A Last Hike and on to Tokyo

Mountain Scenery

Saturday, 26 May 2018

Do not think
  "I'll go as I please!"
when taking a journey.
   Rather, think, "I may have some problems,"
and you'll be free as a bird.
           -Yasumni Roan   

After our last night in the charming, Meijii era Ryokan, Tsuruya, we had a fine Japanese breakfast and organized our by now filthy belongings in our packs.  Win was still feeling flulike with cough and weakness etc, and felt unable to make the 6.7 mile walk to Kokokawa Station, so after some anxious deliberation I decided to make the walk solo and Win would take the bus to the station.  I took a cab up the mountain to Touge, and started on a beautiful hike through the forest.  No another soul for the first few hours.  The loud din of crickets and birds, butterflies, morels, amazing old trees with twisted roots, more Jack-in-the-pulpets, old stones marking battles, events, poetry etc, old abandoned tea houses, and even once a very large snake (which actually caused me to scream) entertained my walk.  For the most part it was a comfortable downhill, but the last part before the several miles on the abandoned railway track was quite steep, and after some 5 hours or so my legs were pretty tired.  But I found the station and Win sleeping forlornly on a bench.

Took two trains to Tokyo station and walked to our hotel (Hotel Niwa).  Win actually was feeling the need to see a doctor, and when Ritsuko arrived around 5:30, we were able to arrange a visit to St. Luke's International Hospital.  After a while we left Win in the ER to meet Junko at the art festival in Roppongi  (Win had a slight fever but no pneumonia by X-ray and was sent home with symptomatic treatment). 

Our evening was delightful - the art festival, just one night, had many ccreative installations, including a giant clear balloon of a human being, a cab on top of a truck with huge red cone teeth, and many others.  Around 8 we went to a fantastic Japanese restaurant for a tradition meal in our own dining room, with 4 servings of everything (the 4th being Win's).  All delicious and delicate - mostly fish dishes.  We started with lovely peach champagne!  Sorry Win couldn't be with us.  Finally home to the hotel by 11:30, and luckily a real bed which was most welcome!

Meijii era lobby of Tsuruya Ryokan

Through the woods

        

Morels om the woods

Trailside Poetry

   

Ripongi Art Festival