Each season in the Ura-bandai region of Fukushima makes for a distinctive Japan Photo Tour. The over 20 years of experience leading photo workshops in Japan means witnessing each season and the photographic wonders featured in each season.
Fukushima prefecture is divided into three distinct regions, Hama-dori (the beach region), Naka-dori (the middle region), and, finally, Aizu, the most western portion of the prefecture that has many cities that carry ‘Aizu’ in their name: Aizu-Wakamatsu, Aizu-Bange, Nishi-Aizu, and others.
One of the most eye-catching features of Aizu region is Goshikinuma, the Five Colored Ponds. Each of the ponds has a different mineral composition of the water that constitutes it, and the different ph balance and enriching minerals set each pond apart. Each one is photogenic and highly recommended as part of any Fukushima Photo Workshop. For example, Midorinuma, the green pond sets off the surrounding flora as everything around it takes on a vibrant, emerald hue when reflected on the surface of the pond. And Aoinuma, the blue pond, makes it seem as if your world has been inverted with sky now below your feet, comparable to another famous photographic location, Amanohashidate, the bridge to heaven, but even that attraction pales in comparison to the sapphire ripples of the blue pond of Goshikinuma.
Lake Hibara is more than 30 km in circumference and 30 meters deep. As with any part of nature, it helps you as a photographer approach your art from a different perspective. When photographing from the deck of a boat, you can see Ura-bandai, the reverse side of the mountain that erupted nearly 150 years ago. The caldera formed after the eruption makes it an amazing photo op. Standing on the shores looking into Lake Hibara, you are greeted with many small islands with populate your photographic field and further distinguish your breathtaking photos taken while on a Fukushima Photography Tour.
Spring also means an abundance of flowers in bloom. Most notably, spring brings cherry blossoms to Japan, but in the Oguninuma Pond Wetland. Nikko Kisuge Lilies are the main feature during June, and your Japan Dreamscapes Photography Workshop Leader will help you navigate the narrow paths laid out for traversing the expansive wetlands. There is even a viewing platform near the peak of the mountain housing the wetlands for you to enjoy a panoramic view and photograph for you to treasure as an unforgettable memory of your Fukushima Photo Workshop.
As mentioned before, sakura are a huge element of Spring Photo Tours as well as Japan Photo Tours in general. In the Hibara area there is a tree called the ‘Ippon-zakura’, the lone cherry tree. Many locations around Japan have massive sprawls of cherry trees that are very beautiful. What makes this lone cherry tree so significant is its singularity. The contrast of the cherry tree against the green field surrounding it make its contribution to the landscape and to your viewfinder all the more significant.
It’s time to visit Fukushima in the summer!