{ "version": "https://jsonfeed.org/version/1", "user_comment": "This feed allows you to read the posts from this site in any feed reader that supports the JSON Feed format. To add this feed to your reader, copy the following URL -- https://thezone.firewave.com.au/json/ -- and add it your reader.", "home_page_url": "https://thezone.firewave.com.au/", "feed_url": "https://thezone.firewave.com.au/json/", "title": "the zone", "description": "A blog of photos, mostly, at thezone.firewave.com.au", "icon": "https://thezone.firewave.com.au/images/site/site_icon_2017.jpg", "favicon": "https://thezone.firewave.com.au/images/site/site_favicon_2017.jpg", "author": { "name": "Lance Birch" }, "items": [ { "id": "https://thezone.firewave.com.au/another-continent-far-away/", "url": "https://thezone.firewave.com.au/another-continent-far-away/", "title": "another continent far away", "content_html": "
\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\tA brief look inside, letting time flow, letting time go.
", "date_published": "2024-02-23T00:46:25+10:00", "date_modified": "2024-02-23T00:46:25+10:00", "author": { "name": "Lance Birch" } }, { "id": "https://thezone.firewave.com.au/a-place-to-be/", "url": "https://thezone.firewave.com.au/a-place-to-be/", "title": "a place to be", "content_html": "\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\tAnd what a view. If you look closely in the lower centre you can see Arashiyama Station \u5d50\u5c71\u99c5 enveloped in cherry blossoms, while in the distance on the right Kyoto Tower \u4eac\u90fd\u30bf\u30ef\u30fc pokes up.
", "date_published": "2024-02-18T16:44:29+10:00", "date_modified": "2024-02-18T16:44:29+10:00", "author": { "name": "Lance Birch" } }, { "id": "https://thezone.firewave.com.au/sway/", "url": "https://thezone.firewave.com.au/sway/", "title": "sway", "content_html": "\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\tAnd up here on storm mountain, you, too, can take some time to sit, reflect and let the quiet wash over you.
", "date_published": "2024-01-29T18:09:36+10:00", "date_modified": "2024-01-29T18:09:36+10:00", "author": { "name": "Lance Birch" } }, { "id": "https://thezone.firewave.com.au/mostly-human/", "url": "https://thezone.firewave.com.au/mostly-human/", "title": "mostly human", "content_html": "\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\tThere were lots of people inside, either chilling out or eagerly feeding the monkeys through the grated windows, mirroring the divide in behaviour of the monkeys outside.
\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\tThis seemed liked a fairer way to offer an interaction with wild animals: with the humans being the ones inside the cage.
", "date_published": "2023-12-28T15:25:04+10:00", "date_modified": "2023-12-28T15:25:04+10:00", "author": { "name": "Lance Birch" } }, { "id": "https://thezone.firewave.com.au/tracing/", "url": "https://thezone.firewave.com.au/tracing/", "title": "tracing", "content_html": "\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\tIt's enough fun to just stand a while and watch them going about their business, but you can head inside the hut to grab some peanuts and there'll instantly be no shortage of takers.
", "date_published": "2023-11-28T16:26:22+10:00", "date_modified": "2023-11-28T16:26:22+10:00", "author": { "name": "Lance Birch" } }, { "id": "https://thezone.firewave.com.au/outside-inside/", "url": "https://thezone.firewave.com.au/outside-inside/", "title": "outside inside", "content_html": "\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\tMonkeys all over, either feverishly grabbing peanuts from the humans inside, or just chilling out.
", "date_published": "2023-10-31T22:03:28+10:00", "date_modified": "2023-10-31T22:03:28+10:00", "author": { "name": "Lance Birch" } }, { "id": "https://thezone.firewave.com.au/in-threes/", "url": "https://thezone.firewave.com.au/in-threes/", "title": "in threes", "content_html": "\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\tNear the top, monkeys everywhere! Because there's a hut where you can feed them, you're guaranteed to see plenty in the vicinity.
", "date_published": "2023-09-29T19:50:06+10:00", "date_modified": "2023-09-29T19:50:06+10:00", "author": { "name": "Lance Birch" } }, { "id": "https://thezone.firewave.com.au/monkey-mountain/", "url": "https://thezone.firewave.com.au/monkey-mountain/", "title": "monkey mountain", "content_html": "\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\tFurther up the mountain, which was surprisingly still and quiet despite the short distance from the city streets, I started to hear the occasional sounds of distant movement on the forest floor.
\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\tIt's a fairly steep path but before too long it levels out slightly into a small glade where it's easier to spot some monkeys running around. The rain had eased and it was only a few more minutes to reach the top.
", "date_published": "2023-08-31T05:00:29+10:00", "date_modified": "2023-08-31T05:00:29+10:00", "author": { "name": "Lance Birch" } }, { "id": "https://thezone.firewave.com.au/forest-whispers/", "url": "https://thezone.firewave.com.au/forest-whispers/", "title": "forest whispers", "content_html": "\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\tWalking back along the main road, through the tourist-targeted shops that lead to the iconic Togetsukyo Bridge \u6e21\u6708\u6a4b (literally \u201cMoon Crossing Bridge\u201d) that spans the Katsura River \u6842\u5ddd in a graceful arc. With the wide river, flowering trees and mountain backdrop, it makes for a beautiful scene.
\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\tAcross the bridge and you're at the base of Mount Arashi \u5d50\u5c71 and the entrance to the path that leads to the Iwatayama Monkey Park \u5d50\u5c71\u30e2\u30f3\u30ad\u30fc\u30d1\u30fc\u30af. There's no way I could resist checking out some wild monkeys, so I started up through the forest.
", "date_published": "2023-07-31T22:11:44+10:00", "date_modified": "2023-07-31T22:11:44+10:00", "author": { "name": "Lance Birch" } }, { "id": "https://thezone.firewave.com.au/indelible/", "url": "https://thezone.firewave.com.au/indelible/", "title": "indelible", "content_html": "\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\tA little rain on the lens and a look back. Then on to the next path to the east, just as pleasant, through the forest where the Nonomiya-jinja \u91ce\u5bae\u795e\u793e hides.
", "date_published": "2023-06-29T17:52:44+10:00", "date_modified": "2023-06-29T17:52:44+10:00", "author": { "name": "Lance Birch" } }, { "id": "https://thezone.firewave.com.au/just-a-feeling/", "url": "https://thezone.firewave.com.au/just-a-feeling/", "title": "just a feeling", "content_html": "\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\tAnother view back in the softer light before it started lightly raining. I took my time to enjoy the walk back in the drizzle.
", "date_published": "2023-05-23T18:50:54+10:00", "date_modified": "2023-05-23T18:50:54+10:00", "author": { "name": "Lance Birch" } }, { "id": "https://thezone.firewave.com.au/you-are-here/", "url": "https://thezone.firewave.com.au/you-are-here/", "title": "you are here", "content_html": "\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\tRather than looping round via the north west and past the Torokko Arashiyama Station \u30c8\u30ed\u30c3\u30b3\u5d50\u5c71\u99c5 that's snuggled beneath the edge of the forest, I backtracked to go through the separate eastern half of the grove.
\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\tWith the light from the opposite direction it gave a different vibe.
", "date_published": "2023-05-07T02:25:16+10:00", "date_modified": "2023-05-07T02:25:16+10:00", "author": { "name": "Lance Birch" } }, { "id": "https://thezone.firewave.com.au/in-reach/", "url": "https://thezone.firewave.com.au/in-reach/", "title": "in reach", "content_html": "\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\tDid I mention there'd be a lot of bamboo photos?
\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\tWandering through, the changes of density and light shift the visual mood.
", "date_published": "2023-05-06T05:04:30+10:00", "date_modified": "2023-05-06T05:04:30+10:00", "author": { "name": "Lance Birch" } }, { "id": "https://thezone.firewave.com.au/lightly-boldly/", "url": "https://thezone.firewave.com.au/lightly-boldly/", "title": "lightly, boldly", "content_html": "\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\tEveryone soaking in the moment as the clouds moved in and softened the light.
", "date_published": "2023-05-05T17:09:50+10:00", "date_modified": "2023-05-05T17:09:50+10:00", "author": { "name": "Lance Birch" } }, { "id": "https://thezone.firewave.com.au/herein/", "url": "https://thezone.firewave.com.au/herein/", "title": "herein", "content_html": "\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\tWatching the bamboo slowly jostle about, then settle again. There are so many angles and views to appreciate.
\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\tSome day, I'd like to return here at night!
", "date_published": "2023-04-25T21:52:07+10:00", "date_modified": "2023-04-25T21:52:07+10:00", "author": { "name": "Lance Birch" } }, { "id": "https://thezone.firewave.com.au/casual-strides/", "url": "https://thezone.firewave.com.au/casual-strides/", "title": "casual strides", "content_html": "\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\tThere's a great atmosphere to enjoy when strolling through the forest. As the wind ripples through the canopy, the bamboo bristles in sweeping waves of white noise, tipped by occasional clacks of the culms. The people, moving slowly through it, sparsely in most areas, add to ambience in a happy way.
\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\tHere, near the end of the main path where it splits into two at the perimeter, people gathered for photos where the sun broke through.
", "date_published": "2023-03-28T01:30:09+10:00", "date_modified": "2023-03-28T01:30:09+10:00", "author": { "name": "Lance Birch" } }, { "id": "https://thezone.firewave.com.au/sidewinding/", "url": "https://thezone.firewave.com.au/sidewinding/", "title": "sidewinding", "content_html": "\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\tVisible from the north-west of the temple gardens is the edge of a large bamboo grove famous not only for its visual beauty but also for its relaxing soundscape, so that was where I decided to go next. From the temple gardens the forest is easily accessible from the north gate, situated at the end of a path that starts at the main street and winds through another part of the grove with a small shrine nestled within.
", "date_published": "2023-02-21T04:56:42+10:00", "date_modified": "2023-02-21T04:56:42+10:00", "author": { "name": "Lance Birch" } }, { "id": "https://thezone.firewave.com.au/the-vivid-you/", "url": "https://thezone.firewave.com.au/the-vivid-you/", "title": "the vivid you", "content_html": "\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\tMore appreciation of the Tenry\u016b-ji \u5929\u9f8d\u5bfa gardens as the clouds briskly cleared and the sky flooded everything with colour. It made me pause for a moment, caught by the spectacle of it all.
", "date_published": "2023-02-04T21:26:04+10:00", "date_modified": "2023-02-04T21:26:04+10:00", "author": { "name": "Lance Birch" } }, { "id": "https://thezone.firewave.com.au/intention/", "url": "https://thezone.firewave.com.au/intention/", "title": "intention", "content_html": "\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\tThrough the gardens of Tenry\u016b-ji \u5929\u9f8d\u5bfa where the moss spills down hillside like water rolling over rocks. I'm sure the gardens are beautiful at any time of year, but with so many flowers blooming it was particularly lush.
", "date_published": "2023-01-23T19:15:58+10:00", "date_modified": "2023-01-23T19:15:58+10:00", "author": { "name": "Lance Birch" } }, { "id": "https://thezone.firewave.com.au/casting-away/", "url": "https://thezone.firewave.com.au/casting-away/", "title": "casting away", "content_html": "\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\tDuring cherry blossom season the city is very busy, so I had to split my stay between two hotels. I took the subway a few blocks north and dropped my bags at the Hotel Monterey Kyoto \u30db\u30c6\u30eb\u30e2\u30f3\u30c8\u30ec\u4eac\u90fd, then returned to the main station to change to the JR Sagano Line \u5d6f\u5ce8\u91ce\u7dda and head west to Saga-Arashiyama Station \u5d6f\u5ce8\u5d50\u5c71\u99c5. Leaving the main station the track runs to the north at first, then turns directly west and glides above the buildings towards Arashiyama \u5d50\u5c71 (literally \u201cstorm mountain\u201d). If there's an urban version of the Three Views of Japan \u65e5\u672c\u4e09\u666f, riding this elevated line should be one of them.
\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\tAfter descending from the station I grabbed a bite from the caf\u00e9 outside and crouched to eat it by a black steam locomotive that was on display, under the sakura \u685c in front of it that wavered, full of flowers, in the increasing breeze. Then, among other tourists that quietly milled past the shops and houses, I followed the road towards Arashiyama Station \u5d50\u5c71\u99c5 and the main street.
\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\tFurther on is the Katsura River \u6842\u5ddd, but before that I diverted to see the gardens of Tenry\u016b-ji \u5929\u9f8d\u5bfa, a Zen Buddhist temple. Above, its S\u014dgen Pond \u66f9\u6e90\u6c60, designated a tokubetsu meish\u014d \u7279\u5225\u540d\u52dd \u2013 a Special Place of Scenic Beauty.
", "date_published": "2022-12-31T19:12:25+10:00", "date_modified": "2022-12-31T19:12:25+10:00", "author": { "name": "Lance Birch" } } ] }