I had already been to “Festa de Rama” and “Green Green,” both smaller-scale music festivals in Hiroshima. Despite being hit by a typhoon at Festa de Rama, I had great experiences at these festivals and was looking forward to what Summer Sonic had to offer. But would braving Japan’s second largest music festival (behind Fuji Rock), in the heat of the Japanese summer sun, leave me craving another typhoon to cool me down?

Golden Week is fast approaching, so a warning for the inexperienced: do NOT try to travel Japan in this time. But where should you go? Ever heard of a little place called Whitianga?

On a recent Saturday morning I found myself on a ferry bound for Megijima, a tiny island off the coast of Kagawa Prefecture in Shikoku.

Down here on the Wide Island, we aim to bring together JETs from far and wide. Hiroshima AJET organizes activities and gatherings for the surrounding communities.

Perhaps the best time to visit Akitsu would be during spring to enjoy some hanami in the town’s biggest and best park, Shoufukujiyama kouen.