Local legend and long time friend, Moh-san, was out getting amonst it. He's well into his 60s and still going strong.
Yocci Pro was also out and putting on a display for anyone on the beach watching. The guy oozes style and is always super mellow and relaxed in the line-up. (above and below)
Young ripper! This guy took line honors in the K-SOS Open shortboard final pipping local charger, Kazuki, in a tight final.
Imamura-san from Yokohama, owner of the Italian restaurant (Imamura Trattoria) down on the beachfront, takes off on one of the nicer set waves.
Since moving to Japan and living on the beach I've developed much more of a taste for fish and seafood in general. Sashimi and sushi are always on the menu. Here's some salmon ($6 in the supermarket) that I cooked up a little while back. This hit the spot and was simple to cook with a little rosemary from the balcony to top things off!
Take your pick
I've got to say a HUGE THANK YOU to the Nishihama family. Fumie and Satoshi, you made our trip. Thanks for the everything. We can't wait to come back and visit and see wee Hanaka again!
Lava rocks line the foreshore.
From Nishihama looking north.
The BBQ pits at Nishihama looking south. Hopefully next time we get to BBQ local style with Taiko drums and the works!
Sightseeing. Hanaka, me and Fumie at Furusato Mura.
A traditional Taiko drum on display.
Daikichimaru Izakaya selection: local sashimi, ashitaba tempura, local okra tempura and yakitori which we washed down with some ice cold draft beer and island shochu.
Before things got messy.
Exploring some of the cobblestone walled streets.
Hachijo ice cream; vanilla and ashitaba!!!
The entrance to the free onsen.
Me chillin' in the free onsen. Best location ever!
Standing in front of Urame no taki, a waterfall that you can walk behind and look through.
Stairway to heaven? We passed this path in the bush as we walked the track to see a waterfall.
Free divers going spear fishing.
The Annual Surfrider Foundation International Conference kicks off today and will be held in Kamogawa, Japan this year. I hope to get along to a function they'll have at KIDS on the Sunday evening. There will be participants from around the world attending, although I have heard that NZ won't be represented this time around unfortunately. Check there website for a full rundown on what's happening and where over the next few days. Good luck to all those involved.
Behind the scenes in the judging tent.
Oguri Cap and Mizue-chan in the costume contest.
Boards lined up along the promenade.
Blue Men paddling into a wave.
3 beautiful ladies.
The politicians.
Chiaki-chan riding her way to 2nd in the Ladies Longboard behind Mizue-chan.
Me, Lina Kitazawa and Champ Inamoto
Mens Longboard Open finalists with contest director, Naoki.
Okonomiyaki Juju Ken riding in the finals.
Tsuji-san the daikon styling on this left.
Kentaro the Camerman in the costume section.
Jun
Ofuchi
Mystery skull man Enishi!
I was so stoked to make the final again this year...maybe a bit lucky perhaps, I don't know, but some good surfers missed out.
Unfortunately I couldn't repeat the win from last year, but got second to one of my best friends and awesome surfer Kenji. We drew each other in the semi's as well and went 1,2 to both make the final. Then he reversed it on me to take the title for 2010 and was the deserved winner! Congrats on the win KENJI!!!!!!!
Hachijojima is dominated by two dormant volcanoes. Mihara-yama, the older of the two, is located to the south and has slopes lush with semi-tropical vegetation. It is also where the hot springs can be found. To the north lies Hachijo-Fuji, a perfect volcanic cone shaped mountain which does it's best impersonation of the real Mt. Fuji, but only stands 854.3m. The vegetation is far more sparse here and it is popular with sightseers for hiking. Aiko had been talking about wanting to climb the real Mt. Fuji this summer, but due to work scheduling and weather it didn't eventuate, so this was the next best thing.
Looking fresh faced and bushy tailed at the start of the track. these steps seemed to go forever on the way down!
We passed this 'Torii' or gate on the path up. Apparently there is a small shrine inside the crater but we didn't have time (or weather conditions) permitting to explore.
Aiko braving the conditions as we make our way to the summit.
The view (when the cloud parted briefly) looking down into the crater from the track that circles the top.
At the summit. 854.3m was not so hard on the way up, but the steps were killer on the way down! And it was hot! Still, we are able to say we scaled Fuji-san this summer, albeit the mini version :)
The semi tropical vegetation lining the lower half of the track down.
We saw some animals on the way, too. This granddaddy goat was helping to keep someone's yard in check.
There's actually a farm on the southern slopes! These cows seemed to really enjoy the slow island pace.
