mark prior photography

A photographic record of a trip of just over six weeks from Hokkaido to Kyushu (with a return to Tokyo at the end) during October and November 2025. The trip was largely to photograph autumn leaves but other things caught my eye on the journey. Each day is represented by a single image in this gallery.

Walking into the shrine grounds one of the first things you see is the temizuya, a purification trough. The sun was doing its best to make me notice it as it had illuminated it. The trough is of dark stone tiles and inside it are dark pebbles. Behind is a row of cut bamboo that it light and bright against the darkness of the trough.This trough uses taps and their silver push buttons are also caught by the light. Propped against and on top of one of these taps are the laddles used for the ritual. In darkness behind the trough is a small graphic providing information on the process.
The Blue Pond is famous for its striking blue water but today was the first snowfall of the season and not only was the pond dull due to the cloud cover but the falling snow lightened the scene even more. This image is of some of the trees standing in the pond. Their dark trunks contrast with the light blue water of the pond and the white of the falling snow. In the background is a row of trees still with the autumnal colour, not yet willing to admit that winter is coming.
Cape Sōya is recognised at the northernmost point in Japan and it has a monument to note that fact. The monument is a circular platform with steps leading up to the platform. On the platform is a dark sign with "The Northernmost Point in Japan" in Kanji and English. Also on top of the platform is a tall triangular structure and within the triangle is a pointer, which I assume points to the poles.
A famous location in Sapporo for its Gingko Trees that arch over the roadway. The trees had a mixture of yellow and green leaves, so not yet at peak colour. This image is looking down towards the entrance gate of the University from the side of the road. The University didn't want tourists standing in the roadway taking pictures and disrupting traffic so they had marshalls stationed along the road and had lined it with a orange tape "barrier" which was kinda annoying.
Originally the Buddha was sitting in a field but Tadao Ando designed a hill to surround it with an opening above the Buddha. In spring the hill is covered with flowing lavender bushes. Inside the hill I used a wide angle lens to capture the Buddha sitting serenely on his plinth with a very cloudy sky above. He is surrounded by the concrete dome of the hill.
Some museums are more interactive than others. The Sapporo Beer Museum has a small number of displays about the history of the brewery and the brand but I'm guessing most people come for the beer. If you are going to have a beer then make it the sampler of three different ones. Not much difference in style or appearance but it was all in the taste. This image is of the wooden carrier containing three glasses of beer. The glasses are branded with the "Spporo Beer Museum" and an image of the brewery building. They each have a rather large head of foam and under the glasses is a description of each of the beers in Japanese and English.
Otaru Canal
Stained Glass Museum, Otaru
Mount Yōtei with security blanket
Tiny restaurants serve the best food (Daimon Hitsujitei Matsukaze, Hakodate)
Goryōkaku
Hakodate by night from Mt. Hakodate Observatory
The long road to the Our Lady of the Light House Abbey
Takayama Inari Shrine
Punting on the Hirosaki Castle moat
Saishōin Temple
Clay figure at Jomon Jiyukan
Nebuta Museum WA RASSE
Hike down the Oirase Gorge
Rainy day at Oirase Gorge
Gran Class on the Hokkaido Shinkansen
Japan Ukiyo-e Museum, Matsumoto
Matsumoto Castle
Kurobe Gorge Railway
Lucie Rie exhibition at National Crafts Museum, Kanazawa
Kotoji Stone Lantern, Kenroku-en, Kanazawa
Geiko performance, Nishi Chaya District, Kanazawa
Himeji Castle of Light: Dandelion Project
Yodokō Guest House, Ashiya
Himejii Castle
Pumpkin - Kusama Yayoi, Naoshima
Ritsurin Garden, Takamatsu
JR West 500 Series Shinkansen
Itsukushima Shrine Otorii
Kintaikyo Bridge, Iwakuni
Kirara Yume Tunnel, Nishikicho
Nagasaki from Mt. Inasa Overlook
School group visiting Peace Park, Nagasaki
Woman Shooting Cherry Blossoms - Yinka SHONIBARE CBE, Fukuoka Art Museum
Sakurajima
A chill little Buddha at Joten-ji, Hakata
Jiyu Gakuen Myonichikan (sadly closed for events)
Fuji-san from Enoshima Sea Candle
Imperial Palace East National Gardens