It seems like just yesterday we were still wearing t-shirts and dipping our toes in the ocean well into early November. Now, I find myself reaching for socks before bed. Winter is definitely on its way in Goto, Kyusyu! As we say goodbye to summer and embrace autumn, I wanted to take a moment to look back on the first summer of GIVE ME FIVE.
Our peak season as traveling here in Goto typically starts around mid-July, right after the rainy season. The parking lot at Takahama Beach, one of Japan's top 100 beaches, began to fill up gradually, and the only beach hut started serving shaved ice and curry. The shore was lined with signs advertising inflatable floats and jet skis.
Compared to popular beaches on the mainland or in Okinawa, the crowds here are much smaller. I love the laid-back, slightly uncommercial atmosphere. It feels so authentically Goto.
By late July, Takahama Beach gradually starts to get more crowded.
As July came to a close, Takahama Beach got busier and busier. And because of our proximity to the beach, we were fortunate to have many guests visit us, even though we had just opened. I was so grateful to people who found us through Google Maps and YouTube.
I wondered if guests would be comfortable in our 60+ year old DIY renovated guesthouse. Would the air conditioning work? Would there be bugs? Did we have everything we needed? Could I manage everything on my own? I was nervous, but the summer flew by in a blur and our space was filled with so many smiles. Every day, every moment was filled with happiness.
Offering a free breakfast service every day can get boring, so why not try something different, like making French toast on the third morning?
After coming back from outdoor adventures, the drinks in the fridge just aren’t enough! So, I bought a kettle and filled it with ice-cold barley tea.
After a day of playing in nature, the drinks in the fridge just weren't cutting it! So, I bought a kettle and started making ice-cold barley tea. For our free breakfast, I tried making French toast on the third day to mix things up.
I want to share these precious summer memories with our future guests so they can imagine what it's like to stay here. I'll be writing more blog posts about our experiences.
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