Living the Slow Life

Continuing my journey in Asia, I was heading towards the Japanese Alps after a few days spent in Tokyo. I was going to spend a month in Okubo , a small village far from my landmarks of the city dweller that I have become.

I wanted to step out of my comfort zone. This was really going to be the case, and far beyond what I could have imagined.

Of course, the environment was different, but the most important change was the change of pace.

Life in the Japanese Alps is slow. And even more so in my circumstances. I didn't have a car and the only way to get to the nearest town was on foot or by bus, the last one leaving at eight in the morning.

I was quickly immersed in the Slow Life.

In an environment without modern means of transport at my disposal, everything took much longer. This left more space for introspection. In some ways, it reminded me of the stories my grandmother told when she walked to the next village.

During the first days of my stay, I felt frustrated at not being able to move as usual. Then I stopped worrying and adapted willingly or unwillingly to nature and the climate.

My immersion in the natural environment made me realize that as a city dweller, I have lost true connection with nature. I no longer live at its pace, with the so-called progress preventing me from depending too much on it.

To be honest, I was so confused that it took me some time to realise what kind of life I lived there. I needed distance to process it.

Slow Life was an interesting experience but fortunately short-lived. I admit, I would have a hard time living in such conditions in the long term. I like and need to be stimulated, and the place was not stimulating enough for me.

I ended up taking the early bus many times. I was exploring this mountainous region and discovering the famous forest baths. All these very inspiring places, reminded me of the landscapes depicted in Ukiyo-e, these Japanese prints that I really like.