The ferry ride from South Korea to Japan isn’t just a transportation option. for some, it’s a portal to unexpected connections and enduring love. Kerry Cox discovered this firsthand in 1983, a journey that began with a simple ferry crossing and blossomed into a decades-long romance with a Japanese woman named Hitomi.
Cox, then in his early twenties, had quit a job in New Zealand to study martial arts in Sydney. After competing in Hong Kong, he found himself planning a trip to Japan. Airfare from Korea seemed appealingly affordable, so he booked passage on a ferry. It was onboard that ferry, he recounts, that his life took an unforeseen turn.
Approached by Hitomi, a Japanese woman with limited English, Cox learned of a peculiar opportunity. Buying a box of bananas and a bottle of Johnnie Walker Black Label, she explained, could effectively cover much of his expenses in Korea. These items were apparently in high demand at the time. While the practicality of the offer remains a charming anecdote, it was the connection with Hitomi that truly mattered.
Despite a significant language barrier – Cox spoke no Japanese, and Hitomi was still learning English – the two struck up a conversation. Hitomi and a friend were traveling to Korea to purchase clothes and accessories for resale in Japan. Cox, unfamiliar with Korea, accepted Hitomi’s suggestion to travel together. They spent a week in Busan and another in Seoul, exploring temples and towers, forging a bond built on shared experiences and a growing mutual attraction.
Hitomi then proposed an extension to Cox’s journey: a visit to her hometown of Miyazaki, Kyushu. She lived with her mother in a secluded valley surrounded by rice paddies and koi ponds. Life there was simple, and Cox was welcomed warmly by Hitomi’s mother. As they traveled around Kyushu, visiting elderly residents and those with disabilities, Cox found himself increasingly drawn to Hitomi’s kindness, cheerful disposition, and inner beauty. He recalls being told by locals that she seemed like an angel.
The turning point came during a visit to Takachiho, a mountain gorge. Forced to spend the night in a local tavern due to inclement weather, Cox confessed his growing feelings for Hitomi. To his surprise and delight, she reciprocated. A soft, delicate kiss sealed their connection, a moment Cox describes as perfectly mirroring Hitomi’s gentle nature.
Cox eventually had to return to Australia due to visa restrictions. Hitomi accompanied him to Narita airport, and their farewell was filled with emotion. Plans were made for her to join him in Australia, but Hitomi’s mother vehemently opposed the idea. Undeterred, Cox returned to Japan in 1988, hoping to reunite with Hitomi.
However, he found himself facing a new obstacle. Hitomi had entered a singing competition, won a recording contract, and was now touring the country as a professional singer. Her manager and mother actively blocked Cox’s attempts to contact her, believing a relationship would hinder her career.
Cox persevered, enrolling in Japanese language school and working various jobs in Tokyo. Eventually, a mutual friend facilitated a reunion. Hitomi had matured, but her essence remained unchanged. Their connection rekindled quickly, and they were soon deeply in love again.
In , seven years after their initial meeting on the ferry, Kerry Cox and Hitomi married in Thames, New Zealand. Hitomi honored both cultures by wearing a white wedding dress and later changing into a traditional kimono. Even Hitomi’s mother, who had initially opposed the relationship, eventually came to accept their love.
They built a life together in Japan, raising two sons and supporting each other through life’s challenges. Hitomi passed away three and a half years ago, leaving Cox with a lifetime of cherished memories. He reflects on their journey with gratitude, believing their meeting on that ferry was nothing short of fate.
Their story, a testament to the power of chance encounters and enduring love, serves as a reminder that sometimes, the most extraordinary journeys begin with a simple ferry ride across the sea. The Korea-Japan ferry, as highlighted in recent travel guides, continues to offer a convenient and scenic route between the two countries, but for Kerry Cox, it will forever be remembered as the vessel that carried him to his soulmate.
