EST. 2013

LINDA’S ARTWORLD

A collection of Linda’s artworks, designs, humanitarian projects and publications where light, space, and mathematical precision intersect.

Day 56: Shirasuka to Nagoya

Written by

Linda

in

Date
2022-12-06, Tuesday
Distance
97.86 km biked (3236.46 km in total)
Shirasuka to Nagoya — photograph 1 of 8 Shirasuka to Nagoya — photograph 2 of 8 Shirasuka to Nagoya — photograph 3 of 8
Shirasuka to Nagoya — photograph 4 of 8 Shirasuka to Nagoya — photograph 5 of 8 Shirasuka to Nagoya — video 6 of 8
Shirasuka to Nagoya — photograph 7 of 8 Shirasuka to Nagoya — photograph 8 of 8

Shiomizaka Roadside Station is technically located on a national highway where bikes are not allowed, but thankfully there are agricultural pathways that provide alternate access. Soon after our arrival, we were able to find a rain shelter to claim as our base.

Takeshima Island wasn’t far from there. We rode along the coastline, and soon a little island connected to the mainland by a graceful white arched bridge came into view. The spot was popular — a stream of people crossed the bridge from the seaside park to visit the shrine. What makes this place extra interesting is the deity enshrined here: Benzaiten, goddess of fortune, music, and wisdom.

Shirasuka to Nagoya — photograph 1 of 8 Shirasuka to Nagoya — photograph 2 of 8 Shirasuka to Nagoya — photograph 3 of 8
Shirasuka to Nagoya — photograph 4 of 8 Shirasuka to Nagoya — photograph 5 of 8 Shirasuka to Nagoya — photograph 6 of 8
Shirasuka to Nagoya — photograph 7 of 8 Shirasuka to Nagoya — photograph 8 of 8

The trail leading up to the shrine was lined with stone markers engraved with donors’ names and their contributions: 100 yen for a small stone, 1,000 yen for a medium one, and even a whopping one million yen for a massive one! It was like watching wealth stacked up along the path from the foot of the hill to the very top. Truly, Benzaiten’s shrine was built on literal mountains of fortune.

By evening, we rolled into Nagoya and met up with our Warm Showers hosts: Tappei and his wife. Both of them have been avid cyclists since their university days, where their shared passion for biking first brought them together. Their little yet cozy dwelling was a haven for cycle enthusiasts, with several bikes of different kinds neatly mounted on the wall and tucked into corners. Tappei, who had touring experience in the United States, resonated with my stories of spontaneous encounters on the road. When I asked if local strangers had approached him during his travels in the West, he smiled and said, 'All the time.' Our hosts were incredibly kind and generous — offering their space and time without expecting anything in return. A beautiful reminder of the cycling community’s spirit of trust and openness.

Shirasuka to Nagoya — photograph 1 of 8 Shirasuka to Nagoya — photograph 2 of 8 Shirasuka to Nagoya — photograph 3 of 8
Shirasuka to Nagoya — photograph 4 of 8 Shirasuka to Nagoya — photograph 5 of 8 Shirasuka to Nagoya — photograph 6 of 8 Shirasuka to Nagoya — photograph 7 of 8 Shirasuka to Nagoya — photograph 8 of 8

At night, I met up with Juri, a Japanese conversation buddy whom I had connected with through my university language course and who is currently living in the suburb of Nagoya. We started the night with dinner at a cozy local restaurant, where we chatted over warm dishes in a mix of English and Japanese. Juri, who studied international relations with a focus on the refugee crisis in Myanmar, shared her thoughts on the issue and her future life projects. When I mentioned that I had connected with Mina and Kosei in Tokyo, her eyes widened with envy — she too missed them! It was one of those nights where language learning met real-life connection — simple, lively, and unforgettable.

Afterward, we wandered through downtown Nagoya, which has a vibe similar to other major cities — bustling, fast-paced, and festive with twinkling Christmas lights in the air. Before saying goodbye, we promised to meet again, whether in Japan or Canada. Around us, the city felt both exhilarating and intimate — a mix of holiday cheer, bustling storefronts, and the quiet magic of a cross-cultural friendship.

The full take — 28 more photographs from this day
Shirasuka to Nagoya — photograph 1 of 28 Shirasuka to Nagoya — photograph 2 of 28 Shirasuka to Nagoya — photograph 3 of 28 Shirasuka to Nagoya — photograph 4 of 28 Shirasuka to Nagoya — video 5 of 28 Shirasuka to Nagoya — video 6 of 28 Shirasuka to Nagoya — photograph 7 of 28 Shirasuka to Nagoya — photograph 8 of 28 Shirasuka to Nagoya — photograph 9 of 28 Shirasuka to Nagoya — photograph 10 of 28 Shirasuka to Nagoya — photograph 11 of 28 Shirasuka to Nagoya — photograph 12 of 28 Shirasuka to Nagoya — photograph 13 of 28 Shirasuka to Nagoya — photograph 14 of 28 Shirasuka to Nagoya — photograph 15 of 28 Shirasuka to Nagoya — photograph 16 of 28 Shirasuka to Nagoya — photograph 17 of 28 Shirasuka to Nagoya — photograph 18 of 28 Shirasuka to Nagoya — photograph 19 of 28 Shirasuka to Nagoya — photograph 20 of 28 Shirasuka to Nagoya — photograph 21 of 28 Shirasuka to Nagoya — photograph 22 of 28 Shirasuka to Nagoya — photograph 23 of 28 Shirasuka to Nagoya — photograph 24 of 28 Shirasuka to Nagoya — photograph 25 of 28 Shirasuka to Nagoya — photograph 26 of 28 Shirasuka to Nagoya — photograph 27 of 28 Shirasuka to Nagoya — photograph 28 of 28
Ride replay on Relive

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