(The following is the English translation of the e-mail sent to our Japanese customers.)

This is Kanako Yoshida from YOUYOUANG.

How are you doing?

I'm sure those who work in the stores were very busy during Golden Week Vacation (consecutive public holidays from the end of April to the beginning of May in Japan. GW).

For those of you who work in a company, were you able to take a vacation?

Our company took a holiday almost as per the calendar. This year, I asked my younger brother to dig bamboo shoots at my parents' house and to take care of my mother, and I spent all my holidays for “Shimanami Kaido (Sea Road) & Tobishima Kaido Cycling Trip”.

This issue of YOUYOUANG News has nothing to do with incense, but is a log of my "bicycle trip. Sorry.

I was blessed with good weather, and I went on a bicycle trip for the first time for a while. This was my fourth trip to Shimanami Kaido and first time in two years. I added “stay on an island” and “swim with dolphins” as new plans. I took the Shinkansen and a local train from Gunma to Onomichi in Hiroshima prefecture, and then go by bicycle. I put my bike in a bag and carried it on my shoulder. Therefore, daily changes of clothes, etc., are sent to each accommodation in advance.

After arriving in Onomichi in the late afternoon, I first strolled around Tenneiji Temple, famous for the “Cat's Hosomichi” (Cat's Narrow Path), on foot. The nostalgic townscape is perfectly suited to the cats at their leisure.

Course for Day 1:

I rode about 80 km from Onomichi to Imabari. All bridges are on top of hills, so it is a hill climb every time. My lazy thighs were sore from the hills I hadn't climbed in a while.

Take a small ferry from Onomichi to Mukaishima Island → From there, travel all by bicycle, Then eat the famous “Hassaku Orange Daifuku Sweets” on the neighboring Innoshima Island → See the terraced fields of pyrethrum → Purchase a new amulet at “Ohyama Shrine,” known as the bicycle shrine → Take photos with a lemon monument on Ikuchijima Island → Have lunch of octopus rice at the cyclist's holy place on Omishima Island → Cross to Hakatajima Island and swim with the dolphins I had hoped→ Arrive safely in Imabari in the evening via Oshima Island.

I heard that Innnoshima Island used to be completely white with pyrethrum, but now you can see the remnants of it as a tourist farm. On Hakata Island, the outside temperature was 22 degrees Celsius and the water temperature was 17 degrees Celsius, so it was reasonably cold even though I was wearing a wetsuit. However, I was so excited to be able to swim with dolphins (laugh) that I did not feel cold in the sea.

The distance traveled was about 80 km: 800 m of elevation gained.

Course for Day 2:

About 60 km from Imabari to Oyamazumi Shrine on Omishima Island. a day to enjoy the island, going back the way I came yesterday. The view from the bridge is beautiful. I climbed back up the Kurushima Kaikyo (Strait) Bridge, which I had taken the trouble to cross, and went to the Murakami Pirate Museum. After learning the history of the island, I returned to Hakata Oshima Ohashi Bridge.

I climbed up the hill here too to see Funaori Seto (narrow strait), famous for its whirlpools, but was unable to see it due to overgrowth of wild trees. After cheering myself, I visited Oyamazumi Shrine, the chief Shinto shrine in Japan on Omishima, where there is a 2,600-year-old sacred tree. I love this shrine, where I feel the presence of a bright and generous God.

My lodging for the day was a ryokan (Japanese inn) established in the Meiji era (1868-1912), and even though the fish market is closed during GW, the sashimi and fish dishes were surprisingly delicious.

Distance traveled : 60km, altitude gained: 600m.

Course for Day 3:

 I completed Tobishima Kaido. I had to go over the mountains in the morning to catch the 8:30 a.m. ferry from Munakata Port. (Laughs) It would be a disaster if I didn't make it in time, so I pedaled diligently and arrived 15 minutes before departure. I was happy to receive cherries from a lady in the waiting room. The early bird catches the worm!

Riding the ferry with cars and motorcycles, I arrived at Okamura Island. This is the start of the Tobishima Kaido. Compared to the Shimanami Kaido, the embankment is lower, so the sea is visible from most places while cycling.

It was very peaceful, quiet, lined with mandarin orange orchards, and the sea was calm. It was before summer, so the sea was a beautiful light blue.

From Okamura Island I headed to Mitarai on Osakishimojima Island. Mitarai was once a very prosperous town, with a history of theaters and ochaya (place where geisha entertain guests with performance) lining in the small island. The buildings still remain and have been turned into cute cafes and galleries to entertain us. Once again, I was able to enjoy a delicious cup of coffee at the edge of the building and see the galleries.

We took a leisurely bike ride, looking out at the ocean, to Toyoshima Island, where there was “Mari-chan”.

Mari-chan is a famous local eatery and the Mari-chan is also chef’s name. It is located in a back alley that serves swordfish ramen and okonomiyaki. It is very popular and there is always a line. The ramen with swordfish broth can only be found here. The okonomiyaki is also very tasty, with a very thin skin, thin noodles, and plenty of healthy vegetables. It is also fun to watch Mari-chan and three elderly female assistants working so hard. It is a restaurant that makes me think, "I'm going to do my best!

Crossing Kami-Kamagari Island and Shimo-Kamagari Island, I head for Kawajiri, the end of the Tobishima Kaido. From here, I head for Nigata, Kure City, where the train station is located, and then pack up my bicycle and go to Hiroshima Station. That's it for this bicycle trip. The distance traveled that day was about 55 km, and the elevation gained was 500 m.

Luckily, I didn't have a flat tire and didn’t get rained on, and the trip went by so fast when it was over. Next time, I would like to go to small islands that I have not visited yet.

The early summer breeze is pleasantly blowing on my cheeks.

It is a wonderful season. I wish you all many good times.