5 min read
This trip to Kagawa wasn’t planned at all. One night, after drinking a little, during a video call with my friends, I booked a flight without thinking too much. Two of my friends were living in Kagawa, and somehow, it felt like the right time to visit. Maybe it was the alcohol, or maybe it was my heart telling me to go. Either way, I decided to take a short solo trip before they left Japan. It turned out to be one of the best decisions I’ve made.
I flew from Narita to Sanuki Airport in Kagawa. When I arrived, my friend was already waiting to pick me up. We headed straight to Takamatsu City. That evening was simple but perfect. We ate our first bowl of Kagawa udon and enjoyed drinks together. Just like that, my unexpected journey began.
Sanuki Airport
On the second day, we explored more of Takamatsu City. We visited Ritsurin Park, which was peaceful and beautiful. Again, we had more udon. It became a daily thing. Thanks to my friend’s car, getting around was easy and fun. We ended the day with drinks and laughter.
Takamatsu City
Hyogomachi
The third day was special. We went to try handmade udon. It was soft, fresh, and much cheaper than udon in Tokyo. I loved it. After that, we drove up a mountain where we could see the whole city from above. The view was amazing, but it was really cold. It was December, after all. That night, we made Cambodian food together, drank, and shared stories.
Handmade step 1
Handmade step 2
Handmade step 3
Handmade udon
Handmade udon
On the fourth day, we took a speed boat and ferry to Shodoshima, a small island known for olives. The ocean view was stunning. I tried tororo udon there and it only cost 500 yen. The island felt calm and full of nature. After the trip, we came back home and yes, more drinks.
Shodoshima Island
The fifth day was a road trip from Kagawa to Okayama. We drove across the Seto Ohashi Bridge. The view was beautiful but the wind was strong, so we had to drive carefully. In Okayama, I finally took a break from udon and ate ramen instead. We visited Okayama Castle and took photos. That night was New Year’s Eve, so we celebrated the countdown with BBQ and drinks in Kagawa.
On the way back home, we actually got a little lost. For a moment, we weren’t sure which road to take. But that didn’t worry us too much. We laughed about it, turned around, and eventually found our way back by taking the same route we came from. It made the drive even more memorable. Sometimes getting lost is just part of the fun.
Seto Ohashi Bridge
Okayama Castle
Ramen
After all the adventures, we took it easy on the sixth day. We stayed home, played games, and watched anime. It was nice to just relax with friends. Sometimes, those quiet days are the most memorable.
One of the anime we watched that day was Grave of the Fireflies. It was a heavy and emotional story. By the end of it, one of my friends cried. The movie touched all of us deeply, and in that quiet moment, we felt something more than just entertainment—it was a reminder of the pain and beauty in life. That day, we didn’t need to go anywhere. Being together was enough.
The final day was hard. My two friends were flying back to Cambodia, and we all knew it might be a long time before we’d meet again. In the early morning, we took the first train to Takamatsu City together. At the station, we split up. They took a bus to Kansai Airport, and I took another bus to Kobe, alone.
After that, I stopped by Kyoto. I walked through the streets by myself, ate some good food, took quiet photos, and had a drink in silence. The excitement of the trip was over, but something deeper stayed with me. That day felt like the end of a chapter not just in travel, but in friendship, in life in Japan. It was emotional, but beautiful too.
This trip was unexpected, but unforgettable. I didn’t have a plan. I just followed a feeling and it led me to one of the most meaningful experiences I’ve ever had in Japan. It reminded me how much joy comes from simple things: eating good food, laughing with friends, sharing a car ride, or watching the view from a quiet mountain.
If you ever go to Kagawa, I really recommend trying handmade udon (手打ちうどん). It’s soft, fresh, and full of local flavor. Visit the mountains, ride the ferry, and slow down.
Sometimes, the most unforgettable journeys are the ones we never plan.
This trip was more than just travel, it was a final goodbye to two friends, and a quiet, personal thank you to Japan.
-- Kimhoon Rin
