Escape to myself

Today being fine and tomorrow forecasting rain I decided to take the bus to Kamakochi in the true mountains of Japan. A two hour trip climbing upward on narrow roads sculpted into the mountainside following hairpin bends through steep river valleys. There is so little level land that every tiny plot is taken up by small gardens of vegetables and tiny rice fields. The mountains changing with the clouds and shifting light showing every shade of green. Autumn is late this year so the colour I’d hoped for is only just beginning to show itself but it is beautiful nonetheless. At Kamikochi itself it is very touristy but you can get off the beaten track and have a solitary wander. Sadly I didn’t see any wildlife … there are monkeys! Bears and a sort of Japanese wild cow. But It was cool in the woods and the rivers tumbling down from the mountains made a real change from the heat I’ve experienced so far. The mountains are like a fairy tale. Walking through this landscape has given me an insight into the Japanese aesthetic of gardening … the rivers of stones, moss, the rocks, trees and mountains are all condensed and refined to bring small spaces of contemplation.

This was a really wonderful trip. The journey easy, buses great, people helpful. And the hostel is full of interesting and friendly travellers.