[Travel Essay] I went to Lake Inawashiro to meet the swans♪

When I stepped off the train at Inawashiro Station, the cold air stung my cheeks.

It was a scent of winter unique to snow country, somehow damp and different from the dry cold of the city.

Once I left the station building, the majestic Mount Bandai towered right before my eyes.

I couldn't help but stop in my tracks at its overwhelming presence.

Its silhouette, with foothills spreading out like Mount Fuji, and the Aizu mountains stretching out around it—everything about it was simply magnificent.

According to the information I had looked up beforehand, Nagahama is the recommended spot for seeing the swans.

I boarded a local bus from the bus stop in front of the station.
It's quite a challenge since the bus only runs once every two hours.

I arrived at Nagahama just after noon.
It was a calm afternoon where the winter sun felt like it was warming my shoulders just a little.

I could see white specks as soon as I left the bus stop. They were the swans.

The swans were floating on the surface of the lake.
Their elegant forms looked just like white flowers drifting on the water.

The swans swam toward me gracefully, showing no signs of wariness.
"Koo, koo."

Their low, soft calls echoed through the air.

Perhaps because it was lunchtime, there were about 20 swans, but there were even more ducks gathered around.

I bought some bread crusts sold for 100 yen and tried feeding them.

Watching them eat so earnestly was incredibly cute, and I felt my heart warm up.

However, the ducks were a bit greedy (lol), and I was surprised when they chased me all the way to the road back, demanding "Give us more food!," but that too is a fun memory.

They were so cute and healing.

Thank you for reading this far.