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We have an extra long day today. By that, I mean we will get back to San Francisco half a day before we leave. It will also be a long travel day. Bus One of the first serendipitous fortunes that we have had while traveling happened just now. Owen and I were prepared to lug…

There were a few things to wrap uo before we leave Japan. Namely… shopping. I had something to pick up in Kichijoji. While there, I walked around. It is a very pleasant place with few tourists. I stopped by the temple and the shrine and looked into some stores. I then realized that I needed…

Prayer for Hiroshima Just after having a coffee and small breakfast, Hisashi reminded me via text to make a silent prayer for Hiroshima. Today is the 78th anniversary of the first use of atomic weapons. I prayed for the victims of Hiroshima and for enough sense to remain within humanity to avoid such misery and…

Today we shopped. The Japanese love shopping. There are almost as many interesting stores as there are restaurants. They are busy with shoppers. I made the best of it in the relentless heat. I had a pretty good time. Owen and I split up today. I think he had a good time shopping as well.…

DUDE INN We had some time to kill on our way to Tokyo so we stopped in a sea-side town in Hiratsuka to visit DUDE INN. This is a small store catering to Japanese Deadheads. They make their own line of Grateful Dead and Dead and Company merchandise. The proprietor was very glad to have…

I started the day by making it down the the port in Katsuura to observe the tuna market. Supposedly, this tuna market is the largest in Japan. I am glad that I had this opportunity. The famous Tsukiji Market in Tokyo was moved to Toyosu because of interference from tourists. Although the many fish restaurants…

We started our day with a beautiful homemade breakfast. Then our host showed us off by praying for us and sounding his conch shell-like horn to the mountains. We had such a nice stay. Buses again. This time to the second and third of the trinity of holy shrines: Kumano Hayatama-Taisha and Kumano Nachi-Taisha. Kumano…

The tone for the day was set at dawn. Owen and I had slept well. We didn’t have any miles to make or really any schedule at all other than the 11 o’clock checkout time which we took advantage of. Our inn was more of a youth hostel. It was busy with young people. They…

Today was all around, a tough day. We had a long, difficult hike in very hot and humid weather. Our plan was to do 11 miles and hike right to our inn. Ultimately, we hiked 8.5 miles and took two buses with an hour ling wait for each bus. Owen and I were both at…

Today we start hiking the Kumano Kodo Pilgrimage trail. Kumano Kodo Pilgrimage We will jump onto the trail right outside the front door of the inn. The trail should be well traveled. It goes through villages along the way. It does not look to have a lot of elevation change. The day is partially cloudy…