December 4, 2025 – Hotel at Haneda Airport, Tokyo
December 5, 2025 – Chura Gahna House Tsubogawa Naha
December 6, 2025 – 8 kms city ride – Chura Gahna House Tsubogawa Naha
December 7, 2025 – Naha to Kumejima by ferry – EN Resort – 10 kms (trip total: 18 kms)
Gord and I are in Japan. We are here for a 7 week island hopping adventure through the Southwestern islands with our folding Bike Fridays.
After two nights recovering from jet lag in Naha on Okinawa, we are now sitting on the ferry waiting for it to depart and take us the remote island of Kume.
My mom passed away very recently and I’m in need of some R&R. We had a very complicated relationship punctuated by great joys and equally great difficulties. The finality of her death brings up many emotions and I am grateful that Gord and I have some time away for me to recover. We have booked into a resort right on the beach with an onsen.
It’s now evening and I’m tired, but a good tired; it was a good day. During the ferry ride we watched a flock of brown boobys fishing near the ship. Gord watched one catch a flying fish in mid-air. On arrival we hitched the trailers onto our bikes and cycled the 7 kms to our hotel. We finished the day with a snorkel followed by a soak in the onsen.
Your account of your Azores trip, way back now, inspired me to take my BF and explore there.
I haven’t felt the same inspiration from your other trips (not that the trips didn’t sound great, but they just weren’t my Thing. Maybe too much walking for my tastes) but this Japan Adventure feels like it is going to be back down my alley.
I’ll follow with interest.
We are also comparing this trip to our time in the Azores, and at this point I think that Okinawa will compare favourably. There are many more islands to visit in Okinawa, the climate is more moderate, and the sea is warmer.
The adventure begins. Have a great trip.
Great to see “Larry” on a new adventure again!
Oh he is a peppy one.
Ahh Ruth -my condolences with the passing of your mom 💙 love that the creative adventurers that you both are seek out that which will help fill your hearts ~ life 💫💙💫
Thinking of you, my dear Friends! Have a good journey, seize the days, and find peace on your way.
Following you, naturally!
Hugs to both of you.
Thank-you Ewa!
Welcome to Japan! I’m sure you will have many good experiences.
Last spring I began a bicycle ride on Okinawa, then ferried to north to Kagoshima with stops at the increasingly larger islands of Yoron, Okinoerabujima, Tokunoshima, and Amami Oshima, https://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/JapanSouth2025
With your Bike Fridays it will be easier to also visit the southwestern islands only reached by air. Norah Webster did this, https://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/nobojapan
We will be going South Bill!
What wouldn’t I give for an onsen? I’ve always been a bath guy and I haven’t had one in 2 months! Nothing but drippy showers where I am now. Back in cold rainy Victoria on December 23rd. I’ve missed the entire November December Victoria Christmas experience and I’m not missing it at all!
They really are delightful.
Sorry to hear about your Mum Ruth. Hope you and Gord have a great trip. Trust the current weather is a little nicer than Victoria?
Thank you for the condolences John. The climate in Okinawa this time of year is close to ideal. It certainly compares favourably with Victoria, where I believe Don and Chapman are in the process of building an arc.
Thank you John