Letters from Japan, May/June 2024: soul-mind-body-character crushing Japanese summers, the hike of my life - the Great Ocean Walk and a trip to Kyushu right before the rainy season.
Brilliant photos! I especially like the second one - humans crouched in the landscape like apes! (I mean this in the best possible way).
I just sent out my weekly newsletter, but I'll be linking to this post next week!
PS my first year in Kyoto I lived in a 2-story apartment with no aircon. The heat, rising as it tends to, made my bedroom into a literal sauna -- and funnily enough, there actually was a sauna in the bathroom (very "unique" interior design; the building has long since been demolished).
I really love Australia. I always thought it would not be too different than other Western countries in terms of the culture but I could not be more wrong.
I had no idea how soul crushing summer in Tokyo could be. NYC can be pretty awful, but we don't have a rainy season per se. And that hike. I had no idea, but it's added to my list. Thanks.
Thank you Igor. Some sections are quite steep and require some very light scrambling but those sections are usually very short. If you start the hike from Chojabaru side and finish at Hokkein Onsen, you will be able to avoid all the steep sections.
Brilliant photos! I especially like the second one - humans crouched in the landscape like apes! (I mean this in the best possible way).
I just sent out my weekly newsletter, but I'll be linking to this post next week!
PS my first year in Kyoto I lived in a 2-story apartment with no aircon. The heat, rising as it tends to, made my bedroom into a literal sauna -- and funnily enough, there actually was a sauna in the bathroom (very "unique" interior design; the building has long since been demolished).
You described that photo much better than I ever could! Grateful.
Australia was never on my travel list, but this trail sounds and looks amazing! Will head over to your blog now!
I really love Australia. I always thought it would not be too different than other Western countries in terms of the culture but I could not be more wrong.
These photos are incredible.
Thank you.
I use an umbrella more in July, August, and September to shield me from the sun in Tokyo than during rainy season .
One of those things (summer umbrellas) that I could not make any sense of when I first moved to Japan and now I cannot think of any other way ☺️
I had no idea how soul crushing summer in Tokyo could be. NYC can be pretty awful, but we don't have a rainy season per se. And that hike. I had no idea, but it's added to my list. Thanks.
It is really that bad. Hope Okinawa was not too bad during the rainy season.
I loved everything about this! I was waiting for your next newsletter!
Thank you. You writing this truly means a lot to me.
You just articulated how I feel about the summer in Japan, it really is soul-body-mind crushing!
Best of luck to all of us! We can do this.
Nice writing. Enjoyed. How steep are trails in Kuju? Recently knee problems, so, being careful…
Thank you Igor. Some sections are quite steep and require some very light scrambling but those sections are usually very short. If you start the hike from Chojabaru side and finish at Hokkein Onsen, you will be able to avoid all the steep sections.
Thank you! Saved.
Hope you enjoy it. Highly recommend an overnight stay at Hokkein Onsen.
Sure. Normally I stay any reasonably large area a few days.
Humidity can be hard to deal with, but it's great for the skin! Gorgeous photos of the Great Ocean Road and 12 Apostles. A magical place!
Thank you and yes, you are right, the humidity does wonders for the skin if it does not kill you :)