A rather random collection of pictures taken during my recent trip to Gunma/Nagano with Team Lionbus.

(above) A plum tree in full bloom at one of the service (rest) areas along the interstates, on the long way up to Nagano.  It was the next most popular spot after the rest rooms. ( below ) A near perfect circle around the base of a tree free of snow that seems to suggest human interference, but was in fact a completely natural phenomenon. We spotted dozens of these curious sights in the forests of Togakushi.

(above) Giant Sugi pines dwarf the droves of pilgrims making their way uphill to the summit of Togakushi Shrine in Nagano. It was well into May but the temperature was still around 10 degrees c because of the high altitude, and the ground wet and muddy from the thawing winter ice, making the ascent even trickier. We finally gave up about one kilometre away from the Shrine.

(above) An enchanted kid stares longingly at the menagerie of toys at a quaint old store near the entrance of a zoo in Gunma. Unfortunately this was also the only interesting sight at the place – the animals in the zoo were mostly kept in medieval metal cages that reminded me more of a prison than anything else.

(above) Some incredibly vivid flowers found in the backyard of Takeshi’s house. (below) A wheat field in full bloom just outside of the main entrance to the Ito residence.

I’ve recently set up my album at 500px – you can see some of the photographs above ( and more ) at a higher resolution :

http://500px.com/blauereiter