Tsurumi Peninsula, Saiki, Oita
A drive to Cape Tsurumisaki To Kyushu’s easternmost cape, then a seat beside the white lighthouse
What I like is a little rest on the bench, looking up at the lighthouse. Having come all the way to the cape’s end makes me want to feel the sea breeze rather than leave straight away.
This is the story of an early-summer afternoon resting beside the lighthouse. Enjoy the view looking up from a seat too.
SummerA clear May afternoon
At the cape, a little rest on the bench
One May afternoon, my driving friend and I headed towards the end of the Tsurumi Peninsula. With my hands on the wheel and eyes on the road, I drove towards Cape Tsurumisaki, Kyushu’s easternmost cape. Even after leaving the car, I looked forward to the time spent reaching the lighthouse.
Where I could see the white lighthouse, I sat on a wooden bench. I straightened the hem of my white dress with its little flowers and rested my hands on my knees. After the walk, simply sitting down was a relief.
After looking up at the lighthouse to the right, I turned towards the sea on the left. There was a bell nearby too, but for now I wanted to rest just as I was. The sea breeze moved my hair a little, and I watched without speaking for a while.
Tsurumisaki Lighthouse was completed and first lit in 1981. “It’s been watching over ships with its light from here,” I said to my friend. Seeing the white tower by day made me want to imagine its light at work through the night too.
We talked about stopping for sushi in central Saiki after leaving the cape. Saiki sushi, featuring fish from the Bungo Channel, was one of the things I looked forward to on this trip. Before rising from the bench, I looked up at the lighthouse once more, then headed back to the road to continue my drive.
The story sections are fiction inspired by this location. For accurate information, please consult official tourism and information websites.
Photos of this place1 images
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Tsurumi Peninsula, Saiki, Oita · The lighthouse in early summer
Local specialty
Saiki sushi
Saiki sushi, featuring fish from the Bungo Channel, can be enjoyed at restaurants around the city. After seeing the cape, I’d like to return to the centre for a leisurely meal of local fish too.
Highlights
A close view of the cape’s lighthouse
Tsurumisaki Lighthouse stands on a cliff 200 m above sea level. I took a break on the bench, looking from the sea to the white tower and back.
A lighthouse shining since 1981
Knowing the year it was completed and lit makes the daytime lighthouse feel a little different too. I wanted to picture the ships passing here at night.
Driving and walking details
Access to Tsurumisaki Nature Park
- By car from Saiki Interchange
- About 60 minutes
- Elevation of the cliff supporting the lighthouse
- 200m
Drive towards the end of the Tsurumi Peninsula. Once there, I’d like to walk and enjoy time beside the lighthouse.
About 60 minutes is the estimated drive from Saiki Interchange; 200 m is the elevation of the cliff on which the lighthouse stands.
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