Tourists walked to a famous Japanese sightseeing island south of Tokyo on Wednesday by taking a route that emerges only at low tide.
People usually visit Enoshima Island in the city of Fujisawa, Kanagawa Prefecture, by bridge or pleasure boat. But low tide sometimes creates a sandy passage, called a tombolo, to the island.
After the local tourist association held a ritual to pray for safety, visitors walked on the normally submerged pathway, with some in bare feet. They received a digital commemorative certificate when they reached the island.
Visitors who wish to access the island using the tombolo need to climb the stairs that are usually used for shore management and protection.
The tourist association says it considers factors such as weather and conditions of the sea to decide when the stairs can be opened to the public, and makes an announcement through the city’s official tourism website and other means.
A visitor in her 60s said that it was her first time to walk on the tombolo and she felt something mystical. She added that she was glad the weather was good.
Yuasa Hirokazu, the head of the local tourist association, said he hopes visitors will come to enjoy the views that are different from usual, such as Mount Fuji and the greenery of Enoshima Island.
AloJapan.com