Neighbourhood temple

[thomas]

I'm far from talented with photography, particularly compared to other members here on the forum, but I took my new wide-angle out today and visited our local temple. I love the effect of fisheye lenses (I got myself an 8-16mm zoom), and it's hard not to use them to excess. Anyhow, I thought I might share a few shots; they are all linked in the Media gallery.

The temple is Togaku-in in Miyamae-ku, Tendai School.

 

[vonessa]

Really like the last one with the aged wood. Nice pics.

 

[Mike Cash]

I think you did quite well. I don't own any real wide angle lenses so I don't have any sort of experience with using them or with viewing scenes to get good shots with one.

Temples are great places to get pictures, especially if you wander through the cemeteries.

 

[Speedy Japanese]

Nice shots with a great level of detail. Never used a wide angled lens before but I have to say I'm intrigued.

 

[thomas]

Temples are great places to get pictures, especially if you wander through the cemeteries.

Thanks for your feedback! Living close to a vast cemetery, I can attest to that. Also, exploring tombstones helps me expand my limited knowledge of kanji.

SJ: The fisheye is really useful in cramped spaces, see samples below, but the novelty effect wears off fast. Also, you shouldn't use it for portraits; ask my wife. ;-)

Soba restaurant in Ashikaga


Ashikaga Bannaji Temple

Temple  Article 'Banna-ji Temple'

Bannaji Temple (鑁阿寺) stands at the heart of Ashikaga City in Tochigi Prefecture and is by far the most celebrated and historically resonant Buddhist temple in the area. Nestled within the city's urban centre, it is uniquely distinguished by its defensive layout — a rare sight among Japanese...

• JREF
• 24 Jul 2025
• 5 min read
• Reaction score: 2
• Comments: 2
• Category: Tochigi
• ashikaga shingon tochigi

Ashikaga Orihime Shrine

Shrine  Article 'Orihime Shrine'

Orihime Shrine (織姫神社), also known locally as Ashikaga Orihime Shrine (足利織姫神社), perches on the slopes of Mount Orihime in Ashikaga City, Tochigi Prefecture. Celebrated as the guardian of Ashikaga's centuries-old textile heritage, woven into the very identity of the city, it is also revered as a...

• JREF
• 25 Jul 2025
• 3 min read
• Category: Tochigi
• ashikaga orihime shinto tochigi

 

[Mike Cash]

Let me guess. She looked like one of those cute pictures of puppies which feature a huge nose and a tiny body. For portraits use something around 75mm or so.

You were at Bannaji? That's just the next town over from me. Did you visit the restored school near there? It is said to be the oldest school in Japan.

 

[thomas]

I guess wide angles look cute on puppies, but it doesn't really work on human faces ...

We intended to spend a weekend in Ashikaga and thought of contacting you and Ashikaga-san, but we cut it short due to heavy rains. We managed to see Bannaji, Ashikaga Gakko and the Kurita Museum though. It seems to be a really lovely area, I wouldn't mind cycling up the Watarase Valley one day.

I heard that your home town is very picturesque too, with most of the old buildings preserved and restored.

I am still writing on JREF's Ashikaga Travel Guide, the images are already in the gallery.

=> Ashikaga

 

[Speedy Japanese]

SJ: the fisheye is really useful in cramped spaces, see samples below, but the novelty effect wears off fast. Also, you shouldn't use it for portraits, ask my wife. ;-)

Too funny!