A quaint cabin painted in warm tones sends out a wooden pier into the water at the westernmost side of Azuma Beach – closest to the harbourfront, one would note.
"Itsuka dokomademo" (伊津佳 何処までも), the sign outside reads. "Itsuka, wherever to", the obvious reading suggests – but the characters in "Itsuka" are not those in the owner's name, meaning rather "that beautiful port".
Some will immediately also point out that it also sounds exactly as "Wherever to... in due course", and complain of long waiting times. The staff will of course say that's not... well, not par for the course.
"Wherever" – as most islanders end up calling it (some go for "somewhen" instead) – offers transfers and leisure trips (2-hour long all through daylong) to seaside locations all around Shiawase Island. Some simple refreshments are offered, although if you want something fancier you'll have to hire it elsewhere and make arrangements to bring it aboard. A sign on the wall indicates that excursions to the sea around Shiawase Island and journeys to places further away in Tango Province may also be possible, but specifics need to be arranged with the owner in that case.
The trips are offered by air, on the sun-coloured floatplane the Wherever's staff, perhaps not very creatively, call just the 'Float', or by sea, with two options for boats: a stylish, but small speedboat (the 'String'), or a somewhat larger cabin cruiser (the 'Double'). If anyone asks about the names, the staff will answer with a gentle, but dour smile, say the names were given by the owner's late wife, and drop the subject.
Other than trips, the place offers very simple refreshments, as well as keyrings and small plushies of the Float, String and Double.
(Some) Staff:
Hanae (35 yo): Sober and unfailingly polite, the senior member of the Wherever's staff mostly takes care of scheduling, payments and the like – although she'll also take clients on one of the boats if Akari and Seito aren't available.
Her son Koichi (11 yo) is often around as well, and is very vocal about his desire to become a floatplane pilot.
Akari (19 yo): Almost the polar opposite of Hanae, Akari's flowing hair, always dyed in a different colour, is a clear outward sign of her demeanor. She's easygoing, approachable, feisty – and unsurprisingly popular with many clients. She is the main responsible for the boats, which she is very skilled with. She's also started learning to pilot the Float, having even taken some lessons with the owner - but her brother Seito is very hesitant to let her do it on her own.
Seito(26 yo): Seito's serious and upstanding behaviour often leads visitors to think he's related to Hanae. But besides sharing features with Akari – their delicate, slightly pointed nose, for one, is unmistakable – his protective stance will make very clear whose big brother he is. Whenever a client hires a ride on the Float, he's the one to take them – unless Itsuka is around and decides to go instead.
Prices:
Transfers (by boat, leaving from Azuma Beach, usually on the String)
2 zeni to anywhere within Nakahama
3 zeni to Tenjin Town
4 zeni to Namigashira Bay
Add +1 zeni for pickup at the Harbourfront or elsewhere in Nakahama
Add +2 zeni for pickup outside Nakahama.
Double the cost for transfer by plane.
Leisure trips (per time slot/2 hours, pilot and refreshments included, leaving from Azuma Beach or the Harbourfront):
Nakahama and surroundings
- String: 4 bu
- Double: 5 bu/1 koku
- Float: 8 bu
Tenjin town and surroundings
- String: 8 bu
- Double: 2 koku
- Float: 3 koku
Namigashira Bay
- String: 2 koku
- Double: 3 koku
- Float: 5 koku
The Sea
- 5 koku and up; please ask the owner for arrangements.
Keychain (float, string or double, various colours) - 1 bu
Small plushie (float, strint or double, real-life colours) - 2 bu
Refreshments (bagged tea, coffee, soda, nuts, snacks, pasties and the like) 1-3 zeni.
Opening hours:
The Wherever is usually open from Mid Morning through Mid Evening, although arrangements can be made for late or early trips (for a cost).
Vehicles
- String:
- Double:
- Float:
