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Yokosuka City straddles the Miura Peninsula, facing Tokyo Bay to the east and Sagami Bay to the west.  Yokosuka's eastern coast has been modified with landfills and harbor facilities & piers -- and it is where the major commercial districts and residential areas are located.  On the other hand, Yokosuka's more rural western coast remains pretty much unchanged from centuries ago -- it has a much different, natural and relaxed vibe.  Since the olden times, there has been a well-traveled road which runs along the coast on the narrow land between the green hills and the ocean -- nowadays it is named National Highway 134.  Riding, cycling, or walking along Highway 134, you will pass by many spots & beaches which look out at Sagami Bay, and when the weather cooperates, a spectacular view of Mount Fuji can be seen -- especially during sunsets.  In 1894, Japan's Meiji Emperor had a summer villa built in what is now Hayama Town (see link below).  There was also a really pretty area along the coast, south of the villa, which became a favorite of the Imperial family, and a tea house was built there.  That area is now called "Tateishi Park" (立石公園).  Tateishi means "standing stone", and it refers to a giant rock which juts out into the waves, standing 12 meters high with a circumference of about 30 meters.  The well-known 19th century woodblock/ukiyo-e artist Utagawa produced a famous landscape painting of Mount Fuji and the Tateishi rock formation (see the reproduction at the bottom).  The park is registered as an official cultural asset of Yokosuka City and listed as one of the "Top 50 Scenic Spots" in Kanagawa Prefecture.  Tateishi Park is open year-around and has a free parking lot, available from 06:00~21:00, with 62 spaces (but the entrance is narrow, so difficult for large/wide vehicles).  Tateishi park is a great place to go and relax and walk around while enjoying beautiful coastal scenery and wonderful views of mountains across the ocean -- we hope you will get the chance to visit there. Written by Goodfield

LINKS:

Hayama Town

http://Tateishi Park

Tateishi Park Background Information

http://Tateishi Park Background Information

Utagawa's painting of Mount Fuji and Tateishi