A detour to the top of the mountain on your way to the hospital. A drive for yourself in your spare time.
Chuji Uchida Orthopedic Surgery
When I'm feeling unwell, there's a place I'm willing to drive to in search of reliable treatment. I normally only drive two or three times a week, mostly to pick up and drop off my kids, but the place I'd like to drive to for myself is Uchida Chuji Orthopedic Clinic in Yokosuka. It's a clinic on top of a mountain that I've been wanting to visit ever since I hurt my hip playing tennis. Taking advantage of this rare opportunity to drive, I'd like to leave early, finish my consultation in the morning, and then drive around the area.
For lunch, I went to Four Rascal in Kamakura. After enjoying a reunion with a friend who works there, I couldn't miss a stop by LONG TRACK FOODS in Kamakura for some shopping. I'd love to spend the day relaxing with background music that matches the refreshing seaside scenery, but I often forget to make a playlist, so I end up listening to urban legends on YouTube (I'm a premium member, so I can play in the background) or TBS Radio (lol). My ideal drive is one where I can enjoy something extraordinary from the everyday.
Rumbling the engine of a British sports car on Wakayama's scenic roads
Koya Ryujin Skyline
My usual road trip route is to the Kumano region of Wakayama Prefecture. I leave Tokyo at 5am and take the Isewan Ferry from Irago to Toba. This car is significantly lower than average. The ferry staff were hesitant to let me on board, saying they couldn't guarantee my safety, but I ended up getting on board at my own risk. The main objective of the trip was the spectacular mountain road, the Koyasan Ryujin Skyline.
Last year, the road was closed due to a landslide, so this year I want to get revenge. But before that, when I arrive, I head to Nachi Falls, which I visit every year as a tradition. I'll take the familiar roads and spend the night at a hotel in Kushimoto. The ideal route would be to head to my destination, the Koyasan Ryujin Skyline, the next day. By the way, as I mentioned earlier, the car is quite low, so it's common for the front lip to scrape and come off on rough mountain roads. I always carry duct tape with me (lol). It takes a lot of work, but there's nothing like the feeling of driving a lightweight Lotus through the great outdoors.
A free day trip packed with my favorite spaces, hot springs, art, and food.
Neglected Hot Springs
For me, driving is a very comfortable experience because it gives me the feeling of being able to take my own space outside, listening to my favorite music, reading my favorite books, spending time with my favorite people...
The place I most want to go to with this car right now is Hottarakashi Onsen in Yamanashi. Two of my close friends took me there for my birthday last year, and I was blown away by the beauty of the night view. Next time, I'd like to invite them to go see the view in the early morning.
Black coffee and black black gum from a convenience store are essentials for an early morning drive. After enjoying the hot springs first thing in the morning, I'll have a bowl of pork soup at the restaurant on the premises. I'm sure it will really soak in my blood. After that, I'd like to go to Kofu to see the Yamanashi Cultural Center, designed by Kenzo Tange in 1966. Its dynamic exterior is cool and gives a strong sense of the artist's talent. Finally, I'll head to Horaiken Main Branch for some Chinese noodles before heading back to Tokyo. It's a fulfilling trip, yet it's conveniently close enough that I can be back in Tokyo by mid-afternoon.
The destination is the Venice of Japan. Pack your surfboard and take a healing trip of about 7.5 hours each way.
Ine Boathouse
If you enjoy surfing or snowboarding, it's normal to drive 3-4 hours in search of good waves or good snow, so long drives aren't a problem for you (I even drove from Tokyo to Kyushu in my 20s!). I also had a great time renting a camper van in Hokkaido and traveling around the island for 5 nights.
My next destination is Ine Funaya in Kyoto Prefecture. I usually ride the waves, but I think I can relax a bit by eating delicious food while watching the calm waves of Ine Bay. Amanohashidate, one of Japan's Three Most Scenic Views, is about a 30-minute drive from Ine Funaya, so I'd like to visit both. When I go on a trip, I always stop by a power spot. I also make sure to visit local shrines, such as Tango Ichinomiya Motoise Kono Shrine near Amanohashidate.
I always have a surfboard in my car, so I can see myself being drawn to the surf spots of the Tango Peninsula in the future. In the end, surfing is my goal, which is typical of me (laughs).
A trip to the Sea of Japan that is also very fulfilling along the way. Going anywhere with your beloved old car
Sado Island
The Isuzu 117 Coupe I bought in 2021 is no longer in production, so I often get stares from people around me, but to me it's like a companion with a comfortable ride that fits me perfectly. I take it with me wherever I go, without feeling self-conscious about it being an old car.
Next time, I want to head to the Sea of Japan side together. My friend invited me to Sado Island, where we will be traveling. The island has beautiful scenery and many activities, and the journey there and back is also packed with fun, so it looks like it will be a fun drive. In the car, we stock up on local fruits and potato chips, and play music selection games and intro quizzes.
I stopped off at Nuttari Terrace Shopping Arcade for a coffee break, and visited a few hot springs along the way, including Hoshi Onsen, before catching the last ferry to Sado Island. I'm looking forward to enjoying Sado's nature to the fullest, including camping and mountain climbing with local friends and swimming at the scenic Futatsugame.
