Map of Ohshima tile set into a Moto Machi sidewalk.
Mayumi and I took a walk through Moto Machi, Ohshima’s largest town, and discovered a few of its treasures.
Mayumi led me up a steep staircase (so steep there were ropes to hang onto) to pray at the local Shinto shrine.
We passed a geodesic dome tea house that also sells handmade gifts.
Like Puna, Hawaii, where I have lived most of the past five years, Ohshima recognizes its active volcano as central to its identity.
This wonderful ancient carved stone stands in a public park.
Also like Hawaii, Ohshima loves the underwater world, as witnessed by this sidewalk tile.
Alicia Bay Laurel 