A day at the beach (Miura and Tsukuihama Beach)

When I got up in the morning I looked out the window and I had a feeling that it was a good day to go to the beach. So, after breakfast I packed my camera gear and a tripod and I traveled to Miura beach by the Keikyu line train.

It's a short walk from Miurakaigon train station and as soon as I arrived at the beach I knew it was a good idea to visit today.

It's not that the waves are so big that makes this interesting; it's a combination of the waves, the sandy beach and the beautiful cloudy sky. It's also nice that I'm the only person here.

Moving down the beach I'm captivated by the waves rolling in and receding back into the sea.

I just stay in one spot for awhile.

Every wave is different.

I'm so happy to be here.

Some people my find this monotonous, I find it a good way to forget about the rest of the world (and all the troubles in it) and to be a peace with mother nature. 

The only thing that would make this moment better would be a nice hot cup of coffee. Next time I'll bring a thermos.

For people that want to stay here for a longtime there's an old log to sit on.

This is my favorite part of the beach.

I've photographed these rocks so many times and I never get tired of it. 

I put my camera in panoramic mode.

I'll try one in monochrome too!

Walking back up the beach I see that the daikon radish have been hung on racks to dry in the sun.

To my right there's and old boat upside down the beach. This boat has been here forever. 

Walking toward Tsukuihama beach and there are more racks of daikon radish. 

I have arrived at Tsukuihama; it's a different kind of beach.

Tetrapods line the beach and poke out to sea.

There are small fishing ports along the way here.

Last shot before I wrap this up and walk to a small bakery nearby. It's after 12:00 and I'm hungry!  

Thanks for stopping by,

Mike

Kinugawa Onsen Adventure (part 2)

For part 2 of the Kinugawa Onsen Adventure I want to start with a closer look at the Kinugawa Onsen Fureai Bridge.

When one enters the Fureai Bridge from the same side of the Kinugawa river as our hotel the first thing one might notice is the giant painting of a Red "Oni" Demon on the steps at the other end of the bridge.

Per the internet:

This pedestrian-only bridge is the symbol of Kinugawa Onsen. The design of the bridge's railings, lighting, and bridge pavement incorporates a nostalgic design that evokes the Taisho period (Taisho Romanesque), which was the starting point of Kinugawa Onsen's development . In addition, on the stairs on the left bank, a huge painting of Kinugawa Onsen's mascot, Kinuta, is painted overlooking the bridge.

A closer look at the red "Oni" demon painted on the steps.

The name "Kinugawa" literally means Angry Demon River. 

In "part one" of this Kinugawa Onsen Adventure blog I referred to these statues as devil's and I said they are all around the town. Well, since then I've been doing more research and I now know that they are not devils, instead they are good "Oni" demons and there is supposedly seven of them around the town. This one is at the entrance to the Fureai Bridge.

From the center of the Fureai Bridge there is a good view of the Plaza Hotel (the hotel we stayed at. 

Here we are! We have our back-packs on because we've already checked out of the hotel and we're walking to the train station.

On the same end of the bridge as the giant red demon painted on the steps there are some beautiful relief mural wall art.

These figures are slightly larger than life and are really quite beautiful. Colored glass is set here and there to reflect the light.

With Emi standing in front of the mural one can get a better idea of the size of the figures.

We've left the bridge behind us and we're very close to the train station. A local bus is passing by. People can use this bus as a shuttle from their hotel to the train station but I was more interested in walking and thought it was more fun to walk. From the Fureai Bridge to the station is only a 15 minute walk.

Also near the station there are several Omiyage (gift) shops

Note: Omiyage is a Japanese tradition of bringing gifts or souvenirs back from a trip to give to friends, family, and colleagues. The tradition of omiyage is based on the idea that the gift holds a sense of the traveler's experience and consideration. The journey transforms the object from a product into a meaningful present.

Per the Kinugawa Station Info website 

Immediately outside in front of the train station exit is a gold-colored statue of a demon carrying a club. The demon is named “Kinuta” after the Kinugawa River (Kinugawa means “angry demon river” in Japanese). Kinuta is the town’s mascot and you will see several statues and images of the demon around the resort.

In front of the Station on the right side of the entrance is a turntable where the steam locomotive of the SL Taiju is rotated in preparation for its next journey. The turning of the locomotive is a big attraction and very popular with photographers.

This "website"  provides excellent information on the Steam Locomotive Taiju.

Here comes the steam train!

The train operator parks the train on the turntable.

On the left side of the picture one can see the enthusiastic crowd watching the turntable rotating the train.

The turntable operator.

Once the train has been turned around the operator locks the turntable in place.

Now the train leaves the turntable! 

Our train back to Tokyo will be arriving soon so we head to the train platform.

A local train is departing the station. We're waiting for the express train that will take us back to the Tobu Line Train Terminal in Asakusa, Tokyo.

The platform attendant announces that our train is coming.

Here it comes!

All seats are reserved on this train. It's very nice inside the train.

Now we're back where we started in the Tobu Line Asakusa train terminal.

Passing through the ticket master's office.

Now we're heading for the exit and this is where I'll end our Kinugawa Onsen Adventure.

Thanks for stopping by!

Mike