West coast of Kii Peninsula.

Lots of coastal villages.

Bit of the countryside.

Nachikatsuura. Shirley is talking to locals about their pets. Surprise!

From our hotel roof.

This is a fishing port.

Nachikatsuura habour appears to be well protected but Mr Kosaku Kishi said they had a tsunami here when he was five.

Unfortunately an important sign at the moment.

Not sure what this is. I suspect some sort of whaling museum. The area here included the Taiji Town Whale Museum and a Sea World with porpoises.

Now you know.
Update: Apparently this is the cove where the annual dolphin hunt starts. The Cove is an Academy Awarded documentary about this place. Map reference is 33°35'59.1"N 135°56'42.9"E.

You can’t pick your relos. Kiyoko Kishi, Mutumi Yabumoto and Michiko Yabumoto.

First draft of family tree to my generation.

Hosenji Temple 法泉寺 see Google Map

Graves at the temple.

This is the spot. I didn’t have a GPS reader here but I believe this will be about 33°37'48.6"N 135°56'46.6"E.

Asaichi (great-grand uncle - apparently died young), Yoshisuke (great-great grand-father), Yoshizo (great grand-father) and Kane (great grand-mother).

Kumano Nachi Taisha (Grand Shrine)

Mr Yabumoto wanted to photo me everywhere – usually with the cousins.

Inside Kumano Nachi Taisha. You cannot photograph the shrine itself which is to the right of this photo.

Outside. Can burn incense here.

Again just outside where you can burn wooden slats (for good fortune?)

Actually lots of buildings in this complex to house monks (and souvenir shops).

Not really sure but suspect this is Shinto here.

Steps to Nachi Waterfall.

Viewing platform.

The Nachi Waterfall.

Escalator back. The mystical glow is rain on the camera.

Happy birthday from Murwillumbah

From Shirley

Detail