Catalyst

At first Japan was just a playground for me...

Skiing the best snow and enjoying the Shiga Kogen ski area in an international ski school was fun and fullfilled all my expectations to the japanese powder. Japan is still my playground, but now I've moved on from skiing and my motivation has changed. This opened up my eyes to what Japan has to offer beside the firstclass snow. 

The famous Mt Fuji seen from the top of Mt Amagi on Izu Peninsula

Then it became a bit more serious...

My Japanese experience changed characterestics from an international individualized environment to countryside living among locals as the sole gaijin (foreigner). Slowly my motive for this chapter of my life changed as well. From only thinking about skiing the best lines in my life before entering a career-worklife in Denmark, to seek exploration in myself and most basic passions; the outdoor life combined with sports. I'm inspired by the people I've worked with here. First the ski school, then a mountainbike guide in Minakami, then a guesthouse business build around surfing opportunities in Kisami and last and currently the kayak guide company in Minami Izu. These are all small businesses build to provide a life sorrounded by beautiful nature and favourite kind of sports in reach on a daily basis. 
I would say that my motive for the trip to Japan changed from taking a break from the "career-is-the-only-succes"-thinking to some kind of reappraisal of what exactly this career has to be consisting of for me. Not having the daily norms and circumstances around me allows me to look inside and focus on my own basic driving instincts. Now I can take my time to do this properly, and time I will take. 
During my work as kayak guide I'm trying to learn the basics of the language by asking a lot of questions and practicing hiragana and katakana in the morning. It's hard, but it's so good. It definitely open up doors and that's what I need to mingle with the people of this country.

Soon it's time for an adventure!

Photo by Masashi Takeda

This is the reason I opened up this blog. I want to give an insight in my daily outdoor life during my adventure around Kyushu in a touring kayak. I've never done blogging or adventuring like this before. But I was born into a family who loved sailing and camping. This is reflecting for my current passion for the outdoor experiences. I love the simple life. This is what I want to do:

• 25th of September I'll roadtrip from Izu Peninsula to Itoshima 
• Around 28th depending on the weather I'll venture out to paddle around Kyushu, between 1000-1200 km depending on route.
• Hitchhike from Itoshima back to Izu Peninsula.
• Bring my Japanese into practice along the trip to connect with locals on my many landings

So all in all, pretty simple. For now I'm collecting gear and preparing myself in terms of learning the language as much as possible and saving up some cash to keep me going. Hopefully, this will help me show locals I meet around that I'm trying to assimilate their culture and be less of a threat to them. This is after all how I think integration works to a certain degree. My main interests to share will be:

• Random camping around the coastline and hitchhiking back through the "mainland"
• People I meet on my way, their story and whatever it brings me (I hope on food and maybe a shower!)
• Challenge of "being alone" for a longer time and stay "happy"; lea
• Day-to-day planning of distances in the kayak and challenges in this matter
• Typhoon waves and wind
• Tide currents
• Gear I use a long my trip
• Snorkeling and freediving experiences
• Fishing experiences
• General challenges of any character. Especially the unforseen ones I'm eager to experience
• Last but most important: Blood, sweat and tears will be put into words if I find my self struggling with something :)

I'm looking forward to giving you an insigt into how it is to travel by kayak in Japan and further on hitchhiking. Before I head out I will share a few blog posts of how a life for a gaijin is for me. Along that I'll mix in my personal interpretations of the culture  - please don't hesitate to comment on this, as these interpretations just is my impressions put into words. People are individuals after all..

Thanks for reading. You're always welcome to ask questions :-)

Fullface darth wader snorkleing mask :-D