A friend recommended a manga called "Head North-Northwest with the Clouds", and as the story was right up my street, I bought the entire series as e-books on the very day it was recommended and finished reading it all in a single day.
いつか絶対アイスランドで聖地巡礼がしたいと思い、ついに来てしまいました。
I’ve always wanted to go on a pilgrimage to the locations featured in the series in Iceland, and I’ve finally made it here.
In Volume 2, the protagonist’s best friend, Kiyoshi, comes to visit from Japan and they tour various tourist spots, I’ve followed in their footsteps and visited those very places myself♪
To give a brief summary of the plot, the protagonist, Kei, moves from Japan to Iceland to live with his grandfather, Jack. To make a living, he works as a "jack-of-all-trades", driving the beloved Suzuki Jimny his grandfather gave him. His work includes finding missing people, guiding tourists around the country, and investigating affairs, amongst other things.
His family possesses special abilities, his grandfather can talk to birds, and Kei can talk to machines. It’s brilliant to see Kei using these abilities to solve all sorts of problems. The story also captures the beauty of Iceland whilst incorporating elements of suspense. There is a possibility that Kei’s younger brother has committed several murders, and the story unravels this mystery.
The first place Kei and Kiyoshi visited as tourists.
Photography was not permitted inside the church, so I don’t have any photos, but it was completely different from any other church I’ve visited before. It had a very simple design, with absolutely no carvings.
正面はお祈りをするところで、入り口の真上は大きなパイプオルガンが設置されていました。
The front of the building is the prayer hall, and a large pipe organ was installed directly above the entrance.
もちろん、２人が展望台に登っていたので、私も登りました☟
Of course, as the two of them had gone up to the viewing platform, I went up too
Just as the two of them had mentioned, I had a panoramic view of Reykjavík. The wind was incredibly strong, and I was on the edge of my seat, worried my hat might be blown away.
The lake where Jack goes for walks. There were lots of ducks bobbing about on the water , it was lovely. I think this is also the lake where Jack and Katra met for the second time and introduced themselves.
However, the weather was clear, and we were able to observe a sky full of stars, which I suppose was a blessing in disguise. I was amazed to see just how many stars could be seen with the naked eye.
But it’s a real shame. I’m absolutely determined to see the Northern Lights before I die. Next time, I plan to take my best friend to Canada and Alaska and give it another go.
ちなみに、見えるとこんな感じらしいです☟
By the way, apparently this is what it looks like.
The aurora occurs when particles collide with the Earth’s upper atmosphere (atoms of oxygen and nitrogen) and the air glows as a result of the energy released.
It’s actually quite nice to go sightseeing with someone you’ve just met in an unfamiliar place, isn’t it? I hit it off with a traveller from England who was travelling alone, and I had a lovely time together.
I’ll now introduce them in the order I actually visited them.
①シンクヴェトリル「Pingvellir」
慧の説明曰く、西暦930年世界初の近代議会「アルシング」が開かれた場所を示す旗、発見☟
According to Kei’s explanation, a flag marking the site where the world’s first modern parliament, the "Althing", was convened in 930 AD has been discovered.
そしてここは、プレートが作られている場所。
And this is where the plates are made.
下の写真の左側が「北米プレート」、右側が「ユーラシアプレート」です。
In the photograph below, the left-hand side is the "North American Plate" and the right-hand side is the "Eurasian Plate".
北米プレートとユーラシアプレートはアイスランドで作られています☟
The North American Plate and the Eurasian Plate are formed in Iceland.
Transport options in Iceland are quite limited. As there are no trains, the only form of public transport is the bus. On this tour, I travelled around the Golden Circle in a small bus that seated about ten people.
And then, at the very first sightseeing spot, I actually got lost. The guide had announced when we split up, "Meet back at this bus at 11:15", but there were so many similar-looking buses in the car park that I couldn’t tell which one was ours.
I realised I’d been overconfident about my English listening skills… I wondered if perhaps we were supposed to meet at the shop, so I went back there, then wandered back to the car park again, and ended up contacting the tour operator. it took me 30 minutes to finally catch up with the group. When I couldn’t find the bus, I thought they’d left without me.
Because of that, from the next sightseeing spot onwards, they started telling me, and me alone in great detail, "The meeting point is 1-2-2-0, mind you".
他のツアーのお客さんたち、ご迷惑をおかけしました😞
I’m sorry for any inconvenience caused to the other tour guests.
②グトルフォスの滝Gullfoss
キヨシが来てから２日目の旅で彼らも観光していました。
Gullfoss「グトルフォス」、意味は「黄金(Gull)の滝(Foss)」だそうです。
On the second day of our trip after Kiyoshi arrived, they were sightseeing too.
Gullfoss, which apparently means "Golden Waterfall", Gull meaning "gold" and Foss meaning "waterfall".
ほんとーーーーに規模が大きくてびっくりしました！自然ってすごい😮💓
I was absolutely blown away by the sheer scale of it! Nature is amazing.
As it’s a tourist spot, there are shops at each attraction. I had a hot chocolate and a skyr here. Icelandic hot chocolate is absolutely delicious. The hot chocolate you get in the UK tends to be quite thin, but this one is nice and thick and tastes wonderful.
I wondered what a geyser actually was, so I looked it up.
According to Wikipedia, it is "a hot spring that erupts steam or hot water at regular intervals". This geyser is world-famous, and can also be seen at Yellowstone in the United States.
As for why natural geysers occur, as shown in the photograph,
Apparently, there are cavities underground where groundwater accumulates, the groundwater within these cavities is heated by the surrounding heat, and as its temperature (around 100°C) rises, it eventually boils, causing hot water and steam to erupt violently from vents on the surface.
下のYouTube動画、きれいでしたThe YouTube video below was lovely☟
This is a beautiful crater lake that formed around 6,500 years ago. Over the course of many years, water accumulated in the crater, eventually forming the lake we see today.
It is the world’s largest open-air bath, covering an area of approximately 5,000 square metres! Rather than using naturally flowing hot spring water, the facility reuses the discharge water from geothermal hot water pumped up by the adjacent Svarsveinigi geothermal power station. It is said to be effective for skin conditions.
As I’d opted for the premium package, I was given a soap which I imagine would leave my face feeling silky smooth and a bathrobe, and I was also treated to a free drink. Feeling rather pampered, I downed the beer in one go.
It was an absolutely wonderful experience. By the way, they lend you bath towels free of charge. It’s a bit pricey at around 20,000 yen (as of March 2026), but if you’re visiting Iceland, you absolutely must go!
施設内にはレストランとカフェもあり、温泉につかった後に利用する方が多くみられました。
There are also restaurants and cafés on the premises, and many people were seen using them after a soak in the hot springs.
When it comes to Icelandic specialities, hot dogs are a must. In particular, there’s a shop that’s said to serve the best hot dogs in the world. There are numerous scenes in the manga where the protagonist tucks into a hot dog, and reading it makes you want to have one yourself...
In Chapter 11 of Volume 2, ‘Morning, Night and Sheep’, the protagonist, Kei, is depicted tucking into some delicious-looking mutton. According to Jack, the meat from sheep that have been raised on wild herbs and moss is said to be exceptional.
私が寄ったお店は、ハットルグリムス教会が目の前にありました。
The shop I popped into was right opposite St. Hattlgrim’s Church.
海鮮料理 Seafood dishes
島国なのでやっぱり魚介類が取れるみたいです。
Being an island nation, it seems they do catch plenty of fish and shellfish.
The westerly winds in Iceland are really strong; after walking for about 30 minutes, you get so cold you just can’t stand it and feel the urge to pop into a building. A place I stopped at for a quick break.
カフェcafe
甘いものとコーヒーを探して立ち寄ったカフェ。
I popped into this café in search of something sweet and a coffee.
All the breads in this café looked absolutely delicious, and being the indecisive person I am, I struggled quite a bit to make up my mind. The one I chose had a crust as flaky as a croissant and a texture inside reminiscent of a cinnamon roll. It was topped with a syrup that wasn’t too sweet and tasted lovely.
コラムColumn
物価の話 A Word on Prices
アイスランドの物価は何を購入するかにもよりますが、ロンドンより、ニューヨークより高かったです。
Prices in Iceland depend on what you buy, but they were higher than in London and New York.
I think it was the most expensive country I’ve ever visited. Apparently, my sister’s colleague calls me ‘Pound Girl’, but even I was taken aback by the cost.
Iceland is home to many active volcanoes; in particular, the eruption of the Laki volcano between 1783 and 1784 resulted in the deaths of approximately a quarter of Iceland’s population due to the indirect effects of the eruption, such as climate change and the death of livestock caused by volcanic ash and toxic volcanic gases.
Furthermore, the 2010 eruption of Eyjafjallajökull had such a significant economic impact that it led to the temporary suspension of air traffic in around 30 European countries.
Basalt—I learnt about it back in junior high school student! I was amazed at how clearly I could now recognise its characteristics ✨ I never imagined back then that I’d one day get to see basalt in Iceland.
Iceland generates around 30 per cent of its electricity from geothermal power and around 70 per cent from hydroelectric power, making renewable energy a major part of its energy mix. It really struck me that this is a country where the people love nature.
In all my travels, I’d experienced delays before, but never a cancellation, so rather than feeling flustered, I was actually quite moved. I never realised flights actually do get cancelled. What’s more, funnily enough, the weather was even worse on the day of departure with snow and a cold, so I wondered if it might have been a strike.
I’ve travelled to Munich, Frankfurt, Nuremberg and Stuttgart in Germany before, but this time I went to Hamburg and Berlin, places I’d always wanted to visit.
I’ve seen the films "Charlie’s Angels" and "Atomic Blonde" many times, and as they’re set in this city, it felt as though I’d stepped straight into the world of the films, it was great fun.
As I arrived in the evening, we checked into the hotel, dropped off our luggage, and then headed straight to a pub nearby for a beer and some sausages.
The purpose of this trip was ‘to see the scenery from the film’ and ‘to enjoy beer and sausages’, so I was drinking beer all the time. I probably drank about a litre a day, so I must have drunk 3 litres over the course of the trip.
こちらのお店は本当に雰囲気が良くて、現地の方がビールを片手に陽気に話していました。This place really has a lovely atmosphere. The locals were chatting cheerfully with a beer in hand.
A woman seemed taken aback when she saw an Asian person like me. she suddenly sat down right in front of me and struck up a conversation. I was surprised by her boldness. Travelling abroad on your own is fun precisely because of encounters like this.
The next morning, I spent my time at a café, chatting to a friend on the phone and reading whilst enjoying a blueberry tart. The staff at this café were so kind. It really warmed my heart.
The staff would even sit at the tables to eat their own meals, and they’d say things like, "If you’re going to the toilet, I’ll keep an eye on your things for you."
Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2015, this area is the world’s largest historic warehouse complex, developed between 1885 and 1927, and is lined with red-brick warehouses such as the one pictured. It appears that these warehouses were used to store goods such as coffee, spices and tobacco.
Trains and buses in Europe often do not have ticket barriers, so you could get away with travelling without a ticket if the conductor does not come round to check, but be warned that you will be fined if caught. As tickets are always checked on long-distance journeys, make sure you buy one.
Day３
ベルリン Berlin
ブランデンブルク門 Brandenburg Gate
映画「アトミックブロンド」でも登場するこちらの門。冷戦時代は決して通れなかった場所だそう。
This gate, which also features in the film "Atomic Blonde", was apparently a place you could never have passed through during the Cold War.
お土産ショップ Souvenir shop
近くにお土産ショップがあったので、マグネットとトートバックを購入しました。
There was a souvenir shop nearby, so I bought some magnets and a tote bag.
☝当時の国民的愛車「トラバント」。注文してから10年後に届くらしい。(笑)
The ‘Trabant’, the nation’s favourite car at the time. Apparently, it took ten years to arrive after you placed your order🤣
ベルリンの壁 The Berlin Wall
誰もが一度は耳にしたことがあるベルリンの壁！
The Berlin Wall, something everyone has heard of at least once!
My mum used to play volleyball, so she showed me some volleyball of a world championship match, saying, "This is what matches used to be like." I was surprised to see the caption "Japan vs East Germany". From that moment on, I was determined that I would definitely go and see the Berlin Wall.
All that remains today is a 1.3 km stretch of wall, which, following the fall of the Berlin Wall, has been covered with murals painted by 118 artists from 21 countries, each expressing their hopes for peace.
特に有名なのがこちらのイラストParticularly famous is this illustration☟
It depicts Leonid Brezhnev, General Secretary of the former Soviet Union, and Erich Honecker, General Secretary of the former East Germany, exchanging a kiss.
神よ、この死に至る愛の中で我を生き延びさせ給え（兄弟のキス） My God, Help Me to Survive This Deadly Love
The capital, Berlin, was also divided into East and West. However, as West Germany, under US occupation, became increasingly prosperous, many East Germans began to migrate to West Berlin.
Faced with this dilemma, West Germany (the Soviet Union) surrounded West Berlin with a high concrete wall. As the Soviet Union erected this wall overnight, people found themselves unable to see their families and friends. Furthermore, security was extremely tight, and the Soviet side resorted to the cruel measure of shooting anyone who attempted to scale the wall. This was the "Berlin Wall". The wall stood for approximately 28 years, from 13 August 1961 until its collapse on 9 November 1989.
The reason it fell apart was that, at the press conference, the East German side had intended to announce that "travel would be permitted provided that documents were submitted to the town hall and permission was obtained".
However, Günter Schabowski, the politician in charge of the speech, had not checked the details properly. When an Italian journalist asked, "When do the travel regulations come into effect?", he replied, "As far as I am aware, immediately, without delay." Seeing this on live television, the public rushed to Berlin to tear down the Wall with hammers. The security personnel on duty were unable to control the sheer volume of people who had rushed to the scene, and just like that, the Iron Curtain that had divided East and West for so long was gone.
ベルリンの道路をよく見ると、レンガの模様のようなものがあるのですが、これが壁があった場所です。
If you look closely at the roads in Berlin, you’ll notice a pattern that resembles bricks. This marks the spot where the Wall once stood.
During the discussions prior to construction, various proposals were put forward, "for homosexuals", "for war victims", "for forced labourers", but the final decision was to build it in memory of the murdered Jews.
Visitors seem to have various interpretations, but my own was "loneliness".
As you walked, a concrete block far taller than me blocked my view. The design gave the impression that I might be the only person in the space. A sense of unease, stemming from the instability and irregularity of the surroundings, came over me.
パブで休憩 Pub
少し歩き疲れたのでパブで休憩しました。白ソーセージとビール。
I was a bit tired from walking, so I stopped for a break at a pub. White sausages and a beer.
このお店自家製のマスタードが美味しかったです。
The shop’s homemade mustard was delicious.
チョコレート屋さん A chocolate shop
近くにチョコレート屋さんもあったので寄ってみました。
There was a chocolate shop nearby, so I popped in.
Hofbräuhaus is based in Munich, but there’s also a branch in Berlin, so we chose this one for our final meal in Germany. The Munich branch is always packed, and it’s quite a struggle just to find a seat or get the staff’s attention, but this one was fairly quiet, which was lovely.
もちろん、ソーセージとビールは絶品で、生演奏も聴けました♪
Of course, the sausages and beer were absolutely delicious, and we even got to enjoy some live music♪
アレキサンダーパーク Alexander Park
最後、こちらの公園でベルリンタワーを写真に収め空港へ向かいました。
Finally, I took a photo of the Berlin Tower from this park before heading to the airport.
It’s not just in Germany, but even within the same country, the atmosphere can vary completely from city to city, so it was great fun making so many new discoveries. The highlight, without a doubt, was seeing the Berlin Wall. I’m so glad I got to see it. I’d love to go back to Germany just to have a beer. I absolutely love Germany, where beer is cheaper than water 💓
PhotoGallery
世界の小松菜奈さん
シュプレー川
最後までご覧いただきありがとうございました🌸🌸🌸
Thank you for watching until the end.
過去ドイツ旅行の記事はこちら Click here for previous articles on trips to Germany ☟
From 2nd to 6th January 2026, I spent 4 nights and 5 days in Barcelona. Whilst I'd been rushing around sightseeing in Lisbon, Barcelona allowed me to truly relax and enjoy a solo trip with no fixed plans. This article introduces my recommended spots from my visit.
Though he gives the impression of painting "odd pictures", delving into their interpretation reveals profound depth. Above all, I was captivated by the museum's "presentation". Highly recommended.
1937 ゲルニカ(Guernica)
中学の母校の廊下に飾られていた為、私の中でのピカソの代表作は上の油彩です。
The oil painting above is my personal representation of Picasso's work, as it was displayed in the corridor of my old secondary school.
It depicts the indiscriminate bombing of Guernica by the German Luftwaffe, serving as a symbol of anti-war sentiment and resistance. It does not directly portray any specific nation or military force. My interpretation is that this painting seeks to depict "the inherent cruelty of war itself".
電球→爆弾、近代戦争
Light bulb → Bomb, modern warfare
馬→踏みにじられる民衆・無力な犠牲者の象徴
Horse → Symbol of the trampled populace, the powerless victim
Picasso deliberately employed techniques such as "disassembling the body"and "breaking perspective". This was apparently to depict a state where the normal world had been destroyed in an abnormal form. The idea was that "if reality is shattered, a neatly composed painting would be a lie".
During my secondary school years, I could only think "What a strange picture", but upon looking into it, I became able to feel moved by the realisation that such an expressive technique even existed.
印象的だった作品 A work that made a strong impression ☟
ピカソが14歳の若さで描いた作品。
A work painted by Picasso at the tender age of fourteen.
This painting depicts a religious ceremony, specifically the Catholic rite of First Communion. It is hard to believe it was painted when he was just fourteen years old.
Personally, it's my favourite church of all those I've seen. I know one shouldn't rank churches, but even so, it's truly magnificent. The exterior is stunning, of course, but stepping inside, I was moved by the beauty in every corner. How could such a splendid creation be made?
Most church stained glass windows depict scenes from the Bible, but the stained glass within the Sagrada Família features vibrant decorations in red, blue, yellow and green.
This time, I toured with a guide alongside about ten other tourists. According to the guide, the columns and stained glass together represent a forest. He explained that the colourful hues symbolise countries from around the world.
This is said to be part of the "Gaudi Code", with the number 「33」 representing the age at which Christ died. It symbolises a deep devotion to Christianity and was created after Gaudi's death by the sculptor Josep Maria Subirachs.
☞もっと知りたくなって、つい本を購入してしまいました I became so curious that I ended up buying the book.
サクラダファミリアの入場には予約が必要です。早めに予約することをオススメします。
Reservations are required for entry to the Sagrada Família. I recommend booking well in advance.
Decorations that make you feel as though you've stepped into a fairy tale world.
This park was designed by Antoni Gaudí, the architect who built the Sagrada Família. He apparently lived within the park grounds while constructing the Sagrada Família, and his studio can also be visited.
I visited in the evening, so I was able to enjoy the night view. Climbing the stairs, the lights illuminating the Mediterranean, the Sagrada Família, and the mountains were a spectacular sight.
入場料は£16-19ほどで、「GetyourGide」というアプリから予約しました☟
Admission costs around £16-19, and I booked via the “GetYourGuide” app .
To my shame, I was unaware of the existence of Mr Antoni Gaudí until I visited Barcelona, yet most of the city's famous buildings were designed by Mr Gaudí.
This building, known as Casa Milà, is one such example. Why did they decide to incorporate curves into the building's exterior form? It is apparently a structure registered as a World Heritage Site that possesses not a single straight line.
Pottery was also created using a unique mosaic technique known as "Trencadis". This technique involves piecing together discarded tiles and ceramic fragments from factories onto surfaces like a jigsaw puzzle, and this method is employed throughout Gaudi's works.
Coming to Barcelona reminded me of a wonderful female architect I met while studying in New York. How nostalgic. She said Barcelona attracts many students aspiring to be architects. I suppose that's largely due to Mr Gaudí's influence.
Both are splendid. Upon investigation, the Arc de Triomphe in Paris was constructed in 1836 to commemorate Napoleon Bonaparte's military triumphs and to serve as a gateway for triumphal processions (⇔ an event honouring commanders who contributed to national victories before the populace) for the emperors, generals, heads of state, and armies that secured those victories.
In contrast, Barcelona's Arc de Triomphe was constructed as the main entrance for the city's first World's Fair in 1888. It was intended to symbolise the development of industry, crafts and commerce.
Paella is basically ordered for two people or more. The photo shows two servings. I polished it off. Then, as I heard water was charged for, I had a litre of sangria.
It had been a while since I'd eaten so much my stomach felt like it was going to burst.
もちろん、美味しかったです。海鮮料理ってなんでこんなに美味しいのかしら。トマトの味が濃かったです。
Of course, it was delicious. Why is seafood so delicious? The tomato flavour was rich.
チュロス食べ比べ Comparing churros
①ホテル近くのカフェCafé near the hotel「Coffe with Bakery」
バルセロナのカフェではチュロスがメニューに書いてある場所が多かったです。
In Barcelona's cafés, churros were listed on the menu in many places.
バルセロナを歩いていると、たくさんおしゃれなカフェを見つけました💓🍴
Walking around Barcelona, I discovered so many stylish café.
Personally, my favourite cafés and restaurants are those where you can linger comfortably after ordering just a single coffee or glass of wine. I mean places where the staff aren't rushing about clearing plates immediately. Because without that, you simply can't relax and take your time.
So when dining alone, I make it a rule to avoid peak times whenever possible, arriving around 4pm and leaving before it gets busy. Many of Barcelona's establishments felt like the kind of cosy, welcoming places I like.
A chocolate shop located right near the Picasso Museum.
You could select the cocoa content. As I prefer dark chocolate, I chose 60% cocoa. The staffe fry it fresh on the spot, so it was piping hot, crispy and delicious.
When it comes to Spain, it's all about cured ham and wine. The grocery stores sold an astonishing variety of cured hams and wines. I really wanted to try them all, but there was no way I could manage it all on my own, so I bought just a little and drank it back at the hotel.
スーパーマーケットで見たこの光景には驚き☟
I was astonished by this sight at the grocery store
生ハム生ハム生ハム。。。
バルセロナに暮らせたら、毎日生ハム食べれますね。最高です。
If I could live in Barcelona, I could eat cured ham every day. It's brilliant.
それから、ずらりと並ぶムール貝やアサリなど海鮮の缶詰めの種類の豊富さに驚きました。
Then, I was amazed by the sheer variety of canned seafood on display, including mussels and clams.
バルセロナでのお土産 Souvenirs from Barcelona
陶芸 ceramic art
ユニークなデザインの陶芸がお土産ショップに並んでいます。
Unique ceramic designs are displayed in the souvenir shop.
Turrón, a traditional sweet from Catalonia, Spain. I happened to pass by the shop and they were handing out samples, so I decided to pop in.
美味しかったので、お世話になっている同僚の方に買って帰りました♪
とっても甘いパウンドケーキのようなお菓子で、様々なフレーバーがあります。
It was so delicious that I bought some to take back for my colleague who's been looking after me♪ It's a very sweet pound cake-like confection, available in various flavours.
チョコレートでできたサクラダファミリアさん。 The Sagrada Família made of chocolate
PhotoGalary
サンタさん
2日酔いの次の日はアサイー。 The day after a hangover calls for acai.
ロンドンでも同じやつおるな。 There's the same sort in London too.
飛行機から見えたバルセロナの景色。 The view of Barcelona seen from the aeroplane.
コラム 電車とバスの乗り方 Column How to Use Trains and Buses
空港を到着してから市内までは、電車かバスで移動するのが一番最初のミッション。
Upon arriving at the airport, your first task is to travel into the city centre by train or bus.
Whilst buses from the airport can be paid for using a credit card, please note that a special ticket called the “T-mobilitat” is required for buses and trains operating within the city.
At Orly Airport's baggage inspection, I happened to find a Japanese passport. At first I thought it was mine, but it seemed to belong to someone else who had lost it, so I promptly contacted the telephone number written inside the passport.
Fortunately, He noticed immediately and I was able to hand over my passport. What's more, that person was also boarding a flight to Lisbon, which made me realise that things like this do happen.
hostel Check in「Room00」
リスボン旅行はちょっとホテル代を抑えようと思い、ドミトリーに泊まりました。
I decided to save a bit on hotel costs for my trip to Lisbon, so I stayed in a dormitory.
This dormitory had male guests on the same floor, but they kindly allocated us to separate rooms to keep men and women apart. The shower room even had a hairdryer, which was excellent.
「BytheWine」
荷物を置いてから、すぐにお酒を飲みに移動。
ワインが大好きなので、毎回旅先では「Wine Bar」と検索してお店を探します。
After dropping off my luggage, I headed straight out for a drink.
As I adore wine, I always search for “Wine Bar” when travelling to find a place to visit.
The establishment I selected this time boasted what was likely the most extensive wine selection of any wine bar I've visited, coupled with an absolutely splendid atmosphere. Furthermore, the staff were so friendly and kind that I ended up giving them a five-star rating on Google and posting a comment.
恐らく、３時間ほど本を読みながらワインを飲んでこのお店に入り浸っていました。
I suppose I spent about 3 hours reading a book and drinking wine, practically living in this shop.
I hadn't realised, as I always travel without planning at all, but Lisbon has many steep slopes, and even short distances proved quite tiring on the feet. When visiting Lisbon, I recommend wearing comfortable walking shoes.
一日目は夜ご飯を食べて終了。
The first day ended after dinner.
31 December
海沿いをお散歩 A stroll along the seafront
年末くらい、「ゆっくり寝てもいいよね」と思い、9時ぐらいまでずっと寝ていました。
Around the end of the year, I thought, “It's alright to sleep in, isn't it?”, and slept right through until about 9 o'clock.
二度寝できるって幸せですよね。
ホテルから徒歩20分くらいの場所の「コルメシオ広場」へ。
Being able to sleep in is such a blessing, isn't it?
To the “Cormecio Square”, about a 20 minutes walk from the hotel.
海！
名物チーズコロッケとブランデー「Casa Portuguesa do Pastel de Bacalhau」
I had no idea until I wandered through the streets of Portugal, but this establishment seems to be quite famous in Portugal. These cheese croquettes, enjoyed with brandy, were absolutely exquisite.
The Tower of Belém, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its official designation is “Monastery of Jerónimos and the Tower of Belém”. Originally commissioned by King Manuel I as a fortress to monitor ships navigating the Tagus River and defend the estuary.
Unfortunately, it was undergoing construction on the day I visited. It appears you can enter for €6.
発見のモニュメント Monument to Discovery
すぐ近くにある、「発見のモニュメント」の迫力がすごかったです！
大航海時代に活躍された33人の像が彫られています。
The sheer scale of the nearby Monument to Discovery was truly impressive! It features sculptures of 33 figures who played a prominent role during the Age of Exploration.
この中には教科書で登場する、「ヴァスコ・ダ・ガマさん Vasco da Gama」「フェルナン・デ・マガリャンイスさんFernão de Magalhães」「フランシスコ・ザビエルさん Francisco de Xavier」がいらっしゃるそう。ちょっと分からなかったけど。(笑)
Among them are said to be Vasco da Gama, Fernão de Magalhães, and Francisco de Xavier, who appear in textbooks. I didn't quite get it though.
It must be a well-known establishment, as there were other Japanese customers present. I ordered the grilled octopus. This dish appears in practically every photo review of the restaurant I've seen, and I was very curious about it, so I decided to give it a try.
タコがぷりぷりで美味しかったです。The octopus was wonderfully tender and delicious.
Unfortunately, I was asleep at the stroke of midnight.
The moment the clock struck 0:00, I heard the tremendous sound of fireworks, but I couldn't bring myself to move from the bed. I simply thought, "Ah, so the new year has begun",and fell back asleep.
I had planned to watch the countdown fireworks, so I'd researched where the best views might be. A spot called "Place du Soleil" apparently isn't too crowded and is recommended.
01 January 2026
絶景スポットまで散歩 A stroll to the scenic viewpoint
元旦はリスボンから、シントラという場所まで電車で移動しました。
その前に、リスボンの街並みを惜しんで少し散歩。
On New Year's Day, I travelled by train from Lisbon to a place called Sintra.
Before that, I took a short stroll, reluctant to leave Lisbon's streets behind.
目的地を設定せずにてくてくと歩いてみました。途中、教会に立ち寄ってお祈りしました。
I set off without a destination in mind, simply wandering along. Along the way, I stopped at a church to say a prayer.
少し疲れたのと、お手洗いに寄りたかったので、雰囲気の良いカフェで2025年を振り返っていました。
Feeling a little tired and needing to use the toilet, I found myself reflecting on 2025 in a cosy little café.
カフェの外装がとてもかわいかったです。リスボンは色とりどりのタイルが印象的。
The café's exterior was absolutely charming. Lisbon is striking for its colourful tiles.
歩いてたどり着いた場所は絶景で、感動的でした。
The place I reached on foot offered breathtaking views and was truly moving.
一旦ホテルに荷物を取りに行って、駅へ。
I'll pop back to the hotel to collect my luggage, then head to the station.
As I was only staying one night in Sintra, I thought any place would do as long as I could get a bed, so I opted for a dormitory again. But to my utter dismay, in the four-person dorm, two men were snoring so loudly I couldn't get a wink of sleep. Even with headphones on listening to music, the noise still penetrated.
On this day, I took a taxi to the World Heritage site, the Pena Palace.
Unfortunately, it was pouring with rain and I didn't have much time, so I couldn't go inside. Apparently, this is what it looks like when you see it properly ☟ I really wish I could have taken our time to look around...
I wish I'd had another 2 nights in Sintra. It's such a lovely place with so much to see. I had no idea somewhere this wonderful existed. Watching this YouTube video, I thought to myself, "If only I'd had more time, I could have seen views like this."
This shop had several branches within Lisbon city. The custard was wonderfully creamy and paired perfectly with the crisp tart base . Tt was delicious.
Whilst travelling abroad, I tend to visit palaces as they pique my interest, but this one was on a completely different scale to any other I'd seen utterly magnificent. The gardens stretched endlessly, and inside the palace, one could sense meticulous attention to detail in every corner.
When I ordered the Blatter cheese, it arrived with pizza dough around it, making me think, "Hang on, did they get my order wrong?"But the staff member definitely said ‘Blatter’ when placing the plate. So I stabbed it open with a knife to find it packed full of Blatter cheese inside.
ほんと美味しかったなぁ。おすすめのお店です。
It was absolutely delicious. A highly recommended restaurant.
フランスのレストランのお手洗いは大抵地下１階にあるのですが、このお店もそのようでした。
The toilets in French restaurants are usually located on the basement level, and this establishment was no exception.
地下へ続く階段の壁がおしゃれだったのでつい一枚☟
The wall of the staircase leading down to the basement was rather stylish, so I couldn't resist taking a photo.
この日はこの後疲れでホテルですぐに眠ってしまいました。
That day, I was so tired afterwards that I fell asleep straight away at the hotel.
Mother returned to Japan on the morning of the 24th, so I was on my own that day. I started the morning by tucking into a delicious croissant at the bakery, then read. On this trip, I was reading "Honeymoon" which was written by Banana Yoshimoto.
Afterwards, having been thoroughly exhausted from travelling for several days, I checked into the hotel and procured food from a nearby grocery store and market.
ホテル飲み
近くのマーケットで購入した本場のパテとワインがとっても美味しかったです。
The authentic pâté and wine I bought at the local market were absolutely delicious.
ネットフリックスで「エミリー、パリに行く」を観ながら一人飲みをしました♪
I enjoyed a solo drink while watching “Emily in Paris” on Netflix♪
Early November, I received a message from a friend from secondary school, and we managed to arrange to meet up in Paris at just the right time. We'd been in the same volleyball team since primary school, and in secondary school we often walked home together. How nostalgic.
The last time we met was when I gathered my volleyball friends at the sports hall for New Year's before moving to Britain, so it must have been two or three years ago?
2日間一緒に観光できました。本当に楽しくって、久々に会えてよかったです✌️💓
We were able to sightsee together for two days. It was truly enjoyable, and it was lovely to see you again after so long.
This is my third visit to France, but as someone who dislikes snails, I'd never tried escargot before. Seeing as I was here, I decided to order one. To my surprise, it was far tastier than I'd imagined. The texture was just like shellfish, and the basil really enhanced the flavour.
久々に会ったので、話題が尽きず、色々な話をしました。
As we hadn't seen each other for a long time, we had no shortage of topics and talked about all sorts of things.
The couple seated next to me were so kind and made me feel all warm inside. They chatted to me about all sorts of things, like "Would you like some salt?" and "Could I have some water, please?"
それから、このお店は注文した内容をテーブルクロスにメモするのが決まりらしいです。
Furthermore, it seems to be the custom at this establishment to jot down the order details on the tablecloth.
きっと注文されたものを忘れちゃうからなんだろうな、と思いました。(笑)
I suppose it's because they'll forget what was ordered.
私たちのオーダー memo
雰囲気が良くていいレストランでした✨
It was a lovely restaurant with a pleasant atmosphere.
マレ地区でお買い物 Shopping in the Marais district
今回のパリ旅行は何も計画せずに来たので、ホテルの予約も直前でした。
This trip to Paris was completely unplanned, so I only booked my hotel at the last minute.
Consequently, on the days we sightseeing together, I simply followed him around as she decided where to go. It was genuinely enjoyable, as these were shops I would never have visited on my own! ♪
My fascination with rings is a recent development, sparked by my friend I hadn't seen for years who remarked, "I feel like my luck has improved since I started wearing this ring. "So I bought one too.
The first ring I ever bought, I made myself in Omotesando. Though surrounded by couples, I worked away alone, quietly hammering out the pattern with my chisel and hammer. it's a fond memory.
今回は、珍しいデザインの指輪を購入。
This time, I purchased a ring with an unusual design.
When I visited a year ago, the Seine river cruise was absolutely splendid, so I booked it hoping my friends would enjoy it too. But this time, the cruise was a complete washout.
Moreover, the temperature was around 5 degrees. Last time I was indoors, so I hadn't expected it to be cold... I'm truly sorry for making you feel cold.
でもエッフェル塔がきれいでした✨
But the Eiffel Tower was beautiful
ムール貝 mussels
寒いクルーズを終え、夕食を食べるために、移動。
After a chilly cruise, we moved on to find somewhere for dinner.
What's more, as there were two of us this time, we could share three different types of bread, which was lovely. The croissants were excellent, of course, but the bacon quiche pictured was absolutely superb.
買い物のつづき。Continuing the shopping
「Merci」
フランスのガイドブックには必ず乗っているこのお店。
This shop is always featured in French guidebooks.
It had a great selection of stylish accessories and clothing. However, the prices were rather steep, so I resisted. A must-visit for fashion enthusiasts.
Since I was travelling alone, I worked on my laptop and hardly did any sightseeing. I spent my time drinking cup after cup of coffee in the hotel lobby, staring at my computer screen. Looking back, doing nothing in Paris felt like such a luxurious way to spend my time.
Moreover, whilst I usually do make a conscious effort to look after my health and eat my vegetables, I thought, ‘Since I've come all the way to Paris, I simply must eat delicious food,’ and ended up choosing only my favourite things to eat. This led to me feeling unwell, and there were days when I spent the entire day lying in bed.
それでもワインは飲みたかったので、ワインを飲んでいたので治りが悪かったです。(笑)
Even so, I still wanted to drink wine, so I was drinking wine, which made it harder to recover.
ということで、写真だけ載せておきます。
So, I'll just post the photos.
作業しやすいカフェ「AURA」
☟ホテルの近くにあった雰囲気の良いレストラン🍴
「La Brasserie Chapelle」
A pleasant restaurant near the hotel.
☟何日目かの昼食で食べたトリュフ入りマカロニ。お店は忘れてしまいました。
お気に入りのワインバー「Chez Nous」
最初にパリを訪れたときにおススメされたワインバー。ここのお店のチーズとワインは本当に美味しい。
The wine bar recommended to me when I first visited Paris.The cheese and wine here are truly delicious.
パリで最後の朝食「La Panifacture」
ホテル近くのパン屋さん。今のところパリで訪れたパン屋さんの中で最もお気に入り。
A bakery near the hotel. So far, my favourite among the bakeries I've visited in Paris.
