Experiences – Life – Inspiration 🇨🇭🇯🇵

Some days, it feels like the universe is just having a bit of fun at your expense—especially when cars are involved. Lately, I seem to be riding a streak of bad luck when it comes to anything with four wheels and an engine. Today was no exception.

Hiromi, my mother-in-law, Chappie (our excitable little beagle), and I had plans to check out the newly opened Gifu-Jo Rakuichi, a vibrant commercial center nestled at the base of Mount Kinka in Gifu Park. It’s more than just a shopping area—the name itself carries cultural and historical weight. “Gifu-Jo” refers to Gifu Castle, the stronghold of Oda Nobunaga during Japan’s Sengoku period, and “Rakuichi” means “free market,” a term rooted in Nobunaga’s revolutionary economic reforms. He once abolished monopolies and opened up castle towns to free commerce, encouraging trade, growth, and innovation. So, in a way, Gifu-Jo Rakuichi is a modern-day echo of that same spirit—open, bustling, and rooted in local culture.

It was the kind of outing I usually drive for—Hiromi doesn’t drive, and my mother-in-law prefers the back seat where she can keep Chappie calm without needing to focus on the road.

But visiting a brand-new spot like Gifu-Jo Rakuichi on a weekend? You can imagine the parking situation. We circled, competed, and finally squeezed into a spot. With the car locked and the rush of relief settling in, we made our way into the buzz of eateries and shops. The place was alive with the energy of opening weekend, full of curious locals and fellow explorers.

To give my mother-in-law a break and let her explore in peace, I took Chappie for a stroll through the park. He met a few new canine friends, did his business responsibly (as is the standard here in Japan—dog poo left behind is unthinkable), and we enjoyed a bit of fresh air together.

But the moment we returned to the car, my heart sank.

No car key.

I patted every pocket, checked every crevice. Nothing. My mother-in-law’s car key had vanished somewhere between the park, the shops, and the little side streets of Gifu Park. Panic kicked in. We retraced our steps—twice—asked at the restaurant we had dined in, even scoured the pavement. But it was gone.

With no way to unlock the car and no backup key on us, we had no choice but to take a taxi home. One more twist—would the taxi accept Chappie?

Turns out, our fears were unfounded. A friendly taxi driver outside a nearby Family Mart told us dogs aren’t banned from taxis in general. Some drivers may refuse rides due to allergies or personal preferences, but there are no blanket rules. Chappie hopped in, and we rode home—all tired, me frustrated, but grateful for small kindnesses and flexible drivers.

Tomorrow, we’ll return with the spare key to retrieve the car. And since we’ll be back at Gifu Park anyway, Hiromi suggested we make the most of it and hike up Mount Kinka to Gifu Castle. It’s been a while since we last made that climb, and the idea of turning this frustrating situation into a mini-adventure actually sounds… refreshing.

Sure, I’m still annoyed at myself for losing the key—but maybe, just maybe, some detours lead to better views.