Bridges, Bells and Boats

This weekend I took a trip to see the 'Bridge to Heaven' in Amanohashidate. It's not really a bridge but rather a strip of land which joins two sides a the bay. In order to appreciate the 'bridge' effect the prescribed viewing method is like so:Then it looks something like this.
I enjoyed walking along it, it's a pleasant sandy strip lined with pine trees. On reaching the far end I took a cute little chair lift up to the viewing area. After the blood finally returned to my head I climbed further up the hill to a nice old temple. Outside the temple is this bell. It has quite the history, when the bell was cast a baby fell into the molten metal. The first time the bell was rung those listening claimed to hear the baby calling for its mother. It hasn't been rung since!
I took a boat back across the water and was amused to watch the Japanese tourists feeding the seagulls (and one hawk) which were following the boat. The would throw chips in the air and the birds would catch them.

I then moved on to Matsue, which is an attractive city on a large lake. Spent the night there and then went to see the shrine at Izumo Taisha, one of the most important ones in Japan. The original supposedly built by the Sun Goddess Amaterasu. Hanging outside is an enormous rope twist. If you throw a coin and it sticks you will have good luck. I got one on my second try. :)

Finally I visited the castle at Matsue. It is one of the few original ones left and is very interesting. I was lucky enough to be offered a free English tour and as there was only me I felt like quite the VIP.