When the tour guide begins the trip by asking “Why did you choose to do this today?” that probably means you aren’t going to get to see what you want to see. The answer of course is “I booked this two weeks ago, how was I supposed to know?” But we live with the consequences of our decisions.
I spent the day at various locations around the Mt. Fuji area, taking it on faith that a large mountain was nearby. Rain, clouds, and fog blanketed the landscape everywhere we went. It wasn’t a total wash, at least. Today was definitely the most I’ve eaten since getting off the plane. (I had a dango. Dangos are good!) Hung out at a lake and visited a museum I wouldn’t have noticed if not for this tour. I used to be stubbornly opposed to guided tours like this, but sometimes you just want to see the cool thing and are willing to pay money to not think about the logistics. I’d do this again next time I want to roll the dice on Japanese weather.
At the end I got to take up my complaints with the boss herself.
I did the whole shebang. Washed my hands, clapped, bowed, even bought a fortune, all so I could tell miss Sakuyahime if-that-is-your-real-name how rude it was of her to hide her house when I came to visit. I hope she will be more considerate of you when it’s your turn.1
On returning to home base in Ueno I decided I finally feel able to stay up past 10pm tonight but it was pouring, so instead of hitting the town I got on the wrong train. Then I bought tomorrow’s Shinkansen ticket so it looked like it was on purpose.
- 木花咲耶姫様へ：冗談だけでございます。願いをお聞き届けくださいませ。 ↩︎
