Around Gongendo Shrine on Ishigaki island

August 18, 2024 in Blog, photo-journal

In Ishigaki, a small island in Okinawa, Japan, Shinto and Buddhism coexist in a unique blend that reflects both local culture and broader Japanese traditions. Shinto focuses on nature worship and community festivals, with shrines dedicated to kami that protect the land and sea. Buddhism, on the other hand, emphasizes ancestral worship, funerary practices, and rituals held in local temples. The two religions harmoniously divide spiritual duties—Shinto for life events and nature, Buddhism for death and the afterlife—creating a distinct spiritual landscape influenced by both Japanese and Okinawan traditions.

Okinawa - Ishigaki to Taketomi

August 04, 2024 in photo-journal, Blog

Finally back in Okinawa after 10 years…

Reservoir | A7R & Leica Macro-Elmarit-R 60mm f/2.8 | 60mm f/8 ISO200 1/250 — Reservoir | A7R & Leica Macro-Elmarit-R 60mm f/2.8 | 60mm f/8 ISO200 1/250

Last few days in Okinawa

June 23, 2015 in Blog, photo-journal

Very little to say other than we have a great time, and I hope that you enjoyed the photos.

It's not Black and White

June 21, 2015 in Blog, photo-journal

Providing photographers with a way to take photos that renders camera usage transparent, is surely the ultimate goal of any camera manufacturer? No? Well it damn well should be.

Shimojishima | RX1 | f/2 ISO 100 1/2000 — Shimojishima | RX1 | f/2 ISO 100 1/2000

移動中 / In Transit

June 15, 2015 in Blog, photo-journal

It feels like the last year has been one in which we have almost completely been in transit.

Ishigaki Port & Kuroshima

July 06, 2014 in photo-journal, Blog

We killed some time in Ishigaki city whilst waiting for a ferry to nearby Kuroshima.

Take me To Taketomi

June 30, 2014 in Blog, photo-journal

Sometimes a place sticks in your mind so much, that you have to go back. Sometimes, a place is so relaxing, that you need to return. For us, this place was the island of Taketomi in Okinawa prefecture.

"My Country" | RX1 | 1/80s f/2.8 ISO320 35mm — "My Country" | RX1 | 1/80s f/2.8 ISO320 35mm

Ishigaki Island – 石垣島

June 24, 2014 in photo-journal, Blog

Though I've been fortunate enough to visit Okinawa numerous times, I've spent most of that time on the main island; Okinawa Honto. To see what else the prefecture has to offer, we decided to stay on nearby Ishigaki-jima.

Back in Okinawa

November 26, 2013 in Blog, photo-journal

I'm back in Okinawa - this time for work - but rather than post uninspiring and dull photos of work (plus, this site is my hobby - to escape work!), I have a few photos from my lunch break at the very northern tip of Okinawa's main island. I spent a few minutes with my NEX-7 and manual lens chasing the amazing butterfly in the shot above...

It's quite odd being surrounded by such lushness and wildlife, when Christmas music is playing in convenience stores, in their full christmas decor.

I'll be here all week, but the weather forecast isn't so great. Who knows, though. Okinawa has crazy weather!

The River of Heaven

September 23, 2013 in Blog

It's essentially impossible to see the Milky Way from Tokyo, due to the huge levels of light pollution. Only when we venture far from our man-made distractions of flashing lights can we really appreciate how insignificant we are in the contexts of the universe.

This is a relatively recent dilemma. Years ago, before electricity, it would be common for people to look at the stars from their villages and towns, question the meaning of life (or perhaps simply pray to the current popular deity). These days, it's so rare to see the stars and the milky way, that I wonder if the number of people questioning the meaning of life, or their place in the universe is going up or down. On any given evening, it's hard to find someone not looking into their smartphone screen, rather than upwards into infinity.

The title of this post The River of Heaven, was chosen from the direct translation from Japanese 天の川, and was brought to you on Autumnal Equinox Day (秋分の日 Shūbun no Hi); a public holiday in Japan that usually occurs on September 22 or 23.

Hibiscus

September 22, 2013 in Blog

Hibiscus, ヒビスカス or 赤花, is a vibrant red flower native to warm-temperate, subtropical and tropical regions throughout the world. They are found throughout Okinawa, and the nearby Yaeyama islands.

The flowers themselves only last for a day, and then curl up and fall off. The high turnover rate means that the shrubs continually have numerous flowers, so unless you specifically look for the same flower the following day, you may not notice its absence.

Two symbols of Okinawa — Two symbols of *Okinawa*

Whilst on holiday, we tried "hibiscus beer" , which was Orion (pronounced the Japanese way; orry-on) mixed with hibiscus extract. It was extremely tasty, and quickly became a favourite way to cool down in the hot afternoons. It's responsible for our recent quest for fruit beer since returning to Tokyo.

Kuroshima - 黒島

September 21, 2013 in Blog, photo-journal

For the final two nights of our holiday, we had booked accommodation near Ishigaki Port. Ishigaki is a huge island, and a hire car is a must if you want to explore it. We didn't fancy spending the remainder of our journey stuck in a car, trying to program a Japanese sat-nav, and so we explored the town on the first day, and took a 25 minute ferry journey to nearby Kuroshima (black island) on our second and final day.

This could almost have been my home in Norfolk. — This could *almost* have been my home in Norfolk.

Kuroshima is mostly a farmland. The island has the approximate shape of a heart symbol 「♡」when viewed from the air, and is marketed as "Heart Island". We rented bicycles, and I was surprised by how much it felt like Norfolk, except with the Sun turned up to 11.

There are apparently more cows than people on Kuroshima — There are apparently more cows than people on *Kuroshima*

Cattle raising is a major economic activity and a yearly "cow festival" is held. Sometimes the island is marketed as "Island of Cows" as well, as there are more cows than local inhabitants. We visited the sea-turtle research centre, which was rather small, but allowed us to escape the heat and intense sun for some respite.

Lighthouse at the southern tip of Kuroshima — Lighthouse at the southern tip of *Kuroshima*

Standing on the small cliffs at the southern tip of the island, the next land mass across the ocean is the Philippines.

Farms and clouds - UK or Tropical Japan?

We ended the day with a dip in the richest green-blue water I've ever seen. It was so cool and refreshing after cycling all day. I can hear the waves lapping at the shore right now...

Possibly the best beach I've been to... so far — Possibly the best beach I've been to... *so far*

This concludes the "photo-journal" style posts from our holiday. I hope you enjoyed the series!