Our van slowly crept forward, Tokyo traffic was living up to its reputation. With the passing of each sign noting the distance to Nagano, my hope of arriving in time for dinner faded. When the driver signaled that we were going to take a break for a quick dinner, I was eager and ready for the tempura udon noodles I knew would be available at the rest stop. While it was not going to be anywhere near the quality and experience I would have had at the ryokin, given my hunger, it would do.
The call waiting for me when I got back for me confirmed the wisdom of my choice.
“We are sorry that you have been delayed. We do have a room waiting for you however the kitchen will be closed by the time you arrive.”
“No problem, I just had a bite. Thank-you for giving me a head’s up.”
Japanese inns are notorious for their strict check in/out and mealtime rules. It was extremely courteous to have even mentioned what I already knew to be a fact. The warmth of the soup, noodles, and wonderful tempura took the edge off my natural disappointment.
The traffic delays ensured an arrival hours past normal. As I dreaded dealing with the reservation problem I knew was waiting for me, I found myself pushing emotions into a box in the corner. There were no meal options. I was totally at their mercy. I tried to focus on the innkeeper’s voice talking to me while I filled out the visitor’s card. Abruptly, my funk was interrupted.
“The reservation problem is totally ours. We will find a solution! For now, we anticipated that you would be hungry. We have prepared a bento box. We have judge finished cooking rice, so it should be in your room by the time you get there.”
I walked in, stunned. It was as if I was a deity and experiencing one of David’s psalms, “Spread for me a banquet of praise, serve High God a feast of kept promises,” (Psalm 50.14)
