Sagara Things to Do

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The NOUMANJI TEMPLE which is located right next to the KOYAMA CASTLE, claim to have the largest CYCAD in the world......

its a very interesting tree which grows very slowly, this one they say is in the shape of a dragon, it has very long trunk, the poles are to support the growing tree........

This large Cycad is situated in the garden of the Masaki family of the NOUMANJI TEMPLE ..

It branches into several large trunks from the root, the circumference of the main trunk reaches approx. 2,5m and its height is approx. 10m.

It is still growing and is estimated to be over 1,000 years old.

On dec 9 1924, The YOSHIDA town national and prefectural government , designated the cycad in the Noumanji temple as a NATURAL MONUMENT

WHAT ARE CYCAD


The Cycad is an evergreen plant of the Cycad family growing naturally from the south of Kyusu to Okinawa, and is a gymnosperm tree the same as cedar and pine trees.

The Cycad is the most primitive among the gymnosperm trees, therefore it is also called a living fossil. As it can be energized by iron, it bears the name "Sotetsu" (revival iron) = Cycad.

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... there is a 10 minutes walk.....on a very steep stair climb..
as you can see by the picture...

When traveling to Japan, bring good walking shoes, many of the shrine, temples and castle are mostly up hills....

the map located at the parking lot will tell you where to go....its a little further up from behind the visitor center or thru the gates of the TEMPLE near by.....

The castle area is not that big , it should take you about 1 hour to go thru the museum and the grounds....look for the other little museum outside the castle on an off beaten path..its seem to have original artifacts......

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KOYAMA CASTLE is in the city of YOSHIDA which is about 30 mintes drive from yaizu city..on route 150..You will be able to see the castle from route 150 to your right....so lookout for it...

The castle is a reconstruction and is a symbol of the city of HAIBARA, shizuoka-ken...

Its made of concret and display a little museum....climb to the top and you will get a great view of Mt fuji and the seashore....

Fee is 200yen adult and 100 yen child.
close on mondays
open from 9am to 430pm

You pay in a little vending machine at the front gate of the castle...

Castle in JAPAN

were built for two main purposes.
First was as a defensive platform. Daimyo (feudal lords) all over the country built these fortresses where they could retreat during an attack.

Both the castle itself and the grounds immediately surrounding it are fortified with a myriad of defenses.

The main donjon of the castle also held stores of food and weapons in case of prolonged battles.

Second purpose of a castle was to display the daimyo's wealth and power. Naturally, the bigger the castle, the stronger and wealthier the daimyo.

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The sagara horse race which is held on april 29 is a nationally unique horse race held on the sea shore.

Long ago in Japan horse racing was very popular but as time pass by Horse racing has decrease in popularity.....The sagara horse race is the ONLY one of its kind in all of Japan where horses race right on the beach....

About 35 thoroughbreds from all over the prefecture as well as from other part of japan come on April 29 for the past 31 years to race....

Its began at 10am until 3pm....There are 5 races during this period......There are also a few food stall selling things like candy, french fries, kids toys, just typical japanese festival boots......

You can also place bet on the horses, but in return you will get products made from the area of sagara....not money..:)

Since you can see the race from up close, the races are very popular not only to horse race fans but the general public too..

There is also an Helicopter ride. 10 minutes .for 5000 yen per person...not cheap but if you wish to see the race from above this is another choose....

This is another great beach not far from SHIZUNAMI beach, just another 15 minutes drive...on route 150...

Every beginning of July there are Open water swimming competitions and beach flag competitions since the year 2000 .....

Its also a surfer paradise ....many surfers could be seen on the beach all year long...

It gets very crowded in the summer so go early if you wish to find the best spot...There are no trees...so lots of sun screen and a Parasol are recommended....

There are lifegard on duty during the summer season...But this becah is very large and only a certain area has them....If you wish to swim in other areas then you swim at your own risk.....

The water is very shallow about 40-50cm in depth for some 100 meters into the sea....A warning...the under water current could be dangerous at time...

This is an information center for the omaezaki area...

Stop in here on your way , there is a great view of the port from the 2 floor..

and on the 1 floor you will find lots of phamplets ( all are in japanese) and also a smal little museum with display of local products of the area

Omaezaki beach is one of the famous beaches knon by all windsurfers in japan....

This is the best spot for advanced surfers because of the strong wind. If you're a beginner, April to July is the best season when the wind is not as strong. This is the site of the World Bodyboard Championships.

ts a great spot, winds never dye..:)....Windsurfers are always there no matter the weather or the season..

One of the seven wonders of Enshu Area. According to geologists, while nodules in the sand layer resists erosion the clay around them is soft so the nodules are eventually popping out from the cliff.