Where time stands still

We are really lucky. Spontaneously, we are allowed to stay with the Kodama family. We had visited the family a few days before and quickly connected with Anni and Nei. Salia and Namira also quickly became friends with the sisters Kogumi and Nanami. The family moved to Tomi four years ago, before that they lived in the wagonburg in Tübingen for 8 years. Nei's family has been living on the property for over 120 years - the samurais used to sit here and meet for tea. The house has many corners and secret passages. The family also operates a café on the weekends and is open to visitors. They grow and sell wine as well.

Anni, Nei, Nanami and Kogumi are so kind and warm-hearted that we don't even notice how quickly the days fly by. We don't go on big excursions, it's much nicer to stroke the koi fish at a nearby spring and visit a very beautiful onsen (standing on a mountain as God created us and looking at the distant city lights - a very archaic feeling). There are certain rules to follow in the onsen. It is a place of purification for body and soul. Shoes are left in a designated area before entering the onsen. Then you go to the changing room. You bathe there without clothes. Men and women are separated. First, you take a thorough shower, scrub and soap yourself. There are small stools to sit on. Women and girls wear a braid, their hair must not hang in the water. We were immediately told about this. Then you go into the different pools. Depending on the size of the onsen, there are cold pools and various hot pools (over 42 °C). Most of the pools are too hot for Namira, so she proudly and fearlessly pours cold water (21 °C) over her belly. Salia loves the hot water and can't get enough of it. You shouldn't sit in the hot pool for too long - it's a challenge for the circulatory system, similar to sauna. At the end, we all have bright red cheeks. After bathing, you can rest in a large room lined with tatami mats.

Japanese people actually bathe every evening. Hygiene is an important topic. You could write a whole book just about personal hygiene. Or just about the super toilets. They can do everything. They have a bidet function and even a sound function. You can hear a recorded flushing sound or birdsong. You can find them almost everywhere. Also in the konbini. Whether you want to use them to their full extent there is another question, but at least the cleanliness standard is incomparable.

At home, the girls paint a lot and I also have the honor of decorating a wall in the café. Thank you very much for this great opportunity!
On Saturday, we will continue towards Kyoto, passing by the Kisoge Mountains - unfortunately it is raining and the rain clouds obscure the view of the mountains, but we can imagine how beautiful it is. Our rented car is serving us well and after 8 hours of driving, we arrive in Tokoname.