The entire town of Owase is a tiny fortress due to the fact it’s at sea level, along the road closest to the ocean, there’s a five foot tall wall, and where gaps need to be (for roads or driveways) there are automated tsunami walls. My hotel is a refuge/evacuation centre, which explains why the front doors are inch thick steel and the glass all has safety wire in it.
Like most places on the ocean this is very much a fishing town, but while the ocean sustains them, it’s always a few minutes away from trying to destroy them as well.
After today’s walk, never having worked so hard in my life for basically every single footstep up and down that hill… I’m not sure I’ll find a walk that will challenge me as much as Yakiyama Tōge (Mt Yakiyama/Yakiyama pass).
At the station. Didn’t die. Didn’t see bears but I did see a snake today, thankfully I surprised it early and it was regarding me from afar. 😂
Mikisato eki is yet another tiny little JR station in this region. I’m pretty sure I’d still prefer a local JR station than most translink ones because the trains run on time, even if you need tetanus shots and grippy shoes to survive them.
Dinner at Rairaiken, a ramen and all sorts shop with three very enthusiastic lady chefs. Chashu Miso Ramen and Karakuchi gyoza (spicy dumplings) and
Ika ten (squid tempura). Delicious and the whole thing with a ~750ml Asahi beer was 2950¥! The beer must have been about 300¥, and the ramen only about 1100 because I do have the prices for the other bits (750¥). I couldn’t imagine getting ramen so cheap in Australia, because it’s a “main” you normally pay 2.5-3x that cost.
It’s 7pm in this town of 16k people and the petrol stations are all closed but Daiso has another hour. Truly the greatest country in the world.
I bought a belt and an onigiri case and water and beer and two kinds of ice cream and yoghurt and deodorant and happy raccoon wash. I am sure I went in there for water or something.
Four head bashes. Ow.
Four ramen on the trip. Woo!