Kanagawa prefecture. Hayama town. Sangaoka, Sokka and Sengen mountains. Jan 15, 2023.
We don't know places we live in
Today is cloudy, mild winter day, 13 degrees, short swim would be good, but on Sundays I like to do long walks contemplating life before and after today, ending up in hot/cold bath and sauna in my local gym.
Sangaoka is a steep hill (oka=hill), but to me it qualifies as a mountain, as there is an endless steep climb for about 25 minutes. The start of the trail is just 10 minutes’ walk from my home. I have realized today that my climbing fitness has dropped down: I was puffing and slow. Should climb more. It is easy to find the track, even if you are coming from the other part of the world. You need to take bus 12 from Zushi station to Hayama, alight at Shinnase bus stop, and start climbing up to the right of L'Essenza Italian restaurant (never been there, one eats Italian in Italy).
After the steep climb, you can enjoy the view of Sagami Bay, on a clear day Mount Fuji is a bonus, but not today.
But today’s main target is Sengen Mount (Sengenyama). So, I descend to main road 134, walk 15 minutes or so, and turn right towards Hayama Bread Club. Here is the start of the hike to Sengenyama.
I have visited Bread Club a few times before to buy croissants, beets and fresh carrot juice, also it is close to the local council, but I kind of kept the route always in the back on my mind: “one day, mate”. Today is the day.
I like no-man shops anywhere in Japan. Honesty is a pillar in this culture, one of the reasons I have decided to call this country my home as freshly as 1 year ago.
Signs tell me to turn left (red handmade arrow, thank you guys).
After walking through the residential area, I am now at the real trail.
Not many stairs to climb actually (just one stretch), relatively easy walk. Warnings about wild boars. I doubt but keep clapping hands occasionally, as there is no one walking around else to make noise. But I like it this way - quiet.
There are more hikes in the area, as the map on the route tells me. I did not know many of them. And I have been living here for more than 2 years!
Mental note. Research where you live. In Sydney, having lived there for 20 years I have managed to discover new and newer places all the way, to my own surprise. Near where I LIVED. Interesting… One needs to live in two minds: one is the one you know and comfortable with, another is “there is always something new around me, I am curious”. And I am always curious.
More walk, some steep climbs, and finally I am at Socca Mount, probably the highest point of the walk. I can see Cape Chojogasaki faraway, the one I have mentioned in my pre-previous post.
Again, my backpack friend as a model. What I liked here were some examples of “furniture” (mentally called them “nature fixed assets”).
From Sokka I descended, then climbed up again to Sengenyama. Here was the most representative view of Hayama town, in my opinion, even Mount Sengen is lower than Socca.
Low rise, compact, you have to choose carefully if you don’t want to hear your neighbor gargling. I am OK in my place for now.
Hayama. Means “Leaf Mountain”, now my hometown, probably for good. Living to the name, plenty of mountains, I just need to be more curious.
Upon descend I pass Presbyterian Church, good place to be, and arrive to the familiar main road not far from the supermarket I normally shop at. Again surprise. And then another one. Small shop on the way. Saw it before, when passing on the bus, but never walked in.
Salami, Spanish hams, cheeses, Italian wine, olives…Really? In my little town? I was so surprised that I even forgot to take the picture of inside.
“Been here 15 years”, says the owner. On the self-imposed diet, I am careful to choose low fat crackers, but gave in to 100g of Serano ham. Looking at the next door, small fruit shop? No! It is a brewery! Really? “We have been here for a while”, says the owner, pouring 500 ml of Hazy IPA into my tea jug (tea finished in the mountains). He charges by mg. And every mg tastes great!
He has even neatly wrapped my jug with a beer name tag. I know I will come here again, but not often. Delicious is mostly not healthy. Well, you would not hear this from me, say, 5 years ago. But I am adjusting to the age.
Both places are below.
Well, it was a good day: walking, sitting and gazing, sitting and reading, often finding yourself forgetting about those high steps to climb, as you are being absorbed in thoughts (I liked that feeling), totally probably 7 hours outside, although walked altogether not that long, - 13 km. Time to hit my gym.
Before that another place which I know already. “Dark Arts Cafe”. Look at the sign at the register in the middle. I agree and order my usual decaf coffee and vegan cimmanon roll.
So, today I have agreed with myself: you live somewhere, don’t assume you know the place, explore it. I have been having this flash of mind repeatedly in Seoul, Bangkok, Tokyo, etc, when going out of hotel/home and trying to return back by different routes, but it was not a concept of living. Now it is. If you think you know the place you live in, you don’t. Be curious! And don’t drive, walk where possible, - nature beautiful spots do not care about parking spaces. And you will miss a lot when on the wheels.
Yours in travel
IZ