Mid-September. A consecutive holiday arrives for factory workers, which is unusual as they typically have only one day off at a time. When public holidays overlap, an opportunity for travel is bestowed upon me. It’s truly a blessing. A journey granted from the heavens. I shall savor it thoroughly.
This time, of course, it will be a solo journey again. I wonder when was the last time I traveled with a group. I can’t remember. Well, there’s no need to remember. Right, everyone? Being a loner might be a sort of pleasure. Yes, undoubtedly a pleasure. This thrill is what sustains my life force.
I’ve decided on a day trip to Himeji and Kobe. I’ll leave early in the morning and return home before the date changes. This way, I can save on accommodation costs. My meals will probably be simple. “What are you traveling for?” A voice within me sneers. Yes, it strikes where it hurts. Indeed, why am I traveling? Not for luxurious hotels. Not for dazzling dining experiences. It’s a convict’s journey! Exactly like a convict! I’m like a criminal exiled to an island! If I have to say, maybe it’s for sightseeing. I travel to gain the [experience] of having been to places, of having seen certain things. To create memories of life. “When you die, there won’t be memories left anyway”, a dampening thought crosses my mind. Sometimes, it’s not bad to give up on certain things in life. Or so I’d like to believe.
In any case, this long weekend is mine. No one can take it away. I’ll wake up at 4 a.m. on the day. The battle begins right there. I can’t rest for a moment. My mode of transport is a car. Bringing a car into the city is somewhat inconvenient. As the population increases, the volume of traffic changes accordingly. However, being able to change my destination freely is a plus. I’ll take advantage of that this time. Now, let the convict’s journey begin!
Arriving at Awaji Service Area after about an hour’s drive. Kobe is now within arm’s reach. The sky is a blend of clear blue and clouds. Perhaps a suggestion that travels come with both fortune and misfortune. However, for this solitude-lover, it’s mostly energizing. Given the holiday, there are many families, couples, and groups around. As we approach the city, the number of people increases, lending a real sense of travel. For someone like me who lives in the countryside, this feeling is refreshing. I wonder if it’s the opposite for those living in the city. I stretch my body and use the restroom. I take a few obligatory photos before leaving the service area. Since I’ve been to this place many times, there’s no particular admiration, but the view is spectacular, calming my spirit. It feels good. The traveler feels relieved. I replenish a bit with the food I bought the previous day and savor some honey coffee, a recent favorite of mine. After this short break, I’ll head straight to Himeji.
【The impregnable Himeji Castle is calling me】
The total journey to Himeji takes about two hours. The destination of this trip is the World Heritage Site, 2. I had been thinking of visiting it for several years but never made it happen until now. However, I’ve finally been able to fulfill this dream.
Known as the “White Heron Castle”, its whiteness is indeed prominent. Blessed with a clear blue sky today, the castle’s whiteness is even more striking. It might be hard to tell from a distance, but the castle grounds are extensive, and the grandeur of the castle becomes more apparent the closer you get. This is why I can’t quit visiting castles. The blood of samurai that still flows within me is stirring(?)—I want to quickly feel the castle’s full presence with my skin. Excitement courses through my body. Oh, what incredible power it must possess!
With it being both a World Heritage site and during a consecutive holiday period, there’s a long line. However, there’s no way around it. Why not take this time to patiently savor the moment? During this wait, it’s possible to gather information about Himeji Castle and the city of Himeji. I must have waited for about 30 minutes. After paying at the counter, it’s finally time to enter the site. As expected, it appears to be a popular tourist destination among international visitors too. Foreigners are noticeably present. This presence also provides a tangible feeling of being in a metropolitan area. There are particularly many people who seem to be from Western countries. Everyone is enduring the lingering summer heat; thank you for your patience. Speaking of which, due to the current depreciation of the yen, it seems easier for people to visit Japan. I can’t help but feel envious. I wonder if Japan will continue to become cheaper. Since becoming a working adult, I’ve only experienced a weak yen, never a strong one, which makes traveling abroad more expensive. Well, thinking of it as an experience, being able to travel abroad for this amount of money is quite incredible. I take pride in being able to lead a lifestyle similar to the royalty and nobility of the past. In today’s terms, I might be an ordinary person, but there were times in the past when even getting enough to eat was a challenge. My list of desires continues to grow. Indeed, there’s no limit to one’s wants.
There’s a significant bottleneck inside the venue, causing the viewing line to move slowly. The tour proceeds with personnel managing the crowd, making it somewhat cramped. However, these conditions result from its popularity, so I can’t really complain. The venue is open-air, offering a very comfortable space with good ventilation and an excellent view. It’s the perfect spot to experience something out of the ordinary. The scenery reminds me of the view from the Arc de Triomphe in Paris. While it’s not exactly radiating out in all directions like in Paris, it made me reminisce. I’d love to visit Europe again. However, currently neither time nor money is on my side. There’s no rush. I’ll take my time. Perhaps it’s not a bad idea to first accumulate knowledge about Europe and then fully enjoy traveling there. I’ve digressed quite a bit from discussing Himeji Castle. I ended up spending about three hours just viewing the castle and it’s already past noon. Time to wrap up and grab some lunch.
To Our Surprise Donkey
I would have liked to try local Himeji produce, but I didn’t do my research in advance. Additionally, it seems I’m not very interested in meals while traveling, which is a bad habit. Enjoying local food could provide insights into the culture since food is a universal aspect of life with clues to understanding humanity’s trajectory embedded within. But here, I’ll just settle for Surprise Donkey. My apologies, Himeji, until next time! It feels like I can hear the tune of “Katyuusha”. After finishing a regular hamburger, let’s finally start conquering Kobe!
To the Ancient Port City: Kobe
Now, it’s showtime for the main part of the trip. The primary aim is to explore this port city. I’ll travel there using the expressway from Himeji. However, the aftermath of the holiday season strikes me: 1. It’s a frustrating aspect of Japan’s traffic situation. During holidays, many Japanese people go on trips. In today’s automobile society, traffic jams are inevitable. Should there be an artificial reduction of Japan’s population? That’s impossible. As I approach Kobe, the number of cars increases, slowing down mine. Perhaps this is the ‘dark side’ of the city. I wonder if the city’s expressways are always this crowded on weekdays. While cities have their charms, they also have their downsides. These intriguing and amusing aspects of city life might be what attracts people, including myself, to them.
We arrived in Kobe in about an hour. We decided to stroll around Kobe Harborland and Kobe Port Town. Though it’s a port town, mountains are also nearby, creating a city where mountains and sea coexist harmoniously. It took quite an effort to find a parking spot after exiting the highway, as the traffic was heavy, and for someone like me, who only had experience with countryside roads, it was a challenging journey. Somehow securing parking, we began our exploration. As expected of the famous Kobe, the area was bustling with people, likely including many tourists. Amidst all this, a lone factory worker wandered through Kobe. What to do? Just keep walking. I continued advancing, weaving through the crowd, much like an army marching through a wilderness. Nothing could stop me. Indeed, this was the metropolis of Kobe. There were plentiful shops and people. The energy was overwhelming, and I, a country person, was completely taken aback. Humanity swarmed within this concrete jungle. Living in the countryside surrounded by forests is great, but perhaps occasionally visiting the city is the best way of living. Reducing the cost of living while investing in life’s memories. Indeed, that’s the spirit! After marching for about an hour, I decided to take a short break and entered a shop called Matcha-Kan. As the name suggests, I ordered matcha ice cream. It was the perfect item to soothe my exhilarated body. Even warriors need rest sometimes. This applies to all things in life. Delicious, truly delicious. Matcha is one of my favorite treats. Its sweetness and bitterness remind me of life’s ups and downs. It’s a food with a lesson. How will I live in this world that isn’t just filled with sweet experiences? My light might be extinguished tomorrow, but regardless, I have no choice but to keep living life. In that process, various answers to life’s questions will probably reveal themselves.
As time approaches dusk, the town is gradually illuminated by the sunset. However, my march goes on undeterred. A mere stroll could never satisfy me. Walking for hours doesn’t feel like a chore. Perhaps, as night approaches, the mood of the passersby begins to lift as well. There are many heading out into the night. Let’s have a drink, in the style of Omar Khayyam! I decide to munch on the cashew nuts I brought with me for dinner. Those who travel might be astounded by such a simple meal. By consuming local dishes, one can understand the culture of a place. However, for some reason, I’m not in the mood this time. It’s something that can’t be helped. Perhaps it’s a bout of fatigue from the summer heat arriving late. The allure of Kobe beef is indeed strong, among other delightful options. But alas, it’s unfortunate. I decide to continue my march.
I decide to venture into a nearby mall. Remarkably, it’s bustling with a youthful crowd. The atmosphere brims with energy, which is certainly invigorating. This vitality seems to breathe life into me as well. Thank you, young folks. The mall offers an array of stores from dining, general goods, to fashion. The dazzling array of goods is almost overwhelming, and it’s tempting to loosen the purse strings. However, as a factory worker like myself doesn’t have much to splurge on, I am just here for window shopping.
I step into a fashion store called “ZARA”. While clothing isn’t exactly my forte, clothes are essential to human life, as suggested by the saying “clothing, food, and shelter”. They are crucial items to have to avoid being perceived as suspicious or a criminal. I’m not familiar with the reputation of ZARA, but they seem to have some reasonably priced items. The price tags don’t hit the tens of thousands, making it accessible for the younger generation. The pricing is kind to me as well, but purchasing clothes isn’t the purpose of my visit today, so I quickly leave the store.
I stroll briskly through the mall, observing people coming and going. I continue walking, yet there’s no interaction. There’s only indifference. This solitude is the true charm of solo traveling. Without engaging with anyone, I simply head towards my destination. That’s the essence of it! I’ll probably continue traveling for the serenity it offers.
Summer is coming to an end, and autumn is approaching. Then comes the long-anticipated winter. I eagerly await the arrival of the bone-chilling winter season.
I decided to ride the Ferris wheel located near the park. From it, I could overlook the city of Kobe. The feeling of doing this alone is indescribable. The sunset fills my heart with sentimentality. Loneliness starts to well up. However, this feeling is a form of pleasure for me. Solitude only makes me stronger. I delve deep into the sea of thoughts. This very state of loneliness is what I was seeking. Like the Ferris wheel slowly rising, wouldn’t my life also take a turn for the better? Perhaps luck would fall upon me like unexpected treats from a shelf? No. The only thing that descends upon me is solitude. I should embrace and consume it until I’m full. The scenery that comes into view afterwards, a sight that isn’t shared with anyone, I will etch it into my memory. So I won’t forget. As a page in my memories. When the curtain of life falls, I might remember it spontaneously. That I played in the sea of loneliness. That I was trapped in the mire of pleasure. A slight regret. The remorse that I should have interacted more with others. I wonder how you will play the requiem. I’m very much looking forward to what it will sound like. Mephistopheles might be eagerly awaiting too. However, I can’t write poetry like Baudelaire, or novels like Maupassant. But, I’ll probably keep living, persistently and sluggishly. Because that’s the duty given to me.
The sunset from the Ferris wheel is incredibly beautiful. That slow, rising sensation. However, for someone with a fear of heights like me, it’s a significant challenge. Experience tends to help one get used to things, but this particular fear seems hard to overcome. Skyscrapers, tall buildings, roller coasters. They all terrify me. Why am I so scared of heights? Why does elevation correlate with fear? Weren’t humans somewhat similar to monkeys? Even now, we build tall structures and aim to climb them. I’m like a monkey, so much so that I’m tempted to get on the Ferris wheel the moment I see it. But who can stop this monkey-me? The Grim Reaper will eventually, but there’s no point in thinking about that now. I’ll live freely. Someone once said that humans are sentenced to the punishment of freedom. The penalty of having to live freely. I find that perspective interesting. Through work and hobbies, life becomes fulfilling. Lately, romance has been trying to squeeze its way in. It’s not that I want to marry or raise kids. I just have a desire to satisfy my physical and emotional needs. It’s essential to be true to one’s desires. The term “self-sacrifice” exists, but it comes with an unspoken rule that one shouldn’t expect anything in return. With that said, I believe one should indulge in their selfishness as much as possible. At least, that’s what I think. I don’t need validation from others anyway. How far can I stay true to myself? It’ll be a lifelong challenge. Numerous obstacles await. Do I want to accomplish something that no one else has? Make a groundbreaking invention, or produce revolutionary art? Hmm, not a bad idea. Everyone wishes to leave a mark, to make history. But countless individuals have died without becoming famous. These unknown histories. But does that mean they were unhappy? Does everyone desire happiness? Oh, happiness, as if it’s everything in life. Distinctions of high and low, countless curses, angry people, indifferent ones. Why does discontent and anger arise? What are these emotions directed towards? Humans, creatures of emotion. Maybe reason never existed in the first place. Is everything just a play on words? Is such a sad reality acceptable? My emotions are welling up. I don’t know which emotion it is. It just flows, like a spring.
The sun sets. For the first time, I am able to witness the sunset of Kobe, and I feel happiness. It makes me sentimental. And here, I listen to the theme song of “Endeavour Morse.” It’s ineffable. Emotions race through my body, they know no bounds. Summer hasn’t ended yet. Chronologically, it’s autumn, but this year, the lingering summer heat is prolonged. I have a feeling it’s going to be a long summer. And then, onto autumn, and winter. The long-awaited winter I had been yearning for will come. That desolate winter. I eagerly await its arrival. Among the four seasons, I particularly love winter. Trees wither, and overcast skies prevail. The biting cold wind, the chilled body. It truly is a season for the loners. I return to an empty home, turn on the lights. No one calls out to me. A room just for me. It’s lonely. I don’t have a habit of drinking, so I can’t drown my sorrows in alcohol. However, lately, I’ve been thinking of remodeling my room, turning it into a solitude chamber for a loner like me. A sofa for one and a small desk. A tiny warm-colored lamp. While sipping my favorite juice, I’d get lost in thought and jot down any ideas that come to mind. Isn’t this the ultimate pleasure? Once this trip is over, I’ll embark on reconstructing my room. One can easily create their own happiness. Just keep daydreaming. Act occasionally. A life of being constantly pushed can be suffocating. Yet, days without hustle can be boring. I wonder if it all eventually leads to moderation. Those ancient philosophers indeed knew something. Many answers have already been thought of by those who came before us. By solely learning from the wisdom of our predecessors and history, many problems can be resolved. It’s quite a simple concept, in my head.
The time has come when darkness reigns. Darkness has become the king. People raise lights to illuminate the darkness and begin a solemn resistance. In this overly bright modern age, it’s difficult to find complete darkness. When gazing at the moon in the darkness, one can understand why people of the past admired it. Seeing the moon shining brilliantly that night would surely make one’s heart dance. The moon and sake, local produce, banquets, and boat rides. All are enchanting. I wish I could travel back to times like the Heian period and indulge in waka (Japanese poetry). However, knowing the hardships of survival in that era, there would be no time for luxuries like poetry. One must simply live. A time when securing food was a primary concern. Modern me enjoys a life surpassing that of ancient royalty. But desire is deep-rooted, always seeking more possessions. Perhaps that’s the darkness of modern times. It’s sad, but that’s reality. At the port, people are joyfully raising their voices. Some dine on terraces, some gaze at the sea in a trance. Others take cruises, and the coming and going is ceaseless. Among them, there’s one who just keeps walking, wandering the streets of Kobe aimlessly. Walking endlessly, as if it’s a mission bestowed upon them. They’ll need to find dinner somewhere. There’s a Starbucks by the seaside. I thought about having coffee and a doughnut, but it’s unusually crowded due to the holiday. This will only tire my body and soul. I sit on the nearby grass, munching on the cashew nuts I brought. What kind of meal is this for a trip? But just because I’m in Kobe doesn’t mean I need a lavish meal. Everything is as one pleases, in a world dominated by self-satisfaction. The sound of the waves and the noise of the people can be faintly heard. Another day passes by. An irreplaceable day. I’m grateful that I’m still allowed to live. By whom? The light of life burns dimly, stubbornly not going out. But no one tells when it might extinguish, even though we know it eventually will. It’s quite tormenting. The feeling of needing to do something, to become someone, builds. My mind grows impatient, but my body can’t keep up. This trip is nearing its end. Everything comes to an end. I must be prepared.
It was Mt. Rokko that gave the perfect ending. I had heard rumors that the night view was beautiful. It’s necessary to investigate this just to be sure. Even though the lingering summer heat is severe, the nights have become slightly cooler. Add to that the altitude, and it becomes considerably chilly. It’s a bit uncomfortable in short sleeves. I continue to climb the road to Rokko relentlessly. There are abundant pensions, eateries, and leisure spots unique to mountainous areas. However, I don’t have the time now. I must see this famed night view as soon as possible. The lights of people’s activities. Many tourists had gathered on the cold mountaintop. Everyone is taking photos with the night view in the background. I should join in. And, I need to etch this moment in my heart. I probably won’t come here again. There’s always a touch of sadness in travel. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime encounter. It continues endlessly from one place to another. Travel is a kind of desire, one that is never fully satisfied. People who got tired of Earth ventured into space. I wonder if the future involves journeying across galaxies. After Earth, space, and galaxies, what’s next? Are we to create our own alternate dimension? An artificial universe. People might become unable to bear Earth’s gravity and head to space. I don’t know how far this expansion will go. By the time that happens, I’ll probably be gone from this world. Will I be able to witness humanity’s progress or will I see its downfall? My curiosity remains insatiable. I will likely continue my travels.
【THE END】
