Today I have walked over 10 km once again and visited one of the main mountains which are located within Shizuoka. They can be called mountains, or simply large hills. The highest elevation was 108 m high. I got access over a temple first. Temples and shrines are many at and around the mountain. This mountain is somehow , developed, among other things with resting areas and playgrounds, but as little as possible or nothing was done to the nature. In Germany we would have secured, broad and good ways. Here I have often only narrow paths with deep abyss. The latter one I like much more. Then I went from one hill to another across the back. If I had not listened noise, racquets, and sometimes sirens, I might have felt quite isolated from the city, because I had seen very few people. I could not explain why. because the weather was nice. Two or three times I saw small vegetable gardens on the way.
Above you had very nice views and you could see well my university on the other mountain, which I also want to explore. But this could become more time-intensive.
Here I made my lunch break and just put my feet up. I think I have already written that the Japanese understand “nothing” of bread (from a German point of view), but the sweet variants or even sweet pastries are good. Personally I’ve really found of the melon bread. Even if I had for lunch just the cheapest ones I could find. 4 pieces for twice 108 yen. But they look plain and as the name suggests, taste like (sweet) melon.
And I went on.
Even if I find the nature in Japan better integrated than most times in Germany, I had also noticed at the descent that the mountain is already “walled”. It was also very clear that in Japan everything is very tight and the houses are close to each other. Although Japan is a huge country, only a few areas are economically viable due to the mountains and therefore space is scarce. Where I believe in Germany they would have simply the mountains completely concreted ……
In the end, on the way back, I rounded the mountain from below and saw a large shrine. I was told by a colleague on another occasion (if I understood correctly) that this is well-attended for the New Year’s feast and the research group also probably visit it. I’m already looking forward to it.
Incidentally the well with the ladles is the ritual cleansing of the hands and mouth.
Today there was even a flea market in front of the shrine. But it’s really deserved this designation. There were only a few new things in between and a lots of antiques. Among other things an old pistol, an old musket, several different knives / short sabre and several Katanas. At least I think that it were real Katanas, their age was to be seen. It could have been but the grips, I cannot say, because they were in the sword daggers and I had not asked. Many other items such as dishes, traditional clothes or whole fabrics were also there. I’ve also seen some nice clothes, but either it was for women or if not, I didn’t need to try my size. The latter is quite difficult here, even with new product.
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