#河津川

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

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

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