Green Jougashima

View of the Pacific Ocean from the water's edge. Just about slipped and fell into the water in trying to get this shot!

View of the Pacific Ocean from the top of the island.

One of many small coves that can be  accessed if you're very careful or are wearing your swimsuit! 

Love the moss-like plants that grow all over the place near the ocean, in the mountains, and in Japanese gardens.

Amazing how life in nature will strive against all odds. This flower barely had enough soil in its crevice, but somehow manages to have at least one tiny blossom notwithstanding.

Pix4Japan by R.D.S. is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

Radio GPS Handiwork

Along the way to Jogashima Island, we passed by the port of Kurihama.

Took a short break to get something to drink from the vending machine. Nearby, there was a tiny offertory box where people donate cash to the local deity. Whereas most boxes are rather large, this one was only about 12 cm long. Furthermore, it was made out of a piece of bamboo that was cut in half.

Came across this nice, old, Japanese house on the way to Johashima Island! Took this shot while sitting in traffic. 

Finally reached the bridge to Johashima Island!

Just a dorky picture of some vegetables growing on a small farm very close to the coast. The whole area is covered with small patches of vegetables and other produce.

More ships anchored off the coast of the Miura Peninsula. There seems to be a lot of commerce activity. There were probably more ships during the bubble era 20 years ago.

This was my first time to Jogashima on the Miura Peninsula. Was pleased to see so many huge ships anchored out in Tokyo Bay

Millions of years later, the jagged edges of ancient lava flows and tectonic plates buttressing upwards have been softened and sculptured by the forces of wind and water.

A little envious of whoever is out in the bay enjoying sailing off the coast of the Miura Peninsula.

The weather at Jougashima was nice and cool, but it had been raining earlier in the day. Great chance for catching nature's artwork.

More of Nature's handiwork.

This trail leading up from the coast reminded me of a scene from the animated movie, "My Neighbor Totoro"!

Several lighthouses dot the coastline of the bay. Although they seem to be well maintained, a friend of mine working for the port authority told me most ships these days rely on GPS and radio communications.

Pix4Japan by R.D.S. is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

Enoshima Coastline Trees

Took this shot and the next few from atop of the island. The rocks along the coast were covered with a moss-like grass. Love the dark green!

Thank goodness for telephoto lenses! Was able to catch a shot of this Japanese hawk (tabi) while it was resting on a tree stretching out over the ocean.

This shot and the one below are basically the same. Like out changing the lighting and tones on the computer creates a completely different mood.

This well-pruned tree was in front of a Japanese-style B&B. The building exterior has traditional sandy-type mud on the outer walls. Love the earthy tones of traditional Japanese architecture. 

The B&B has a really cool door. The design makes me imagine I might be looking at a door of a home in New Mexico or Arizona as opposed to Japan.

Although I am not good at reading and writing Japanese kanji characters, I love any character written in the style of a brush. They seem so artistic to me. This kanji is read as "ten" and means heaven. It was simply from a flag in front of a tenpura noodle shop.

Pix4Japan by R.D.S. is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

Enoshima Island Town

Main torii gate marking the entranceway to a small, narrow street lined with souvenir and gift shops, hotels, restaurants, etc.

A monochrome version of the same gate shown above.

Lots of tourists on this sunny, spring afternoon!

So-called lion-dogs that guard the shrine. Usually, there are one each on both sides of the entranceway at each of the many shrines on the island.

Pix4Japan by R.D.S. is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

Enoshima Peak

There is a newly remodeled Shinto Shrine at the top of the island. The freshly cut lumber used for the shrine was beautiful!

This is the offertory box where you throw coins or any amount of cash to make an offering prior to making your wish or offering a prayer.

Was surprised to see such a tiny little shrine on the top of the moss-covered rock. I guess the rock hold some significant meaning for the faithful of the shrines on this island.

Have no idea what the flags say, but my best guess is that they are announcing an upcoming festival or special event.

Love the crimson red used for the railings of the various bridges crisscrossing the island.

Pix4Japan by R.D.S. is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

Enoshima Final

At the very top of the island, there is a beautiful, nice, old Shinto Shrine.

I really enjoyed the visit to the island. The weather was nice and warm with just enough cloud cover for taking pictures free of the sun's glare.

Of course, the moon is fake. Just playing with some photo editing apps on the iPhone. ;-)

We can often see these big vases that can hold close to 15 or 20 gallons of water. Some people put plants inside of them, some people put goldfish inside of them. I couldn't figure out what that little round things are. They look like porcelain eggs, but are floating!

The shrine had a beautiful wooden fence around it with cutouts in the shapes of stars and hearts.

Although most shrines are not painted, this one has lots of reds, greens, and dark colors.

Pix4Japan by R.D.S. is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

Crutches

Broke my foot the other day. Still didn't stop me from heading out to see some of the cherry blossoms after work. 

Sidewalk carpeted with cherry blossom petals at a park on the edge of Tokyo Bay.