A Solo Year-End Trip to Togakushi for One Night, Featuring Horse Sashimi and a Three-Sake Course (Part 2)
Part 1
Leaving Togakushi Chusha Shrine behind, I started walking.
There are no buses running to my destination, the Okusha Shrine.
That said, the road had quite a bit of traffic.
Since there was snow on both sides of the road, I walked while avoiding the snow and being careful of cars. Walking like this, I felt once again thatthe weight of my backpack was taking a toll on my shoulders.
However, compared to the difficulties that would follow, this was still just the beginning.
After walking for a while, I eventually arrived at the entrance to the approach to Togakushi Okusha Shrine. Once I got there,the snow-capped mountains in the distance revealed their majestic forms.I took my camera out of my backpack again and, relying on my light meter, snapped photos in a frenzy.
Then, after relieving myself at the restroom near the entrance, I headed onto the approach to the Okusha.
It was clear and not too cold, so I felt relieved. I had been worried about needing to use the restroom in the middle of the path.
For the time being, the first half of the approach went relatively smoothly. Although I was wearing trekking shoes, I was concerned that I kept slipping, but at this point, I didn't think it was anything to worry about too much.
I proceeded along the path, taking photos alternately with my two cameras.
Before long, guardian dog statues appeared on both sides of the path, and beyond them, an imposing gate. While capturing it with my camera, I passed through the gate, andthere, the scene of Togakushi I had been seeking revealed itself.
Yes, come to think of it, I was overwhelmed by this sight when I visited in the summer 15 years ago.
This is my Togakushi.
As expected, I was overwhelmed once again.
I held up my camera and took photo after photo.
I thought, now is the time to use my camera.
Having achieved one of the goals of this trip for now, all that was left was to keep walking toward the Okusha.
Eventually, as I neared the Okusha, the path began to slope upward. I remembered the Okusha being on top of a small mountain. I braced myself, knowing that from here on out, it would be a bit of a climb.
However, an unexpected wall stood in my way there.
The path was in a state close to what you would call an ice rink.
In other words, once it became a slope, it was slippery and difficult to climb.
The middle of the path was now a danger zone. If I wasn't careful, I wouldn't just fall, I would slide down. Although I managed to climb up by sticking to the crunchy snow on the sides, it consumed more time and energy than I had expected.
Considering the current situation, the time, and the hotel check-in time, I gave up on visiting the Okusha and turned back halfway.
Now, I had to descend the slippery path.
Rather than walking fearfully, I decided that running would be less likely to cause a fall, so I ran down while being mindful of other visitors.
Soon, I reached a long slope.
Running caused me to slip, so I steeled myself and accelerated. The distance shouldn't have been that long.
As my running speed increased, fear struck me. When I tried to slow down, my feet would slip.
I was completely absorbed in the moment, andI experienced a thrill like Lupin III running down a steep roof at breakneck speed in the movie 'The Castle of Cagliostro'
Fortunately, I didn't fall at that time, and I managed to avoid involving other visitors.
However, I fell spectacularly afterward. I suspect that the momentum caused the water bottle I had in the side of my backpack to fall out.
I didn't notice until much later, so I gave up on the water.
I'm sorry for adding to the trash.
With that, I managed to return to the entrance of Togakushi Okusha Shrine and took photos of the snow-covered mountains bathed in the sunset.
Then, I pulled myself together and headed toward tonight's lodging.
Continued
2025.12.30