The blue sea and lush green island are right in front of you!A trip for two girls to create their last memories as students [Grandhome Setouchi Shimanami]

“Is this the Shimanami Kaido?! The view from here is amazing!”
As we drove our rental car from JR Fukuyama Station, our eyes were glued to the scenic view from the bridge connecting the islands.The weather was nice that day, and the contrast between the blue sea and the green islands was so beautiful that I wanted to stop the car and stare at it for a while.

Grandome Setouchi Shimanami, which we chose as our travel destination, is located on Ikuchijima Island, one of the seven islands in the Seto Inland Sea.We didn't have the confidence to drive for a long time, so we took the Shinkansen from Kansai to JR Fukuyama Station.From there, we rented a car and enjoyed a one-hour drive.

We arrived at Ikuchijima much earlier than check-in, stopped at Shiomachi Shopping Street, and strolled through the quaint old townscape.As I browsed through the stylish cafes and general stores that were built in old-fashioned houses, the time quickly passed before 15pm.Let's hurry to the facility!

It was a little after 15pm when we arrived at Grandome Setouchi Shimanami.
Go to the administration building for check-in.I took a breather with a welcome drink of lemon and mandarin oranges typical of Ikuchijima, which is famous for producing citrus fruits.

The administration building, which is the check-in area, has a reception desk, as well as toilets and clean shower rooms.There is a reservation table, so we made a reservation for the shower room at the time of check-in.Now you can plan your playdates perfectly!
Amenities such as shampoo, body soap, conditioner, and hair dryer were provided in the shower room, and toothbrushes, nightwear, bath towels, and face towels were provided in the room.There was also a hair dryer and mirror in the room!
What made me a little happy was the nostalgic hanten provided in the room!It was very useful to be able to put it on quickly when going to the toilet or washroom.

"This is the view I saw on Instagram. The ocean is right in front of you!"
The moment you enter the dome tent, your excitement will instantly rise as you see the scenery of the sea and island that you can see through the large windows!I left my luggage and went out of the tent and gazed at the spectacular view in front of me for a while.

After a while, my friend said, ``I want to try fishing that the staff recommended!''yes!At Grand Dome, you can rent a fishing rod with bait for 1650 yen and experience fishing right in front of your eyes.Fishing rods can be used until nightfall, when it is safe to fish.The staff taught us how to attach bait and fishing tips.

Let's take on the challenge!Despite my efforts, unfortunately I couldn't catch a single fish.I heard that you can catch kisses and sea bream in the summer, and small pufferfish in the winter, so I was secretly hoping for beginner's luck...However, I had so much fun fishing with my friends that I lost track of time.Before I knew it, the bright blue sky had turned a little dusk.Come to think of it, I even borrowed a game to play in your room, but I forgot...

After enjoying playing outside, we finally headed to the dome tent.The room has an open feel and is fully air-conditioned and comfortable!Even if you are in your room, you can enjoy the view of the sea and the island from the large windows, which is a very nice feeling.The stylish interior, reminiscent of a seaside cafe, also tickles girls' hearts.

It would be a waste to spend your time in a room like that!So, we decided to try our hand at making fresh lemon squash, which was recommended by the staff.I thought I had seen a lot of lemon trees before coming here, but I found out that Ikuchijima Island is said to be the birthplace of domestic lemons and is the largest producer of lemons in Japan.You can't leave without tasting the lemon!

I'd like to say that making lemon squash is very easy, but I did need a few tricks to make it Instagram-worthy.First, it's time to add the ingredients!Add the syrup, ice, and carbonated water in that order, and squeeze the lemon at the end.It is also important to pour carbonated water slowly and quietly.The blue syrup won't mix with the carbonated water and will come out beautifully!I ordered them in the wrong order and the lemon fell to the bottom.It looked a little disappointing, but the taste was perfect.

After enjoying making lemon squash in your room, it was time for a photo session!I went back to the deck to take a picture of a drink with the ocean in the background.Then, what caught my eye was a bonfire!If you purchase firewood, you can enjoy a bonfire in the deck space from 15:00 PM to 21:00 PM after check-in.
So, we decided to toast with freshly made lemon squash while having a bonfire!We enjoyed a luxurious cafe time while watching the sky and sea change their appearance little by little over time.

I thought I was getting hungry, so when I looked into the gazebo (BBQ space), I saw that dinner ingredients were already prepared in the refrigerator.
Tonight's dinner is "Shimanami Glamping BBQ" where you can enjoy ingredients from the Setouchi area.In addition to Setouchi beef steaks and beef skewers, there is also plenty of seafood, including sea bream, Spanish mackerel, turban shells, and octopus ajillo!The visibly fresh baby leaf salad is made from freshly harvested vegetables from local farmers.Dessert was pancakes with berry sauce.Preparing a meal for two, such as arranging the ingredients on the table and grilling them on the BBQ grill, will make you feel excited.

Once all the ingredients are cooked, toast with the wine you brought!The steak is tender and juicy, and the whole sea bream grilled on the grill is fragrant, plump, and perfectly grilled!Ajillo and cheese fondue skillet dish full of delicious octopus flavor goes perfectly with wine.The bottle was empty in no time!

The gazebo, which is the BBQ space, has a wood stove!It seems that it has been installed since December so that you can enjoy glamping even in winter.
A tasteful wood-burning stove that looks like something you'd find in a stylish home overseas.When I saw it, I wanted to use it, so I decided to use it for dinner.The usage fee is 3,300 yen, including one bundle of firewood.
Lighting a fire ourselves and watching the flames while adding wood warms not only our bodies but also our spirits.The extraordinary feeling that can only be experienced through glamping will soothe your soul.

By the way, we also ordered the wood-burning stove menu as an option.When you hear that you can enjoy grilled potatoes and apples using the flames of a wood stove, you'll want to try it!
The ingredients are delivered wrapped in foil, so all you have to do is put the sweet potatoes and apples in the wood stove and see what happens.Although it is very easy to prepare, the finished baked potatoes and baked apples are well-cooked all the way to the center, and are sweet and melty.It's a delicious taste that can only be made with a wood stove!

While we were enjoying our meal in a warm space, it was already past 20pm!There's still so much I want to do...so I headed to the bonfire area in the plaza.You can enjoy a campfire on a completely different scale compared to a bonfire in a private space.Here, try roasting marshmallows!I thought all I had to do was roast it over a fire, but it was quite difficult to roast it until it became mushy without burning, so the two of us stared at the flames and marshmallows.It turned out delicious!

Another thing we wanted to do was fireworks.I heard that fireworks can be used until 21:00 pm at the beach plaza in front of the tent, so I bought some fireworks that were on sale at the front desk (550 yen per bag).At first, the event was filled with colorful fireworks, and at the end, the ephemeral yet gentle light of sparklers soothed the audience.After finishing the fireworks, I suddenly looked up at the sky and saw a sky full of stars, something you would never see in a city.I looked at the starry sky in silence for a while.

After the fireworks finished and we returned to our room, we were still in good spirits, so we decided to enjoy the night of our trip with the fun items we borrowed from the front desk at check-in.At the front desk, there are games of life and Jenga that you can play in your room, and you can rent them for 200 yen each. The front desk closes at 21:00, so please rent it before then.

What was especially exciting was the ``Dome Illumination'' where you can enjoy illuminations in your room.Lights of various colors are projected on the large ceiling of the tent, making it an impressive sight.Every time the colors changed from red to blue to green, the two cheered and had a great time here as well.
After enjoying the illuminations, it's time to play the game of life.Even though I don't usually do this, I ended up having so much fun that before I knew it, it was past 1am...I had to go to bed early to prepare for tomorrow!

Even though I stayed up so late, I woke up refreshed!In an extraordinary space, you may be able to stay tireless.
At the end of their trip, they decided to have breakfast on the deck space, which has become their favorite space, so that they can enjoy the scenery of the sea and island to their heart's content.We enjoyed hot sandwiches and Onomichi Roman Coffee while enjoying a panoramic view of the golden sea shining in the morning sun!

After checking out, we headed to Miraishin no Oka, a marble garden inside Kosanji Temple that had become a hot topic on Instagram.I also enjoyed the lemon hotpot, which had a dashi soup rich in the flavor of seafood and the refreshing sourness of lemon.

We spent two days enjoying the beautiful scenery of the Shimanami Kaido, enjoying gourmet food, activities, and sightseeing!Our student life will soon end, but our friendship will continue!It was a memorable trip that made me feel that way.Even after graduation, let's travel together again!