YUKUTE PHOTO at SENZAKI vol.1

A photo event was born in Nagato.

On Sunday, November 25, the photo event "YUKUTE PHOTO at SENZAKI vol.1" was held for the first time in Senzaki, Nagato City.

This time, four people from outside the city and prefecture participated. The unstable weather was not a cause for concern, and the participants started the tour by renting bicycles from the tourist information center, YUKUTE.

The first stop was Senzaki Artificial Island, where participants immediately set up their cameras and clicked their shutters in front of the Japan Sea.

It was Sunday and there were many fishermen, so it was difficult to take a full view of the ocean without people showing up.

Senzaki is a town with many cats, and a baby cat appeared when the participants called out "cute" each time they spotted it. The participants were also surprised.

The cats were accustomed to being photographed, and they did not hesitate to show off the poses that the participants wanted.

On the way to the next spot, everyone who had enjoyed the Sea of Japan and cats took on the challenge of composing a picture that is often taken when talking about "renting a bike and a bridge. How did they come up with the shot?

The setting is the Benten Ohashi Bridge, which connects Senzaki to an artificial island.

My First Electric Bicycle

When taking pictures while riding a bicycle, it is natural to hold the camera while straddling the bicycle.

I have seen such a figure many times, and among them, the figure in front of Senzaki Port is very picturesque.

Electric bicycles used for bike rental are available for rent at the Tourist Information Center YUKUTE.

It was the first time for everyone to ride an electric bicycle, and they were impressed by the fact that they could climb hills without any effort.

Now it's time to go to Qinghai Island

As you cycle by Senzaki Port, you will see the "Cheonghae Bridge" connecting Senzaki and Cheonghae Island.

The "spiral staircase" in the middle of the bridge became one of the most photographed spots.

The spiral staircase is so large that only a wide-angle lens could fit in the staircase, and some people went down the slope they had climbed to take pictures.

Even places that you would not normally think of as such can become new spots for photography. We hope that this will become the true appeal of YUKUTE PHOTO.

Straddling the bicycle again, we finally reached Qinghai Island. After crossing the bridge, I felt a pleasant breeze on the long downhill.

As we leisurely walked along the seaside, we saw a large ginkgo tree! The biggest cheer of the day went up.

We are truly grateful to the ginkgo trees that were just at their best.

This ginkgo tree is located in the corner of the schoolyard of " Qinghai Island Republic (former Qinghai Island Elementary School), " an exchange facility that utilizes an abandoned school.

Special classes and filming, who was active?

After photographing ginkgo trees to your heart's content, you will enter the Republic of Qinghai Island. We were welcomed by Mr. Hamano, King of the Republic of Qinghai Island.

Since it had been nonstop up to this point, we took a break in the classroom while enjoying Dai Dai Dai juice and dried persimmons.

As we did so, Mr. Hamano arrived and began a special class on Qinghai Island. Everyone was very interested.

We talked about why the Republic of Qinghai Island was formed, what the flag means, how the national anthem and constitution were created, and other stories about the Republic of Qinghai Island, as well as other recommended sunset spots and places to visit.

By the end of the class, participants had recovered their energy and were comfortable with each other, and the school exploration began.

With the sound of the floor somewhat reminiscent of a traditional Japanese house, everyone proceeded to an unexplored area.

The staff prepared soap bubbles, ribbons, and paper balloons.

They were very pleased when I told them that I had such an item for them.

Immediately, we picked up soap bubbles and began shooting in the light-filled classroom.

Classroom x soap bubbles" would make for a very nice photo.

Here, they were trying to take a picture with paper balloons.

In the meantime, the sun was beginning to set. Not wanting to miss the light, we went back to the schoolyard.

With only four people in a large schoolyard, and all the time you can shoot and play as much as you want, you will lose track of time.

I realized that an hour and a half had passed since my arrival in the Republic of Qinghai Island, and I hurried to the next spot.

However, I had no idea that I would be in more of a panic after this.

Container Cafe "Hamachaya Sangi

From the nostalgic space of an abandoned school to the stylish space of a container café.

This is "Hamachaya Sangi" on Qinghai Island.

As we were cutting different angles of the restaurant, we were shown a picture of a "summer sunset" that can be seen from here.

The red sky and the sea were a source of admiration.

To our delight, we heard people say that they would like to visit Nagato again in the summer.

Also, here, you will receive a cake set as a benefit for participating in YUKUTE PHOTO.

Other perks of participation include an original badge and petit souvenirs available only to participants.

In front of "Hamachaya Sanki" is the ocean. You can't help but hold your camera in your hand.

At this location, the photo shoot began with one person as the model.

It is time, too, and the sun is setting rapidly.

The sun was getting stronger in the west, and pointing the camera out to sea made it possible to take silhouette photos.

How did your cameras capture it?

Hurry to the refreshing beach.

In the meantime, there were only 20 minutes left before sunset.

I couldn't take my time. I straddled my bicycle in a state of anxiety over whether or not I would make it in time.

In Nagato, the temperature drops dramatically in the evening. We hurried to Sawayaka Beach with the cold wind in our faces.

Arriving just a few minutes before sunset, everyone was relieved.

It only lasted a few minutes, but everyone enjoyed taking pictures until the very end, whether rushing to the breakwater or shooting with the stalls blurred in front of them.

Participants write "YUKUTE PHOTO" on the beach as the sun sets and the scene settles down.

A group photo was taken in front of it with a shout of "YUKETE! and a group photo was taken in front of it.

Conclusion

The inaugural "YUKUTE PHOTO" featured a tour of Senzaki, famous for being the hometown of the children's song poet, Misuzu Kaneko.

There are many attractions such as "sea," "port," "bridge," "island," "abandoned school," "container café," "beach," "sunset," and more.

There are many more such attractive spots in Nagato.

We hope that you will find such spots and photograph them.

The next event is scheduled for next spring.

If you would like to "know and see" the details of the event and what kind of photos can be taken in Nagato, please follow the Instagram "YUKUTE @ Tourist Information Center YUKUTE".

I look forward to meeting all of you photography enthusiasts at Nagato.

Related Links

• YUKUTE PHOTO at SENZAKI vol.1
• Republic of Qinghai
• rent-a-cycle