Journal Archive
41 entries, 51 prefectures, one long road. 旅の記録
I Wish We Had That Kind of Culture in the UK
I took the ferry to Shōdoshima, got so caught up chatting with Uchiyama-san that I only just made the next one, and in Himeji a fisherman called Nori-san treated me to station soba that was ridiculously good.
Praying in My Tent That It Doesn't Rain
The road from Himeji to Kobe was full of encounters, starting with Kenji-san, who treated me to katsudon. But that night my campsite turned out to be a block of flats' car park, so I had no choice but to pitch my tent in a riverside park.
Almost Everything in the Vending Machines Was 50 Yen
I pitched my tent on a riverbank overlooking Osaka, tried my first internet café, and ate takoyaki and okonomiyaki. That night I drank and sang karaoke with Toshihiko-san in Nishinari, then shared a 50-yen coffee.
I Really Do Love Kyoto After All
I followed a riverside route to Kyoto, wrote up twenty-two culture shocks I've noticed so far, and met Yoshihiro-san again for curry udon at Kyoto Station. I'd had my doubts before coming, but Kyoto won me over.
Just Kidding, Mum!
A day in Kyoto visiting shrines and checking out Ogawa Coffee, which Ed had recommended. I also wrote about the two reasons I keep this blog, and about my grandad, the person I respect most.
I Love You, Pork Yakiniku Set Meal
Some striking street art made me stop at a toy shop run by two brothers, one of them the musician Ryōji-san. I saw Lake Biwa from the rooftop, made my campsite with time to spare, and discovered a treasure of a pork yakiniku set meal.
So the Rainy Season Has Begun
Seventy-two kilometres of mountain roads and heavy rain, with 800 metres of climbing. The rainy season has started and tiredness led to a string of mistakes, but I'm not giving up. I also wrote about Japanese, the puzzle I love.