Month: July 2002

  • Koshimizu fields and Lake Mashu in thick fog, Hokkaido

    I was up by dawn – at five in the morning. I started hitching from the same spot. However, I didn’t seem to have any luck. It was a nice sunrise, too. I thought that perhaps I had missed a good photo. Any photographer worth his salt in Japan has a good photo of Lake…

  • Shiretoko spiders, lakes and hot spring waterfalls

    I continued walking through the drizzle of the early morning. There were lots of deer by the side of the road. Usually, they jumped away at the sound of my singing – I guess I’m not good enough for the deer yet. I waited inside the shop when it opened, but since I wasn’t a…

  • Lilies in Koshimizu, Hokkaido

    I stood for quite a while in the service area. There seemed to be lots of school children travelling. Eventually, a gentleman waved me over. He was going to Shari, beyond Kitami. I think I did a bit of work on the way, but was quite tired. I was dropped at a Lily park near…

  • Hitch and ferry to Asahikawa, Hokkaido

    The first lift of the morning was with a couple and a young baby, heading for Oirase gorge, I think. At first, I thought they wanted me to contribute to the travel expenses. I explained that I was hitching. They took me up several service areas to Maezawa. On the way, I was able to…

  • Nikko Toshogu and Shoyo Gardens

    I was up fairly early and wandered round for a bit before buying my combination ticket. It came with a brief map and a route. I went into the garden first, thinking that I should at least get some photos before the crowds arrive. It was enjoyable, with dragonflies, lizards, spiders and lilies. I didn’t…

  • More computing in Tokyo and hitch to Nikko

    I said I would set off at about midday. In the end, it was nearer five thirty before I set off. I put all my photos onto CDs, and then labelled the photos that I had selected for the internet and CDs. I can’t clear out photos from the D: drive until I have done…

  • Computing and paying tax in Tokyo

    I spent the whole day inside. I have to clear out my C: drive. That means putting all the selected best photos onto CD, checking that the CDs are correct, and then deleting the originals. By the end of the day, I had several Gbytes of free space on the disk again. I only made…

  • Kamikochi and hitch to Tokyo

    I didn’t have to run for cover. Instead, I woke to a beautiful sunrise. I headed back up the river, getting more drinking water from the campsite restaurant. I set off up towards Tokusawa. On the way, I met some monkeys. I took lots of photos. Sometimes the “boss” growled at me, but there was…

  • Hitch to Kamikochi

    I had a lift almost as soon as I had started hitching. I headed back to the Tokumitsu parking area. From there, I was able to get a lift, first to the next services, and then to the Toyama junction. The couple who gave me a lift were going all the way to Tokyo. They…

  • Eiheiji and Senmaida photographic disappointments

    I probably only got about four or five hours sleep. My brain was still drowsy at half-past five. However, according to the files, I had taken my first photo inside by 5.45. I bought the ticket from a vending machine, and proceeded to the door. Unlike most temples, this one didn’t allow visitors to walk…