Numazu Midlands

This is a walk I took through the Numazu Midlands in mid summer. The Numazu midlands rest at the foot of Mt Ashitaka in Shizuoka Prefecture. During the walk you can see traditional farming, tea fields and native Japanese forest.

For more information on the Numazu Midlands or Numazu check out this site http://numazu.wordpress.com
Filming notes;
Okay, so I am slowly working out this filming and editing thing. There is still quite a wobble in the moving shots and my story line needs to come together better with my footage. Oh, and I have also put in a really cheesy rib poking joke in there that I decided to leave in purely for self flagellation purposes.

This journey through the new Mizzou Midlands begins near my house about four kilometers north of New mizzou station and just above the Shinkansen tracks this part of New mazut basically makes up the southern foothills of napa stucco a 1505 meter high mountain that towers over New mizzou City only to be

Intimidated by the dizzy heights of mouse Fuji directly behind it on the first leg of this short journey I take a service road used by local farmers the road parallels are concrete line stream as it flows down through a small valley from the mountain dominating either side

Of the valley our tea fields that are casually interspersed with small fields of vegetable crops this area is not owned by just a few landowners like we would expect in America or Australia rather this Midland area is made up of a myriad of small holdings walking through here in summer you can

See an amazing variety of crops just up ahead you can see a bush bearing a strange-looking and edible fruit from the same family as eggplants it’s got a foxface kitson in norcal and japanese let’s call that girl as well I guess it’s how it looks a little further along

I come across three giant pumpkins that have been harvested from the field from what I can tell the fox face and these massive pumpkins have little more function than decoration however there are plenty of vegetables growing through here as well this particular white lift plan is called a site or more you eat

The tuberous roots that look like tiny dirty turnips just be careful when you peel them because if you inadvertently scratches sensitive area while peeling expect a stinging burn oh and by sensitive area I mean Nick by the way persimmons are also commonly grown in this area and in summertime you can see

The immature green fruits emerging before their ripening in late August I take the service road north up over the busy talma expressway and then cross down to follow another stream from here the stream frees itself from its artificial walls until they reach a small dam on a previous walk along the rice fields

Of the lowlands I had found freshwater crayfish living in the open drains after some research I discovered that they are introduced species that were brought to Japan to help eat aquatic pests that damage the rice crops now they have all but destroyed the native crayfish population the good news is that by

Cutting a few of these crayfish you are doing your bit for the environment and also providing yourself with an exceptional feed during this time of year there are a number of different species of lilies flowering in the area they set a pleasant contrasts the vibrant summer greens of the surrounds

Moving further up this old track I find a tunnel built for a new highway that seems to be perpetually under construction as you walk through the tunnel you can hear the nearby bird caws echoing beautifully not far past this tunnel I am my journey when the track

Reaches tarmac and I decide to make my way back home on the way back I discover another track that takes me down under the busy term way express road and one who surprised to find the tunnel walls covered in graffiti this semi rural setting such an odd place to see graffiti and

Particularly so when the graffiti was in English is it done by some rather English literate Japanese delinquent or some young foreigners out for some cheap amusement who knows in any event it was an unexpected surprise pass the tunnel heading back down the hill I emerged into a bamboo grove before going off

Track to make my way up a steep slope to a familiar road and towards home the news in midlands is an exciting place no matter where you access it from you’ll find tea fields farmlands and pockets are forests all of which change from season to season and on clear days you

Can get spectacular views of new muzu city desi hunter and tsuruga Bay so go for a walk and enjoy you