Nice write up. The closing of the rail line is another symptom of the demographic crash of the rural areas of Japan. In our area, some of the empty homes are available to stay in over night of a few days. We have done this several times prior to the panic. It is a bit strange staying in someone else’s home with they not being there nor even meeting them. The homes are fully furnished, with family photos on the walls. The owners are generally elderly and in the hospital for extended times and the adult kids away for work. Local retirees too over a restaurant that closed down and serve home style cooking made of local produce and fish for reasonable prices. Locals took us out to collect various edible wild plants including takenoko. On one Spring trip we planted satoimo and in the Fall we went back to help harvest it. This was organized and operated by the community as a way to keep vacant homes lived in at least on a part time basis and bring in some income. Is there similar around the Gonokawa area? I ask that not even knowing the fate of the program I am writing about here as I doubt they operated it during the years of the panic. I cannot image elderly country folk inviting anyone for the Tokyo area in to their community and homes when governors “recommended” no one cross prefectural borders.
Beautiful display of the seasons fleeting moments!
As if the urge from the post wasn't strong enough already; looking at the roads following the river, even a very light bicycle trip could be completed in 12 hours or so.
Nice write up. The closing of the rail line is another symptom of the demographic crash of the rural areas of Japan. In our area, some of the empty homes are available to stay in over night of a few days. We have done this several times prior to the panic. It is a bit strange staying in someone else’s home with they not being there nor even meeting them. The homes are fully furnished, with family photos on the walls. The owners are generally elderly and in the hospital for extended times and the adult kids away for work. Local retirees too over a restaurant that closed down and serve home style cooking made of local produce and fish for reasonable prices. Locals took us out to collect various edible wild plants including takenoko. On one Spring trip we planted satoimo and in the Fall we went back to help harvest it. This was organized and operated by the community as a way to keep vacant homes lived in at least on a part time basis and bring in some income. Is there similar around the Gonokawa area? I ask that not even knowing the fate of the program I am writing about here as I doubt they operated it during the years of the panic. I cannot image elderly country folk inviting anyone for the Tokyo area in to their community and homes when governors “recommended” no one cross prefectural borders.
What a beautiful posting, thanks so much for sharing! Having never been to Japan, this weblog is extra-awesome!
Beautiful display of the seasons fleeting moments!
As if the urge from the post wasn't strong enough already; looking at the roads following the river, even a very light bicycle trip could be completed in 12 hours or so.