And so, the final day had arrived.

I woke up as usual that morning and left my family home in Hamada. After taking a train and bus, I reached Hiroshima Station. Today was the day I’d head back to Saitama. A week of travel, all coming to an end. I found myself gazing at the crowds in the station, feeling a bittersweet pang of reluctance.

Reflecting on Hiroshima’s food, one last time

As soon as I arrived at Hiroshima Station, the food I’d eaten in this city naturally came to mind.

Hiroshima truly is blessed with wonderful food.

The restaurant with delicious oysters, the restaurant with amazing okonomiyaki. Before leaving, I made one more stop at that place I’d visited on my first day.

I took the tram from Hiroshima Station and got off at Hatcho-bori—it was just four stops down, so it was easy to find. A five or ten-minute walk from there, right behind the Parco building, stands that oyster restaurant.

And in the same building above it, on the second, third, and fourth floors, okonomiyaki restaurants line up one after another.

I couldn’t forget the taste of those oysters from the first day, and I found myself wanting to savor this city’s flavors one more time. I’m so glad I came back. Every place has great value. Eating inside the station is convenient, but I’d really recommend taking a short walk out to the Hatcho-bori area instead. Okonomiyaki tastes something special when you eat it surrounded by the energy of the local neighborhood.

Food while traveling is the culture of a place itself. The deep flavor of okonomiyaki owes everything to the umami of fermented sauce. Come to think of it, this whole week I’d encountered fermentation everywhere I went. The local sake of Shimane, the miso and pickles at the hot spring inn. I was reminded once again that Japan’s dinner table is truly supported by fermentation.

Choosing souvenirs at Hiroshima Station

After satisfying my appetite, it was time to pick out souvenirs at Hiroshima Station.

Souvenir shops line the station concourse. Momiji manju—those maple-leaf shaped cakes—in various versions, including ones filled with custard. Hiroshima’s signature sweets were packed into every available space. As I browsed, I thought of my colleagues at work and my family waiting at home, imagining their faces. This time spent choosing gifts felt like a lovely part of my journey’s closing.

My hands grew fuller with bags, but somehow my heart felt a little fuller too.

Boarding the Nozomi, heading back to Tokyo

I boarded the 1:18 p.m. Nozomi.

I took my seat and exhaled. The scenery flowed past the window. It was the same route as the way there, yet somehow it looked completely different on the return. Perhaps it was because a week’s worth of memories were now layering over the landscape.

The oysters of Hiroshima. The sea of Hamada. The strange rocks of Ishimi Tatamigaura. The sunset over Hinomisaki Lighthouse. The great straw rope at Izumo Taisha. The morning market at Sakaiminato. And the mechanical clock tower of Hamada.

I’d seen and tasted quite a lot.

The Shinkansen was scheduled to arrive in Tokyo just after 5 p.m. I decided to sip some coffee and slowly reflect on this week of travel. I believe these quiet hours on the return journey are an important part of the trip itself.

The journey ends, and back to everyday life

To be honest, I felt a little heavyhearted.

Tomorrow, the day after tomorrow, work would begin again. The thought of returning to that hectic daily routine made me feel a sigh rising in my chest. I’m sure everyone feels the same way. After a long break, it’s natural for anyone to feel a bit reluctant about returning to their normal life.

Which is why I think this way.

After a vacation, instead of jumping back into things at full speed, maybe I should ease back into my daily life slowly, at my own pace. I’d like to create that kind of rhythm for myself. When the body and mind shift gears too suddenly, something goes out of balance. Fermentation takes on its best flavors precisely because it unfolds slowly over time. Life is much the same, I think.

A journey is something outside the ordinary.

But the things I encounter in that extraordinary time enrich my ordinary days. The seafood I enjoyed in Sanyo, the warmth of the hot springs, the resonance of the kagura dance. These will become quiet sustenance in the days ahead.

It was truly a wonderful week of travel.

I walked a lot, ate a lot, witnessed many landscapes. And my digestion has been excellent throughout. I’m sure the gifts of fermented foods from each place I visited have helped settle my body and mind.

All right, time to head home.

And starting tomorrow, I’ll ease back into my usual life, little by little. I don’t want to forget this fulfilled feeling the journey has given me. I’ll walk forward slowly.

My Sanyo journey now comes to a close. Thank you so much for reading along.

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A journey continues in the heart, even after it has ended.

※ 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.