Dinner last night was a different experience, a first in this trip. Tokuda-san, the 13th owner of Seikiro, invited me to dinner with his family. It was a great pleasure to meet his wife and children. His children were very cute, gifting me with origami they made at the table.

Seikiro has a long history of about 300 years. The ryokan is also part museum; my room has calligraphy by a famous writer (pity I can’t read it though). The bath is also very traditional with not much changed from before. You’ll get to have a similar experience as those who lived many years ago!

Today, we went to Amanohashidate, one of the three most beautiful spots in all Japan. We took the chairlift up to the view point on the Amanohashidate side for a look at the sandbar. Following which we used Nordic walking sticks to walk across the sandbar. Using the Nordic walking sticks made walking easier and we got to Kasamatsu Park in no time.

We were greeted by great views of Amanohashidate at the top of the park. I was told that the upside down view of Amanohashidate should be done from Kasamatsu Park as it started off on this side, gradually reaching the other side over thousands of years.

Along the walk, we visited the three power spots in the area. The first being at the Amanohashidate Shrine located in the sandbar, the second at the Motoise Kono Shrine and the last spot at Manai Shrine.

In the afternoon, we parted ways with Tokuda-san and took a bus to Ine village with Muruka-san, who works at Amanohashidate tourist information centre and joined us on her day off! Ine village is a fishing town, with it’s inhabitants living in ‘boat houses’. Not quite what you’d imagine a boat house to be, but instead of car garages, they have boat garages under their house.

The town is U-shaped and only about 5km long. It felt like a throwback to the past with all the quaint old-style houses and elderly people. There were community bicycles to use for free (they weren’t locked at all) to explore the town. We had a chance to enter a converted house, that is available for rent. The owners were very kind to pause from fishing and show us around the house.

We took the bus back to Seikiro and on the way back, we saw the sun set over Amanohashidate. What a day exploring, I’m sure I’ll sleep well tonight.

Starting at Amanohashidate Station, today's walk will first lead to the Amanohashidate View Land on the hills south of the sandbar. This theme park is accessible by monorail or chairlift (850 yen round trip) and offers some of the best views over the Amanohashidate Sandbar.

After heading back down the hill, we will walk over to Chionji Temple at the south end of the bay and check out the temple grounds before crossing the pine tree covered sandbar.

After emerging on the north end of the sandbar, we head via Motoise Kono Shrine to the lower chairlift/cablecar station of Kasamatsu Park. Ride either the chairlift or cablecar (640 yen round trip) up to the mountainside park from where there are more beautiful views of Amanohashidate.

Travelers can either return to the station back the way they came, or cross the bay by sightseeing ferries (520 yen, frequent departures). This route is also well suited to be done by bicycle. Rental bicycles are available from shops and hotels around Amanohashidate Station.

Amanohashidate, Miyajima Island and Matsushima Bay have been traditionally ranked as Japan's three most scenic views. Which of the following statements about the three scenic views is correct?

The correct answer is: One of them is located in a national park

Only Miyajima is currently part of a national park (Setonaikai National Park), although Matsushima is considered to be added to the Sanriku Recovery National Park in the future. Only one of the three sites (Miyajima) is designated a world heritage site. Only one of them (Amanohashidate) is located along the Sea of Japan. And none of them is located in a geopark.

Current Standings: (after 30 days)