Southern coast of Izu

Here is a coast of Ose province, Mimami-Izu, a southern coast of Izu peninsula, Shizuoka prefecture. Ose is an old province of Izu and it is a place where I was born, more than 80 years ago.
This photo was recently sent to me from my sister-in-law who lives in Ose now.
For about 80 years, everything in the world have change a lot , but my home town never changed nothing !
Love, my home village !

Iro-zaki Lighthouse

Around 1955 (left)
Present Iro-zaki lighthouse(right)
Iro-saki (or Iro-zaki) Light-house is located at the most southern tip of Izu peninsula (Cape Iro-zaki), the eastern coast of Japan. October 5th,2021, is the 150th Anniversary of the lighthouse after its first lit in 1871. The lighthouse has been watching for the safety of the ships passing off the Izu peninsula for 150 years. It is one of the important lighthouses in the east coast of Japan and, when I was young and was at sea as a navigation officer, Iro-zaki lighthouse was very helpful for the safe navigation of my ship. Thanks, for 150 years ! Even in the age of GPS, the lighthouse is still useful and important for any ships.

Mikomoto-shima Light-house

(This picture was taken from Ose province
of Minami-Izu, in Nov.2015)


150th anniversary of Mikomoto-shima light-house is coming soon.
Mikomoto-shima light-house, located about 6 miles off Minami-Izu,the southern part of Izu peninsula, is one of the oldest Western-style light-house in Japan, which was constructed in Meiji era under supervision of Mr., Richard Henry Brunton(Scottish), known as “Father of Light-house”. It first lit on January 1,1871.
For 150 years, many many ships, coastal, international and fishing vessels, have used this lighthouse as a very important navigation aid for safe passing off southern sea area of Izu Peninsula.
Privately speaking, I also used this lighthouse for many many times when I was an officer of a ship, and even when the master of the ship.
I would say thanks to Mikomoto-shima lighthouse for long long years’
working, and congratulation 150th anniversary !

Minami Izu

Welcome to Minami-Izu ( the southern part of Izu Peninsula ).
Minami-Izu is a place which faces the Pacific Ocean and there are lots of scenic spots.
The climate is warm throughout the year.
Visitors can enjoy eating of fresh marine products, such as Ise lobsters, top shells(SAZAE),abalons(AWABI), and various kinds of fishes. Visitors can also enjoy hot-springs in Minami-izu.
And, there are many kinds of beautiful flowers !

Iro Shrine (Iro Gongen)

At the very tip of Cape Iro and just below Iro-Saki Light House, there is a shrine named " IRO SHRINE" ( or called "IRO GONGEN"), built in a hollow of the rocky cliff rising up from the sea.
Iro Shrine is a guardian deity of safe voyage for ships passing off the cape Iro. The shrine was originally established in 701 and re-built in 1901. Underneath of the shrine was supported by 4 thick wooden masts of the ship. What ship ? There is a famous legend, which is said to be one of the Seven Wonders of Izu, with respect to these masts,
The tale is shown in this site.

Yoshiko seaside. Ose seacoast

Ose seacoast of Minami-Izu abounds with fishes, shells and seaweeds for food. This picture was taken at a low tide in Yoshiko seaside of Ose seacoast, Minami Izu. The low tide is a good chance for people to catch shellfish, seaweed and crab, or to enjoy fishing at the shore.
Minokake Iwa is seen at the distance.

Irozaki (Iro Saki) Light House

Irozaki (or Iro Saki) light house is located at the most southern tip of Izu Peninsula (Latitude=34degrees 35minutes & 58seconds. Longitude=138degrees 50minutes & 54seconds) The light is visible from 20 sea miles of distance and is giving a valuable help to the ships for their safe navigation.

Oku- Iro (or The west side of Cape Iro)

At the west side of Cape Iro ,between Irozaki Light House and Nakagi village, there is a small hill named " Ai Ai Misaki" , where the beautiful yellow flowers, named YU-SUGE, grow gregariously around.
From this Ai Ai Misaki, a beautiful view of Ura Iro (or the west side of Cape Iro ) with sharp cliffs and strange rocks can be seen. Especially, the sunset of this Oku Iro ( or the west side of Cape Iro ) is wonderful.

Oyayubi Jima

A rock looks like a upright thumb. People call this rock " OYAYUBI JIMA ", or Thumb rock. (off Ose sea coast of Minami Izu.)

Minokake Iwa

・Minokake Iwa of Ose coast is seen from Iro-zaki (or Cape Iro ) which is the most southern point of Izu Peninsula. (Photo was taken when the moderate southerly wind was blowing)

Close-up view of Minokake Iwa

"MINO"(in Japanese) is a kind of mantle made of straws. "KAKE" means to hang something on somewhere. IWA means a rock.
It is said that, once upon a time, En-no-gyouja (an originator of ascetic who could fly by enchantment) had a rest on his way back from Mt.Fuji and hung his wet flying straw mantle on the top of this Mino-kake rock for drying up. That's why this rock, which looks like a mass of steeples, is named " MINO-KAKE-IWA "( or a straw mantle hang rock).

Ose Sea Coast ( Minami Izu )

Here is Ose coast. We can see Minokake iwa and Unone at the distance.
Here at Ose area, the fishing activity ( to catch fish, Ise lobster and shellfish like Awabi, Sazae or Tokobishi) is quite popular.

Unone Rock ( Off Ose Coast, Minami Izu) )

UNONE means a cormorant's rock in English. Onto this UNONE rock, many cormorants come and have a rest. That's why this rock is named UNONE or a cormorant's rock. This rock is located off Ose coast, Minami Izu.
Unone rock is a good landmark for a small fishing boat to come back Ose fishing port after finishing the fishing for the day.