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Japan trip
Day 16 - 21st June - Matsushima Bay (Part 1)
This North American girl asked me in Kyoto if the women walking around in kimonos were geisha. I said no, and she asked if they were prostitutes. Gah.
Today, I went to see the last of the Three Views of Japan: Matsushima Bay, with about 260 pine-covered islands.
I could still smell the Onsen on my hair. Gah.
One of the most bizarre hostel rules: "PLEASE do not talk in loud voice. You will be reported to the police."
Freaky Kabuki actors poster
While checking platforms for the Shinkansen to Sendai (from which I'd take a local train to Matsushima Bay) I'd targeted, I became familiar with a new Japanese phenomenon - the train with 100% reserved seats. Muttering "Damn Japs", I noticed a train about to depart and ran in as the buzzer was sounding. This is why I prefer ICE and other European trains - there's none of this nonsense about carriages with reserved seats (which are sometimes almost empty).
After Dark strikes back - I haven't seen flying toasters for a long time. Also, considering women live longer than men, the age limits don't make sense.
High tech Jap toilet - there's an umbrella holder at the sink (also at the urinal). However, notice that there is ALSO NO SOAP.
Moral(s) of the story: Don't wear heels, but practical footwear; don't be so hiao and put on makeup
Matsushima Bay map
"Welcome to Matsushima"
"Don't cross railway tracks"
Unfortunately this day was cloudy so the view wasn't very good, but at least it wasn't raining. And as the tourist information woman said, this meant it was "mysterious".
I ascended one of the hills for a view, which wasn't very good:
Roadside bird
Bird
Hairy fruit (gooseberry?)
"International Cultural Exchange Village"
Wandering around, I also found some religious sites.
Saigyo Modoshino Matsu (a pine tree where a priest met a Zen monk and got so demoralised he left Matsushima), Byakui Kannon
Area sights information
The pine tree. It failed to stitch.
Information plaque. The terse English translation: "The pine grove is connected with Saigyo who was a poet"
One of the finest views in Matsushima (presumably they meant the bay)
More accurate picture
Shrine with Byakui Kannon. It's a cultural treasure.
Notice the mail slot. Maybe it's for fan mail?
Inside shrine
Bell. Since there was a hammer I struck it. The Japanese people practising their routine were amused.
Japanese music society
Awful music from the people practising their routine
Another mysterious view. I resolved to try from another hill later, after it cleared up, but I don't think I did.
Houses on the hill
Railway track
What Matsushima Bay is supposed to look like
Ang Moh horde
Apparently they came for the aquarium. Uhh. Though supposedly it's quite good.
View of one island from the shore. Ignore the boats
Tsunami evacuation guide. That's a comforting!
Presumably this place sold local seafood (unless the "名物" was their style of cooking). I had the scallops because they were huge and I thought they were Y100 (they were Y300 - the labelling was misleading, as the sign reading "100" was under the scallops !@#$).
Next door had the cheapest soft serve in Japan - Y200 (the cheapest elsewhere was Y250, and even that was rare)
I then visited Oshima, one of the islands accessible from the mainland.
Guide to Oshima
Yachts
Walkway
Red bridge
Beach of Oshima
Man on bridge
Inari and Coin Offerings
Statues
Rustic island scene
Bay view
