Cova Kakuda: A Luxury Getaway and Doorway to Cherished Memories

Living in the city has its perks, but with it comes the overstimulation of modern urban life. As much as I enjoy living in such a convenient area, sometimes I need to escape the hustle and bustle. With countless activities, endless natural beauty, and locally sourced food, I knew I was in for a luxury getaway unlike any other the moment our boat docked at Cova Kakuda. However, nothing could have prepared me for the unlocking of long-dormant memories from my childhood.

A Refreshing Change of Pace I Experienced at Cova Kakuda

Located along the coast of Mie Prefecture, Cova is nestled in a private bay with some of the clearest water I’ve seen in Honshu, and it offers the perfect view to watch the setting sun. As we set off on our sunset cruise, I was tentative about going for a swim in the bay. I've been swimming in salt water on a number of occasions, and I’ve never found it to be particularly enjoyable. However, amid the refreshing summer breeze and the warmth of the evening light, I set my apprehension aside and decided to take the plunge. 

As I made my way further from the boat, I was suddenly hit with something I’d never expected so far from where I grew up: a sense of nostalgia. The calmness of the bay water was reminiscent of the lakes I’d spent my childhood swimming in during my summer holidays. As if handed a key to a long-forgotten memory box, all of my worries were instantly replaced with a sense of familiarity. I floated there, time seemingly standing still, as I was taken back to the carefree days as a kid growing up in a mountain town.

Not long after, the sun had set. Just like my childhood, that meant it was time to get out of the water. I wish I could have spent a little longer revisiting the simple pleasures of my adolescence, but what I didn’t know was that my nostalgic journey to the memories of my youth had only just begun.

How Cova Made Me Rediscover Life’s Simple Joys

As the evening light faded over the Ago Bay, the stunning colors of the sunset gave way to the night sky. Living in the city, I sometimes catch a glimpse of the odd star here and there, but the sky is primarily dominated by man-made light.

As we sat down on the dock to enjoy a slow evening, I looked up and was greeted by a familiar sight I grew up seeing.

Without light pollution in the area, the sky was filled with more stars than the human mind could possibly comprehend.

Much like the camping trips of my youth, we pondered the things one does in such a situation: How many years did it take the light from these stars to travel to us? How many of them have since faded? With a universe so vast, there must be intelligent life out there somewhere, right? With time, conversation gave way to the soothing sounds of the surrounding nature as we looked in awe at the brilliance of the universe with the guidance of Cova’s star sommelier. 

Following stargazing, we made our way over to the firepit. The chatter of the nearby wildlife was now replaced by the same crackling sound and warmth that filled many of my summer nights growing up. The flickering light of the dancing flames illuminated the faces of those around me as we continued to share stories, laughs and, of course, marshmallows. I couldn’t tell you how long we sat there, but in moments like this, time rarely matters.

A Reminder to Cherish All the Memories that Matters Most to Me

It’s these simple moments that I cherish the most. During my time at Cova, I not only created new memories but was also granted a doorway to revisit moments from my past. However, Cova did more than that; it also changed my perspective. Since my stay, I’ve spent a lot of time reflecting not only on the deeper memories I’d unlocked but also on all the memories I hold most dear. Memories which have undoubtedly molded me into the person I am today: listening to vinyl records with my father, swimming at the lake, and road trips with my family; all seemingly insignificant moments etched into my brain like pictures on a stone. Which raised questions like, what lasting memories am I creating for my daughter? Which simple moments together will she carry with her for a lifetime? 

It’s this change in perspective that I am most grateful for. While it’s important for us to think about the future, to plan the big moments ahead, we must not let it distract us from enjoying the small moments in the here and now, which have the power to define not only who we are in the present but also who those we care about become. The time I spent at Cova allowed me the perfect venue to rekindle the simple joys of my past while looking forward to the lifelong memories I can create with my family. 

Sometimes, a change of scenery is all it takes to gain a new perspective. 

Plan your escape to Cova Kakuda and create memories that will last a lifetime.