Ashinoko & Fujisan
Daisei Iketani Daisei Iketani

Ashinoko & Fujisan

A surreal view of Lake Ashi (Ashinoko), captured from the southeastern shore in Hakone, Japan, looking northwest. This late-afternoon shot was achieved using a 10-stop ND filter and a circular polarizer (CP) filter, creating the smooth, glass-like surface of the water and the soft, textured motion of the clouds.

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Ancient Giants
Daisei Iketani Daisei Iketani

Ancient Giants

A preserved section of the ancient Tokaido Highway, lined with towering cedars planted over 300 years ago to provide shade and shelter for travelers journeying between Kyoto and Edo during Japan’s Edo Period (1603–1868).

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Smile of Contentment
Daisei Iketani Daisei Iketani

Smile of Contentment

Dale-chan the border collie enjoying a peaceful moment on a nature trail encircling the Onshi-Hakone Park in Hakone, Japan. Surrounded by lush greenery on a moss-covered wooden bench, she truly embodies the serenity of this beautiful place.

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Lakeside Panorama Hall
Daisei Iketani Daisei Iketani

Lakeside Panorama Hall

Lakeside Panorama Hall at Onshi-Hakone Park, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan, stands as a modern tribute to the grandeur of the Hakone Imperial Villa, which once graced these grounds. Constructed from white granite and completed in 1992, the hall overlooks the serene Lake Ashinoko and features a café and museum, offering visitors a glimpse into the villa's history as a retreat for royalty and foreign dignitaries. In the foreground, the neatly maintained lawn reveals remnants of the original palace foundation stones, a poignant reminder of the past amidst the picturesque landscape.

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Onshi-Hakone Park
Daisei Iketani Daisei Iketani

Onshi-Hakone Park

A serene view of Lake Ashi (Ashinoko) from the Benten-no-Hana Tenbodai viewing platform in Onshi Hakone Park, Hakone, Japan. Mt. Mikuni stands prominently in the mid-ground, while on clear days, Mt. Fuji graces the horizon. To the right, the roofline of the historic Ryuguden Honkan hot spring resort hotel emerges through the lush scenery.

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heiwa-no-Torii
Daisei Iketani Daisei Iketani

heiwa-no-Torii

The vermilion Heiwa-no-Torii gate of Hakone Shrine stands gracefully along the tranquil shoreline of Lake Ashi in Hakone, Japan. Its vivid hue creates a striking contrast against the lush green forest and the shimmering blue lake, bathed in the golden light of a bright autumn afternoon.

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Hummin' Bloom
Daisei Iketani Daisei Iketani

Hummin' Bloom

Crescent-shaped windows cut into titanium plates, nestled within a woodland at the Pola Museum of Art in Hakone, Japan. The artwork’s specialized coating transforms the surface, reflecting a shifting palette of colors that harmonize with the surrounding nature, blending art and environment into a seamless experience.

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Air Burial
Daisei Iketani Daisei Iketani

Air Burial

Reflections of golden autumn leaves dance atop the surface of Air Burial, a cylindrical glass sculpture by Roni Horn, on display at the Pola Museum of Art in Hakone, Japan. The sculpture's translucent exterior and transparent interior create a layered interplay between nature and art, capturing both the physical and ephemeral beauty of the moment.

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Iron Root
Daisei Iketani Daisei Iketani

Iron Root

Ai Weiwei's “Iron Root,” on permanent display at the Pola Museum of Art in Hakone, Japan, appears to be a weathered tree trunk. A light tap, however, reveals its hollow, iron construction—a clever twist blending nature and art.

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Adamo e Eva
Daisei Iketani Daisei Iketani

Adamo e Eva

“Adamo e Eva,” created by Japanese sculptor Masaru Bando in 1994, is a striking bronze sculpture permanently installed at the Pola Museum of Art in Hakone, Japan. This evocative piece reflects the artist’s compassion and response to the suffering endured during the Siege of Sarajevo amidst the Bosnian War (1992–1995).

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