#surugabay

Returning to Satta-Toge Pass for Blue Hour and My First Sunrise of the Year・青の刻と今年初めての朝日を求めて、薩埵峠へ再び

I returned to Satta-Toge Pass in the early hours to finally capture the light trails I missed on my first visit, arriving well before dawn to watch them emerge beneath Mount Fuji. The reward of a winter visit was a snow-capped peak and crystal-clear air, but more than anything, I was simply glad to share the quiet, cold morning with my border collie as the first sunrise of the year unfolded.

光跡を撮るために再び薩埵峠を訪れ、澄んだ冬の空気の中、愛犬とともに今年初めての朝日を静かに見守りました。

Location: Shizuoka, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan

Timestamp: 2026/01/04・04:38

Fujifilm X100V with 5% diffusion filter

23 mm ISO 160 for 480 sec. at ƒ/14

Velvia/Vivid film simulation

Suruga Bay Sunrise at Satta-Toge Pass, Shizuoka・薩埵峠から望む駿河湾の朝焼け｜静岡

After capturing the soft, warm light washing over the eastern slopes of Mount Fuji, I turned my lens toward the Izu Peninsula across Suruga Bay. There, the rising sun crested the ridge of Mount Amagi (天城山), a range that runs the length of the peninsula roughly 50 km (31 miles) to the southeast fro Satta-Toge Pass.

Despite the midwinter chill, the golden light felt surprisingly warm on my skin, helped by the still, windless air.

Location: Shizuoka, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan

Timestamp: 2026/01/04・07:07

Pentax K-1 II + DFA 28-105mm F3.5-5.6 + CP

53 mm ISO 100 for 1/100 sec. at ƒ/9

Ita’s Rapeseed Field: A Scenic Gem on the Izu Peninsula・早春の伊田村に広がる、自然と人の営みが織りなす美しい風景

The Ita rapeseed field is a charming local attraction designed to be enjoyed from the Sparkling Hill Lookout (Kirameki-no-Oka, 煌めきの丘), located along Prefectural Highway No. 17 in Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan. The lookout gets its poetic name from the way sunlight reflects off the tips of the waves in Suruga Bay, making the sea sparkle like diamonds at certain times of the day under the right conditions.

Between late January and mid-February, the bright yellow rapeseed blossoms bloom in a unique formation — spelling out the kanji characters for Ita (井田) against the backdrop of rich brown soil and green winter foliage. This striking contrast is best appreciated from above, where the vivid yellow field is framed by the deep blue waters of Suruga Bay, steep cliffs, and — on a clear day — a breathtaking view of Mt. Fuji to the north.

Location: Numazu, Shizuoka, Japan Timestamp: 2025/03/19・09:00 and 09:01 Pentax K-1 II + DFA 28-105mm F3.5-5.6 + CP 105 mm ISO 400 for 1/400 sec. at ƒ/9 28 mm ISO 100 for 1/250 sec. at ƒ/8

Photowalk at Cape Mihama on Izu Peninsula in Shizuoka Pref., Japan・御浜岬のフォトウォーク・静岡県沼津市（西伊豆）

Cape Mihama, Built by the Currents of Suruga Bay — Along the Shores of Nishi-Izu・駿河湾の流れが築いた御浜崎 — 西伊豆の岸辺で

Heading back to the parking lot, I took a short detour and climbed down off the seawall to get closer to the waves crashing against the hazardous shoreline of boulders that have smoothed over time by the relentless weathering of waves rolling in from the deep, formidable waters of Suruga Bay, the deepest bay in Japan at 2,500 meters (8,202 ft).

I managed to capture three shots I liked, though none felt particularly extraordinary. I had fully expected to get drenched by ocean spray, which is exactly what happened. I was a bit worried about whether my trusty old DSLR could handle it, but after a thorough wipe down and some careful cleaning, it seems to have emerged unfazed.

While I’m in no position to fully understand the life of a fisherman, I can’t help but imagine the courage it must take to head out from nearby Heda Port into these rough, bountiful waters. Over the past 40 years of visiting various shores along Suruga Bay, I’ve yet to see a day when the sea has been calm and relaxing. It makes me think that this bay is always in motion, always challenging.

Google Maps link + sources:

https://www.pix4japan.com/blog/20250319-surugabay

Cape Mihama — A Hidden Coastal Gem of the Izu Peninsula・御浜岬：駿河湾沿いの戸田の村と漁港を守る入江

Cape Mihama, located on the western coast of the Izu Peninsula facing Suruga Bay, lies in Shizuoka Prefecture, approximately 150 kilometers (93 miles) southwest of Tokyo.

The small beach within the cove draws young families to its tropical waters each summer, while occasional festivals hosted by the Shinto shrine nestled at the tip of the cape maintain the cultural richness of the local fishing village.

The shallow turquoise waters of the cove are popular among the young and old who snorkel here during summer break. On clear days, it’s possible to snorkel while enjoying a stunning view of the iconic Mt. Fuji rising beyond the mouth of the cove across the bay.

The emerald blue sea with a vermilion torii gate and the possibility of capturing Mt. Fuji in the distance were what first drew me to this location. Although storm clouds blocked my view of the mountain this time, the rugged coastline, the quaint fishing village, the hidden shrine within the forest, and the thrill of crashing waves earlier in the morning more than satisfied my desire to photograph dramatic seascapes and to simply enjoy the moment with my border collie.

Location: Numazu, Shizuoka, Japan Timestamp: 2025/03/19・08:24 Pentax K-1 II + DFA 28-105mm F3.5-5.6 + CP 88 mm ISO 100 for 1/160 sec. at ƒ/6.3

Full write-up (1-minute read) with several Google Maps links and sources for further reading:

Sunlight Breaking Through Storm Clouds・出逢い岬の陽だまり

On my way back to the car, the sun briefly broke through the storm clouds, casting a warm, golden light across a patch of woodland on the southern slope of Cape Deai.

The cape’s headland rises steeply above the restless waters of Suruga Bay, along the rugged western coastline of the Izu Peninsula, which is approx. 150 kilometers (93 mi) southwest of Tokyo, Japan.

I managed to capture this one frame just as the early morning light illuminated the southern slope. As I repositioned myself on the seawall to try for a better angle, the clouds quickly returned, plunging the forested hillside back into shadow.

I hope to revisit Cape Mihama in the summer, when the vegetation is more vibrant, and if I am lucky, when the skies are clear. If the timing is right, I might even catch a glimpse of Mt. Fuji rising on the far side of the bay — something I’d love to capture in a future frame.

Location: Numazu, Shizuoka, Japan Timestamp: 2025/03/19・7:53 Pentax K-1 II + DFA 28-105mm F3.5-5.6 + CP 80 mm ISO 400 for 1/1000 sec. at ƒ/9