“Kamikochi on a day when the rain is unfavorable”

That morning, the temperature was around 10 degrees Celsius. The wind was so strong that the leaves were flying. Just opening the door felt like being unexpectedly embraced by nature. The sweater became my best friend that day. Even though it had been raining non-stop since morning, I felt excited in a way that I couldn't explain. I took the bus from the city to Kamikochi. Amidst the view of mountains alternating with green trees, the mist floated slowly all around. Everything looked soft like a painting. Even though the air was very cold, it was strangely pleasant. When I arrived, the point that I felt that I had come on the right day was... there were almost no people! The nature trails that were usually crowded with tourists were empty, so I could walk and take pictures from every angle without having to wait or rush. No one was blocking my way. The corner of the bridge, the Capell, or the view of the Azusa River were so beautiful that I didn't want to take just one picture. Even though the wind was so strong that sometimes I had to stand and hug myself, there were small shops along the way where I could stop and rest. There were dessert shops, fragrant wooden cafes, and cute souvenir shops. When I entered the shops, I felt as warm as if I had entered a corner of a Japanese movie. The silence, the cold, and the light rain made the nature around me clearer. The sound of the water, the sound of the leaves, my own breath. It was like I was really spending time talking to nature without any disturbances. Sometimes… coming on a day when the weather is not good can give us a more special experience than a clear day. #Rainy season travel destinations