I Found an Island Beyond the Cherry Blossoms on Mount Shiude

Read about a late afternoon in spring spent beside the cherry blossoms, taking in the islands.

At the summit of Mount Shiude, a woman in an ivory blouse, pale blue cardigan, and light purple pleated skirt stands beneath a cherry branch with one palm raised under it. She carries a beige tote in her other hand. The Seto Inland Sea and its islands are visible beyond the blossoms.

SpringEarly April, late afternoon

With My Hand Beneath the Blossoms, I Looked Out to Sea

I walked up the trail to the summit, and the sea opened up beyond the cherry blossoms. I adjusted my grip on my beige tote and stopped beside a nearby branch. I’d come for the flowers, but it made me so happy to see the sea with them, too. Far-off islands overlapped in the soft afternoon light.

A cherry branch was right at eye level, so I held my palm beneath it. Tiny blossoms swayed just above my hand. Up close, I could make out the colours of the petals much better than I could when I’d been taking in the view from the mountaintop. I pushed up the sleeve of my pale blue cardigan a little and spent a while looking at the branch.

My friend pointed toward the sea and said, “There are islands beyond the flowers, too.” I looked up and turned my gaze past the big island in front. A moment ago, I’d thought I was looking at a single island. Now I could see another island’s silhouette layered behind it. I looked at the blossoms up close, then turned to the islands in the distance. Each time I shifted my gaze, I found something new in the same view.

I stood next to my friend this time, taking in the blossoms and the sea together. The breeze caught the hem of my pale purple skirt, and I drew my tote close. We started talking about how far out we could see the islands, and before I knew it, we’d spent ages at the summit. I found myself saying, “I want to stay here a little longer.”

I took a step back from the blossoms and found myself wanting to visit the archaeological museum at the summit, too. I hear the café there serves Mount Shiude’s signature drink. I’d love to have a cup after taking in the cherry blossoms and sea. My friend and I nodded to each other, then I looked again toward the distant island we’d spotted earlier.

On a hydrangea-lined path on Mount Shiude, a woman in a pale sleeveless top, khaki shorts, and black ankle boots leans toward the flowers, holding a smartphone at her side. Hydrangeas line the right side of the paved path, with tree branches and leaves overhead.

SummerA sunny spell in late June, around 10:30 a.m.

A Little Longer by the Flowers Before Heading to the Summit

I came to Mount Shiude in late June for a walk up to the summit, stopping along the way to see the hydrangeas. Clusters of blooms lined the path, and I couldn’t help slowing down. I’d been looking forward to the views in the distance, but there was so much to see up close, too. Sunlight broke through the trees, and I stopped beside the flowers.

I kept my phone in my hand and leaned in to look at the blooms. What had looked like a single round cluster was actually made up of lots of little flowers. I meant to take a photo, but forgot to lift my phone to frame the shot. I want to remember every tiny detail I can see right now before I leave.

My friend looked back from farther up the path and laughed. “Found a favourite spot?” I nodded and looked along the path. The flowers right here were lovely enough, but there were still more up ahead. When I said, “Let’s see those before we go,” my friend came back to join me.

We walked together this time, stopping again when a flower caught my eye. My friend said cheerfully, “At this rate, it’ll take us ages to get to the summit.” That wasn’t what I’d planned, but I no longer felt like hurrying ahead. I never expected to feel so reluctant to leave the path before I’d even reached my destination.

After a while, I lifted my phone and tried to capture both the flowers and the path. Seeing the path run off into the distance in the photo, I thought it would bring back the time I’d spent walking here. When I showed it to my friend, she said, “You’ll probably stop here again next time.” She was probably right. I’d been looking so closely that I felt like crouching down beside the flowers.

When we’d finished looking at the photos, we set off for the summit. When we get there, I’d love to try Mount Shiude’s signature drink at the café in the archaeological museum. We could look through the photos of the trail while we took a break. I’d come for the sea, but the time among the flowers made the day even better. I felt so happy I’d made the trip today.

The story sections are fiction inspired by this location. For accurate information, please consult official tourism and information websites.

Photos of this place2 images

Shonai Peninsula, Mitoyo City, Kagawa Prefecture · Spring
Shonai Peninsula, Mitoyo City, Kagawa Prefecture · Summer

Open Photos

Local specialty

Mount Shiude Signature Drink

Mount Shiude’s signature drink, served in the café area at the archaeological museum on the summit. I’d love to have one after taking in the cherry blossoms and islands.

Highlights

Islands beyond the Cherry Blossoms

From the summit observatory, you can take in the Seto Inland Sea’s many islands. I want to look at the cherry blossoms up close, then turn my gaze to the islands in the distance.

Walk to Mount Shiude’s Summit on the Shonai Peninsula

Take the trail to the 352 m summit of Mount Shiude. I’d love to make time for both the blossoms and the archaeological museum at the summit.

Getting to Mount Shiude

To Mount Shiude on the Shonai Peninsula

Travel Time from JR Takuma Station: 40 minutes by car
Mount Shiude Elevation: 352m

That’s the drive time from the station and the elevation of the summit. On the trail at the top, I’d love to stop and take in the flowers.

I’d love to add time among the cherry blossoms on the mountain to my trip around the Shonai Peninsula.

More Spot Guides

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