August 14th, Obon. Visited Izumo Taisha (Izumo Grand Shrine) in the early morning.
According to the weather forecast, it seems like scorching day with temperature nearing 35 degrees Celsius.
It was early morning, so it was a little more comfortable. The shade of the pine trees at Izumo Taisha (Izumo Grand Shrine) leaves visitors feeling refreshed.
There is not a cloud in the sky, it is perfectly sunny.
I’m sure you are well known of the proper way to pay respects at Izumo Taisha.
First, bow, then make a small offering of money in. Next, clap your hands four times, then bow once again at the end.
Please notes!
There is a parking lot to the left of Izumo Taisha.
Beyond that is for motorcycle only parking.
Of course, it’s free! Thank goodness!
Heading north from the left side of Izumo Taisha, there is Hinomisaki Lighthouse.
I finally arrived in Tsuwano.
Shimane prefecture was a long prefecture in east and west.
Tsuwano Town is located in the southwestern part of Shimane Prefecture, and Its townscape, spreading across a small mountain valley is known as “Little Kyoto of San’ in”.
Tsuwano is known for its picturesque main street, “Tono-machi,” which is an Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Building lined with Edo period buildings and Koi ponds.
The preservation district of buildings is Tsuwano Castle Town.
It’s a beautiful town where you can feel history, with well-maintained waterways and the sites of former residences of high-ranking samurai.
Oh no! If I take my time exploring, it’ll be evening I arrive at Akiyoshidai.
I need to hurry and get going!
As expected, I arrived at Akiyoshidai in the late sunset. Akiyoshidai, Japan’s largest karst plateau in Yamaguchi Prefecture, is a place where you can feel the overwhelming nature and the breath of the earth.
There’s almost none visitors at Akiyoshidai. All to myself?
I regret if I had arrived a little earlier, I could have taken a good photo showing the strange rocks. Strange rocks are rocks with unusual and bizarre shapes created by natural forces.
On the 14th, I rode 430 km. I stopped by a lot of detours and feel a bit regretful.
Tomorrow, I will head for my destination for this trip, the Tsunoshima Bridge.
The Tsunoshima Bridge, which connects Tsunoshima island to Honshu, boasts a total length of 1,780 meters, making it one of the longest toll-free bridges in Japan. Also, it has frequently appeared in television commercials and filming locations, and has also become a hot topic on social media, quickly becoming famous as one of Japan’s top breathtaking scenery.
