Monday, March 31, 2025

Miyazaki (Aburatsu), Japan – Aoshima shrine, Udo shrine, Michinoeki Phoenix & Obi Castle ruins

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 RedstartWarbling White-eye

Tonight, the entertainment Humanity.

Miyazaki, Japan https://photos.app.goo.gl/r92JF27Bnmk8cUkR6

Tomorrow, we visit Amani Oshima (Naze), Japan.


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