5 o’clock in the morning. I opened the curtains to find a light rain falling.

The kind of soft, humid air that comes with the rainy season. The temperature was just under 20 degrees, making it a bit chilly. Today, my Sanyo journey finally begins.

Heading West from Tokyo Station on the Shinkansen

I caught the 5:56 bus to the station first.

From there, I walked to Tokyo Station. I have an old ritual of mine: before boarding the Shinkansen, I always buy breakfast and souvenirs at Tokyo Station. Today I chose a pastry. On the train, I like to sip my coffee slowly while nibbling my bread. This might be my favorite moment at the start of any trip.

I boarded the 8 o’clock Shinkansen.

As time passed, the station filled up more and more. Businessmen with suitcases, foreign travelers with large bags. Everyone heading toward their own destinations. And here I was, caught up in that flow. Just being part of it all got me excited about the journey ahead.

The landscape streamed past the window. The steam from my coffee, the aroma of bread. Today’s destination: Hiroshima.

Arriving in Hiroshima

I arrived at Hiroshima Station. The temperature was 22 degrees.

The station concourse was bustling with people. As expected, there were plenty of international visitors. Europeans pulling large suitcases, travelers from across Asia. You could really sense how Hiroshima draws people from around the world. It’s a lively, energetic city.

From here, I took a tram—the Hiroshima Electric Railway streetcar.

My destination was Hatcho-bori. I arrived in about ten to fifteen minutes from the station. Much closer than I’d expected. Very convenient. I mentally made a note to use this again if I ever return to Hiroshima.

When I stepped off the tram, the city felt hot and humid. That rainy-season moisture clung to my skin. Still, there’s something wonderful about walking through an unfamiliar city.

Oysters in Hatcho-bori

I decided to have oysters for lunch.

When you think of Hiroshima, oysters are what come to mind. I stepped into an oyster restaurant in Hatcho-bori and ordered Hiroshima oysters.

One bite, and I couldn’t help but make a sound.

Creamy. Rich and buttery, with an umami that bloomed softly across my palate. The phrase “milk of the sea” fit perfectly. No fishy taste at all—just pure deliciousness. I paired them with a chilled white wine. The harmony between cold wine and oysters needs no explanation. It was sublime.

Both the oysters and the wine owed their excellence to fermentation. Wine comes from fermented grapes, and oysters themselves carry the concentrated gifts of the sea. To taste a region’s ocean bounty paired with the region’s wine—there’s no greater indulgence than that.

My companion was smiling beside me. It was a wonderful lunch.

By Bus to Shimane: Mist on Sabiki Mountain

After savoring the oysters, I made my way back to Hiroshima Station.

From there, I was taking a 2 o’clock bus to Hamada in Shimane Prefecture. About two hours of travel. With only one restroom break along the way, I was actually grateful I hadn’t had too much wine. I have an old memory of needing the bathroom during a journey like this, and it made me anxious. As you get older, you learn to be careful about these things.

The bus wound its way into the mountains.

We stopped for a brief rest at the Sabiki Mountain parking area. Just a ten-minute break.

I stepped outside and the rain was falling. And draped across the mountain’s peak was mist.

I held my breath.

I might never have seen white mist flowing across a mountaintop so clearly before. The rain-soaked greenery and the slowly drifting fog. The air felt remarkably pure. When I took a deep breath, it felt like my lungs were being cleansed right down to their depths. It was stunningly beautiful.

I was wearing a t-shirt, so the chill made me shiver a bit. But seeing this landscape was worth getting off the bus for.

Arriving in Hamada

The bus pulled safely into Hamada.

By the time we arrived, the rain had grown a bit heavier. That’s what traveling during rainy season is like. The rain itself becomes part of the journey. Wet roads and rain-veiled scenery have a beauty all their own, different from what you see on clear days.

I woke at 5 AM and traveled from Tokyo to Hiroshima to Shimane. It was a full, packed day. I went through a succession of transportation—Shinkansen, tram, bus. I ate oysters, saw mist, and got rained on. My body is a little tired, but my heart feels full.

Tomorrow, I want to walk slowly through Shimane. What views and flavors will I discover?

Day one of my Sanyo journey. Off to a very good start.

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When I saw that mountain wrapped in mist, I truly felt in my heart that it was worth coming all this way.

※ 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.