Time to get this mystery trip started! We basically don’t find out where we’re going each day until we get there.
Day 1: Tokyo > Yonezawa
Today we took a bullet train out of Tokyo, explored a shrine, fed/harassed pigeons, and ate an amazing multi-course dinner (and accidentally ordered sake that cost twice as much as we realized, whoops). Can’t wait to see where we end up tomorrow!
Day 2: Yonezawa > Yamagata > Kawasaki > Sendai
Hiking, distillery tour, and SO MUCH FOOD! We both love all these little remote towns, but we’re excited to be back in an actual city for a few days. 😁
Day 3: Natori and Sendai
We took a daytrip out to Natori to spend the morning at their massive Sunday market/auction, then had an amazing time at a brand new garden/festival in Sendai. 🌸
Day 4: Sendai > Okinawa
Every day we all make a prediction on whether we’ll go north or south. I kept saying north, thinking we’d eventually get to Hokkaido. Today I couldn’t have been more wrong as the bus pulled up to the airport and we were handed tickets to Okinawa! I’ve never been this far south in Japan and we’re staying at a SUPER fancy resort for a couple days. 😁
Day 5: Free day in Okinawa
Okinawa is an interesting place. Parts of it seem very Americanized (makes sense due to the large American presence) but others almost seem more traditionally Japanese than we’ve experienced before. I got turned away at the breakfast buffet this morning until I covered my tattoos, whoops. We spent today swimming in the ocean, having an afternoon tea, and indulging in an extremely expensive teppanyaki dinner.
Day 6: Okinawa > Fukuoka
Today we nearly missed our flight while we searched for elusive taco rice but finally made it to Fukuoka, where we took over a dessert + drinks place. 😁
Day 7: Fukuoka > Kitakyushu
Crafts, rain, and…toilets? We started the day with craft time at the Yoshinogari Historical Park, then grabbed a train to see the Toto (toilet) museum. 🤣 Then we finished the day in Kitakyushu, where we ate and drank the evening away.
Day 8: Day trip to Shimonoseki
Walked through an underwater pedestrian bridge that connects Honshu with Kyushu and emerged in Shimonoseki – home of the pufferfish! You know I ate some fugu when given the opportunity. 🐡
Day 9: Kitakyushu > Akiyoshidai > Hagi
Spelunking, pottery, and sake! We’re finally at a more traditional resort by the ocean with an onsen and we couldn’t be happier. 😁
Day 10: Exploring Hagi
I am in love with this town. All the houses are gorgeous, the beaches go on forever, and it’s so walkable! We spent the day hiking up a mountain, exploring castle ruins, looking for shells and crabs, and eating/drinking all the local specialties.
Day 11: Hagi > Okayama
We’re beginning our slow return to Tokyo! Today was mostly a travel day, but we did visit the last remaining “old” castle in Japan – back when they built them on top of mountains instead of in city centers. To be honest we mostly ended up there because it had a funny name, but we also met a famous cat, ran into a herd of monkeys, and dodged skinks.
Day 12: Okayama > Nagoya
Almost back to Tokyo! This was the last full day of the trip. Tomorrow most of our tripmates fly back home, although Nick and I are staying in Tokyo for a few more days. We capped off the trip with some shopping and good food together!
Day 13: Nagoya > Osaka > Tokyo
Finally returned to Tokyo! We had to say goodbye to most of our group but took a quick detour to Osaka, then met up with a few stragglers back in Tokyo. We did TWO themed cafes today. 😂
Day 14: Tokyo shenanigans
We went to yet another themed cafe today, plus our favorite cat cafe, then went shopping all over the city. Our feet are getting so sore! 😅
Day 15: Soloing Tokyo
Well, duoing, I suppose, but it’s only me and Nick now! We went to the ramen museum, met capybara triplets, and then did some shopping. I completely wore my old shoes out and needed new ones. I also need a new shirt because one of the capybaras nibbled holes in mine. 🤦♀️ Also: an earthquake!
Day 16-17: Completing Tokyo
We spent yesterday and today tying up loose ends in Tokyo – mailing postcards, buying souvenirs and gifts, and checking out a few last sights like a giant Gundam statue. After walking over 120 miles in the past 2.5 weeks, we fly home tonight! 🥰
