Top Story: 13. September 2008
Sea of Japan
By Editor in Chief, Jaakko Saari
Have you ever seen the Sea of Japan? I saw it first time couple of weeks ago when I went to Niigata. It was a stunning, different sight than one might see on the southern coast of Japan.
The coastline was first thing that made me to realize the difference. The edge between land and sea was steep, and the serpent roads that ran along the coast line looked dangerous.
On the coast of Sea of Japan
The waves of Sea of Japan were not gentle like the ones you might see in Shonan beach. I saw no surfers. Couple of swimmers attempted to swim but returned back soon. Hard and black wavebreakers blocked my sight to the horizon, as well as couple of big rocks that stood out from the sea.
Just on the other side of this sea is Russia and North Korea, I thought. This isnot like Pacific Ocean, which seems always more or less calm and endless. Sea of Japan is a sea with it's most serious meaning.
There was a restaurant on the road by the sea. This restaurant was probably not renovated since 1960's. The waitress did her work quietly, but efficiently. Relaxed looking ambulance driver joined me in the restaurant. He was reading manga. We were the only customers there.
The waitress brought me a plate of sushi which had plenty of wasabi in it. Maybe people here have to eat spicy food because wind from the sea is so humid, I thought.
Beach Boys
After that, I went to sea house "umi no ie". It was basically a big tatami floor, covered with roof. Cool wind blew from the sea, and I could catch a little sleep. The manager of the house was friendly. A young, friendly guy who was relaxed in the same way as the waitress in the restaurant. It occurred to me that perhaps the people who live here have no big ambitions, but they are satisfied with the moment they live in now. Nobody had any hurry. A thought of returning back to Tokyo depressed me a little.
Two young guys were sunbathing even there was no sun. They lied down on the beach with their drinks and remained there longer than me. Don't they have to go to school or work I thought.
Perhaps this is a thought of a person who lives in big city such as Yokohama, I thought. We forget to live in a moment, I thought.
As I lied down there, suddenly I felt strange sense of protection. Although the sea is so powerful and dangerous, it also protects me. Japan is anisolated island, and the protection of the sea has helped it in many ways. A sea which has power to maintain life, and take it. A sea that isolates, but connects at the same time.
I am educated kangoshi and i am energetic and kind josei. I like natural kangaekata and good taido. and I have sefjitsusa nature.
your article is very nice.
i like very much Japan.becoz it is a hub of technology.