0. Today’s photo is, after I personally wrote the cover titles of these collections of letters containing messages from citizens of Korea and Japan.

1. Mount Fuji seen through the window just before leaving my accommodation at dawn.

2. Arrive at Surugaoyama Station, the departure point.

3. Looking at the map, today’s course is a rough road. The slope is mainly downhill, so my heavy luggage won’t be too much of a burden, but the problem is whether there is a sidewalk and safety.

4. Especially on the morning course, I see several tunnels.

5. A photo of me leaving alone today again. At this time, I never thought I would return to this station later on.

6. The more rugged the terrain, the better the scenery.

7.

8. But finding a safe route is not easy. Even in areas designated as sidewalks, there are many sections covered with plants that make walking difficult.

10. I somehow manage to find a safe path to walk, enjoy the scenery, and promote the march to passing cars. There are a lot of cars passing by, so the promotional effect of the vertical placard in my hand is good.

11. However, after going through a couple of tunnels, I reaized that I need more fundamental measures for my safety.

12. After walking about 5 kilometers to near Yaga Station, I looked at the map and saw that there were several tunnels leading to Yamagita Station. Instead of walking this 4km section, I decided to borrow the power of the train this time.

13. Even though a sidewalk on the side road leading to Yaga Station is installed on the upper railing, that path is too hard to walk.

14. At Yaga Station,

16. Wait for a train at a quiet station. Because it is a single-line railway, train intervals are infrequent.

17. When the cleaning lady at the station saw me sweating, she gave me a piece of candy. Commemorative photo.

17. Data roaming is available even in this mountainous areas. While waiting, I searched and came across an article from the Chosun Ilbo from two years ago.

18. It reported completely the opposite of what it does now. This is a criminal group that looks down on the people.

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20. Arrive at Yamakita Station and walk toward the east.

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23. After walking for about an hour, I arrived at my morning destination, Higashiyama Kita Station.

24. Take a break during the day at a teahouse near Matsuda Station. It is a nice teahouse with a tatami room. Since there are no guests, I share this large room alone.

25. I do the work I had been putting off. It involves writing titles on note covers containing messages. The cover is made of silk-based cloth, not paper. Writing calligraphy is not easy. I focused all my attention on it.

26. There will be a vote in a few days to elect council members for a village called Matsuda-machi. There are many campaign broadcast vehicles roaming the streets. The election battle is fierce. Representative democracy is still alive.

27. Go to Higashiyama Kita Station, the afternoon departure point, and walking east again.

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29. At a rest stop while walking this path, I realized that a serious mistake had been made. I noticed that there was no banner attached to my backpack. I usually roll it up and carry it in my hand or stick it in my backpack, but I’ve probably left it somewhere.

30. It is this important banner. I wondered where I had left it and guessed my whereabouts today. Surugaoyama Station, the starting point, was a strong candidate. I have to go back and find it.

31. After arriving at Matsuda Station, the stopover, I waited for a while and took the train to Surugaoyama Station. Sure enough, it’s still there. It was neatly rolled up and waiting for its owner on a bench. I breathed a sigh of relief.

But too much time has passed. The 6.8 kg that I couldn’t walk today is for tomorrow.

The schedule for September 11th has been confirmed. I would like to thank Masahide Kimura, Yasuo Kuwano, and all my comrades for their hard work.

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Categories: Korean-Japanese citizen walking march