Palm Novel "Traveling Somewhere" Vol.3|Don't Rush for an Answer (Amakusa City, Kumamoto Prefecture)

2025.04.28

There are as many reasons and styles to travel as there are people. This may be especially true for solo travelers.
The palm novel City Reese, which depicts a cross-section of such a journey, is "Traveling Somewhere."
The main character this time is a 22-year-old woman who has just joined a cosmetics company as a new graduate. After joining the company, I felt overwhelmed by the pressure of the workplace. In a hurry, I will go on a solo trip to "Amakusa, Kumamoto Prefecture". (Photo: Ushifuka Haiya Bridge)

First month as a member of society.
I should have had my first payday.
Smiling on his face, only his heart was restless.

I joined a cosmetics manufacturer at the Tokyo head office as a new graduate and was just assigned.
Silent pressure on the floor.
When I make a mistake, he doesn't get angry with me clearly, and he teaches me how to do my job in a nonchalant manner.
However, I felt overwhelmed every day by the atmosphere that took perfection for granted.

22 years old. After graduating from university at MARCH, I jumped into the industry I had always dreamed of.
But before I knew it, every time morning came, my heart began to shrink.

"I wonder if I can keep going like this."
With such anxiety in mind, she suddenly headed to Amakusa.
The use of the starting salary became travel expenses.

From Haneda Airport to Aso Kumamoto Airport.
Rent a car at the airport and head to Amakusa and Honto.

If I drove slowly, it took about 3 hours.
If I were out of Tokyo, I wouldn't want to drive three hours.

But when you come to a rural area, your sense of distance changes a little.
Secondary traffic can be inconvenient, but long driving is strangely not a problem.
This time, the blue sea along the road spent most of our time together.

Amakusa City is located on the archipelago, with the main islands being the upper and lower islands.
Hondo is a city in the center of Amakusa City in the Shimoshima area.
Shimojima is dotted with a number of churches.

After having lunch near Hondo Port,
While driving around the island in a rental car, I visited a church that I had booked in advance.

The purpose of the Amakusa trip was the church of Amakusa.
I'm not a Christian, but I just wanted to be in a sacred space.

Chalk church, a sign of silent prayer.
There is no bustle like a tourist spot, and time is flowing as if it were gently mixed in with someone's daily life.

I am in a place that transcends competition and evaluation.
At that feeling, my heart melted a little.

Sit on a bench by the sea, in a corner of the port city.
The scent of the tide, the white waves, the shadow of an island floating in the distance.

Here, no one rushes.
No one rushes to become something.

What I had in my hand was Amakusa's famous ponkan juice.
"Wow."
The slightly sweet and slightly sour taste is gentle on me now.

Next time, I'll buy it online.
I tried to give myself such a small promise of the future.

"No, you don't have to give me an answer right now, do you?"
It was just a small experience that made me think so.

Involuntarily, I called my mom.
"That's right."
On the other end of the receiver, the mother's unchanging voice.

That alone made my heart even lighter.

I'm looking forward to visiting the church tomorrow.
After that, I'll call my mom again.
This may be the strongest travel experience.

Ten years later—

I am currently in charge of the area general manager of a cosmetics manufacturer.
The days of flying around on business trips to rural areas are dizzyingly busy.

The senior, who used to be the strictest when he was a new graduate, has now been promoted to a director.
As their right-hand man, I am in a position to nurture my juniors.

When I think about it, that spring.
That moment in Amakusa made me think, "No, I don't have to give you an answer right now."

The quiet conviction that sprouted at that time,
It has led me to where I am now.

Churches of Amakusa

Amakusa is dotted with many churches that stand quietly.
In this area, which tells the history of hidden Christians, you can find chalk churches, chapels by the sea, and other scenery that is close to island life.
It is still a place for local believers to pray, and it is not a tourist facility, but a sacred space rooted in daily life.

When touring the church, quiet consideration and advance booking are required.
Some facilities, such as the Catholic Sakitsu Church, which is a constituent property of the World Heritage Site "Hidden Christian-related Heritage in Nagasaki and the Amakusa Region", are required to visit in advance and observe good manners.