Umi Hotaru: Sea Fireflies

Last night we took a trip to the mainland.

On the way back to Shiraishi Island, at about 11:00 pm, the phosphorescence in the water was very bright. This photo is looking down at the water from the side of the boat. You don't have to be on a boat to see the phosphorescence, however. You can set it off by throwing a stone into the water from the beach or by just walking in the shallow water--anything that causes the water to stir. But nothing compares to the brightness a boat creates as it plows through the water at a good speed.

Some people go night kayaking to see this phenomenon. It is quite beautiful as each time you put your paddle in the water, it is rewarded with a spray of underwater light. On the island, they call this phosphorescence "umi hotaru" or sea fireflies.

New island bicycle rental for 2010

View of Seto Inland Sea from back side of Shiraishi Island

The Moooo! Bar is happy to announce a tie-up with Chirorin-Mura Bicycle Shop in Kasaoka to provide bicycle rental on Shiraishi Island starting in Spring 2010. There has long been a need for this and we're trying our best to meet it! Take a trip around the perimeter of the island on the 5.3 km road and explore the rest of the island. In particular, the views from the back side of the island are fantastic! The road also takes you through Tori-no-kuchi (Chicken's Mouth!), a small fishing community on the back side.

Western breakfast at Minshuku Harada

Japan Lite reader Diane recognized the "Western breakfast" in my Japan Lite column called Breakfast Deja Vu and was nice enough to send along a photo of the breakfast. Indeed, Diane was the foreign guest who was visiting at that time. She confirmed " breakfast deja vu," saying she was sure the hot dogs were from the BBQ the night before. She also said the the omelet was very tasty. Thanks Diane! (P.S. I see in this photo that the "earthenware" nabe pot didn't make an appearance this time around. Maybe next time...)

Diane also asked what the Japanese people get for breakfast at Minshuku Harada. I'd have to say that the only thing I've seen served is the traditional miso soup & rice plus fish. That seems to be what Japanese people expect at a minshuku. I don't know what they serve when they have both foreign and Japanese guests. A mixture of both perhaps?

Japan Today article about Shiraishi Island

Check out this article about Shiraishi Island in Japan Today
Moooooooooo!