Typhoon 6

Typhoon #6 has churned up some gigantic surf here, I took a looooong road trip to find a more protected wave, and wound up stumbling into some rivermouth perfection. This point only turns on when its big and the swell wraps into the Suruga Bay. The view from the lineup while riding this wave is incredible, with Mt. Fuji towering in the background as the wave wraps down the point. However, my camera is not waterproof so I have no photographic proof!
By chance, Nori-san from Cojo Surfboards stopped by on his way to Fuji and snapped a couple cell phone pics.

Some pics

Last weekend we had some typhoon surf, out front was huge and out of control, so Tasuke and I loaded up his truck and took a trip to a more protected beach up the coast. My canon g11 came along for the ride.


Tasuke, feeling it.
(note to camera owners, taking your camera from inside an air-conditioned car straight into 90F humidity will cause condensation on the lens! but it can make for an interesting shot)

After surfing a tetrapod wedge wave with "rocket take-offs" we cruised around the beaches near Shizunami. This sign speaks for itself.

No menacing face in the waves in real life.

We braved the dangerous high waves and hung out for a bit to take a few shots.





Looking north

Looking west

Astro City

After an afternoon bike ride...





I came across a place that had caught my eye a few times before. There are often many strange sites in Japan but this one was especially unique. If you have ever wondered where arcade games go when they die (c'mon really who hasn't), wonder no longer.

Springtime Hanami

These photos are a few weeks old, the cherry blossoms only last for about one week in April here, so you have to time it perfectly or may miss out. By the time I made it out to take some photos, about half of the blossoms had already fallen but there were still some good spots.




These first few photos are from a park near the town of Tenryu, about 45 minutes inland from the coast.






This structure is actually a slide for kids that weaves down through the trees off the side of a hill, as much as I wanted to try it out I held back.






Different bark from trees in the park.







Kakegawa castle park in the town of Kakegawa.

PK

Shot of me from local photographer Pedro from the local tetrapod playground.



more from pedro here:
bestwavereport.blogspot.com

Thanks Pedro!

Springtime Surf

Here are a few random pics from the past few weeks. We have had some good surf recently, but I have been a bit more focused on surfing than shooting photos.






These above 2 are from PK, or Komamba, which has been firing about once a week in between flat spells. You can either sit up top and catch the right that peels off the tetrapods (and most likely get burned - 1st photo) or sit inside and get the more hollow waves that swing inside (2nd photo), just have to make sure to kick out before impaling yourself on the tetra-shorepound.

Sho-hei hits the lip during a midday skate sesh along an endless concrete left bowl.



Spring time, its finally warm enough to get back on the bike to scout out local sandbars. Looking right (top photo) and to the left (bottom photo) from the bike trail.

Mafuji Hike 真富士山

Another hike from a couple weeks ago, late March. This mountain is called Mafuji (not The Mt. Fuji) and starts up in the hills behind Shizuoka city. After a steep 30 min drive up a one lane road from the Abekawa river, we parked the car and basically hiked straight up the rest of the mountain through the trees and a creek bed. Once at the top of the ridge there are 2 separate peaks with great views of Mount Fuji and the Suruga Bay.

More green tea fields along the Abekawa river valley on the drive up to the trailhead.

View from the trail through the trees.

There was still some snow on the ground as we were up at about 4,500 feet, making for a slippery climb. I received a few funny looks from other fellow hikers because I was only wearing shorts, luckily I have hairy legs.




Trail marker.


Once at the top there were great views of Mt Fuji and the surrounding area.





Maybe when the snow melts we will tackle the real Mt. Fuji.