Autumn just around the corner, we are all gearing up for the season. This year two of my groups will be some of the 1st photographers, to explore some ancient ruins, off the tourist track. They are somewhat of a mystery, their location is in Nagano, not far from a kofun mound, even that mound is not well known. The ruins are roughly 1 1/2 hours drive from Mt. Fuji. The ruins are easily accessible, near a mountain village. Local peoples know of them, & they do make Shinto, Buddhist offerings, but that's about all. If you ask who built them, you get mixed stories, with some interesting folklore.
Historians, archaeologists, astronomers, “Buddhist Monks, Shinto Priests, I have conversed for several years, on the origin of these ruins & others.
I spend at least four weeks a year, documenting ancient ruins, enjoying the hunt for knowledge.
You can see the largest rock carving that we have discovered so far, is around seven stories high, looking to the stars.
The 2nd image is a tree stump with friendly fungi growth, near Mt. Fuji. I found it fascinating how they have similar features.
If you are looking for a heartwarming, life adventure in Japan, check out our “Photography Workshops/Vacations.” 

Happy Zen Photography