The bridge was finished ten or so years ago. Until then these islands were only accessible by boat, and they retain, for me, vestiges of their isolation. There are no large towns here, but lots of small fishing and farming villages strung out along the hilly, rocky coastline, with numerous tiny, usually empty beaches in between. The water is beautiful, but the currents around the islands are fast and dangerous, so swimmers beware.
I found Karei-san without much difficulty , it sits right beside Miyakubo, a small fishing port, historically one of the homes of the Suigun (pirates). The Suigun were probably not so much pirates as guides in the turbulent, rocky waters around the islands. There is a very nice museum dedicated to them, and an annual boat festival in May, I think.
The mountains on Shikoku and the islands are not so high, but steep sided, and roads up them are often steep as well. It’s a bit of a slog at times to get to the top, but usually worth it as the views can be wonderful.
Karei-san has two tenbodai, or viewing platforms, which give views of Hakata-jima and Ohmishima to the north. There was a small café being constructed when I visited. And there are three or four dozen Sakura or Cherry Blossom trees in a small promenade up there. There are picnic tables and benches available; I saw about 50 people enjoying the trees and the lovely weather.
I noticed these concrete benches and tables, faux wood in the best Parks style.
The Sakura were blossoming! I’m not sure what kind these are (there are many kinds). These ones were very pink, and heavily bunched. Others were a very pale whitish pink, more sparse on the branch. They look very pretty against the sky.
After hanging about for an hour and a bit, I hopped back on my bike and cruised back home.
The leisurely trip had taken five hours or so. I thoroughly enjoyed it! I’m pretty busy with teaching kids; I work about 10 hours a day on average, and the week blasts by. It’s important to me to get out and have this time just to explore.
