Weekend in Miyakojima
Weekend in Miyakojima for my husband’s Strongman race: 3 km of swimming, 123 km of cycling and 42 km of running.
Four completely refreshing and unforgettable days, surrounded by turquoise waters, a tropical atmosphere and an incredible display of determination. This trip showed me a whole new side of Japan, far from the big cities and everyday life, where sport, nature and simplicity come together with incredible intensity.
An early start to the day as we leave Nagoya at 5:45 a.m. and head to the island of Miyakojima! I’m so excited to discover a whole new side of Japan, far from the big cities and our everyday routine. And the change of scenery starts as soon as we get to the airport…
This is my first experience taking a domestic flight in Japan, and I’m surprised to discover that no ID is required at check-in! Then, during the security check, you can simply keep your liquids with you — even a bottle of water, for example. It’s such a small detail, but I was genuinely impressed… and it’s so much more convenient than elsewhere!
After a short stopover in Naha, on Okinawa’s main island, we finally arrive in Miyakojima!
Everything looks like a postcard! The turquoise water, the tropical landscapes… absolutely everything is beautiful. It already feels like we’ve arrived in paradise!
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We decided to try a typical dish from Miyakojima: the island’s famous soba!
And honestly, it was absolutely worth trying! Even though it was really hot outside, this warm and comforting dish was exactly what we needed. A delicious culinary discovery to start our day in Miyakojima!
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After this delicious meal, a true specialty of Miyakojima, we head to the apartment-hotel we had booked to drop off our things.
After a short break, we hit the road again, this time heading to the competition venue! It’s time for him to check in for the Strongman, collect his race number, and pick up the various accessories and equipment he’ll need for the event.
The excitement is slowly building… the competition is getting closer!
We take advantage of this day to stay at the apartment, relax and recharge our batteries.
A quiet day before tomorrow’s big event… The Strongman is getting closer!
Here we are at the beginning of our second day! After a good breakfast to start the day right, we head to the beach. It’s a chance for him to get in a little training before the competition and gently get himself into the right mindset.
As for me, I take the opportunity to go for a little run with him. A short workout together, with our feet in the sand and the sea in front of us… not a bad setting to get ready!
Once the swimming session is over, we get back in the car and head to another spot so he can test out his bike and fine-tune the final adjustments before the big day.
Meanwhile, I take the opportunity to relax in a small local café. Sitting outside on a swing, I enjoy a refreshing iced tea while taking in the beautiful scenery. A lovely little moment of relaxation before getting back to the rest of the day!
Here we are at last! The day he has been training so hard for over the past few months has finally arrived.
The alarm goes off very early this morning, and after a quick preparation, we set off towards the Strongman starting point. The excitement is definitely there, mixed with a little bit of nervousness… After all those months of training, it’s finally time to put everything into action!
The big adventure begins!
One last photo before he sets off, and he’s on his way for a long day of competition!
Today, I’m lucky enough to have someone with me, which means I can follow him around different parts of the island, especially during the cycling and running events. It’s a great opportunity to cheer him on throughout the day and experience this adventure right alongside him!
I have to admit that with all the excitement, I didn’t really think about taking many photos! I was completely caught up in the race, trying to follow him as much as possible, cheering him on and, most importantly, enjoying every moment.
For once, my camera took a bit of a back seat… and honestly, I don’t think that’s such a bad thing. I was able to experience the race fully, and that’s probably what I’ll remember most about this incredible day!
Watching him get closer and closer to the finish line gives me chills! I can feel the emotion taking over as I realize that I’m going to be able to cross the finish line with him.
After following him, cheering him on and supporting him throughout this long day, this moment feels truly special. Crossing that finish line together was intense, emotional and simply magical. A memory I’ll never forget!
After such an emotional and action-packed day, it was time to recharge our batteries! We went out for dinner with some friends at a Yakiniku restaurant, an all-you-can-eat Japanese barbecue. Needless to say, after a day like that, we definitely deserved a good meal!
With the exhaustion kicking in, I have to admit that I didn’t even think about taking any photos… And, to be honest, I was probably even more tired than he was! Haha.
Once we got back to the apartment, I didn’t stay awake for long. I enjoyed a well-deserved night’s sleep to recover from such an intense day. After all those emotions, it felt so good to finally relax and catch my breath!
Last day on the beautiful island of Miyakojima! After a good breakfast and checking out, we get back in the car to enjoy a little more of the island before leaving.
It’s the perfect opportunity to take our time, discover a few beautiful spots and, most importantly, enjoy Miyakojima’s incredible scenery one last time. A lovely way to bring this trip to an end!
We also stopped at a little café by the water, the perfect place to take one last break and enjoy the island’s incredible surroundings.
Sitting quietly facing the ocean, we took our time to enjoy a drink while admiring the view. After several busy days, this peaceful little moment was exactly what we needed before getting back on the road and slowly saying goodbye to Miyakojima.
The final stop before heading to the airport: the award ceremony.
It was a particularly emotional moment for me. After following this whole adventure, seeing all the training, the preparation and, above all, that long day of competition, being there for the award ceremony was a beautiful way to bring the trip to a close.
One last special moment before saying goodbye to Miyakojima and making our way back to the airport.
Thank you for following this adventure!
Thank you for watching this vlog and joining us throughout this wonderful adventure in Miyakojima!
I hope you enjoyed discovering the island and sharing these few days with us, filled with new experiences, emotions and unforgettable memories.
And most importantly… don’t miss the next vlogs! ✨