I came to Oze. This was my first major outing since moving to the Kanto region for work.
While it is a place where one can enjoy nature to the fullest, it is also relatively easy to get to from central Tokyo, with overnight buses available. If you are coming from western Japan like me before, it may not be a priority unless you have a strong desire to go there.
In late September, I planned to visit on Sunday and Monday instead of Saturday and Sunday to avoid the peak of the crowds.
I took the Oze-gou night bus of Kan-Etsu Kotsu from Shinjuku on Saturday night to Tokura. I arrived at around 4:30 am, when it was still dark. I bought a shuttle bus ticket at the Tokura bus stop and waited for another bus bound for Hatomachi-touge. The 5:00 a.m. shuttle buses started arriving one after another and waiting for the next one.
After a longer than expected shuttle ride, I arrived at Hatomachi-touge just as I was getting sleepy. From here, most people head down to Yamano-hana, but this time my route was via Ayamedaira, down Nagasawa-Shindo to Ozegahara. The entrance is on the right side of the photo, behind the rest area.
It is surely not common to suddenly start climbing up to Ayamedaira in Oze for the first time. Although I thought it was a little twisted, I carefully planned out the light conditions and efficient route setting.
Note that this article will present Oze as seen through my eyes with photos. This is not a mountaineering or trekking blog, so I will only touch on gear and routes as appropriate when I feel like it.
The first half of the trail to Ayamedaira is mostly a wooden path surrounded by bushes. Massive beech trees stand all around. | Nikon D750 + SIGMA MACRO 50mm F2.8 EX DG
I chose the D750 with 16-35mm, 50mm macro, 85mm, and 70-300mm (DX) as my lens configuration after much consideration, because I needed to be selective about what to pack for this trip, including mountain trekking. I chose two single focal lengths instead of the 24-70mm because I wanted to use one of them as a macro and because I personally like to shoot nature with the 85mm. I was not sure about the telephoto zoom, but it was just in case for birds and animals. Although it is an old lens, taking out the 50mm macro was a great decision in the end.
I found a huge slug that was nearly 20 centimeters long. I wonder what it is eating. | Nikon D750 + SIGMA MACRO 50mm F2.8 EX DGMoss grows at the base of the Erman’s Birch. | Nikon D750 + SIGMA MACRO 50mm F2.8 EX DGThe area was damp from the previous day’s rain. The wooden paths were all slippery, requiring attention when walking on them. | Nikon D750 + SIGMA MACRO 50mm F2.8 EX DGThe theme of this trip is also to aim actively for monochrome. I want to pay close attention to light and shadow and composition. | Nikon D750 + SIGMA MACRO 50mm F2.8 EX DGThe clean white color was impressive. | Nikon D750 + SIGMA MACRO 50mm F2.8 EX DGThe morning sun shines in the forest. | Nikon D750 + SIGMA MACRO 50mm F2.8 EX DGAfter about 3 km of uphill climbing, the view finally opens up. Exhilarating! | iPhone12 proFrom here to the summit, there are more lookout points. Be careful, however, as the wooden path is quite damaged, slanted, and slippery in places.A tree stretches across a wide open sky. | Nikon D750 + SIGMA MACRO 50mm F2.8 EX DGiPhone does a unexpectedly good job as a sub-camera; Lightroom app is also used. | iPhone12 proA path that seems to climb toward the sky. | Nikon D750 + SIGMA MACRO 50mm F2.8 EX DGSome trees seem to be growing branches that have withstood the harsh environment. | Nikon D750 + SIGMA MACRO 50mm F2.8 EX DGA marshland spreads out at Ayamedaira. Since it is not allowed to be off the wooden path, there is not much freedom for photographing. | Nikon D750 + SIGMA MACRO 50mm F2.8 EX DGThe weather was fine and the place was very sparse. I felt a special sense of openness. I don’t have any photos, but it seems this is also a hawk migration route, and raptors appeared in the sky one after another. I wish I had a 500mm lens! | iPhone12 proMarshland of Ayamedaira and Mt. Hiuchigadake | Nikon D750 + SIGMA MACRO 50mm F2.8 EX DGThe marshland, which was trampled by tourists in the past, has not yet been restored to its original state. Efforts are still being made to preserve and restore them.I went down toward Nagasawa-shindo. When I looked back, I saw a cloud floating in the sky. | Nikon D750 + SIGMA MACRO 50mm F2.8 EX DGEngraving of a wooden pathway installed by TEPCO this year.The leaves in the forest have not yet turned red, but it is an early sign of autumn. | Nikon D750 + SIGMA MACRO 50mm F2.8 EX DGThere are large trees all around. | Nikon D750 + SIGMA MACRO 50mm F2.8 EX DGA decaying tree. | Nikon D750 + SIGMA MACRO 50mm F2.8 EX DGMushrooms peek out from the gaps in the moss that grows thickly on the rotting wood. | Nikon D750 + SIGMA MACRO 50mm F2.8 EX DGThe 50mm macro worked great on this trip as a single lens. | Nikon D750 + SIGMA MACRO 50mm F2.8 EX DG
The Nagasawa-shindo trail changed from the trail to Ayamedaira and was relatively steep, with many uneven terrain. The wet rocks were slippery, so I continued to be on my toes. I arrived at Ozegahara at a little past 11:00 a.m., almost as scheduled, although taking pictures here and there.
Finally, the typical Oze landscape unfolds in front of me. | Nikon D750 + SIGMA MACRO 50mm F2.8 EX DG (stitched)
