[3-Day Trip to Yamaguchi Part 1] Drawn to Scenic Views and the 'Edge'

In early November, I set off on a 3-day trip to Yamaguchi Prefecture.

When my husband suggested, 'Let's go to Yamaguchi,' I honestly thought, 'Huh, Yamaguchi again? I wonder how many times I've been...'
Akiyoshidai, Akiyoshido Cave, Kintaikyo Bridge, Hagi, Tsuwano...

It's true, I have visited several times.
But when I looked closely at the map, Yamaguchi Prefecture is surprisingly wide horizontally.
Apparently, if you go as far as Shimonoseki, you can even walk to Fukuoka Prefecture😳

Even for someone like me who is bad with maps, I started to feel excited.
For once, I opened a map and looked for 'Shimonoseki,' the main destination of this trip.

Motonosumi Shrine ◆ The Red Path Leading to the Sea

The trip started at 'Motonosumi Shrine,' known for its spectacular view of the sea and torii gates.
Knowing that visits are suspended on weekends and holidays from September to November, I visited on the first day, a Friday.

As someone who suffers from anemia, I was a bit worried about the climb back up, let alone the descent, but...
It was shorter than I thought, and I managed to climb back up safely.

Above all, the weather was perfect.
The clear blue sea stretching out beyond the line of red torii gates.
I was captivated for a while by the scenery, as if I had wandered into a painting.

Tsunoshima Bridge ◆ A Gradient of Sky and Sea

The next place we headed to was 'Tsunoshima Bridge,' which is also familiar from commercials.
During the day, it's a spectacular view where the blue sky and the blue of the sea seem to melt into each other.

It felt like I was driving on the sea.

The way back was just at dusk.
The sky began to dye orange, and even though it was the same road, it felt like a different world.
My heart was warmed by the scenery that changes its expression depending on the time.

Makizaki Wind Park ◆ Blown by the Wind at the Northernmost Point

The conclusion of the trip was the northernmost point of Yamaguchi Prefecture, 'Makizaki Wind Park'.
This place was truly amazing.

The sound of the wind, the swaying of the grass, and the sparkle of the sea cannot be conveyed in images.
Why do 'edges' move my heart so much?
Northernmost, southernmost, westernmost...

I decided that from now on, I will look for 'edges' when I travel.

The yellow flowers blooming all over also really lifted my spirits.
There was definitely an emotion there that you can only understand if you actually stand in that place.
I think these kinds of encounters are the real thrill of traveling.

◆ Don't Miss the Local Gourmet Food

For lunch, we had 'Kawara Soba,' which sizzles on a roof tile.
The fragrant scorched bits and the sweet and salty dipping sauce heal the fatigue of the trip.

For dinner, of course, it was fugu (pufferfish)!
The plump meat made me smile involuntarily.
I feel the positive spirit of the people of Yamaguchi in the way they call it 'fuku' (which sounds like the word for good fortune).

◆Day 1 Outfit

*PR

Day 1 began with an early morning departure.
It was a day healed by superb views, local gourmet food, and the breeze at the "edge."
To be continued in Day 2, where I head a little bit to Fukuoka...