Nikon D700 + Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 @ 70 mm — ¹/160 sec, f/5, ISO 1250 — map & image data — nearby photos
Anthony and “Uncle Thomas”
Kibune, Kyoto, Japan

Today was another day of overcast and occasional rain, like yesterday but much colder (10°C vs. 21°C). With my friend Thomas Hertel visiting from Germany, we headed into the mountains of northern Kyoto, to Kibune, where nature is always quite pretty. I've been there enough over the years that I have a Kibune category of posts on my blog.

Kibune has been a popular destination for over a thousand years (some of its story being told in my Kibune Shrine (sort of) post). It's famous these days mostly for the coolness it offers in Kyoto's oppressively hot summers, and for dining directly over the river, and nagashi soumen flowing noodles.

Today, we ate at the restaurant I always go to, Hirobun, and then walked up and down the narrow street a bit with the camera in tow.

Nikon D700 + Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 @ 48 mm — ¹/160 sec, f/4.5, ISO 2000 — map & image data — nearby photos
Top of a Fence
covered in some kind of plant, and random fallen leaves
( although I have to admit to having adjusted the position of the red momiji for a more photogenic presentation )

Nikon D700 + Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 @ 40 mm — ¹/160 sec, f/4, ISO 2800 — map & image data — nearby photos
Fence, Lamp, and Tree

Nikon D700 + Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 @ 70 mm — ¹/160 sec, f/5, ISO 1250 — map & image data — nearby photos
Thomas Strolling in Kibune

Nikon D700 + Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 @ 70 mm — ¹/160 sec, f/2.8, ISO 400 — map & image data — nearby photos
Potted Plant
also turns pretty colors in autumn

Nikon D700 + Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 @ 70 mm — ¹/160 sec, f/3.2, ISO 1600 — map & image data — nearby photos
Another Potted Plant

Nikon D700 + Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 @ 62 mm — ¹/160 sec, f/3.5, ISO 2800 — map & image data — nearby photos
Flower Growing from a Crack in a Wall

Nikon D700 + Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 @ 36 mm — ¹/160 sec, f/6.3, ISO 6400 — map & image data — nearby photos
Bypassing Tight Physical Security

Nikon D700 + Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 @ 40 mm — ¹/160 sec, f/3.5, ISO 2200 — map & image data — nearby photos
Shrine Entrance

Nikon D700 + Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 @ 70 mm — ¹/160 sec, f/3.5, ISO 3600 — map & image data — nearby photos
Bridge over the River
watching Anthony play at the water's edge below

Nikon D700 + Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 @ 62 mm — ¹/160 sec, f/3.5, ISO 640 — map & image data — nearby photos
Cute Puppy Outside a Restaurant

We watched the puppy for a while trying to determine whether it was sleeping or fake, and after I had decided that it was a real dog sleeping, Thomas decided that it was fake. Thomas was right. It turns out that it was a Perfect Petzzz Pug.

Once it was revealed to be fake, Anthony had fun petting it, grooming it with the little brush, etc. It is really well done, and a smart move by the restaurant to place it there. I asked the lady whether it got them a lot of business, to which she said “yes.” I can understand why.

We actually got some snacks there, but I can't attribute it to the dog. We saw that they were selling dango on the walk down, so were intending to stop for some on the way back when we saw the dog.

Nikon D700 + Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 @ 70 mm — ¹/160 sec, f/3.5, ISO 3600 — map & image data — nearby photos
Roasting the Dango

Nikon D700 + Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 @ 70 mm — ¹/100 sec, f/3.5, ISO 6400 — map & image data — nearby photos
Dipping in Sauce
Soy sauce, sugar, and starch make for mitarashi dango

Nikon D700 + Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 @ 66 mm — ¹/160 sec, f/3.2, ISO 4500 — map & image data — nearby photos
Delivery

Nikon D700 + Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 @ 40 mm — ¹/160 sec, f/2.8, ISO 6400 — map & image data — nearby photos
Hot
but tasty

Nikon D700 + Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 @ 60 mm — ¹/160 sec, f/2.8, ISO 2800 — map & image data — nearby photos
Enjoying Dango with Uncle Thomas

Continued here...