Winter’s Silence: A Journey into the Footsteps Of Northern Japanese Alps

Winter’s Silence: A Journey into the Footsteps Of Northern Japanese Alps

Friday, February 28, 2025

Winter in the Northern Japanese Alps is a world of quiet beauty, where snow-laden forests and frozen waterfalls create a scene of pristine wilderness. Drawn by the promise of adventure and the hope of capturing nature’s essence through my lens, I set out on a trek deep into a remote valley, braving the icy air and untouched trails.

The valley was blanketed in thick snow, muffling every sound except for the occasional crunch beneath my boots. The silence was immense, broken only by the distant call of wildlife. As I moved deeper, I caught sight of a group of elks standing gracefully against the white backdrop. Their fur, dusted with snow, blended seamlessly with the winter landscape. I carefully positioned my camera and took a few shots, capturing their serene presence before they disappeared into the trees.

Continuing on, I followed the valley’s curves, my breath visible in the crisp air. Before long, I came upon a small frozen waterfall, about three meters in height. The icicles, a mesmerizing shade of light blue, seemed almost translucent, catching the soft winter light. It was a sight too beautiful to simply pass by. I spent time photographing every detail, each frozen droplet telling a story of time suspended in winter’s grasp.

Eager to explore deeper, I launched my drone into the sky, sending it soaring over the valley. The aerial view revealed an untouched paradise—snow-covered peaks rising against the horizon, dense forests sleeping under a white embrace, and the river below locked in ice. The drone’s camera captured breathtaking views, a perspective that my own eyes could not fully take in from the ground.

As the afternoon wore on, I made my way back to the starting point. Just as I thought my journey had come to an end, I was greeted by another incredible sight—Japanese macaques, also known as snow monkeys, gathered near the trees. They huddled together, their thick fur providing warmth against the cold. Some played in the snow, others sat peacefully, their wise eyes observing the world in quiet contemplation. I couldn’t resist capturing the moment, clicking away until the sun dipped below the mountains, casting the valley in a soft, fading glow.

With my memory card full and my heart brimming with the beauty I had witnessed, I took a final deep breath of the cold mountain air and started my journey home. The Northern Japanese Alps had given me an experience beyond words—a day of solitude, awe, and connection with nature in its purest form.

As I look back at the photographs, I am reminded that some of the most profound moments come in the quiet of winter, where the world stands still, and nature speaks in whispers.

北日本アルプスの冬の旅：氷と雪の世界を巡って**  

澄んだ山の空気が肺に満ちる中、私は北日本アルプスの奥深く、冬の谷へと足を踏み入れた。そこは人の足がほとんど届かない静寂の世界。雪がブーツの下で軋み、薄い霧が凍てついた風景を包んでいた。まるで時間が止まったかのような、自然が支配する場所だった。  

谷をさらに進むと、雪をまとった鹿の群れを見つけた。彼らは木々の間で静かに佇み、冬の風景に溶け込んでいた。私は慎重にカメラを構え、その荘厳な姿を写真に収めた。しばらくすると、彼らは森の奥へと消えていった。  

歩みを進めると、高さ約3メートルの小さな凍った滝にたどり着いた。氷は淡い青色に輝き、夕暮れの光を浴びて幻想的な美しさを放っていた。氷柱が自然の芸術作品のように並び、その静寂と美をカメラに収めようと夢中になった。  

もっと奥の景色を見たくて、私はドローンを飛ばした。上空から眺めると、雪に覆われた森林が果てしなく広がり、その向こうにはアルプスの雄大な峰々がそびえていた。鳥の鳴き声や風のささやきだけが響く、神秘的な静寂に包まれた世界だった。  

日が傾き始めた頃、私は出発地点へと戻り始めた。すると、木々の間に何かの気配を感じた。目を凝らすと、森の中から日本猿の群れが現れた。彼らの厚い毛皮は寒さから身を守り、互いに寄り添いながらじっとこちらを見つめていた。その愛らしい姿を写真に収めながら、夕日が差し込む森の中で、しばらくの間彼らと時間を共にした。  

日が完全に沈む前に、私は足を止め、目の前の風景を心に焼き付けた。北日本アルプスの冬の静けさ、野生動物との出会い、そして孤独の中の穏やかさ。それは決して忘れることのない旅となった。レンズを通して切り取った、一瞬の美しい記憶。

By Taner Yalcin