If you thought Oliver recovered after leaving the luxury hotel… you overestimate his emotional resilience.

Our next stop was Shirakawa-Go, the stunning UNESCO village with thatched-roof houses.

Most travelers gasp with admiration.

Oliver gasped too.

Just… a different kind of gasp.

The moment we arrived, he looked around and declared (with his eyes):

“Where are the velvet carpets?!”

There were no marble floors.

No gold elevators.

No mood lighting.

No chocolate on pillows.

Just mountains, fresh air, and houses older than Oliver’s imagination.

He froze.

Literally and emotionally.

In the photos he looks like a tiny bear who just discovered he’s been downgraded from 5-star luxury to a “rustic life lesson.”

He sat stiffly in my hand, refusing to look at the camera — as if he expected someone to appear and say:

“Sorry sir, clerical error! Your suite is waiting!”

But something magical happened.

He saw another bear statue.

A very important one — plump, proud, ceramic, and spiritually enlightened.

Oliver positioned himself right next to it, hoping for emotional support or maybe a mentorship opportunity.

Then came the snow-dusted rooftops…

Then the mountains…

Then the quiet…

And slowly, very slowly, the denial softened.

He didn’t smile — let’s not exaggerate — but his growl faded into a contemplative hum.

He was still grumpy.

But now he was grumpy in a scenic location.

👉 Next: Part 3 — where Oliver reaches enlightenment in Kanazawa with maple trees and pastries.