SHIMANAMI scenic sea route - off the major course

 Iwashijima bridge

This was an easy fun course with a little ups and downs. 

First two of us went to Mukaishima island by car and parked the car at KOKORO Center;

Then we took out our bikes from the car and off we went;

from KOKORO Center in Mukaishima to Iwashijima island via a small bridge;

cycle around the island;

to the In-no-shima Grand Bridge;

crossed the bridge - round trip

and back to KOKORO.

This will be just about 20 kilometers. 

Iwashijima is one of the common islands in the Seto Inland Sea. But that's the point. It was totally fun to ride a bike looking at vegetable fields and local waters. 

Then the In-no-shima grand bridge, one of the major bridges along the SHIMANAMI route, gave a satisfactory feeling that we were visiting SHIMANAMI. 

These two different experiences made our bike ride today very rewarding.

Loved the course.

Camellia japonica 'Benikarako'

This is one of the burial ground of the Mori clan who were headquartered in HAGI where the town layout has not changed largely from its feudal days. This stands on the premises of TOKOJI temple behind the main hall. 

This camellia is different from those commonly seen in mountains. This tree was brought about when a Tokugawa princess married into the Mori clan in the 17th century. 

To see the details of the flower, please go to the following site. 

http://aquiya.skr.jp/zukan/Camellia_japonica/Camellia_japonica_Benikarako.html

Backstreet strolling in Kurashiki

Kurashiki has one tiny but immaculately preserved section of its old rice-merchant quarter, which prospered in the Edo period. There are about 300 old houses and granaries. The oldest is about 300 years old.

Old Kurashiki today consists of dozens of characteristic whitewashed, black-tiled kura, or rice granaries, centered around a willow-lined transport canal. Many have been converted into museums, shops, teahouses, and inns, injecting contemporary vitality into these relics of traditional Japan. 

There are backstreets and allies that you shouldn't miss. 

The quarters have a right size to take a stroll and sit down for coffee or tea.

 Denim clothing store

Naoshima in spring

This is also Naoshima, the northern part of the island where Mitsubushi Materials (copper refinery) stands.

FROG AND CAT was the first outdoor installation in naoshima. This one was installed in 1990 when camping activities for children were held here on this ground. The former ground is now dotted with colorful artworks

You need an approach to go to somewhere special. Closer to you is the Benesse House. The photo was taken at the entrance to the Benesse House, a complex of art galleries and a hotel.

And on your way back from the Benesse House Museum, you might see the evening scene like this. 

KUSAMA's pumpkin sits on the old embankment which is now too low when the tide is very high. Due to global warming? 

Hiroshima Carp !

This is a special train infused with Carp spirit, captured at Hiroshima Station.

Grassy Korakuen garden

One fifth of the garden is covered with grass at present. But three quarters of it was rice and vegetable field when it was built in 1700. The lord loved to see the farmers work. And he wrote, "I almost forgot to go back to the castle when I was looking at their daily work." The garden went through transformation due to the interest and preference of successive Ikeda lords. The founder's son built a small hill in the middle of the garden. At the same time, a watercourse, which linked the two existing ponds and was made into additional pond later, was naturally formed since the soil was dug up to make the hill. Another lord made most of the field into grass due to financial reasons. He laid off the farmers for streamlining. Some interesting shift can be observed but basically the garden retains the style as the strolling type garden of the feudal lords in the Edo period. The Ikeda clan was dispatched to Okayama as the governor of The domain by the then central government Tokugawa Shogunate and they were here for most of the Edo period. Glass spreading over the garden and meandering streams which show sensitive dynamism by flowing rapidly or slowly have to be the visible characters of this garden.