Day 4 of Running the Length of Japan – Nakagawa to Teshiogawaonsen (43.71 km)

Day 4 of Running the Length of Japan – Nakagawa to Teshiogawaonsen (43.71 km)

We set off a little late because Joy had to cycle to a pharmacy to pick up some painkillers for me. My knee was a little more swollen than I’d like to have started the day with, but at least we were able to start, even if was a slow first few kilometres.

We stopped around 7.5 km in, next to a river for breakfast, before continuing on to have lunch at around the 22 km mark. It had only taken us 3 hours to get that far, and we managed to keep the pace well to get to our destination before dark. It wasn’t the longest day we’d do, but it was another marathon ticked off the list.

One of our funnier moments of the trip so far: we picked up some bananas from the shop, but Joy chose the wrong ones, or at least the wrong ones according to the woman behind the counter. Joy had chosen ones that were definitely ready to eat now, because, well, we wanted to eat bananas now. The woman behind the counter spent a few moments explaining something to us in Japanese, before going away and getting much fresher bananas. So we’re not having bananas tonight, we have to wait a few days first.

Another first for us, tonight we camped behind our first onsen. Joy was a little unsure about trying an onsen, and I wasn’t sure if I’d be allowed in because I have tattoos, but in the end both of us got to enjoy some lovely hot baths and a really good soak. It’s nice to feel clean and warm before bed. A nice campsite next to an onsen every night would really be perfect.