Photo Tour of Japan | Ginga Waterfall

Feb 12 | Evan | No Comments |

Continuing with our exploration and photography tour in the Sounkyo Onsen area, we stopped by Ginga no taki or Ginga Waterfall. There is actually a second waterfall next to this one but we found Ginga no taki to be easier seen and more photogenic. You can view the waterfall from the parking lot area, or walk closer to the stream or even hike up the mountain for an elevated view. There are two observation decks on the opposite side of the waterfall and it is certainly an easier hike in the fall than the summer! Again, like other places in Hokkaido and the Daisetsuzan National Park area, there is always the potential for bears and other wildlife.

ginga-no-taki-009

The parking lot area doesn’t close, so you visit Ginga Waterfall as early as you want, but as you can see, sun/shadows can be a little tricky here. The surrounding area is also very nice during the fall season. There is also a small gift shop that sells souvenirs, local food and drinks. Of course standard Japanese vending machines are here as well.

More from this photo tour of Japan is coming soon! Here is the list of the places we visited and photographed in Japan.

Shiretoko Five Lakes
Shiretoko Pass
Utoro Sunsets
Furepe Waterfall
Oshinkoshin Waterfall
Lake Akan
Lake Mashu
Lake Onneto
Sounkyo Onsen
Kamikawa Angus Farm
Ginga Waterfall – You are here!
Lake Daisetsuko
Sounkyo Ropeway
Oobako
Blue Pond (Aoi Ikke)
Shirogane Falls
Moss Garden Temple (Kokedera)
Bamboo Forrest in Arashiyama
Golden Pavilion (Kinkakuji)
Nanzenji
Fushimi Inari Shrine
Portrait session with models in kimonos

Interested in your own custom photo tour and experiences in Japan? Contact Japan Photo Guide today to start your adventure!

Photo Tour of Japan | Oobako

Feb 10 | Evan | No Comments |

Oobako is the beginning of the gorge that makes way for Sounkyo Onsen and the Sounkyo Gorge. Oobako is about 10 minutes from the Sounkyo Onsen area and has parking directly next to it. You probably won’t need a whole lot of time here, as the area is quite small, but certainly worth taking a few minutes to stop by and take a look around. There is a slightly elevated platform over looking the river but if you don’t mind hoping a small rail you can get down to the rocks and the river. Like most places in Hokkaido and certainly like the Daisetsuzan National Park and surrounding areas, there could be bears or other wild animals.

More from this photo tour of Japan is coming soon! Here is the list of the places we visited and photographed in Japan.

Shiretoko Five Lakes
Shiretoko Pass
Utoro Sunsets
Furepe Waterfall
Oshinkoshin Waterfall
Lake Akan
Lake Mashu
Lake Onneto
Sounkyo Onsen
Kamikawa Angus Farm
Ginga Waterfall
Lake Daisetsuko
Sounkyo Ropeway
Oobako – You are here!
Blue Pond (Aoi Ikke)
Shirogane Falls
Moss Garden Temple (Kokedera)
Bamboo Forrest in Arashiyama
Golden Pavilion (Kinkakuji)
Nanzenji
Fushimi Inari Shrine
Portrait session with models in kimonos

Interested in your own custom photo tour and experiences in Japan? Contact Japan Photo Guide today to start your adventure!

Photo Tour of Japan | Sounkyo Onsen

Feb 09 | Evan | No Comments |

Sounkyo Onsen is the central part of Hokkaido and northern part of Daisetsuzan National Park. As we continued to tour around Hokkaido, we stayed in Sounkyo for 2 nights. The Sounkyo area is basically inside the Sounkyo Gorge, which starts with the entrance with Oobako. There are a few waterfalls, nice hikes, lake, small but pleasant town center, photo museum, ski slopes and ropeway up to Mount Kurodake. If you are considering going, here is the Tourism Association of Sounkyo website.

For this post, I am displaying a gallery of just one part of the gorge area. The Sounkyo Gorge goes on for quite a bit and if we had more time, we would have wanted to explore the gorge a little more for other photographic opportunities. We saw a few from the bus on the way out, but there really aren’t too many places for a bus to park along the road!

More from this photo tour of Japan is coming soon! Here is the list of the places we visited and photographed in Japan.

Shiretoko Five Lakes
Shiretoko Pass
Utoro Sunsets
Furepe Waterfall
Oshinkoshin Waterfall
Lake Akan
Lake Mashu
Lake Onneto
Sounkyo Onsen – You are here!
Kamikawa Angus Farm
Ginga Waterfall
Lake Daisetsuko
Sounkyo Ropeway
Oobako
Blue Pond (Aoi Ikke)
Shirogane Falls
Moss Garden Temple (Kokedera)
Bamboo Forrest in Arashiyama
Golden Pavilion (Kinkakuji)
Nanzenji
Fushimi Inari Shrine
Portrait session with models in kimonos

Interested in your own custom photo tour and experiences in Japan? Contact Japan Photo Guide today to start your adventure!

Photo Tour of Japan | Lake Onneto

Feb 01 | Evan | No Comments |

Lake Onneto is about 25 minute drive from Lake Akan and part of Akan National Park. While it isn’t as famous with tourists as some of the other lakes in the area like Lake Mashu or Lake Akan, it certainly should be! Lake Onneto is a much smaller lake than Mashu or Akan, and while our timing wasn’t perfect and the weather and light didn’t fully cooperate, I’m sure you can see why I am a fan of Lake Onneto.

lake-onneto-008

We went both in the evening for sunset and once in the morning for sunrise. If we had more time there, it would have been nice to go to Lake Akan once for sunset as I’ve heard sunsets are suppose to be great there. Maybe next time!