Sea Stack, Izu Peninsula
Pentax K-1 II + DFA 28-105mm F3.5-5.6 + CP
28 mm ISO 100 for 1/400 sec. at ƒ/9.0
From Sea Stacks to Volcanic Glows: Izu Peninsula's Coastal Beauty
Location: Imaihama Beach, Kawazu, Shizuoka, Japan
Timestamp: 06:53 on February 14, 2024
Visiting Imaihama Beach for the first time, I was pleasantly surprised to discover that a natural formation at the southernmost tip of the beach blocks the view of the large hotel right on the beach to the north. This formation allows for an unobstructed view of the sunrise, painting the sky with warm hues over the gentle waves and scattered sea stacks on the sandy shoreline.
There were six or seven other people exploring the beach while taking in the beautiful sunrise. Most likely, they were guests staying at the expansive seaside hotel or one of the charming smaller hotels or Japanese-style inns (ryokan) dotting the northern stretch of the beach.
To the left of the sea stack on the distant horizon stands Oshima Island, the largest among the Izu Islands—a cluster of volcanic islands adorning the eastern coastline of the Izu Peninsula.
Oshima has an active volcano, with major eruptions recorded in 1965, 1986, and the most recent event in 1990. My familiarity with Oshima Island dates back to the 1986 eruptions when I found myself atop Shonan-daira, enjoying the mesmerizing night view of city lights from coastal cities and towns along Sagami Bay. Nestled between the city of Hiratsuka and the town of Oiso in Kanagawa Prefecture, Shonan-daira is a modest hill rising just 181 meters high, crowned with a TV antenna tower and an observation deck offering an expansive, unobstructed 360-degree view of the Shonan area.
On that night, I marveled at the bright flashes and glow emanating from the volcanic eruptions and lava flow on Oshima Island, a distant spectacle at 65.04 km (40.41 mi) due south of Shonan-daira.
Whether leisurely strolling along the shores of Imaihama Beach or venturing into the coastal treasures scattered across the Izu Peninsula, keep an eye out for many of the geological marvels that collectively form the Izu Peninsula Geopark!
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