Along the approach to Inari Shrine (稲荷神社) north of Suimon Bay, there was a sign alerting drivers to be mindful of school children walking by the roadside.

Colorful road sign along a narrow road north of Suimon Bay in Okayama, Japan. © 2010 Norbert Woehnl Photography.
Colorful road sign along a narrow road north of Suimon Bay in Okayama, Japan. © 2010 Norbert Woehnl Photography.

Arriving at the shrine, I was greeted by an abundance of blood-thirsty insects, but also by some fantastic early-evening sunlight.

Entering Inari Shrine near Suimon Bay, east of Okayama City in Japan. © 2010 Norbert Woehnl Photography.
Entering Inari Shrine near Suimon Bay, east of Okayama City in Japan. © 2010 Norbert Woehnl Photography.

Climbing a few stairs opened up nice views towards the adjacent Suimon Bay, …

Entering Inari Shrine near Suimon Bay, east of Okayama City in Japan. © 2010 Norbert Woehnl Photography.
Entering Inari Shrine near Suimon Bay, east of Okayama City in Japan. © 2010 Norbert Woehnl Photography.

… and took me right in front of the shrine’s main hall.

Main hall of Inari Shrine near Suimon Bay, east of Okayama City in Japan. © 2010 Norbert Woehnl Photography.
Main hall of Inari Shrine near Suimon Bay, east of Okayama City in Japan. © 2010 Norbert Woehnl Photography.

Alternate view of the main hall, using some of the available trees and plants as framing elements.

Alternate view of main hall of Inari Shrine near Suimon Bay, east of Okayama City in Japan. © 2010 Norbert Woehnl Photography.
Alternate view of main hall of Inari Shrine near Suimon Bay, east of Okayama City in Japan. © 2010 Norbert Woehnl Photography.

Walking around the main hall opened up more views of the gentle surrounding landscape, …

Exporing different angles of the main hall of Inari Shrine near Suimon Bay, east of Okayama City in Japan. © 2010 Norbert Woehnl Photography.
Exporing different angles of the main hall of Inari Shrine near Suimon Bay, east of Okayama City in Japan. © 2010 Norbert Woehnl Photography.

… and opportunities to include the setting sun in the composition.

Exporing different angles of the main hall of Inari Shrine near Suimon Bay, east of Okayama City in Japan. © 2010 Norbert Woehnl Photography.
Exporing different angles of the main hall of Inari Shrine near Suimon Bay, east of Okayama City in Japan. © 2010 Norbert Woehnl Photography.

The late sunlight illuminated the roof of the hall ever so slightly.

Roof detail of the main hall of Inari Shrine near Suimon Bay, east of Okayama City in Japan. © 2010 Norbert Woehnl Photography.
Roof detail of the main hall of Inari Shrine near Suimon Bay, east of Okayama City in Japan. © 2010 Norbert Woehnl Photography.

I then left the shrine, and was treated to some more beautiful views of the scenery upon descent.

View of the eastern Okayama countyside on a summer evening. © 2010 Norbert Woehnl Photography.
View of the eastern Okayama countyside on a summer evening. © 2010 Norbert Woehnl Photography.

Not far away from Inari Shrine, we passed these interesting seaside structures which I believe are a part of Kameiwa Shrine.

Summer evening view of buildings belonging to Kameiwa Shrine east of Okayama City, Japan. © 2010 Norbert Woehnl Photography.
Summer evening view of buildings belonging to Kameiwa Shrine east of Okayama City, Japan. © 2010 Norbert Woehnl Photography.

And lastly, we made it to this viewing spot, arriving at a perfect time to enjoy a nice seaside sunset over Suimon Bay.

Summer sunset over Suimon Bay east of Okayama City, Japan. © 2010 Norbert Woehnl Photography.
Summer sunset over Suimon Bay east of Okayama City, Japan. © 2010 Norbert Woehnl Photography.

All photos shot with Nikon D200 and Nikkor 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 lens. Edited in Adobe Lightroom Classic.

写真の撮影場所：岡山県・岡山市・東区・水門湾