We were so fortunate as to have my parents staying with us for three weeks during one of the most beautiful time of the year – Japanese spring. Together we had picnics among the cherry blossoms, went for country side drives, spent an afternoon walking barefoot in the edge of the ocean, and made the most beautiful day trip to our closest island – Nokonoshima.
Noko island is just a ten minutes ferry ride from a nearby port, and is known locally for its sweet oranges. The ferry only carries a handful of cars, but even though it was a sunny Sunday during peak sakura bloom, arguably the best day of the year to visit, we managed to get our car on the boat and thus had a nice ride around the island, enjoying the cherry trees and orange orchards along the road.
On the island there is a nature park with flower beds and plantings rivaling the most beautiful parks I have had the chance to experience during my lifetime. We played a round of Nokonokoball, a game combining golf and croquet. Our son got to ride rope sleigh down a grass slope and we had ice cream while watching the sea and all the flowers. There is a small pottery with a shop on the island and my parents were delighted to find some beautiful Nokonoshima pottery plates to bring home. All in all it was one of those days that will stay with us a long time. And one of the highlights of my parents trip to Japan – I am so happy we could have this experience together.
