On a scorching summer day, after visiting my grandfather’s grave in Hikari, Yamaguchi, my wife and I were ready to call it a day. Exhausted, we were driving home when a small sign caught our eye: “Kasahara Honey,” pointing uphill. On a whim, we decided to follow it—and found ourselves in a place more comforting than we expected.
Kasahara Honey is a café and shop run by a local apiary on Suo Oshima, a small island known for its mandarin orange groves and gentle coastal hills. The island’s peaceful character is reflected in every corner of this cozy spot.
A honeycomb-patterned stone path led us inside. The moment we stepped in, a delicate scent filled the air—honey made exclusively from the blossoms of the island’s mikan (mandarin orange) trees. Collected carefully each spring, this honey offers a unique flavor combining bright citrus notes with subtle floral sweetness.
Sunlight streamed through the windows, illuminating rows of golden honey jars. In the back, the café area offered views of the Seto Inland Sea beyond soft, rolling hills. Though the sea wasn’t right in front of us, its quiet and understated beauty brought an immediate calm to our hearts. Away from the noise of the city, the peaceful scene gently eased our fatigue.
We ordered their signature honey cheesecake and a refreshing honey drink made with local mikan nectar. The cheesecake was smooth and rich, topped with a drizzle of the mandarin blossom honey, which added a bright, fragrant sweetness. The cold honey drink was soothing and revitalizing—with just one sip, our bodies and minds felt truly refreshed. It was after tasting this drink that we both knew—this is a flavor you can only find here.
The soft light, the distant sea, and the island’s one-of-a-kind honey flavor—those quiet moments we shared as a couple reminded us that travel is about more than just destinations. Sometimes, it’s the unexpected little discoveries that make a journey unforgettable.
by NishiNipponEssay