I left my Japanese base camp full of chocolate & banana milkshake and promises to return when I’m done with my current task. It was raining so I borrowed an umbrella and thus regained much of the pack weight I had sent up to Sapporo. Thanks to nearly three days of gorging and resting I had that new leg feeling and was sure I’d get far today.

The rain didn’t last long but I’ve held onto the umbrella for now. It is the season for it apparently. Progress seemed much slower than normal today. It took so long to leave Nagoya and for green hills to return. Mostly I was in commercial areas but I did stumble upon a small shrine with loads of those bright red gates leading to it. I took the opportunity to lie down and soon found myself falling asleep, unfortunately I was trying to listen to another Japanese lesson at the time.

 
Just after 5 I passed a monastery and thought I’d try my luck asking if I could put up my tent in their massive garden, hoping for an invite inside. But alas they were too busy chanting out the back (yes I heard them) to come see me so I’ve come to Kokei Park which a guy at the local ‘Working Youth’s Home’ said had a shelter and drinkable water. He offered me coffee too but I’m ready for another nap soon.

 
Word of the day: a-ta-ra-shi = new

Distance today: 35km