In the village of Bise, at the northwestern tip of the Motobu Peninsula, fukugi trees planted as windbreaks around the houses form the largest tree-lined paths on Okinawa's main island. Almost every lane in the village runs between fukugi, about a kilometer to Cape Bise. The sea opens out at the end of the trees, with Ie Island offshore. Though it is right next to Ocean Expo Park, the whole village is wrapped in quiet.
Bise, Motobu, Kunigami District, Okinawa
Sources: motobu-ka.com rurubu.jp
This moment in the journey
Drawn by the fukugi trees and the emerald sea
I sat on the veranda and pulled on my boots. Late January, the middle of winter on Honshu. I had long been curious about a cherry blossom festival held at this time of year.
Outside, the sea was shining at the end of the fukugi trees. Halfway along, a cat was sunning itself. Through the tunnel of trees, emerald shallows and a white beach opened out.
A detour to the nearby beach. The kiosk, painted blue, had a menu of shaved ice and coffee hanging outside and a whale shark painted on its wall. I walked out onto the pier and looked at the sea with a cold drink in my hand. Offshore floated Ie Island, with its peak, Mt. Gusuku. Then back along the fukugi path, and on to the festival.
Watch this scene on YouTube1:01
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