Summer vacation in 2009 vol.4

On the 4th day, I went to a small island called Awashima in Niigata prefecture.

In Niigata, Sado island is more famous than Awashima(Awa island).

In addition, on that day when I visited Awashima, there was a big festival, Earth Celebration 2009, being held on Sado.

However I chose Awashima, because I wanted to feel relaxed and avoid crowds.

The following image is my boat ticket to Awashima.

It took about 1 hour to Awashima, so I enjoyed the breeze on the deck.

My first purpose in Awashima was to cycle around the island. The circumference of Awashima is about 23 km, so I thought that cycling would not be difficult.

I rented a bicycle from the town office as soon as I arrived at Awashima, and started cycling.

The scenery on Awashima was really amazing. The sky was blue, and the sea was also blue. I regretted that I didn’t bring my swimwear.

I was very excited, however I soon noticed that the cycling road was very tough for me. Well, it might not be tough only for me but also for everyone who thought they could enjoy cycling.

There were many steep paths, and some of them were very long. I met only 3 people on my cycling journey.

I stopped at some view points.

About 1 and half hours after I had started cycling, I arrived at a small village which was located on the opposite side of the harbor.

At first, I didn’t plan to eat there, however I changed my mind when I saw a small restaurant, Kamome shokudo, whose menu seemed very delicious.

I guessed that the seafood ramen, Iso ramen, was the best dish at that restaurant, because most of the customers ordered the same ramen.

I have to say the taste of that ramen was in my best 3! It was very fresh and the seafood stock had a strong taste. In addition, the pieces of octopus were very big!

On the second half of my way, I met a university student who wanted to be an accountant. He looked very tired, and we took a short rest together at a small rest spot.

At one of the view points, I needed to get off my bicycle and walk to climb a small hill. However just before the top of the hill, many wasps blocked my way, so I gave up to go there.

The atmosphere in Awashima was like being in a movies, and I could feel very relaxed except for the wasps.

The following image is of my Japanese inn.

I could see the sea through the window of my room.

I didn’t have any plan after my cycling, so I strolled around the surrounding area of my Japanese inn till dinner.

By the way, there were over 20 similar Japanese inns in that area. I guessed that the local people who were living in that area, made their living by a running Japanese inn and fishing.

The atmosphere in that area made me wallow in nostalgia.

The distance from the sea to the mountains was very near, and the Japanese inns were built within such a small area.

Behind of the Japanese inns, there were some steep steps, and to my surprise, the old landladies of the Japanese inns go up and down the steep steps every day, carrying heavy items.

The following image shows the view from the top of the steps.

There was a small shrine which is used as a shelter, if a tsunami hit the island.

On a small harbor, children were looking for turban shells. I talked to them for a few minutes. I think that the children who grow up in rural areas, especially on small islands like Awashima, have innocence.

I also tried looking for turban shells, however I couldn’t find any. Nevertheless I knew I couldn’t take them, even if I found them, because tourists don’t have fishing rights.

The dinner on that day was very fresh and delicious. I guess if I ordered same course in Tokyo, it would cost me over 5,000 yen. However the price at my Japanese inn for accommodation and dinner was only about 8,500 yen.

My second purpose in Awashima was to eat the special local food which is called “Wappani“.

Wappani is like miso soup, and is made by putting heated stones into the soup. Fresh seasonal fish is used as the main ingredient of Wappani.

I read some information in my Japanese inn that guests can enjoy Wappani in a public area. That’s why I chose my Japanese inn.

The following images are of cooking Wappani and of my delicious breakfast!

After breakfast the landlady took me to the same harbor which I had arrived at. Since a guy was waiting for the community bus bound for the harbor, the landlady asked him if he would like to ride in her car together.

The guy and I talked for a few minutes, and I could find out that his apartment was in Nakano, which is only 2 stops by train from my place. We promised to meet again in Tokyo. I like such a casual meeting.

I really enjoyed Awashima as much as the other places which I visited on my trip.