The morning mist lingers over "Aragijima". I was able to see the fantastical "Aragijima" illuminated by the morning sun. Aridagawacho, Wakayama Prefecture 2026/6

The "Jigosha Camphor Tree" is over 600 years old, with a trunk circumference of 13.5 meters and a height of 20 meters. It is a natural monument in Wakayama Prefecture and the largest tree in the Kinki region. Although it is no longer there, my childhood home was near this tree. Right next to it was an elementary school, and my grandfather, father, myself, and my two daughters are all graduates of this school, growing up under the watchful eye of the great tree. This tree has also been damaged by typhoons and lightning, and it has become significantly smaller compared to the past, but it still stands strong.

One of my favorite waterfalls located in Kozagawacho, known for its many waterfalls, is Nakatsudani Falls, which has a height of 93 meters and consists of seven tiers. From below, you can see up to the third tier, which is 45 meters high. It’s a beautiful waterfall, but after rain, it becomes inaccessible.

Maboroshi no Taki, located in Kozagawacho, Wakayama Prefecture, is a famous waterfall with a drop of 63 meters. Delicate Himerenga flowers adorned the waterfall. It is recommended to visit when the water volume is high due to rain, but please be careful of your footing as the rocks can be slippery near the waterfall's base.

The only exclave in Japan, Kitayamamura in Wakayama Prefecture, has started its tourist rafting. Why not come and experience the thrilling river descent in nature?

Behind Kōgen Shrine, located along the Kumano Kodo Pilgrimage Route's Nakahechi course, you can see a large camphor tree with a trunk circumference of over 6 meters, as well as a cluster of ebine orchids. Take your time to enjoy the Kumano Kodo while reflecting on the ancient people.

The cherry blossoms on the Hirasogen Plain in Shirahamacho, Wakayama Prefecture are in full bloom. The full moonlight revealed the blossoms, making them appear to float.

Near Chikatsuyu Oji Shrine on the Kumano Kodo Pilgrimage Route stands the Naganose Family, whose lineage dates back to the Nanboku-chō period. In the old family garden there is a weeping cherry tree that the 19th head of the family, Rokuro Kasamori Nonagase, brought from Gion in Kyoto and planted in April 1747. It rained this morning, but I photographed the tree, which is now about 60–70 percent in bloom. If you walk the Kumano Kodo Nakahechi Course, be sure to see this magnificent weeping cherry. I think it will probably be in full bloom around this weekend.

From Hirakiso Plateau, a popular resting spot for Shirahamacho residents, you can see the Milky Way; the large red star is Antares in Scorpius. Its diameter is about 700 to 800 times that of the Sun, and it lies roughly 550 to 600 light-years from Earth. That means the light we see now left the star 550 to 600 years ago. Hirakiso Plateau is dotted with many cherry trees, and soon it will bustle with crowds enjoying the blossoms.

These are the Hashigui-iwa Rocks, a natural monument in Kushimotocho, Wakayama Prefecture. Long ago, Kobo Daishi and an amanojaku made a bet over whether they could build a bridge from Kushimoto to an offshore island before the rooster crowed. Just as Kobo Daishi had nearly finished setting the bridge’s piles, the amanojaku feared losing, imitated a rooster, and tricked Kobo Daishi into thinking morning had come. Kobo Daishi gave up and left the partly built bridge behind. That is why only the bridge’s piles are said to remain, according to the legend. What do you suppose Kobo Daishi and the amanojaku wagered? These Hashigui-iwa Rocks are also selected as one of Japan’s Top 100 Sunrises.

Kumanozakura, recognized as a newly identified cherry variety It blooms earlier than Someiyoshino and has deeper color than Yamazakura Photographed in the Mine District of Kozagawacho.

A plum grove in Katsuragicho, Wakayama Prefecture, is planted on the slope of a hill. Unlike the plum groves in the Kinan Region, nets are not set up to catch the fruit at harvest. I believe the mountain visible beyond the grove is Mount Izumi Katsuragi.

There was a Statue of Liberty in Shirahama, Wakayama Prefecture. Its purpose is unclear, but similar statues seem to be found in many places across Japan. If you are interested, please look it up.

Kousanji, a Koyasan Shingon temple in Inaricho, Tanabe City, is in Wakayama Prefecture’s southern region, where cold days continue, but a single hikanzakura planted on the temple grounds has reached its peak bloom. Plum blossoms are also beginning to open here and there, letting you feel spring drawing closer little by little.

Winter camellias and the star trail I spun the stars for about an hour Shooting outdoors in winter is cold, but the air is clear and the stars look beautiful The bright glow below is the city lights of Tanabe City

I want to end the year at my favorite spot on the Kumano Kodo Pilgrimage Route, the rainy Hosshinmon Oji Shrine. If you have the chance someday, please visit. Why not walk the Kumano Kodo and let your mind roam back to ancient times? You will encounter dreamlike scenery and meet people who live in the area.

I couldn't photograph the meteor shower, so I switched to capturing star trails.

I went to a scenic spot in Shirahama, Wakayama Prefecture to see the Geminids; the peak is today but the forecast was cloudy, so I went shooting yesterday. I saw eight meteors in one hour. I used a wide-angle lens to cover a large area, so the meteors appear small in the photos, but I was able to capture them.

Ichimaiiwa Monolith, a natural monument in Kozagawacho, Wakayama Prefecture, had reached its peak autumn foliage.

The Irohamomiji maple within the precincts of Ryusenji Temple in Kozagawacho, Wakayama Prefecture, is over 200 years old, stands 10 meters tall, and measures 2.9 meters around the trunk. Perhaps I visited at the perfect time for photography, because its coloring was spectacular. It is designated as a Natural Monument by Kozagawacho.

I photographed the World Cultural Heritage Kumano Kodo Pilgrimage Route, capturing the Nakahechi course dyed in autumn colors at Toganoki Chaya and Hosshinmon. Bright autumn leaves on sunny days are of course beautiful, but I also love the calm, mellow scenery on rainy days.

The season for clear stargazing has arrived. The Orion constellation and the Winter Triangle, both iconic winter sights, stood out. Nearby, Taurus, Gemini, and the Pleiades were also visible.

This is the mouth of the Takase River in Shirahama, Wakayama Prefecture. A few small fishing boats that had returned from fishing were moored here. This place is also a peaceful haven for ducks. At dusk, when a breeze stirs and the water turns a reddened hue, it is a time that soothes the heart.

I went to the Kumano Kodo Kougen area to photograph an early winter landscape, and a lonely cat came up to rub against me and wouldn’t leave my side. After a while it climbed onto the fence and struck a pose as if to say, “Use me as your model.” I took a shot with the misty landscape in the background.

It is a scenic spot in Shirahama Town, Wakayama Prefecture, Enzuki Island. A large number of tourists come to watch the sunset over Engetsu Island.

This morning's higanbana, photographed in Kamitomita Town, Wakayama Prefecture, blooms like a bright red carpet every every year, but this year it blooms only sparsely due to the abnormal summer heat Squid. I was the only one who came to shoot. Let's look forward to next year.

The higanbana I saw while running in the Mountainous Area of Ryujin, Tanabe City, Wakayama Prefecture, and the lilac tsurubo flowers blooming below are also cute.

It seems that it will be a while before you can eat new Soba in the Soba field of Ryujin, Tanabe City, Wakayama Prefecture.

The rice terraces in the Kumano Kodo and Highlands area are also called terraced rice fields in the sky. It's been 10 days since the last shoot. Even in this area (Wakayama), it has become less common to see rice racks (rice hangings) where harvested rice is dried in the sun. Thanks to the fact that large machines do not enter (?) You can see this scenery at the It must be difficult for farmers, but it is a landscape that I would like to see preserved forever.

Rice harvesting has begun in the terraced rice fields in the Highlands area of Kumano Kodo and Kiri no Sato. It is good to walk leisurely, but if you are thinking of walking the Kumano Kodo Nakahechi Course in autumn, please rest your legs for a while and enjoy this view.