On the opposite shore, a rather realistic scarecrow startles both birds and passing cyclists. I'll probably never get used to the sight of these rice paddies right next to the ocean, either.

Passing a small temple, I surprised a group of young boys apparently practicing for their roles in the local festival. They all gladly scrambled down and posed for a picture when I asked them to, then ran back up the stairs yelling "Yatta!" (We did it!). Nicely spontaneous; I can't imagine adults doing anything like that (they'd probably yell something quite different).