Every now and then I get a strong desire to head out to Chausuyama (茶臼山), Urugi (売木), and Tenryu (天龍) in southeast Nagano, bordering Aichi and Shizuoka prefectures. I never quite know what draws me out there but the isolation (relative to Japan) is a big factor.

The area has the wonderful Tenryu River running through it as well as small isolated villages, tiny train stations, and scary tunnels. This was a part cycling, part photography trip. I camped rough on the first night to be in the right place at the right time for sunrise, and then stayed at the Urugi International Center run by my friend Alex.

This is how my weekend went:

Day One –

Drove to Chausuyama, camped, photographed the night sky, and then sunrise.

Headed to Alex’s house, stayed there to relax for a while before heading out for a ride through three prefectures.

Day Two –

Headed back up Chausuyama for another chance at photographing sunrise, got the shot, headed back, went for another ride, and then enjoyed a barbecue and fireworks in the evening.

Have you ridden in the area? Would you like to? Leave a comment and let me know.

Sean.