Today was one of those excursions where the scenery kept changing just often enough to keep me fully entertained. We set out to explore the Iwate Prefecture and the famous Sanriku coastline by both rail and motorcoach – which sounds very organized and efficient, and in fairness, it was.
Our very first stop? A roadside station for the all-important restroom break. Nothing says “adventure” quite like beginning the day with practical priorities.
Then it was on to the Sanriku Railway after about an hour’s drive. This turned out to be a highlight. We boarded the train and rolled along the coast with the deep blue Pacific Ocean on one side and dramatic shoreline views on the other. The windows were practically begging for photos. I obliged, of course. Repeatedly. Poor camera never gets a day off.
Next stop was Kuji, known as one of the world’s great amber-producing regions. We visited the Kuji Amber Museum, the only museum in Japan devoted entirely to amber. I learned more about fossilized tree resin than I ever expected to know, and honestly, it was fascinating. Beautiful golden pieces, ancient history, and exhibits that let you get hands-on with it all. Somewhere in there I briefly considered whether amber jewelry might be an educational purchase, but eh, amber/orange just isn’t my color.
From there we continued to the Kitayamazaki Cliffs, and wow – this was the kind of scenery that makes you stop talking mid-sentence. Towering cliffs rising 656 feet above the ocean, stretching for miles along the rugged coast. The views were spectacular, wild, and wonderfully dramatic. Exactly the sort of place that reminds you nature does not need help with design. We had the option to walk down 363 steps, and then back up – but our guide told us there wasn’t enough time for that. Yeah, that’s my excuse. But really, we did have time to go halfway – and we did. The views were closer, but obscured by trees – so back up we went.
At the nearby rest house we had lunch: a fresh raw fish and rice bowl. Simple, local, and delicious. Japan continues its streak of making even straightforward meals feel special.
After that, it was a relaxed one-hour drive back to port, with everyone pleasantly tired and likely scrolling through too many photos.
A day of trains, ocean views, ancient amber, towering cliffs, and good food? Miyako did very well by us.