muikabochi 208 Posted April 16, 2012 Share Posted April 16, 2012 Yesterday my photo assistant ( she is very useful to hold and carry the box ) and I went over into Gunma for a bit of a drive. The idea was to go up to Mt Akagi so off we went. Nice clear skies on either side of the Kanetsu tunnel but once into Gunma proper it was rather hazy. Gunma always seems to be hazy when we go, perhaps just not the best of timing. Anyway it didn't turn out to spoil the day at all. Akagi is to the north east of Maebashi city and basically between Maebashi and Numata. We got off the expressway at the Akagi IC and made our way towards the road that goes up the mountain. On the way we came across masses of sakura trees in full bloom and it turned out that it was a very pretty temple in a beautiful setting with a lovely garden and pond as well. It's name is Sangodera 珊瑚寺 (さんごでら) and as I was hoping to get some nice photos today with my new camera I was very excited to find it. Absolutely beautiful it was and the sakura were in full bloom. A bit more contrasty blue sky and it would have been perfect, but we probably picked the best day of the year to walk around Sangodera. 1 Link to post Share on other sites
muikabochi 208 Posted April 16, 2012 Author Share Posted April 16, 2012 Moving on the next place I wanted to see was the Akagi Jinja shrine at the base of the mountain. There are some massive 1000+ year old cedars here and again it is a beautiful setting. The sakura weren't out here just yet. As I was taking this one two young Japanese women were behind me having a good old natter... about me. 'Nihon no bunka totte-iru ne'. Thought it was quite funny, I didn't let on that I knew what they were saying. Link to post Share on other sites
muikabochi 208 Posted April 16, 2012 Author Share Posted April 16, 2012 And then it was the ride up the mountain and up to another Akagi Jinja, which is situated on the lake at the top. The lake was still frozen over and again all looking very pretty. Quite cold too. A local wanting the temps to rise --- All in all a fabulous day. I really like Gunma more and more as I get to explore more of it, lots of beautiful places to see. Link to post Share on other sites
hellyer 216 Posted April 16, 2012 Share Posted April 16, 2012 Magic pics Muika Taken with your new equipment? Link to post Share on other sites
muikabochi 208 Posted April 16, 2012 Author Share Posted April 16, 2012 Thanks snowjunky, yes this was my first real day out with the camera. I'll leave the more 'technical' (not that it's really technical at all!) talk to the camera thread: http://www.snowjapanforums.com/index.php/topic/21353-new-camera-or-wait/page__view__findpost__p__439811 Link to post Share on other sites
pie-eater 207 Posted April 16, 2012 Share Posted April 16, 2012 Very nice indeed, some of them almost look like they are popping out of the screen! Link to post Share on other sites
tokabochi 9 Posted April 16, 2012 Share Posted April 16, 2012 Stunning. You must be pleased. Good find that temple as well. So many places to be discovered. Link to post Share on other sites
mina2 6 Posted April 16, 2012 Share Posted April 16, 2012 Superb! I know Akagi but not that other temple... must get there looks really good. I can't really compare with other areas but in spring and summer there are many hazy days. Autumn and winter are the best chances of really clear conditions. Link to post Share on other sites
grungy-gonads 54 Posted April 16, 2012 Share Posted April 16, 2012 Very nice indeed, some of them almost look like they are popping out of the screen! Is it the cool depth of field that's doing that? Or just general tight sharpness? They look fab whatever. How long does it take you to get there from Minamiuonuma? Link to post Share on other sites
xxx 2 Posted April 16, 2012 Share Posted April 16, 2012 I have been up there, really nice area. Wonder how long the lake usually remains iced over. Link to post Share on other sites
muikabochi 208 Posted April 16, 2012 Author Share Posted April 16, 2012 Oops, I have just noticed that I didn't save some of them at the 100% quality setting, looks like it was 95%. Still learning new settings. Gg, takes probably less than an hour to that first temple from home, a further 15 mins or so to the second one and then another 30minutes to get up top. Link to post Share on other sites
akibun 0 Posted April 16, 2012 Share Posted April 16, 2012 The first temple area looks very beautiful. Good timing! Link to post Share on other sites
mina2 6 Posted April 17, 2012 Share Posted April 17, 2012 Gg, takes probably less than an hour to that first temple from home, a further 15 mins or so to the second one and then another 30minutes to get up top. You guys really are close hey, it's only the big long tunnel that seperates us. I asked my friends about the temple. Apparently it is very beautiful in autumn as well. Link to post Share on other sites
BagOfCrisps 24 Posted April 17, 2012 Share Posted April 17, 2012 Lovely photos muikabochi. My Sunday was less exotic, though I did manage a few pints down the pub before dinner. Link to post Share on other sites
Tubby Beaver 209 Posted April 17, 2012 Share Posted April 17, 2012 well done Bags!! Link to post Share on other sites
charlotte 0 Posted April 18, 2012 Share Posted April 18, 2012 Love the photographs, thank you! Link to post Share on other sites
Jerro 0 Posted April 19, 2012 Share Posted April 19, 2012 Looks great. And you sure did time the sakura well there! Thanks. Link to post Share on other sites
DoctorOctopus 2 Posted April 20, 2012 Share Posted April 20, 2012 I just love walking round temples and shrines like those in the photos here. Another two to add to the list of ones I want to go to. Looking forward to going to Nikko as well sometime soon, I'm sure I'll love it there. Thanks for sharing the photos. Link to post Share on other sites
fukdane 2 Posted April 20, 2012 Share Posted April 20, 2012 You should like Nikko, wonderful place Link to post Share on other sites
griller 9 Posted April 20, 2012 Share Posted April 20, 2012 Nikko is one of my bestest places to visit. So pretty could spend all day walking round there along with Kegon and Chuzenjiko. Lovely. Link to post Share on other sites
muikabochi 208 Posted April 21, 2012 Author Share Posted April 21, 2012 I really like Nikko as well, defintely a place you should go if you can. I want to get there in peak of autumn, though the congestion on the roads at that time of year that always seems to make the news looks scary! It's actually not that big a journey either and a really nice ride through Numata, past Marunuma and Chuzenjiko. Link to post Share on other sites
@tokyo 14 Posted August 26, 2012 Share Posted August 26, 2012 Missed these first time round. Awesome. Need more new pics muika! Link to post Share on other sites
muikabochi 208 Posted August 29, 2012 Author Share Posted August 29, 2012 Haven't really been taking many photos over summer. I'll hopefully be back out when the weather is more co-operative in October/November for sure. Link to post Share on other sites
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