Sunday at the Moooo! Bar on the beach Shiraishi Island, #japan #setonaikai #beaches

Cosplay at Moooo! Bar...

You just never know who's going to show up at the Moooo! Bar...

Edward J Taylor's Journey through the Inland Sea Islands from Kagawa to Okayama (via the Kasaoka Islands)

If you've ever wanted to know what it's like to take that mysterious once-a-week ferry from Tadotsu, Shikoku to Honshu (Kasaoka, Okayama) via the Seto Inland Sea islands of Awashima, Manabe, Kitagi and Shiraishi, check out Edward J. Taylor's journey last week which he has chronicled on his blog: Notes from the 'Nog: Tranquility VIII (Awashima, Manabeshima, Kitagishima).

 

Manabe Island, Okayama

Enjoy the summer on Shiraishi Island! #setonaikai #beaches #japan

 View from Shiraishi Beach

We're looking at mostly sunny weather from now throughout the weekend on Shiraishi Island. The beach crowds have been small this year, so it's a great time to have the beach to yourself! There are also a few other smaller, deserted beaches around the island too for the more intrepid.

Accommodations are filling up for August, so get your reservations in now, especially if you plan on staying a Saturday night. Below are the current availability for the International Villa (pink means fully booked!). Amagiso Ryokan, Shiraishi Guesthouse and the Moooo! House also have some rooms left, so give us a shout at shiraishireservations at yahoo dot com to check on availability for your dates. See explanations of accommodations at the Moooo! Bar website.

Availability for Shiraishi International Villa:

 

Happy Sea Day Weekend from the Moooo! Bar #japan #setonaikai #seaday

 

 Monday is a national holiday in Japan: Sea Day! So come on out and enjoy the Seto Inland Sea...

Last minute deals for Sea Day Weekend (7/15-17) #shiraishiisland #japan

We just found out that Amagiso Ryokan (on the beach) has unadvertised rooms available for the Sea Day holiday weekend (July 15-17). No meals available but a nice, clean place with a lovely hostess, Mrs. Amano. Price is 5,000 yen per person per night.

Book now if you want this last-minute deal: shiraishireservations at yahoo dot com

Catching a few rays of sun during the Rainy Season #shiraishiisland #japan #setonaikai

Catching a few rays of sunshine while they're out!

It's been a slow start to the beach season this year due to the late arrival of Japan's rainy season. Still though, a family of four who stayed just one night said Shiraishi was one of the highlights of their trip (and they even climbed Mt. Fuji!). Let's hope the weather gets better and that Okayama's famous sun-filled days on the beach return soon.

In the meantime, however, reservations keep coming in and accommodations for July and August are filling up fast. So get your reservations in asap. Check out the array of what's available (from camping to ryokan) at www.moooobar.com 

See you on the island! Mooooo...