Postcards from Kyushu

Some postcards from Honshu and Kyushu. Lots of support coming my way. At Kohaman port, I was particularly grateful to Hironori Arai-san for a lift to a konbini and provision of a shelter on a rainy night.

The following morning took me out to (yet) another impressive exposed headland. The steep slopes a patchwork of countless trees. So many trees... The different greens painted in blotches like an oil painting.

There was a brisk headwind and a lumpy sea. The weed would have been more of a problem were it not for my shallow-angled expedition fin. Thank you again Select for such a great fin! Amongst the weed, sadly, there was also a lot of plastic. Plastic on the shoreline is notably ubiquitous in Japan, but the water itself is usually clean and clear.

The wind died before I reached land, and I eventually retreated to a tiny, pretty little port where the locals also said hello and donated some snacks. Good sunset there.

The next day I started with the paddle, then hooked in to a tailwind that pushed me inside of some islands. Protected water, lovely!

Then came a big day, initially fighting a headwind, but eventually coming good and delivering bonus miles at the end to cross under Tsunoshima Bridge, where there was a fierce current running with severe and quite alarming overfalls. I got safely through by staying in very shallow water.

Great camp spot next to calm waters on the up-current side of the bridge. Next morning I met Arthur, a French ski instructor usually based in Hokkaido. Arthur took me to a konbini to get supplied for the day, and then I sailed nearly 40 nm to reach Kyushu!

Many details left out, and thankyous overlooked, but battery draining fast so let's get these postcards uploaded!

Good miles the last few days. Today rainy and forecast very windy later, so I am happy to take a day off.