There is a cycling path that runs between a highway and the ocean. I can actually ride past the university along this path. I have only done it once so far, but hope to cycle to work at least once a week in the future. Perhaps Fridays will be cycle to work day.
It has a catchy name, doesn’t it? On a clear day, I will have to ride from end to end and take some pictures to share with you.
After a brief stop at Ohama beach, we decided to continue along the coast. We drove about 40 kilometers to the nearest surf point (that we know of)…
Shizunami Beach - we had heard of this beach, but had never been there before. The wave forecast predicted tiny or no waves, so I didn’t even bother to bring my surf gear. (My surfboard is always in the van, but soon it will be too hot to keep it in the car all the time - don’t want the wax to melt all over everything!)
As you can probably guess, there were surfable waves.
Here’s a close up of someone in action. Strangely enough, after I took this picture, he got out of the water and headed to his car - maybe it was the end of his session.
Most of the surfers here are riding longboards, so it will be interesting to see how I make out with my board.
Another interesting point about this beach, is the length of it. It is quite impressive. It is offseason now, so people with 4-wheel drive cars park on the beach. Once the “official season” is here, that will end and so will free parking.
The only downside I can see to this beach is the lack of coin showers. There is at least one free shower, but it certainly isn’t warm!
As you probably know, Shizuoka city is on the ocean. Although our apartment is centrally located, (less than a 10 minute walk to the main train station), we are also close to the beach. The closest beach to our home is Ohama beach. It is about 3 km away - certainly a reasonable cycling distance. 
It is a sandy beach with some patches of grass. I don’t know if people swim here. It’s a little cold yet for that!
It’s a pretty mellow beach - a few old guys were fishing and a few families with small children were enjoying picnic lunches. There was even a guy practicing his bunker shot!
I’d like to get a cheap kite and give it a try here.
Here is a picture of my half of the office. On clear days, I can see Mt. Fuji through the window. During the month of April, I think there has been only one or two days that I could see it - and on those days I didn’t have the camera with me! Winter is the best season to see Mt. Fuji.
This is the left side of my half of the office. The cabinets are used to form a wall. As you can see, there is plenty of space for my books.
Next time, I will post more pictures of the campus and classrooms.
On the way back home from the beach, we stopped at “Wild Boar Village”. We have passed by it several times but we have never stopped. Entry is 700 yen for adults - but we weren’t disappointed.
Every day, three wild boar races are held at this track.
With encouragement from the handlers, they’re off!
The final stretch with #6 in the lead, followed by #3…
Holding a winning ticket. The admission receipt doubled as a ticket for the race! (The receipt also has a 3rd function - it has instructions for folding it into an origami wild boar).
Mother and baby… or is it father and baby?!?
Hanging around - waiting for something interesting to happen. That concrete block looks like a lot of fun for the young ‘uns!
Just another typical tourist picture!
On Saturday, we made our second visit of the year to…
We left at around 3 am, but decided to take the route along the ocean instead of driving through the mountains. It is an extra 20 kilometers but it certainly is an easier drive - especially in the early hours of the morning.
The forecast called for a 30% chance of rain, but it turned out to be mostly cloudy. I actually got a bit of a sunburn on my head and face. I will wear my surf hat next time.
How were the waves? At 6 am, the waves were pretty good, but as the tide went out, the waves went with them. Here’s a picture of me playing in the soup at the end of the session…
Tired of wimpy burgers that aren’t satisfying??
Asyl, a restaurant near Akihabara station sells the 20 cm. tall burger pictured below. The “Aki Burger” sells for a mere 1890 yen. To my untrained eyes, it looks like two burgers stacked on top of each other.
For directions to the restaurant, visit the restaurant’s website here.
This is a view of the building that my office is in. (My office is on the 2rd floor). The circular ramp is an interesting feature which caught my eye when I attended a conference here two years ago.
This is a picture taken from the 3rd floor of the circular ramp. If you look closely, you’ll see some skateboard ramps at the end of the parking lot. Behind the trees, is the beach!
Beside the parking lot, is the university baseball / soccer fields. When the weather is good, students like to fool around here!
Here are the hard tennis courts. There also two basketball hoops here as well.
Here’s a sign for the “Lifegard” club. Would you trust these guys with your life?
Here’s one of today’s lunch specials. Look what you can get for 470 yen. Three fried green pepper & chicken balls, spaghetti salad, miso soup and rice. Not particularly healthy, but filled my stomach!
Although we don’t live so close to Mt. Fuji, on clear mornings we can see it.
This is the view this morning from our stairwell. Click the picture to see it better.
