Nikon D4 + Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 @ 32mm — 1/125 sec, f/2.8, ISO 220 — map & image data — nearby photos
Shugakuin Imperial Villa (修学院離宮)
Kyoto, Japan
Last month, as Kyoto's fall foliage season was just ramping up, I made my second (or third?) visit to one of the Japanese Emperor's estates in Kyoto, the Shugakuin Imperial Villa (修学院離宮).
The villa can be visited only by reservation, and the online reservation system is generally completely booked for the entire three months ahead that it has available. However, it's substantially easier for foreigners (non-Japanese citizens) to make a reservation in person at the Imperial Household Agency office in Kyoto; Kobe cycling friend Adrian took advantage of that, and kindly included me in his reservation.
I've posted about this place before, in “My First Visit To Kyoto’s Shugakuin Imperial Villa”, and its followups part one and part two (and a bonus boat).
Nikon D4 + Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 @ 29mm — 1/160 sec, f/2.8, ISO 100 — map & image data — nearby photos
Visits are via tours that are tightly controlled, chaperoned by (plain-clothed) Imperial police officers.
Nikon D4 + Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 @ 35mm — 1/160 sec, f/11, ISO 2500 — map & image data — nearby photos
Nikon D4 + Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 @ 24mm — 1/160 sec, f/4.5, ISO 100 — map & image data — nearby photos
Nikon D4 + Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8 @ 90mm — 1/400 sec, f/4.5, ISO 280 — map & image data — nearby photos
The tour was conducted by a man who had just returned to this property after many decades away; he had given tours ~30 years ago when he was younger, but had been transferred to Tokyo in between. He seemed to be quite knowledgeable and very witty, as he often held the group in rapt attention, or had them laughing.
The tour visits many small buildings on the property, and he described their history and special features. I didn't pay too much attention, as I was interested mostly in just taking pretty or interesting photos.
Nikon D4 + Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8 @ 70mm — 1/320 sec, f/2.8, ISO 1000 — map & image data — nearby photos
kind of construction
One never wants raw wood touching the ground, as that invites pests and rot. The design of the stone base allows for the wooden pillar to be replaced if needed, but holds it tight in all dimensions. I just love this.
Nikon D4 + Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8 @ 110mm — 1/500 sec, f/2.8, ISO 320 — map & image data — nearby photos
the line of green trees below center line a path; the green seems to glow
Nikon D4 + Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8 @ 160mm — 1/640 sec, f/2.8, ISO 220 — map & image data — nearby photos
Nikon D4 + Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 @ 24mm — 1/100 sec, f/7.1, ISO 400 — map & image data — nearby photos
Nikon D4 + Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 @ 24mm — 1/80 sec, f/7.1, ISO 6400 — map & image data — nearby photos
Nikon D4 + Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 @ 24mm — 1/100 sec, f/7.1, ISO 640 — map & image data — nearby photos
Nikon D4 + Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 @ 24mm — 1/100 sec, f/7.1, ISO 400 — map & image data — nearby photos
Nikon D4 + Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 @ 45mm — 1/200 sec, f/10, ISO 280 — map & image data — nearby photos
Nikon D4 + Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 @ 24mm — 1/100 sec, f/10, ISO 160 — map & image data — nearby photos
Nikon D4 + Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 @ 24mm — 1/100 sec, f/6.3, ISO 160 — map & image data — nearby photos
Nikon D4 + Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 @ 45mm — 1/200 sec, f/6.3, ISO 100 — map & image data — nearby photos
Nikon D4 + Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 @ 70mm — 1/320 sec, f/8, ISO 6400 — map & image data — nearby photos
from a smaller bridge
Nikon D4 + Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 @ 35mm — 1/160 sec, f/8, ISO 180 — map & image data — nearby photos
from another angle
Nikon D4 + Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8 @ 200mm — 1/800 sec, f/2.8, ISO 160 — map & image data — nearby photos
atop the bridge
Nikon D4 + Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 @ 24mm — 1/100 sec, f/4.5, ISO 110 — map & image data — nearby photos
damaged by a recent supertyphoon
Nikon D4 + Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 @ 24mm — 1/100 sec, f/2.8, ISO 100 — map & image data — nearby photos
This tea house is seen again as a wigglegram in the next post.
These pictures are lacking in red hats 😉 We’ll have to try to book some visits in the winter for snow…
Enjoyed seeing the fall colors, and admire your ability to capture it while being hustled along by the tour.
Lovely photos and very interesting construction. Such a beautiful place!