Wandering Japan Land of the Big Typhoon and rising Rugby Sun.

Kon'nichiwa, hello from Japan

I hope your week is going well. 

Ours is, although we're keeping an eye on the super typhoon heading our way.

We're in Tokyo for the Rugby World Cup and in between matches to walk the Nakasendo trail. This is a pretty hike up and down through the mountains between the old postal villages between Tokyo to Kyoto. The track dates back to the feudal period and we have enjoyed this historic route immensely.

Japanese necklace - Tusmago-juku

It seems like half the people we meet are here for the rugby and we've had many wonderful conversations along the way. Sport is such a great connector of people don't you think?
 Each night we are staying at the traditional Japanese Ryokan Inns with their communal bathing onsens.

Mind you, I've worked out pretty quickly that if you are staying at the same place as us,
chances are I'm going to be seeing you butt naked at the communal bathing area later.
So forgive me if I might not be as chatty as usual. Oh, we have some tales to tell.

Grab yourself a cup of green tea and some Japanese snacks and I'll tell you all about it.

The walking is fabulous, although we are tad amateurish compared with the professional hikers who are well equipped with their personal guides, walking boots and walking poles. Others we meet are independent walkers but here with one of the many specialist walk Japan companies. They are the organised one on the trail with a route plan and details of every not to be missed sight.

We are FIT travellers! 
I like that expression ever since I came across it. We are Free, Independent, Travellers who have booked our own everything and have set off to wander the Nasaksendo trail in some haphazard way.

We did decide that we have paid more attention to the rugby part of the trip
when we worked out that one of the days we had given ourselves 49 km to walk between ryokans!
Hey ho, mine's a large sake, please.

I have loved this walk especially NOT doing it in a group.
We are not following anyone else's plan, we are doing it our way.

Japan's fresh air is made even more exhilarating, given our current state of poor air quality in Thailand, from the Indonesian forest fires.

I love to hear the little birds sing and being a Pisces, water is important to me.
For a lot of the trail, we heard the babbling of water.
I just love to hear the water sing, don't you?
The Japanese are masters of having the sound of water in their lives.

Given our urban existence, we find that walking, being at one with nature,
and connecting with the world's rhythm is pretty special.
It is sadly missed in my city life.

It's been a fascinating week. We've had the rugby and the mother of all storms - Typhoon Hagibis.

Last weekend we were fully into the World Cup Rugby.
It's been a refreshing diversion and escape from world politics (well for a nanosecond.)

46.1 percent of the nation watched Japan's last winning match against Samoa,
making it the most-watched sporting event of the year.

It's going to be mega if they beat Scotland on Sunday to get a spot in the quarter-finals.
It's going to be mega if they play on Sunday, you see the typhoon has already led to the cancellation of all Saturday matches including our England vs France match.

We were looking forward to thrashing playing France.
It's a funny old life.
A week later we would have been happier now watching England lose to France!
There is a load of grumpy English men walking around our hotel today. 

It feels like half of Britain is over here. 

Luckily we watched England vs Argentina match last weekend.

You can read all about it here: World Cup Rugby 2019 - 6 things to expect other than beer

One thing I have been very impressed with everywhere has been the loos!
I mean even in the middle of nowhere on our hike there has been a hut
with toilet roll and a heated toilet seat.

I have raved about the Japanese toilets before, and how impressed I was at the rugby how we ladies never had to queue once. In my toilet at the rugby, the previous lady had pushed the water music button.  How civilised is that?

Well, it was a completely different matter for the blokes. They had even employed someone to wander around with a large sign which said 'end of the line!'

So much was made of preparations for the tournament to ensure that the stadiums did not run out of beer. Allegedly the Japanese have been shell shocked by the amount of beer that can be consumed at these events. But they didn't think it through all the way. If you pardon the thought.

If you have been to the bathrooms in Japan you will know that you need your wits about you and preferably a double degree in electrical and mechanical engineering.
Four beers in, and busting for a waz, is not the time to be trying to work out how the toilet works.

No-wonder the Men's toilets needed an end of the queue sign.
One friend was gone forever and was not best pleased when he eventually returned.

I'm all for men experiencing what it's like for us ladies at the sporting events. Well done Japan!

Weather aside, Japan has done an amazing job with this Rugby tournament and won over many fans with their superb organization, great transportation, and friendly calm approach.

I did tease them a little about how at every turn they seem very keen to teach us how to make peace cranes. I especially like the thought at the first Rugby World Cup planning meeting
when they were discussing the Fanzones that some wise sod decided that every rugby fan should be encouraged to make an origami crane.

Well now we have got a whole day off storm-watching I guess this is just the moment Japan is hoping that we will put our new found papercraft skills to good use.

Me, I've now got enough cranes for a whole flock. Shame it was not, how to make an origami Wren :)

Well, now I have a day off with my slippers on we are waiting for this storm to arrive.

It is a strange calm before the storm happening here.
We had a very smart brekkie with grapefruit juice, toast and my ultimate posh,
a butter flower and jam in small pots.

The planes have been cancelled and the trains will stop soon.
All the shops are closed but did venture out and searched hard to find an open underground 7-11 convenience store. I said I think I need chocolate for a mega typhoon.

Any tips anyone? I know many of you have been through extreme weather situations in the past.

We have booked a table for dinner and a window-side place in the Jazz bar overlooking the Imperial Gardens with a full typhoon view. The full force of the storm is expected at 9pm.

It feels like the Titanic here. They have informed us they are not sure whether the jazz musician will attend tonight. I have offered the English to sing a few rugby songs if they would like a performance.

Of course, I have my English Crusader costume all ready for the match which I thought I could wear for dinner, although my husband says don't be a plonker!

I thought a little English humour would be appreciated.  What do you think?

Linking with thanks to all the hosts at Our World Tuesday, Create with Joy for Friendship Friday, Beverly at Pink Saturday and the hosts at Encouraging Hearts and Home