A Drive to Chinen Cape Park A snack first, then the sea at the end of the path

After spending three weeks driving around Kyushu in summer, I continued my trip by taking the ferry from Kagoshima New Port to Naha with my red convertible on board. The ferry called at the Amami Islands on the way; about 25 hours later, I reached Naha Port. That was two days ago. Today, I drove south with the top down to see the sea in Nanjō.

In the early afternoon, I parked at Chinen Cape Park, where there’s room for dozens of cars, and stepped onto the path. Beyond a large building, the sky opened wide, and through the trees on my right I caught a glimpse of the sea. I’d driven down with the top open, so my hair was still tousled from the wind.

First, though, a chinsukō. I opened the bag of sweets I’d bought at Arakaki Confectionery’s Tamagusuku shop before coming here, held the wrapper in one hand and the sweet in the other. The breeze nudged the hem of my light blue top. I was already set on heading for the sea, but I was looking forward to this bite too—and I kept glancing down at it.

It gave a light crunch, then the sweetness spread through my mouth. I caught the little crumbs in the wrapper as I finished the rest. When I looked up, I could see my red car beyond the black fence. It had crossed over from Kagoshima with me on the ferry, and seeing it from a little distance here made me realize just how far south we’d come.

I hear lard is used in chinsukō. Maybe that’s what makes it so crisp and crumbly. The Tamagusuku shop is attached to the chinsukō factory, and apparently they have their own chinsukō ice cream, too. I’m going to try that next time.

I tucked away the wrapper and headed for the walking path. Near the car park, the trees partly hid the sea; as I walked, it opened up in front of me. At the tip of the cape, I stopped and faced the Pacific. Water in every direction. I’d only meant to make a quick detour, but I had a feeling I’d be staying here longer than planned.

I hear there’s a coral reef stretching out below the park. After gazing at the distant horizon, I looked back at the water close by and could see how its brightness shifted from one spot to another. I brushed the hair from my face, then turned toward the islands. I’d heard this was a good place to see Kudaka and Komaka Islands, so I checked their positions against the map.

After taking in the view from the cape, I rested in a red-tiled pavilion. The roof kept the sun off me, and only the sea breeze slipped through. As I caught my breath in the shade, I pictured the shapes of the two islands I’d spotted earlier. I could remember how they sat in relation to each other more clearly than when I’d been squinting at them in the sun.

Before heading back to the car, I stopped at the Nanjō City Regional Products Center, too. The shop carries local specialties and crafts, and it’s fun to browse for things made near the sea I’d just been looking at. As I picked up a few things that might make nice keepsakes, I found myself replaying the view from the cape.

Back at the car park, I put the top down on my red car. The bag of chinsukō was still half full. I decided to save the rest for a snack back where I’m staying tonight, folded the top of the bag over twice, and set it on the passenger seat.