A sea of clouds & cherry blossoms – a dreamy wonderland ranked 7th on The New York Times’ must-visit list!

By MOOK Scenic Spots, compiled and reported
 
In recent years, many hidden Japanese gems have gone viral online thanks to a single photo, among which Mount Shiun (Shiudeyama) and Hamasaka Beach in Sanuki City, Kagawa Prefecture, Shikoku, are prime examples.

A photo of Mount Shiun, with its pastel pink cherry blossoms set against the ink-wash-painting-like Seto Inland Sea, caught the eye of editors at The New York Times. Originally not on the list, the Seto Inland Sea suddenly jumped to 7th place.

“Mount Shiun” is located on the Shōnai Peninsula in Sanuki City on the western side of Kagawa Prefecture. Legends of Urashima Taro are scattered across the peninsula, adding a mythical allure to the area. The name “Mount Shiun” comes from the legend that when Urashima Taro opened the jeweled box, the smoke that rose into the sky turned into purple clouds.

The greatest charm of Mount Shiun lies in the beautiful backdrop of the multi-island Seto Inland Sea paired with flowers blooming in all four seasons—daffodils in early spring, the mountain blanketed in pink cherry blossoms in spring, hydrangeas as big as faces in summer, and even though it’s not flower season in autumn and winter, the calm, ink-wash-painting-like Seto Inland Sea in the crystal-clear air remains a dreamy sight.

In spring, daffodils and cherry blossoms bloom in competition, while from June to July you can see the mountains covered in hydrangeas. Traffic control is implemented on Mount Shiun during the cherry blossom season in 2019, so travelers hoping to witness its breathtaking scenery should take note.

 

Designed by the architect of Aman at Summer Palace – an Aman boutique hotel embodying Kyoto garden aesthetics

》https://www.mook.com.tw/article.php?op=articleinfo&articleid=19959