Driving Shima Sunset Road Let's drive the coast, then wait for sunset at Sakurai Futamigaura

I drove along the coast to Sakurai Futamigaura. When I got out of the car, I could feel just how close the sea was—even more clearly than I had from the driver's seat. I'd been thinking I might stop somewhere farther on, but one look at the sky in front of me and I forgot all about that plan.

I held my sandals in one hand and faced the sea. I could see the shimenawa rope joining the Meoto Iwa rocks, with the sky opening up beyond them. I'd seen those rocks in photos, and now they were right in front of me. I didn't have to do anything just because I'd come all this way; it was enough to stand here and look.

The sea breeze kept lifting my hair. I started to smooth it back into place with one hand, then let my hand drop again, leaving it as it was. There was no need to hurry while I waited for sunset. Listening to the waves and looking out to sea, I found myself moving at a different pace from when I was on the road. Maybe this was what I'd wanted today.

As I watched the sky, I found myself drawn to the sun beside the rocks. I thought about taking out my phone, but first I shifted the sandals in my right hand and took in the view. I'd driven all this way, and I wanted to remember it before taking a photo.

Itoshima's Prefectural Route 54 runs about 33 km along the coast, starting at Sakurai Futamigaura. Today, after enjoying the scenery along the road, I stopped here. I love being on the road, so I was glad that getting out to watch the sea could be part of the same trip, too.

I remembered I had somewhere else to go, but by then I no longer felt like hurrying. I wanted to stay here and watch until the sun went down. When I get home, I think I'll remember not just the photos, but the sea breeze lifting my hair and even the sandals in my hand. Next time I'm in Itoshima, I'll make time to end the day here again.