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Photographer Koichi’s “Home”. A 4-day photo trip to Nagato, Yamaguchi

Photographer Koichi’s “Home”. A 4-day photo trip to Nagato, Yamaguchi

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Last updated

Jun 28, 2023

Running around Nagato in early summer

Nikon Imaging Japan's photo lifestyle web magazine "NICO STOP" is currently running an article by photographer Koichi titled "10 Photo Spots in Nagato City, Yamaguchi Prefecture - Recommended from spring to summer when the "Nagato Blue" sea and nature are beautiful! Recommended! by photographer Koichi on "Nagato City, Yamaguchi Prefecture. Here, Koichi introduces attractive sightseeing/photography spots in Nagato along with his own works. He also provides tips on how to take photos.

The Nagato City tourism website "Nanavi" attended Koichi's photo shoot in mid-May 2023, and closely followed him as he traveled around Nagato City for four days. This page reports on the filming.

The photos in this article were taken by "Nanavi" staff.

Profile:Koichi

Photographer from Takayama City, Gifu Prefecture. He mainly shoots landscapes and portraits mainly in Tokyo. With the concept of "photographs that touch the heart," he captures everyday life. Focusing on regional development, he has been taking photos all over Japan.

In 2021, he participated in the Nagato City Workcation Program, which led him to deepen exchanges with the local community, and he became involved in the Nagato City Regional Development Cooperation Team member Iwata's project "I want to preserve the 'now' of Tawarayama! Project" by Nagato City Regional Development Cooperation Volunteer Iwata, and is also involved in various other projects not only in the city but also in Yamaguchi Prefecture. This May 2023 was his ninth(!) visit to Nagato City. This time (May 2023) will be my ninth(!) visit to Nagato City.

Instagram (hakuchuu1882)

twitter(@Kfish1882)

Day 1 (Higashi Gobata terraced rice fields, etc.)

Preliminary inspection of photo spots on the Sanin Line in the Hioki area

Go to "Higashi Gobata Terraced Paddy Fields" while conducting location scouting.

On this day, Koichi arrived at an inn in Tawarayama Onsen, located south of Nagato City, around noon. The purpose of the first day was to photograph "Higashi Gobata Terraced Paddy Fields. At this time of year, the terraced paddy fields are flooded with water, and the reflection of the setting sun on the terraced paddy fields, as well as the fishing fires of squid fishing boats after sunset, make for an interesting combination of scenery.
In the late afternoon, we went to the Higashi Gobata Terraced Paddy Fields, visiting points around the Hioki and Aburaya areas on the west side of Nagato City to preview the second day and beyond.

cape (on coast)

I had some time to spare, so I went to "Cape Kawajiri," the northwestern tip of Honshu in the Aburatani area.

Koichi couldn't help but exclaim, "Oh, wow! Koichi shouted.

Higashi Gohata Terraced Fields

(△During the day, the Higashi Gobata terraced rice field. This one was taken on a different day.

Arrive at the shooting point before sunset. After capturing the sunset with a camera handheld, set up a tripod and wait for the fishing fire after sunset.

Almost as soon as the sun sets, the fishing boats at sea light up, beginning the magic hour that is unique to this location.

While capturing the ever-changing colors of the sky, we waited until the stars appeared. Finally, we finished the first day's shooting by capturing the fantastic scenery of terraced rice paddies with fishing fires and stars reflected on them.

Day 2 (Motonosumi Shrine, Aomi Island, etc.)

On the second day, we will continue to the Hioki and Aburaya areas in the morning. We will leave Tawarayama in the morning and head there.

To Hioki area to photograph the JR San-in Line

Wait at the point found the day before and wait for the train.

A diesel train on the San'in Honsen line from Hitomaru Station to Nagato Furuichi Station passes by.

I was able to capture a scene that contrasted beautifully with the sky, mountains, and wheat in the foreground.

Motonosumi Shrine

We entered the Aburatani area before noon and arrived at Motonosumi Shrine.

The green of the trees surrounding the red torii gate and the blue of the ocean together make for a spectacular view.

This is my second time here. Motonosumi Shrine is a very popular photo spot on SNS. Because so many people are taking pictures, I want to aim for photos that will make people think, 'I've never seen an angle like this before! I want to aim for photos that will make people think, 'I've never seen an angle like this before!

Using a wide-angle zoom lens, Koichi walked around the top of the shrine to find "new angles.

Tateishi Kannon

After lunch, we arrived at Tateishi Kannon, a married couple's rock in the Tateishi area of Aburaya, which is a guardian deity for local fishermen.

Following Motonosumi Shrine, the dynamic landscape is captured.

The group climbed the stairs set up on the rocks and photographed the view of the Tateishi area from the top of Kannon, as well as the fishing port with its clear blue ocean.

We also stopped by the cafe "bliss point" by the fishing port for lunch. A large portion of "Beef Curry by the Sea" was quite filling! We were all full and ready for the afternoon.

Qinghai Island Nature Study Route

In the afternoon, we left the Hioki area and headed north to Aomi Island. We visited the "Cheokai Island Nature Study Path," a walking trail where we could see the "Maritime Alps," a seascape created by volcanic activity and wave erosion.

Park your car in the parking lot of "Qinghai Island Camping Village" and enter the walking course.

After a 10-minute walk, you will reach the observation deck. Compared to the Aburatani area, the blue color is darker, and combined with the rocks, the scenery looks like a Japanese painting.

Koichi uses the surrounding pine trees and other plants to create a layout that enhances the beauty of the rocks and seascape as the subject matter. Koichi says, "In a scene like this, I think the foreground is very important to enhance the subject matter. I think the foreground is very important in a scene like this to enhance the subject matter," he said.

Near Nami no Hashidate

The last photo shoot on the second day was taken on the beach near "Nami no Hashidate" on the west side of Qinghai Island.

Here, SUP and sea kayak rental service is available during the summer season (July to September), and a "Sunset Course" is available to experience not only the ocean scenery during the daytime, but also the beautiful sunset in the background.
→For more information on the Experience Program, click here.

Koichi learning about SUP from members of the Qinghai Island Kaiyu Club, which offers the SUP experience.

Although it was May, we had a special SUP board for this event and used local residents as models for the photo shoot.

Before the photo shoot, Koichi had a chance to try SUP for a little while. He liked it so much that he said, "I wanted to do more! Next time, I want to come here just to SUP without filming," he said regretfully.

After checking the location and as the sun was setting, the show was about to begin.

While giving instructions to the models, the photographers shoot from various angles, including low angles just above the surface of the sea and from high places using a stepladder.

The western sky was covered with clouds, but the sunset was spectacular. Koichi and everyone else in the room were excited, saying, "Sunset is amazing! The second day ended with us all convinced that we had captured a wonderful sunset.

Day 3 (Tawarayama Onsen, Daneiji Temple, etc.)

public bath located in a town

For the third day of shooting, we will meet early in the morning at 5:00 a.m. We will photograph "Machinoyu," a bathing facility in Tawarayama Onsen. Together with another bathing facility, "Shirasaru no Yu," this is a place of exchange used on a daily basis by both guests and locals.

As a bathing facility, the general public is not allowed to take pictures, but we asked Koichi, who has visited Tawarayama many times and is well acquainted with the local community, to take pictures so that we could promote Tawarayama's "everyday life" as an attraction.

Despite the early hour of the morning, the people of Tawarayama gathered for Koichi's sake. They still look a little sleepy.

Ventilate the area to control rising steam and check the angle of view before having the bath.

Everyone was relaxed and smiling as they talked about "how to take a bath in Ore Town" and played with a water cannon. Everyone was relaxed and smiling.

Daneiji Temple and other locations around Nagato Yumoto Hot Spring

After a nap, we will take a few pictures around Tawarayama Onsen and head to "Daneiji" in Nagato Yumoto Onsen in the afternoon.

Daneiji Temple is in the midst of its fresh green foliage. We will take pictures while strolling through the temple grounds where the sun shines through the trees.

I find that looking for the red of a torii gate or a building among the greenery gives the photo a clearer impression. It is also fun to look for colors that can be used as a point of reference," he said, giving us tips on how to take pictures while strolling around the area.

Also, while driving along the road near the hot spring resort area, I spotted many carp streamers. I took pictures of them, which were being raised by local residents.

Tawarayama Onsen Town at night

After visiting other points in the city, we will return to Tawarayama to capture the hot spring resort at night.

Every time I come here, I think, "I like this view at night. The colors are so cool, and it's such a rewarding place to photograph."

The third day of shooting was completed with all the planned shooting points taken.

Day 4 (rainy Tawarayama Onsen)

Day 4 was the only rainy day during this shoot. Originally, we had scheduled a half day as a backup day, but we were relieved that the weather was good enough to complete all of the scheduled shooting in three days.

Since we are here, we will also photograph Tawarayama Onsen in the rain.

Tawarayama Onsen also looks good in the rain. In a way, it makes you lose track of what time of year you are in, and the mysterious atmosphere is intensified."

All four days of filming were completed after capturing the tranquil hot spring town.

Looking back on the four days

Lastly, we asked Koichi about the "charms of Nagato" that he has felt while visiting the area as well as during this photo shoot.

"I think the attraction I feel as a photographer can be summed up in one word: 'the blue is everywhere.'"

Blue in nature tends to attract people. In Nagato, there are many blue colors in the ocean and mountains that make you think, 'Oh, that's nice,' so it's easy to photograph, and you want to take more and more pictures."

The more I visit and the more I learn about it, the more I feel it has great potential as a place to take photographs. There are many spots, including those in Yamaguchi Prefecture, that are not well known throughout Japan, and I think there is still much more to discover about this place."

The other big attraction is the people. I have met many people in Tawarayama, and we have taken photographs while sharing our sensitivities with each other. I am very happy to be able to build such relationships with people, and when I come back, they are always happy to see me. I feel as if I have a home other than my parents' home, and I regularly think, "I want to go back to Nagato. It's always easy to spend time here, and I never want to leave.

Everyone accepts me kindly, we eat delicious food together, we communicate in the bath, and our work keeps expanding. I think Nagato has such a mysterious and amazing power. So I will come back again."

Koichi's photo is now posted on "Nanavi".

The photos taken by Koichi are also featured on the "Nanavi" spot introduction page of this website. Please take a look at this page as well.

Motonosumi Shrine Motonosumi Shrine
Aomi Island Aomi Island (Japanese only)
Qinghai Island Cheonghae Island Nature Study Route
Aoshima Island Nature Trail Donggohata Terraced Fields
Cheonghae Island Daneong Temple
Tateishi Kannon Tateishi Kannon
Tateishi Kannon Hot spring in town
Tateishi Kannon Cape Kawajiri
...Qinghai Island Sunset SUP (Experience reservation site "Nagatrip")

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NICO STOP

NICO STOP is a photo lifestyle web magazine that delivers information on the theme of "the richness that photography brings. It provides information on how to enjoy photography and cameras, including photo essays, the basics of how to take pictures, and introductions to spots where you can get in touch with your photos by means of photofinishing.

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