Two days and some three hundred photos, of which a good 80 or more made the cut. My definition of a good two days. The weather helped: it was all but perfect for two days straight, which balances out the three days of solid rain we had in Taiwan last time.

I'd never been to either Niigata or Sado before, so I was interested in what kind of pictures I'd end up with.

Firstly, the transportation: the smallest plane I think I've ever flown on.

Most of the best aerial shots were from the return trip (which will be in a later post) but there was one from the outward flight which turned out reasonably (after a considerable amount of post processing, it has to be said):

Our first stop in Niigata was at the top of a building with decent views of the area. This is the Sigma's idea of a good time.

Next we were off to do some hiking. The approach to the main hike can be made through a park, and the park boasted this pretty (although hardly rare: this kind of thing can be seen anywhere in Japan) bridge.

Following this we arrived at the start of the trail, by a temple and mountain which share the name "Yahiko" (弥彦), a name which until we got there meant nothing to me. It was quite a climb - a good hour to ninety minutes, with some pretty steep parts, at least to a non-climber like me - but the views on the way and from the top were more than ample reward.

Time constraints and considerations of being able to walk the next day made it an easy choice to use the ropeway on the way down. 90 minutes up, 5 minutes back, and in time for the train back to Niigata. Out for lunch at an izakaya (a kind of Japanese pub) and to the hotel. Knackered, as we British are prone to say, but it was photographically a good day.

Next up will be Sado, and this will probably be divided into two parts.

Thanks for looking!