All Over The Place

Two weekends ago – I’m slipping again – Keiko and I went to Miura peninsula, one hour south of Yokohama, and the least Japanese-like place I’ve been to so far. I’m not sure why, but it didn’t seem like Japan. A few other people have also commented the same. Miura is a very fishing town sort of place, that I could imagine being popular with tourists, but too far off the tourist track to be noticed. For that reason, it was extremely quiet.



We headed to the most Southern area, Jogashima, a small island connected by a bridge. The place was deserted except for a small group of school-children.

We started near the oldest Western lighthouse in Japan (1871). This is a pretty cool fact I just read on the internet: many scenes from Battle Royale were filmed on the island, and this is the lighthouse seen when the body count rises drastically.

It was breezy but not cold, and we walked over interesting rock formations, watching the waves crash against the shore. The sound of the waves, the fresh air, and the beautiful scenery was a much needed break from city life. To use a big word, it was invigorating.






These birds looked much more vicious when circling above us:

This hole is the result of years of erosion, and is supposed to collapse within the next few years.



Heading back to the city, we stopped at the Ramen Museum in Shin-Yokohama. It was strange to be back there, after such a long time, as I could understand a lot more of the Japanese writing, as well as having a deeper cultural understanding.




We also watched an old style of entertainment – picture slides, which a travelling man would show children post-war. Some of my older students are very nostalgic about this show, and have good memories eating white chewy sweets and running around their neighbourhoods to see the stories.




In the evening, we headed to Shinjuku for the “Illumination”. For as little as Christmas has any religious meaning here, the Japanese more than make up for it with their light displays. Each district competes seriously with the others for the best display. This year, Shinjuku had somewhat of a circus theme.





A very eclectic day.

I hope many of you have realised what an incredibly varying landscape the area around Tokyo has. One hour each direction can take you to a completely new environment; sea, caves, mountains, snow, beaches... It makes travelling always so different and exciting.