Discover Japan with Andy

On and off the beaten track

     Most of the travelers probably like to visit somewhere famous and attractive. For me, however, I prefer to visit somewhere off the beaten track, so I can enjoy loneliness.

▲ When maple trees shed their leaves... the ground is filled with red leaves

     That is the reason why I came to Kochi to study. Most of my classmates chose Osaka, Tokyo or Fukuoka while I chose Kochi. My hometown, Kaohsiung, is a second largest city in Taiwan, so I am accustomed to the city life. There are 2 million people living in Kaohsiung City while only approximately 400 thousand people living in Kochi City. In the beginning when I arrived Kochi, I felt everything was so fresh. In a hustle and bustle city like my hometown, people can hardly stop their paces. However, here in Kochi, I can enjoy the slow movement of daily life. Sometimes I go for a walk near the river bank, or just simply wander around the Kochi Castle. I like to sit on the bench and do people-watching. I love to observe every little thing around me.

 

     Once I went to the Kochi Castle, I met an elderly man playing the horizontal flute. He greeted to me and asked me where I came from. I sat down on the bench and talked with him for almost 1 hour. He was so kind and friendly. I had a warm feeling in my heart because he made me think of my passed away grandfather. Before I left, we took a picture together, and I promised to mail him the photo. This is really a wonderful encounter for me.

 

      I am not lonely because I enjoy loneliness. I enjoy doing everything by myself, and I enjoy staying in this cozy and comfortable city. We don’t have to be always on the beaten track because sometimes that only makes us lose ourselves. Try to do something off the beaten track, and you will find something different and precious in your life. 

 

▲ Niyodo River in Kochi Prefecture