
Nikon D4 + Nikkor 24mm f/1.4 — 1/400 sec, f/4, ISO 100 — map & image data — nearby photos
The Haradanien Garden
Kyoto, Japan
原谷苑、京都市
Yesterday's post (“Photo Shoot at Kyoto’s Haradanien Garden: John and Ai”) has inspired me to at least start to try to show the magnificent Haradanien Garden (原谷苑) in north-west Kyoto, a few kilometers in the mountains behind the Kinkakuji “Golden Pavilion” Temple. I'd made my first visit last week and from that trip had posted so far only one wigglegram, and then visited a few days ago for the photoshoot with John and Ai, and from that visit also posted some subtle pastel blossoms.

Nikon D4 + Nikkor 24mm f/1.4 — 1/1000 sec, f/1.4, ISO 100 — map & image data — nearby photos
The Little-Known West Entrance
Having entrusted my route to get there to Google Maps on my iPhone, I unknowingly ended up at a minor secondary entrance on the opposite side of the garden from the main entrance. This was wonderful because it meant that I had a large part of the garden just to myself for a while, before people filtered up from the main entrance. It was also nice because I was spared what I found out on the second trip to be a decidedly unappealing experience of loud hordes outside the main entrance.
I was surprised to find that the entrance fee was ¥1,200, double what I might have expected before seeing the garden. After having seen the garden at peak blossom season, though, the price seems low.

Nikon D4 + Nikkor 24mm f/1.4 — 1/1600 sec, f/1.4, ISO 100 — map & image data — nearby photos
Just Inside

Nikon D4 + Nikkor 24mm f/1.4 — 1/3200 sec, f/1.4, ISO 100 — map & image data — nearby photos
Huge Canopy
that seems to never end

Nikon D4 + Voigtländer 125mm f/2.5 — 1/500 sec, f/2.5, ISO 100 — map & image data — nearby photos
Multidimensional
It's hard to know where to focus

Nikon D4 + Voigtländer 125mm f/2.5 — 1/320 sec, f/2.5, ISO 100 — map & image data — nearby photos
The Hordes Approach
It alternated between sun and clouds (and even rained a bit toward the late afternoon), and so the light was changing often, as did the view depending on whether you were under the canopy or looking out a portal...

Nikon D4 + Nikkor 24mm f/1.4 — 1/500 sec, f/4, ISO 100 — map & image data — nearby photos
Bright Spot

Nikon D4 + Nikkor 24mm f/1.4 — 1/320 sec, f/7.1, ISO 180 — map & image data — nearby photos
Looking Up

Nikon D4 + Nikkor 24mm f/1.4 — 1/1250 sec, f/1.4, ISO 100 — map & image data — nearby photos
Shade Punctuated by Sun

Nikon D4 + Nikkor 24mm f/1.4 — 1/2500 sec, f/1.4, ISO 100 — map & image data — nearby photos
Teeming Crowds

Nikon D4 + Nikkor 24mm f/1.4 — 1/1000 sec, f/2.5, ISO 100 — map & image data — nearby photos
Yet Another Nice Area

Nikon D4 + Nikkor 24mm f/1.4 — 1/3200 sec, f/1.4, ISO 100 — map & image data — nearby photos
A Peek at the Mountains Beyond

Nikon D4 + Voigtländer 125mm f/2.5 — 1/400 sec, f/2.5, ISO 100 — map & image data — nearby photos
Leisurely Break

Nikon D4 + Voigtländer 125mm f/2.5 — 1/640 sec, f/2.5, ISO 100 — map & image data — nearby photos
Some Guy with a Camera
Despite that the crowds can grow quite thick, the layout of the gardens — paths crisscrossing on a many-leveled hillside separated by a large variety of flowers, trees, and shrubs — enables many photographic possibilities. I was constantly surprised at the kind of shots I could get... long, sweeping shots showing just one person or one small group in frame, despite the pulsating throngs of people.

Nikon D4 + Voigtländer 125mm f/2.5 — 1/320 sec, f/2.5, ISO 125 — map & image data — nearby photos
Common Scene

Nikon D4 + Voigtländer 125mm f/2.5 — 1/400 sec, f/2.5, ISO 100 — map & image data — nearby photos
Peace

Nikon D4 + Voigtländer 125mm f/2.5 — 1/640 sec, f/2.5, ISO 100 — map & image data — nearby photos
Extra-Pretty Blossoms
I wonder what kind of shot she got. Here's mine:

Nikon D4 + Voigtländer 125mm f/2.5 — 1/800 sec, f/2.5, ISO 100 — map & image data — nearby photos
Multi-Layer

Nikon D4 + Nikkor 24mm f/1.4 — 1/1600 sec, f/2.5, ISO 100 — map & image data — nearby photos
Clearing

Nikon D4 + Nikkor 24mm f/1.4 — 1/3200 sec, f/1.4, ISO 100 — map & image data — nearby photos
“Omurozakura Cherry”
is what the sign says (御室桜)
He, Jeffrey, I went there today, breathtaking!
Hi, I am planning to do a prewedding photoshoot in Haradani en Garden. Do you need permission for photoshoot?
Regards,
Lauren
I’ve done simple shoots before, and just blended in with the hundred-gazillion other folks doing the same thing. If it would be a big hubbub (large staff with lots of light banks and tripods) you might need to ask. I dunno. As far as I could tell, it’s not mentioned on their web site. —Jeffrey