Japan: June 10-19, 2018. Wandering the Streets in Toki

The i-phone was critical, for obvious reasons.  I could type in an address or a location, and google would provide walking directions or public transport directions.

I loved walking.

In Toki, I wandered around the small town, marveling at how narrow the roads were and how people simply got out of the way of me, another pedestrian or automobile. 


In Toki, an older woman was confused and thought (I think) I was lost.  She kept talking to me, but we understood nothing of each other.  She pulled out water (it was a hot day) and wanted to give me all she had.  The only photo I got of her was when she was walking away. 



IN my wanderings past the woman who wanted to give me water, I found this life-sized statue.  I knew I was coming upon something, so I proceeded. 





Then I walked through gates, that would prove to be temple gates: 


Then there were stairs, with small concrete statues on the right and left.  At the feet of the statues were incense burners and spent incense. 

And at the top of the stairs, a bell with a large external clapper.  The view over Toki City was beautiful.  The simple shrine was locked; several people were sweeping the walkways around the temple with straw brooms.  No one minded me. 





I continued my walk, seeing parks, unique play areas, ponds, gardens, and monuments to the losses in WW2.  I ate at a fast food restaurant and found a place to listen to Jazz music.  I explored a grocery story, seeing organization, cleanliness and beauty in all I saw.  

Then I found the second thing that Toki is proud of: A MALL.  This mall was modeled after "a mall in Colorado."  I wondered how similar it really way, so I went there, too.  (Upon arrival, I could immediately identify that this mall, here in Toki, Japan, was modeled from the Castle Rock Mall.  Other than the dominant number of Japanese citizens, I could have been in Castle Rock.  Brooks Brothers; Bodyworks.  A food court with Spagetti (but did didn't taste quite like ours) and burgers.  

My walks in Toki were all delightful, charming, educational, and fun.  Few people spoke English, so I relied on the kindness and patience of strangers, GOOGLETRANSLATE, and my own ability to know where I was and to get back to the hotel (which wasn't so bad because it was the only tall building in town and could be seen from everywhere.) 










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