Beaches in Japan might not compare to those in the Philippines but there are quite a few exceptional ones. Shirahama Ohama Beach in Shimoda, Shizuoka has a 700m long shore of white sand that rests beside blue-green waters with waves small enough to take a dip but sometimes big enough to learn how to surf. There are other beaches in the area such as Tatadohama, which is best for surfing, and Sotoura, which is quiet and more fit for relaxation.
Travel from Tokyo to Shimoda takes 3-4 hours depending on the type of train that you would take. The Superview Odoriko does not only provide a fast and comfortable travel, its huge windows also allow you to see panoramic views of the ocean beside the track. Regular trains are slower and sometimes crowded, but they cost half the price of the Odoriko.
There are a couple of things that you should try while in Shimoda:
Stay at a local home. There are a lot of minshuku or family-operated guesthouses scattered around the area. Most of them are found in the residential side of the island, which means it might take a few minutes walk from the beach to reach them. These places provide an “authentic” Japanese feel by letting you stay in a tatami room, sleep on a futon and use a shared bath. Some places charge as low as Y3,500 per person.
Learn how to surf. Shimoda has good waves to learn surfing. There are several surf schools near the beach where you can ask for an instructor and/or rent a surfboard. If you are not into surfing, there are other water sports to try like jetskiing, banana boating and kayaking.
Explore the town’s history. Shimoda is famous for the kurofune or the black ships. In 1853, the ships headed by Commodore Perry docked in Shimoda to force Japan to open its shores to foreign trade after its 250-year seclusion. To trace Perry’s journey, visit the monument marking his landing to the island, do a bay cruise in a replica of the kurofune for only Y1000, walk along the Perry Road, where Perry himself walked on his way to Ryosenji Temple, and buy souvenirs in the shops along the road.
Eat kinmedai for lunch. Shimoda is a good place for fishing and it holds the record for having the biggest catch of kinmedai in the whole country. Restaurants offer different styles of cooking the fish depending on their own specialties. May it be grilled, simmered or raw, there will be something that definitely suits your taste.
Join a local festival and watch fireworks from the beach. There is an annual fireworks festival at Shirahama beach that is worth traveling to see. There are beautiful fireworks leaping out of the water and taiko drum performances before and after the show. Food stalls selling different local food like yakitori and grilled oysters and lobsters make eating on the beach even more fun.
When your body yearns for the sun, sea and waves this summer, you know where to go!
No comments:
Post a Comment