18 July 2017 Tuesday.
We bid good bye to APA Kagoshima
Set off to cross the island to east Coast Town of Nichinan. It was a long long drive, mountainous and scenic.
A short stop over at paddy field near Nichinan
Our Pictures…driver and Birthday Girl.
At Nichinan, we tracked for the food outlet that we had pre-selected. Unfortunately none were operating. Later I found out that it was Japanese Holiday on 17 July and 18 July was a rest day for some of restaurant. That also accounted for why Tosenkyo Somen Nagashi was so crowded on 17 July. We decided to try out Joyfull – a fast food chain.
Free flow drinks, tasty and filling lunch.
After lunch, we drove for several minutes and we were at Udo Jingu Shrine.
From Car Park, we climbed uphill to this tunnel.
At exit of Tunnel
We thought we were at the Shrine…. NO… we still have to walk down another flight of stairs…
Bravo….We thought we were at the Shrine… Yes and NO…
It was still quite a walk to the next gate
The build up along the pathway are impressive
The symbol of LUCK 運….
Met two Japanese sisters with their kids – drinking lucky holy water
The two children
Look like a family photograph.
we can see the shrine that was way ahead….
finally we could see the path down to the shrine…
a long walk down to the shrine..
A close look at the rugged coast
And the lucky rock… people throw coins … lucky if coin land inside the ring
Udo Jingu was sited in a cave right at the end of the steps…
Our Pictures
The return route consists of two long flight of steps…
ice cream to revitalize for the climb up the second flight of steps.
While on my way to the car park, I sensed that there may be a short cut to Udo Jingu. Well if I ever being to Nichinan again, I will try that out. A short drive along the coast and we were at Nichinan Sun Messe. A very vast green park overlooking the coast.
Look uphill….
The side attraction… butterfly geoglyphs
Wonder what the central rock pillar ….it contain a century burning light
from here we proceeded uphill…
Specky companions…
Taking a break before the main attractions…
The main attractions…. Easter Island Maoi Statues Replicas…
from distance…
getting nearer..
In between the monster…
Stuck up and expressive….
I thought the park has its key attraction and sited at very nice venue but its exhibits varies excessively, seemingly lack a central theme.
We continued our drive along the coast to ANA Holiday Resort Miyazaki. A very nice Hotel.
Our room was on level 8 and has exceptionally good view of the seaside and Aoshima Island.
After a little wash up, we set off to explore Aoshima…. there is a bridge connection between the island and the mainland.
At the bridge
Our pictures…
On Aoshima Island…
The very unique rock formation by the bridge…known as Devils Washboard
With cooling breeze and spectacular sunset….a wonderful place to linger and enjoy
when the sun finally disappeared behind the hill…. we left the island and drove to Miyazaki Miyachiku for Teppanyakki birthday dinner.
our starter….
The Teppanyaki master chef and ingredient for the night
The master oiled his teppan with a piece of Miyazaki beef
We had portobello mushroom, Japanese mushroom and scallops… very tenderly cook with natural freshness
Then it was miyazaki beef…. succulent and very delicious… Someone ever described it as melt in the mouth…. not really but almost there.
The beef were placed on pieces of bread, which has been pan fried earlier. It absorbed a little of the excess oil.
standard bean sprout
Preparing fried rice…. with dancing grains.
Desert….the chef took the bread, sliced it, hot fried and then converted it into sweet desert.
Overall, this was very sumptuous dinner. Miyazaki beef teppanyaki was very tasty. Lovely !
End of Day 5 : After a very lengthy and hilly drive, we arrived at Nichinan. The walk to Udo Jingku Shrine was a surprise but rewarding. Nichinan Sun Messe had varieties of exhibits including the Maoi statues replicas, a relaxing and attractive site. Aoshima is a lovely island that we would consider to come again. Not to miss out, Miyazaki beef teppanyaki was simply delicious.
Return to : Food and Festive Kyushu Day 4
Continue to : Food and Festive Kyushu Day 6
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