I embark on a last-second voyage to Kobe, home of the world's most pampered cows who are made into the world's finest steaks.

Facing a potential typhoon, me and Tomoko throw caution to the wind and head down to Nishi Izu.

Leaving at 00:11 Saturday morning, spending three days traveling across the uncommonly green terrain of Ehime and Kagawa, sleeping in youth hostels and ryokans (Japanese inns), this is the true story of Ian's trip to Shikoku, the smallest of Japan's four main islands.