Nikon D810A + AF-S Nikkor 70-200mm f/4G ED VR
I went on a day trip to the Nagano prefecture and visited many places yesterday. I usually visit one place to take a special landscape photograph. At times, I stay at the same place for a couple of days. But sometimes I want to take photographs in a more casual way and so I took a lot of hand-held snapshots this time.
Nikon D810A + AF-S Nikkor 70-200mm f/4G ED VR
“富士山” reads Fujisan and its height is 3776m =)
I left the house early in the morning and drove to the Takabocchi highland. But I took the wrong route, which had already been closed and I couldn’t arrive at the pre-dawn period, which was a big mistake =(
Nikon D810A + AF-S Nikkor 300mm f/4E ED VR with the TC-14III Teleconverter
Then, I went to the Matsumoto Castle, which is known as one of the most beautiful castles in Japan.
PENTAX K-3II + HD PENTAX DA 16-85mm f/3.5-5.6 ED DC WR
I had visited the place a couple of years ago. But it was the first time for me to visit the place in the morning. I think the castle is best seen in the morning.
Nikon D810A + AF-S Nikkor 70-200mm f/4G ED VR
The temperature was around -4℃ (25F) at Matsumoto in the morning. Be sure to carry a down jacket/parka when you visit there in winter.
Nikon D810A + AF-S Nikkor 70-200mm f/4G ED VR
The next destination was the Zenkoji temple located in the Nagano City, which is one of the most famous Buddhism temples in Japan.
Nikon D810A + AF-S Nikkor 70-200mm f/4G ED VR
I visited the Higashiyama Kaii Museum near the Zenkoji temple. The museum features famous Japanese painter Kaii Higashiyama. But regrettably it was closed on the day.
PENTAX K-3II + HD PENTAX DA 16-85mm f/3.5-5.6 ED DC WR
Every time I go to Nagano, I eat Soba noodles. I ate this Tenpura Soba at a restaurant called Yamashiroya (山城屋) near the Zenkoji temple. It tasted good.
PENTAX K-3II + HD PENTAX 16-85mm f/3.5-5.6 ED DC WR
I headed to Jigokudani to shoot snow monkeys after leaving the Zenkoji but the place was so crowded that I gave up shooting monkeys there and drove to Nobeyama.
Nikon D810A + AF-S Nikkor 70-200mm f/4G ED VR
There is a big radio observatory in Nobeyama. The place is quite good for shooting astro-photographs.
Nikon D810A + AF-S Nikkor 70-200mm f/4G ED VR
The 45m radio telescope is spectacular indeed. As the name suggests, the diameter of this telescope is 45 meters. Quite big.
Nikon D810A + AF-S 14-24mm f/2.8G ED
After the sun went down, I took some starscape photographs there. But clouds came up very quickly and I decided to go home.
Nikon D810A + AF-S Nikkor 14-24mm f/2.8G ED
It was a long day but also fun.