An impressionist pointillist painting of a twinkling butterfly world

When it comes to harbor night views, beginning with Hakodate, Yokohama and Kobe, the list is limitless. From early evening until midnight, people who love to watch the countless twinkling harbor lights flock to low hills and mountains overlooking the harbor. Living in the Kansai, I cannot neglect to mention the night view of Otsu as seen from Mount Hiei. I have watched many night views, but the view of Mutsu City on Shimokita Peninsula is something special. If you take the train from Aomori to Ominato Station of Mutsu City, you can see Mutsu Bay on the south and Kamafuse Mountain on the north-west. Since Mt. Osorezan lies beyond Mt. Kamafuse, tourists usually head for Osorezan. However, if you wait until sunset to arrive at the summit of Mt. Kamafuse you can get a superb view. The twinkling lights of Mutsu City appear in the shape of a swallowtail butterfly looking like an impressionist pointillist painting. It may not be as spectacular as the famous Hakodate Waistline night view, but considering Mt. Osorezan in the background, one becomes absorbed by a feeling that the butterfly has come either to take away or deliver someone’s soul.

Harbor Night View:
Night View of Shimokita Peninsula (Aomori Prefecture)