Winter Light and the Backs of My Family: A Photo Walk Toward Recovery Around the Seya Eight Lucky Gods

Seya Ward, located at the western edge of Yokohama City. It is usually a very quiet residential area, but it is actually a place that is slowly starting to attract attention as the venue (and nearest station) for the International Horticultural Expo 'GREEN×EXPO 2027' to be held in 2027.

Did you know that Seya has a set of 'Eight Lucky Gods' that is quite rare even nationwide? It is a pilgrimage course that enshrines eight deities, adding the 'Daruma Daishi' (Bodhidharma), who represents rising after falling seven times, to the traditional Seven Lucky Gods.

'Why don't we take our cameras and go for a walk?' A few days ago, I invited my wife with those words.

The reason is simple. I wanted to get some exercise, and above all, I wanted to refresh myself by taking in the crisp, cold air that is unique to this time of year in January.

Actually, I am currently on leave due to poor mental health and am spending this time adjusting for my return to work. I have a desire to clear my mind by looking through the viewfinder, and a wish to regain my physical strength. On the other hand, I have the self-control to not push myself too hard. It is a time when I need to find a balance between those two.

The Seya Eight Lucky Gods pilgrimage covers a distance of nearly 13km if you visit all the sites on both the north and south sides of the station. I felt it would be a bit risky to aim for completing the whole walk with my current physical strength.

'I think I'll just stick to the 7km north route this time.' I told my wife that, and prepared for what was intended to be a relaxed 'camera walk' without overdoing it.

An unexpected subject, the start of three

On the day, as I was putting on my shoes at the entrance, something unexpected happened. 'I'm coming too.' My eldest daughter decided to join in. And so, my wife, my eldest daughter, and I began an unexpectedly lively photo walk as a group of three.

We started walking from the north exit of Seya Station.

First, we headed for 'Choten-ji Temple.' The deity here is the Daruma Daishi, the centerpiece of the Eight Lucky Gods. There was a Daruma statue in the temple grounds.

'Fall seven times, stand up eight.' If you fall, you just have to get back up again. As I clicked the shutter, those words resonated very strongly with me in my current state of being on leave.

From there, we walked along the promenade by the Sakai River. The clear winter air filled my lungs just as I had hoped.

The wind blowing across the river surface was cold, but it felt pleasant on my body as I walked. I saw the happy backs of my wife and daughter through the viewfinder.

Conversations that don't usually come up just by being at home popped up one after another, riding the rhythm of our walking.

On the way, we also looked at the vast vacant lot that will become the venue for GREEN×EXPO. Beyond the white fences where there is nothing yet but many heavy machines coming and going, it was a fun time to talk about the future, wondering, 'What will they build here?'

Matsuya, Doutor, and the fork in the road

By the time we finished visiting the four temples on the north side and returned to Seya Station, it was just around lunchtime. When the three of us are together, a casual place is best, isn't it?

We went into 'Matsuya' in front of the station and stuffed our faces with freshly fried tonkatsu.
Why is a meal after a walk so delicious?

After the meal, we moved to Doutor and took a break with some coffee.
This is where we parted ways with our eldest daughter. We saw her off as she said, 'I'll head home from here,' and my wife and I looked at each other.

According to the original plan, considering my physical stamina, it should have ended here.
However, when I finished my warm coffee, I suddenly felt that there was still some energy left in my core. It felt more like the joy of walking outweighed the fatigue.

“...Shall we try going to the south side too?” “Yeah, we can do it.”

The initial “cautious plan” was changed for the better.
From here on, it was the start of extra time for my wife and me.

Gentle light, the southern route in the afternoon

When the group goes from three to two, the density of the atmosphere in the photos also changes. The lively, festival-like time is over, and we move onto a calm path for adults.

The southern route is dotted with historic temples, such as Benzaiten and Hoteison.
The afternoon sun began to tilt, and the temple roofs cast long shadows on the ground. Those shadows were beautiful as well.

“Our daughter walked faster than I expected.” “I hope we can come together again.”

The amount of conversation decreased, but even that silence felt comfortable.
I didn't feel the physical limits I had initially feared, strangely enough.
There was only the peace of mind of having a partner walking beside me and the simple joy of filling in the stamps one by one.

Confidence from 13km

In the end, we completed all eight temples and returned home.
The pedometer on my smartphone showed an impressive number.

In the morning, I had decided to “do half” because I was worried about my stamina.
But when it came down to it, I found myself having “done it all.”

That is surely something I could not have accomplished alone.
I think it is because the lively first half with my daughter pushed me forward, and the calm second half with my wife settled my heart.

If you fall and get back up, and keep walking even if it's slow, you can actually go quite far. It was a day that gave me the greatest confidence as rehabilitation for returning to work.

A little early, spring yellow

On the way home, when I happened to look at the roadside, a vivid yellow caught my eye. It was rapeseed blossoms, a little early for this time of year.

When I found them blooming proudly in the cold wind, the emotions I felt after walking the 13km path today quietly overlapped with a certain thought.

Since I went on leave, I had felt as if the clock inside me had stopped somewhere, or as if I were in a long winter.

But the seasons were turning properly after all.
This little rapeseed blossom I encountered unexpectedly seemed to be telling me, “Spring is just around the corner.”

Don't rush, one step at a time. Just as I was able to walk a long distance with my family today, I will surely be able to walk the path toward returning to work. With that premonition in my heart, I captured the yellow flowers in a photo and headed home.

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