Just yesterday, I went to a grown-up field trip to Kamakura.
This week, my daughter is away on her school trip.
Her elementary school trip was canceled due to COVID, so this is the first time she’s actually getting to go. The weather forecast looks good, so I really hope she’s having a great time.
Meanwhile, I’m fully enjoying my temporary “free life”!
Since I happen to have some days off work too, I’ve got a few precious days completely to myself.
So yesterday, I went on a “grown-up field trip to Kamakura” with some mom friends.
We met up at 10:00 AM, hopped on the train, and headed to Kita-Kamakura Station.
From there, we hiked through the woods toward Zeniarai Benzaiten Shrine.
It seems like most people go from Kamakura Station, so our route was almost completely empty.
Walking through the forest, listening to birds chirping—especially the warblers—
Looking at flowers and berries, feeling the refreshing breeze,
Bathing in negative ions… it was just perfectly peaceful.
I hadn’t heard a warbler sing in so long—it was so soothing.
After washing some coins and offering our prayers at the shrine,
we strolled toward Kamakura Station.
We found an Italian restaurant near the station that didn’t have a line—lucky us!
We refueled with pasta and salad featuring fresh Kamakura veggies.
Then we were off again—this time to Yuigahama Beach, laughing like high schoolers as we walked.
Since it’s not quite summer yet, the beach wasn’t crowded.
We saw a few beach houses being set up, and the scene was just so peaceful—
the vast sky, the wide-open sea, the horizon…
I hadn’t seen any of it in a long time. It felt so good.
I even lay down on the sand, arms and legs out like a starfish, soaking up the sun like I was doing photosynthesis!
Lying there on the earth, taking a deep breath… I realized:
Life in the city had been making me feel stifled.
We humans need time in nature.
Lately, I’ve felt like I’ve been constantly chasing after something—
a bit on edge, like I’m always in a rush.
And now May is already ending.
Time is flying, and sometimes it’s hard to keep up.
I guess I’ve been “out of breath” in more ways than one.
In nature, time feels like it flows more gently.
It helps you relax—really relax.
We dipped our toes in the ocean, looked for seashells,
lay on the sand, and just enjoyed ourselves.
After that, we went to a local farmers’ market to buy Kamakura vegetables.
We got there just before closing, but the sellers gave us extra leafy greens as a bonus. Can’t wait to eat them!
Then we bought Hato Sabure cookies as souvenirs, strolled down Komachi Street,
and had the matcha soft serve we were all dying to try.
It was delicious—we devoured it in no time!
Even though it was a weekday, Komachi Street was packed!
It had changed a lot since I was last there—so many different shops. I learned a lot just from walking around.
Finally, we rested our tired feet at a sweets café,
enjoying some brown sugar agar jelly with ginger and shiratama.
Then we headed back and finished our day with dinner at a monjayaki place.
“Wait, haven’t we been eating all day?” we laughed as we grilled monja and okonomiyaki together.
And with that, our fun little adult getaway came to an end.
It’s been a while since I’ve been able to spend a whole day out,
not worrying about the house, not checking my phone constantly.
I’m so grateful to have good friends who can enjoy that kind of time with me.
To have people I can make memories with like that—so thankful.
And even though it was a local trip, getting out into nature and recharging was truly the best part.
You know, “refreshing” yourself is actually pretty hard.
It’s easy to relax—but truly refreshing your mind and soul? That takes something different.
And the difference between those two is bigger than you’d think.
When you’re tired, relaxing is great.
But sometimes, what you really need is a true refresh.
I’ve got sore muscles from all the walking,
but honestly, it feels like the good kind of tired.
That’s the kind of day I had—and I just wanted to share it with you.
『I’m a Single Mom, But I’m Pretty Happy』
This is my book—please take a look: https://amzn.asia/d/6jnAcyY
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