Stars twinkling in the clear night sky... Admire and photograph the starry sky in Kumano, a "world heritage town"!
掲載日：2020.10.27
KumanoCity is surrounded by the mountains of the Kii Mountains and is in an environment where it is difficult for light to reach from major metropolitan areas. Kumano has dark skies that are almost unaffected by artificial light, making it a perfect place for stargazing and photography. According to research conducted by Mie University, there is data showing that the depth of darkness is almost the same as the summit of Mauna Kea in Hawaii, which is said to be the world's highest peak for astronomical observation. In KumanoCity, where there is little light pollution, we will introduce you to spots where you can easily observe the starry sky in all seasons.
Items necessary for starry sky photography. You can't start without a camera.
Smartphones and compact digital cameras are easy and convenient, but if you want to seriously take pictures of the starry sky, you will need a single-lens reflex camera or mirrorless camera that allows you to manually set the aperture and shutter speed. Generally, it is said that a wide-angle zoom lens with a low F value and high brightness is suitable.
When shooting at night, the shutter speed is slow, so it is necessary to mount the camera on a tripod to prevent blur. Although it is somewhat inconvenient to carry, if you choose a sturdy tripod with some weight, it will be useful outdoors in places with poor footing. I would like the height to be around 150-160cm.
For starry sky photography that requires long exposures, be particular about the camera head.
A camera head is a device that connects a tripod and a camera. The key point of a gear head in particular is that it allows you to make delicate angle adjustments, which were said to be difficult, through the meshing of the gears.
Professional models can cost around 100,000 yen, but there are also cheap products that cost around 20,000 yen.
Naturally, when photographing the starry sky, it is pitch black. A flashlight is essential for operating the camera in the dark and for illuminating the subject and focusing.
You will also need it if an unexpected situation occurs during filming. If possible, we recommend an LED that has a long battery life and can be used for a long time. It would be even better if you could adjust the brightness.
A smartphone app that you definitely want to use is SUNSURRYOR.
It is often used by professional photographers, and displays the rise, fall, and orbit of the sun and moon, as well as the time and direction in which the Milky Way will rise. There is a free version and a paid version, and the free version has limited functions, but why not try it out first?
The first place we visited was Onigajo, which is registered as a World Heritage Site.
It is located in what is known as the gateway to KumanoCity, right after getting off the Kumano Odomari IC from the Kumano Owase Road. The magnificent scenery created by the rapid upheaval of the ground and sea breeze erosion of the ria coastline is right in front of your eyes, and there are no shortage of photo spots. Even during the day, you'll meet people pointing cameras at you here and there.
A shot from "Senjojiki". The sight of the Milky Way meteor shower clearly visible in the summer night sky is sure to fill your heart.
Since puddles tend to form, it is also possible to take photos using reflections, where the scenery is reflected on the water surface. The shape of the tip of the rock that hangs down and the starry sky that spreads all over create a unique silhouette.
Furthermore, there are no outside lights on the promenade of Onigajo, so it is no exaggeration to say that this area is pitch black. Furthermore, there are many stairs and steps, making it difficult to find footing even during the day, so be sure to bring a flashlight or other lighting equipment.
name
Onigajo (KumanoCity)
address
Kimotocho, Kumano KumanoCity 519-4323
telephone number
0597-89-4111
Official URL
parking
Yes 72 units
10 large buses
18 large buses (Onigajo Center 2nd parking lot)
Access by public transportation
・About 5 minutes by bus bound for Omata Okubo from KumanoCity Station on the JR Kisei Main Line, and get off at Onigajo Higashiguchi.
Access by car
・Approximately 1 minute drive south from Kumano Owase Road "Kumano Odomari IC"
Shichirimihama is the longest sandy beach in Japan. It has a total length of about 22km and is registered as a World Heritage Site. It is a spectacular view of the azure sea, and the term "white pine trees" is perfect for it, and it was once a ``Hama-kaido'' road used by pilgrims heading to Kumano.
It is also known as a place where green sea turtles come ashore to lay eggs.
The sound of the waves of the Kumano Sea coming and going, echoing on the quiet sandy beach, becomes a pleasant rhythm that sinks deep into your heart.
A fantastic scene with countless stars falling all over the winter sky.
The sight of twinkling stars all the way to the horizon will leave you with an unforgettable experience. However, the waves at Shichirimihama are high and there is a risk of getting splashed with water, so please avoid getting too close to the water's edge if you are too absorbed in taking photos.
name
ShichiriMihamaBeach
address
KumanoCity-KihoTown
telephone number
0597-89-0100
Official URL
Access by public transportation
5 minutes walk from JR KumanoCity Station
Access by car
Kumano Owase Road Kumano Odomari IC - National Route 42
(About 5 minutes from Kumano Odomari IC)
`` Shishiiwa'' has a unique shape that can only be described as ``a sculpture created by God.'' Height 25m, circumference approximately 210m. The sight of a large lion roaring into the vast ocean has an unforgettable impact once you see it.
Also known as ``Japan's Sphinx,'' it is designated as a national scenic spot and a World Heritage Site.
During the Kumano Fireworks in summer, many camera enthusiasts can be seen setting up tripods to capture the roaring Shishiiwa with the spectacular fireworks in the background.
This is a precious photo that I patiently waited for the photo opportunity that only comes on limited days from November to January.
Similarly, from mid-May to early morning for about a month, you can see the morning sun entering the mouth of Shishiiwa.
name
Shishiiwa
address
〒519-4324 KumanoCity Idocho
telephone number
0597-89-4111
Official URL
Fee
free
holiday
Open all year round
parking
can be
Access by public transportation
Approximately 10 minutes on foot from JR Kisei Main Line "KumanoCity Station"
Access by car
About 3 minutes by car from Kumano Owase Road Kumano Odomari IC along National Route 42 Shichirimihama toward Shingu.
Now, let's go a little further from here to "MaruyamaSenmaida".
Drive along National Route 42 from Shishiiwa towards Kiwa for about 30 minutes and you will see the signboard for MaruyamaSenmaida. From there, after climbing the mountain path for a while, you will eventually reach a point where you can look down on the distinctive rice terraces.
The rice fields, built in layers on 1,340 large and small slopes, are managed by local residents who have formed a preservation society, and have been selected as one of Japan's Top 100 Rice Terraces.
When the rice fields are filled with water, you can also aim for scenes where the stars and moonlight are reflected. However, the above-ground area gets quite dark at night, so capturing the view of the rice terraces may require some skill.
Also, the chance of encountering deer or wild boars is higher than in urban areas, so please be extremely careful when driving.
Also, once you get used to it, be sure to try "star trail photography" like the one pictured here.
There are also private houses near MaruyamaSenmaida, so please be sure to respect etiquette and be quiet while taking pictures, and if you have any trash, please take it home with you.
name
MaruyamaSenmaida
address
Maruyama KumanoCity
telephone number
0597-97-1113
Official URL
parking
Free parking available
Access by public transportation
Approximately 30 minutes by car from JR KumanoCity Station
Access by car
Approximately 40 minutes by car from Kumano Odomari IC
After taking the uphill road from National Route 311 with many curves, the last place we visited was Kumano Children's Nature House.
Facilities and equipment for nature experience activities, recreation, sports training camps, etc. have been built on a hilly area that overlooks the cityscape and the Kumano Sea. There is also an astronomical observation room equipped with a Cassegrain astronomical telescope with a diameter of 45 cm, and events such as stargazing parties are also held here.
Please note that events may be held, so if you are planning to visit at night just to view or take photos, it will be best to contact the facility in advance.
Why not imagine the romance of the sky in Kumano, a city with so dark and clear skies that people say you can see the Milky Way from your house?
*Information as of October 2020. The contents may have changed, so please check with your contact information before going out.
name
Mie Prefectural Kumano Children's Nature Home
address
1577 Kanayamacho, Kumano KumanoCity
telephone number
0597-89-3340
Official URL
holiday
Mondays, December 28th - January 4th
Access by public transportation
Approximately 15 minutes by car from JR KumanoCity Station
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