Another aspect that fascinated us on Kyushu is also true for other Japanese regions, but I want to show it here with some examples, and then come back to this subject in a later post. It is about the craftmanship which is omnipresent all over the country. Japan has so much respect for the knowledge and skill of its artisans that every year some of them are honoured as National Monuments during their lifetime. Just like in Germany, it has also become increasingly difficult here for the aging masters to find successors for their crafts and their businesses within the younger generation.

This is a post about an inspiring story, the likes of which could only be written in Japan; and you will understand why as I walk you through it. The story takes place in Kumamoto Prefecture, Kyushu Island, and starts in 2016 with a powerful earthquake: The so-called Kumamoto Earthquake cost 274 lives, injured 2800, displaced 180.000 people, and caused severe damage to historic castles (including Kumamoto Castle), roads, bridges, and the Kyushu Shinkansen line. Landslides buried homes in mountainous areas. We can still see some of the destruction or guess it, due the abnormally high number of new houses in some areas.

Part One - Wild Volcanoes

Part 2:

Some of you have certainly wondered how travelling in a campervan works in Japan? The answer is simple: impeccable. Japan’s infrastructure makes travelling in a campervan really a breeze!

Shikoku is the smallest of the four main Islands of Japan. It is also the least populated with only 3.8 million people on 18 800

When you are on the road as long as we are, there are moments that are less exciting but rather functional. In our case, it’s the transitions between regions, longer drives without any intended points of interest along the way. These are the times when we do some planning, while Ben is grinding it behind the wheel. These are the days when we exchange the charming, but narrow mountain roads for toll roads to move ahead faster. The Japanese toll roads are expensive but top notch, and the roadside stations are very nice and plentiful, with showers and all you need.

The following three days should be entirely dedicated to our Yuru Camp pilgrimage, and believe me, the places it took us, and the discoveries we made are nothing short of spectacular. I will go into the details of this quest on its dedicated page, but here, in this blogpost, I want to show you some of the discoveries me made.

We are leaving Izu Penisula to continue our roadtrip further north, where some exciting destinations await. First stop is Ito, a tiny, casual restaurant in the town of Fujinomiya, Shizuoka Prefecture, which is part of our Yuru camp pilgrimage. It is the kind of place that would probably go unnoticed, but is highly cherished by locals for the kind of comfort food that makes you feel at home. After a short waiting time, we are led to a room in the back in typical Japanese style, where we settle at the low table and study the menu. But before long, the owner comes to offer us a seat at the counter, and this is where the real fun begins, because we can watch firsthand how our meal is being prepared. We choose Gomoku Shigure, a kind of savory, stuffed pancake cooked on a large sizzling hot iron plate. It is hearty and delicious.

If yesterday’s experience of Izu Peninsula was one of waterfalls, today it is all about the ocean. But, in the end, all of the destinations we visit, are part of the Izu Peninsula UNESCO  Global Geopark, which was established to protect and showcase its unique geological heritage of international significance, shaped by millions of years of volcanic activity and tectonic movement. It is the only place, where two active volcanic arcs collide, creating a rare and dynamic geological landscape. I have always been fascinated by volcanoes and everything related to their activity, therefore Izu Peninsula definitely belongs in my itinerary.After a short run to a coin laundry, we set out to meet the sea! Our empty stomachs drive us toward a unique pizza shop, Fermen, located directly by the beach, that serves sourdough pizza baked in a huge pizza oven. We are greeted and served with the usual professionalism and friendliness, and the pizza, combined with the stunning view of the turquoise waters, is just delightful.

Izu is a peninsula in Shizuoka Prefecture, just south of the Mount Fuji area. It is mostly overlooked by visitors, who rush from Tokyo to Osaka and Kyoto, and boy, do they miss out on this natural beauty! Whereas most of Japan is all about mountains, Izu tells the story of water – and we embrace is wholeheartedly!