We got a mediumly early start yesterday for the Izu peninsula. Though not really far from us in distance, it's usually a long drive due to traffic and other road conditions. However, we made good timing straight through to Shimoda, then around the tip and up along the West coast a little, eventually into Matsuzaki. Though we checked out some official camp-grounds, we decided to forgo sitting in a parking lot aside a bunch of other people in favour of locating an isolated spot hidden away a little. So - we didn't exactly end up on the beach, but we spent the day and night happily in the mountains with a great view of the ocean, and no disturbances to speak of. A six-pack of cold brewskies and some sausages on the grill made for a perfect evening.
This morning, after a decent pot of percolated coffee, we set out from our little hide-away in search of a fine beach on which to lie for a few hours. Being in no real hurry, however, we enjoyed a slow, scenic drive along the Magret Line (Route 136).
View from Magret Line:
Twice on the isolated road we spotted some wild monkeys also out to enjoy the fine weather.
We finally found some breakfast and a sunny, quiet beach in Matsuzaki - a very small, quaint fishing village complete with fresh fish and more fabulous views:
A sunfish - called mambo (マンボ) in Japanese - lies dead and drying outside a famous Matsuzaki fish shop.
Some views from the rocks on Matsuzaki beach:
There was even a very small hiking trail:
We eventually wound our way home via Osawa Onsen, a small region nestled in a valley near Matsuzaki and mostly known for the Osawa Onsen Hotel. We were on a mission - in search of a bath! We saw signs for the
Yama no Ie Rotenburo (山の家露天風呂）（Mountain House Outdoor Bath)) - a small, unassuming little structure with all attraction of a real Japanese bath.
Yama no Ie rotenbura seen from the road - just cross that little wooden bridge:
We got a good, hot bath for 500 yen each, and then enjoyed a cold Sapporo in the tatami room. The elderly ladies waiting on us were very friendly and even offered some "service" (i.e. free) tomatoes with our beer.
The rest/waiting area of the little rotenburo was just as rustic and welcoming as the outdoor baths were:
After our little refresher, we then wound our way along "highway" 115, which, after several warning signs, became a narrow dirt road that skirted the edge of the steep mountain cliffs. Beautiful, and not much of a challenge for Brian's Mitsubishi Pajero (called the Montero in North America). We hit traffic finally when we got to Mishima city, but managed to arrive home before sunset.
