A couple of weeks ago we decided to drive a couple hours north to visit the Shiriyazaki Lighthouse and hopefully see some of the wild horses that we’ve heard inhabit the park there. On the way I prayed that we would see the horses and that we might even see some snow monkeys! We ended up not going to the areas where people usually spot the monkeys but the horses definitely showed up for us. I actually screeched and teared up when we saw them! There have been a few places we’ve travelled where there were supposed to be wild horses (especially on the Eastern coast of the U.S.) but we’ve never been lucky enough to spot them. It was super exciting for us and the boys.

This lighthouse is located on the most northern point of Honsu, which is the name of island of mainland Japan. It was pretty cool to be so far north and to see how powerful and wild the landscape is there, especially the ocean. Of all the seas we’ve seen, the Sea of Japan and the Northern Pacific Ocean are insanely wild. The waters are super cold, which is no surprise. The wind was pretty crazy too and there are warnings as you climb the lighthouse warning you to be cautious of the strong winds. The boys didn’t really care about the view from the top of the lighthouse but Justin and I took a cold moment to enjoy the beauty. And to take some pics of Ezra to show him someday.

There are times I feel guilty that Harper and Gideon have seen so much of the world that Ezra hasn’t experienced with us, so I want to make sure there is evidence of all of his adventures, as well!

On our way home from the lighthouse we stopped along Mutsu Bay to look for a little sea glass or glass fishing floats. We didn’t have any luck which made me sad.

Our time in Japan is likely coming to a premature end due to Justin’s recent promotion. We were supposed to have 3 years here in Misawa and now it looks like we’ll be moving right at our one year anniversary of getting here. I’m sad because there is so much we haven’t seen due to hyperemesis and Justin’s surgery in the spring. We’re trying to soak up as much of Japan as we can before the snow hits in a week or two.

We’ll be announcing our next destination soon. <3

In our quest to find an accessible beach we saw a Japanese serow.  We were really far from it so I couldn’t get the best images but these things fascinate me.  Serow are a national symbol because they were nearly extinct at one time.  They look like a deer/goat/cow type thing.  They’re very distinct and interesting looking!