Nagato Photo Journey “Shiori Iwakura’s Summer Trip on the JR Mine Line by Rinko” (Japanese only)

Photographer Shiori Iwakura tours "NAGATO in Summer

On a certain day in August 2022, photographer Shiori Iwakura visited spots in Nagato City to take pictures.
A photo of the event was uploaded to Iwakura's twitter account.

長門市でJR美祢線と自転車の旅。コバルトブルーの海沿いや、稲穂に囲まれた田んぼ道を巡りました。長門は絵になる風景が沢山あります。撮影に使用した折りたたみ自転車「BROMPTON」は電車に持ち込めるので、美しい景色を見ながらの自転車旅におすすめです。https://t.co/mokhzvCOAt pic.twitter.com/qmZB6AOBJf

— 岩倉しおりiwakura shiori (@Shiori1012) August 29, 2022

This was Iwakura's second visit to Nagato since the winter of 2021. In contrast to the last time, this time it was taken in mid-summer (click here to see the previous trip ). This time, the theme of the trip was set to be a "bicycle tour(*)" combining the JR West Japan's local train line "Mine Line" and a folding bicycle "BROMPTON". We took photos around the Mine Line stations and spots where you can head out on a bicycle. Here are some photos of the trip. Reporting by Nanavi editorial staff

(*)Putting bicycles on public transportation such as trains and buses.

Shibuki Station on the JR Mine Line

The photos in this article are taken by the editorial staff of "Nanavi".

△JR Mine Line cars and models

The weather in Nagato on that day was forecast to be cloudy with a 60% chance of precipitation. It seemed difficult to see the summer sky and the blue ocean, but when we actually headed to the photo shooting points, the skies cleared up one after another. We were able to capture the beautiful summer scenery.

Around "Nagato Yumoto Station" and "Itamochi Station" of JR Mine Line 

Although it was in the intense midsummer heat, the shooting proceeded in a friendly atmosphere.

Around Nagato Yumoto Station

Around Itamochi Station

Near Higashi-Fukagawa and Minato Fishing Port

Mr. Iwakura has long said that he wanted to photograph the summer sea in Nagano. This time, he photographed the Minato Fishing Port in Higashi-Fukagawa and the Sawayaka Beach in Senzaki.

Here is a look at the Minato Fishing Port.

Near Qinghai Bridge / Near Qinghai Island and Lake Qinghai

Near Qinghai Bridge

While passing through several points, we will follow the sun tilting to the west to the sea. We will photograph the sea shining at sunset.

Near Qinghai Island and Lake Qinghai

I arrived near Qinghai Lake on Qinghai Island to photograph the sunset. Unfortunately, I could not see the setting sun itself, but I was able to see the beautifully baking sky on a summer evening.

The most impressive part of the entire shoot was the "Ok" pose that Mr. Iwakura struck while smiling. At the end of the shoot, the model and I were asked to say "Ok" together toward the dusk sky to mark the end of the shoot.

The places we visited this time are not often introduced in "Nanavi" as sightseeing spots, and the beautiful scenery illuminated by the summer light allowed the "Nanavi" staff to see Nagato from a fresh perspective.

When I told Mr. Iwakura how happy I was, he replied, "Nagato is fun to shoot." He replied, "NAGATO is fun to photograph. When I asked him why, he replied, "Of course the ocean is beautiful, but there are also many attractive locations where the nature of the ocean and mountains is well balanced with man-made structures such as houses and buildings that I want to photograph. He also said, "The sea is, of course, beautiful.

Ms. Iwakura chases light and seasons with her camera to create her works. Like her, this photo shoot made us feel that traveling to find beautiful scenes and landscapes is one way to enjoy Nagato.

Profile

Photographer Shiori Iwakura

Photographer living in Kagawa Prefecture. His film photographs that capture the light of the changing seasons are receiving a favorable response. In March 2019, his first photo book "Sayonara wa Blue" (KADOKAWA) will be published.

▷ web site
▷ Instagram (@iwakurashiori)
▷ Twitter (@Shiori1012)

Planning and modeling: Muto

The artist values time to think, and records the space in which he lives day by day through "words and photographs.
He was in charge of planning and photographing the photo project "Nagato ni Monogatari wo" (Let's tell a story in Nagato), which introduces locations in Nagato City, Yamaguchi Prefecture.

▷web site
▷Instagram (@mt_story)
▷Twitter (@mt_story)

Informtion

JR Mine Line

JR West Japan's "Mine Line" is a local train line that connects Sanyo-Onoda City, Mine City, and Nagato City, starting from Asa Station and Nagato City Station. You can enjoy various views of the prefecture wherever you go. We hope you will take advantage of this service when you travel in Yamaguchi.

→Click here for details of JR West "Mine Line

YUMO, a rental bicycle service in Nagato Yumoto Onsen

The "BROMPTON" folding bicycle used for this photo shoot was rented from "YUMO," a rental bicycle service in Nagato Yumoto Onsen. The bike has a cute appearance and is convenient for "bicycle rides" in combination with trains and other vehicles. We hope you will take advantage of this service.

→Click here for more information about "YUMO".

Related Links

NICO STOP/Photographer Shiori Iwakura's Love Affair with the Beautiful Coastline of Nagato City, Yamaguchi - A Film Journey in Pursuit of "Nagato Blue" and Light
Photographer Shiori Iwakura's NAGATO Photo Journey <Part 1
Photographer Shiori Iwakura's photographic journey in Nagato <Part 2
Photo project "NAGATO ni Monogatari wo" (Let's tell a story in NAGATO)