By: Alex
Japanese photographer Hisa (@Hisa0808) captured a photo of snow, sand, and coastline after a heavy snowstorm. The white of the snow, the beige of the sand, and the blue of the sea blend into an exceptionally harmonious composition. The interplay of light and shadow on the snow, paired with the waves on the sea, adds more detail to the image and creates a dreamlike, almost surreal atmosphere.
The Japanese Sea coast after the harsh cold wave feels like another country. pic.twitter.com/hio8oas8Ll
— Hisa (@Hisa0808) January 19, 2021
▲ “The Japanese Sea coast after the harsh cold wave—looks like a foreign place.”
Perhaps because the photographer never revealed the location or shooting method, the photo feels even more mysterious. Many netizens believe the scenery isn’t in Japan but somewhere like Iceland or Northern Europe, with some even saying, “I wouldn’t be surprised if it were on another planet.”
In addition, people also noticed a person on the beach. What is this person doing? Why are they on the beach? Is it an intentional arrangement by the photographer or just a coincidence? These questions sparked curiosity among netizens, leading to discussions about whether the presence of a person enhances or detracts from the beauty of such a fairy-tale-like world. Of course, not everyone agrees—some said, “I find their loneliness quite eerie!”
▲ “The Japanese Sea coast after the harsh cold wave—looks like a foreign place.”
Many netizens speculate that the photo was taken at Tottori Sand Dunes in Tottori Prefecture. It’s Japan’s largest publicly accessible sand dune, spanning nearly 40 square kilometers. Its most unique feature is its location next to the Sea of Japan, giving the impression of a desert meeting the ocean. In winter, snowfall along the Sea of Japan coast is generally heavier than on the Pacific side, so it’s not as rare for the Tottori Sand Dunes to turn white as one might expect for a desert. As a result, some say Hisa’s photo captures the feeling of a blend between cold and heat, summer and winter.
Source: @Hisa0808