Originally I had planned to spend the last day of my JR Pass in Kanazawa but I was tired of seeing old districts and temples so I thought I’d spend the time returning to Shin-Takaoka and visit what I didn’t manage to cover, the coastal area of Himi.

Instead of the first train available I booked one for after 9 this time. There were only a few seats left despite being Green class. Must be because it was Sunday and natives were out on their breaks.

Mobile batteries catching fire seems to be a problem all around East Asia. I wonder if it has anything to do with fast charging since it was never a problem in the past. Or is it just people on their phones so often they need to keep it constantly charged?

Always enjoy the creative ways of making the etiquette signs fun.

They were showing off the upcoming new Kasane trains. If you decide to visit Takaoka in the future, maybe this will be the carriage you’ll be on because the current train is really old.

There aren’t any direct trains to Amaharashi, a place I read about in a local tour guide just so it wasn’t all Doraemon, pop culture related spots. Had to take the local train to Takaoka before changing trains from there. Despite being a Sunday, there were plenty of students in uniform around. I had a large group of teenage boys with fishing gear sitting around me.

It was mostly natives that were getting off at Amaharashi.

Foreigners like myself were pretty rare. Didn't notice any that stood out.

You're fairly much greeted by the sea much like Enoshima.

Exiting the station, the building looked pretty plain compared to more major tourist spots. I guess the sign and the coastal view when arriving already leaves a decent impression.

After about a 10 minutes walk was the first touted attraction, Meiwa [Woman's Rock]. I wouldn't say it was jaw dropping impressive but something forming like that naturally is an interesting sight.

I headed towards Momijihime Park where the Iwasaki’s Nose lighthouse was, ignoring the busy viewing deck because I was going to pass by it on the way back anyway.

As you walk towards the park you see the other rock, Oiwa [Man's Rock].

Naming things with the idea of couples seems pretty common around Japan. I think they chose to name the first rock Woman because it was "prettier" with the extra detail and features to it.

There wasn't really anything astounding in the area but the combination of the sea, the rocks and railway made it a pretty nice walk.

No chain conbinis or restaurants around here if you're looking for a comfort zone spot.

Again, always look down while in Japan if you enjoy admiring art.

Wasn’t long before I reached the park which fairly much only had two benches for you to rest and enjoy the view. Nothing else really which might be why there were hardly anyone here. Most people were at the roadside viewing deck.

I was after the lighthouse so I followed the signs up what fairly much resembled a road. The odd vehicle passed by but other than that it was fairly much deserted. Wasn’t a soul in sight…

What looked like a cafe came into view but it wasn’t open. Maybe because it was a Sunday.

I pushed on and eventually came by some abandoned looking huts; rusted, graffiti and trash. Not sure I want to meet the folk responsible for the mess so I'd better not stick around; especially with no one else around.

Now the lighthouse sign was pointing uphill into what looked like a foresty area so I was even more reluctant to continue. There were quite a lot of flies too…

As I hesitated I thought I’d take out my GPS and check if that could help me decide. It didn’t seem that far off so I thought I’d push on a bit further. Then I spotted a faded sign warning, “beware of bears” which really made me consider turning back. Wild bears attacking and killing people have been on the rise in Japan.

When I turned round the lighthouse was already visible so I decided not to push any further.

Always signs around Japan telling people to take their litter home. This one did a bit of word play, “kaeru (frog/go home)”.

It was fairly much afternoon by then as I decided to head back to the station. It’s a 3 hour train ride back to Tokyo, Ueno so wanted to get back while the stores were still open.

On my way back a group of what sounded like Russian or Polish women asked me to be their “tripod” and hold a phone for them so that they could use a gesture on the front camera for a photo.

Very odd way of asking someone to help with a photo really.

A rail crossing allowed you to reach the other side of the coast for a little beach and a closer look at the rock formations. It was pretty popular facing Woman's Rock.

I didn’t stick around because I didn’t want the sand getting into my shoes. There was a lot more sand compared to walking around Miyajima at low tide and cleaning it up at my short-term rental flat would have been a problem.

The rock formations were pretty cool with an archway visible.

It was a very busy road with no pedestrian lights so you had to rely on the zebra crossings and vehicles stopping for you (and they almost always do even if you’re just standing using your phone nearby). Plenty of people choosing to drive here it seems including the few foreigners.

I thought I’d drop into the deck until it was nearly time for the next train back to Takaoka. They were pretty sparse at one per hour. There’s not much inside. The cafe offered a view but there wasn’t much for food and drink. There was also a souvenir shop that offered plenty of Doraemon themed merch being close to Takaoka.

On the third floor was the non-enclosed deck which actually stank of exhaust fumes which figures when it’s next to a busy road… Again, busy with natives out with family and friends for the weekend.

Some cute paper art décor on the stairways.

Wasn’t long before the next train so I started my walk back without getting anything. No one used the waiting shed apart from me to stay out of the sun.

Kids, beware of the gap monster.

On the return trip, which I booked when I was ready to leave, I was sitting next to a woman for the entire trip. It was kind of awkward because she was native and kept bowing apologetically every time she needed to get out of her seat, even though it was the local custom.

By the time I got back to Tokyo, Ueno it was 8pm.

Turns out Ueno isn't completely unchanged since I was last here... The big train monument in front of the station's gone. Don't know if it's temporarily or not.

Headed to Akiba for dinner and a stroll. I was going to checkout if Bellesalle held any events this weekend. Last Friday I had checked and they weren’t setting anything up so they shouldn’t have. Sure enough, nothing was on or maybe they packed up and gone.

On my return back to base, a Westerner asked me where the toilet was because all the other places were closed by 22:00. I directed him to Yodobashi, thinking the food court closed at 23:00 but forgot the base levels still closed at 22:00… Doh!

Better telling them to try the arcades instead next time.