"Muikamachi" a Muikamachi Travel Page by KevinMichael

Muikamachi can be accessed via local trains from the Shinkansen stop in Uzawa.
For the most part, there isn't much going on here in Muikamachi. In the winter, Muikamachi is attractive for its ski resorts and in the summer the weather is pleasant but, a bit humid. The young people here clearly have a desire to get out because for most it can be boring.

On the other hand, Muikamachi is actually beautiful in terms of the surrounding mountains. For some, they may find it relaxing as I did. The weather changes quickly and the clouds move over these mountains and feel so close to the ground as Muikamachi is high in the mountains.

The winters here may be rather harsh, where snow levels are sure to be several meters and I've heard that this city has one of the highest rates of suicide in Japan (this having something to do with the excessively long winters and feelings of isolation). For a writer, this could be an ideal place to live. The town basically shuts down at around 8PM with only 2 bars nearby. Not much is going on. For an some adventure enthusiasts, it wouldn't be pleasant. If it were me however, I'm sure I'd be more than content in the serenity of it all that is Muikamachi and I'd just go off hiking in all those wonderful mountains nearby. Life to me is what you make it. We shouldn't have to depend on others to make it happen. But, then that is the difference between spectators and those that actually do things.

This shot was taken as the clouds were rolling by.

Getting out and walking around. There isn't a whole lot to see. But, for me I didn't mind. I could appreciate the little gardens that people had here and there. During the summer, some had large pumpkins growing in their front yards. A dog barked in the distance. Nearby were two small video stores where I'm sure they are visited frequently by a restive populace.

For most shopping in Muikamachi must seem limited. There aren't many places to spend your money. They do have an arcade. But, at 100 yen a pop... it's not the best way to pass the hours. Being here can make someone actually think of the movie "The Hours." Time really goes slow here. Life is waiting to happen. It feels the restrictions of life and what people will do or are going to do depends on waiting for others whom you'd most likely just share the same utter dissatisfaction of what is life in Muikamachi. On the other hand, that's if your tendency is to be negative. That isn't what I'd do. But, knowing and having seen that so many tend to be negative and think from such a perspective, I think that they'd find this town to be morose. From my perspective, this town should be painted. There is life here, though slow as a snails pace, it still grows and thrives. There is worse. There is much worse. Perspective is necessary to really appreciate life both at its finest and to realize that this place would be far better than many others in the world. But, alas so many people 'try to keep up with the Jones's' to the point that they suffer in their own sullen states. The life they choose to live is chosen through the mindset of their perspective. Life which could be good isn't because they have chosen to view it that way. But, how much better it is here than elsewhere where others have less to be thankful for. Why so much ranting on this? Because the point is, with all the suicides that have gone on here, I find little to relate to in regards to those who view the world negatively. Where ignominy lies is in the actions and inactions of those who have such a negative world view and lack appreciation for the gifts of life that surround them. What greater sin is there than a lack of appreciation for what quality be it ever so little or otherwise that one is given in life. So many have suffered so much more than the life of those who live and have lived in Muikamachi. Others will view this post and think, "Oh, my God! Is it that bad there?" And my answer is simply, "No. It's not". Muikamachi in it's own right has great beauty. Others could simply have done the same thing had they come to any given National Parks in the states and failed to see the beauty that was there but is there. What would have happened if no one ever marveled at the sight of the Great Sequoias near Yosemite? Muikamachi in its own way has its own grandeur. For me I appreciate Muikamachi. I loved it. It is beautiful. Too bad that so many others, seemingly lacking in appreciation of the qualities that it has, overlook its beauty.