Sunday, October 30, 2016

Nobi Beach - A Closer Look

In my last post I took a few shots of Nobi beach but I didn't think I did the place justice. So, I went back on a nicer day and now I'm presenting "A Closer Look".

For this post I went to the beginning of the beachfront walking promenade.

Access to the promenade is next to a Lawson's convenience store that is actually closer to Keikyu Nagasawa train station than the YRP Nobi station. From either station it's not that far of a walk.

As I walked along the beachfront I was treated to some lovely ocean and cloudy sky vistas.

There are a lot of breakwaters and shore reinforcements. Things can get pretty rough here in a typhoon.

This was my first time to walk the promenade from the real beginning and I'm quit impressed.

This is a great place for beach goers that want to enjoy the ocean without laying around on the sand.

A bit of rust from the salt air corrosion adds some charm to this pavilion..

I can imagine that on the weekend there are more joggers exercising here.

This place is nice!

The old man and the sea (Japanese version).

There are concrete steps leading to the water all all along the walkway.

Gone fishing.

This beats the heck out of sitting in the house and watching TV.

Most importantly - there is a clean restroom! When I say clean, I mean clean! On the other side of this restroom facility was a water station for people to wash the sand off their feet and to drink water.

The land mass on the other side of the bay is Boso peninsula.

Being less popular than other beaches on Miura peninsula has its up side - not a lot of people here. It seems like most of the people I encountered were locals out for some fresh air, sunshine and exercise.

This is where the promenade ends and the we must take to the sidewalk that runs along the Kitashitaurakaigan-dori (street).

A look back before moving forward.

Dogs like the waterfront too.

Moving down the road.

The surf is not up!

This part of Nobi beach is more natural; less developed than the promenade area.

A place where one can take off their shoes and socks, roll up their pants and feel the sand between their toes.

Like that guy down there.

Not only is the restroom clean down on the beach there is a cleanup crew picking up trash.

This part of the Kitashitaurakaigan-dori is being worked on to repair damage caused by a typhoon.

More vistas!

It is really pleasant here today. I wish I had packed a lunch and a cooler of beer. Well, at least a cooler of beer.

Shifting from sandy beach to rocky shore.

In the upper right corner are some of the waterfront properties. It must be nice to wake up and look out on the ocean every morning.

A spot of blue sky.

See, I didn't make up the name of this street.

Just around the corner of Nobi beach is the power plant in Kurihama. Hmmm, looks like a little preservation is needed.

I am not alone!

And, now I'm at Kurihama's Perry-dori named after Commodore Matthew Perry (look it up). Pigeons! I guess the beak shall inherit the earth.

Last shot of the day: The British made Triumph Bonneville motorcycle in all its glory. When I was younger (much younger) this was the motorcycle I wanted to have. This bike is rarely seen around these parts of Japan.
Well, that was a closer look at Nobi beach. If you liked what you saw I think it's well worth your time to visit; that is if you're in Japan and close to the Miura peninsula.

Thanks for stopping by!
Mike

Monday, October 24, 2016

Three Days and the Voigtlander 75mm f1.8 Lens

The Voigtlander Heliar Classic 75mm f1.8 (VM mount) lens is not most peoples idea of a walk about lens. I guess I'm not most people because I love using this lens for walking around the streets. As a short telephoto lens it helps me isolate objects and if I want to with the f1.8 aperture I can get blurred backgrounds; if I think it'll enhance the image.

Day 1: Gumyoji
Just outside of the Gumyoji train station (Kekyu train line) This noren curtain advertising Yebisu beer caught my eye.

I'm closing in on my main objective for today's trip; Gumyoji Temple.  Gumyoji Temple is one of the oldest temples in Yokohama City.

Buddhest temple prayer cards. Almost every photographer that visits a temple takes this kind of a picture. It's become kind of cliche and I try to resist doing it but I was intrigued with this card of the two daikon radishes.

A lotus plant outside the main temple.

Nice bronze statue.

A vivid paper lantern. It looked to me like it had recently been refurbished.

After leaving the temple I strolled around the town. I think I'm addicted to taking pictures of lanterns; like these in front of a ramen shop.

In the center of the covered shopping street is a neat clock. This is also right above the bridge over the Ookagawa river.

I'm surprised that Halloween has become so popular here in Japan.

There are jack-o-lanterns everywhere.

I decided to follow the Ookagawa river to the Yokohama seaside waterfront.

There are a lot of bridges over the Ookagawa river and everyone is different.

As the time approached noon I deviated from my mission so that I could eat lunch in a nice restaurant.

This restaurant recently had it's grand opening - it's a little too nice for me.

This dump place looks more my speed.

I ate alone; lunch with a friend is far more enjoyable.

At last I've arrived at the waterfront. A man and his trusty bicycle enjoying the day.

The art of strutting in high heels.

Last shot of day one: "Two Friends"

Day two: Nobi Beach (Miura Peninsula)
Nobi beach is one of the less popular beaches on Miura peninsula. So, that makes it popular with me.

Not exactly on par with the French riviera: sparsely populated, facilities a bit salt eroded, not much of a sandy playground... in other words "it's perfect!".

No need to worry about being crowded out by other beach goers.

It's a nice place for walking and jogging.

This looks more like rusted out tubular bells than a fence.

Yep! this is my kind of beach.

By following the coast I soon arrived at Kurihama just in time to see the Ferry arrive.

Open the door and out comes the people.

Last shot of day two: "A Man In A Kurihama Restaurant"

Day three: Miura Kaigan Beach
Everyone takes pictures of cats - why should I be different. This cat was in front of a mikan (tangerine) stand.  I said hello, she responded with a meow without opening her eyes; it was like I wasn't worthy of of a glance. That's cats.

I've read that in the United States there have been numerous sightings of creepy clowns. I see we have the same problem here in Japan.

Miura beach is a lot more popular than Nobi beach but at this time of the year there's not a lot of activity.

Feels a bit lonely here today.

Got a bit of a surf today.


Grey skies, no people except a few fishermen, chill in the air... break out the beer, it's time to party!

Last shot of day three: "The Party Is Over" time to catch a train and go home.

So, that was my three days with the Voigtlander Heliar Classic 75mm f1.8 (VM mount) lens. I forgot to mention to those who are not familiar with this lens that it's manual focus; no auto-focus. I see that as a plus, I think many would find that to be a minus. Either way, I enjoy the heck out of using it!

Thanks for stopping by!
Mike