{"id":2733,"date":"2016-09-19T14:39:20","date_gmt":"2016-09-19T05:39:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/regex.info\/blog\/2016-09-19\/2733"},"modified":"2016-09-19T14:39:20","modified_gmt":"2016-09-19T05:39:20","slug":"last-januarys-chilly-ride-to-the-middle-of-nowhere-sokushoji-temple","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/regex.info\/blog\/2016-09-19\/2733","title":{"rendered":"Last January’s Chilly Ride To the Middle-of-Nowhere Sokushoji Temple"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\n
<\/a>\nPanasonic LX100 at an effective 24mm — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>400 sec, f<\/span>\/1.7, ISO 200 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nManseki and his New Friend<\/span>\nat the Ishiyama-dera Temple (\u77f3\u5c71\u5bfa)<\/span>\nOtsu, Japan\nthis past January \/\u3000\u4eca\u5e74\u306e\u4e00\u6708\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n

\u4eca\u5e74<\/span>\u306e\u4e00\u6708\uff08<\/span>\u516b\u30f6\u6708\u524d\uff09\u3001<\/span>\u4e07\u77f3<\/span>\u3055\u3093\u3068\u4e07\u77f3<\/span>\u3055\u3093\u306e\u77e5\u308a\u5408\u3044\u6a0b\u53e3<\/span>\u3055\u3093\u3068\u30b5\u30a4\u30af\u30ea\u30f3\u30b0\u3092\u3057\u307e\u3057\u305f\u3002\n\u3084\u3063\u3068\u8a18\u4e8b<\/span>\u3092\u30a2\u30c3\u30d7\u3057\u307e\u3059\u3002\u9060\u3044\u306e\u5c71\u7530\u820e<\/span>\u306e\u606f\u969c\u5bfa<\/span>\u307e\u3067\u884c\u304d\u307e\u3057\u305f\u3002<\/p>\n\n

I'm finally<\/i> getting around to post about a great<\/span> day of cycling last January<\/i> (8 months ago),\nwith Manseki and an acquaintance of his, Higuchi-san, to a far<\/span>-flung temple I knew<\/span> of in the middle of nowhere.<\/p>\n\n

We met up in front of the Ishiyama Temple in Otsu.<\/p>\n\n

<\/a>\nPanasonic LX100 at an effective 24mm — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>125 sec, f<\/span>\/3.5, ISO 200 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nFront Gate of the Ishiyama-dera Temple<\/span>\n\u77f3\u5c71\u5bfa\u306e\u6b63\u9580\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n

It's a lovely,<\/span> photogenic temple<\/a> that I first<\/span> visited four years ago,\nand now ride by fairly often.<\/p>\n\n

It's perhaps difficult to see in the photo above, but just flanking either side of the entrance are huge\nbamboo New Year displays, the one on the right in the process of being dismantled. The main part<\/span> of each display\nare three thick sections of bamboo, cut at a sharp<\/span> angle...<\/p>\n\n

<\/a>\nPanasonic LX100 at an effective 24mm — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>200 sec, f<\/span>\/5.6, ISO 200 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n
<\/a>\nPanasonic LX100 at an effective 24mm — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>400 sec, f<\/span>\/5.6, ISO 200 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n
<\/a>\nPanasonic LX100 at an effective 24mm — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>250 sec, f<\/span>\/1.7, ISO 200 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n

The mascot was there to meet a bus load of tourists who pulled up soon after this shot.<\/p>\n\n

This front gate is next to the cafe<\/a> we stopped by on one of my\nfirst long cycle rides the previous year. The owner<\/span> is an avid cyclist, and through the owner, one of the waitresses<\/a> got into cycling and today was our riding\npartner:<\/p>\n\n

<\/a>\nPanasonic LX100 at an effective 38mm — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>125 sec, f<\/span>\/2.8, ISO 200 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nMrs. Higuchi<\/span>\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n

I've come across Higuchi-san in the mountains while cycling a couple<\/span> of times, the first time\nnoted here<\/a>. This would be my first ride with her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/a>\nPanasonic LX100 at an effective 28mm — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>125 sec, f<\/span>\/5.6, ISO 200 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nReady to Head Out<\/span>\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n
<\/a>\nPanasonic LX100 at an effective 24mm — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>1600 sec, f<\/span>\/2, ISO 200 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n
<\/a>\nPanasonic LX100 at an effective 24mm — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>500 sec, f<\/span>\/2, ISO 200 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nTypical “<\/span>Manseki Attack”<\/span> Shot<\/span>\nsimilar to this<\/a> shot\ntaken while cycling at 26 kph (16 mph)\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n
<\/a>\nPanasonic LX100 at an effective 24mm — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>500 sec, f<\/span>\/2, ISO 200 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\ntaken while cycling at 28 kph (17 mph)\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n
<\/a>\nPanasonic LX100 at an effective 33mm — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>125 sec, f<\/span>\/2.2, ISO 200 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nCresting a Hill<\/span><\/span>\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n
<\/a>\nPanasonic LX100 at an effective 24mm — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>125 sec, f<\/span>\/4.5, ISO 200 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nImpromptu Race<\/span>\ntaken while cycling at 27 kph (17 mph)\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n
<\/a>\nPanasonic LX100 at an effective 33mm — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>400 sec, f<\/span>\/5.6, ISO 200 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nImpromptu Photo Op<\/span>\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n
<\/a>\nPanasonic LX100 at an effective 65mm — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>160 sec, f<\/span>\/5.6, ISO 200 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n

The pause above was 45km into the ride, just before the first big climb,\nthe lovely but unpopular (because it's so far from populated areas, I suppose<\/span>)\nIwaosan Western Climb<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n

<\/a>\nPanasonic LX100 at an effective 24mm — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>125 sec, f<\/span>\/5.6, ISO 200 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nBlack Ice<\/span>\n\u5ca9\u5c3e\u5c71\u3078\u767b\u308a\u306f\u30d6\u30e9\u30c3\u30af\u30a2\u30a4\u30b9\u3067\u3057\u305f\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n

It was cold enough in the mountains for ice to form on the roads, so any patch that looked wet was suspect.\nOccasionally the ice was obvious, where it formed on large puddles and broke as we rode through...<\/p>\n\n

<\/a>\nPanasonic LX100 at an effective 75mm — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>160 sec, f<\/span>\/5.6, ISO 200 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nEasily-Visible Ice<\/span>\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n
<\/a>\nPanasonic LX100 at an effective 24mm — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>125 sec, f<\/span>\/5.6, ISO 800 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nSide Road to Explore Some Day<\/span>\nclosed to motor vehicles, but fine by foot or bike\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n
<\/a>\nPanasonic LX100 at an effective 24mm — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>125 sec, f<\/span>\/5.6, ISO 500 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nAfter the Climb<\/span>\nfeeling in better shape than that old sign\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n
<\/a>\nPanasonic LX100 at an effective 35mm — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>125 sec, f<\/span>\/5.6, ISO 800 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nScary (but Beautiful) Descent<\/span>\ntaken while cycling at 16 kph (10 mph)\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n
<\/a>\nPanasonic LX100 at an effective 35mm — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>125 sec, f<\/span>\/5.6, ISO 2000 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nLooks Icy<\/span>\ntaken while cycling at 31 kph (19 mph)\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n
<\/a>\nPanasonic LX100 at an effective 24mm — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>125 sec, f<\/span>\/5.6, ISO 2500 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\ntaken while cycling at 45 kph (28 mph)\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n
<\/a>\nPanasonic LX100 at an effective 24mm — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>400 sec, f<\/span>\/5.6, ISO 200 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nPhoto Op<\/span>\ntaken by Manseki while I rode by\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n
<\/a>\nPanasonic LX100 at an effective 35mm — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>125 sec, f<\/span>\/5.6, ISO 200 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nArrived at the Temple<\/span>\nwe arrived to the turn off to<\/i> the temple, at least\nSokushoji Temple (\u606f\u969c\u5bfa)\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n

From the “<\/span>main”<\/span> road (if it can be called that), the temple is a further<\/span>\n820m @ 9.2%<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n

<\/a>\nPanasonic LX100 at an effective 50mm — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>125 sec, f<\/span>\/5.6, ISO 1000 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nPowering Up<\/span>\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n

Few folks have done this by bicycle; Mrs. Higuchi and I got<\/span> the QOM\/KOM.<\/p>\n\n

<\/a>\nPanasonic LX100 at an effective 24mm — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>125 sec, f<\/span>\/3.5, ISO 200 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nArrival at the Parking Lot<\/span>\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n

This is the temple that appeared on my blog five years previous (has it been that long?!), in\n“<\/span>Short Family Visit to the Middle-of-Nowhere Sokushouji Temple<\/a>”<\/span>,\nwhose opening shot is taken from this parking log.<\/p>\n\n

There's much to explore at this small temple, and one climb a huge<\/span> flight of\nstairs to a wonderful<\/span> viewpoint<\/a>, but on this trip we just looked around at the base.<\/p>\n\n

<\/a>\nPanasonic LX100 at an effective 24mm — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>125 sec, f<\/span>\/2.5, ISO 200 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n
<\/a>\nPanasonic LX100 at an effective 24mm — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>125 sec, f<\/span>\/4.5, ISO 200 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nBuddies<\/span>\nphoto by Yoshino Higuchi<\/span>\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n
<\/a>\nPanasonic LX100 at an effective 24mm — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>320 sec, f<\/span>\/5.6, ISO 200 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nHeading Back Down<\/span>\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n

We thought we'd try to take some “<\/span>action”<\/span> shots on the way down, but I'm still pretty bad at this kind of photography. I had Mrs<\/span>. Higuchi ride up past me on the steepest hairpin, but you get no sense of the steepness nor the effort\nin the result....<\/p>\n\n

<\/a>\nPanasonic LX100 at an effective 24mm — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>125 sec, f<\/span>\/1.7, ISO 250 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nSuper Steep<\/span>\ntake my word for it\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n

We also tried some downhill shots. Manseki has a good<\/span> sense for action shots, having done his share\nof photo shoots as a professional<\/span> skier.<\/p>\n\n

<\/a>\nPanasonic LX100 at an effective 24mm — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>125 sec, f<\/span>\/4, ISO 200 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nphoto by Manseki Kanemitsu<\/span>\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n

I tried to mimic his technique.<\/p>\n\n

<\/a>\nPanasonic LX100 at an effective 35mm — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>125 sec, f<\/span>\/3.5, ISO 200 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n
<\/a>\nPanasonic LX100 at an effective 24mm — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>125 sec, f<\/span>\/8, ISO 2500 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nBland<\/span>\nbut somehow still lovely\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n
<\/a>\nPanasonic LX100 at an effective 35mm — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>250 sec, f<\/span>\/8, ISO 200 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nHeading Home<\/span>\nonly about 65km (40mi) to go\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n

We came across a road that looked quite inviting on the satellite view, but it turns out to be a private<\/span> road up to an\nequestrian farm. (Manseki is apparently an accomplished rider, and knew of the property, but had never been there.)<\/p>\n\n

<\/a>\nPanasonic LX100 at an effective 35mm — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>160 sec, f<\/span>\/5.6, ISO 200 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nIn Front of a Lovely<\/span>-Looking Road<\/span>\nthat we couldn't take\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n

We also came across a cafe that he had been to before, one in the middle of nowhere that routinely\nhas hours-long lines form to get in, apparently. Luckily, we happened across it when almost no one was there.<\/p>\n\n\n

<\/a>\nPanasonic LX100 at an effective 24mm — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>250 sec, f<\/span>\/5.6, ISO 200 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nMori Cafe (\u68ee\u306eCafe)\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n
<\/a>\nPanasonic LX100 at an effective 24mm — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>125 sec, f<\/span>\/2.5, ISO 200 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nPleasant<\/span>\nat least if you don't have to wait an hour\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n
<\/a>\nPanasonic LX100 at an effective 46mm — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>160 sec, f<\/span>\/8, ISO 200 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nWhy You Can't Always Trust Maps<\/span>\nshort section of no-longer-maintained old road\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n
<\/a>\nPanasonic LX100 at an effective 27mm — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>125 sec, f<\/span>\/2.2, ISO 200 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nDownhill<\/span>\ntaken while cycling at 39 kph (24 mph)\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n
<\/a>\nPanasonic LX100 at an effective 24mm — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>125 sec, f<\/span>\/1.7, ISO 1000 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\ntaken while cycling at 35 kph (22 mph)\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n

All in all, it was a great time. I'd like to<\/span> try the first half of the route again when it's warmer. Maybe I'll put that at the\ntop of my list once my injured calf<\/a> heals.<\/p>\n\n