Sunflower Ferry - from Osaka to Beppu, Oita

 

This was the overnight ferry I took from Osaka to Beppu, on the island of Kyushu. The photo was taken from the waiting area.

After boarding, I found my “room”. Below is my tiny sleeping area on the seventh level.

I walked around and took some photos. Below is a light show on the ceiling in a center lounge area.

The electronic sign outside the public bath area told how crowded or empty it was. I waited until it said Not Too Busy, before I took a bath.

The weather was bad, so no one could walk outside on the deck.

I was glad the babies had their own area.  There was also a dog area, but I didn’t see it. Probably only dogs and their people could go there.

There were shops. I didn’t go in, so I don’t know what was for sale, but there was nothing I needed to buy anyway.

Dinner and breakfast buffets were available for those who purchased tickets from the machines. I’m not a fan of buffets, they are an invitation to eating too much.

I’m glad I traveled by overnight ferry on this trip, but I don’t know if I need to do it again.  I think I imagined it to be more like a cruise, but it was only about 12 hours to get from one place to another, not to vacation. It was pretty economical for such a long travel distance and a place to sleep, 15,300 yen. 

Sumiyoshi Taisha

This is a rather famous shrine (website here), and I was glad I had the time in Osaka to be able to visit. 

From Japan-guide.com - Sumiyoshi Taisha (住吉大社, "Sumiyoshi Grand Shrine") is one of Japan's oldest shrines. Founded in the 3rd century before the introduction of Buddhism it displays a unique style of shrine architecture, called Sumiyoshi-zukuri, that is free of influence from the Asian mainland. Only two other shrine architecture styles are also considered purely Japanese: Shinmei-zukuri as seen at the Ise Shrines and Taisha-zukuri as seen at Izumo Taisha.

Sumiyoshi-zukuri is characterized by straight roofs (as opposed to the curved roofs commonly built in later centuries) which are decorated by two sets of forked finials (chigi) and five horizontal billets (katsuogi). Furthermore, buildings constructed in Sumiyoshi-zukuri style have their entrance under the gable and are surrounded by a fence.

Sumiyoshi Taisha is the main and most famous of over two thousand Sumiyoshi shrines found across Japan. Sumiyoshi shrines enshrine the kami (Shinto gods) who protect travelers, fishermen and sailors at sea. The shrines are therefore usually found close to harbors.

There are four main halls at Osaka's Sumiyoshi Taisha. Interestingly, the first three are positioned in a straight line facing west, while the fourth stands just beside the third. This arrangement of shrine buildings is rarely seen in Japan, as shrines built during and after the Nara Period (710-794) mostly face south, pertaining to Chinese geomancy.

Leading to the entrance of the main shrine grounds is the beautiful Sorihashi Bridge, which creates a uniquely high arch over a pond. During hatsumode (first visit to a shrine on New Year), Sumiyoshi Taisha is one of the most visited shrines in the country.