A Ferry Romance: Kerry Cox's Decades-Long Love Story with Hitomi
In the early 1980s, Kerry Cox, a young New Zealander, embarked on a journey that would change his life forever. After quitting his job and moving to Sydney to study martial arts, he found himself hitchhiking through Japan in 1982. By January 1983, he was boarding a ferry to Korea, hoping to find cheap airfares—a task made trickier without the internet. Little did he know, this ordinary boarding moment would spark an extraordinary romance.
An Unexpected Meeting
As Kerry prepared to board the ferry, he was approached by a very attractive Japanese woman named Hitomi. With limited English, she offered him a savvy travel tip: buying a box of bananas and a bottle of Johnnie Walker Black label could cover most of his expenses in Korea, where these items were in high demand. Intrigued, they struck up a conversation during the voyage. Hitomi was learning English as a hobby, while Kerry had no knowledge of Japanese, but their language barrier didn't deter them.
Hitomi and her friend were traveling to Korea to purchase clothes and accessories for resale in Japan. Since Kerry was unfamiliar with Korea, she suggested they explore together. They spent a week in Busan and another in Seoul, visiting local temples and landmarks like Busan Tower. At first, Kerry didn't sense any romantic feelings—it was just a friendly adventure with a new acquaintance.
Deepening Connections in Japan
When airfares in Korea proved expensive, Hitomi invited Kerry to visit her home in Miyazaki, Kyushu. He accepted, and they traveled to her valley residence, surrounded by rice paddies and koi ponds, with no other homes nearby. Life there was simple, and Hitomi's mother initially treated him with amusement and kindness.
Together, Kerry and Hitomi explored Kyushu, often visiting elderly or disabled individuals, with Hitomi bringing small gifts. Kerry found himself increasingly drawn to her kindness, cheerful personality, lilting voice, and laugh. He later recalled, "I was becoming very attracted to her kindness, her always-cheerful personality, her lilting voice and laugh. She was beautiful on the inside and out." One local even remarked that she seemed like an angel.
Their bond deepened during a trip to Takachiho, a famous mountain gorge. Due to snow and ice, they stayed overnight in a local tavern. That evening, Hitomi asked when Kerry would return home. He confessed he was falling in love and wanted to stay longer, to which she joyfully replied, "Me too!" Their first kiss was soft and delicate, marking the beginning of their romantic relationship.
Challenges and Separations
Eventually, Kerry's visa expired, forcing him to return to Australia. Hitomi accompanied him to Narita Airport, where they shared a prolonged kiss that nearly made him miss his flight. They planned for her to visit Australia soon, though marriage wasn't yet on their minds—this whirlwind romance was unexpected for both.
Back in Australia, Kerry realized Hitomi was the one. They maintained contact through expensive phone calls and letters in English, with Kerry simplifying his writing to bridge the language gap. The heartfelt "love you" at the end of each letter kept their connection alive. However, Hitomi's mother strongly opposed her moving to Australia, so after a year, Kerry returned to Japan.
He hitchhiked to a business hotel in Kyushu, where Hitomi was working late. When she knocked on his door and rushed into his arms, a year's worth of emotions poured out. In that unromantic setting, Kerry proposed, and she said yes. But her mother's disapproval intensified; she saw Kerry as a foreigner who might take her daughter away. If they were to be together, Kerry would have to move to Japan permanently.
Years Apart and Reunion
Kerry returned to Australia to apply for a visa, unaware that Hitomi's mother was burning his letters and hanging up on his calls. By the time he arrived back in Japan in 1988, Hitomi had won a singing competition, secured a recording contract, and was touring as a professional singer. Her manager and mother blocked Kerry's attempts to contact her, deeming him a complication to her career.
Devastated, Kerry settled in Tokyo, enrolled in Japanese language school, and worked various jobs. Years passed until a mutual friend called with news: Hitomi was in Tokyo and wanted to meet. They reunited at Shinagawa station in a coffee shop. Hitomi had matured but retained her beauty, sweet voice, and gentle manner. By then, Kerry's Japanese had improved, surprising her pleasantly. They quickly rekindled their relationship, now more in love than ever.
A Joyful Union and Lifelong Partnership
In 1990, seven years after their first meeting on the ferry, Kerry and Hitomi married in a beautiful old church in Thames, New Zealand. Hitomi wore a white wedding dress and later changed into a kimono, captivating guests in Kerry's small hometown. Her mother, now accepting of their bond, also wore a kimono. Kerry's parents were enamored with Hitomi, jokingly warning him, "If you stuff this up, don't bother coming home!"
They built a beautiful life together in Japan, raising two sons and supporting each other through all of life's challenges. Hitomi passed away three and a half years ago, but Kerry cherishes their time together. He reflects, "We always said it was fate that we boarded that ferry. For 40 years, I could never take my eyes off her. She was always the most beautiful woman in the room." Their story is a testament to love's power to overcome barriers and endure across decades.
