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Never Underestimate the Space You Have
I decided to start packing earlier than usual, because I was not really looking forward to it. I arrived in Japan with a full suitcase, and now after buying a lot of things… I knew it was going to be a challenge to repack. I started, but soon ended up sitting on my bed with…
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To Beautiful Memories
I spent the last night in Tokyo walking around Asakusa and Ueno with a new friend. We started the night at a karaoke bar on Hoppy Street, walking distance from the Senso-ji temple and it was a lively area. Rows of izakaya lined the streets, each dimly lit. We chose one randomly, one that was…
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Remembering the Present in Akita
It was sad to leave my beautiful room in Akita yesterday night, only to find myself sleeping in a little wooden box in Tokyo the next night. It was to be a comfortable wooden box, nonetheless, and a good capsule hotel. But still. As I left behind the rice fields of the north for the…
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The Naked Relationship
Even as I approached Sendai, I began to decompress. The stress of Tokyo bid me farewell for a couple of days, as I squeezed into the train packed with commuters from Shin-Yurigoaka in suburban Kawasaki to Tokyo during peak hour traffic. As I sat and watched the world go by in the Shinkansen, just looking…
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The Clothes of Peace
After a lot of shopping yesterday, and organising last minute things for the rest of my travel… I’m finally leaving this apartment in Tokyo and heading north. It will be a quick trip, but a long one. Almost 5 hours in total before I get there, but I think it will be worth it. I…
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The Blurry Spaces
After dropping my friend off at the airport I passed the time walking the streets of Tokyo alone without any plan in mind. Back to wandering and digesting all that has happened during this busy week. Every day we seemed to see something new, we had different conversations and learned new things. But I think…
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Life can be Like Train Tracks
Yesterday was the last day for my friend in Tokyo, and we spent it heading into the centre of town to go shopping. Being in a big city for me has been a little overwhelming, and I’m already looking forward to going to my next destination which will be much quieter. However, it’s been a…
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Seeing Fuji With New Eyes
As I arrived in the Tokyo apartment almost a week ago now, the owner pointed out to me a painting just by the entrance. It was an original by him, a rendition of the Red Fuji painting which was apparently famous. I hadn’t really heard of it, but it felt familiar and I liked what…
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Honouring Daily Life from the Past
Yesterday we were lucky enough to be invited to the family home of a recent acquaintance. It is over 150 years old and traditionally built… a little oasis in the middle of a metropolis. Most importantly for me, it was a way to see through the eyes of another life. A life I’ve never lived,…
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Remembering the Power of the Sea in Yokohama
Yesterday I visited another port town, Yokohama. I had been there before, specifically Chinatown for dinner. I had not seen this city in the daylight, and it did not disappoint. We met one of my old friends there, who happened to also be in Tokyo at the same time. We took a cable car from…