The next night I arrive at a Minshuku in Nakahechichō Chikatsuyu. There are a few other guests, but as soon as I’m showered and I sit in the main room at six o’clock expecting dinner I’m the only one there. Just while I’m sitting there and eat from a served bento box, another Japanese man sits down next to me and starts eating.

He starts a conversation with the host, who is sitting down as well and I notice that they talk about me. During the past days I learned the Japanese word for German: “doiz”. Soon the one man faces me, asks politely in very bad English about my origin and invites me to drink with him.

At first, I thank him and refuse since I had a lot of alcohol already the last night when I met the small group of Canadians. But I notice that it would be very inpolite to refuse again after the man asks me to drink with him and the host once more. 

His English improves with more beer and sake.

He introduces himself as a teacher and that it’s his 20th time to walk the pilgrimage since he lives in a town nearby. He is friend to the host who starts playing guitar now and sings beautiful Japanese songs. It’s a very entertaining night and I cannot understand that the other guests are missing that. 

Tomorrow I will finish the Kumano Kodo.