We are going to meet S-kun's couple at the ticket gate of JR Takasaki Station
at 2:00 p.m. He will drive us to Ikaho Spa from there. We have only to
follow our daughter's information on the stations and trains until then.
I check my traveling bag again and again to pass the too much time, while
Emiko seems busy with one thing and another due to the New Year's Day.
It is really a warm day. We leave home a little earlier than the daughter's
message.
Though in a casual style without scarf or gloves, I am particular about
a hat today too. I now wear a shabby-looking hat. I bought this favorite
at Dubrovnik, Croatia, ten years ago during the trip around Central Europe,
shown in the picture.
We got on the train at Maihama Station on the Keiyo Line a little over
11:00 a.m. At Tokyo Station took the super express of one train before
on Hokuriku Shinkansen, and so arrived at Takasaki Station at 1:30 p.m.
Thanks to Emiko's cell phone on the way, the couple were waiting for us
at the meeting place.
Gorgeous signs, curtains and posters of the "Takasaki Daruma"
are shown on the station premises crowded with so many people. Unexpected
event! Truly new to me! I did not know even the name.
"Takasaki Daruma" is said to be traditional craftworks of 200-year
history as "Luck Daruma".
The special fair is held every New Year's Day and the second day along
the main street in front of Takasaki Station as a pedestrian zone.
S-kun's mother with weak legs is waiting in a car at the parking lot of
the station building.
Feeling guilty, we walk along the busy street for a while following the
couple.
I bought the smallest "Daruma", considering little space of the shelf at home.
It naturally does not have eyes yet. What should I wish upon it? Not to
be decluttered, to lessen weight, ......, what about a trip abroad after
a long interval?
What fortune would I receive this year? One eye might remain white at the
yearend due to ambitious wish. If so, I may admit it because I like an
impossible dream, too. Life is full of ups and downs, anyway.
Heading for Ikaho Spa
"Mother, thanks a lot for your long waiting!"
We head straight for Ikaho Spa via expressway. After 1 hour the sign "Welcome
to Ikaho!" appeared on the roadside.
Ikaho Spa is in Shibukawa City. I don't forget about this town. Here is
the steel-forging plant of Daido Steel, another branch of which I used
to work with. Just before being stationed in New York at the age of 40,
I had special job training at this plant for a few days. The then plant
manager was Mr. K, once my boss. Telling me "Long time no see! Do
your best!", he gave me his special training with drinking every night.
- - - - - -
We have got to the Ishidan-gai (Stone-Step Street), famous in Ikaho Spa.
Our hotel seems to be nearby.
S-kun probably intended to show its view to us, but stores blocked it.
Saying "Shall we visit this spot tomorrow on the way back", he
drove us to the hotel.
Hot Spring Hotel "Tsukagoshiya Shichibee"
We arrived at the hotel in a couple of minutes.
Tsukagoshiya Shichibee, what an interesting hotel name. It was established
in 1864 at the end of the Edo period. Since then it was rebuilt in a modern
style, retaining its old days.
We are led to the 6th floor. Two rooms each for S-kun's family and us.
The room is spacious like for a guest of honor.
I go to a bath room right away. The large bath room "Hototogisu (little
cuckoo) Hot Spring" is slightly back on the 2nd floor.
I soak myself in the indoor bath "Koganenoyu" (Golden Hot Spring), thinking to take the open-air bath tomorrow morning. The gold-colored hot spring comes directly from the nearby hill. The water is gold-colored hot spring, rare even here in Ikaho. It gave me a breath of the New Year.
The dinner began at 6:30 at the private room on the 2nd floor. I really
enjoyed a drink with S-kun.
The dinner was full of happy dishes for the New Year's Day.
What a waste! I had to leave nearly half of it, just when the owner hostess
appeared for greeting. She shared her time talking with us.
Actually S-kun has known her. She used to be a co-worker of his late friend.
We heard this and that about her beforehand.
I read a certain pamphlet and watched several web sites after returning
home and, to my surprise, was deeply touched by her life full of ups and
downs.
I am going to refer to this matter in the last chapter.
The New Year's rice cake pounding event is planned in the large hall from
9:30 tomorrow morning.
I went to bed immediately after getting back to the room, looking forward
to the event.
