Nostalgia for the Western Sea

Visit to tranquil Shimabara Bay and Amakusa open sea

Takako Sakamoto May 27, 2015 - 1 min read

<p>The sunrise viewed from Mt. Takabuto on Kamishima Island of Amakusa. The brilliant morning sun welcomed me when I landed at Amakusa.</p>

<p>Lit-up Amakusa Matsushima Islands before sunrise</p>

<p>With fresh morning sun on my back, I appreciated the beautiful landscape of Amakusa Matsushima Islands and Amakusa-gohashi Bridge.</p>

<p>When I drove along the Sunset Line which faces the East China Sea, the wonderful coastline of Myohmi-ura leapt into sight.</p>

<p>The view from Kikaigaura Observation Deck with a fisherman on a rock in a calm sea</p>

<p>The Sunset Line, which runs along the coastline, leaves the sea when it reaches Juusanbutsu Park. You can't see the sea from Ooe Church standing on the hillside south of Juusanbutsu Park.</p>

<p>The white church makes a striking contrast with the blue sky above. The crepe myrtle flowers in front add color to the whole scene.</p>

<p>A stained glass window catching the sunlight felt like it had been here forever</p>

<p>Passing through a peaceful fishing village, Sakitsu Church suddenly appears</p>

<p>A black kite takes a rest perched on a cross, scanning the area for food</p>

<p>Looking down upon Ushibuka-haiya Ohashi Bridge and the harbor from Suisen Park</p>

I've visited Amakusa Islands in Kumamoto prefecture countless times to quench my thirst for their beauty. I've already introduced one of the most impressive views I remember from these trips in 'Sunset at Okoshiki Beach'. This time I visited Mt. Takabuto, one of the 'Top 100 Sunset Viewing Spots'. Unfortunately, I couldn't see the beautiful sunset, but since I went in the early morning I could see the unexpectedly beautiful sunrise instead. One more thing I should note is that Amakusa Islands are known as the Christian islands, where tragic rebellions at Shimabara and Amakusa occurred in the past (in olden times Catholic Christians were oppressed in Japan). Thus, there are still many Catholic churches here. It's hard to imagine such tragedies took place on this soil when I look at the tranquil church standing peacefully now. These islands in the western sea never cease to draw me back again and again.

Takako Sakamoto @takako.sakamoto

I was born in and grew up in Tokushima prefecture, and have lived in many places since then: Nishinomiya, Kyoto, Nara, Mie, Tokyo, Kanagawa, Saitama, Chiba, Fukuoka and Fukui. I am currently living in Yokohama City. All the places I lived, all the places I visited, I have loved dearly. The histor...