Bonus Update: Stephen's Trip to the Sea

Stephen's Trip to the Sea

Okay, so it's the ocean, but that doesn't have the same ring to it, does it.  Here's the short end of it.  I was going to visit some local temples, then get Mcdonalds because it's awesome.  I visited one and then realized, sandy dirt?  I'M CLOSE TO THE OCEAN!  So, I made it my goal of one of the days of Golden Week to head out to the ocean.  Just cause.  Here are the pictures of the journey.

 Welcome to the first and only temple I was able to find on my temple tour

 While it lacks fanfare, it is a beautiful place.

 It was past a graveyard, but it gave a nice atmosphere.  So many beautiful statues and graves here.

 A nice place to rest my feet as I figure out where the hell I'm going

 These kinds of makeshift greenhouses are pretty cool and you can tell that the season for planting is coming.

 I loved the visit to the other side of the bypass as it was a bit more rustic

 Guys...this is where I want to live and die.  A house like this.  In a city like this.  How much do you think it costs?

 Getting closer...EXCITED

 And another cute barricade to add to my collection

 This was a shrine to commemorate the Tsunami and it was a nice find.  Tiny, but really charming

 Yes, I took too many pictures, but...eh, I love it.

 Can you see the barricades and the bay from here?  We're almost to the ocean!

 Not the ocean yet.  This is the bay and I crossed a bridge to get over it towards the ocean.

 Fisherman of the bay.

 That is a pier I can't quite get out to, but you can see the first wave barricades with the jack like things to stop a tsunami

 And here we are.  The bloody ocean.  I rode to it on my bike.

 I look like Guts with the one eye shut. BERSERK REFERENCE!

 Ugh...so not photogenic. But, I needed proof I was here.

From one of the secondary barricades, the view is pretty epic. 

I also rode here all the way on a bike.  So now, Mcdonalds...because I deserve it.