12:00 pm — TSH, day 42

The day started late. Like, very late. First, I missed all the alarms and was right about it. When I woke up the rain was going. So I lazily went to eat my breakfast while chatting with my roommate. He turned out to be quite an interesting man (and we might meet once again in Kyoto) and thus I started to walk late. Considering the distance it was not wise yet I don’t regret it.

The trail ran over the mountains surrounding Biwa lake and thus I took some pictures of the lake and of Otsu city.

View of Lake Biwa and Otsu city through pine trees from mountain trail
Otsu city waterfront with high-rise buildings and Lake Biwa
Panoramic view of Lake Biwa and Otsu city from mountain overlook

1:00 pm — Kyoto

At some point of time I was able to see Kyoto on the other side of the ridge.

View of Kyoto sprawling across valley from mountain ridge

2:00 pm — Firefighters

For the children who dream to be firefighters they have these nice things in front of the station.

Fire station with red trucks in bays and cartoon firefighter cutouts for children

10:00 pm — Wrapping the day

At some point of time I decided to reduce risks and booked a room in a Japanese inn with hot springs in it requesting late check in.

Even with skipping a part of the trail over the road (there were a lot of warnings about possible trail collapse on that part of the trail) I only reached the place in darkness. Actually, I came out of the forest onto the road right at sunset, visited a convenience store near the trail to get some dinner and went a couple more kilometers to an inn. Obviously I reached it in the darkness.

The onsen here is small but nice and there are not a lot of people there so it does not feel crowded. I’m glad I’m staying here today and my feet are even more glad.

Wide panoramic view of Lake Biwa and coastline from forested ridge
Small village nestled between grassy fields and dark wooded hills under a cloudy dusk sky