今日、ゲストハウス「わたうさぎ」に、とても興味深い青年が宿泊しました。
大学院2年生。24歳かな？
爽やかな笑顔が印象的で、旅慣れた雰囲気を漂わせていました。
He arrived by bicycle and said,
“I came here from Tokyo—it took me ten days by bike.”
Though he showed no sign of fatigue from the long journey, he kindly answered my casual chatter—a truly fine young man. ✨
When I asked, “How far are you going by bicycle???”
the reply I got was completely unexpected.
“I’m tracing the path that Matsuo Basho once traveled.”
The reason for tracing The Narrow Road to the Deep North by bicycle
I never expected to hear the name “Basho” come from the mouth of a 24-year-old young man, so I couldn’t help but ask again.
Bashō… did you just say…?
As if to say, “You mean *that* Bashō, right?” I asked again— and yes, it really was *that* Bashō. 😆
He had spent ten days cycling along Matsuo Bashō’s *The Narrow Road to the Deep North*, retracing the journey Bashō once walked, and had just arrived at Watausagi.
He said it was simply because it’s his last summer vacation as a student, so he decided to travel.
But why The Narrow Road to the Deep North?
Of course, I was all curiosity. 🌸
At Guesthouse Watausagi, we welcome many guests from both Japan and abroad, and among them are plenty of unique and interesting people.
But this was the very first time the phrase “The Narrow Road to the Deep North” had ever come up in conversation. 🌈
Why The Narrow Road to the Deep North?
It turns out he had his own story behind that choice.
The starting point was a blog by *Kazuyuki Hirata*.
👉 The Narrow Road to the Deep North Journey (by Kazuyuki Hirata)
Mr. Hirata, after retiring, retraced Matsuo Bashō’s journey on foot along the old roads.
He carefully linked his records with the original Narrow Road to the Deep North text and the accompanying travel diaries, leaving behind a meticulously detailed blog.
The young man said that reading the blog moved him to want to “trace the old roads” himself.
But since he’s still a student, for him it wasn’t on foot—it was by bicycle.
A well-planned journey to cycle through *The Narrow Road to the Deep North*
The final destination of his journey this time is Gifu.
He intends to cycle all the way to the very place where Matsuo Bashō reached the end of The Narrow Road to the Deep North.
However, instead of rushing through it all at once, he planned to divide the journey into two parts—front and back—and savor it at a steady pace.
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First half: From Tokyo to Kisakata in Akita Prefecture
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Then he’ll return to Tokyo for a while.
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Second half: He’ll resume in September, aiming for Gifu.
By dividing the trip into two stages, he can continue the journey without overexerting himself. I was impressed by how carefully thought out the process was—almost like drafting a research plan.
The perspective of a young man studying civil engineering
He told me that he’s majoring in civil engineering in graduate school.
He even shared a bit of technical talk, though I must admit some of it was difficult for me to fully grasp.
What came through most strongly was his deep interest in the “fusion of old townscapes and culture.”
Roads are places where people pass, developed and reshaped with each era, always evolving alongside daily life.
From that perspective, the highways and post towns that Bashō once walked are also closely tied to the history of civil engineering and urban planning.
I suddenly recalled the word *“Fueki Ryūkō”* (the unchanging and the ever-changing) that Bashō once spoke of.
The unchanging (fueki) and the ever-changing (ryūkō).
I felt that this spirit naturally connects with both his research theme and his style of travel.
That realization struck me as truly fascinating.
I, too, felt the urge to trace *The Narrow Road to the Deep North*.
As I listened to his story, I found myself wanting to trace *The Narrow Road to the Deep North* as well.
Of course, in my case, it would be by car (lol).
Still, to retrace the path Bashō once walked with one’s own steps must be the ultimate journey—one that lets you feel the history and culture of each land firsthand.
Living in Tsuruoka, I was once again reminded that this city is an important stop along The Narrow Road to the Deep North.
Travel is about new doors opening through encounters with people.
Today’s experience was proof of that very truth.
Wishing him safety on his journey—especially from bears
He said he’ll be leaving tomorrow at 6 a.m. for Kisakata in Akita Prefecture.
But recently, there have been frequent bear sightings around Tsuruoka—especially in the early morning hours, when encounters are more likely.
The young man, too, seemed to be very alert to the bear reports.
I couldn’t help but say, “Be careful—early mornings are when bears are most active.”
For travelers, nature is their greatest ally, yet at times it can also pose the greatest risks.
I truly hope he makes it safely to Kisakata tomorrow, and that he’ll be able to enjoy the continuation of his journey again in September.
summary
Matsuo Bashō’s The Narrow Road to the Deep North*is more than just classical literature.
Even across centuries, it holds a mysterious power that inspires young people to take on challenges and sets them in motion on their own journeys.
Through this young man’s bicycle journey, I was reminded once again:
the true origin of travel lies in the simple desire to *see*, *learn*, and *feel*.
That spirit is shared alike by the haiku master of the Edo period, the graduate student of Reiwa, and myself who met him here in Tsuruoka.
Who would have thought that meeting a single traveler passing through Tsuruoka could move my heart so deeply?
Surely, this too is the true joy of travel.
It was an experience that made me think, *“Encounters really are a wonderful thing.”*
That’s all for today’s post.
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