Izu Oshima, Tokyo
I Stepped Out of the Car to Watch the Evening Sea An Evening on Izu Oshima's Coastal Promenade in September
Spend a September evening walking by the sea and taking in the sunset. Head to the Sunset Palm Line on Izu Oshima's west coast, which runs from Motomachi Port.
You can read my story about an autumn evening by the sea.
AutumnA Clear September Evening
Facing the Sea, Waiting for the Sky to Change
One September evening, I headed to the Sunset Palm Line on Izu Oshima. I parked and walked along the shore, where the reddish-brown promenade ran toward a headland. I wore an ivory knit top and a blue-green skirt. The breeze brushed my sleeves, and the sea I'd watched from the car suddenly felt close.
I stopped beside the railing and rested one hand on it. I meant to look out across the sea, but my eyes went first to the waves close by. The headland in the distance had a gentle slope, and the sky was still bright. Evening doesn't turn dark all at once. Today, I wanted to watch that slow change unfold.
I turned around after a short walk. Even the place where I'd been standing looked different now: the coastal road, railing, and grassy slope all lined up differently from here. I went back to the spot I liked best and faced the sea again. I could stand here for a while.
Before setting out, I planned to watch the sunset and head straight to dinner. But as I watched the sea, I realized I loved watching the sky slowly settle into evening, too. For dinner, I wanted to try the island's bekko sushi. How spicy would the fish be after soaking in that green-chili soy sauce? I was already looking forward to the rest of the evening.
When I looked away from the sea, even the promenade seemed to have changed color since I arrived. I thought it was almost time to head back, but I went to the railing one last time. I'd come for the distant view, but what I liked best may have been standing still for a while. I walked back to the car a little more slowly.
The story sections are fiction inspired by this location. For accurate information, please consult official tourism and information websites.
Local Dishes to Try
Bekko Sushi
Bekko sushi is made with seasonal fish marinated in a soy-based sauce with green chili. Different restaurants and households each have their own version, apparently. After watching the sunset, I'd be tempted to order it for dinner.
Highlights
Walk and Watch the Evening Sea
The Sunset Palm Line is a lovely place to enjoy the evening seascape on Izu Oshima's west coast. You can stop and look out to sea or keep walking along the promenade. I loved seeing the headland's outline change as I strolled.
A Coastal Route from Motomachi Port
The Oshima Tourism Association says it's about a 3-minute drive from Motomachi Port. It's a lovely option when you want to explore the west coast from the port. I left some room in my evening plans so I could come and see the sea.
Road and Route Details
Motomachi Port–Nodahama Round Trip Course
- Official Route Distance
- About 11.2km (round trip)
- Route Elevation Gain
- About 87m
The Tokyo Metropolitan Government lists a running and cycling route along the Sunset Palm Line. It starts at Motomachi Port, turns around at Nodahama, and follows the coast back.
The course from Motomachi Port to Nodahama and back is about 11.2km, with about 87m of total elevation gain. I parked the car and walked along the coastal promenade.
More Spot Guides
If you enjoyed this story, you might like these places too. I've gone back to each of them in different seasons, again and again.
