Putzing Around Kyoto on a Fine Spring Day

It took a casual spin around Kyoto last weekend, as the cherry
blossoms were starting to come in.

Nikon D4 + Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 @ 55mm — 1/250 sec, f/6.3, ISO 160 —
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Kids Oblivious to the Blossoms

Kyoto Imperial Palace Park (京都御所公園)








Nikon D4 + Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 @ 24mm — 1/100 sec, f/9, ISO 280 —
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Cherry-Blossom Picnic








Nikon D4 + Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 @ 70mm — 1/640 sec, f/2.8, ISO 100 —
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Typical Kyoto Scene








Nikon D4 + Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 @ 66mm — 1/640 sec, f/2.8, ISO 100 —
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Very Little Person

very great cuteness








Nikon D4 + Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 @ 28mm — 1/500 sec, f/2.8, ISO 100 —
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Obnoxiously Rude

In pointing the camera at these ladies,

I took their attention from their ricksha-driver photographer.








Nikon D4 + Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 @ 24mm — 1/640 sec, f/2.8, ISO 100 —
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Calculated Chaos

Despite the crowds, the photographer can get great shots because

if it's not in frame, it doesn't exist








Nikon D4 + Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 @ 24mm — 1/500 sec, f/2.8, ISO 100 —
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Dress-up Play

dressed as a maiko (apprentice geisha), but probably not one








Nikon D4 + Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 @ 70mm — 1/640 sec, f/2.8, ISO 100 —
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Parking Lot

traffic in this part of town slows to a crawl this time of year








Nikon D4 + Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 @ 70mm — 1/320 sec, f/2.8, ISO 100 —
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Maruyama Park (円山公園)

still as ugly this time of year as it was 12 years ago








Nikon D4 + Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 @ 58mm — 1/250 sec, f/2.8, ISO 320 —
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Temporarily Closed

to traffic








Nikon D4 + Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 @ 70mm — 1/320 sec, f/2.8, ISO 360 —
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Nikon D4 + Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 @ 29mm — 1/400 sec, f/5, ISO 100 —
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Construction of Some Kind

as happens often, I couldn't remember what had been there

Looking down the street from next to the construction, toward the right, it was a mad house:

Nikon D4 + Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 @ 60mm — 1/250 sec, f/5, ISO 200 —
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Not Going to Even Try

So, instead I went up the steep road that goes under the shrine arch
seen two photos above.

Not long past the shrine gate, I noticed a huge statue off to the side, and wondered how long it had been
there and how I had never noticed it before:

Nikon D4 + Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 @ 24mm — 1/100 sec, f/13, ISO 160 —
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Huge Statue

to the far left

It turns out that it's been there since 1955, and is 24m (80') tall. I guess I'm not very attentive.

I ended up taking the long way around to the other side of the “not going to even try” street, where it was just as
crowded.

Nikon D4 + Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 @ 40mm — 1/160 sec, f/13, ISO 2500 —
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Still as Crowded

near the Kiyomizu Temple








Nikon D4 + Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 @ 70mm — 1/320 sec, f/9, ISO 560 —
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Less Photogenic Approach

to the Kiyomizu Temple








Nikon D4 + Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 @ 70mm — 1/320 sec, f/9, ISO 400 —
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Ugh

I'll find another way








Nikon D4 + Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 @ 32mm — 1/125 sec, f/9, ISO 140 —
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Side-ish Approach

Kiyomizu Temple (清水寺)








Nikon D4 + Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 @ 24mm — 1/100 sec, f/9, ISO 125 —
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So Much Less Crowded








Nikon D4 + Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 @ 24mm — 1/100 sec, f/9, ISO 250 —
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Kyoto's Lombardi Street

there are plenty of zig-zags all the way down

I'd never noticed this street that pitched down in zig-zag curves like a snake, so was happy to try it despite
the bumpy cobblestones.

Nikon D4 + Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 @ 24mm — 1/100 sec, f/8, ISO 400 —
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It eventually brought me to a service road where a trash-truck driver was replacing a “do not enter” rope. I guess there was normally
one at the top, but it had been placed aside for him. So, I don't think I'll be able to take the road again,
now that I know I wasn't supposed to have the first time.

Nikon D4 + Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 @ 24mm — 1/125 sec, f/8, ISO 100 —
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Near the Eastern Gate

Popping out of the eastern gate, I made my way up to Shogunzuka, where I used to go often to try to catch a nice sunset.

Nikon D4 + Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 @ 44mm — 1/200 sec, f/8, ISO 110 —
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Blah and Hazy

Shogunzuka Overlook (将軍塚)

The “nearby photos” link under the photo brings you to some of the many posts I've done from up here,
including some amazing sunsets like this
and this and this.

Nikon D4 + Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 @ 24mm — 1/100 sec, f/8, ISO 360 —
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Best I Could Come Up With

for something interesting








Nikon D4 + Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 @ 31mm — 1/125 sec, f/5.6, ISO 800 —
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Visiting Larry Ellison's Kyoto Digs

the same place seen in this lovely snow shot

This ride was the first this year not to wear full-on winter gear. It was lovely to be out.

Nikon D4 + Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 @ 56mm — 1/250 sec, f/9, ISO 2500 —
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Nanzen Temple (南禅寺)

main gate from the side








Nikon D4 + Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 @ 70mm — 1/320 sec, f/9, ISO 2000 —
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Start of the Philosopher's Trail

哲学の道

the blossoms haven't even started here








Nikon D4 + Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 @ 70mm — 1/320 sec, f/9, ISO 2800 —
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Back Street








Nikon D4 + Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 @ 70mm — 1/320 sec, f/9, ISO 720 —
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Pitch








Nikon D4 + Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 @ 70mm — 1/320 sec, f/9, ISO 2200 —
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Some Kind of Dance Performance

in the plaza in front of the Heian Shrine (平安神宮)








Nikon D4 + Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 @ 38mm — 1/160 sec, f/9, ISO 400 —
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My Local Park

taken over by some festival or another








Nikon D4 + Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 @ 24mm — 1/100 sec, f/9, ISO 280 —
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People Streaming from the Festival