Port Kanaya

Boarding the ferry to head back to the Miura Peninsula. 

Ship slowly leaving from the Chiba coastline. 

Accompanied by local fishermen.

Port Kanaya, Southern Tip of Boso Peninsula, Chiba Prefecture, Japan

Beluga

White whale (beluga, or sea canary) performing in tank. 

Was quite impressed with how smart this animal was. In fact, this was the only part of the park that I actually enjoyed. It seems sad and depressing to see so many grand creatures locked up in such small spaces.

Kamogawa Sea World, Chiba, Japan

Fish Seal

Seal show

Sea turtle in tank

Color tropical fish in tank

Stingray in tank

More tank fish

Shark in tank

Another great white shark

Don't know the name of this fish

Hammerhead shark

Another hammerhead shark

Graceful stingray

More stingray

Cute clown fish

More tropical fish

Kamogawa Sea World, Chiba, Japan

Floral

Took some close-ups of the flowers at the park.

Overdid the reds during editing of this photo.

I have no idea what kinds of flowers these are.

Nice colors this time of year.

Love the violet colored flowers.

Kamogawa Sea World, Chiba, Japan

Coast

Looking east from the seaside park.

West view from the seaside park.

Resorts, homes, and surfer on Chiba seaside.

Kamogawa Sea World, Chiba, Japan

Orca Dolphin

Killer whale show

Dolphin show

Dolphin show

Killer whale show

Killer whale show

Kamogawa Sea World, Chiba, Japan

Jousenji

Jousenji Temple of the Shingon sect of Buddhism.

There are many Jizo statues here and statues of historical figures of the Singon sect. The Jizo are statues of bodhisattva, a diety "revered among Buddhists, and the protector of travelers, expectant mothers, and children."

"A cave in the hill behind Jousenji, said to have been carved until the mid-Edo period as a dojo (training hall) of Japanese Esoteric Buddhism."

I love visiting temples this time of year. They offer a nice refuge from the concrete jungle of daily urban life. 

Entranceway to the temple grounds.

The monks at this temple have some unique pots that I have never seen anywhere else. 

Growing of the lotus plant is a significant symbol of Buddhism.

I have noticed that unlike most Shinto shrines, Buddhist temples tend to have a more curvature to their architecture.

This a classic, traditional Japanese-style of fencing using various parts of bamboo.

Another statue of statues of a historical figure of the Singon sect.

Although some Shinto shrines will have big bells like this one, I think it is more common to see one at a Buddhist temple.

Temple grounds.

Water well on the temple grounds.

Although actually not allowed, I snuck in a few pictures of the ceiling of the caves where monks had carved religious symbols hundreds of years ago.

Entrance to the cave where the monks used to meditate.

It's easy to miss this temple and it's cave since it is off the beaten path at the edge of a small valley of factories and rice paddies.

Source: http://en.japantravel.com/view/taya-cavern-shingon-historic-site

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