Minamiizu Town, Shizuoka Prefecture
Yusuge Park I stepped off my motorbike and could see all the way along the coast
I parked my motorbike on the gravel at the entrance, set my helmet down and turned towards the sea. I’d planned to walk in and see the flowers, but first the layered headlands and rocks caught my eye.
Take a look at my late-July evening break and the walk to see the flowers.
SummerA late-July evening
I stepped off my motorbike and could see all the way along the coast
The moment I got off my motorbike, I could see all the way along the coast. I took a break at the entrance to Yusuge Park on a late-July evening. I’d been watching the road as I rode, so this view of the sea, now that I’d stopped, felt like a whole new reward.
I left my blue-and-white motorbike on the gravel and set my helmet on the seat. I opened my short black jacket and felt the breeze against my neck. Rocks rose from the sea on my left, and headland after headland stretched into the distance. I let out a breath, glad I’d made it here today.
They say yusuge flowers open in the evening and close the next morning. I usually aim for the brightest part of the day, so I liked the idea of coming in the evening for a flower that opens at dusk. I came at this hour for the flowers as well as the sea.
After spending a while by my motorbike, taking in the sea, I walked into the park. I spotted yusuge blooming on the slope. Even with the sky still bright, the flowers already seemed to know it was evening. When I looked back out to sea after taking in the little flowers, the whole view seemed to stretch even farther.
This gentle hill was formed about 400,000 years ago, when lava from Minamisaki Volcano filled in a valley. So there was a reason the gentle hill I was walking on looked so different from the rugged coastal rocks. I’d only planned to enjoy the view, but now I wanted to know what lay beneath my feet, too.
When I returned to my motorbike, I took one last look at the sea before picking up my helmet. If I stop in Shimoda on the way back, I might have some kinmedai. This trip to see the flowers has left me with plenty to look forward to, from the sea views to my next meal.
The story sections are fiction inspired by this location. For accurate information, please consult official tourism and information websites.
Local specialty
Shimoda kinmedai dishes
If I stop in Shimoda on a trip around Izu, I’d love to try kinmedai sashimi or simmered kinmedai. After looking out over the sea from the park, I found myself wanting it for my next meal.
Highlights
Evening-blooming yusuge
Yusuge flowers open in the evening and close the following morning, with each bloom lasting just one day. I love setting out later just to see a flower like this—it makes the visit feel special.
Ikenohara’s volcanic hills
About 400,000 years ago, lava from Minamisaki Volcano filled a valley and formed these gentle hills. I found myself wanting to look more closely at how their gentle shapes contrasted with the rugged coast.
Road details
Road to the Yusuge Park entrance
I headed up to the high ground at Okuirozaki, parked my motorbike at the entrance and walked through the park to see the flowers.
There’s a car park nearby. I stepped off my motorbike to take in the sea, then set off on foot to look for the flowers.
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