A Late Start, for the Right Reason

I am writing today’s blog post later than usual. Not because I forgot or lost discipline, but because the morning unfolded differently. Sometimes life happens first, and the words have to wait. Today was one of those days, and I wouldn’t change it.

Today my wife, my mother-in-law, and her beagle Chappie ventured out on a hike to Mount Nangu. On New Year’s Day, we had already hiked up Mount Kinka together with my wife’s sisters, their husbands, and a child. Today’s walk marked our second hike of 2026.

We have taken the hiking course to the summit of Mount Nangu before. For me, this was probably my third or fourth visit. Because it is New Year’s week in Japan, we also stopped by Nangu Shrine to offer our New Year prayers.

We arrived early enough that there was no line at the shrine. It was quiet, unhurried, and calm. By the time we returned from the hike, the atmosphere had completely changed. The shrine grounds were packed, and long lines had formed. We were grateful to have been early birds that day.

At the summit, I tried to fly the drone. I did get it up in the air, but it was not a very scenic flight. Snow clouds had rolled in and completely blocked the view. On a clear day, you can see as far as Nagoya City and Gifu City from up there. Today, there was nothing to see but shifting white and grey.

Still, the hike counted. The walk counted. The quiet moments counted. Even the drone flight counted, despite the lack of visuals. Not every experience needs to deliver a postcard view. Sometimes, simply showing up is enough.