Day 1
Helicopter
First a flight from Haneda to Hachijojima, then a helicopter ride to Mikurajima. The helicopter made a hell of a racket. An ear-splitting first experience for me, really deafening.
The helicopter made a hell of a racket. An ear-splitting first experience for me, really deafening. Even so, I ended up sleeping like a log, which meant I missed nearly all the
scenery. Arriving on the island, the lack of any signage near the heliport left me without any clue what to do.
Grass Festival
On Mikurajima, there is a tradition of picking leaves before entering the mountain and placing them in front of torii shrine gates as part of a so-called "Grass Festival"
tradition. Keeping the leaves in place with a stone on top, a double-bow, two claps and a final bow. If some of the leaves are still there at night, this tells the islanders that
someone is not coming back and it was time to go searching; part of the wisdom handed down by former generations.
Gannet Nest
A hole made in the roots of a tree, to house a gannet's nest. Mikurajima is home to around half of Japan's entire gannet population, and their nutritious droppings get mixed in with
the soil and sea; seemingly enriching the island.
Nango Ooji
Nango Ooji, Mikurajima Ooji; whatever you call it, this is the biggest tree on the island. With a trunk circumference of 13.79 meters, the whole area has a feeling akin to a power
spot.
Dinner at Mikuraso
Dinner. When it reads "made in such-and-such locality", you really get the feeling it is going to be delicious – and yes, it really was. Especially the fried
shiitake-stuffed meat.
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