Interview with photographer Moronnon: "I want to go back again!" That travel destination

This time's traveller: Moronnon

Since the early days of Instagram, she has been uploading photos of her outings, which has attracted attention, and she has gradually become known as a photographer. She has shot photos for the photo essay "Hironaka Ayaka's 100% Purity" and advertisements for Lumine, and recently she has been spreading the joy of photography on YouTube.

Instagram: @moron_non
YouTube: @moron_non

Moronon's "I want to go again!" That place

The place I want to go to again is Kamigotō in Nagasaki!

Moronnon has many friends who love to travel. A friend who is knowledgeable about breathtaking scenery called Kamigotō in Nagasaki Prefecture "the best place in my life!" and it was a place he had always longed to visit, so he finally made his first visit in May 2022!

During my 3 nights and 4 days stay, I went to Hamagurihama Beach 5 times!

Hamagurihama Beach, located in the center of Kamigoto, which stretches from north to south, has a long coastline and shallow waters, and is said to be a calm and very quiet place.

Moronnon was fascinated by how the scenery changed drastically with the tides, and visited the spot many times during his stay.

Editorial Department: The ocean is so beautiful it's hard to believe it's in Japan! We'll probably end up coming here again and again.

There is a rest area on the beach called the "Hamaguri Deck" where they sell gelato and bread. I bought some, sat on a bench and watched the ocean... I did this over and over, but I never got bored!

From the smile on his face as he speaks, you can tell he had a great time. In the evening, he enjoyed watching the sun go down while drinking coffee.

Other things to do include visiting historic churches and eating Goto udon, which is known for its soft noodles.

One of the most memorable experiences he had was the focaccia he had at the restaurant in the Goto Islands Resort Hotel Margherita. He says it was so delicious that he can still remember the texture and taste. He says he'd definitely like to stay there again the next time he visits.

Editorial Department: What would you like to do next time on Kamigotō?

I want to take a picture of the sunset at Yagatame Park. If you live in the city, it's hard to see the sunset because it's blocked by buildings.

Yakatame Park, located in the north of Kamigoto, is a popular spot in Nagasaki for watching the sunset, with its strangely shaped cone-shaped rocks, complex coastline, and the sun setting over them, attracting many photographers.

Moronnon also visited at dusk and was deeply moved by its beauty! Apparently, depending on the season, you can see a Daruma sunset (the sun setting over the ocean looks like a Daruma doll), so she plans to return in a different season to capture a different view of the sunset.

The atmosphere of the town bustling with locals is also great.

As the number of immigrants to Kamigotō increases, trendy shops and restaurants are opening one after another, but what impressed him most was that all the shops were bustling with locals and the town as a whole was full of energy.

He still wants to visit the churches he wasn't able to see, and explore Shimogoto... he seems to have a lot more left to do. He also said he would like to stay a little longer next time.

In addition, Moronnon will share with us the charms of Kamigotō that he has seen!

Moronnon's memories of Kamigotō

9

Q & A about Moronnon's travels

We get to see the real face of photographer Moronnon! We asked him a variety of questions in a Q&A format.

Q. What made you start taking photos?

A. Actually, it’s Instagram.

When I was a university student, Instagram was a niche photo-sharing social networking site, a tool only known to those in the know. At first, I used it to upload photos of memories with friends.

At the time, Instagram was also a platform for camera enthusiasts who photographed wild birds and nature to share their work, so it was full of fascinating photos that made me wonder how they were taken. Gradually, I began to think, "I want to take photos like that too!", so I started using digital and film cameras.

Q. Is there anything you keep in mind when posting travel photos?

A. "Does it convey the image of being in that place?"

Originally, I was posting memories with friends, so I like photos that have a warm human touch. I think that photos taken while traveling can better convey the size and texture of the surroundings if there are people in them. I choose photos that are aligned in a line, thinking that it will be easier to visualize the details and the overall atmosphere of the space.

Q.What do you consider when deciding on a travel destination?

A. Sauna and animals! (laughs)

I've been hooked on saunas lately! The saunas at local public baths and super public baths are great, but I especially like outdoor saunas where you can enjoy the open air and private atmosphere.

I always look for information on outdoor saunas because it's a great way to have fun with friends and relax, and it's a great way to heal both body and mind. I even went on a sauna trip to Finland recently!

Also, I love the cute animal that lives in Australia called the quokka, so I went to Australia to see it! When I see cats or seagulls while traveling, I immediately take a picture of them.

Q. Finally, what does “travel” mean to you, Moronnon?

A. Things that enrich your life

Before, when I went on a trip, I would be in a rush to see all the places I wanted to go, but now I'm free from that feeling and can focus on how to spend my time meaningfully.

Thanks to that, I was able to enjoy new scenery and encounters, and I was also able to take more detailed photos.

I strongly felt that the time spent cherishing it and the experiences I had enriched my life.

One of the reasons why we can't help but stare at Moronnon's Instagram photos is probably because they are the result of an accumulation of time spent cherishing each and every moment. There are many different ways to travel, but a trip like Moronnon's, where you carefully consider each and every detail, is also a good one.

Traveler's friends

Moronnon introduced us to Takasawa Keisuke (YouTube: @KeisukeTakasawa), who is popular for his travel vlogs posted on YouTube.

Moronnon and I appear on each other's YouTube channels. They are always exchanging information, such as the latest camera tips and recommended travel destinations, and we are like comrades, "not just on YouTube, but we are always inspiring each other!"

He has now moved to Australia and says he is inspired by such examples.

What kind of travel stories will she tell us? Look forward to it!

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