Izu Oshima

[The view as the ferry approaches Tokyo Bay at dusk.]

Came back from Oshima recently, to the joys of fulfilling my role as a pillar on standby, but it was great to get away from the city for a while, if only for a couple of days. We caught the ferry over which takes about 6 hours, and stayed with a fellow JET.

[The crater of Mt.Mihara. My photo doesn't do it justice, the real thing looks more impressive.]

Hotsprings, fresh sushi, sunsets, fab company... it was a lovely holiday. We also hiked along the crater of Mt.Mihara, had a BBQ along the coast, walked around Habuminato, had a look at the stratum, and checked out the festival taking place at one of the two high schools on the island.

[A sunset along the Sunset Palm Line.]

The highlight of the trip has to be a little taiyaki (fish-shaped pancakes with filling) shop in Habu. I've tasted taiyaki on the mainland before, but these ones are seriously out of this world, my god the ham and cheese with pesto taiyaki is to die for. The people running the shop are really friendly, and the shop itself has such a comfy and relaxing atmosphere. We stopped by every single day of our trip, and grabbed a couple more for the journey back home!

[A rack of taiyaki]

[The great taiyaki man himself.]