The Scent of Sea Breeze and Citrus: Finding Just the Right Kind of Happiness at 'Mamena' on Osakishimojima

Now in my 50s after taking early retirement, I feel that being able to have a comfortable 'margin' in my daily life is the greatest luxury of all.

For three days, from March 17th to 19th, I visited a friend who had moved to Osakishimojima, an island floating in the Seto Inland Sea.

Citrus Fruits

Speaking of Osakishimojima, it is, above all, an island where citrus fruits grow in abundance. If you walk around the island, you will see refreshing lemons, large hassaku oranges, and sweet mandarins growing in clusters everywhere.

One thing you notice while walking is that citrus fruits are rolling around all over the roads. The number is not just one or two, but hundreds.

The morning air has a high oxygen concentration, and you can welcome the morning with the scent of salt and a wonderful feeling.

In this island embraced by such rich nature, I spent a special time this time, not just sightseeing, but savoring human connections and 'life' itself.

Warm Times at 'Mamena'

The place that took care of me during this stay is a slightly unusual spot on Osakishimojima called 'Mamena.' This is not just an accommodation facility, but also a community hub where local people and visitors from outside mingle, having been renovated from an old clinic.

What I remember most about this place is, above all, its dining style. Neither breakfast nor dinner is served as a set meal. People living nearby and guests like me stand in the kitchen together, and everyone cooks a meal together in a lively atmosphere.

We line up the finished dishes on a large table and share a meal from the same pot. After the meal, we naturally clean up, such as washing the dishes, together. It is the perfect space to explore 'what is well-being.'

This communal life at 'Mamena' was the very image of a community unique to an island that you cannot find in the city. Regardless of affiliation or age, we just laughed together and shared a dining table. There was a very natural and warm human activity there.

Osakikamijima: Exquisite Lunch and Reunion with Friends

On March 18th, I went to meet a friend on Osakikamijima, the island next to Osakishimojima. It is a 15-minute distance by car ferry. The deck of the ferry, which cuts through the calm waves of the Seto Inland Sea, has a very pleasant sea breeze, and traveling by boat is exciting.

On this day, we met up at Shiki Farm. The restaurant my friend and their spouse had reserved for this day was 'Hoshi to Yo,' a very popular restaurant that is only open three days a week.

While enjoying an exquisitely prepared lunch, we talked about island life and explored opportunities for exchange between the two islands, sparked by the friend who had moved to Shimojima. The time spent talking with friends is truly a blissful moment.

As a souvenir for my home, I bought 'Shiki Farm's' special fruit curd. It is a taste unique to an island rich in citrus, and this time I bought all four types: yuzu curd, daidai curd, lemon curd, and summer orange curd.

If you spread it generously on toast and eat it, it becomes the best souvenir that brings back the refreshing scent of the Seto Inland Sea even after returning home.

Mitarai Coast and the Guitar

My friend who moved here relocated to a share house in the Mitarai district. It is a building that feels too modest to be called by the katakana term 'share house'; 'nagaya' (row house) is a much better fit.

It is a very, very old traditional house, and while it is in a somewhat livable condition, even though it is called a share house, there is only one tenant in this large detached house, so I imagine the anxiety must be mounting.

Even so, the location is wonderful, and from the windows, you can look out over the Seto Inland Sea right in front of you. In the city, 'near the station' is popular, but here, 'near the sea' might be the better condition.

The highlight of the trip was a session on the beach in the Mitarai district, where the nostalgic atmosphere of a port town dating back to the Edo period still remains. I guess you could call it an acoustic duo.

With the beautiful sea right in front of us, we sang together with my friend while listening to the sound of the waves. Playing guitar outdoors feels so good. There is no one else around, either.

The song we performed was 'Chodo Ii Shiawase' (Just the Right Happiness) by Stardust Revue.

We enjoyed ourselves by recording the sound of the quiet waves washing in and out, as well as the birds, and uploading it to YouTube. Stardust Revue's gentle melody melted into the blue sky and sea of the Seto Inland. As we blended our singing voices, the guitar tones, and the sounds of nature, I felt deeply fulfilled from the bottom of my heart.

Well-being from here on out

It was a fleeting three days, but the time I spent on Osakishimojima Island provided plenty of nourishment for my heart.

The warm interactions with people at 'Mamena,' the conversations and refreshing souvenirs at Shiki Farm, the delicious meals at the restaurant, and the literal 'just the right happiness' I felt while playing guitar at Mitarai Beach and Ohama Seaside Park.

In the second half of my life, I am deeply grateful for these days where I can travel at my own pace, play music, and write. Now then, I wonder what kind of scenery I will encounter next.

Articles on Osakikamijima and Osakishimojima Islands ↓