26 May 2023

A full day of firsts at Fukushima

 After breakfast it was back into the swing of shoreside activities. Heritage Adventurer was already alongside in Niigata so an 0800 start was easily done. The drive through the city passed rice paddies with fruit trees dotted among them. Our destination was Fukushimagata - or Fukushima lagoon. (Not related to the site of the nuclear accident - as Fukushima is a common place name in Japan). The lagoon is a remnant of what were once large areas of wetlands. Concerned citizens saved this piece and it is a critical stomping grounds for migrating birds and the breeding and wintering ground for a large population of Bean Geese. A stroll along the streams and lakes allowed the opportunity for botanising with Moshe, spotting Reed Warbler, Crested Grebe, and Great Cormorant among others, and listening to the call of the Cuckoo.

The Northern Culture Museum is housed in an estate that formerly belonged to a wealthy farming family. It was built in the late 19^th Century and beautifully restored after the war. Everything about the place spoke of the style and class of the occupants - the buildings, fabulous gardens, antique porcelain and paintings, and personal possessions on display.

The afternoon included a visit to the sake brewery for an explanation of the process, a tasting of the results, an opportunity to take some back to the ship, and a walk through the grounds of the remains and reconstruction of Shibata Castle.

It was a day of many firsts - first lagoon, first Meiji Period house, first sake brewery, and first bit of a rain shower. No one got wet, and it was good to know that the rice paddies will stay flooded and the trees green.

Every port has greeted the vessel with welcome banners and farewelled it with a performance. Niigata excelled in this regard as the drum troop played while Heritage Adventurer pulled away and had everyone on deck clapping and cheering despite the drizzle.

Phil spoke on castles at recap, then the kitchen team got into the local vibe with an all-Japanese menu. With the sake from the brewery, it was Kanpai! all around.

Image (c) by: T.Todd