Himakajima, Japan

章魚 (tako/octopus) A delicacy that
Himakajima is well-known for.
This guy welcomed us to the island.

Even with all our morning travel, shuttle to train, to bus, to ferry, we had over two hours before our room would be available.  It was lunch time, so we found a small cafe at Himakajima's East Port and dawdled over a nice meal before walking up the hill to our hotel.  All the best photos were taken by Jada.

The welcoming tako, translated.

Our cafe for lunch provided sake
in cool, tourist shot glasses.

The proprietor, gave them to us as a gift!

We grabbed a photo before heading to our hotel.

Jada noticed the manhole covers, this
one is an octopus and .  .  .

.  .  .  this one is a puffer fish!  Both are famous delicacies from this island.
For more manhole covers,
Click Here.

At the hotel, Jada was specifically welcomed
on this fancy reservation board.
Our hotel was at the top of a hill &
we dragged and carried our bags.
Thankfully, a friendly local
guided us to the hotel, saving us
from a long detour when I
nearly took a wrong turn.

Our room was long and narrow,
covered with tatami mats.  No beds,
as this hotel didn't seem to cater to foreign
visitors.

We pulled five (5) futons from the closet,
Jada got three, I got 2, and the
multiple futons proved comfortable
for we picky westerners.

Our room's balcony looked through the trees,
almost due south where Ise Bay met Mikawa Bay.

Typical of Japanese hotels, the bathroom
does Not have a toilet, it's in a separate room by itself.
The small stool at the right is to sit on
while showering and cleaning.  No one enters the
bath for a good soak until clean.

During our one full day on 
Himakajima, we took a walk.
As the Island is only a
half-mile by 1 mile,
we traversed the entire cay.
This blue heron was a good
example of great sights
we enjoyed.

That fish hawk in the center
was visible from our balcony.

The north harbor was said to be home for hundreds of fishing boats.

Many small cars, Jada liked this color.

This human-sized, life-like octopus
was drawn ona large rock
below several homes.

This friendly fisherman smiled and
waved as we took photos.

This blue heron was stealing
lunch from the fishermen.

Like in Seto, pottery had surprising uses.

Entrance to a shrine
near  the West Port.

In the shrine at Himakajima.

These roof top icons are included
on the page of many roof icons, Click Here. 

In the shrine at Himakajima.

In the shrine at Himakajima.

In the shrine at Himakajima.

In the shrine at Himakajima.

In the shrine at Himakajima.

In the shrine at Himakajima.

In the shrine at Himakajima.

In the shrine at Himakajima.

In the shrine at Himakajima.

This mural is in the waiting room at the West Port.

We found what might be the only place on the island,
aside from our hotel, that didn't require cash. 
I had made a poor decision and did not get additional cash
before leaving Nagoya so we were wandering the
island on pocket change.  After getting some small gifts,
we treated ourselves to ice cream!

This tako welcomed visitors to 
the West Port.

Larger fishing boats in the north harbor.

Below our walkway along the seawall, we noticed 

this large ray swimming at the foot of the wall.

This swing at the eastern end of the island
swung so far it seemed we were
swinging a hundred feet over the sea. 

For video, Click Here.

This octopus of small tiles was inlaid
into the path as we returned to our hotel.

We thought this might be a lifeguard stand
at a small beach just east of East Port.

These roof icons were on a home
near East Port. For more, Click Here.

This plastic utility cover was
enroute to our hotel.
For manhole covers, Click Here.

At sunset we walked down
a long stairwell to the
south shore below our hotel.

Our hotel is the tan colored building.
Our room was on the second floor,
The row of windows is the top/third floor.

Many tiles were mounted along the seawall,
running a few hundred feet long!
For pictures of these varied, fun and interesting
tile murals, Click Here.

We had our own room for
private dining at our hotel.
Notice the sign welcoming Jada here?

This beautiful porcelain was one of
many dishes our food was served on.
For details on our meals at this
traditional Japanese hotel,
click Newer Post, below.