travel

Seeing Red: Hitachinaka Seaside Park

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Ticked off another thing on my Japan bucketlist and went to the Hitachinaka seaside park yesterday in Ibaraki prefecture. A nice way to enjoy the long weekend.
Had timed the visit so it fit in perfectly with the autumn kochia season. Last year, my autumn trip was to Oze. This time it was to the Hitachinaka flower park. A massive spanse of an area dedicated to flowers. Key times are spring and autumn where they plant seasonal flowers for en-masse viewing. There’s a 10km cycling route and a ride theme park area as well. You could spend the large part of a day there. Spent about 3 hours there and still didn’t see everything. I wouldn’t mind going back in spring.

I came for the red kochias there and they were pretty awesome. Cosmos flowers were also out. Lots of people on a long weekend though but still got to take lots of pretty pictures.
You’ll be seeing red. And lots of it!

From Hitachinaka seaside park

Brace yourself for the throngs of people:

From Hitachinaka seaside park
From Hitachinaka seaside park
From Hitachinaka seaside park
From Hitachinaka seaside park
From Hitachinaka seaside park
From Hitachinaka seaside park

These flowers are called cosmos:

From Hitachinaka seaside park
From Hitachinaka seaside park
From Hitachinaka seaside park
From Hitachinaka seaside park
From Hitachinaka seaside park
From Hitachinaka seaside park
From Hitachinaka seaside park
From Hitachinaka seaside park
From Hitachinaka seaside park
From Hitachinaka seaside park
From Hitachinaka seaside park
From Hitachinaka seaside park
From Hitachinaka seaside park
From Hitachinaka seaside park
From Hitachinaka seaside park
From Hitachinaka seaside park
From Hitachinaka seaside park
From Hitachinaka seaside park
From Hitachinaka seaside park
From Hitachinaka seaside park
From Hitachinaka seaside park
From Hitachinaka seaside park
From Hitachinaka seaside park
From Hitachinaka seaside park
From Hitachinaka seaside park
From Hitachinaka seaside park
From Hitachinaka seaside park
From Hitachinaka seaside park
From Hitachinaka seaside park
From Hitachinaka seaside park
From Hitachinaka seaside park
From Hitachinaka seaside park
From Hitachinaka seaside park
From Hitachinaka seaside park

These burning bushes are kochia:

From Hitachinaka seaside park
From Hitachinaka seaside park
From Hitachinaka seaside park
From Hitachinaka seaside park
From Hitachinaka seaside park
From Hitachinaka seaside park
From Hitachinaka seaside park
From Hitachinaka seaside park
From Hitachinaka seaside park
From Hitachinaka seaside park
From Hitachinaka seaside park
From Hitachinaka seaside park
From Hitachinaka seaside park
From Hitachinaka seaside park
From Hitachinaka seaside park
From Hitachinaka seaside park
From Hitachinaka seaside park
From Hitachinaka seaside park
From Hitachinaka seaside park
From Hitachinaka seaside park
From Hitachinaka seaside park
From Hitachinaka seaside park

So that’s where my shoes went!

From Hitachinaka seaside park
From Hitachinaka seaside park
From Hitachinaka seaside park
From Hitachinaka seaside park
From Hitachinaka seaside park
From Hitachinaka seaside park
From Hitachinaka seaside park
From Hitachinaka seaside park
From Hitachinaka seaside park
From Hitachinaka seaside park
From Hitachinaka seaside park
From Hitachinaka seaside park
From Hitachinaka seaside park
From Hitachinaka seaside park
From Hitachinaka seaside park
From Hitachinaka seaside park
From Hitachinaka seaside park
From Hitachinaka seaside park
From Hitachinaka seaside park
From Hitachinaka seaside park
From Hitachinaka seaside park
From Hitachinaka seaside park
From Hitachinaka seaside park
From Hitachinaka seaside park
From Hitachinaka seaside park
From Hitachinaka seaside park
From Hitachinaka seaside park
From Hitachinaka seaside park
From Hitachinaka seaside park

The saddest fountain ever:

From Hitachinaka seaside park
From Hitachinaka seaside park

After a day walking around, there’s only one thing for it – an onsen.
Highly recommend this one: http://www.ajigauraonsen.jp/

Ogasawara Islands: Dolphin swimming

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Ogasawara Islands is known for whale watching and dolphin spotting. The marine life down there is pretty specacular.
There’s no shortage of boat operators there who take you out to the various islands for snorkeling, and whale and dolphin spotting. Winter months are whale spotting season, so I opted for a half day dolphin swimming and snorkeling tour in the afternoon that I arrived on Ogasawara.

I got to see lots and lots of dolphins. Oh, happy days!
They got really close to the boat and there were so many of them.

From Ogasawara day 1 – minami jima and dolphin snorkeling
From Ogasawara day 1 – minami jima and dolphin snorkeling
From Ogasawara day 1 – minami jima and dolphin snorkeling
From Ogasawara day 1 – minami jima and dolphin snorkeling
From Ogasawara day 1 – minami jima and dolphin snorkeling
From Ogasawara day 1 – minami jima and dolphin snorkeling
From Ogasawara day 1 – minami jima and dolphin snorkeling
From Ogasawara day 1 – minami jima and dolphin snorkeling
From Ogasawara day 1 – minami jima and dolphin snorkeling
From Ogasawara day 1 – minami jima and dolphin snorkeling
From Ogasawara day 1 – minami jima and dolphin snorkeling
From Ogasawara day 1 – minami jima and dolphin snorkeling
From Ogasawara day 1 – minami jima and dolphin snorkeling
From Ogasawara day 1 – minami jima and dolphin snorkeling
From Ogasawara day 1 – minami jima and dolphin snorkeling
From Ogasawara day 1 – minami jima and dolphin snorkeling
From Ogasawara day 1 – minami jima and dolphin snorkeling
From Ogasawara day 1 – minami jima and dolphin snorkeling
From Ogasawara day 1 – minami jima and dolphin snorkeling
From Ogasawara day 1 – minami jima and dolphin snorkeling
From Ogasawara day 1 – minami jima and dolphin snorkeling
From Ogasawara day 1 – minami jima and dolphin snorkeling
From Ogasawara day 1 – minami jima and dolphin snorkeling
From Ogasawara day 1 – minami jima and dolphin snorkeling
From Ogasawara day 1 – minami jima and dolphin snorkeling
From Ogasawara day 1 – minami jima and dolphin snorkeling
From Ogasawara day 1 – minami jima and dolphin snorkeling
From Ogasawara day 1 – minami jima and dolphin snorkeling
From Ogasawara day 1 – minami jima and dolphin snorkeling

Snorkeling at Hirozohama

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Have been on a bit of a snorkeling spree lately. Here are some pics snorkeling at Hirizohama (southern Izu peninsula) taken a couple of weeks ago.

From Hirizohama snorkeling
From Hirizohama snorkeling
From Hirizohama snorkeling
From Hirizohama snorkeling
From Hirizohama snorkeling
From Hirizohama snorkeling
From Hirizohama snorkeling
From Hirizohama snorkeling
From Hirizohama snorkeling
From Hirizohama snorkeling
From Hirizohama snorkeling
From Hirizohama snorkeling
From Hirizohama snorkeling
From Hirizohama snorkeling
From Hirizohama snorkeling
From Hirizohama snorkeling
From Hirizohama snorkeling
From Hirizohama snorkeling
From Hirizohama snorkeling
From Hirizohama snorkeling
From Hirizohama snorkeling
From Hirizohama snorkeling
From Hirizohama snorkeling
From Hirizohama snorkeling
From Hirizohama snorkeling
From Hirizohama snorkeling
From Hirizohama snorkeling
From Hirizohama snorkeling
From Hirizohama snorkeling
From Hirizohama snorkeling
From Hirizohama snorkeling
From Hirizohama snorkeling
From Hirizohama snorkeling
From Hirizohama snorkeling
From Hirizohama snorkeling

Travel Notes:
Went for the weekend staying overnight at Yumihahama. Access to Hirizohama is difficult without a car as public transport is limited and infrequent.
At Hirizohama area, you take a boat to the snorkeling spot (1500yen return). The snorkeling spot is super crowded in peak summer period and everyone brings their tents. It is very rocky. But plenty of sealife.

Fuji Rock 2014 Day 1

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The last weekend in July, I went to Fuji Rock – a 3-day music festival in Japan. The old me probably wouldn’t have been for it, but the new me is like, why not. I have pretty daggy taste in music so I’m usually not the best companion for music festivals.

Fuji Rock is held over 3-days on the ski slope mountains of Naeba. The proper experience is to camp there for the 3 days which we did. Although some friends stayed at lodgings instead.

Had read a lot of stuff online about the crowds and traffic to get there.
With the first day of the festival kicking off on Friday (took the day off work), we decided to leave on Thursday night after work. We got the bullet train to Echigo Yuzawa that left Tokyo after 8pm. And we were at Echigo before 9:30pm. We braced ourselves for the crowd outside Echigo Yuzawa station but it wasn’t so bad.

From Fuji Rock 2014

We lined up for the free shuttle bus that takes you to the Fuji Rock site. We only had to wait about 15 minutes. So far so good. Boarded the free bus. The bus ride was kinda long. About 45minutes.

Upon arrival at the site, we exchanged our tickets for wrist bands and got our camp wrist bands and set off in search for a spot to pitch our tents. Mind you, the campsite was on a ski slope so you were a little hardpressed to find flat ground, especially since a lot of people got there on Thursday during the day. It was now close to 11pm and we had to pitch up our tents. Our spot was on a slight slope, but it wasn’t too bad. Weren’t able to get a shady spot either. Highly recommend a spot under trees if possible. We ended up roasting every morning. By 7am it was a sauna in the tents in the blazing summer heat and humidity. We were literally smoked out of our tents come sunrise.

As we were traipsing around at night in search of a tent spot, I saw Mick Jagger!!! My only regret of the weekend was not getting a photo with him. I turned to my friend and said “I swear to God that looks like Mick Jagger”. Friend turned around and said “It sounds like Mick Jagger”. Holy crap, it is Mick Jagger. He was with another ageing rocker friend. He even spoke At me. Something to the effect of ” fark, look at her, she’s got a head torch”. Yes, ever so practical me was wearing a head torch. 11pm at a campsite trying to pitch a tent.
We were laden down with big packbacks, tents, bags etc wandering through a campsite. It was not the time for selfies for Mick Jagger. #bigregret. Oh well.

Tents assembled. Try to get some sleep.

I love my tent: Best 40 buks ever spent.

From Fuji Rock 2014

But I did have some tent envy:

From Fuji Rock 2014

Coolest tent ever:

From Fuji Rock 2014

This was probably the not-so-coolest tent ever:

From Fuji Rock 2014

I’d say it was pretty baaaad (see what I did there):

From Fuji Rock 2014

This tent on the other hand, had a more “homely” feel to it:

From Fuji Rock 2014

Tents galore on the Naeba ski slopes:

From Fuji Rock 2014
From Fuji Rock 2014
From Fuji Rock 2014
From Fuji Rock 2014

Friday – Day 1 of Fuji Rock, was looking to be a beautiful day. Fuji Rock is notorious for bad weather. Rain and downpour is the norm.

From Fuji Rock 2014
From Fuji Rock 2014

Free water and sink facilities:

From Fuji Rock 2014
From Fuji Rock 2014

Everything rocks. Even the lockers!

From Fuji Rock 2014

Fuji + Rocks = Fuji Rock!

From Fuji Rock 2014
From Fuji Rock 2014
From Fuji Rock 2014

There’s a helluva lot of people that attend Fuji Rock. Literally tens of thousands. But it was such a well-organised event with such a cool chilled vibe.

It’s a joke-free zone:

From Fuji Rock 2014

And perfect weather for it:

From Fuji Rock 2014
From Fuji Rock 2014
From Fuji Rock 2014

The men’s facilities:

From Fuji Rock 2014

There are several stages and it’s a bit of a hike between them. About 30min walk through forest and trail to get to some of them. A lot of walking was done that weekend.

Weather was so hot. But there was a beautiful stream river where people could cool off and chill out.

From Fuji Rock 2014
From Fuji Rock 2014
From Fuji Rock 2014
From Fuji Rock 2014

It got really crowded here over the day:

From Fuji Rock 2014

This guy totally had the right idea:

From Fuji Rock 2014
From Fuji Rock 2014
From Fuji Rock 2014
From Fuji Rock 2014
From Fuji Rock 2014

Highlight act of the day was….

From Fuji Rock 2014
From Fuji Rock 2014
From Fuji Rock 2014
From Fuji Rock 2014
From Fuji Rock 2014
From Fuji Rock 2014

The festival featured cool music and also some great food.

Paella:

From Fuji Rock 2014

Got to have me a meat pie: So good.

From Fuji Rock 2014

Butter chicken:

From Fuji Rock 2014

Pancakes:

From Fuji Rock 2014

(Note: this was consumed over the three days, not in one sitting).

Weiner lollipop, anyone?

From Fuji Rock 2014

Or perhaps, you prefer this:

From Fuji Rock 2014

(A mis-translation of “Dragon Tacos”)

All kinds of good imaginable – ramen, pizza, green curry, lamp chops, hamburgers, fish and chips, and beer, lots of beer.

And everyone BYO’s chairs. We missed that memo.

From Fuji Rock 2014

Complete with cup holder and canopy: The Rolls Royce of picnic chairs.

From Fuji Rock 2014

The Blue Mile:

From Fuji Rock 2014

Plenty of bad iPhone shots taken:

From Fuji Rock 2014
From Fuji Rock 2014
From Fuji Rock 2014

Day 1 of Fuji Rock was a lotta fun. But hella tiring. Feel like I had aged a hundred years. Hell of a lot of walking, and being around in the sun. And so much walking and being on your feet and then a few hours sleeping in a tent. Hadn’t had a shower in over 24 hours either so was feeling major skanky. Get to do this all over again the next day.

Naoshima Diary: Frame Art Tunnel

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This is another art installation found on Teshima Island. In fact, handfuls of random properties have been converted into art installations.

This one was cool and yep, set us back another 300 yen.

From Teshima frame tunnel
From Teshima frame tunnel

A tunnel made of window frames.

From Teshima frame tunnel
From Teshima frame tunnel
From Teshima frame tunnel

The view at the other end:

From Teshima frame tunnel
From Teshima frame tunnel
From Teshima frame tunnel
From Teshima frame tunnel
From Teshima frame tunnel

Silhouette:

From Teshima frame tunnel
From Teshima frame tunnel
From Teshima frame tunnel

Naoshima Diary: Pumpkin galore

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Travel Notes:
After spending a night on Teshima island, we then made our way onwards to Naoshima island.
Unfortunately, this meant going back via Uno port.
There are two boats that run to/from Uno and Teshima – the ferry and then the passenger boat.
We took the passenger boat from Teshima back to Uno. It only took about 20 minutes (half the time it to get to Teshima on the ferry). That meant we were back in time at Uno to take the ferry to Naoshima. We had to bolt for the ferry connection though. We thought the boat back to Uno was going to take about 40 minutes giving us an hour layover in Uno port. But thankfully we made the earlier ferry to Naoshima. Woo hoo. This meant we’d have more time on Naoshima.

Ferry to Naoshima was about 20 minutes and was pretty crowded. Naoshima is pretty popular and it was a summer long weekend.

Upon arrival at Naoshima, first thing in order was to dump our back at the cheap hostel/minshuku we were staying at. And then off to find some bike rentals for the day. We had to try a few places before we found a place with electric bikes. We got lucky and set off on our electric bikes. It was about 1000yen for a 7 hour rental (with a 3000yen deposit). Sweet. A full day of cycling around Naoshima.

I previously posted up photos of the yellow spotty pumpkin art installation from day 1 on Naoshima.

On day 2 we bussed and walked around the island.
Here are photos from day 2 on Naoshima. More pumpkin photos. Cannot. Go. Past. Giant. Pumpkins. Without. Taking. Photos. Of. It.

From Yellow pumpkin day 2
From Yellow pumpkin day 2
From Yellow pumpkin day 2
From Yellow pumpkin day 2
From Yellow pumpkin day 2
From Yellow pumpkin day 2
From Yellow pumpkin day 2

Not only did I get to take lots of photos of pumpkins, but I got to eat pumpkin ice-cream. Surprisingly, delicious. But quite rich and creamy. Just as well we shared one (although we had originally wanted to get one each, but they only had one left!). But pumpkin is a vegetable, so it’s healthy ice cream, right?

The pumpkin ice cream was served in an actual frozen pumpkin:

From Pumpkin icecream
From Pumpkin icecream
From Pumpkin icecream
From Pumpkin icecream

So creamy and delicious:

From Pumpkin icecream
From Pumpkin icecream
From Pumpkin icecream

Overnight on Teshima Island

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Most people barely visit Teshima for a day let alone stay overnight there. It’s often seen as a day trip from Naoshima.
But we did Teshima first, stayed overnight there and then moved onto Naoshima.
We had a rental car for the day on Teshima and still didn’t get to see everything.
We had to return the car at 5pm and made our way back to the port where we got picked up by the hotel owners to take us to our accommodation for the night.

Accommodation on Teshima Island is very, very limited.
One of the few lodgings is Teshima Amore Resort – a really bizarre little place run by a Japanese couple. It is now basically a delapilated resort located right on a private beach, but I’m sure it was seen as luxury lodgings back in its heyday.

The private beach was nice for walking along at sunset. Didn’t get a chance to have a dip although it would have been nice to. Very secluded and quiet. There were only a few other guests staying there and the owners were quite friendly and accommodating for us.

It was a random little place to stay, but very peaceful.

Excellent waterfront views of the Seto inland sea:

From Teshima Amore
From Teshima Amore
From Teshima Amore
From Teshima Amore
From Teshima Amore

The rather run-down rooms for the night:

From Teshima Amore
From Teshima Amore
From Teshima Amore
From Teshima Amore

Private beach:

From Teshima Amore
From Teshima Amore
From Teshima Amore
From Teshima Amore
From Teshima Amore
From Teshima Amore
From Teshima Amore
From Teshima Amore
From Teshima Amore
From Teshima Amore
From Teshima Amore
From Teshima Amore
From Teshima Amore
From Teshima Amore
From Teshima Amore

The rooms weren’t the Ritz, but the dinner was pretty special. An awesome BBQ feast out on the deck.

From Teshima Amore

An absolute feast, I tell you!

From Teshima Amore

For a little run down place, the accommodation price was definitely on the pricier side – but factor in that it was a night’s accommodation, BBQ dinner feast included, breakfast included, and to/from pick up/drop off to the port – it was not bad value.

Thoroughly enjoyed Teshima Island. And Naoshima Island was going to be even better!

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Travel notes:
Day 1 of Teshima. Arrived on the boat from Uno and hired the car for the day sightseeing around the island visiting the various museums and art installation.

Here are some snapshots around Teshima.

Bike rental is popular mode of transport (most of which are electric bikes). We scored one of the few rental cars on the island which was a real bonus. Bikes can be rented from right outside the port area.

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/iONZannvH75VsajqfAvHpNVsL23opckzBiqcC1hraOw?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-quiDYzDAD_M/U88tACwelRI/AAAAAAACvxk/aHK5tJHjgwE/s640/DSC_0890.JPG&#8221; height=”640″ width=”425″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/SightseeingTeshima?authuser=0&amp;authkey=Gv1sRgCK6Gj9S9pfnIzQE&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Sightseeing Teshima</a></td></tr></table>

We passed this building along our drive, which we thought might have been a museum. Turned out to be a restaurant.
Great water views which they would not let us take photos of. We drove on.

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/hM-JGDHR4WcZNHAdgXjex9VsL23opckzBiqcC1hraOw?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-RwQ-utQhHyI/U88sxh6QnaI/AAAAAAACvq8/hjQ18V2QDqg/s640/DSC_0707.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/SightseeingTeshima?authuser=0&amp;authkey=Gv1sRgCK6Gj9S9pfnIzQE&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Sightseeing Teshima</a></td></tr></table>

We checked out the installation called “Stormy House”. Entry was 300yen. You’re hit up for fees everywhere around the island. You’ve been warned.

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/914fqnTga-CoaKAufPxh1NVsL23opckzBiqcC1hraOw?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-hDbVP-lXbUw/U88tDItP7yI/AAAAAAACvwg/s-qPePlU7QA/s640/IMG_0070.JPG&#8221; height=”640″ width=”480″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/SightseeingTeshima?authuser=0&amp;authkey=Gv1sRgCK6Gj9S9pfnIzQE&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Sightseeing Teshima</a></td></tr></table>

All I’ll say about Stormy House is that it can be heard all around the island.

The island itself is pretty with some scenic views:

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/jZrR4qt3WaUcXQajWN-PsdVsL23opckzBiqcC1hraOw?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-2dsj1Uvqkc0/U88tRexuAbI/AAAAAAACv04/pjAQjJWrOc4/s640/IMG_0143.JPG&#8221; height=”640″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/SightseeingTeshima?authuser=0&amp;authkey=Gv1sRgCK6Gj9S9pfnIzQE&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Sightseeing Teshima</a></td></tr></table>

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/5HKG_XWO4nLgvFE2xFnt5dVsL23opckzBiqcC1hraOw?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-JDMsCVEeJNI/U88sxVegnqI/AAAAAAACvq0/48i3yd7D91Y/s640/DSC_0724.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/SightseeingTeshima?authuser=0&amp;authkey=Gv1sRgCK6Gj9S9pfnIzQE&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Sightseeing Teshima</a></td></tr></table>

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/BcAkhfYIqlOMNDv6_oh6qdVsL23opckzBiqcC1hraOw?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-WZJgqWjcYDw/U88tGqMSXxI/AAAAAAACvxc/roDf5Z-oAug/s640/IMG_0078.JPG&#8221; height=”480″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/SightseeingTeshima?authuser=0&amp;authkey=Gv1sRgCK6Gj9S9pfnIzQE&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Sightseeing Teshima</a></td></tr></table>

The Seto Inland Sea:

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/6wO7PXxZEIT9hEC8OvgluNVsL23opckzBiqcC1hraOw?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-idMrUr5g3cQ/U88symR1oZI/AAAAAAACvrY/d8P-kDHlYtk/s640/DSC_0726.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/SightseeingTeshima?authuser=0&amp;authkey=Gv1sRgCK6Gj9S9pfnIzQE&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Sightseeing Teshima</a></td></tr></table>

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/lZd0ISkHHXNXyibiwaGU8dVsL23opckzBiqcC1hraOw?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-R9IedPFqbOY/U88s0YYF7jI/AAAAAAACvro/mFLbbJyzzWw/s640/DSC_0743.JPG&#8221; height=”640″ width=”425″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/SightseeingTeshima?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Sightseeing Teshima</a></td></tr></table>

The most strangest dead-end pier ever:

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/Naz0dRfsUS5XuoQlEleQt9VsL23opckzBiqcC1hraOw?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-gDY0oQH71VE/U88s1UrFmoI/AAAAAAACvsM/pmb_8lUemUQ/s640/DSC_0746.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/SightseeingTeshima?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Sightseeing Teshima</a></td></tr></table>

Not at all connected to land:

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/s40VEKurH6byL3LA3uzR4tVsL23opckzBiqcC1hraOw?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-UnPCOtPzfR0/U88s2fkwO2I/AAAAAAACvsU/KbH0r4ggQv8/s640/DSC_0748.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/SightseeingTeshima?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Sightseeing Teshima</a></td></tr></table>

Everyone will recommend that you eat lunch at Shima Kitchen, and so you should:

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/Ebcu7lhOSDZ-C0kbnEZittVsL23opckzBiqcC1hraOw?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-_xGIrXGES-Y/U88tDXFRfiI/AAAAAAACvw8/8jt1X93drPI/s640/IMG_0071.JPG&#8221; height=”640″ width=”480″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/SightseeingTeshima?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Sightseeing Teshima</a></td></tr></table>

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/R4guyZV4jEqSAf3AgcMYmtVsL23opckzBiqcC1hraOw?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Rbs-tVy_Dd8/U88tEa6b3GI/AAAAAAACvws/VBS6A2vbVhQ/s640/IMG_0073.JPG&#8221; height=”640″ width=”480″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/SightseeingTeshima?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Sightseeing Teshima</a></td></tr></table>

Other random stuff we saw on the island:

This was totally my cup of tea:

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/cvIl3PnpnkMgo8CdhHPmX9VsL23opckzBiqcC1hraOw?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-bd_gxwdFzOQ/U88s3huKGOI/AAAAAAACvts/Iks3A4-1XZs/s640/DSC_0784.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/SightseeingTeshima?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Sightseeing Teshima</a></td></tr></table>

Port area:

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/bNCa7jBZjaNY0VE756QOcdVsL23opckzBiqcC1hraOw?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-a8qDQL2zfz8/U88s4QeupWI/AAAAAAACvs4/7Wv5D0Rnt1Q/s640/DSC_0786.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/SightseeingTeshima?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Sightseeing Teshima</a></td></tr></table>

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/2MUPxT8hrfxBTccqE10BUdVsL23opckzBiqcC1hraOw?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ucMu_Dc7t4c/U88s4nkpQfI/AAAAAAACvs8/aQdyf89k5Og/s640/DSC_0787.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/SightseeingTeshima?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Sightseeing Teshima</a></td></tr></table>

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/lT-jkHh_qHbWNNkwFlw4H9VsL23opckzBiqcC1hraOw?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-DbG_bI5jC-A/U88tNbT3F7I/AAAAAAACvz0/cohppt9w9IM/s640/IMG_0120.JPG&#8221; height=”640″ width=”480″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/SightseeingTeshima?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Sightseeing Teshima</a></td></tr></table>

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/gn7agE_r3P3H0-1gYjZEPNVsL23opckzBiqcC1hraOw?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Tjqe-OASZsI/U88tPKBraxI/AAAAAAACv0U/VzfYyMa9810/s640/IMG_0121.JPG&#8221; height=”480″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/SightseeingTeshima?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Sightseeing Teshima</a></td></tr></table>

No filter used. That was actually part of a museum building with a giant red-tinted glass window,

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/seTsuBDSPj_NtsR9EGzUftVsL23opckzBiqcC1hraOw?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-8VcTy77ySRo/U88s72iyWnI/AAAAAAACv1k/FoXX-NkqoT0/s640/DSC_0837.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/SightseeingTeshima?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Sightseeing Teshima</a></td></tr></table>

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/7dUtpFhgb5C95p6oMyo8mdVsL23opckzBiqcC1hraOw?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Wwluf8HuHUI/U88s8McA5XI/AAAAAAACvuI/GBTHg0O7A78/s640/DSC_0838.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/SightseeingTeshima?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Sightseeing Teshima</a></td></tr></table>

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/qsJYnuGY9lM46qxj3E8WftVsL23opckzBiqcC1hraOw?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-yJTNkgmhPT8/U88tBYPes6I/AAAAAAACvxQ/V5DGOjtnzrQ/s640/DSC_0949.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/SightseeingTeshima?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Sightseeing Teshima</a></td></tr></table>

Highlight was the Teshima Art Museum. Has to be experienced for yourself. Pretty amazing. Entry is about 1500yen for only one installation. But totally worth it.
Photos of it are not allowed, so this is all you’ll get. I’m also pretty sure this is the main reason that people even visit Teshima, is for this museum.

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/4Mbrc0h7lLViZbM3neRZP9VsL23opckzBiqcC1hraOw?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-5HeBHnRlyO4/U88tID-O79I/AAAAAAACvyI/74Yj92Fnn2E/s640/IMG_0082.JPG&#8221; height=”480″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/SightseeingTeshima?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Sightseeing Teshima</a></td></tr></table>

One of the bizarrest museums on the island is the heartbeat museum. It’s an archive of human heartbeats. It’s a bit freaky really. People (anyone) can contribute a recording of their heartbeat which is then played in a room. The room is pretty much pitchblack. You enter and listen to a collection of a total stranger’s heartbeat in darkness, with the exception of a small flickering lightbulb. It’s very weird. They also display the name of the person’s heartbeat you are listening to. At the museum, you can pay to have your heartbeat recording added to the collection.
One of the recording sites is at the Museum of Modern Art in Tasmania!
There is even a computer available with the heartbeat archive which can be searched for free.

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/LQ4Hk2QAdR1QII-dx-w_99VsL23opckzBiqcC1hraOw?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-58OTh4v_O0o/U88tLZW4lxI/AAAAAAACvzU/gV_qAwimPDc/s640/IMG_0092.JPG&#8221; height=”480″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/SightseeingTeshima?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Sightseeing Teshima</a></td></tr></table>

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/xrLmoGyNyrjhKhJduvbCGdVsL23opckzBiqcC1hraOw?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-dIqpBN0cVGw/U88tJMQMUdI/AAAAAAACvzs/xeyVLD_t9fA/s640/IMG_0084.JPG&#8221; height=”480″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/SightseeingTeshima?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Sightseeing Teshima</a></td></tr></table>

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/HuTdbOiktf5rsNGyQVTpE9VsL23opckzBiqcC1hraOw?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-SVewRFSVvxE/U88tJlSh0tI/AAAAAAACvys/Uq4h-iJJHL4/s640/IMG_0086.JPG&#8221; height=”480″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/SightseeingTeshima?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Sightseeing Teshima</a></td></tr></table>

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/HybS66c0Y9I1BrBKpsY0odVsL23opckzBiqcC1hraOw?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-VoLCa-8WaL4/U88tJ0bRnuI/AAAAAAACvyw/L1VW5MlbGMI/s640/IMG_0087.JPG&#8221; height=”480″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/SightseeingTeshima?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Sightseeing Teshima</a></td></tr></table>

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/Si3r_ZF9z5wpWmoN2Py5QdVsL23opckzBiqcC1hraOw?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-1dREOgjKegs/U88tKR3WVAI/AAAAAAACvy4/Lzb2hYGxoZw/s640/IMG_0088.JPG&#8221; height=”480″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/SightseeingTeshima?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Sightseeing Teshima</a></td></tr></table>

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/snXLT031pGoHopd0p34xbtVsL23opckzBiqcC1hraOw?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-_VLlvolDYVI/U88tLP_ZnCI/AAAAAAACvzE/_Y2vyxMMzP8/s640/IMG_0091.JPG&#8221; height=”480″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/SightseeingTeshima?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Sightseeing Teshima</a></td></tr></table>

Another installation we checked out was in the forest. It was a little meh. And we paid 300yen.

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/vTnkk96_601FvcsvTkVQhNVsL23opckzBiqcC1hraOw?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-0wIPSKksywU/U88tMN1yn4I/AAAAAAACvzw/p_injTNnyHo/s640/IMG_0094.JPG&#8221; height=”480″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/SightseeingTeshima?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Sightseeing Teshima</a></td></tr></table>

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/qrasBL-a7PJmwe0oQG8uUtVsL23opckzBiqcC1hraOw?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-AmA8YbbLu3c/U88tM9_vS9I/AAAAAAACv0A/w5_oou78qAs/s640/IMG_0096.JPG&#8221; height=”640″ width=”480″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/SightseeingTeshima?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Sightseeing Teshima</a></td></tr></table>

Island life:

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/ycjno2irvVJKMCXwsHWE29VsL23opckzBiqcC1hraOw?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-mVHlo7VMYjU/U88s9vFcNtI/AAAAAAACvus/iZdqDeRLvtM/s640/DSC_0843.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/SightseeingTeshima?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Sightseeing Teshima</a></td></tr></table>

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/gUcreVMSUt7FdYCpHqvHFtVsL23opckzBiqcC1hraOw?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-_A2BeIROZfU/U88s8daFN6I/AAAAAAACvuY/vup3o4LoeLw/s640/DSC_0839.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/SightseeingTeshima?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Sightseeing Teshima</a></td></tr></table>

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/nMxUyfucQuC1qOF1H9GqkdVsL23opckzBiqcC1hraOw?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-bTDinNnjYu8/U88s960j_6I/AAAAAAACv1k/5rRhQ51G488/s640/DSC_0881.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/SightseeingTeshima?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Sightseeing Teshima</a></td></tr></table>

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/qwRtXxz6-HxP2BSavIISAdVsL23opckzBiqcC1hraOw?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-S03ObUwT6OU/U88tOZT3-QI/AAAAAAACv0M/IDqJGPCMODc/s640/IMG_0137.JPG&#8221; height=”640″ width=”480″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/SightseeingTeshima?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Sightseeing Teshima</a></td></tr></table>

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/q4gerkbNlFE0omSyt5O1_dVsL23opckzBiqcC1hraOw?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-xzeeCoduBMw/U88tQ_diUbI/AAAAAAACv00/X1djyQpmfbE/s400/IMG_0142.JPG&#8221; height=”400″ width=”400″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/SightseeingTeshima?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Sightseeing Teshima</a></td></tr></table>

<table style=”width:auto”><tr><td><a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/MIKrXsIbfMVXHZ233eoiW9VsL23opckzBiqcC1hraOw?feat=embedwebsite”><img src=”https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-0ZKH1tKlThQ/U88tBdbIBEI/AAAAAAACvv4/uFFzKQtxXGw/s640/DSC_0950.JPG&#8221; height=”425″ width=”640″ /></a></td></tr><tr><td style=”font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right”>From <a href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/116032719585350311356/SightseeingTeshima?authuser=0&amp;feat=embedwebsite”>Sightseeing Teshima</a></td></tr></table>

A really fascinating island. But apart from art, there’s not much to see on the island. But the art is really worth seeing. But everything you see on the island has a price. Most cost 300yen with the museums costing a bit more.

Naoshima Diary: Posing with Giant Pumpkins

memoirsofaleishaLeave a comment

A 3-day long weekend was had and my brother was visiting Japan. On the last few days of his trip, I headed down to meet up with him in Okayama for our final adventure – a trip to Teshima and Naoshima islands also known as the Art Islands.

Truth was, I was supposed to go there over the last Christmas/New Years break, but you might recall no adventures were had by me and I stuck around in Tokyo for personal reasons. So at last, I finally got to go with brother and a friend in tow.
Day 1 was Teshima. Day 2 and 3 was Naoshima.

I’m just gonna jump to the highlight of the trip which was posing around with oversized pumpkin sculptures (all in the name of art).

Currently obsessed with giant plastic polka-dotted pumpkins.
This is the yellow one (yes, more than one oversized pumpkin!) located on Naoshima island and brought hours of entertainment.

From Yellow pumpkin day 1
From Yellow pumpkin day 1
From Yellow pumpkin day 1
From Yellow pumpkin day 1

I think I foresee a future as a pumpkin model:

From Yellow pumpkin day 1
From Yellow pumpkin day 1
From Yellow pumpkin day 1

Super excited about giant pumpkins. I can barely contain myself:

From Yellow pumpkin day 1
From Yellow pumpkin day 1
From Yellow pumpkin day 1
From Yellow pumpkin day 1
From Yellow pumpkin day 1

Pushing Pumpkins. Beats pushing papers:

From Yellow pumpkin day 1
From Yellow pumpkin day 1
From Yellow pumpkin day 1
From Yellow pumpkin day 1
From Yellow pumpkin day 1
From Yellow pumpkin day 1
From Yellow pumpkin day 1
From Yellow pumpkin day 1

No selfie is complete without a giant pumpkin in it:

From Yellow pumpkin day 1
From Yellow pumpkin day 1
From Yellow pumpkin day 1
From Yellow pumpkin day 1
From Yellow pumpkin day 1

Note, that these photos are from the Yellow Pumpkin Day 1 album. More of the same yellow pumpkin photos taken on Day 2!

Artist is none other than Yayao Kusama, of polka-dot fame.

Oshima Fuji open water swimming

memoirsofaleishaLeave a comment

Went to Oshima a few weekends ago. Finally got to tick that one off the list. Of the seven Izu islands, I only have one more to do.
Was in Oshima for a triathlon – not an individual one, but rather a team relay. Naturally, I’d be doing the swimming leg. Unfortunately, and to everyone’s disappointment, it rained. A lot. The race was cancelled. And, of course, the next day was a perfectly sunny day. Oh well, hiked a volcano on the Sunday instead so all was not lost.

In the absence of a swim on Saturday, some of us got up early for a pre-breakfast swim. Gotta love a 6am swim on a Sunday. Who needs sleep, right? It was worth it though coz we got to see Fuji.

From Oshima tri day 2
From Oshima tri day 2
From Oshima tri day 2

Mount Fuji in all its glory. Was a drastic change from the previous day of rain and cloud.

From Oshima tri day 2
From Oshima tri day 2
From Oshima tri day 2
From Oshima tri day 2

This particular spot was called Akinohama (on Oshima Island).
We jumped off from a small rocky point.

From Oshima tri day 2
From Oshima tri day 2
From Oshima tri day 2
From Oshima tri day 2
From Oshima tri day 2
From Oshima tri day 2

A fine morning for some wild swimming.
In we jumped. Everyone wore wetsuits except me. Triathletes are such wimps in the water 😉

From Oshima tri day 2

The water was cold. I’m guessing about 19 degrees. Definitely made the heart stop beating for a second when I first jumped in. Took me a while to get my breathing right. Water was chilly and it was surprisingly choppy. Felt a bit seasick out there. Didn’t help that I was seasick the day before on the boat from Tokyo to Oshima island. We had had some wild wet weather the day before.

From Oshima tri day 2
From Oshima tri day 2
From Oshima tri day 2
From Oshima tri day 2
From Oshima tri day 2
From Oshima tri day 2

This is open water swimming at its finest. Refreshing cold water with Mount Fuji looking over us.

C’mon in!

From Oshima tri day 2
From Oshima tri day 2
From Oshima tri day 2

The pensive swimmer:

From Oshima tri day 2