留萌 - Rumoi, Hokkaido (January 2020)...

Feb 10, 2020,06:57 AM
 

It's been a little over five years since I last visited Rumoi (Dec-2014) and in some ways this was a nostalgic re-visit to the site of two of my most iconic photos... I had to ask myself if it's possible to go back... did I want to return?

From Asahikawa it's 18 minutes to 深川 (Fukagawa) and then one hour to the small coastal city of Rumoi.  Transport beyond Fukagawa is via a single track two carriage "ワンマン" (one man) train.  Weather permitting there are eight round trips per day...  a beautiful wooded journey o'er hill and vale.























The conundrum... there was no way a re-visit could be "better".  At the end of the day it was fun... naturally it was different and most likely I will go again with a tripod and some ND Grad filters... I am just looking for some heavy weather along the coast ; )

Casey

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I love traveling by train...

 
 By: cshimokita : February 10th, 2020-07:56
Shinkansen or local, both have their charm. I was fortunate with that last train photo... there was a patch of light on the next platform... a "one man" train only has the driver... at local (and they're all local) stops passengers must enter and exit via... 

Very atmospheric photo’s.

 
 By: George Gently : February 10th, 2020-07:30
It was a joy looking at them. Regards, George

Thank you very much George...

 
 By: cshimokita : February 10th, 2020-07:57
It's satisfying to read such comments... Casey

Sublime photography

 
 By: Lankysudanese : February 10th, 2020-07:53
. Thanks for taking us along, for the journey. What’s your photography gear, if you don’t mind sharing? Hussam

the gear....

 
 By: cshimokita : February 10th, 2020-13:19
Nikon F3P, Ai-S 50mm f/1.2, Fujifilm Neopan ACROS 100 (version 01 and version 02), and on many of the daylight photos a PL filter... Casey

Wonderful winter pictures.

 
 By: kev09 : February 10th, 2020-08:16
There’s something about snow on a coastline that seems to emphasise the bleakness of the location. I really liked them. Regards Kev.

Thank you Kev...

 
 By: cshimokita : February 10th, 2020-13:26
Rumoi is a special location with the high coastal cliffs... north of Vladivostok across the Sea of Japan. The incoming weather can be extream in winter. Casey

Each picture has its own charm.

 
 By: TheMadDruid : February 10th, 2020-08:43
For the first time I don't have a favorite-which is a compliment!! I'm enjoying very much your extended B&W phase. Better than Picasso's "Blue". I may have to give it a try.

Thanks Padj...

 
 By: cshimokita : February 10th, 2020-13:31
I did travel with a few rolls of Kodak Gold 200 color negative film but didn't feel the need to use it. Thanks for the kind words. Casey

Very nice reportage Casey

 
 By: Geo : February 10th, 2020-10:07
I really dislike Winter, but your shots are very attractive. George

Having grown up in the 'north', I love winter and suffer in the summer heat...

 
 By: cshimokita : February 10th, 2020-17:01
George, you seem to be from a cold clime... my 'trick' is to invest in good outerwear ; ) Thanks for the comments. Casey

Nice photos

 
 By: sschew : February 10th, 2020-11:32
As usual beautiful pictures

Thank you sschew...

 
 By: cshimokita : February 10th, 2020-13:32
It was a very enjoyable trip... for a change I might return in the summer... we'll see how it goes. Casey

Each time

 
 By: tick28800 : February 10th, 2020-13:02
Wonderful pictures. Don't know if it is the subject or the photographer I'm programming an holiday in Japan next year, in part because of your pics! Thanks

Sounds like a good program tick28800... thanks for the kind words

 
 By: cshimokita : February 10th, 2020-13:35
Let me know if your plans include a visit to Tokyo... lovely to have a coffee and compare notes. Casey

Wow! That 3rd one.. is that the same one that I liked but from a different angle?

 
 By: Echi : February 10th, 2020-17:38
And that beach.. snow? Very nice series.

Thanks Echi...

 
 By: cshimokita : February 10th, 2020-18:57
I did revisit all the 'old familiar locations... so the 3rd one "might" look familiar ; ) Definitely snow hahaha... Casey

So is Rumoi the place to go in Hokkaido? Probably it is for me just because of that set..

 
 By: Echi : February 10th, 2020-19:20
I'm not sure I can top the feel of film in this instance. Plus, if I were there with you, i'd probably use my Bessa and copy your cam settings :p

For me Rumoi will be the destination for another visit...

 
 By: cshimokita : February 11th, 2020-05:05
Open water all the way to the Russian Far East... due to the winter conditions I have not used tripod nor ND Grads, so given certain weather conditions it is definitely on the short list ; ) I am seriously interested in spending some more time in Asahikaw... 

Barren and cold - just how you like it!

 
 By: fernando : February 10th, 2020-18:10
Thanks for the reminder. I remember your first series and it still looks awfully remote and chilly. A re-visit is never as good as the first time. Great shots!

Thanks fernando... the years pass so quickly...

 
 By: cshimokita : February 10th, 2020-19:00
It was an internal 'struggle' about going back to Rumoi as it was a great experience the first time around... but in the end I enjoy the visit... Casey

Lovey collection [nt]

 
 By: EinPa : February 11th, 2020-09:29

Thank you EinPa...

 
 By: cshimokita : February 11th, 2020-14:50
much appreciated... going back to re-shoot these locations was a good experience. I was not possible to re-capture the previous experience, but in some ways I could go a little deeper... maybe the third time, or the fourth, or fifth ; ) Casey

Quite nice......

 
 By: berlin90 : February 11th, 2020-09:39
Casey, really enjoy always seeing your views of Japan......these are lovely!

Thanks "berlin90"...

 
 By: cshimokita : February 11th, 2020-14:54
I was more than happy with the results this time... I hope it works out to visit central Hokkaido again this summer... and maybe there will be more snow next winter ; ) Casey

How will it look in summer

 
 By: Quan : February 11th, 2020-22:21
just wonder. The train is better than the one to Iwate, love every single photo here

John, I am particularly interested in summer mountain views...

 
 By: cshimokita : February 11th, 2020-22:56
both looking at and looking from... in particular Kuro-Dake. Not sure if the summer olympics will take place or not, but I should be able to get some good accommodations in the north if I book early. Casey