Winter at Jōgashima Park From a breezy seaside car park to a walk among double-flowered daffodils

I parked my red sedan in the car park at Jōgashima Park and shut the door. As soon as I stepped out of the car, the sea breeze touched my cheeks, and I instinctively pulled my cream-colored down coat closed with both hands. Beyond the white line at my feet stood a low building marking the entrance. I looked up and thought, So that’s where the walk begins. I was already excited, and I hadn’t even started walking yet.

I’d chosen a lavender knit dress and long white socks, with a warm coat over the top. Before leaving home, all I could think about was seeing flowers in winter. But once I arrived, even the wind became something to look forward to. I pulled my coat closed again beside the car and headed for the entrance. I was cold and eager to get walking at the same time.

As I walked through the park, my eyes kept drifting to the sides of the path as I looked for the double-flowered daffodils I’d come to see. I’d heard they bloom throughout the park from mid-January to mid-February. I’d thought I’d have to wait until spring to see flowers, so finding them on a winter walk made me happy. Every time I spotted a little bloom, I was glad I’d chosen this time of year to visit.

From the observatory, you can also look across the sea to Mount Fuji and Izu Ōshima. At the car park, I’d only seen the entrance, but farther along, the view opened right out over the water. I turned toward the distance, feeling the breeze move my hair. I came for the flowers, and this wide-open view made me fall for the island, too.

The park also has a distinctive landscape of black pines growing at an angle in the sea breeze. Their branches brought back the wind that had met me when I first stepped out of the car. In photos, the trees might look as if they’re simply leaning, but after feeling that wind for myself, they looked different. It felt as though the trees, not just the flowers, were telling me something about the island.

After the walk, I was looking forward to Misaki tuna. I had a slice of sashimi, then laughed when I remembered pulling my coat closed in the car park. Back then, I’d been wondering what I’d see; now I’d seen the flowers and the sea, and had a full stomach too. I love how a day that started on a winter morning can come together like that.