Leading up to this trip, I knew that we’d be nearing the beginning of the Sakura cherry blossoms season in Japan. I’d check the peak blossom forecast every once in a while and it would look like they would be in full bloom at the end of our trip, then maybe not, then maybe yes again. It’s just really hard to nail down a date that’s weather dependent when you’re booking things 6 months out.
https://i0.wp.com/loosyourselfabroad.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/IMG_2662.jpg?fit=1500%2C1000&ssl=110001500Andrewhttp://loosyourselfabroad.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Logo-v3-300x138.pngAndrew2025-03-25 12:52:192025-03-26 15:26:16Trying to See Cherry Blossoms is a Moving Target
Joanna and I had a shopping list of things to get while in Japan for ourselves and our friends and family but didn’t want the hassle of carrying stuff from city to city. The plan was to use the final 2 days of the trip to stock up. The project manager in me tried to optimize our time by consolidating all the shops we needed to visit into groups so that we didn’t have to spend so much time moving from place to place.
Rice is planted around this time and harvested in October. Ryoko-san said that they like to plant their own rice later because it tastes better. They grow enough for themselves and their guests to eat. If there’s any extra, they’ll sell it locally. One rice stalk is the equivalent of one bowl of rice.
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One of the must-do activities while in Miyazaki is to visit the Takachiho Gorge. I had mentioned this to Ryoko-san when we checked into our place where she mentioned that the boats needed to be reserved ahead of time. This totally saved our butts because Thursday was a local holiday so naturally all of the boat reservations were taken from 9am-5pm except ONE at 11am. SO LUCKY!
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When we were driving down to Cape Toi yesterday, we stopped at a 7-11 to get snacks. As I was enjoying my onigiri rice ball while standing next to the car, I looked up at the street sign, saw monkeys on the sign, and made the executive decision to stop at Kojima Island. I asked Joanna if this was the equivalent of stopping at the Spam Museum or the World’s Largest Ball of Twine back in Minnesota.
https://i0.wp.com/loosyourselfabroad.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/IMG_2128.jpg?fit=1500%2C1000&ssl=110001500Andrewhttp://loosyourselfabroad.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Logo-v3-300x138.pngAndrew2025-03-20 08:40:082025-03-20 08:40:08Driving Around a Volcano for a Glass of Milk
Trying to See Cherry Blossoms is a Moving Target
JapanLeading up to this trip, I knew that we’d be nearing the beginning of the Sakura cherry blossoms season in Japan. I’d check the peak blossom forecast every once in a while and it would look like they would be in full bloom at the end of our trip, then maybe not, then maybe yes again. It’s just really hard to nail down a date that’s weather dependent when you’re booking things 6 months out.
We shopped ‘till we dropped
JapanJoanna and I had a shopping list of things to get while in Japan for ourselves and our friends and family but didn’t want the hassle of carrying stuff from city to city. The plan was to use the final 2 days of the trip to stock up. The project manager in me tried to optimize our time by consolidating all the shops we needed to visit into groups so that we didn’t have to spend so much time moving from place to place.
Entering the Last Leg of the Trip
JapanRice is planted around this time and harvested in October. Ryoko-san said that they like to plant their own rice later because it tastes better. They grow enough for themselves and their guests to eat. If there’s any extra, they’ll sell it locally. One rice stalk is the equivalent of one bowl of rice.
Fresh on the Boat
JapanOne of the must-do activities while in Miyazaki is to visit the Takachiho Gorge. I had mentioned this to Ryoko-san when we checked into our place where she mentioned that the boats needed to be reserved ahead of time. This totally saved our butts because Thursday was a local holiday so naturally all of the boat reservations were taken from 9am-5pm except ONE at 11am. SO LUCKY!
Driving Around a Volcano for a Glass of Milk
JapanWhen we were driving down to Cape Toi yesterday, we stopped at a 7-11 to get snacks. As I was enjoying my onigiri rice ball while standing next to the car, I looked up at the street sign, saw monkeys on the sign, and made the executive decision to stop at Kojima Island. I asked Joanna if this was the equivalent of stopping at the Spam Museum or the World’s Largest Ball of Twine back in Minnesota.