Solo Trip to Izumo and Okayama | Swaying on the Bataden. Practicing 'I'm Fine Being Me' Without Following the Crowd

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Having safely finished my second visit to Izumo Taisha that day, I decided to walk down Shinmon-dori toward the first torii gate to browse for souvenirs.

Since I only had about 10 days to prepare from the moment I decided to go, my research was patchy, so I was surprised when a train station suddenly appeared in the middle of the approach. It was a lovely surprise.

A bus had just arrived and I could have caught it, but since the fare to Izumo-shi Station shouldn't have been much different, I decided to try a different mode of transport for the return trip. The Ichibata Electric Railway, commonly known as the 'Bataden'.

While waiting for the train, I was able to take my time looking at souvenirs in the stylish shop next to the station.

The doburoku in the refrigerator caught my eye a little (or maybe a lot). I wondered if it needed to be kept refrigerated, so I reluctantly gave up and just looked.

The system was to be let onto the platform 10 minutes before departure. The conductor punched the tickets in an old-fashioned way. It left an impression on me that all three conductors were young women.

The orange train felt a bit retro and cute.

The seats were arranged lengthwise along the windows, with orange and yellow seats alternating. It looked like three people could sit in each color section.

“I wanted the yellow one! I don't want anything but yellow!”
There was a child fussing diagonally across from me. Their parents were trying to soothe them.

The mother and child moved to the yellow seat where I was sitting.

I made eye contact with the father diagonally across and offered, “Would you like to switch? Please, go ahead,” but he politely declined with a smile, saying, “It’s okay, it’s okay.”

But I thought it would be better for the father to be next to them, so I stood up and said, “Let’s switch,” and changed seats.

“I want yellow!” they clearly expressed their will. How innocent and carefree. I want to learn from that.

On the way, at Kawato Station, a large number of people got off to transfer. I was on the train bound for Izumo-shi Station, so I should have been fine, but I felt anxious and ended up wandering off the train too. I checked with the conductor, “Is this the right train for Izumo-shi Station?” and got back on.

I felt embarrassed to see the parent and child from earlier, so I moved to the next car.

I realized once again, even here, that I have a part of me that feels anxious if I don't follow the flow of the people around me.

On both sides of me were married couples.
The calm conversation of middle-aged couples could be heard from both left and right.

(Usually, people come as couples or families, right?)

The thought crossed my mind, but I reminded myself, 'I'm fine being me'.

Outside the window is a peaceful rural landscape.

There is a bicycle rack inside the train. A sight I don't see back home. It's refreshing.

I've come so far. This is fun! A solo trip.

Arrived at Izumo-shi Station. I got off the train feeling excited.

I checked into the hotel and closed the door to 'my room'.

The small single room was filled with a sense of liberation.
For some reason, I feel like crying just remembering it.

When I opened the curtains, I could see the trains.

I opened my laptop and wrote an article while watching the sunset.

My dream of playing nomad worker is complete!

After soaking in the hot spring in front of the station, I'll try 'having a drink at a bar counter'.
It's nerve-wracking, but I have to do it.

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