Okutama (Part 2)

Hello again and I’m back with delay!!
Forgive me for being late…

let’s continue our Journey with Tamaki san…

He is off to see the waterfall and get some clean water!

On the way he talks about how the place you live in,

can affect the way you talk…

For example the calm way the lady in the shop

was talking to him.

Then he says:

“The buildings in the cities…

of course seeing the various types of buildings

makes you think how interesting they are…

But the artificial things can always

make you bored after a while… 

However,

it’s strange how you never get tired of

seeing the nature…

the expression of each and every one of the trees

the differences in their colors,

… It’s really beautiful!

The colors produced by the nature

are unique after all!”

Then he starts taking photos…

one after another again…

☆

As he starts walking toward the waterfall,

once again he’s stopped…

By something interesting!

A huge rock with trees growing on top of it!

While wondering what story can be lying behind this rock..

he notices two ladies trying to climb down the rock!

So he decides to wait for them to come down

and have a chat!

He asks them what’s going on up there and

they tell him that he can see a Tengu

if he climbs up to the top!

Then he asks them if it’s their first time here

and they reply with yes!

Next is Tamaki san’s turn to climb up!

He goes up getting help from the chain on the rock…

He’s amazed by the too many roots coming out of the ground

and covering the surface of the rock!

going up and up…

Finally he can see the Tengu’s statue!

Tamaki san almost forgot

about his promise with the lady!!

They were about to meet each other

at the place where the waterfall is…

“…It’s already one hour?”

He says!

Let’s hurry up!! =ε=ε=ε=┌(； ・＿・)┘

But he stops again

as soon as they get to the riverside!

Amazed by the beauty of the place!

Finally he meets up with the lady and

apologizes for being late

explaining how he was stopped at other places XD

The lady asks him to be careful

walking on the stones.

They are very slippery around here…

It’s the lady’s everyday rout but for Tamaki san,

every little thing and every scenery on his way

is a new discovery!

So every few steps they move forward,

he makes a stop and takes a look around!

He likes the way the moss is covering

the stones in a beautiful way.

I really love the way he enjoys

the nature just as it is!! ^^

Finally they get to the destination!

綾広の滝 (Ayahiro no taki)

Of course…

he starts taking photos right away ^^

The source of this water

is the rainfall water in mitake mount.

The lady says that there are people

who come here for Misogi!

“The water must be really cold!”
Tamaki san says.

Some even do it

in midwinter!!!! O_O

Tamaki san says that he has visited

another waterfall recently.

But as expected,

all of them are different from each other!

What makes him happy

is how this one is so close to the center of Tokyo!

And the lady says that you can get here

in no time by the train!

But they still have a little bit more to walk

until they get to the place

where the lady gets the water everyday!

On there way,

Tamaki san says that it would be really scary

if you happen to encounter a real bear here in the forest!!

XD

And the lady agrees

saying that you have no way out

if it’s somewhere around here O_O

Finally…

They have arrived to the place where the water

is coming out from a narrow pipe…

refreshing and clean!

“It’s really cold!” he says.

Then Tamaki san finishes the job

he went all the way here for…

Filling the tank with the fresh water!

But he will not take it all the way back of course.

XD

The lady gets on the bike

and leave them behind…

It’s a little bit lonely when she leaves,

But Tamaki san has to continue his journey!

As he starts walking again,

he talks about how everyone living in the cities

can easily access the clean tap water

whenever they want.

But in the old days,

people had to walk a long way,

to get to the place

where they could have some clean water.

And he says that it was fun,

being able to have an experience like that today!

Maybe years ago,

there were lots of huge natural landscapes

like this around this area,

but with the growth of urban places

and cities growing bigger and bigger everyday,

just a few of them have remained now.

Tamaki san says that it’s good to see that places like these

have remained untouched even now.

Lets’s go deeper and deeper in okutama!

Walking around again,

Tamaki san finds a bridge!

unzenbashi (雲仙橋)

Watching the beautiful scenery from the bridge,

and admiring the place…

Tamaki san notices a person wearing a unique outfit!

A lady who seems to be drawing

something in her sketchbook.

He becomes interested, gets closer and greets her!

She’s surprised of course but Tamaki san asks her:

“Can I ask what you are doing?”

“If I have some time, even for 5 minutes,

I draw something like this…”

and she points to her sketchbook.

“Could you show me?”

Then she explains to him while showing him the drawing.

And suddenly she says:

“My Studio is right over there…”

And of course Tamaki san doesn’t let the chance slip away

and asks if they can visit her studio…

and she agrees off course ^^

On their way to the studio,

Tamaki san asks her if she always wears

an outfit like this…

And she says yes!

Even when going to the city.

Her name is Mukohara Tsunemi (向原常美)

But she’s called Muko chan by everyone and is

noticeable with her cloths wherever she goes.

Mukohara san’s Studio is a very nice place.

Full of her work hanging on the walls…

Mukohara Tsunemi san,

is a bokusaiga sumie Artist.

And her works have been able to attract a

lot of attention inside and outside Japan.

Seems like she enjoys living and working

in Okutama.

Her neighbors always bring fresh vegetables for her.

like the ginger on her table… she says that

the lady next door who has a farm

has brought this for her.

Tamaki san says that it’s hard to believe

we’re still in Tokyo! XD

Then Muko chan asks Tamaki san if

he would like to try painting something,

and he says yes!! But he has never had

any experience of drawing this kind of painting he says ^^

No problem at all!!

Let’s do it XD

☆

And here we go!!

Preparing the ink XD

For me, this was one of the most interesting

parts because my Major is Japanese painting XD

Muko chan chooses the vegetables as his model!

And he starts moving his brush on the paper,

with a super serious look on his face XD

When he’s done,

Muko chan asks him to sign,

and says” “Sign it as Hiroshi!”

ahahahahaha!

And he does!

By the way,

the other word he wrote on the painting is

出逢い (deai) which means “Encounter”

☆

Next destination!

Is a place in the heart of the mountain…

日原鍾乳洞 (Nippara Cave)

It’s already getting chilly

before he even enters the cave.

And as he gets in…

“aaa cold!!” he says XD

Tamaki Hiroshi saying it’s cold…

it’s a historical moment XD

hahahahaha!

He loses of course and

decides to put some cloths on ^^

“Should not underestimate the nature!”

He says! （；^ω^）

it’s a narrow tunnel and the ceiling is

a little bit low for Tamaki san’s height ^^

As he enters the cave,

somehow the “always quiet” Tamaki san,

starts to talk more than usual XD

Then he notices that himself and says

that when you enter places like this,

and you become excited,

you talk more and somehow want to keep your

connection with the people accompanying you!

Because there’s also this “Fear” you can feel,

which makes you excited as well!

Then he reaches a place,

where it says 水琴窟 (Suikinkutsu)

meaning something like a Cave Water Harp!

Tamaki san listens carefuly and after

a few seconds he can hear the sound clearly.

The staff are still moving around and

making some noise,

so he puts his left hand’s pointing finger

on his nose!

and everyone become quiet…

….

….

Even I don’t dare to type anymore XD

Now it’s easy to hear the sound…

very charming and mysterious!

The whisper of the earth perhaps…

“When you just hear the sound,

it makes you think it’s artificial…

like something dropping on metal and making sound!

But thinking that the sound is being made naturally,

it makes it very mysterious!”

He says!

☆

As he keeps going deeper in the cave,

suddenly the narrow tunnel turns into a wide space!!

Tamaki san is amazed!

He didn’t imagine the place to be this huge!

He claps his hands a few times to see

how the reflection of the sound would be…

He is touched by how close he can

get to something with such great scale!

It is decided again!

This place is chosen as

“Kokoro no hikyo #5”

by Tamaki san!

☆☆☆

☆☆☆

Going back to the streets of the town,

Something gets his attention again!

“Emiken, Order made Home Furniture”

He becomes curious and

decides to make a visit to the store.

He gets inside and greets the owner.

A very interesting young man, “Sato” san!

Tamaki san asks him if it’s been a long time

since he started this business…

but Sato san says that he started 13 years ago

and before that, he used to work as a salaryman!

Tamaki san is surprised and curious to know

why he chose to change his life like that!

Seems like Sato san used to come here to okutama

almost every week and ride on his Kayak in

Tama river as his hobby!

Then Sato san says:

“Have you ever tried riding on a Canoe?”

And Tamaki san says that he has not!!

Sato san has some good ideas…

So he says: “If you want to, we can… “

And Tamaki san replies immediately:

“Sure… But it’s getting dark outside!

Is it gonna be alright?”

hehehehe and they both laugh!

But they look down from the window

and decide to do it in the end!

The amount of the water in the river

is more than usual because of

last night’s rainfall.

☆

OK!!

Let’s go ride some Canoe!!!

XD

Somewhere like a cute backyard,
Sato san’s elder son “Taizo” is playing on a swing!

Tamaki san says Hello! And

Taizou un greets him back!

Then as his father introduces his son,

Tamaki san also says:

“Nice to meet you… I’m Tama…”

But Taizou kun doesn’t wait for him to finish

and says:

“Soft voice!”

“Soft voice?!?!”

Tamaki san says and laughs out loud!

O_O

Wonder if he means it in a good way…

hmm I think so XD

☆

Then as Taizou kun is still swinging,

Tamaki san says that the swing is pretty cool!

But somehow,

Taizou kun doesn’t stop staring at him

with a huge smile on his face XD

Here Sato san says that it’s getting darker

every minute so we better keep going…

As they start walking,

Tamaki san tries to talk to Taizou kun…

asking him if he had ridden on Canoe before

and he says yes,

as expected from Sato san’s son!!

XD

Lifting up the boat…

and heading to the river!

Let’s get on!!

Putting two cameras in the boat…

We have no other choice but to leave the staff behind…

byebye…

paddling and paddling…

Taizou kun is following them on his own kayak!

Sounds so much fun!

Sato san says the haze over the water becomes

much more stronger than this in the morning…

it becomes hard to see your surroundings!

Tamaki san asks:

“Despite that, you would still ride the boat?”

“Yes! To see that view… it feels good!”

And Tamaki san laughs out loud XD

Then as Taizou kun gets closer to their boat,

Tamaki san asks him since when he’s been doing this…

But he doesn’t know and asks his father…

Sato san says:

“I think after he passed 4…”

Tamaki san asks him again:

“Wasn’t it scary… in the beginning?”

“In the beginning it was!” he replies.

“It is scary… something you’re doing in the nature!”

Tamaki san says…

And he continues:

“But because it’s something he’s doing in the nature,

you should also teach him about the dangers he may face…

not just the fun parts!”

Sato san agrees and says that this environment is the

best place to teach him about stuff like that…

at school they may just tell them not to do this or that

and they will grow up without getting to know anything…

☆

As they come back from their ride in the river…

Sato san has some good news:

“We prepared dinner for you!”

“NO WAY!” Tamaki san says!

XD

And thanks them for everything

they are doing for the shooting team toda!

On the boat,

I think Sato san was actually doing the camera man’s job!!
XD Thank you!!

They are a very kind and cute family!!

The dinner table is set in the yard!

Sato san introduces his family…

His wife Emiko san,

his elder son who was riding with them in the river,

Taizou kun,

And his younger son, Ryuzou kun!

ヽ(・∀・)ノ

Tamaki san says this is the best!

They all sit down and start eating!

Tamaki san is really good at Grilling meat XD

So he starts doing it by nature I guess!

“Here comes the meat!!”

and puts the pieces of delicious meat

in the children’s plates!!

I love the way he serves the young boys

before everyone else ♥

The way the two boys are eating,

makes you wanna get up and

make something to eat right now!!

“DELICIOUS!!!”

The boys say with a super excited voice!

And make Tamaki san smile XD

While grilling the meats…

Tamaki san starts talking to Sato san…

“Living in this nature and 

seeking the calm…

of course the things you can have

in a city life can be charming as well…

but…”

And Sato san says that the comfort you have here is

based on the amount of hard work you do yourself…

and that’s the interesting part.

In the other side of the yard,

Taizou kun is grilling fish for them on the fire!!

Nijimasu or Rainbow Trout

Tamaki san tries to eat a bite but it’s too hot!

He does it anyway…

and wow!!

It’s been a while since I saw him

enjoy something so much XD

He really likes the taste!

Turns his head toward Taizou kun and says:

“It’s delicious!!!”

Sato san is enjoying it as much as he does!

What a great dinner ヽ(*^^*)ノ

“Starting from tomorrow,

I want to live this life style!”

Tamaki san says

with a serious expression on his face!!

hehehehehe

Everyone laughs but Emiko san says

that they are always waiting for him here!

As much as I know him,

this really is his dream life ^^

Guess he was a little bit jealous XD

☆☆☆

Another journey comes to an end…

Thank you so much for reading the report
ヽ(・∀・)ノ

Next is a journey to

Hinohara village, again in Tokyo!

Doing some crazy stuff…

Meeting interesting people…

And eating some delicious food again
XD

See you soon!!

Byebye

Okutama (Part 1)

Hello and hope you’re having a great start to 2015!!

Tamaki san is pretty busy everyday

and his fans are as busy as him,

following his footsteps everywhere he goes XD

Today I’m going to write about his trip to Okutama,

in the westernmost point of Tokyo!

Only one and a half hour away from the center of Tokyo by train.

So let’s see where he’s going to take us this time….

The place is Tokyo…

but we are surrounded by the great nature here in Okutama.

Tamaki san is heading to the station to ride on the “Cable Car”.

Going to mitakesan (Mt.Mitake)

Despite being so close to where he lives,

he has never been to this place before.

And he is amazed by the beauties of the nature around this area.

As he reaches the station,
he gets his ticket and waits with everyone else in the waiting hall.

As always, he says his greetings to everyone he meets…

“Good morning!”

Suddenly one of the ladies in the hall says

“It’s Tamaki… san! Right?”

hehehehe

It was obvious she wanted to ask that since

the moment he entered the station,

and more obvious that Tamaki san was actually

waiting for her to ask because she kept looking at him!

And the way he’s trying to hide his smile when answering

“YES!”

making it all a super cute situation!!

He asks them if they are from Tokyo

and they say that they are from oume

and have been up to mitakesan many times before.

Tamaki san startschatting with them,

saying it’s a good thing the rain has stopped…

seems like it was raining early in the morning.

He passes the gate

and gets on the cable car

off to mitake san!

As he gets off the cable car,

he starts walking around in the good sunny weather!

“Feels good already!”

he says!

Then he finds a funny board saying

“Take a memorable photo of your ride with your pet!”

He laughs and finds it a new discovery!

Normally these boards are made for human beings,

not their pets!

Next he rides on a Lift to go up to the mountain!

It’s almost like the Ski lifts you can find in the Ski resorts XD

he hops on one of the chairs and leaves the platform.

The ride sounds really fun!

He’s enjoying the scenery I guess XD

After getting off the lift,

he starts walking in the mountain…

surrounded by the huge trees…

“It’s so quiet…” he says.

“The sounds are different from what you can hear in the city…

the sound of the trees being shaken by the wind…

the sound of the birds singing…

 nice breeze!”

The road suddenly ends and he enters a small village!

Not too many buildings in this village,

mostly built to welcome the visitors from other areas.

Tamaki sa san starts walking in the village…

then he encounters a man talking to an old lady through a window!

He greets them

“Good morning!”

And he greets him back and comes to him…

Then Tamaki san asks him

“Have you been living here for a long time?”

“No I just deliver the food and ingredients!”

Tamaki san is confused…

“From where do you deliver them?”

Seems like he takes orders everyday and buy them in the morning,

then delivers the ingredients to each of his customers.

Tamaki san is still confused

and asks him if comes up riding on the cable car

but of course he says that he drives a car.

There’s a road other than the one they took to come up here. But it can only be used by authorized people and not all the tourists. There’s no super market in this village. Only souvenir shops and that’s all!! That’s why he makes a visit everyday and take orders.

As the delivery man has a lot more to deliver…

Tamaki san thanks him and says goodbye.

The he uses the chance and starts talking to the old lady in the house…

“okaasan, have you been living here all this time?”

But she says that she can’t hear very well…

Tamaki san apologizes and gets one step closer

and raises his voice a little but while

repeating his question one more time.

This time she can hear him and says that

she’s been here all her life and she’s already 93!

The he asks her if she’s going to cook from now on…

And she answers with yes and says that guests are coming here to visit her tomorrow! Also talks about how working is what matters the most in life… and how she’s been cleaning and working since she woke up this morning!

Busy grandma!!!

He thanks her and says goodbye!

 As he starts walking in the village again while talking

about the okaasan he just met and how hard she works…

Suddenly something gets his attention…

A very beautiful building with a gorgeous architecture

The place is listed as an important cultural property.

馬場家御師住宅
Babake oshijūtaku

He also finds a clinic on his way

but it’s only open for 50 minutes!!

Probably someone comes up to make a visit

and leaves after that everyday.

Then he finds someone…

A man walking by himself…

He approaches him and asks after greeting:

“Where did you come from?”

“Fussa.” He answers.

“It’s around this area isn’t it?

Do you come here very often?”

“No… it’s my first time!” 

the man says ^^

“Even though it’s close to where you live?…

guess it’s like that actually! When you live nearby…”

Then Tamaki san asks him again:

“Did you come here all by yourself?”

“Yes! I’m all alone…”

he answers while laughing

XD

“Taking photos with your camera…” Tamaki san says!

hehehehe

GET to the point already!

“Did something sad happen or something?”

“Well… sort of!”

hahahahahaha!

And they both laugh out loud together XD

Two men understanding each other very well?!?!

hehehehe

Anyway he thanks him and says goodbye!

As he keeps walking and moves on…

he steps into a narrow street with lots of shops lining in the both sides!

He stops in front of a souvenir shop and while wondering

if he should get a rest here or not…

looks inside and finds an old lady sitting in the shop…
then the shop lady greets him and he greets her back!

A photo takes his attention at the entrance…

A woman is wearing a bear’s skin on her head XD

The lady inside the shiop tells him that

he can actually see the bear if gets in!

And he does!!

Seems like there are bears living around the area

and it’s even dangerous to go out in the woods by yourself.

The lady tells him that he can put in on his head

as most of the people visiting the shop would do (￣▽￣;)

but Tamaki san laughs and reuses to do it XD

He’s excited about the real Bearskin he can hold in his hands…

Touches the claw and says that this must be painful!

The decoration of the shop is really interesting!

Seems like the previous owner

has made the table sets all by himself!

Then he decides to order something and take a rest here…

Asking the lady while looking at the menu:

“The water around this area must be delicious, right?”

And the lady explains that the water they

use to make coffee

and soba here,

is all taken from a natural waterfall in the mountain.

So he asks the lady:

“Is Ice-coffee delicious as well?”

The lady says that it’s delicious

but she recommends hot coffee

saying the you can feel the taste better this way…

Tamaki san agrees and looks at the menu again…

but he raises up his head and says:

“But…

I would like to have Ice coffee please!”

hahahahahaha!!!

All the filming crew are laughing behind the camera!

Tamaki san laugsh and says:

“Even though I know it…

I know it will be tastier if it’s hot!!”

He’s just like that!!

And he knows it himself XD

Anyway,

here comes the ice-coffee made from the clean water

coming directly from the heart of the nature!

The lady asks him to drink some without adding milk or

sugar to feel the real taste!

After drinking…

he says that it’s totally different!

The lady explains how she goes to the mountain everyday,

fills the tank with the water

and brings it back home.

“It must be really tough!”

Tamaki san says!

But she says that she rides on a mini bike

when the weather is good…

But when it snows and she can’t ride the bike,

she has to carry the bottles of water in her backpack!!

Then suddenly Tamaki san comes up with an idea

but he can’t say it directly XD

Then asks:

“Have you already brought the water you need for today?”

“Yes I brought today’s water this morning!”

“Don’t you need some for tomorrow?!”

hehehehehe XD

The lady gets what he wants to say and laughs!!

Then after taking a look at the staff members

and thinking for a second,

she says:

“We can go there together if you want!”

ahahahahaha XD

Tamaki san immediately agrees and says:

“Then I will ride on the bike!!” XD

He never changes ^^

After laughing out loud he becomes the polite kind

Tamaki Hiroshi again and says with a sweet smile on his face

“OK… Let’s walk there together then!”

It’s decided!!

Tamaki san will walk to the waterfall

and they will meet up with the lady there!

“Sooo… I will take the poly tank with me…

and after it’s filled with water,

okaasan will take it back riding on the bike… right?”

Then suddenly everyone laughs and he says…

“Then why am I even taking the tank with me?!” 

hehehehehe XD

And off he goes to the mountain…

Be aware of the bears O_O

I will write about what happens next in the next part….

see you soon!!

End of part 1

Okuizumo (Part 2)

Hello again!

I won’t waste your time…

Let’s start from where we left…

Tamaki san is gonna get on the train!

As I mentioned in the last part,

there’s a station on JR’s kisuki line which

Tamaki san wanted to visit no matter what…

let’s follow him to his destination!

He will get on the next train at Yakawa station.

as he reaches the platform,

he notices how narrow it is and makes a joke about it!

This railway is one of the most famous ones in Japan,

because of the unique way it goes up to the heart of the mountain!

The train arrives and Tamaki san says that

it’s running faster than what he has imagined.

Not so many people ride on this train these days…

probably most of them are tourists or visitors

or perhaps people who has a deep interest in trains and railways!

Tamaki san finds his seat and sits down next to the other passengers!

But he gets bored and decides to talk

to the person sitting next to him XD

Asks him if they can have a chat and the man agrees

but it’s obvious he feels a little bit shy ^^

Tamaki san asks him if he’s from the area

but it seems like he’s from Shizuoka.

Then asks him if he knew about this train

and he says that he did and he came here

because he wanted to ride on this train!!

And then he starts playing with his cellphone again

as if he wants to end the conversation as fast as possible XD

…

But if Tamaki Hiroshi was a person

who would easily give up with that,

he wouldn’t have been who he is now XD

The train keeps going on the rail surrounded by the trees!

Beautiful!

And they make a stop at

“izumo sakane” station

Tamaki san notices a board outside and reads it word by word:

“The elevation here is 564 meters…

This station is the location for the 3 stage switch back!”

Without a hesitation, he turns back toward the man

sitting next to him and asks “What is a 3 stage switch back?”

The man explains for him that the railway here has a zig-zag shape.

Because it’s difficult for the train to climb up the hill

in one straight line,

they made a zig-zag way to climb it in 3 stages.

I love the fact that he decided to ask him,

not one of the members of their own team…

because it was obvious the man is a pro

and knows better about all this.

And talking to someone about what they like,

is the best way to get close to them XD

They have to wait a few moments before the preparation is done

and they can move again!!

Tamaki san asks someone what time it is…

and finds out that they still

have 7 minutes until the departure…

He looks out the window and says:

“I wanna go buy some yakitori!”

hehehehehe!

And off he goes!!

Getting of the train and heading to the shops in the station…

He looks around wondering if people are waiting in a line or not…

He asks the ladies if he can have some yakitori…

but they say that the are not making any right now!

Tamaki san panics: “No way!”

and laughs while asking:

 “How long will it take to make them?!”

After confirming that he wants the simple type,

the lady says that it will be ready in no time!

Then he asks her how many there are in one package…

5 she answers!

Even during the time when he’s waiting for the yakitori,

he doesn’t stand still…

Eating samples…

checking out a train toy…

and buying more and more stuff!

Finally he gets the yakitori and runs into the train…

Getting back to his seat and opening the yakitori package.

First thing he does is offering it

to the man sitting next to him…

“Would you like one?!”

The man is shocked at first XD

But then he thanks him and takes one!

Then Tamaki san looks toward the person sitting

next to the man and says

“There are 5 sticks of them…!”

and one more is taken!

Then looking at the two passengers sitting in front of him…

“There are 3 of them left, so please take one…!”

Actually it’s not very common to offer food

to people you don’t know in Japan…

that’s why they are all surprised but happy as well!

When there’s only one left…

he looks at the person sitting next to the two men and says:

“Only one is left… I want to offer it to you,

but then there will be nothing left for myself!!”

ahahahahaha  XD

Everyone start laughing!!

But seems like that person has already bought some…

so RELAX! And just enjoy the Yakitori you wanted so bad!

“Tasty… this is what they call buying and eating.

It’s tender and delicious!”

The sparkle in his eyes makes it easy to understand

how tasty it must have been!

After everyone finished eating,

he even collected the sticks

and put them all in the plastic bag!

He definitely made his way to everyone’s heart with this!

Now everyone sitting here feel closer to him…

after the train starts moving again,

Tamaki san realizes something:

“We were moving this way until now, right?”

The train is running in the opposite way now!

You can see in the snapshot

how everyone is trying t explain for him…

Feels like they let him in now XD

I think they simply forget about the fact that he’s a celebrity…

Once again they stop and switch!

The driver comes back to the last wagon

and they start moving…

opposite way again!

They are going higher and higher…

getting far away from the station.

They enter a tunnel…

And one of the passengers tell him that

the view from the window is great

after they get out of the tunnel!

But it’s foggy today and Tamaki san says:

“Probably won’t be able to see anything today!”

And as the landscape shows up…

“Woaaah! Pure white!!” he says!

He can’t see much because of the fog…

but as he keeps staring at the beautiful scenery,

he says that the fog is actually making it look whimsical!

He once gets of the train in “Mii nohara” station

which is known as the station with the

highest location above the level of the sea

on JR west Railways!

He thanks everyone on the train and gets off.

The waiting room in the station is covered with cute dots!!

Tamaki san says that it looks like

he entered a Mushroom house XD

He gets out and starts wondering around again…

There’s really not much to discover here…

All you can see is Vinyl houses,

probably producing vegetables and flowers!

Finally he finds someone to talk to!

He gets close to the Vinyl house and asks the man:

“What are you planting here? Is it Rose?”

“No… these are Eustoma!” the man says.

Then they talk about the temperature and how

it can affect the color of the flowers.

Just like Tamaki san,

I really don’t know much about flowers!

（；^ω^）

So let’s just move on…

Gettig on the train one more time,

Tamaki san moves to the next station…

Finally the station he’s been looking forward to visit!

“kamedake” station!

If you have watched the Special drama “Suna no utsuwa” (2011)

You will remember this station!

It was an important location in the drama…

Right now it’s more like a tourism spot than being a station.

There’s a Soba restaurant right inside the hall!

Right where they placed table sets…

you can see the small window which

Tamaki san suggests

that it must have been used as the place

where tickets were sold to passengers getting on the train.

Then he explains about the station

and the key role it played in “Suna no utuswa”.

He also says that he didn’t actually come over here

to shoot the scenes they had in the station…

And since he came all the way up here,

he really wanted to make a visit

and see the actual place by himself.

But after arriving…

he found out about the special service they have here…

the Station Master is selling soba in the station!! O_O

Here comes the Station master which has switched into

the Soba shop master right now XD

Tamaki san greets him and after

he is asked what he would like to eat…

he takes a look at what the station master is wearing

and asks: “Are you the Station Master?!”

hehehehe!

As he says yes,

he can’t hold it back any more and they both laugh!

Which one is his main job,

he says that he doesn’t know anymore!

Tamaki san orders the famous

“Wariko soba”

And it seems like he’s pretty much enjoying the taste.

Then Tamaki san asks him about the attractions of this place,

but the station master says that

it’s just a silent place with no big change

for people living here…

but for people visiting here,

that is what it can be called the attraction!

Tamaki san says that he thinks

he can understand that very well…

The merit of being in a place

with nothing special or no big change!

As the Train Journey ends for him,

Tamaki san starts wondering around the rice fields in the area.

He finds a man working in the field…

which is a very surprising thing for him since it’s raining heavily!

He gets closer and calls out for him… asking what he’s doing!

The man in the field keeps repeating a word

Tamaki san cannot understand!

But in the end it becomes clear that

he was picking up weeds in his rice field.

The old man (Matsubara san) stops his work

and starts talking to him about the rice and the taste.

Then Tamaki san uses the chance and asks him

if there’s a place in okuizumo

where it can be called an unexplored region.

And Matsubara san recommends a waterfall

and says that they can also find Protected species living there!

Sounds interesting…

After a few seconds of thinking,

Tamaki san says that he would like to see the place

and asks if Matsubara san would take him there.

And of course he agrees

but says that he can’t go with these snickers!

(He uses an old word instead of saying sneakers in Japanese… he says “zook” which is taken from the word “Doek” in Dutch if I’m not mistaken. Tamaki san doesn’t let it show on his face but you can hear the staff laughing secretly behind the camera… and the way Tamaki san repeats the word makes it obvious it’s not a common word XD )

Anyway,

they are  heading to Matsubara san’s house

so that Tamaki san can borrow a pair of rain boots from him.

Tamaki san starts untying his shoelaces

and Matsubara san helps him put on the rain boots.

He also asks if he can keep the “Zook” for him

somewhere here until he comes back XD XD

hahahaha!!!

And here they go,

heading toward the next discovery in okuziumo!

As they arrive,

they walk on top of a tiny cliff

where a river is running underneath…

Matsubara san points to a dark thing in the water…

it’s hard too see what it is…

it takes Tamaki san a few seconds to find it!

Then they go down and get closer…

They put a Bait on the end of a wooden stick

and try to feed the animal…

Matsubara san is much more excited about this,

than Tamaki san is! XD

Finally the bait is eaten!

So we can see what the Protected specie actually is!

“Ōsanshōuo!” says Tamaki san.

Ōsanshōuo -> Japanese giant salamander

Tamaki san seems to have learned the trick!

Before the Ōsanshōuo gets the chance to eat the bait…

he makes him get out of the water a little bit

while trying to eat the whole thing!

 This way we can see it more clearly!

Then he asks Matsubara san:

“Can’t we hold it with our hands?”

“No!! This is a protected specie!!

You can’t touch them!” He answers!

Then after they’re done playing in the water XD

Tamaki san says:

“Otousan was more excited than I was!!!

He was as happy as a child when he found them!!” 

Matsubara san laughs and says “I turned into a child!”

Finally they head toward the waterfall.

“sanjuu no taki”

another beautiful waterfall…

Matsubara san explains for him that he himself didn’t know about this waterfall until 3 years ago. But after finding the place with the other residents in the area, they decided to make it a place where the kids can play and learn more about the nature.

And it’s decided…

Tamaki san picks this waterfall as the

“Kokoro no hikyo” #4

^^

“It’s a precious place

only known by the residents of this area, 

and this beautiful scenery… 

as expected, 

 for the people who work on the fields,

who will always keep the water precious and use it wisely,

this is a place which protects their town in its own way!

So I can understand their desire to keep it dear in heart,

from now on and forever!”

Matsubura san takes him home after that,

and serves him with his own field’s white rice,

“nita mai koshi hikari”

It’s sweet he says!

^^

Another Journey and lots of new memories

and unexpected encounters!

I really envy him for being able to do this…

even though I know it must be tough sometimes!

☆

Thank you so much for reading until the end…

Next is a trip to somewhere not to far from where he lives ^^

Okutama, Tokyo!

Only 2 hours away by train from the center of Tokyo…

It’s another interesting journey…

so please stay tuned XD

until then,

byebye!

『玉木宏の秘境ふれあい紀行』
毎週木曜日 23:00 @BS朝日
ヽ(・∀・)ノ～☆
Every Thursday, 23:00 @BS Asahi

Official Homepage: http://www.bs-asahi.co.jp/tamaki-hiroshi/
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Okuizumo (Part1)

Hello everyone!

Thank you for all the support and all the heartwarming comments on FB!

Let’s get ready for another trip with Tamaki san!

This time we will have a visit to

“Okuizumo” in Shimane Prefecture.

Izumo is a famous tourist spot because of the well-known shrine “izumo taisha“

But since we all know that he’s not looking for famous spots, but the unexplored regions… he goes far away from the center of the attention and tries to find beauties in not very famous areas!

So let’s follow him around ^^

Tamaki san says that he has been to Izumo by car and visited Izumo taisha a few times before. Even passed by this town (okuizumo) but never had the chance to get off the car and wonder around. So this time, he will be walking in the town and ask the residents about the attractions of this area!

He starts his Journey from Izumo yashiro

As he’s walking around

he finds a very old bicycle shop!

An old lady is sitting inside…

but soon arrives his son…

probably the one managing the shop.

First he’s surprised but then they

will start chatting about the shop.

Seems like customers who visit the shop and ask for a repair, can borrow his mother’s bicycle until their own bicycle gets fixed XD

Tamaki san is surprised “So mother’s bicycle is taken away every time?” and laughs out loud but then he adds himself: “Well because everyone know each other here!”

Then as they were talking, the father of the family comes back home!

He’s surprised and asks them where they come from and Tamaki san explains for him that they are from Tokyo! Then asks about his job and he answers “Planting Daikon (Radish)”

He shows us the small container he was hanging around his waist.

I’m not sure but I think they put something inside and burn it to keep the insects away. But don’t trust me cause I didn’t really find anything to prove my idea XD

Anyway, as he opens the lead…

Tamaki san says: “It’s empty!!…

there’s not even the left overs of the burnt thing left!

Just hanging the empty container?” 

hehehehe

he’s in his “Devil mode” today!!

You will see more of his teasings later!!

The poor old man panics a little bit

but he manages to show us the real thing!

Then somehow,

the pocket on the front side of the old man’s

trousers gets Tamaki san’s attention…

… and asks him if he’s wearing it backward （；^ω^）

But the old man says that it’s a woman’s trousers!!

That’s why you don’t see a zipper in the front side!!!

It’s amazing how he can tease people and joke with them

without making them mad or uncomfortable!

He’s got a talent for that…

OK let’s move on…

As a coincidence,

there is a festival being held in the town

on the very same day!!

Tamaki san is wondering about the flags

belonging to other countries…

as if this is an international festival!

Then he encounters a couple… and says hello!

The lady becomes excited and makes a scream-like sound XD

But he just asks his question as if he’s not the famous Tamaki Hiroshi!

“Is there a festival today?” he asks!

“Yes… minari atago festival!” they answrer.

Then he finds something interesting!!!

A truck with so many Taiko (drum) being set inside the wagon!

it’s gonna be used as a part of the stage for today’s performance!

Then he reaches to the place were people are

gathering around and getting ready for the show.

He asks one of the residents about the performance

and he tells him that the kids are gonna play Taiko today!

Of course he’s not gonna miss this!

He decides to stay and watch!

He starts talking to two ladies in the crowd and asks them if someone they know is gonna be in the show today and one of them replies that her grandchild is gonna play Taiko! But seems like she can’t find her/him because they all look like each other from this distance! XD XD

As he’s watching them get ready for the show…

he says: “They’re so cute!” And I totally agree with him ♡

Then he finds his next target!

A young boy （；^ω^）

He asks him: “School is closed today, right?”

He confirms by nodding his head!

Tamaki san puts his left hand on the boy’s shoulder as he’s talking to him and realizes he’s all covered with sweat and his T-shirt has become sticky!

hehehehe

all the filming crew laugh out loud!

The boy is just sooo cute he can’t resist teasing him over and over…. （；^ω^）

Sorry young man!

Thank you for being patient with our Devil mode Tamaki san!

Finally the wait is over and the kids start to play…

To be honest…

they are making no sense!!

timing is not right and the sounds are not that great!

Guess that’s why Tamaki san is laughing secretly…

But they are doing their best!!

And they are super cute…

their relatives are enjoying the show!

As they’re done

Tamaki san approaches them…

the kids are all acting normal but their teachers

are over excited to see him!! XD

He bends down a little bit,

lowers his height and starts complimenting them!

And says that they all looked “Cool!!”

He asks about how long the kids have been practicing…

… and their teacher says that they all just

started playing it for fun but they kept practicing,

and managed to do a show like this today.

Then Tamaki san says that it’s obvious they have all worked hard and became straightforward to do this together…

and suddenly one of the kids yells “Thank you!”

hehehehehe XD

Then he says that they all look like normal kids here in front of me, but they become serious and do what they should do when they stand on the stage!! And as the teacher says that it was their first time playing in front of people… Tamaki san raises his voice a little bit and says “You did a great job!”

after leaving the kids,

he starts talking to us about how beautiful it is

when the children become serious and find something they like,

and then practice hard to become good at it!

Tamaki san starts walking in the streets again and suddenly,

he notices the simple board of a cutlery workshop!

Becomes interested and decides to take a peek inside.

He greets the owner and gets inside.

Asks him what he is doing right now

and he answers: “Making a kitchen knife!”

Then Tamaki san asks him

how long has the shop been in service,

and he says 140 years!!

He is the 4th generation O_O

He starts working on the knife with his hammer…

Tamaki san asks him if it is not dangerous to stand where he is,

but the owner says that it’s alright.

He’s amazed by how fast the knife is finding its shape!

Tamaki san is really excited about what he’s watching…

after getting OK from the owner about the danger XD

He starts taking photos one after another…

He tells the old man that he has watched videos before,

but he’s really excited about being right there

and watching the real thing.

It’s not something everyone can experience!

As he finishes making the knife and shows the completed work to Tamaki san,

he asks him:

“You must be confident about the sharpness of it,

aren’t you?”

hehehehe XD

the owner becomes shy a little but

but says that people who keep buying and ordering,

always say good things about the sharpness of his knives…

so it must be fine XD

Then the owner (Kawashima san) takes him to another room!

And shows him something interesting!

A real Katana (Japanese Sword)

looks so sharp and shines beautifully!

“Woaaaah! Terrifying as expected!”

Tamaki san says.

“I do hold katana in my hand whenever I

play a role in a historical story,

but those are not the real ones!!

As for this one, first of all…

you can’t just move it around in the air!!…”

Then he talks about the importance of the quality and the shape of the katana in the old days. People in important social positions could probably keep the better quality katana. It’s almost like how people enjoy collecting the good quality stuff like Watches or Cars these days in our era.

But it seems like Kawashima san has chosen making

good quality kitchen knifes instead of katana.

Suddenly he comes up with a very kind and brilliant idea…

Kawashima san decides to give him a souvenir…

the knife he just made!

And that’s not all…

he’s gonna make it even more special…

He asks Tamaki san to write down his name on the knife…

“Tamaki Hiroshi”

he writes it down on the knife…

And hands it back to Kwashima san!

And right there..

he starts to curve the name on the blade!!

It shows in Tamaki san’s eyes how interesting this is all for him!

He looks at Kawashima san’s hands,

then keeps looking at his eyes…

very carefully!

As if he’s studying him!

curving your name on the knife…

Is something only famous chefs or

people working in this field can do!

When it’s done…

“You didn’t blink not even once while doing it!”

Tamaki san says!

XD

Both of them start laughing out loud XD

Kawashima san gives him the knife and he’s super excited to hold it in his hand!

“Thank you… Waaaah! I’m so happy!! It’s exactly as I wrote it down!”

Feels great being able to see that happiness in his face ^^

What a wonderful treasure!!

Going back to the nature…

Tamaki san is heading to a very unique place.

on his way there…

he has to walk on a very long suspension bridge!

Pretty high from the surface of the river running underneath!

（；^ω^）

Thank god Tamaki san was able to recover completely

from his fear of high places !!

As if he never had such a problem at all ^^

He stands there and as he’s looking at the other side,

he finds a group of 2 adults and a young boy

walking to this side of the bridge.

He waits for them to arrive and then greets them.

Then he looks at the young boy and asks him kindly:

“Where did you come from?”

“Aichi Prefecture!”

“Aichi?! Which part of Aichi prefecture?”

Tamaki san is surprised because he was born and

raised in Nagoya, Aichi prefecture as well.

“Do you know Miyoshi?” the boy asks!

“Ah! Miyoshi!… I’m from Nagoya!” 

Of course he knows where Miyoshi is… ^^

It seems like the boy’s grandparents are from Chiba.

Then he asks the boy

“Wasn’t it scary walking on the suspension bridge?”

The boy says not really…

because he needed to use the toilet

and all he was concentrating on was

to hold it back XD

hahahahahahaha!

They all start laughing and Tamaki san says:

“That was the scary part then…

maybe you wanna go right away!

Are you OK?”

The boy says that he’s alright,

but he doesn’t keep them any longer XD

Thanks them and say goodbye!

Now it’s his turn to cross the river on the scary bridge ^^

He says that this landscape is so beautiful…

then looks down trying to measure the height

and his guess is more than 50 meters!

He says: “The fact that the place is not being maintained

too beautifully is actually a very good thing!

Because it has the touch of nature…

the shape of the river running under the bridge,

it’s as it was build by the hands of nature.”

He goes deeper in the greenery…

into a place with lots of huge stones and rocks standing in the river’s flow.

He says that the stones here are not the common round-shaped stones…

but with sharp corners indeed!

He even finds a huge stone with the shape of a 45 degrees triangle!!

Sharp and straight!

it is called “eboshi iwa”

Another one…

This one is called “hando iwa”

Tamaki san is amazed by the shape and

how these two huge stones

are standing on each other!!

There are even plants growing on top of them…

Of course he starts taking photos one after another…

Then he shares with us his idea of how this place

may have been formed many years ago.

“It may look like there are two mountains here

and we are standing n between them,

but in fact,

it might have been one big mountain one day…

and for some reason, 

it must have collapsed right in the middle,

and that’s probably why all these huge stones

are accumulated here… it’s strange!”

“oni no shitaburui”

There’s a story about this place…

I borrowed the text from the Japan National Tourism Organization website:

Once upon a time, a small shark fell in love with a princess living in a village, and visited the village every day over the Sea of Japan. The princess felt sick of this and stemmed the water with a large rock to stop the shark, but the shark continued to admire the princess. It is said that the current name is a corruption of wani no shita buru (meaning the shark in love).

http://www.jnto.go.jp/eng/location/spot/natuscen/oni-no-shitaburui.html

By the way,

the princess of this story is called “Tama Hime”

nice coincidence XD

Next is our Journey to a train station,

with a special meaning for Tamaki san!

A place where he wanted to visit no matter what!

But I have to leave that for the next part of the report …

So please stay with him on his railway trip on the second part!

See you soon!

End of part 1