Another weekend, another adventure and an itch to head out in a new direction. Falling down the google rabbit hole led to one of Japan's most scenic views located only a couple hours North of us.
An hour on the fast train, an hour on the slow train and a quick walk around the throngs of tourists to this gorgeous place! This was in the area devastated by the Tsunami in 2011. It's a small bay tucked back from the ocean, filled with hundreds of small islands. They say the islands and the bay protected much of the area from the strongest effects of the tsunami.
We followed this bridge out to one of the islands, then wound our way among the trees up and down different hiking paths to capture all the different angles of this beautiful place. Always heeding the philosophy of the path less taken we inched down narrow routes skirting to the side of crowded lookouts. Scrambling a few feet down rocks to a mostly deserted beaches, always our favorite perspective!
This island was my favorite, a tiny tree growing from the top of a sandy rock in the middle of a bay!
Back on the mainland we wandered up the hill to a temple area. Alongside the walkway we found these caves and carvings. We wondered, who built these? What did they use them for? Each nook had a carving in front, reminiscent of a tombstone, so perhaps a resting place for individual spirits from a long time ago?
The Guardian Deity of Longevity, modeled after a temple priest blessed with an unusually long life. He spent that extra time devoted to taking care of small children, providing them support and sanctuary in times of famine.
Among the gardens we found these intricate pieces, each made from one individual sheet of paper! So many questions, how big was the paper? How long did each piece take to create? What about when it rains?
We've seen so many amazing, ornate temples, carefully preserved temples and shrines, but this one is beautiful in a totally different way. Perched out on a rock jutting into the bay is this well weathered structure. Still filled with intricate carvings, still a precious place, but one that has been also sculptured by the sea, adding it's own beauty and story to this special place.
Learning all the local train techniques: napping and snacking! A funfilled Saturday!!