Shitaya Jinja | Review by Eddie

I visited Shodoshima in November, and Kankakei was what I was looking forward to the most.

As I rode the ropeway up the mountain, I realized the scenery below was even more beautiful than I had imagined. Many of the maple leaves in the valley had already turned red, mixed with yellow and green trees. Together with Kankakei’s unusually shaped rock formations, the scenery had a lot of depth. The ropeway slowly climbed higher, and the view kept changing as I looked down from different angles.

When I reached the top, the weather was great, and I could see the Seto Inland Sea directly from the observation deck. The mountainside in front of me was covered with maple leaves, and farther away were the blue sea and rows of small islands. It felt different from the view I had just seen from the ropeway.

There’s also a place at the top where you can throw clay discs. I bought a small kawarake and threw it toward an iron ring over the valley. It’s said to ward off evil and bring good fortune. It was my first try, so I don’t know if I succeeded, but everyone kept throwing them, and it was unexpectedly fun.

Afterward, I walked around the area a little more. It was already a bit cold on the mountain in November, and there were quite a few fallen leaves on the ground. There really isn’t anything complicated to do at Kankakei—you just ride the ropeway, look at the maple leaves and the sea, and take a leisurely walk. But that was exactly what made it so relaxing for me.

If you happen to visit Shodoshima in November, I think Kankakei is worth checking out. It’s especially beautiful during the fall foliage season.

When I walked into Okayama Korakuen in the morning, the sky was a little overcast and there wasn't much sunlight, but that actually made the whole garden feel very peaceful.

I slowly followed the paths, surrounded by wide stretches of greenery, with occasional views of ponds and traditional Japanese buildings. It was very pleasant to walk around. My favorite part was the pond in front of Renchiken. The thatched-roof building was reflected in the water, with pine trees and a stone bridge nearby. It really had the feel of a Japanese garden.

Later, I stood by the pond with the breeze blowing and listened to the birds nearby. I didn't have any particular itinerary planned; I just walked slowly and took my time looking around, which actually felt very relaxing. Korakuen has also preserved many features from the Edo period, and once you actually walk through it, it feels different from a typical tourist attraction.

Although the weather wasn't very good that day, I actually thought Korakuen had a special charm under the cloudy sky. Taking a quiet walk around the garden was quite pleasant.

If you have plenty of time in Okinawa, I really recommend walking straight from Kokusai Street to Naminoue Shrine.

It only takes about 15 to 20 minutes, and as soon as you turn into the side streets, it gets so much quieter. The streets are lined with ordinary little Japanese houses, with lots of potted plants by the doors, and every now and then you’ll see a few small shisa ornaments sunning themselves on the rooftops. Get a drink you like from a vending machine and slowly wander around while sipping it, listening to the bird sounds from the traffic lights at the intersections. It really gives you the illusion that you’re temporarily living nearby.

Once you reach Naminoue Shrine, say a prayer and buy a little schoolbag-shaped omamori. Then follow the path down beside it to Naminoue Beach, take off your shoes, and step into the water. It feels so good, and the breeze in September is just right.

Compared with constantly taking transportation and rushing from one attraction to another, aimlessly walking through the local side streets is actually the most relaxing.