3/26 The Shining Sea

When I long for the sunlight of the Seto Inland Sea, I board a train.

2019. I was entering my fifth year of living in Himeji. At work, I was in the middle of a stock buyout from the parent company, a so-called MEBO, and it was a time of nerve-wracking days. To soothe those tense weekdays, it had become a habit to enjoy lunch with my supervisor while gazing at the Seto Inland Sea on weekends.

This time, from those holiday memories, here are two stories of the shining sea.

Italian in Banshu-Ako (April 2019)

Enticed by the spring weather, I headed to the Italian restaurant "Sakuragumi" in Banshu-Ako. This is a popular restaurant in the Kansai region, known for being difficult to book. However, the terrace seats cannot be reserved. That is precisely why, if you go early, you can secure a seat.

Taking a train and bus from Himeji, I arrived at the location before 11:00 AM. I successfully secured a prime seat facing the sea. Before me lay the calm Seto Inland Sea. Small islands floated a few kilometers offshore, and the horizon stretching beyond them continued in a hazy blur.

The sun shone into the waves, and countless tiny stars twinkled on the sea surface. Occasionally, small fish jumped from the water, and kites drew arcs in the sky. Amidst such scenery, we ordered a Margherita and a seafood pizza. I had a local beer, and my supervisor (my wife) had mango juice. The pizza was so large it hung over the edge of the platter, and the chewy dough was exquisite.

After the meal, we climbed a nearby hill and took a break at a cafe window, gazing at the sea once more. It was a luxurious day that melted my heart with the spring warmth and the tranquility of the sea.

Akashi's "Shining Sea" (May 2019)

The "shining sea" that Sayuri Yoshinaga once sang about—I saw exactly that on a Saturday in early October.

I took the JR Special Rapid Service east from Himeji. Getting off at Asagiri Station and walking along the coast for about 10 minutes, I arrived at the Italian restaurant I had booked. Luckily, I got a counter seat facing the sea.

Before my eyes was the vast Seto Inland Sea. Directly in front was Awaji Island, to the left the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge towered, and the sea surface beneath it was sparkling brilliantly. The way the reflection of the waves moved in accordance with the angle of the sun looked as if a path of light were sliding across the sea.

I ordered a pizza Margherita, but honestly, the taste was just so-so. However, the scenery surpassed everything to the point where even the taste didn't matter.

As time passed, the shining waves spread further, ships passed by quietly, and two large birds circled in the sky. Before I knew it, I felt as if I had returned to the very midst of my youth.

For nearly two hours, I just spent time gazing at the sea. I was reluctant to leave my seat, so as I was leaving, I made a reservation for lunch the next day. What should I eat next... such worries also enrich the heart, just like the sea.

The Seto Inland Sea quietly, but surely, illuminates the heart.
I think that "shining sea" gave a small miracle to my days spent chasing work.