Shimizu, Japan - Day 156

Hagoromo no Matsu Pine grove on the banks of Miho Beach. According to a plaque found along the walking path, "Long, long ago fascinated by the fine scenery of the Miho Beach, an angel came down from heaven and hung her robe of feathers (Hagoromo) on this pine tree (Matsu) to have a bathe. So this is called "Hagoromo no Matsu." What a beautiful legend!

From the beach in the background we would be able to see Mount Fuji - on a clear day. While it was clear in the grove and on the beach, the mountain was shrouded in fog. We had come through the grove from the bus parking lot to the left, but when it came time to leave this wonderous setting behind we were instructed to go to the right. So right it is, along a boardwalk thru the pines for some two+ miles. Nice even surface, pleasant weather, lovely neighborhood bordering the pine grove complete with a coffee shop and public toilets. Having adopted the firm policy of never passing up a facility as one never knows how long it will be before the next one, I availed myself of the opportunity. This is what I found within in addition to a state of the art computerized toilet with heated seat.

Clever people these Japanese! A bit farther down the boardwalk was this lovely, well kept neighborhood on what we would call zero lot lines, I think.

Our guide said these homes would sell for $250 million yen. One dollar equals 1.4 yen. Surely he meant $250 thousand yen. If not, it is no wonder that the government has initiated a program in Tokyo to assist young couples in purchasing a home. If a couple qualifies (under forty, working, wants/has a family) they can buy a two bedroom condo/townhouse for $500 or 700 yen per month.

The boardwalk finally comes to an end just as my energy level wains, but not so fast, we still have two blocks to walk to the parking lot where the bus awaits. Exhausted but content, I collapse for the forty-five minute ride to Nihon Daira Lookout. Through the forest and up the mountains via narrow albeit very nice roads we go to the Lookout. As we are approaching Nihon Daira, our guide tells us that once we arrive, there will be some thirty steps we must climb to the first lookout deck, then another thirty or so steps to climb to the second station and if we wished to go all the way to the top, climb another thirty or so steps. This climb, climb, climb for a possible sighting of Mount Fuji! My Granddaddy didn't raise a complete fool! We could not even see the first deck of the lookout tower for the clouds and I'm going to hope to CLIMB thru the clouds for a photo op? Don't think so, thank you very much. There was a delightful little refreshment shop near the parking lot and some beautiful flowers along side it. Undaunted, many of my shipmates climbed all the way to the top where they took some lovely pictures of the clouds while I enjoyed a Coke and took these pictures.

A picture displayed at the bottom of the lookout tower of what one would see from atop on a clear day in winter or late spring. In summer the top is somewhat ugly red rock, I'm told.

We may have missed a view of Mount Fuji and the cherry blossoms in bloom, but the hydrangeas have been in full bloom all over the country. Gorgeous, don't you think?

This excursion was described by our Destination Services publication as "Drive to. . ., visit, drive to. . . , visit, drive to pier." All this in an attempt to see Mount Fuji, and stroll through a pine grove ". . .included as one of the World Heritage's constituent properties." The strenuousness level was shown as one stick figure walking and a bus. It does warn that a view of Mount Fuji was totally dependent on weather conditions - good call. Climb, climb, climb was never mentioned, nor was walking two and one-half miles. Zip, zero, nada mention of such. Everyone is entitled to a mistake every now and then.

Back on board ship, I had a late lunch, napped a bit and even won a couple of Big-O points in Trivia. At this rate, I'll have enough points by the time we reach San Francisco to buy a pair of socks! All is well! Japan is fabulous! And I live to walk another day! Climb? Maybe.

Today Is Someday! Live It!