As many of you know by now, there is nothing I like on my days away from teaching more than to head in to the tranquil mountains of Japan to explore and find solace!

On Friday we decided to work in the morning (I have students preparing for exams at the moment who would like my help) and head straight out to a local Nara prefecture mountain which has been on our list for a while.

Mt.Takatori is a beautiful little mountain with some ancient castle ruins at the top!

When we arrived at the train station, a local asked us where we were going and seemed a bit surprised that we had arrived so late! 

Secondly we walked to the foot of the mountain to find signs telling hikers to wear 'sleeves and long trousers' due to the dangerous snakes, and also not to wear black because of the suzumibachi (asian hornets!). We were both wearing short sleeves, and I was wearing shorts and Ashley wearing a skirt......and I'm sure you can guess what colour we were wearing! Haha.....

It was too late to turn back, but we promised to keep a keen eye for snakes and dangerous hornets!

Before long we noticed a small snake, which we were pleased to see as it served as a reminder that we needed to keep our wits about us. We saw groups of hikers coming down the mountain who not only had long trousers and sleeved tops, but also hats, gloves and brightly coloured clothing! I think they were surprised to see our choice of attire for the day :-)

We made it to the top and enjoyed our ritual 'yaki-imo' (baked sweet potato) together whilst admiring the view.

It is times like this when no one is around except for the two of us, and the vast forest and wildlife that I feel recharged. It only dawned on my recently when a student shared an article with me about 'The evolving definition of being an introvert' that I realised how much I have changed! I always used to be such an extrovert. My own company was never enough. 

But nowadays all I need is a few hours of free time, my own thoughts, and a quiet mountain to explore. I will be in paradise. If I get the chance to run the mountain - even better!

On the way down the mountain Ashley pointed out another snake. This time much bigger!!! Fortunately upon noticing us it slithered away in to the bushes.

Once again this was another wonderfully peaceful day, spent with just my best friend in the world, and the wonderful nature that Japan has to offer.

We have just arrived in Hokkaido for 8 days of teaching, and I am looking forward to the temporary change of scenery, but I always love to come back to Nara! Although we haven't been here long, this place already feels like HOME.

Yesterday I met up with a Japanese friend who was born and raised in Kansai. I took him up Mt.Wakakusa, through Kasuga primeval forest, to a local waterfall, and then showed him a tranquil spot by the river that no one ever sits in other than myself. He laughed at how the foreigner was showing him all of these wonderful spots that he has never seen before and we had a joke about how I feel the same way in London with the tourist attractions. In truth, I just love nature and exploring, and I feel that Nara fulfills my innate desire to experience this in depth. 

Whether it is to chill out on my own and find peace, away from tourists and locals, Nara has trails that you can walk in for hours without seeing a single other person.
Or perhaps I want to experience nature in a more vigorous way by running up and down a mountain.
Even on the rare occassions that we want a louder night, there is a local isakaya in the centre of Nara which has a vegan menu! Nara really does have it all.
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'Look in to nature deeply and you will understand everything better' - Albert Einstein

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I am a highly experienced professional English teacher, Yoga Instructor, Tai Chi teacher, Nutrition Consultant and Personal Trainer from London, UK. I recently left London to work and travel around Japan on a Working Holiday Visa with my best friend and longtime girlfriend Ashley (who is also a teacher on Cafetalk : https://cafetalk.com/tutors/profile/?id=54542&lang=en ). We love sharing adventures travelling, teaching, exploring and understanding new cultures. We hope to speak with you soon!

If you would like to follow my travels on instagram, and see where we are in the world you can do so here:

 

Feel free to send me a message if you have any questions, or if you would like to schedule a lesson at a time in which my schedule is not open. I will always do my best to accomodate every student.

David