A Symphony of Motion and Moments
Daily Miles: 29.03 Total Miles: 9,757.77
The day began quietly, my familiar morning rhythm guiding me once again — coffee, prepare, and out by 7ish. I expected the morning in Osaka to be buzzing with energy and traffic, but to my surprise, the roads I took were calm and spacious, almost serene. The city’s infrastructure amazed me — the way people move so effortlessly from A to B, using so many forms of transport, all flowing together with quiet precision.
Crossing the Yodo River and several others, I was gifted with spectacular views — blue skies stretching endlessly, a faint rainbow in the distance, birds shifting in synchronized formations, planes cutting across the horizon, herons poised in still water, doves resting on streetlights, and joggers and cyclists gliding along the riverbanks. It felt like a symphony of movement, each part of life flowing in its own rhythm.
From the first mile, I felt incredible — light, strong, and deeply content. Around mile six, I met an elderly man walking with a bent posture. He seemed to be doing his usual round. I slowed down, and although he spoke Japanese and I English, we shared a lovely minute of conversation. Words weren’t necessary — our souls understood. These are the moments that make me smile the most, the kind that remind me why I love being out here.
Later, I stopped at a convenience store where Jony, the clerk, started chatting with me in English. His friendliness and drive to create opportunities for himself touched me. Thank you, Jony — you made my day brighter.
The miles continued to flow, river after river, sight after sight. I could have stopped often, but my legs wanted to keep going. My body feels like it’s recovering from the rhythm of Australia — the varied terrain and new scenery seem to bring a freshness to my stride.
At mile 13, I stopped for groceries — always an adventure in Japan! Shopping feels like solving a puzzle where I don’t know what the pieces are. Sometimes I peek at what others pick up from the shelves to get ideas. I exaggerate, of course — I do recognize some things — but improvising with food is half the fun. I even found cheese fondue once, though sadly not suitable for running days. Tonight’s dinner: prepared vegetables as a salad, barley rice, beans, mushroom sauce, bread, and maybe some camembert. For dessert — a giant apple (where do they grow them that big?), yogurt, and nuts.
As I ran on, small things kept me smiling — a poodle with the fluffiest haircut I’ve ever seen, shoppers carrying armfuls of bags, leaves dancing in the wind, and clever bits of street art. It was all so alive and entertaining.
Arriving in Kobe, I had to cross a huge overpass — a maze of roads, highways, and pedestrian bridges stacked together like a 3D puzzle. Standing on top, I admired the complexity and wondered who first sketched such a network on paper. I ate a rice snack there in the sun, content and grateful.
The final stretch took me along the waterfront beside train tracks. The sunlight shimmered on the water, people fished from the piers, and autumn trees painted the parks in warm tones. My hotel sat high on a hill — one last climb to finish the day.
From my hotel, I could see the Akashi-Kaikyo Bridge, once the longest suspension bridge in the world and still an awe-inspiring sight. My room came with a little surprise — when I opened the bathroom door, the toilet lid lifted automatically, light glowing softly. Japan’s devotion to thoughtful design never ceases to amaze me.
As I sat down to dinner, I felt deeply satisfied — for the run, for the kindnesses, for the laughter, and for this chance to see Japan step by step. Looking at the map, I can hardly believe how far I’ve come.
Thank you for being here, for sharing this journey with me.
See you tomorrow, Andrea