Ome Quartet of Snow Country

Chapter 441 Hiking the Zhongshan Trail

The charcoal fire was burning, with white smoke rising faintly.

Small flames came out from the middle of the black charcoal, licking the iron kettle hanging on it, and occasionally you could hear the small crackling sound of the charcoal.

But there was no movement in the iron kettle. The whole body was completely dark. It was not clear whether it was the original color or whether it was smoked by the charcoal fire. The inside was completely hidden at the moment.

Naruse stared at it for a while, but still couldn't see anything, but he wasn't stupid enough to reach out and touch it.

Even if it is a stone, it will be hot to the touch after being roasted like this for a long time.

"Spring Sea?"

When he went downstairs and came to the bathroom, he found that he hadn't come in for a long time. Shangzi came out to take a look again.

"Here we come." Naruse stood up and went over to wash up with his girlfriend.

It was around eight o'clock in the morning, so the two of them got up a little early for the holiday.But this is not home after all, not to mention they have other places to go today.

After washing up, the two came to the dining room, where an exquisite breakfast was already placed on the table.

"It's quite rich." Naruse sat down and adjusted the chair for a while before sitting properly.

"Yes."

There are not only Japanese breakfasts such as miso soup, grilled fish, and tofu on the table, but also Western breakfasts such as salads, bacon, sausages, and omelettes, which is quite thoughtful.

While the two were eating, from the corner of their eyes, they saw another table of foreign guests getting up and leaving. Shang Zi took a casual look and found that the breakfast on the table was basically untouched, and he only ate salad and other things.

"It seems that foreigners are not used to it." Naruse said.

"That's it."

After breakfast, the two went to soak in the hot spring for more than ten minutes. After returning to the room, they changed back into their clothes, packed up and prepared to leave.

After checking out of the room and leaving the White Horse House, Naruse looked up and saw that the weather was still very good today, the sky was blue and cloudless.

"Let's walk to Tsumago-juku." He turned around and said.

"Okay." Shangzi was a little surprised, nodded quickly, and then looked down at the suitcase in his hand.

"You can check your luggage at the tourist center." Naruse said, "I took a look when I went there yesterday. The luggage I checked in in the morning will be delivered to the tourist center over Tsumago-juku around [-] p.m. Go this way. It used to take at least two or three hours, just to go shopping and have fun, so you shouldn’t have to wait there.”

"Hmm, let's check it in then."

It was already nine o'clock, and there was still no one here in Magome-juku. The only ones that could be seen were tourists who came here the night before, so it was a little deserted.

The two came to the tourist center and checked in their luggage. The fee was calculated by piece, regardless of weight, and was [-] yen per piece.

After handing over a check fee of two thousand yen, the staff also dragged the two suitcases in and stored them temporarily. In addition to the necessary pick-up documents, they also handed him and Shangzi two hiking certificates to pick up the luggage at Tsumago-juku. When the time comes, you can stamp it as a souvenir.

Once everything was ready, the two set off.

Leaving the north exit, you will soon see the boundary marker. After passing the boundary marker, you have left Magome-juku.

There is also a road sign standing next to it.

Along the Zhongshan Road, in addition to the iconic stone road, the most conspicuous thing is the road signs that appear every other section of the road, clearly indicating all directions and distances to various places, so there is no need to worry about getting lost.

"Tsumago-juku, 7.6KM..." Naoko looked at the road sign, "It seems so far away."

"Let's walk slowly." Naruse held her hand, "We'll be there at noon at most."

"Uh-huh."

The old Nakasendo Road is narrow and can be used by pedestrians, but it is inconvenient to open to traffic. A winding mountain road has been built locally. According to the information Naruse saw at the tourist center, you can take a bus from the winding mountain road to Tsumago-juku in just over 20 minutes. .

They walked for sightseeing, and of course they chose to take the ancient path with better scenery.

"It's two kilometers to Magome Pass. This section is all uphill, which will be more strenuous." Naruse flipped through the sightseeing manual, "After Magome Pass, it's a gentle downhill all the way."

"How long does it take to get there?" Shangzi asked.

"It says four and 10 minutes."

Shangzi looked bitter.

Naruse smiled and put away the manual, "No matter what else, just take your time and stroll there. You have a lot of time anyway."

"Then when I can't walk, Harumi will carry me."

"Well……"

"Ok?"

"Ah."

The two of them walked forward and took almost an hour to arrive at Magong Pass.

Shangzi complained that he was tired, but he never stopped or really let him carry him. Only then did he let out a sigh of relief.As the highest point on the Nakasendo Road between Magome-juku and Tsumago-juku, there are many signs or slogans erected on Magome Pass, and there is also a teahouse for resting next to it.

"Let's rest here for a while."

"it is good……"

Zhongshan Road goes over mountains and ridges and intersects with the winding mountain highway. There are many people and cars choosing to rest here, and the two of them plan to stay for a while.

There were several motorcycles parked outside the tea house. Naruse glanced at them one by one and stayed on one of the Hondas for a few seconds.

If he wants to buy another motorcycle for commuting, besides the Hikari Super Cub, this one seems to be good too...

"Haru Hai?" Shangzi was waiting for him at the door.

"Here we come." He followed and walked into the tea house.

After glancing at the prices of various things posted in the room, Shangzi quietly pulled her boyfriend and whispered: "It's so expensive..."

Naruse responded, took her hand and squeezed it, "Who told me that this is the only store nearby."

A cup of tea costs [-] yen and comes with a skewer of only two meatballs.There are also options such as coffee and beer in the tea house, and the prices vary, but they are not cheap in any case.

Naruse ordered two cups of tea and two extra skewers of meatballs, and a thousand yen was spent just like that.

The seats by the window were already occupied. The two of them crowded on a small palm-sized table and sat down to eat and drink. After walking for a long time, they finally got some rest.

"There's a downhill slope behind, so it's easier to walk." Naruse took a sip of tea and felt the fragrance in his mouth. Suddenly, he felt that the price was expensive for a reason.

Shangzi nodded, bit off a meatball, and looked around the store.

"They also sell souvenirs here."

Naruse followed her gaze and saw a fist-sized wooden bear on the window sill.

"It seems to be carved from wood... 15 yen?! Are you crazy?"

The middle-aged aunt who was serving food to the guests at the table next to her turned her head and glanced at him.

He was a little embarrassed, but she smiled at him, walked over and said:
"My husband carved it by himself. It was originally just for display in the shop and was not intended to be sold. However, customers always came to ask about the price, so I simply marked a very high price to save myself the trouble."

"I see... What if someone really wants to buy it?"

"Oh……"

She laughed and said, "That husband will be very happy."

"Can I take a photo?" Shangzi asked.

"OK."

Monk Naruse didn't stay in the teahouse for long. He took a short break, finished eating and drank tea, then got up and left.

When going down another road, Naruse saw several more motorcycles parked on the side of the road and slowed down to take a look.

"What's wrong?" Shangzi turned around and asked.

"It's okay, I saw a few handsome motorcycles."

She also looked at it, "Chunhai's car looks better."

He smiled and said, "But it's not comfortable for the people in the back."

"Is Harumi really planning to buy another car?"

Naruse was still hesitant at first, but when Naoko asked, he suddenly made up his mind.

"Ah."

Sensing his attitude, Shangzi didn't say anything more about whether he wanted to buy it or not.

“Do you want to buy all that kind of car?”

"Shangzi, do you think that car is comfortable to sit in?"

"well enough."

"Then buy the Super Cub, and you won't have to choose."

After leaving Magong Pass, there is a long mountain road at the bottom. There are tall trees on both sides and the rocks are covered with moss. It makes people feel like they are in a primeval forest. After walking for half a day, they saw a mottled wooden house.

Naruse and Shoko supported each other and looked around as they walked. Occasionally they would stop for a while in front of the monuments they met on the way and take a few photos.

After walking like this for another two hours, the two finally arrived at Tsumago-juku.

(End of this chapter)