Sunday, June 7th. 7:48 in the morning.

I’m heading out on a trip tomorrow. A few days in the San’yō region.

Before a trip, it’s always like this

I always feel restless before traveling.

Work keeps creeping into my mind. Sure, there are things I need to do. But there’s nothing I can actually do about them right now, even if I think about them. I know that, and yet I can’t help myself.

And then there’s something else.

What time should I leave the house tomorrow? Will it be cold? What should I wear? Where should I grab breakfast? What about lunch? I find myself getting ahead of myself, thinking through all these little details.

It’s always been this way. I think I just have an overthinking nature.

Excitement and anticipation mixed together

Still, my heart feels light.

I’m excited and thrilled at the same time. That feeling never changes, no matter how old you get. The restlessness before a trip—it’s half worry and half joy.

Looking outside, there are plenty of clouds. The temperature is around 22 degrees.

It’s been a bit chilly lately. I really need at least one lightweight long-sleeved shirt or I start to feel cold. Picking out what to wear tomorrow will mean keeping that in mind. I’ll toss an extra layer into my bag just in case.

To the land of San’yō

My destination is the San’yō region.

A gentle climate along the Seto Inland Sea. Hiroshima, Okayama, Yamaguchi. This trip will take me in a loop around the southern side of the Chūgoku region.

To be honest, it’s been a long time since I’ve ventured out to San’yō. I passed through once when I was young, but I don’t think I’ve ever taken the time to really walk around and explore at a leisurely pace. What color is the Seto Inland Sea? What kind of scenery will the mountain roads show me?

I trace my finger across a map, imagining the places I want to go. Roads along the coast. Old town streets. Roadside stations. Local diners where the townspeople eat. Tourist spots have their charm, but honestly, I’m drawn more to places where you can see how people actually live.

I love browsing supermarkets and markets too. Local vegetables, local fish, local condiments. Just by looking at what’s on the shelves, you can sense a place’s food culture. Even on my recent trip to Thailand, wandering through local supermarkets was the most interesting part. I’m sure the San’yō region will have those kinds of discoveries waiting for me too.

What will I eat while I’m there?

Most of the joy of traveling comes down to the food, really.

Where should I eat breakfast? What about lunch? I scroll through my phone looking at different restaurants, letting my imagination run wild. This part is so much fun. Sometimes what you find is different from what you expected, but that’s all part of the adventure.

As someone who loves fermented foods, I’d really like to try whatever pickles, miso, and local sake the region has to offer. What fermentation traditions are alive and well in San’yō’s food culture? I’m already looking forward to finding out.

The Seto Inland Sea is known for its seafood. Fresh fish paired with local soy sauce. Hiroshima has okonomiyaki and oysters. If I venture further into Yamaguchi, I’m sure I’ll discover different flavors altogether. Just thinking about it makes my stomach rumble.

And when I travel, I’m conscious about staying healthy too. Lately, I’ve been making a real effort to take care of my gut health. I eat fermented foods regularly and make sure to walk a lot. Travel can throw your eating habits out of whack, but if I’m thoughtful about incorporating the local fermented foods, this trip might actually be good for my digestion. I’m quietly looking forward to that aspect too.

Getting ready for the journey

I took care of a few things this Sunday morning.

Now I’ll head home and start packing. Get my clothes ready, double-check that I haven’t forgotten anything. Somehow, even preparing for a trip feels like part of the journey itself.

Over the next few days, what landscapes will I encounter in San’yō? What flavors will I discover?

With a restless heart and a goofy grin on my face—that’s what the day before departure feels like.

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That jittery feeling before a trip probably never goes away. And I think that’s just fine.

※ This article is based on personal experience and publicly available information. It is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease. If you have health concerns, please consult a doctor or registered dietitian. See our Disclaimer.