chapter 43
43 – Ryokan
What is marked with * in front of the sentence
It is in Japanese.
****************************
“Seonghwan! Look at that!”
“Wow… It’s really big.”
The first thing we saw when we arrived in Hakata Ward was Hakata Station.
Is this because trains were privatized in Japan?
The size of the station was completely different from Korea.
Rather than a station
It felt like a large department store.
It looks like it would be difficult to call it a station as it is.
There is a subway operated by Fukuoka City in the basement.
On the first floor, there is a passageway and station connected to the basement.
On the second floor, the JR Kyushu and JR West platforms, which are very famous Japanese train companies, are located.
Other than that
There were many stores like a shopping mall inside the station, all of which had an outlet-like feel.
“Is the subway also there?”
“Yes, so if you take a plane from Incheon International Airport, you can take the airport ferry and come here right away.”
“Heh… It feels quite different from Korea.”
I’m looking up at the building, saying it’s fascinating.
By the way, did most of the Koreans who got off the ship come this way?
I see a lot of people dragging suitcases.
Because anyone could see that I was a Korean tourist.
Rather than feeling anxious about coming to a foreign country for the first time,
I felt something like joy.
“Shall we go in?”
Ara smiled and laughed.
Did I show it too outwardly?
He lowered his red face and nodded.
“Why is a man embarrassed by something like this? It can happen.”
Ara held my hand and entered Hakata Station.
*
We use the Internet in advance
Because I made a reservation for the Yufuin limited express direct train ‘Yufuin no Mori’.
I was able to receive a local rail pass right away.
I asked for the time closest to the arrival time.
It looks like they handled it well.
“We leave in an hour… And can be used three times a day.”
“I’ll be in Yufuin today, so there won’t be much need.”
Because it was a one-week schedule, there was no need to rush around.
If it’s not enough, it doesn’t matter if you add more.
*
“It feels more like a bus than a train.”
‘Yufuin no Moriho’ is decorated with wooden floors and yellow lighting.
The interior felt more like a bus than a train.
Is it because it has a two-row structure?
Because it is a diesel engine train, it is rattling.
It was really fun.
After the passenger manager finished checking the tickets,
I opened her bag and handed Ara her snack.
Because our Ara becomes very cute when she is hungry.
Snacks must be provided.
“Anyway, why is this here?”
I went to the store earlier to check what drinks were available.
Korea’s Orange Juice was sold in cans, so I bought one.
Isn’t it hard to find it even in Korean supermarkets?
I tried to show her the can, saying it was amazing.
Her mouth was covered in cookie crumbs and she was smiling.
Take out her handkerchief and wipe her mouth.
I opened her snacks and her drink and handed them out to her.
“Please eat this, sister.”
“Yes!”
Now, Ara calmly accepts what I give her.
Watching them nibble each cookie like a hamster.
I stroked her head.
I eat snacks in moderation.
I enjoyed the view of the grass outside.
“Wow… The scenery outside is crazy…”
I was passing through a country road with a small valley and a coniferous forest.
The reed forest swaying in the wind and the water flowing along the river.
A chimney spewing out steam
It created a friendly and warm atmosphere.
There are many rural areas in Korea that feel like this.
Is it still because of the wooden house?
I really liked the Showa-style countryside that I often see in games and subcultures.
“……”
Ara let my head rest on her shoulder.
I slowly stroked his back.
For some reason, my heart felt warmer.
It’s so warm and sweet that I feel like I’m dying.
Get your head off your shoulders
When Ara looked into her eyes, the corners of her eyes were moist with tears for some reason.
“It’s very similar to my hometown…”
Ara wiped her own mouth with her handkerchief earlier.
I gently wiped the area around her eyes.
The countryside where she lived with her parents
It was a scene like this.
Perhaps because I was an orphan, Ara did not often talk about her parents.
If you don’t want to talk, it’s okay to not say it.
I hope she doesn’t have to suffer alone and fester for no reason.
I hope couples don’t worry about such things.
Then she looked out her window to see the scenery outside.
Until just a moment ago, the scenery of mountains and valleys was unfolding, but
In an instant, the atmosphere changed, and endless rice paddies and fields began to appear.
Rice plants growing under the hot sunlight of midsummer
In the near future, it will become the blood and flesh of people.
Whether it is Japan or Korea
Because people are hungry.
Rice is the best.
“It must be delicious…”
Ara is feeling hungry again and has regained her appetite.
Seeing the rice brought her appetite back….
This is amazing in many ways.
“Now that I think about it, when you see the rice fields, you’ll arrive at Yufuin Station as soon as possible…”
Before I even finished speaking
The pre-broadcast ringtone came out, and microphone noise came out.
– * After a while, we arrive at Yufuin Station.
“Look at the timing. It’s amazing.”
Ara giggled and laughed.
*
Once the train settles, follow the guidance of the crew.
People stampeded their families.
Is it because Yufuin is a hot spring town?
It was a place with many families.
A married couple is also a family, so is it a family unit?
“Why don’t you hurry up and get off?”
I am looking down from my slightly high chin.
Ara held out her hand.
Ara holding her hand
I jumped down onto her platform.
***
* “I made a reservation under the name Kinosh*ta.”
* “I will check the list. Please wait a moment.”
As soon as I arrived in Yufuin
I headed to the ryokan I had booked and checked in.
Ara company made a reservation for me.
It’s a bit too much to use the name Song A-ra or Yoo Seong-hwan. She made a reservation under the name of Kinosh*ta.
* “Yes, I have confirmed the reservation in Mr. Kinosh*ta’s name. I will guide you to the plum room.”
The employee is a man, but for some reason he is wearing a colorful yukata.
He took our suitcases and guided us to the reserved plum room.
It was impressive that it was a standalone building outside, rather than in the front building.
It must be quite expensive here.
I’ll have to check the price later.
With a feeling of being in the forest,
Hot spring water gushes out in the center.
There was something like a drinking fountain.
When I checked the water fountain,
There were dozens of eggs inside.
The sign said that you can take it freely.
* “These are hot spring eggs provided to our guests. You are free to take them with you.”
Is it too big?
This is not a fake hot spring egg made mushy by adjusting the temperature.
Isn’t this one made by putting it in a real hot spring?
Some restaurants sell it for around 300 yen.
This is a popular product sold in bundles of 3 or 6 in hot spring towns.
But they give it away for free…
Is this a much more expensive place than I thought?
Anyway, the feeling of this foggy forest is
Is it originally a natural environment, or was it intentionally created?
Even though it is summer, it is quiet and gives you goosebumps.
The atmosphere felt like it could become addictive.
* “This is the ‘Maehwa Room’ where guests will stay.”
The employee inserted the key, turned the handle, and opened the door.
“Oh…”
“Is the ryokan really this pretty?”
“Well…? I think this place is really pretty…”
Exclamations that have been flowing out of my mouth ever since I came to Japan.
But this time, it truly came from the heart.
It was so spacious that you wouldn’t think it was a double room.
It was a Wapung ryokan with a distinctly different style.
I was only looking for ryokan videos on QTube for a while.
It was so different from what I saw in the video.
* “You can choose between 18:00 and 18:30 for dinner.
You can choose between 8:00 and 8:30 for breakfast.
What time would be okay?”
* “Please be on time.”
* “Okay then, have a nice time.
For reference, there is a separate private hot spring on the balcony.
Please let us know in advance what time you will use the large public bath.
You can use it at any time.”
When we nodded, the staff member bowed his head and left.
Drag the suitcase in front of the door and place it neatly in the corner of the room.
After washing her hands, Ara was taking off her clothes.
I can see the mound of flower petals hidden in the pink panties.
I wanted to knock it over because I felt bad for a moment, but
I could barely bear it rationally and approached Ara.
“Huh? Why are you wearing that?”
I asked while pointing to the yukata that Ara was trying to wear.
When asked what she was talking about, Ara tilted her head and answered.
“Is it a woman’s thing?”
“Anyone can tell it’s a man’s thing, right?”
What Ara is holding is a mixture of gray and brown.
It was a hot spring yukata suitable for men to wear.
It was clothes that looked like the ‘Oyaji’ people from ‘Like a Dragon’ would wear.
Anyone can tell that these are men’s clothes.
But, Ara thought I was cute for insisting and smiled.
He stroked my head.
“What do you mean? This is a man’s thing, right?”
I told you to stop playing around.
What Ara showed me
By my standards, it looks like something women would wear.
It was a fluttering yukata with flower embroidery.