Ubara Beach, Chiba
A scenic view of Ubara Beach featuring light-colored sand, moss-covered rocks in the foreground, and turquoise waters gently flowing into the cove. Lush green hills frame the background under a bright blue sky with scattered clouds.
Miyagase Dam
Explore Miyagase Dam in Kanagawa Prefecture, just a 2-hour drive from Tokyo via the Chuo or Tomei Expressways. Discover the dam's fascinating history, including its impact on local villages, and enjoy easy access for international tourists with multilingual resources. This blog post shares personal memories of driving through Kiyokawa and Tsukui and a nostalgic reunion with friends at this engineering marvel.
White Torii Gate on Beach
The iconic white torii gate of Yasaka Shrine on Ubara Beach, located about 100 km southeast of Tokyo, beautifully contrasts against the vibrant blue sky and turquoise waters of the cove, creating a serene and picturesque scene.
Cape Kedo Sea Cliffs
This stunning view of Cape Kedo's sea cliffs highlights the intricate layers of sandstone, mudstone, and volcanic ash, testament to the geological forces that shaped the Mineoka Ophiolite Belt.
Kedoura Inlet Sea Stacks
View of Kedoura Inlet on the western shore of Chiba Prefecture, Japan, featuring clear blue waters of the Pacific Ocean. The sky is clear with a few wispy clouds, enhancing the tranquil and natural beauty of the scene.
Border Collie at Kedoura Inlet
A black and white border collie lying on a beach composed of sand and small seashells at Kedoura Inlet on Myojin Cape in Chiba Prefecture, Japan. The dog looks content and is resting near a rocky shoreline with a backdrop of eroded rock formations. The ocean and a clear blue sky are visible in the background.
Temple Belfry
The bell and belfry at Gumyoji Temple in Yokohama, Japan, is a Yokohama City Tangible Cultural Property. The belfry features traditional Japanese architecture. The bronze bell was cast in 1798. The bell is rung 108 times for the Japanese Buddhist ceremony Joya-no-Kane, which involves ringing the temple bell 108 times to cleanse oneself of the earthly desires accumulated over the year.
Sakura & Nobori
A long exposure evening shot of the Niōmon Gate at Gumyoji Temple in Yokohama. The photo captures the stone staircase leading down to the illuminated wooden gate, framed by blooming cherry blossoms. Red nobori flags, blurred in motion, line the stairs, creating a sense of gentle movement against the calm, historic backdrop.
Jokoro Incense Burner
Front view of a large, cauldron-shaped incense burner at the top of the stairs in front of Gumyoji Temple. The burner is dark green with a decorative roof and is adorned with two distinct crests: the gosan-no-kiri, featuring the paulownia plant, and the hidari-mitsudomoe, a triple swirl motif. The background shows the wooden temple entrance, flanked by stairs and draped with colorful banners.
Gumyoji Temple
Founded in 1044, Gumyoji Temple in Yokohama, Japan, remains a vibrant cultural center for the local community.