Okayama- Charming Rustic Warmth - CYCLE AROUND JAPAN

The best way to discover little-known sites and make even familiar places feel brand new is to go exploring by bicycle. This time, we take a spring ride through Okayama Prefecture. in western Japan It's a place rich in nature and deep in history. People here are passionate about their homeland. I must protect my father's noble spirit You can play like this. Healthy Hmm Discover hospitality Local charm and a welcoming spirit Now that fifty years have passed, I realize this was the right way. with that feeling, you know It's a 270-kilometer ride. driven by the spring winds. Let's go! About 550 kilometers west of Tokyo lies Okayama Airport. Our cyclist has just arrived. I've finally made it to Okayama. And I'm looking forward to my first ride in spring. Let's go! This is Paul Imperatris from New Zealand. Interested in Eastern culture He arrived in Japan in 1991. His busy days are spent teaching martial arts. and leading bicycle tours. Right now, we're stuck between winter on some days and spring upon others. Today, unfortunately, we have rain. But it's not enough to stop me on my adventure. Our four-day trip begins by heading west. toward the city of Kasaoka, facing the sea. On day two, we'll head to the island of Kitagishima. which is small but full of history. On day three, we'll head inland. Riding north toward a small town in the mountains. Our goal on the final day is the beautiful Lake Okutsu. It's so nice to be out. Riding in the rain. Lots of fun. You can't see a thing. The southern part of Okayama is largely flatland. but is dotted with small mountains and hills leading to a varied ride. There we are. We've arrived at the sea. The small island is just off the coast there. As Paul makes his way along the coastline The weather starts to improve. Beautiful little hawk. Look how shallow it is here, these mudflats. The tide is very high. Mudflats at the mouth of the river Mean we've arrived at Kasaoka. This looks like the main train station. Kasaoka Station Wow, look at this. It's like one of those giant crabs. And also on these manholes. In Japan, they have these manholes. Horseshoe crabs, or kabutogani seem to be an icon of the city. I've got like a manju. A little cloud of smoke rises. Paul decides to stop by a long-running pastry shop. Sweets. Yes, hello. Sorry, could you please check that post for a moment? Yes. What is Kabutomanzu? Beetle Crab Manju Wow, that's amazing. This one, right? Wow, I didn't think it was that big. No, I've never seen it. It's a manju, a sweet bun. in the shape of a horseshoe crab First made by this shop 70 years ago, They are now a beloved staple of Kasaoka. I don't really know where to start. But I'll try to break some of them up. Oh, there we go. The inside is filled with bean paste. infused with matcha, giving it a green color. Delicious. Very nice. Very strong green tea flavor, But you can still feel the anko bean inside. Wonderful. Excellent. Thank you. These are the shop's time-honored wooden molds. That has been sculpted. It has the shell, and then the spines on the back and the tail. There were lots of horseshoe crabs at Kasao Ka. When my father was a child, he went swimming in the sea, and after getting tired and standing up, Standing on top of a hermit crab. It's scary, isn't it? It was really like that, truly. Paul hears there's a place where he can see some horseshoe crabs up close. The museum. Wow. Here they are. Horseshoe crab They move. Wow. Horseshoe crabs aren't technically crabs. They are arthropods, more closely related to spiders or scorpions. In Japan, they are designated as an endangered species. Do they have eyes? Can they see? Oh, yes, they can. Can I meet? Wow. Hello. How about it, the horseshoe crab? It's surprising, isn't it? I've never seen it move at all. This is curator Azumakawa Kojiro. How many legs do you have? I have ten feet and two hands, but You know, I'm wearing this T-shirt, but... Here is the mouth. The middle of the foot. The current form of the horseshoe crab dates back 200 million years ago. By the time the dinosaurs lived, it had already taken this form. Horseshoe crabs are sometimes referred to as living fossils. In the 1960s, land reclamation projects began on the tidal flats in Kasaoka, their natural habitat, which caused their numbers to plummet. Here there are fossils, and there are world's hermit crabs. It's big, isn't it? You're not in New Zealand, are you? It moves suddenly, you know. This museum was established in 1990 to study and help protect horseshoe crabs. We get a special look at a room not usually open to the public. Horseshoe crabs accidentally caught in fishermen's nets are kept here for protection. It moves quite a bit, doesn't it? This tail is dangerous. Yes, I think so. It's a bit heavy, you know. Alright? Heavy. The eyes are in danger. That's dangerous, isn't it? 200 million years ago, something already in this form existed during the time when dinosaurs roamed. I think it's amazing that this is now right in front of us. That has connected the history of life on this Earth He is both a freshman and a senior. Azumukawa has loved animal life since childhood. The image of the horseshoe club he saw was He was inspired to study marine biology at university. He has been conducting research here for several decades. They continue to captivate him. For example, we measure things like body size, don't we? If it were another living creature I think you'd say you hate that kind of thing and run away. In the case of Kabuto-gai, it is cooperative and quite independent. You'll help me with my research, won't you? In that regard, they are very friendly and gentle creatures. Helping the local residents Researchers annually recruit young horse shoe clubs We will release it into the wild. In the future, I will have the hermit crab displayed at this museum. I'd like to be able to raise them from eggs to adulthood without having to do so myself. Even if we do nothing to it A natural habitat where hermit crabs can truly live comfortably I would like to create such an environment. Pearl transfers to the island of Hoku-gan-shima. It is about an hour's distance from Oshima. I have arrived at North Shore Island. What a magnificent view. He begins to walk along the course line. The weather is nice, isn't it? It's very good. The blue sea is wonderful. North Bank Island is about 20 kilometers away. Many ups and downs Many bicycles can ride onto the course line. I board this small town. A small backstreet. There are about 500 residents on the island. I live between mountains and the sea. Infinity. It seems to be Maizu's. This town is truly beautiful, but I am sad. There are very few people here. It has a beauty from the past. This is the traveler's flag. Let's take a look. It's an old movie theater. I have a phone number. Those who are interested Please give me your phone number. Pearl decided something like that. Good morning. Hello. Wonderful. I appreciate your trust. This volunteer guide is Pearl shows around the light theater. This is the movie theater. My feet are a bit dark, so That's amazing. from 28 to around 42 It's a movie theater that has been used. It's cool, isn't it? Amazing. It has a beautiful design. Back then, there were four movie theaters on the island. Four? What remains in this manner is There is only one light theater here. Back then, I was using film. Beyond the mountain pass Each other's employees It seems they were replacing the film. The islanders' greatest entertainment and pleasure It was a movie, wasn't it? Hokki Island is involved in the stone industry. It was very famous. In the 1950s Japan's economy Spreading rapidly The island's population is It was 10 times higher now. My father doesn't have any leeway. To your mother Because there is a movie Please give me the movie ticket money. Please ask Even at night, a lone figure walks toward me. I've gone and looked and left. I was looking forward to it. Coming back from middle school. It's been decades already, isn't it? I'm 80 years old. So many buildings neatly arranged The fact that something remains in itself It's a treasure of the region, isn't it? Volunteers are The history of the island Sweet rice bowl with red bean paste In-Season Spring Magwatt and made it for me. pleasant Next is The history of the island The place I can remember Beneath the island High-quality Called Kitagi stone Amazing It's a white stone. It is large. Kitagi stone is Like tombstones and buildings has been used. Hello. My name is Paul. Paul. Nice to meet you. Then, let me show you around. Yes. I appreciate your trust. Yasutaka Tsuruta is At this stone quarry, The fourth generation Presenter. His leading role Thanks to that The factory's The tour too Phew~ Wow This is It's a major downturn. Just a moment, please. Hang it up At the end Straight I feel down. Wow, It's scary, isn't it? This stone quarry is Still Operate. In 2017 Yasutaka Tsuruta is This tourism platform Build it Kitagi Stone Factory's From 40 meters 40 meters Already now For 135 years straight Keep digging This landscape has been formed. the 1950s To the summit Here there is 120 or more There was a factory. But Low price Imported stone When it appeared Mostly At work And, at Hamaeru When you knock it On this line That's why the stone cracks. traditional Technology He is The Final Step With my hands Mr. Tsuruta's father is the company Despite having incorporated it It was opposed. Especially industry When feeling down In Tokyo Ordinary As a seller But At the age of 29 He is I was in a hurry. Kitagijima and The stone is famous. Wrong? Say it When that customer asked me about it in the book, I suddenly I'm the son of a fisherman, I'm lying. I don't know off the top of my head, look it up in a book. It's just that, deep down in the core of your heart, you can't help but feel uneasy about doing something like that later on. It's on fire. He returned and got to work, but he had constant classes with his father, Hidesuke. My old man is a true craftsman, utterly devoted and single-minded, always rushing straight to the job site. I wanted to tell the customer about the quality and history of this stone, but we're not working just to show things to people, are we? I got seriously scolded. You know, my feelings just don't seem to get across easily, so by the time my father's generation came around, the stones were already selling like hotcakes. Hidesuke passed away in 2019. Even in circumstances where he could have easily given up, he never missed a single day of work at this quarry. You really did love it, this quarry, or whatever you want to call it, this stone quarry. There are still things that, just as before, I learn from the places that the mountain-side old man personally tended to. Is that old man going to deceive his own consciousness or what? It cannot be protected. After all, we're family, so there's no hesitation—she really came at me straight. But I feel nothing but gratitude. Yare! The stone is as vast as the world. Together with love and justice, together with love and justice Together with love and justice The bird flies low over the Harukawa River. beautiful The sun is just dropping down behind those islands out there. I've finally made it up into the mountains. It's cold, but it's nice. Paul has returned to the mainland. He's heading north through the interior and up into the highlands. What a beautiful village! Look at that! morning fog has enlisted seas of clouds that appear on cold mornings are a unique sight found in mountainous areas Oh, it just keeps going. I can see more of the loop over there Getting pretty high Paul heads for the town of Kibi-Chūō in the center of Okayama's mountainous region. He's heard the town is home to an interesting project involving a closed-down school. This must be it here I appreciate your trust. This school was closed in 2014. now its classrooms are occupied by cats This little one is currently about 7 months old—basically a kitten. But because I ate so much, I grew big in no time. This cat shelter opened here in 2019. It matches former strays or cats whose owners can no longer care for them with new families. You can play here on the balcony too, like this. There are about 30 cats at the shelter. which was founded by a pet supplies manufacturer based in Okayama The existing school structure is a perfect environment for felines. so they can come and go easily My cat is all inside the room right now. Paul is a cat lover himself and has adopted seven strays so far. Rescued while on the brink of death after a traffic accident I was taken to the hospital right away, had surgery, and have been feeling energetic ever since. Visitors can play freely with the cats and adopt if there is a good match. Rather than being cooped up in a cage, I'd rather live my everyday life as I truly am. So you can clearly understand each one's personality and how comfortable they are around people. There are also people who carefully look at such things and ultimately decide that this child is the one they want. This child is the one who's being adopted today, the one graduating. My child Over 300 cats have already been adopted from the shelter. Bob's new owners have visited the shelter several times. I think little kittens are cuter, you know. Indeed, calm and gentle. Since the first time they came, they've been quite close and let me touch them. Because I felt an incredible sense of relief realizing we could live together. Take care, Bob-chan. It's alright, I'll take good care of you. It's a bit heavy, but... I'm feeling lonely. It's a bit lonely, isn't it? It's lonely, yet I'm happy. A little tear It's a happy thing. I am happy. Bob is worried too, but As for cats, it depends on the home environment, and so on. If there is a history of allergies in the family Many people who, for various reasons, cannot keep cats, but still love them, have also come. I was able to pet a cat and stroke its fur again after a long time. You can raise it with a happy face. This isn't the place for love, though. A place that brings healing In the end, even the little cat will be able to find happiness. I hope it becomes a place where connections can be found. Beautiful garden This small town has a very nice atmosphere. Beautiful old building It looks like a temple. This is a Hungarian. Wooden block Quite rare Very beautiful This temple is It is said to have been built 600 years ago. The responsible person, Masamichi Iwakuni, is I turned 85 this year. Above the courtyard Color Different style Created by Iwakaki About 300 paintings It has increased over the course of half a century. Amazing There's a lot, isn't there? The painting depicted in this painting Written in ancient times A famous Buddhist monk painting The painting that catches the eye is That's the image of the painting. There is color. In contrast to that Time has always continued to pass. While understanding things like that Let's keep living, shall we? That there are songs like this also You wanted me to know, didn't you? It was very difficult for me, though. Now that I think about it, you know I can see you really gave it your all when you were young. I understand. Iwakaki is Born in the neighboring city In Yokohama, Tokyo In my mid-thirties To the former temple ahead As a Buddhist While wondering what would become of it The thing to be entered It's about taking heart with you. That's how I came to find the fun in it. Printmaking, you know Printmaking Bit by bit, as I keep at it The customer said they wanted to see it. I see you've come to visit. Things like that Someone's person Became someone who can look after you Just our one monk here The monk is putting in effort too, after all. We really should do something about it somehow. Thank you for your kind consideration. Various rooftops and such You fixed the skylight for me. Something like that, just a bit The point at which they began to understand me It was really appreciated, wasn't it? Thanks to woodblock printing Upper 3 floors, lower 3 floors I think this is fine. In this kind of situation That's what I mean. This is what I'm happiest about. It's the first time I've brushed it. On the other hand, carving it in reverse is done like this. It's not just ordinary printing, you know. Something that looks a bit dirty, I suppose. One of the flavors It's coming out in the flavor. This is my teaching. Hizen Ichinō, a skilled painter Pictures and Shanneng If you could just take a look and make them happy Let's also invite someone who is not part of the hierarchy. Adults' sense of vitality Perhaps if it were quiet It's not an excuse, that's for sure. It must be fate that brought you here. It's a small temple in a rural village, but After 50 years Upon reflection That's good enough. such Emotionally speaking, you know Larger than I thought Arrived at Okinuma Lake On this small island In the middle The journey is over. The trip is over. Throughout this journey It was the best trip ever. About this place I learned a lot of history. I didn't know that. When I see the people I've met Perhaps They are Believe in yourself I chose my own path. You showed me courage. Seeing that My heart What do you want to do? What did you feel? Believe it. Others If you could show me the way Believe it. Good things will happen. I am so happy. I've arrived in Okayama. Meeting people Enjoy the countryside It was a wonderful journey. Okayama is Being loved You taught me Wonderful warmth