26,000 feet up in the air.

Come along on a brilliant visual journey through the skies above Japan.

From the airport closest to iconic Mount Fuji, we embark.

Soar with us, to a realm steeped in legend and wonder... on the wings.

Mid-October, and we find ourselves in Shizuoka, nestled in the heart of Japan.

The nation's highest peak has just welcomed its first snow cap of the season.

Our point of departure, Shizuoka Airport.

Inaugurated in 2009, it stands as Japan's most recently constructed gateway to the skies.

In addition to domestic routes covering destinations like Hokkaido, Fukuoka, and Okinawa,

it also offers international flights connecting to Korea and China.

On a clear day, one can capture breathtaking photos of the majestic peak.

The airline we'll be flying with came into being alongside this airport's inauguration.

Anchored in Shizuoka, it weaves a network between the nation's diverse regions.

Today, our destination is Shimane Prefecture's Izumo Airport, home to one of Japan's most iconic shrines.

Our departure time is set for 8:30 AM.

The journey to Izumo will be about an hour's flight.

We'll be embarking on a 76-passenger seater compact jet.

It's showtime.

For a special treat, view the moment of takeoff directly from the cockpit.

V1 (Takeoff decision speed)

Rotate (Lifting the nose)

V2 (Takeoff safety speed)

Right after liftoff, on your left, you'll spot the Shinkansen, that is, the bullet train, speeding by.

And then, there's Mount Fuji.

As we head out to sea, the aircraft makes a sharp right turn.

Now, Mount Fuji is on our right.

This route gives views of Mount Fuji from both the left and right sides of the aircraft.

You can hardly go wrong, no matter which side you sit.

Shizuoka is blessed with abundant water resources,

thanks to a series of large rivers flowing through it.

With a temperate and rainy climate well-suited for tea cultivation,

it's in fact Japan's top tea-producing region.

And here we have Lake Hamana, a brackish lagoon, where eel farming is a thriving industry.

Leaving Shizuoka, we are now entering the neighboring Aichi Prefecture.

We've now reached cruising altitude plane at roughly 26,000 feet.

In a smaller aircraft like this one, we fly at a lower altitude,

affording closer views of the picturesque scenery below.

Thirty minutes since departure now, and the drink service begins.

The cabin crew pours their spirit of hospitality into every cup they serve.

Pleasant air travel simply wouldn't be possible without the support of the professionals on board.

Nabuchi Misako, a flight attendant with 9 years of experience.

When the seatbelt sign goes off, the crew whirls into action, preparing for drink service.

On this route, the seatbelt sign is only off for a short 35-minute window.

Within this time, they must serve drinks and clean up from start to finish.

It's truly a race against the clock.

We offer 3 options.
Hot coffee, tea, and apple juice.

We particularly recommend
the green tea sourced from Shizuoka.

Aromatic green tea brewed in a traditional teapot.

Even with limited onboard facilities, they're able to recreate it.

Every flight, we make it fresh,
ensuring genuine freshly-steeped taste.

In goes the tea pack... followed by steaming water.

It steeps for one minute.
We make it as flavorful as possible.

We stir with a bar spoon for 30 seconds.

About 30 taps on the bag,
and then a firm squeeze.

The last so called, golden drop,
ensures extraction of the tea's essence.

This nuanced ritual ensures the highest quality of Shizuoka tea for passengers.

And, simply maneuvering the drink cart onboard is an art of its own.

When cruising, the plane maintains a slight upward tilt of about 3 degrees,

to balance gravitational and lift forces.

This means that the aisle is on a subtle slope.

The plane's nose is pointing up,
so we must firmly engage the brakes.

Drink service is the singular opportunity
to interact with passengers.

That's why we put heart into each cup.

The flight is at its midpoint.

Below us now is Lake Biwa, Japan's largest lake.

This route takes us right over the heart of its shimmering waters.

To the left, the historic city of Kyoto.

We're now over Tottori Prefecture, bordering the Sea of Japan.

To the right, we spot the Tottori Sand Dunes, one of the largest in Japan.

Then, the highest peak in this region, Mt. Daisen, comes into view.

A curious sight appears below; islands in the lake, connected by roadways over the water.

This bridge marks the border from Tottori to Shimane.

Below is Matsue, the capital city of Shimane Prefecture, filled with scenic beauty.

Once over Lake Shinji, we prepare for the final approach.

We'll be touching down on this runway jutting out into the lake.

Izumo Airport is unofficially referred to as the airport of destiny,

thanks to a famous shrine which is said to bring "en-musubi," or fortune in relationships.

In Shimane, the tenth month of the lunar calendar is referred to as "kamiarizuki," or the month of deities.

Deities from all over the country are said to gather for meetings related to destiny.

The venue for these meetings is Izumo Oyashiro Grand Shrine, just a 30-minute drive from the airport.

Meet our guide for the day.

Thank you for coming to Izumo.

Adachi Kayo, an airline ground staff member raised in Izumo.

This is a sacred place where the deity
O-kuninushi-no-okami is enshrined.

It's advised to visit in neat attire
not sandals, denim, or revealing clothes.

Bow once before passing through the "torii" gate.

The center path is for the deities,
so it's proper manners to walk on the sides.

Before visiting the main shrine,

you purify yourself at the water pavilion by rinsing your hands and mouth with water.

The main structure where the deity is enshrined is located at the very end.

Bow twice, clap your hands four times.

And then bow once more at the end.

Along the approach, there are shops offering traditional Izumo dishes to visitors.

The three-layered 'Warigo' soba
is a can't miss.

You add condiments, pour the sauce,
and then enjoy each layer one by one.

Dessert is also a specialty of Izumo!

Sweetly boiled azuki beans topped with mochi.
Known as "zenzai," it originated here in Izumo.

Another recommendation of hers is a rest stop that sells local specialties.

Soft serve made with Izumo's
specialty figs is amazing here!

Thank you for showing us around!

Please fly with us again on, On the Wings.