Sandstorms, Okamoto Pier, and Tsurushi Coast - A Round Trip of Minamiboso? A Train Journey Full of Ups and Downs -

We put on windbreakers and hid our faces as much as possible with our hoodies. We looked like a suspicious pair, like characters from a sketch show with only our eyes visible.

Huh?

Are we about to rob a convenience store?

No, we're not.

"Ouch, ouch, ouch!"

I instinctively hid behind a wall.

Phew,

Can we make it? my wife asked.

It's impossible in this strong wind (sandstorm). Let's give up for now and head back to the road we were just on.

I look up at the blue sky. It's a hazy, typical spring sky, but it's perfectly clear without a single cloud. And yet! Why is the wind so strong?

Looking to the side, I saw sand piled up in front of an entrance. I realized how difficult it must be for people living with sandstorms.

▼ From Tomiura Station to Okamoto Pier

Nagu-Nagu Tourist, Day 3 of the Minamiboso trip. Today, I'll introduce a trip that starts from Kimitsu Station and goes all the way around using the Uchibo and Sotobo lines by train. We'll be getting off at two stops, and here they are.

・Touring the war ruins of Taibusamisaki from Tomiura Station
・Walking around the scenic Tsurushi Coast from Namihana Station

There are a lot of difficult place names, aren't there? If you can read them all without the furigana, I'll award you a Grade 2 Chiba Prefecture Certification! Haha (Wait, not Grade 1?)

We arrived at Tomiura Station 10 minutes behind schedule.

The story returns to the beginning. On the way from Tomiura Station to Taibusamisaki, there is a popular spot called "Okamoto Pier." The plan was to stop by this pier, but we were blocked by the stinging sandstorm and couldn't get close. We are currently in a strategy meeting.

▼ Somehow

We decided against the route across the sandy beach and tried to get as close as possible by following the path along the houses. The effect of the windbreak forest is tremendous.

Alright! Getting closer all at once.

The waves are high, and it's impossible to walk on the pier.

The floating pier meanders with the large waves. Actually, you're supposed to be able to see Mt. Fuji from here, too...

Well, I'll consider it a win just to have gotten this close.

Oh, I forgot to mention.

Ugh...
My camera is a mess from the sea spray and sand dust...

▼ Giving up

I leave the coast and head for National Route 127 to get to the main road. As I try to cross the bridge, it's completely exposed, and the wind picks up again. The headwind is... ugh, ugh, ugh...

No matter how much I walk, I'm pushed back by the wind and make no progress at all. I check my watch. It's already been an hour since I got off the train. The next train is in an hour, and it's impossible to reach the cape in this strong wind. I'll give up.

Evacuating to a nearby roadside station

Actually, I need to procure lunch for today somewhere.

Recently, ekiben (station bento) are becoming an endangered species. Especially on local lines, it's tough to get food at the station. I looked for something at the roadside station, but couldn't find anything that caught my eye, so I gave up on that too. It's a series of giving up. I have a bad feeling about this...

▼ As I thought...

When I look at my phone

- Service Suspended -

These six characters were shining on my mobile phone screen. It seems the Tateyama direction I was heading to is currently suspended. Well, of course. The wind is so strong, after all.

▼ Yay!

When one door closes, another opens. Thinking I would head back to Kimitsu, I walked to Tomiura Station and, to my surprise, there was a substitute bus. And then, after taking the bus and arriving at Tateyama Station,
I was able to get my hands on one of the 30 limited-edition items. I am a man who has luck on his side. I managed to get an ekiben (station bento) at Tateyama Station, where I wasn't even originally planning to stop.

Limited to 30

I was able to get my hands on one. I am a man who has luck on his side. I managed to get an ekiben at Tateyama Station, where I wasn't even originally planning to stop.

As I waited while holding the ekiben carefully, the train finally started moving. It is time to depart for the Sotobo Line.

▼ Namihana Station

The Sotobo area was shining peacefully. The sunlight from the train window was soft, inviting me to fall into a deep sleep. Oops, I almost missed it. It's Namihana Station.

When we got off at Namihana Station, we had the platform all to ourselves. We borrowed the waiting room and

Ta-da!

Whale simmered in soy sauce, shredded egg, and minced whale. We are going to see geological strata now, but we encountered a wonderful stratum ahead of time.

When we left the ticket gate, local ladies were having a chat in the outside waiting room. How peaceful.

▼ Iwafune Jizo

After walking for about 30 minutes through the laid-back rural landscape, the coast comes into view. I also greet the Jizo statue.

I continue walking along the coast for another 10 minutes. Just as the sea disappears from view and the slope gets steeper, making me worry if I'm on the right path, the view suddenly opens up.

Legend: The Landing Site of the Seventy-Five Seats

Aim for this spot on Google Maps.

Once you see this sign, you can enter the grassy area through a gap in the guardrail. It's a space where motorcycles can enter, but cars cannot.

There is no parking nearby, so let's walk from Namihana Station. Train travel is nice, too.

After passing through the grassy area,

this is Tsurushi Coast.

Doesn't the image of Chiba Prefecture make you think of Kujukuri Beach?
I never imagined such sheer cliffs would continue like this.

A landscape that betrays expectations in a good way.
However, since it is an east-facing coast, it will be in the shade from the afternoon onwards. If you are coming to Tsurushi Coast, the morning is recommended.

Now, let's head back to Namihana Station for the final spurt of our round-Boso Peninsula train trip.

As I sink into the train seat, sleepiness hits me in an instant... I surrender myself to the swaying, dreaming of tonight's beer.

The Sotobo area was shining gently.

— Next Episode Preview —

The final day of the Boso Peninsula & Miura Peninsula trip. What lies ahead after crossing to the Miura Peninsula on the Tokyo Bay Ferry?

Stay tuned!

( To be continued... )