1/1/2026 - 31/1/2026 January in Japan

Seeing the new year in in Kyoto was a very special experience and I feel lucky to have been able to have had the time to relax with my family while making some awesome memories. But the relaxing time quickly came to an end when David, Sky, Chloe, and I said goodbye to mum and dad and got the shinkansen down to Fukuyama (a city in Hiroshima Prefecture). We were about to start a famous two day long cycle called the Shimanami Kaido that spanned across 6 fishing islands just south of Hiroshima city. The cycle is famous for the beautiful views of fishing villages and the impressive bridges that join each island.

Day 1 of the cycle started bright and early. Us 4 got an early shinkansen down to Fukuyama and then caught a 2 hour bus to the start of the cycle, Imabari. Here, we picked up our rental bicycles and wrapped up warm before starting the route. The Shimanami Kaido route in its most basic form is roughly 75 km from start to finish. However, each island has an island explorer route that you can follow before heading across the next bridge. Most people usually spend about 3/4 days on the cycle, however we had planned to complete it in two days with an overnight stop on an island about half way through. As it was the beginning of January, temperatures were about 5 degrees and so we bundled up in our coats, hats, scarves, and gloves before setting off on the route. The route follows a blue line along the road and from the very beginning, the views were stunning. The first bridge that we crossed is the most famous of the 7: the Kurushima-Kaikyo Bridge - a 4km long suspension bridge (one of the longest in the world). The views crossing this bridge were absolutely stunning: vibrant blue sea and mountains in the distance, and immediately I knew that I had made the right decision to do this cycle. I was in awe as I cycled across this bridge and I know I will never ever forget the feeling of freedom as I cycled along staring out at the most beautiful view. Crossing the bridges wasn't the only amazing views on the cycle: we took some of the island explorer routes and each island offered coastal routes that took us around small fishing villages. Some of the islands were so deserted that the only sounds we could hear were the birds singing and our bicycles cruising along the road.

After cycling from Imabari to Oshima island and across Hakata island, we reached Omishima island where we would be spending the night, but our ryokan (traditional Japanese hotel) was the complete opposite side of the island. And, after cycling nearly 35km with a heavy backpack on, I was definitely pretty puffed out. It was at this point of the first day that I honestly started to seriously dislike the cycle. For the last 7km I felt like my legs had stopped working and I was desperately in need of a shower and sleep. It was only the next morning as we cycled back the way we came that we realised that the reason why the last 7km was horrible was because it was literally all uphill...

After cycling nearly 45km on the first day, we finally arrived at our ryokan.

The small village that our ryokan was in was very very remote but the hotel staff were super accommodating and immediately called a private taxi to take Chloe and I to a local super onsen: the leisure centre had eight different onsens AND a sauna complex... it was exactly what Chloe and I needed after a long day. We did tell David and Sky to come with us but they had already booked a traditional ryokan dinner and as Chloe and I walked back into the hotel (freshly washed and rejuvenated from the onsen) we caught a glimpse of their dinner..... about 12 plates of TERRIFYING fish dishes and unknown meats that still looked alive.... After having just done a whole day of cycling, Chloe and I had never been happier to have said no to the traditional food and we headed out to a local restaurant for some dinner.

It was at this tiny restaurant in the middle of a remote fishing village that we ate some of the most delicious food we have ever had and I still think about it now... The food was home-cooked and delicious and we had a great time sending pictures of it to D&S as they updated us with their 12 course fish meal. I went to sleep that night feeling exhausted but with a full belly and a full heart.

The next day Chloe and I got up early and went back to the restaurant and had a delicious fry up breakfast (while D&S had another 12 course meal of unknown food) before we started the second half of the cycle. We visited a local temple in the village and then continued along the route. Again, the views on the bridges were amazing, and the islands were stunning. We cycled along coastal routes and through small towns filled with lemon and orange trees. It was an amazing way to see a different side of Japan and the route was so much fun. Coasting along smooth roads and racing down steep hills was so much fun and I had the biggest smile on my face the whole time. The second day we cycled across Ikuchi island, Innoshima island, Mukaishima island, before finishing off in Onomichi, a distance of 48km, making the total cycle route nearly 100km.

The Shimanami Kaido is one of the best things I have done here in Japan (and my life) and I feel so lucky that I was able to experience it. I will never forget the beautiful views and it was so much fun to do it with Chloe, David, and Sky.

After the Shimanami Kaido, it was time for me to start back at school and I was very happy to be back! For the first few days back, Mum and Dad were also in Mobara and it was really nice to spend some time with them again before they had to go back the UK. After they left, David and Sky came to stay with Chloe and I for the weekend, so we gave them a quick tour of our city - we went for yakiniku, sushi, went to Chiba Zoo, and took them bowling! I had a really great time with my family here, and I'm so happy they came to visit. Shortly after they all left, my school friend Josh came and stayed with us for a week and even though we were working, we made the most of the evenings!! The first half of January was super busy with lots of visitors but it felt very special to have so many people from home here in Japan.

One weekend in January, Chloe, Luke, Louise, Erin, and I set up base in an airbnb in south Tokyo and spent the day at Sanrio Puroland (AKA Hello Kitty land). Louise is a massive fan of My Melody, a sanrio character, so we took a trip to the theme park so she could experience all things sanrio! Honestly... Puroland wasn't the best; there wasn't too much to do there and things were pretty overpriced, BUT sanrio is such a quintessential Japanese brand so I'm happy I went and experienced the park. And it was fun to see Louise in her Happy Place.

The last two weeks of January were pretty calm. One Saturday Chloe and I went out for lunch with her school Obaachans (grandma's) and the next Saturday, we went and watched my friend Tao perform in her acapella concert! They were both such nice days and it was really fun to spend some time with the Japanese people who have made our times here extra special.