A belated self-guilty attempt to start journalling of my life whilst trying to avoid genre specific egotism and making it a practical guide for the readers.
JAPAN. LIFE.
Somehow this month I ended up visiting many places in Japan for both, work and pleasure. Sharing some.
Last roof top Ferris wheel.
Roof top garden in Kamata Tokyu Plaza building is the only rooftop playground in Tokyo which has Ferris wheel left. Built in 1968 and defended for its existence by the locals when the trend started to get rid of the Wheels, it is now kind of a rarity. It is not tall but offers nice views for 300 JPY which I gladly paid to support “the rotation”. The garden also features an open-air seating area, small playground and a stage. Nice place to come for a lunch break, bring kids or just to read a book. Weekdays recommended.
About 10 minutes’ walk from the Garden is Vietnamese Hung’s Kitchen. Hung tried his luck in New York before settling in Tokyo. His bahn mi is great!
Both, Tokyu Plaza Kamata and Hung’s Kitchen, are located near west exit of Kamata JR station.
Ikegami Line and sakura
Kamata is also starting point of Ikegami line which connects Gotanda and Kamata (totally 15 stations).Among interesting stations are Senzoku-ike (here is one nice park to stroll around the pond), Nagahara - quiet sleeping suburb, Togoshi-Ginza - large shotengai (shopping mall).
Yuko took me to view sakura blossoms near Ikegami Honmon Temple.
Nearby is Nomikawa River flowing between Tokyo Bay and Midorigaoka (another nice homey suburb). I will try to walk along Nomikawa one day.
Togoshi-Ginza.
This uncovered shopping street in Shinagawa Ward is about 1.3 km long. Mostly chain shops, but not always.
Sakura at Hinodecho, Ookagawa River.
The nature is celebrating its own wonders in color. People join and thus declare themselves the part of the nature in this celebration.
Tennozu Isle in spring.
This suburb in Tokyo Shinagawa Ward is one of my favorite playgrounds. Nice promenades along the canals, outdoor gym and a few small parks nearby.
Just Cafe in the area combines pub, art gallery and actual cafe. Seats outside available.
Tokyo Dog Show.
Held every April at Tokyo Big Sight. I like big dogs, but due to frequent travel not in position to befriend one. Brushed… tails with a few at the expo.
Short trip to Osaka
If I am to choose between Tokyo (9.7 mln. population) and Osaka (2.7 mln.), where to live, I would choose Osaka. It does not seem as crowded as Tokyo, any destination feels closer, prices are cheaper, people can be abrupt but in general friendly. I was here for a few days in April and besides work have managed to do a short walk along the north bank of Yodo River. It is probably better for cyclists and dedicated runners. But was surprised at the orchestra of different birds showing off their talents.
When you are in Osaka it is worth visiting Nakazakicho area. Low rise, hipster, arty neighborhood.
And if it is raining Tenjinbashisuji Shotengai, a 2.7 km long covered arcade, is a good place to browse local shops and restaurants.
Definitely you need to have okonomiyaki when in Osaka. Choose Osaka style (all ingredients mixed) vs Hiroshima (all layered).
Ago Bay, Mie Prefecture.
I went hiking to Mie prefecture closer to Ago Bay. Probably the only prefecture I have not been yet. Gorgeous place full of flowers, small islands (I visited one with population of about 170 people) and a calming charm. Highlight of the month. I made notes for the future post.
GOOD READS
Another good piece by David. I prefer to work on my episodical memory rather than the semantic one.
‘Only I can do what I can do the way I can do’. I’m reading The Choice by Edith Eger. Now 97, she is a renowned psychologist and a survivor of Aushwitz.
"People can help you in many ways throughout life, but there are two things nobody can give you: curiosity and drive. They must be self-supplied.
If you are not interested and curious, all the information in the world can be at your fingertips, but it will be relatively useless. If you are not motivated and driven, whatever connections or opportunities are available to you will be rendered inert.
Now, you won't feel curious and driven about every area of life, and that's fine. But it really pays to find something that lights you up. This is one of the primary quests of life: to find the thing that ignites your curiosity and drive.” From James Clear again. Easily applicable to young and those who think life is over after retirement.
Another piece from James Clear blog. Totally agree, and probably would add that you start getting old when you stop being curious.
Writer and designer Edith Wharton, the first woman to win the Pulitzer Prize, on what causes old age:
"The producer of old age is habit: the deathly process of doing the same thing in the same way at the same hour day after day, first from carelessness, then from inclination, at last from cowardice or inertia.
Habit is necessary; but it is the habit of having careless habits, of turning a trail into a rut, that must be incessantly fought against if one is to remain alive... "
Source: A Backward Glance (lightly edited for clarity)
GOOD WATCH
Labour Day. A touching story.
Japanese judicial system is appalling, but losing touch with reality can be dangerous. The Curious Case of Carlos Ghosn.
The Bomb and the Cold War. Starting from onset of communism, Lenin, Stalin and going through the current war in Ukraine, all the parts of this captivating documentary saga are shadowed by the theme of nuclear war threat. Truly enjoyable historical trip in time which cuts your brain from the idle mode .
GOOD BITES. JAPAN.
Chinese with Korean flavour. Owners of Korean background spent 20 years in Brazil catering to local Japanese community before coming to Japan. Delicious to the extent of taking a note to come again. Near Hinodecho station. Binami(美波)
PUB
The pub is not a pub for me if it does not offer outdoor seating.
Antenna America has a few shops around Japan. I like rooftop venue at AA Kannai not far from Kannai station, Kanagawa Prefecture. You can buy take away or enjoy your beers on veranda. On tap, bottles and cans are on offer.
There are a few other craft beer places nearby. I prefer this because of the seating, a little hide away feeling (not easy to find) and choices they offer. Food menu is scarce though.
Togoshi Ginza cafe. Meat & Deli.
Combination of a butcher shop, veggie kiosk and cafe. You can choose your steak cut or a sausage to be prepared for you and enjoy it outside.
EXERCISE
1/ A new circuit from Penny for those with knee problems (limited squats and no jumps). Still was hard enough with compound approach targeting different muscles in one exercise. Here!
2/ Motivational spin by Ryan Holiday tarred by the promo at the end. But agree. Many good ideas or problem solutions do surface while walking or swimming or sweating otherwise.