Osaki-kamishima scenery

There is a ferry service between OMISHIMA and Osaki-kamishima. A short ride takes you Osaki-kamishima. The island has a hotel on the hill which offers a splendid view of the inland sea. Off the main route of the SHIMANAMI scenic sea route but a great way to relax your muscles after cycling.

 From the ferry

 Seen from the hill

 And an electric car displayed in front of the hotel

Itoyama Koen, imabari

The Sunrise Itoyama is known among cyclists. You can rent or return your bicycle there. However, Itoyaka Koen offers you much better scenery. 

 

Kurushima Strait Grand Bridges, the world-first complex of three continuous suspension bridges seen from Itoyama Koen

Tea store in downtown

There are quite a number of kinds here. Some are reputed products and others try something new ro be local or seasonal. The store is of easy access from Peace Park. 

Operation to create pearls

A lady at Doi Pearl Company demonstrated how a piece of mantle membrane of a mollusk and a core made out of freshwater mussel shell are inserted into the gonad of a pearl oyster. The mantle tissue secretes nacre or mother of pearl and layers of nacre eventually produce a pearl. 

Echigo Tsumari Art Firld

This art site has a different touch from benesse art site in the Seto inland sea. Both are very attractive and Mother Nature is simply fantastic. Artworks in Tsumari are spread and the whole venue is large. I rented a car at Echigo Yuzawa and it's essential. You need a car. Perhaps situations are different when the art festival goes on. Driving more than ten kilometers to go from one point to another is a common thing here. I am just staying one night this time and I am happy enough but two nights will give you more time to leisurely explore the artworks.

Just a few pics from the first day.

MAX TOKI Shinkansen @ Tokyo station

This SHINKANSEN train bound for Niigata is named after TOKI, or nipponia Nippon. Sad because the Japanese species is already extinct. Those exist in Japan are from China.