeks. Let me show you how we enjoyed the tour. This is about Day 6, the day we traveled from Nagano to Yamanashi.
After enjoying this lovely Japanese breakfast,
we said good-bye to the onsen ryokan and headed for Azumino area in Nagano.
Our first stop is Daio Wasabi Farm which started in the 1910s.
https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e6056.html
This is where you can enjoy the views of old-time Japan.
And you can learn a lot about wasabi (there is a museum).
These two photos below are from the end of October when there were a lot of wasabi plants growing.
You do need very clean and good water to grow wasabi.
According to some websites, the best season to visit Daio Wasabi is from March to early April when you can see wasabi flowers. From mid-April to September, the wasabi farm will be covered with black fabric to make shades.
Anyway, we got to see some colored leaves here.
If you visit Daio Wasabi, I'd suggest walking around outside the farm as well. You can see beautiful mountains.
And very clear water.
After the farm, we visited Matsumoto Castle.
https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e6051.html
The castle was used from 1504 (*at first, it was called Fukashi Castle) to 1868 and it is said the current structure was built around 1594. This is one of the 12 oldest castles in Japan and you can go inside the Castle Tower.
These two photos below are from October.
The stairs are VERY steep!!!
Anyway, we didn't really have time to go inside, so we focused on taking photos from outside. The members are busy with setting their tripods.
Oh? Bullfighting?
No. He's trying to make shade for his camera. I'm glad there are no bulls around. LOL
Hmm... What photos is he taking?? Not the castle!?
There are many angles to shoot from.
You could try a very low angle and this could be a good abs exercise. :P
Wherever we are, we often talk about shooting technique etc.
And we have some rest on the bus.
However, once someone finds a good view,
everyone starts taking photos again!
The bus stopped for 15 minutes at Yatsugatake SA,
and we enjoyed a coffee break while...
some people were trying to find good photo locations.
Finally, Mt. Fuji came into view!!
As there was heavy traffic around Lake Kawaguchi area for the marathon, I asked the bus driver to leave the members near the photo spot because I didn't want them to miss the sunset.
The bus driver and I went to the hotel with their luggage. Then I walked to the Kawaguchiko station.
Oh, wow! Mt. Fuji is right behind the station!
It was a 14-min ride on the Fuji-kyuko Line to...
Shimoyoshida station.
There are many signs for Arakurayama-sengen Park where Chureito is.
Getting dark...
Oh, no. This is really creepy!! Should I really go up there alone?
Anyway, I'm so glad to join them up there and enjoyed shooting until...
these annoyingly shiny lights turned on.
We went to the hotel and enjoyed dinner. And of course...
Another shooting session in the observation room at the hotel!!
You may wonder what photos we were talking.
Surprisingly, you can capture Mt. Fuji in the darkness with long exposure. The following one was taken at 9:07pm with 10 seconds' exposure.
At 10pm, the floor's lights automatically went off and it became even easier for us to take photos.
We were there until 10:30 or so. Do you think we slept in the next day?
After enjoying this lovely Japanese breakfast,
we said good-bye to the onsen ryokan and headed for Azumino area in Nagano.
Our first stop is Daio Wasabi Farm which started in the 1910s.
https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e6056.html
This is where you can enjoy the views of old-time Japan.
And you can learn a lot about wasabi (there is a museum).
You do need very clean and good water to grow wasabi.
According to some websites, the best season to visit Daio Wasabi is from March to early April when you can see wasabi flowers. From mid-April to September, the wasabi farm will be covered with black fabric to make shades.
Anyway, we got to see some colored leaves here.
If you visit Daio Wasabi, I'd suggest walking around outside the farm as well. You can see beautiful mountains.
And very clear water.
After the farm, we visited Matsumoto Castle.
https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e6051.html
The castle was used from 1504 (*at first, it was called Fukashi Castle) to 1868 and it is said the current structure was built around 1594. This is one of the 12 oldest castles in Japan and you can go inside the Castle Tower.
These two photos below are from October.
The stairs are VERY steep!!!
Anyway, we didn't really have time to go inside, so we focused on taking photos from outside. The members are busy with setting their tripods.
Oh? Bullfighting?
No. He's trying to make shade for his camera. I'm glad there are no bulls around. LOL
Hmm... What photos is he taking?? Not the castle!?
There are many angles to shoot from.
You could try a very low angle and this could be a good abs exercise. :P
Wherever we are, we often talk about shooting technique etc.
And we have some rest on the bus.
However, once someone finds a good view,
The bus stopped for 15 minutes at Yatsugatake SA,
and we enjoyed a coffee break while...
some people were trying to find good photo locations.
Finally, Mt. Fuji came into view!!
As there was heavy traffic around Lake Kawaguchi area for the marathon, I asked the bus driver to leave the members near the photo spot because I didn't want them to miss the sunset.
The bus driver and I went to the hotel with their luggage. Then I walked to the Kawaguchiko station.
Oh, wow! Mt. Fuji is right behind the station!
It was a 14-min ride on the Fuji-kyuko Line to...
Shimoyoshida station.
There are many signs for Arakurayama-sengen Park where Chureito is.
Getting dark...
Oh, no. This is really creepy!! Should I really go up there alone?
Anyway, I'm so glad to join them up there and enjoyed shooting until...
these annoyingly shiny lights turned on.
We went to the hotel and enjoyed dinner. And of course...
Another shooting session in the observation room at the hotel!!
You may wonder what photos we were talking.
Surprisingly, you can capture Mt. Fuji in the darkness with long exposure. The following one was taken at 9:07pm with 10 seconds' exposure.
At 10pm, the floor's lights automatically went off and it became even easier for us to take photos.
We were there until 10:30 or so. Do you think we slept in the next day?
