Destination - Cape Manazuru

Emi and I were going to the seaside hot spring resort town "Atagawa Onsen" for 3 days. Atagawa is on the east coast of Izu peninsula in Shizuoka prefecture, Japan. We decided to make a stop at Cape Manazuru on our way and do some exploring and have lunch and then continue on to Atagawa.

Manazuru, the town, is nestled onto a small, beautifully wooded peninsula that sits just southeast of Hakone, only a 1.5 hour train ride from Tokyo Station on the JR Tokaido Line, and 15 minutes from Odawara Station. The name “Manazuru” originates from the shape of the peninsula, which resembles a crane with its wings open. The cape is the neck and head of the crane and is partially composed of lava from Hakone’s ancient volcanoes.

After arriving at Manazuru train station we took a local bus to the end of the peninsula. It's a short  walk from the bus stop to the bluff overlooking Mitsu-ishi (three rocks).

Per the internet: If you have ever visited a Japanese temple or shrine, you may have noticed impressive trees or rocks decorated with sacred rope. These trees or rocks are considered to be gods in Japan, and the sacred rope shows that they are special. Mitsu-ishi 三ツ石, (the Three Rocks) located at Cape Manazuru, is like this. Three large, sacred rocks sit in the sea, very close to shore. The rocks are decorated with a sacred rope and can be seen from a very far distance. In 1977, the Manazuru Tourist Association adorned the rocks with the rope, which is 13cm in diameter and 37m in total length. This huge rope weighs one ton!

From the top of the bluff there are steps (a lot of steps) leading down to the beach.

It's not a sandy beach, it's a beach covered with big rocks and while it is very beautiful it's hard to walk around.

Per the internet: On New Year’s Day, large crowds of people make their way down to the beach to see the sunrise early in the morning. The sun comes up precisely in the middle of the Mitsu-ishi and their sacred rope. It is said that this sunrise is majestic—dramatically suitable for the beginning of the New Year. Summer is another busy season, when many people come here and enjoy the beach. Passing through the pine forest and groves of camphor trees, you’ll suddenly find yourself standing on the edge of the cape. Go down to the rocky beach; enjoy fishing, swimming, or just viewing the Three Rocks and other stunning scenery.

Returning to the top of the bluff we decided to walk from there back to the train station. According to the walking map that we picked up at the visitors information center the walk can be done in about a hour.

A small shrine in the woods.

Just keep following the road.

This is a seaside park with easy access to the ocean. There are a lot of small tidal pools where children can play.

The ocean water is clean and clear... very beautiful!

A fishing boat leaving Manazuru port.

This is Irifune Inn​ and restaurant.

Per the Inn's internet info: Thanks to the local fishermen, our seafood is the freshest, so our cuisine is the best! Our fishing boat experience package is also popular! Manazuru Harbor is right before your eyes at Ryokan Irifune, where we pride ourselves on delicious cuisine and panoramic views of the sea. We do our own fishing, so you can enjoy fresh-caught seafood. For those who love fishing, or really anyone who wants to get a taste of fresh seafood, we're here to welcome in any and all types of guests.

A small shop we passed by along the way.

Hosshinji Buddhist temple

A last look back at Port Manazuru before heading to a restaurant for lunch.

Welcome to Manazaru Pizza Shokudo KENNY!

We decided to eat lunch at this pizza place. 

We enjoyed our lunch; the pizza was good and the staff was friendly. 

We have returned to Manazuru bus terminal and train station.

Emi is headed for the coin lockers to get our suitcase.

Inside Manazuru station. This is perfect! the time is 13:09 and we're going to catch the 13:18 train to Atami where we'll transfer to another train to take us to Atagawa Onsen.

The next blog posting will be about our visit in Atagawa Onsen.

Thanks for stopping by!

Mike

Bonus shots!

Walking to North Dock Yokohama

 I wanted to walk around the North Dock area of Yokohama. There's a lot of new construction going on around there and I wanted to look around before the old landmarks were gone.

These train tracks are for the Japan Freight Railway Company trains. Once I cross over these tracks I am in what I consider to be the North Dock area.

On the other side of the tracks is the Mitsui-Soko Warehouse. It's a nice old '50s style building that I believe is used for storing imported coffee beans.

It looks like bags of coffee beans to me.

To the left of the warehouse one can see Mt. Fuji just peaking over the tops of the buildings in the distance. 50 years ago there must have been a nice view of the mountain from here.

From the warehouse we crossed over the Chidori Bridge to get to the Bar Star Dust. Per the internet: A dimly-lit old-school bar featuring beer & a robust cocktail list, plus an oldies jukebox. To the left of the Star Dust is the Bar Polestar, however it's currently closed for business.

This is the Takashimasen Mizuho Steel Bridge. Actually it's the newer bridge built to replace the old steel bridge. The old steel bridge is still there on the right side of the new bridge but it's no longer in use. 

After crossing the bridge we arrive at Mizuho Wharf/Yokohama North Dock.

North Dock is managed by U.S. Army Facility Management Headquarters in Japan (Wharf area) and U.S. Navy Yokosuka Base Command in Japan (postal area).

(1) Wharf district: There are berths for large and small ships, field loading yards, warehouses, etc., and freight transportation operations associated with the import and export of goods and the movement of military personnel.　

(2) Postal Area: The U.S. Navy postal services from the Far East to the Persian Gulf.

This is a picture of the entrance to the North Dock facility. Access is restricted to authorized personnel only.

After seeing North Dock we walked to Cotton Harbor. 

The reason we went to Cotton Harbor is because there's a short cut there that will take us to the Yokohama Market Fisheries Department where we plan to eat lunch.

The short cut is a big time saver. It's a fenced in walkway that passes by this old Dry Dock.

We will be eating lunch at the Yokohama fish market wholesale cooperative welfare cafeteria. That's a big name for a little place. The seating area for the customers is in the white tents on the left side. The cafeteria entrance is under the white sign in the center of the picture.

Here's Emi checking the menu posted on the wall at the entrance.

This is the inside of the cafeteria. It's a one man operation.

After ordering our lunch we wait at a table in the tent and wait for the cook to holler out when our order is ready. If you think this place looks like a dump... you would be correct. However, the food is excellent! 

This is Emi's seafood special.

And, this is my lunch. A thick tuna steak from the tail section of the tuna fish. The steak is grilled in a garlic sauce and is almost 2 inches thick.

Our lunches were so big we couldn't finish them but we expected that we had brought Tupperware with us to take our leftovers home in. 

After lunch the walk continues.  The building in the center of the picture is The Kahala Hotel & Resort Yokohama. 

Now we're in Rinko Park.  The Kahala Hotel & Resort is on the right side of the picture.

This is the Rinko Park Arch Bridge.

And, that's Emi on the right side of the bridge.

Rinko Park faces Yokohama Harbor.

The Clipper Stad Amsterdam is on a world tour and is currently moored here in Yokohama.

I think they are offering tours of the ship.

Just past Rinko Park is the Cup Noodles Museum Park. I did not make that up, it's really the name of the park. And, there's a small whisky shack in the park; very convenient!

Just past the Cup Noodles Museum Park is Shinko Pier. At Shinko Pier the just finished building an elevated pedestrian walkway that leads to the Circle Walk. 

The view from the elevated walkway. 

This is the massive Circle Walk. It's really good for walking in circles 😊

This is a new outdoor escalator for getting up to or down from the Circle Walk. 

Yes, we're still walking. From the circle walk we headed for the historical Bashamichi district.

I'm getting tired but we must press on regardless. 

Now we're at the Isezakicho Shopping Street. The shopping street is 1.2 km long.

Near the end of the shopping street is this cozy little Izakaya. An Izakaya is a Japanese bar that serves alcoholic drinks and food.  It really looks inviting but no... at this point we went to the local train station and went home.

End of story!

Thanks for stopping by!

Mike

Bonus shots!