Ouo Shrine's Torii Gates in the Sea 3 Torii Gates and a Tara Mandarin Break at Low Tide on the Ariake Sea

I got out of the car in the car park and peeled one of the Tara mandarins I'd brought. Its scent stayed on my fingertips as I brought a segment to my lips. Eating it in the spring breeze, I got a burst of sweet juice—just right for a snack before a short walk.

One torii stood beyond the one nearest me, and another beyond that. At low tide, all 3 stood in a row across the tidal flat. The ones farther away looked smaller, and as I followed their matching shapes with my eyes, I could see how far the tidal flat stretched toward the sea.

My friend, who loves driving as much as I do, said, “At high tide, they look as if they're standing in the water.” Today, at low tide, I could see the pillars right down to their bases. It's interesting how the same torii look so different as the tide comes and goes.

There's a local legend that a giant fish saved a magistrate who had been left on an island. The tale is said to explain how the shrine got its name from the fish, and how the torii came to stand in the sea. I wanted to remember the story as well as the beautiful view.

After eating the mandarin, I tidied up the paper and peel. I was wearing a mint top and a light cardigan with white shorts that day. Standing beside my friend, I could take in the torii, the tidal flat, and the horizon all at once, even from the spot where we'd parked.

Roadside Station Tara's Tarafuku-kan also features Tara mandarins, a local specialty. A local snack and the sea view made this a stop I'll remember. My friend and I said we'd like to see the view at high tide next time, then stayed to watch the sea a little longer.