2020 Summer Solstice

Summer solstice sun rising over Higashinoyama. Sunlight streams between Stones B and C toward Stone A. Photo by Kikuko Funabashi.

As the land of Hida in Gifu Prefecture opens after the peak of the pandemic of 2020, people gathered to observe the summer solstice sunrise at the Kanayama Megaliths Senkoku-ishi group. We show you photos taken by Kikuko Funabashi (above photo) and by Chika (all remaining photos) on June 21, 2020.

People start to gather early in the morning. Photo by Chika.

The rising sun streams between Stones B and C, casting Stone C’s shadow on Stone A.

6:56 am. Sun is now fully shining on Stone A. Photo by Chika.

7:02 am. Sunlight enters deep into the chamber under Stone A. Photo by Chika.

8:02 am. The chamber is falling into shadow. Photo by Chika.

The final photo is taken at 8:02 am when the sun is high in the sky and the grotto is starting to fall into shadow.

This annual event marks the northernmost path of the sun on the summer solstice morning. We thank Kikuko-san and Chika-san for sharing their photos with us, right after the solstice event.

 

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