WE GO ON AN EXCURSION WITH TOUR GUIDE MAMI
24.01.2025
In Shunan, a temperature of 14.2°C was recorded, making it the highest so far in 2025. Other parts of the country also experienced temperatures similar to early mid-March, creating unseasonably warm weather. However, temperatures are expected to drop by about 5°C in the morning and evening, leading to a significant temperature variation throughout the day.
With a perfect sunny day ahead, we have decided to go on a little excursion. Mami has been researching places to go that are near us, and today she found another Foot Spa, only 35 mins from home.
Youko, feeling much better, decided to join us for the day. On the way to the Foot Spa, we stopped at a Michi-no-Eki, which literally means “Roadside Station”. They serve as convenient stopping points for travelers and offer various services and amenities. The concept was introduced in 1993 by the Japanese government to promote local tourism, support regional economies, and provide a place for rest and information.
The Michi-no-Eki Shunan was built in the rural part of the city, aiming at promoting agriculture, fisheries, and tourism in Shunan City, while also contributing to the revitalisation of the local community and regional economy. It strives to discover and promote the Shunan brand and, through these efforts, expand interaction among people and enhance the recognition of Shunan City.
We bought locally produced vegetables and ham, planning to make salad for dinner. There were plants for sale and I would really have liked to buy a good sized bonsai plant but quarantine regulation would disallow this, All plants and flowers were so much cheaper than in Australia, so there goes a bargain!! We left feeling good about contributing to the development of Shunan and in particular the rural community
It was only a 10 mins drive from the market to the Foot Spa. The Onsen town is called Yuno Onsen, and it seems to be in the middle of nowhere. Upon arrival, we can smell sulphur immediately. Yuno Onsen is a famous hot spring known as the “beauty skin hot spring,” and it contains many ingredients believed to be beneficial for the skin. It boasts the rare “alkaline simple sulphur spring” mineral composition, which is uncommon around the area.
When we arrived at the foot bath there was no one else there so we had it to ourselves. It was a rectangular shape and could cater for 10 Japanese people (or 8 Aussies or 4 Americans)
The sulphur smell was there but it was not at all overwhelming. The temperature of the water was perfect and I took a seat right next to the outlet, I could have stayed there all day. Mami and Youko both got in and stayed with me for 20 minutes. Youko has to have food on time, whereas I couldn’t care less about lunch if I am sitting in such a wonderful footbath.
So while Mami and Youko went to a restaurant opposite the footbath and I stayed in the footbath. It was bliss. I had brought my e-book with me and sat with my feet in the water reading. Does life get any better than that? I was in heaven. When Mami and Youko returned about 40 minutes later I was still there. However I was now sharing the footbath with 5-6 other people. Not a problem to me, maybe to the locals who were probably wondering who the big gaijin was, and why was he hogging prime position next to the hot spring outlet.
When Mami and Youko returned from the restaurant after an ‘okay meal’ they asked was I ready to move on, I reluctantly swivelled around, dried my feet and put my shoes on. The tour guide then told Youko and me that we were now going for a walk around the community, taking views of the mountains, river, rural homes and wildlife.
The walk was not a long one but the river was nice, as were farms and their rice paddies. We saw and photographed a bird we have not seen before and, due to the footbath, I actually felt like floating on air for the whole walk. Wonderful.
We drove home from Yuno with a brief stop at an Aruk supermarket in Shunan and bought some ingredients for tonight’s dinner. Youko has presented us with another wonderful dinner and we are very grateful for the effort she puts into our meals.
As I finish off today’s blog, Yoshi, Youko and Mami are playing a game of RUMMY-O and at the moment Yoshi is leading. Could be a much better result for Yoshi than his fourth placing in Qwirkle last night. It gives me a warm feeling to see the family playing games and enjoying each other’s company. It’s the best part of being here.
