#shizuoka prefecture

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Rainbow Over Coastal Resort

Roadside snapshot of a rainbow arched over the DHC Akazawa Onsen Village spa resort in Ito, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan. The resort has 10 facilities nestled in the forest of Izu Kogen that covers the headland jutting out into the Pacific Ocean on the eastern coastline of Izu, located about 146 km (91 mi) southwest of Tokyo.

I took this shot on the 3-hour drive back to Tokyo from the Kawazu-Zakura Matsuri cherry blossom festival. Visiting any resort, beach, or festival located on the eastern coastline of the Izu Peninsula limits you to Route 135 if you want to save money and avoid expressways. On this drive, traffic was  congested at certain points, but with so many beautiful views along the coastline and the ocean breeze wafting through the car windows, my dog and I thoroughly enjoyed ourselves on the drive back home.

Photo details and settings:
Pentax K-1 II + DFA 28-105mm F3.5-5.6
28 mm ISO 200 for 1/200 sec. at ƒ/16

Bank of River under Canopy of Cherry Blossoms

The banks of Kawazu River in Kawazu-machi, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan on the eastern coastline of the Izu Peninsula draws crowds from late February to late March for the annual Kawazu-Zakura Matsuri, a festival of the kawazu-zakura cherry blossom trees, which are a native species to this small coastal town.

You can reach Kawazu Station on Izukyuko Line after transferring at JR Atami Station. However, if you like driving, you can take National Route 135 from Odawara and just follow the winding road that hugs the rugged coastline. Another option is National Route 414 from Odaira Interchange on the Izu-Jukan Expressway. Route 414 features the Kawazu Nanadaru Spiral Bridge, which is a lot of fun to drive on!

Photo details and settings:
Pentax K-1 II + DFA 28-105mm F3.5-5.6
63 mm ISO 200 for 1/100 sec. at ƒ/8.0

Waves Lapping the Beach

After a leisurely 3-kilometer-walk of enjoying the cherry blossoms along the Kawazu River, we reached Kawazuhama Beach where the breakwater offshore ensures a peaceful beach with gently lapping waves.

Kawazuhama Beach (Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan), is not well known, which helps keeps the crowds to a minimum. The beach itself is not that big, but offers a chance to take some nice sunrise photos or maybe even have a barbecue during summer.

Pentax K-1 II + DFA 28-105mm F3.5-5.6
28 mm ISO 400 for 1/250 sec. at ƒ/11

Luxury Train & Cherry Blossoms

Shot of the Resort 21 Kinme train that operates between Atami Station and Izukyu Shimoda Station on the Izu Kyuko Line on the eastern coast of the Izu Peninsula in Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan.

To visit the Kawazu-Zakura festival, you can take this train and debark at Kawazu Station. Unlike commuter trains, the Resort 21 Kinmei train (solid red) and the Resort 21 Kurofune (black and red) train are modeled on the history of the local areas and provide passengers with a higher level of comfort and amenities.  Seating in the cars and the large windows offer expansive views of the ocean as you travel along the coastline of the Izu Peninsula.

Pentax K-1 II + DFA 28-105mm F3.5-5.6
105 mm ISO 400 for 1/800 sec. at ƒ/7.1

Rapeseed and Cherry Blossoms

Cluster of cherry blossoms against a background of rapeseed blossoms in the town of Kawazu, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan. In Japan, rapeseed (canola) flowers are called nanohana (菜の花), which translates literally to vegetable flower. During this time of year, you can purchase bunches of nanohana at the supermarket. The top 15 cm of the plant is boiled and often served in mustard and soy sauce or sautéed with bacon.

Pentax K-1 II + DFA 28-105mm F3.5-5.6
105 mm ISO 200 for 1/400 sec. at ƒ/5.6

Cherry Blossom Petals

Lone cherry blossoms against a background of cherry blossom trees and clear, blue, spring sky in the town of Kawazu, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan, the birthplace of the Kawazu-Zakura variety of cherry blossom trees.

Pentax K-1 II + DFA 28-105mm F3.5-5.6
105 mm ISO 400 for 1/800 sec. at ƒ/6.3

Japanese Vermilion Bridge & Blossoms

Practically speaking, vermilion (red-orange) paint used on Japanese bridges, torii gates, shrines, temples, etc. provides a   preservative function against the elements.

Culturally speaking, vermilion serves as a talisman against evil spirits. I surmise the color is used in this sense to protect the structure from destruction due to earthquakes, floods, mountain slides, fires, and engineering defects.

Regardless, I am a huge fan of vermilion bridges that often stand in stark contrast to green mountainscapes, flowing blue rivers, or in this shot where the vermilion bridge is analogous to the dark pink cherry blossoms.

Pentax K-1 II + DFA 28-105mm F3.5-5.6
105 mm ISO 400 for 1/500 sec. at ƒ/6.3

New Summer Orange & Cherry Blossoms

Although Kawazu-machi (Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan) is most famous for its Kawazu-Zakura Cherry Blossom Festival, this area of the Izu Peninsula is also known for its vast variety of citrus fruit. Next to the cherry tree blossoms, you can see several orchards growing different varieties of oranges and Japanese oranges (mikan).

The town is home to the Izu Orange Center, which sells hundreds of orange and mikan related products. Kawazu-machi in particular is known for a new hybrid variety of citrus called New Summer Oranges or Hyuganatsu. This variety of orange looks like an orange but features a strong sweet-and-sour aroma and tastes like a cross between a grapefruit and Japanese lemon (yuzu).

Pentax K-1 II + DFA 28-105mm F3.5-5.6
58 mm ISO 400 for 1/400 sec. at ƒ/5.6

Cherry Blossom Petals

The cherry blossom trees of the Kawazau-Zakura variety are the first species to bloom in Japan  and last for about a month. Originally from the town of Kawazu, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan, these beautiful petals are famous for their darker shade of pink and long blooming time.

Pentax K-1 II + DFA 28-105mm F3.5-5.6
105 mm ISO 400 for 1/1,000 sec. at ƒ/5.6