Japan's Three Men

by Asena Gaffney Hintz (Australia)

Making a local connection Japan

Stepping off the plane I was instantly switched on. The trains were absolutely packed. As an 18 year old girl with a big backpack, this was one of my first challenges. Followed by, getting a train ticket then finding my station. I walked the same 100 meters at least 4 times and repeated the phrase: “Densha wa doko desuka?” 電車はどこ “where is the train?” to about fourteen different people that night. One way to overcome my fear of speaking Japanese since high school. On the 12th of December 2019 I arrived at Madarao Mountain. Here I met the other eleven Australians. From my work I could see the neighboring mountain Myoko. This was already my favorite view. It was at approximately 3:30pm that the golden colors of the sun would brighten, reflecting off the mountain making it look alive. Wannabe by The Spice Girls was played at least four times a day. That was until Marchi San (one of my Japanese co-workers) discovered the song You Can Do It by Ice Cube. Working at a Japanese Ski Rental Store the language barrier was a bit difficult. However, no matter what language or country you’re from music is something everyone connected with. At Shirakaba I worked alongside a boy from Bega New South Wales, and five other Japanese men. Although, it was the two eldest Japanese men that I created a connection with. The language barrier didn’t faze me as I was keen to learn. Miamoto San also known as “The Legend” has worked at Shirakaba for 7 years. The 60-year-old man has a heart of a child and the fitness levels of a 20 year old! Set up on his desk he would have mini toy cars which attracted all the kids. It was fascinating how the kids and him would interact. Coming from different cultures with neither speaking the same language. However, a bond was still created. When the shop was quiet, he would take this time to complete his exercises, repeating the word “stretching” with every movement, in preparation for the slopes. Before leaving Oscar gave him mini Australian animals toys. He displayed these on his desk (Aka the counter). I got him a picture frame in the shape of a star that when you shook it the glitter covered the picture. If you every needed anything fixed, built or updates on aliens Hirobi San was your man. Hirobi San is the carpenter at the hotel, but I think more of him. Our first interaction he greeted me with the “shakkas” hand signal, which he never failed to do whenever we interacted. One instance was when I walked to work, he’d toot the horn in his tractor to get my attention and proceed with a shakkas signal. From meeting Hirobi San we tasted many Japanese snacks. From Crunky Chocolate to Dried Octopus. But it was his strong belief in aliens that got me curious. The man would have tin foil hats and mini satellites set up in his workshop. His strong beliefs were fascinating to hear about and taught me to never give up on mine. As a snowboarder it was exciting to meet the original Madarao Snowboarder, Moorito San. I met the great man at Rudolf’s a Japanese Italian Restaurant on the mountain, whilst on a spontaneous night out with a friend. What looked like a plank of wood with two straps on the wall was indeed the original snowboard that Moorito San used back in the early 1980s. Now he spends his time as head chef cooking up some of Japans best delicacies with a great smile on his face. These men really showed that age is nothing but a number. They are proud of what they’ve done and are happy with what they’re doing. From meeting and connecting with these people have only fueled my passion for adventure and to continue to explore every corner of the world. These past three months have been incredible. From the people: Japanese, Australian, English or Spanish to the mountain and everything in between. It was the perfect place to build my travelling foundation. I am ready to keep exploring… Sun, Sea or Snow!