Day 9 - June 9

The sea, the mountains, and the plains We arrived a week ago and what a cultural feast and time to engage with Japanese students/adults over this intense, eye-opening and rewarding stretch. Today, after “our best sleep yet,” we enjoyed an amazing assortment of Japanese breakfast foods and then hit the pathways of Himeshima. We walked the streets, passed a shrimp farm (Himeshima provides an unusually large portion of shrimp to Tokyo on a daily basis), and then hiked to overlook space- looking down on one of Himeshima’s seven volcanic craters (not active). We even visited a small temple (about 7’ x 7’), where according to legend a princess, who regularly served and supported the people of Himeshima, hid 1000 island residents in this small structure from their exploitative tax collector. He eventually returned to the main island, and thus they were safe that year. We then took the ferry across the Setonaikai Sea back to Kunisaki. Upon our landing, we made our way to the community center where we learned about weaving using reeds and also bamboo. The history of both products was explained, and then we went to work. Some of us fashioned together colorful bamboo spheres (complete with a bell in the middle) and others wove bracelets (made from reeds); then we switched to making the other product. Our lunch consisted of a delicious bento box meal. The rest of the day was spent working off lunch- lots of hiking the mountains, valleys and plains in the area as we climbed stairs and long ramps covered with moss. Our destinations- various temples and canyon overlooks. The day produced picturesque vistas, great physical feats (though our quads were burning from all the climbing), and lots of singing- the hills are alive with the sound of music! After working up a sweat, we found our ryokan and then enjoyed a wonderfully restorative onsen bath. Time for dinner… and as we gather for another 100% Japanese authentic meal, we are thankful for the opportunities to see, hear, engage and learn from Japanese and their culture, and also for the wisdom, leadership and care from our brilliant guides, Yo and Ayako. And the author is...?
Elizabeth points to Himeshima Island
Notice the small 7x7' temple on the far right
According to a legend, a Princess hid 1000 of her people from an enemy figure in this structure.
Temple

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