06/17/2026
Scenes from a few days on the Izu Peninsula. The reset after a week of moving fast through cities.
Three things stood out from the coast: (1) The welcome. Locals splitting a smoke and a coffee before paddling out, a wood-fired pizza shop right on the sand. (2) The pride. Freshly caught, world-class sushimi, some of the best pasta and pizza I’ve ever had, an orange-infused gin poured by someone who clearly gave a damn about it. Meals don’t move fast in Japan, but are intentional with clear attention to detail. Every shop owner put a level of character into their place you rarely find back home. Every shop owner clearly works to become masters in their individual disciplines. (3) The beauty. Jagged cliffs, perfect water, rainy jungles that took me back to four months spent in Okinawa.
