Renovation Exiles and Kept Promises
My journey heading west from Tokyo officially kicked off today. I had a few reasons for packing up and heading to Western Japan. First, my family home is currently undergoing some room renovations, leaving me without a place to stay. But the much bigger reason is that I wanted to keep my promises. Over my past travels, I’ve told so many people, "Let's meet again someday," and many of those wonderful friends happen to live in Western Japan. I am determined to honor as many of those promises as I can.
Into Sengoku History: A Stop in Shinshiro
I started the trip by hopping on a highway bus from Busta Shinjuku, setting my sights on Osaka. It was a solid eight to nine-hour ride. Along the way, I made a stop in Shinshiro City, Aichi Prefecture.
For anyone who geeks out over the Sengoku (Warring States) period, this place is an absolute must-visit. It's the famous site of the Battle of Nagashino. The area is dotted with historic ruins surrounded by lush nature, including the legendary "horse-preventing fences" (babosaku) used to stop cavalry charges, and the grounds famous for the three-stage matchlock firing tactics.
Leaving Tokyo and stepping into the deep, natural beauty of these rural towns really made me appreciate the charm of the Japanese countryside. Even the local service area leaned into the history, displaying matchlock guns and proudly showcasing Shinshiro's unique heritage. Just standing there soaking it all in was a blast.
Reconnecting in Sakai, Osaka
Eventually, I made it to Osaka and headed straight for Sakai City.
I was there to meet someone who has been incredibly kind and supportive to me over the years. We originally crossed paths down in Kumamoto, but this marks our fourth time hanging out. Every time I roll into Osaka, he always goes out of his way to look after me and make me feel at home.
We spent the evening sharing a great meal he prepared, throwing back a few drinks, and talking endlessly. At one point, we got deep into a conversation about baseball star Shohei Ohtani and the secrets behind his massive success. Since my background is strictly in soccer, I don't know the first thing about baseball, but I thoroughly enjoyed just sitting back and listening to him speak with such passion. Traveling across Western Japan and being welcomed with such warmth constantly reminds me of how incredibly lucky I am. Nights like this are exactly why I travel.
