I've heard that ...; rumour has it that ...; it appears as if ...
to appear; to come in sight; to become visible; to be expressed (e.g. emotions); to become apparent (e.g. trends, effects)
habit; (social) custom; practice; convention
like-mindedness; (being of the) same mind; shared sentiment; comrade; fellow; kindred soul
to stagnate; to settle (at the bottom); to deposit; to become sluggish; to become dull; to be delayed
retreat; withdrawal; retirement
cruel; merciless; atrocious; pitiful; tragic; horrible
to make a fresh start; to turn over a new leaf; to call again; to visit again; to come again
obvious; clear; plain; evident; apparent; explicit
vague; faint; dim; indistinct; hazy; blurry
great (quantity, amount, etc.); huge; enormous; serious
influence; clout; leverage
therefore; consequently; accordingly; for that reason
to be crowded; to be packed; to be complex; to go into; to put into; to do intently
spirit; soul; drive; vigor; vigour
along the way; along the road
one's habitual practice; usual measure; old trick
asleep (in bed); sick in bed
ascent; climbing; ascending (path); upbound (esp. toward Tokyo)
thin; slender; fine; unlucky
all present; all concerned; all of us
base (military, expedition, etc.)
to act violently; to rage; to struggle; to be riotous
encouragement; spurring (on); cheering (on)
to speak to; to give a (something) talk to; to speak words of (something)
naming; nominating; designating; calling on; asking for; requesting
racing (of an engine); spinning one's wheels; running idle; fruitless effort; going nowhere; going round in circles
elucidation; explication; explaining; unravelling; clarification; understanding
labyrinth; maze; mystery; dungeon
passage; pathway; roadway; avenue; aisle
innumerable; countless; numberless
junction; crossroads; division point; parting of ways
fort; stronghold; fortification
birth; birthplace; born in (country, month, imperial era, zodiac year, etc.)
narrow; confined; small; limited; narrow-minded; confining
ups and downs; up-and-down
branch road; forked road; branch; crossroads (of a course of events); turning point; parting of the ways
paving (a road); surfacing (with asphalt, concrete, etc.); pavement