I arrived in Shikoku 9 August 2021. And it’s apparently typhoon season in August. On the day that I moved, the train was delayed for about 5 hours because of a typhoon. Although I don’t think it was a typhoon, just strong winds. Fortunately, it was still day light when the train finally crossed the bridge into Shikoku. The sea was dotted with small islands under a yellow sky. It was beautiful and I was really happy to get here. I felt like I was finally arriving at the place I should have been all the time.

The first few days my support person took me all over town to get a bank account, and to register at the town hall and at the post office. And we went shopping.

My apartment is ok, another tiny house (I am getting used to them), except the kitchen is too tiny. There is a sink and right next to it is the cooking stove (2 pits) and that is it. No where to put plates or cut veggies up etc. I need to do that on top of the fridge which is a few foot steps away oh well. I’ll get used to it.

I have a view of a rice paddy and a few buildings on the other side of it. I love the rice paddy: bright green, white and grey herons, crows , dragon flies, and even a little swarm of small bats during dusk. And during the night I hear frogs, really loud frogs, and quite a few of them. The first night it went on all night till dawn. Last night it didn’t start until quite late and not so many. I guess maybe because of the rain?

I love being in the countryside. So much more me. There are small rice paddies everywhere, and veggie gardens, and of course shrines and temples. I can see the mountains from everywhere too. The sea and beach is about 6 kms away. There are no tall buildings so I see a lot of sky (unlike Tokyo). There are a lot of warehouses and or sheds i.e. big ugly buildings. Maybe because it is a port. This is less appealing. At 5 pm I get the town loudspeakers playing a jingle and at 6 pm an announcement (not sure what they announce).

Today I walked to the Shikoku pilgrimage temple 65. It was (of course) a beautiful temple in the middle of the bush. I was overcome with emotion. I need to get a new pilgrimage outfit and walking stick, and candles and incense etc. I had my stamp book with me, but had forgotten that you have to pay for a stamp. So, I nearly walked off without paying, but the lady very subtle, shoved the pay tray at me. I stayed quite a while. The sun came out as I was sitting there. The 6km walk up had been misty.