Hello, this is Dojo from the Creative Department.
In the first article of the company trip , we covered how the schedule was rescheduled due to the typhoon, as well as information about free time on the first day, the banquet, and any incidents that occurred in the evening.
In the second half, we will introduce the main event, the Jomon Sugi trekking on the second day, as well as the free time on the third day and the hectic return to Tokyo caused by a storm.
Jomon Cedar Trekking in the Early Morning
There were 11 people in the Jomon Sugi trekking group. We gathered in the hotel lobby at 4am.
Our guides for the day, Tobitaka and Azuma, were waiting for us in the lobby.
Once everyone is ready, we board the minibus that came to pick us up and head straight to the Arakawa trailhead.
Perhaps because of the snoring incident the day before, some of the members looked like they hadn't had enough sleep. Almost everyone was fast asleep during the hour-long bus ride.
Inside the quiet minibus heading to the Arakawa trailhead
We arrived at the Arakawa trailhead, but it was still pitch black. We took a group photo before setting off in the dark, then headed along the trolley road with headlamps and flashlights in hand.
Members enthusiastically raising their fists
The journey to Jomon Sugi is estimated to take 3 hours on the trolley road plus 2 hours on the mountain path.
On the trolley road, you walk on the railroad ties, but the width of the ties does not match your stride length, so you end up walking on and under the ties, which makes the soles of your feet get tired.
Along the way, you will pass through a tunnel that resembles an old coal mine, and you will walk while being given information about the monoliths that are unique to Yakushima.
Pitch-Dark Tunnel
Miyagawa and Yamauchi listen intently to an explanation of the monolith on Yakushima, posing in the same pose.
I had only managed to get about two hours of sleep the previous night, so as I walked along the monotonous trolley road, my head began to feel gradually fuzzy.
When I accidentally mentioned to our guide that I had only slept two hours the night before, he scolded me and told me that that was not okay.
Yamauchi hesitates to cross the bridge
Yamauchi on the Trolley Road
By the way, this time we split into two groups, one with Tobitaka and one with Azuma, and went trekking. Each guide had something unique to say, which was quite interesting.
I was in Azuma's group, and when I talked to him later, I found that Tobitaka was a bit of a Spartan? He was the type of man who would give short estimates of the remaining time and motivate people to do their best, whereas Azuma was a lively, talkative woman who had originally come to Yakushima to fish and would give relatively accurate estimates of the time required.
Members of Tobitaka's group. Still doing well.
Now, let's take a break at the end of the trolley road before the hiking trail begins.
During breaks, everyone eats their favorite snacks to get energy for the rest of the hike.
Replenishing energy. My recommendation is Imuraya's chocolate yokan. And the classic dorayaki.
After a while of walking along the mountain trail, we arrived at Wilson Stump. It is famous for being able to see a heart shape when you look up from inside the stump, which is 13.8m in circumference. I was a little impressed that you can really see a heart.
A heart-shaped sky seen from inside Wilson Stump
Group photo in front of Wilson Stump
From this point on, the moss around us started to grow lively and the number of large Yakusugi trees increased, so I began to get more and more excited.
Moss-covered cedar
After climbing the long wooden staircase, we were comfortably tired when it was time for lunch.
We had lunch boxes arranged by the inn and miso soup that our guide made for us using boiled water.
I was tired and didn't have much of an appetite, but perhaps my body was craving food, because once I started eating I found myself eating more and more.
Two-tiered bento and miso soup
Lunch time as light rain begins to fall. Miyagawa (front right), Yamauchi (middle left), Sakamoto (middle right), and me (back)
Miyagawa, who has lived in Thailand for a long time, does not notice the rice ball on the bottom shelf of his bento, and continues eating only the side dishes on the top shelf.He wonders why his lunch doesn't get any heavier, and it's only when he has almost finished eating the side dishes that he finally notices the rice ball, demonstrating his airheaded character.
It brought healing to the tired and quiet members.
After lunch, we set off. After walking for a while, we finally arrived at Jomon Cedar.
However, the rain started to get much heavier just before Jomon Sugi.
Even the power of Monosus's proud sunny man, Yasuo Sakamoto, was no match for the rain of Yakushima.
When I finally arrived at the Jomon Cedar in the pouring rain, my first impression was, "Wow, it's huge." It's a clichéd expression, but that's all I can say.
It's quite moving to think that they have survived for thousands of years since the Jomon period.
As the rain got stronger, everyone was excited in front of the Jomon Cedar. They all had lovely smiles.
As we left Jomon Cedar behind, the rain finally started to get serious.
On the way back, the tracks were covered in water, and even my Gore-Tex hiking boots were soaked through to the inside.
A slippery trolley road
It was a scary bridge crossing in the rain and strong winds.
Second day of the party
After the Jomon Sugi trekking, we warmed up in the bath at the inn, then met up with the separate unit for another party.
The banquet that day was held at " Jiji-ya " near the inn. There were many unique and delicious original dishes using Yakushima's famous products such as flying fish and Yaku deer, and we were very satisfied.
A homely izakaya where you can enjoy local ingredients
Grandfather's House 67-4 Awa, Yakushima-cho, Kumage-gun, Kagoshima Prefecture TEL: 0997-46-3087
Cheers!
Hamabata has a smirk on his face in a photo with our company's idol, Ikeda.
After returning to the inn, everyone gathered together for drinks in their rooms, just like on the first day, and had a great time.
Perhaps because we had been on a long trek together, we all felt closer to each other than we had the day before.
The audience seemed to be very excited by Hamabata's jokes that stimulated their sense of smell. He is a man who never runs out of things to talk about.
Last day: Visiting waterfalls and touring the island
On our last day, we had free time, so we decided to rent a car and drive around the island.
Even though they had free time, they didn't split up, but instead split into two groups and acted together, which made me feel a little happy and thought that, after all, they all got along well.
I drove briskly through the rain, humming along to the tunes playing from a mixed CD the rental car company had provided me with, which included 90s hits by artists like WANDS and Aikawa Nanase.
As an aside, I heard during this drive that, learning from the recent snoring shuffle incident, Mr. Ynai and Mr. Hbata were isolated in a double room the other day.
Thanks to this, all the male members were able to get a good night's sleep, and they all looked refreshed that day.
First, we arrived at Chihiro Falls. At Chihiro Falls, we could see the 60m waterfall from afar, but there were large monoliths on both sides of the waterfall, and the sight of the water flowing between them was unique to Yakushima, and I was quietly moved.
Chihiro Falls
Next, we went to Oko Falls. At Oko Falls, you can walk right up to the pool. If you don't get lost, just follow the rocks to the pool, and you'll be shocked by the spray and blast of wind! And it's really impressive!
Oko Falls has a drop of 88m, but there are few waterfalls of this size that you can view from the basin. I am a waterfall fanatic and have visited many waterfalls around the country, but this waterfall was one of my top three.
On the way to the waterfall basin, over these rocks, the members and I were engrossed in taking selfies.
Oko Falls
After touring the waterfalls, we headed towards the airport through Seibu Forest Road, an area where you can encounter wildlife.
A group that had ridden this road the day before had told me that there were many fallen trees on the forest road and that it had been extremely difficult to remove them, so I continued on with a pounding heart.
Hatakeyama, a member of the company trip committee, encounters a fawn while struggling with a fallen tree.
Driving on the long, winding road in the heavy rain was tiring, but surprisingly there were no fallen trees, and we got to see a cute, bashful monkey and a pair of deer, so it was worth the trip.
A monkey hiding its face in embarrassment
Before meeting at the airport, we went to an Italian restaurant called Il Mare , where we could eat venison pizza.
As I entered the store, I encountered a group in another car. It turns out we were all thinking the same thing.
The pizza here was also delicious, with a strong venison flavor that was exquisite.
If I have the opportunity to visit Yakushima again, I would like to visit this restaurant again.
The venison pizza at Il Mare near the airport was excellent.
Il Mare 815-92 Koseda, Yakushima-cho, Kumage-gun, Kagoshima Prefecture TEL: 0997-43-5666
Can I go home? Can I not go home? Unexpected flight cancellations cause chaos
After finishing lunch, I arrived at the airport to catch my flight back home, and the group that had arrived earlier was making a lot of noise. I was wondering what was going on when the lady from the rental car shop (the very kind lady who appeared on Day 1 of Part 1 ) called out to me.
According to the rental car company, due to the heavy rain, they were unsure if our flight to Kagoshima would be able to arrive. Therefore, even though the return time had passed, they told us that we could use the car for free until we could depart. What a nice guy!
None of us had ever experienced such kindness in the city, so we felt like goddesses and were extremely grateful.
The kind lady at the rental car shop (the one in the red windbreaker)
The flight before the one we had booked had already been canceled. The flight we were planning to take was also delayed and there was a possibility it would be canceled, so we were on the verge of not knowing whether we would be able to go home or not.
Many members had to return to Tokyo today, either to catch a connecting flight from Haneda to Thailand or for important meetings the next day, so the atmosphere on-site was quite tense.
However, since we don't know until the last minute whether the flight will take off or not, after checking in and going through security and waiting for boarding to begin, we heard a rather ominous announcement.
"We would like to offer our apologies and provide information to passengers travelling on flight 3746 bound for Kagoshima..."
I wondered if it was an apology, but sure enough, I received a message that the flight was cancelled. I quickly returned to the counter to find an alternative flight.
Unexpected cancellation
I had a business trip to Kamiyama the next day, so I had to get back to Tokyo no matter what, and since I used to work at the airport check-in counter, I knew how it worked, so I rushed to get through the check-in process. Meanwhile, at the counter next to me, I saw Sakamoto, who was not a member of the company trip committee, summarizing everyone's requests and processing the check-in.
Seeing Sakamoto like that, I secretly reflected to myself that I knew what to do, but I was only thinking about myself and it made me feel ashamed.
However, when I saw Sakamoto working energetically for the sake of everyone, I was impressed by his dedication, but at the same time, I was reminded that everyone has their own position.
Sakamoto emerges.
The choices vary from person to person: should we wait for a seat on a flight from Osaka to Haneda, should we take the Shinkansen from Osaka, or should we go to Osaka, stay overnight, and then take a plane back? It was difficult to decide, and we argued a lot.
However, there was nothing to be gained by being hasty, so we decided to make good use of our free time and gathered those who wanted to go to a hot spring near the airport. This hot spring had an open-air bath and the water was quite nice, so our hearts, which had been frayed by the harsh conditions, were slowly soothed while we soaked in the water.
When I got out of the hot spring, the sky was suddenly blue.
I breathed a sigh of relief, knowing that the flight to Osaka would probably still be able to operate.
...But that thought was short-lived.
When I returned from the hot springs and checked in again for my flight to Osaka, I was told that the flight had been delayed due to the wind. This meant that it would be difficult to find a seat on the flight from Osaka to Haneda, and there was also a possibility that I would miss the last Shinkansen train from Osaka, which made me even more anxious.
Although we were all anxious, the plane to Osaka somehow managed to take off safely, and we split into two groups: one that would stay overnight in Osaka, and the other that would return by Shinkansen. The Shinkansen group took a taxi from Itami Airport to Shin-Osaka Station.
As soon as we arrived at the terminal from the plane by bus, we all sprinted.
In particular, Machiyama, who will be returning to Thailand, is desperate to catch the next flight from Haneda.
As soon as we left the arrivals exit, the Shinkansen group made a dash for the train (illustration mode due to camera malfunction)
Our efforts were worth it, as we managed to catch a Shinkansen train before the last one, and toasted with beer on board.
The theme of this company trip was "liberation," and this was the moment when I truly felt that sense of liberation.
I'm intoxicated by the sense of freedom
Later, when I looked at photos of the group that stayed overnight in Osaka, it seemed that they had gone into extra time at an izakaya in Osaka.
It seems he had fun meeting up with Yoshinaga, a sales representative from the Osaka office.
It was hectic and full of mishaps at the end, but it was through all of that that we were able to experience the warmth of the people of Yakushima, and I feel like the bonds between us have deepened.
So, what kind of company trip will be waiting for us next year? I'm already excited!
モノサスアーカイブ