general merchant; Jack of all trades
rumour; rumor; report; hearsay; gossip; common talk
to compare; to make a comparison; to compete; to vie
to stay at (e.g. hotel); to be docked; to be berthed; to be moored
(approximate) time; around; suitable time (or condition); time of year; season
ryokan; traditional inn; Japanese-style lodging, usu. professionally-run
railway station; train station; staging post on a highway (in pre-modern Japan); counter for railway stations and bus stations
to row; to scull; to pedal (e.g. bicycle); to swing (on a swing); to operate a hand pump; to push through (deep snow, the jungle, etc.)
to give shelter to; to lodge; to put up; to accommodate
period; epoch; the times; those days; oldness; ancientness
establishment; creation; posing (a problem); options setting; preference settings; configuration
to succeed (a person, to a position, etc.); to inherit; to patch (clothes); to mend; to add (e.g. charcoal to the fire); to replenish with
once; before; formerly; never yet; never before; first time
the way it was; the way it used be; as of old; in former times
happy; glad; pleased; joyful; delightful; gratifying
board; plank; sheet (of metal); plate (of glass); cutting board; chopping board
wonderful; splendid; magnificent
to cross (legs or arms); to link (arms); to put together; to construct; to braid; to plait; to grapple
unintentionally; unconsciously; by mistake; heedlessly; against one's better judgement (judgment)
both hands; both arms; ten
store; shop; establishment; restaurant
self-centeredness; selfishness; egotism; egocentricity
porcelain bowl; donburi; bowl of meat, fish, etc. served over rice
older sister; elder sister; young lady; miss; ma'am; older girl
to be erected; to be built
rural area; countryside; the sticks; hometown
to be palatable; to suit one's taste
soft; tender; gentle; mild; informal; light
to tell; to inform; to announce; to indicate; to signal; to mark
first meeting; first interview with
(for something) to have occurred; to have done (something); (for something) to happen on occasion
(practical) experience; personal experience; hands-on experience; first-hand experience
as it is bound to (happen); following the natural course; though possible as it may be
air; atmosphere; mood; situation; someone with no presence; someone who doesn't stand out at all