Our month in review as we wrap up life in Gothenburg and prepare to head to Linköping…
Month in Review: January 2025
Life in Sweden (January 2025).
Length of Japan Cycling Tour - Part 3 of 3
On October 19, 2020 we embarked quietly on our bike ride from the northern most tip to the southern most tip of Japan. I publish this blog in celebration of the 47 days, 2141.2 miles, and 110,176 ft of riding we did over 75 days total of enjoying every inch of the length of this country. This ride was the most fitting culmination of our nearly five years in Japan. This blog post covers the final third of the 75 days of our cycle touring along the length of Japan, concluding on Sunday, May 9, 2021 when we returned to our then home, Nagoya.
Length of Japan Cycling Tour - Part 2 of 3
On October 19, 2020 we embarked quietly on our bike ride from the northern most tip to the southern most tip of Japan. I publish this blog in celebration of the 47 days, 2141.2 miles, and 110,176 ft of riding we did over 75 days total of enjoying every inch of the length of this country. This ride was the most fitting culmination of our nearly five years in Japan. This blog post covers roughly Day 34 - Day 45 of the 75 days of our cycle touring along the length of Japan.
Length of Japan Cycling Tour - Part 1 of 3
On October 19, 2020 we embarked quietly on our bike ride from the northern most tip to the southern most tip of Japan. I publish this blog in celebration of the 47 days, 2141.2 miles, and 110,176 ft of riding we did over 75 days total of enjoying every inch of the length of this country.
Serendipitously October 19 also marks 5 years since we first arrived to Japan. This ride was a fitting culmination of our time in Japan and a perfect celebration to close out our time there as we have known since June of 2020 that Justin’s contract would not renew and we would be saying goodbye for now to what has been the most incredible experience of both of our lives.
This blog post covers Day 0 - Day 33 of the 75 days of our cycle touring journey along the length of Japan.
Our Little, Unwitting Japanese Dream House
I never thought we’d live in Japan much less experience two different housing situations in the span of our time here (our four year “Japanniversary” is October 19th, 2020!!). To say we adored our former, gorgeous little apartment is an understatement. (Detailed in a previous blog post if you are interested.) We did not adore the thin walls between our unit and the neighbors who had three children under 5 and the insomniac neighbors above us who frequently woke us up at 1 and 2 am dropping very heavy objects on the floor above our bedroom. We loved that apartment so much I spent the better part of an entire year going crazy before we decided to pull the trigger and move again, as we were certain we’d not find any improvement on our open layout, south-facing, brand new construction apartment in an ideal location (on two subway lines in an area we loved) . It was most important to be able to leave Japan when we felt done with our adventures here, and we did not.
Tour de Hokkaido
Our 14-day cycle tour of the island of Hokkaido. Mostly bike packing. Road bikes. Best vacation of our lives.
Tour de Hokkaido - Trip and Route Details for Cyclists
Cycling logistical information for 2018 Hokkaido tour. Routes (actual and planned), accommodation info, restaurant info, and other lessons learned.
One Year Japanniversary - Daily Life, Doctor Visits, Ikea Opening, Hokkaido Part II
The most significant news for us is that we feel really settled and we are continuously marveling at how miraculous that seems as we are in a place so very different than home. October 19th, 2017 was our one year mark for arriving in Japan.
A Vending Machine and a Volcano - Tour de Kyushu
Follow along on our adventure of 13 days of travel, 335 miles & 26 thousand feet of altitude gain by bike, throughout Kyushu, Japan's southern most of the four main islands. Less than 3% of the American tourists that make it to Japan visit here (per Rice Noodle Fish). It is the combination of Japan's Golden Week holiday and the celebration of my first wedding anniversary with Justin. And also (part of) the honeymoon we didn't have last year! Cheers!
Love of My Life, Happy One Year Anniversary
To Justin on our first wedding anniversary. My memories of our day and some of my favorite photos. I love you, Justin!
Highlights
Here are only a few of our favorite things. I think our mutual list totaled about 20 and I am a slow blogger ;-) Enjoy!
Our Japanese Apartment
The dust has settled and we have moved in to our new apartment - here is a tour of Grand View Yagoto #101!
Land of Oz
The most striking thing about our first week in Japan was the summation of how many small and delightful things we encountered.
