Yesterday, I went out with an interior construction contractor to my new place in Kanagawa Prefecture.
When I say interior construction contractor, it actually means I was driven by the son of a friend from my kindergarten days, who is my senior, all the way to Kanagawa.
There was a final meeting scheduled on-site, so we left early in the morning and didn’t return home until after 8 p.m.
We drove along the Odawara-Atsugi Road, Tomei Expressway, and Metropolitan Expressway. Through this, I realized something new.
Normally, I predominantly travel on the Joban Expressway, so I was freshly surprised by the significant elevation changes in Kanagawa's roads.
Unlike the flat agricultural areas of the Kanto Plain that I am used to, Kanagawa's roads have considerable elevation differences. So much so that when I look at a straight road, it appears distorted—very distorted. Also, the low mountains seemed incredibly close, which was another pleasant surprise.
From the Joban Expressway, one can see the majestic Mount Tsukuba in the distance. However, the mountains visible from the Odawara-Atsugi Road seem to be lower and much closer, as if gently inviting me to climb them when I have the chance.
It's fascinating how even within the Kanto region, the scenery can differ so much. There must be landscapes unknown to me all over Japan.
While I'm still healthy, I want to travel to various places, both abroad and in Japan, and try the local cuisine there.
It was a time when the differences in elevation expanded my imagination endlessly.