Why here...?

I should probably visit this place once a month same as Mt. Miwa. Could be good for my training to climb Mt. Fuji this summer.

"Why here again?"

Just don't know the reason, but this is one of my most favorite places that I keep coming back. I just can’t believe that my first visit was almost 35 years ago as an excursion in my elementary school. I was maybe in 4th or 5th grade something...

From Hankyu Okamoto station to Hokura Shrine, I normally take an easy short cut path going up steps. However I felt that I would like to take a slope path this morning which is winding up the valley of Mt. Hokura.

This is really a heart-breaking slope, and I was already running out of breath when I got to the Shrine gate. As if the God was saying, "Don't take an easy path all the time.

I found a host of Daffodil (Narcissus) along the path, and took photos running out of breath.

I instantly recalled that maybe 2 weeks ago, I had a very strange experience at work. I was patrolling outside as a night security duty. Once I went outside, I notice a very strong flagrance of flower. And I looked around, and found a host of Daffodil. I didn't know that this flower has such strong flagrance. I just said to them, "Thank you!".

Next morning, while standing at the front desk, I noticed the same flagrance coming from somewhere near the front desk, but no Daffodils around. I just thought that a lady staying at our facility is wearing the perfume of the Daffodil flagrance, and just didn't notice that she passed by the front desk.

Later I was doing a morning patrol duty at the accommodation building. and I suddenly notice the same flagrance on 6th floor. And the strong flagrance was lingering around the room 644. Just weird because no one was staying on 6th floor at that time. I just couldn't get it. Very strange experience.

The Daffodils that I found today didn't have any strong flagrance anyway... 

As usual, I made a prayer at the main shrine, and asked the God for the safety of my trekking. On the way, it was bit muddy and icy., and I tried to step forward carefully.

Some withered trees were covered with icy snows. Very wondrous and beautiful. I just wondered if I keep walking up to the top, the scenery must be much more different, and I could see more winter scenery.

However my goal is Kazefukiiwa at the point of 413m as usual.
  

To tell the truth, I wanted to see the Sunrise at Kazefukiiwa, but I just couldn't wake up to get there in time, but I could see almost the same phenomenon of Unkai there. Very lucky! Normally, Unkai can be seen from the higher point, and it is made from clouds covering the lower area. Since Kazefukiiwa is at 413m, and not high enough to be over the clouds, what I saw was Unkai made from mist covering the Hanshin area! Very beautiful!

I appreciated to the God immediately that I had a chance to see this beautiful scenery.

I brought a small cup of Japanese Sake, and I offered it to the God here, and received it as hand-me-down.

Though it was a tough trekking a bit more than the usual, but I felt satisfied. I better keep practicing it this way for Mt. Fuji.

Masami