March 4
We woke to rainy and windy weather.
from the balcony
Today we were joined by Jim & Pam and Art & Gay (great group) and
our guide was Hitomi. Hitomi was an awesome guide. So intuitive to the group’s
needs and the visit to her parent’s home was a special treat. Hitomi lives 5 hours away and agreed to do our tour. She came in the day before and her parent’s home is 5 minutes from the port.
We had such a varied day with a shrine in a rainforest, a shrine in a
cave, castle ruins, a great lunch at visited the guides’ parents’ home so we
could see a traditional Japanese home.
We started with crappy weather as it was windy and rainy.
Our first stop was Aoshima Shrine which is an island shrine nestled within
a tropical forest, on an island about 100 meters from land. The shrine itself
is impossible to see from land since the island is so lush. We got sandblasted
as we made our way to the shrine. Too windy to use an umbrella and it was
raining.
the wind about knocked us over as we made our way to the shrine
Then we got sandblasted
it was raining hard at this point
The main shrine
many things for sale to make your wish come true
Hitomi explaining the cleansing routine
me doing the cleansing
pathway to a smaller shrine in the forest
the smaller shrine
where the pottery disks are thrown to ask your wish to come true
Gay throwing a pottery disk to make a wish
some tie colored twist ties on the rope and ring the bell to make their wishes come true
back at the main area
walking back to the van
Stop at the Michinoeki Phoenix to catch the spectacular view down to the Pacific Ocean from its observation deck. Well, that part wasn't happening in this weather. We did stop at a market to shop while we waited for our lunch reservation time.
the restaurant
The name of the restaurant (Apron)
place to leave shoes and take slides to wear
Greg's shrimp
my pork cutlet
views from the restaurant
Jim & Pam, Hitomi
views from the vehicle
beautiful view
The shallow water around the island has a natural formation of rocks. Each one looks like it has been perfectly and deliberately placed. It's completely natural and is known as 'the devil's washboard'
Udo Shrine is a picturesque cliffside shrine with a cave, powers over
fertility, and a lucky hole. Perched atop a steep cliff face overlooking the
wide, blue ocean and jagged rocks below. The weather has cleared, and it was more pleasant to tour.
The shrine is dedicated to Yamasachihiko, the father of Emperor Jimmu the
mythical first emperor of Japan. According to the myth, the goddess
left breast-shaped rocks in the cave (“Ochichi-iwa”), are believed to aid in
breastfeeding if you eat “Ochichi-ame candy” made by the water that drips from
it. The breast shaped rock in the cave wall which are said to have nourished
him.
Drinking the water that drips from these rocks is thought to be
beneficial for pregnancy, childbirth, nursing and women hoping to have a child.
rabbits are known to symbolize longevity, good luck and prosperity
the rabbits are donated
cleansing area
shrine in the cave
pointing to the breast that fed them
Men throw clay pebble with left hand & women throw with right hand - if the ball lands in the rope circle, you will have good luck. 5 balls 200 yen
cute little crab
Obi Castle ruins - Here you can feel like stepping back to the old days
as the town offers ancient marks left all over the place. Strolling around the
town, you will feel the idyllic and solemnity of the castle with elegant
architecture and the stone walls covered with moss.
we stopped for a treat
camelia tree
at Obi Castle
Obi Cedar trees
plum trees
We had time left for a brief stop at Hitomi's parent's house. Her mom is a retired chef, and she had a table set for us with a lovely dessert. She also gave us each a thank you bag of treats.
Hitomi's parents' home
Hitomi & her Dad
Gay & Art, Pam & Jim and us
dessert
her grandparents - when they passed her parents moved into their house
Hitomi and her parents
Since it was the first time a ship had come to this port performers came to send us off.
Miyazaki Prefecture in Japan is a leading lumber producer, known for its "Miyazaki Cedar"
Despite the weather the guide and the sites made it one of my favorites.
magnet
the owl symbolizes good luck, wisdom and protection against misfortune

magnet
3 bird Species seen and 2 were new. Brown-eared Bulbul, Daurian Redstart, Warbling White-eye
Tonight, the entertainment Humanity.
Miyazaki, Japan https://photos.app.goo.gl/r92JF27Bnmk8cUkR6
Tomorrow, we visit Amani Oshima (Naze), Japan.