Life Digest. April 2025.
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.
I am very lucky now living in a place offering unobstructed direct view of Mount Fuji. Every month of the year, every time of the day it is different. When visible…
Sakura was one of the main themes in Life Japan in April. Usual hype on media following the official government announcement at the end of March, people enjoying drinks and nature in the parks - all in all good, relaxed season before the heat reminds us about how capricious this very nature can be. I personally think it is interesting to observe any element of the nature. If you learn about moss, mushrooms or herbs, for example, then you start to admire them. Nevertheless, sakura, for sure… another bow to the nature.
Black kites. When visiting Kanagawa Prefecture in Japan (and not only Kanagawa) be careful of black kites. Evolution prompted them to target people munching on their outdoor snacks. My apple was taken from my hands twice this month, well, they dropped it having lost the grasp both times, so I washed and ate. Sometimes I feed kites by throwing dried anchovies in the air.
Kamakura. I used to frequent the area, but now it is full of tourists, so I only come to buy bread in Bread it Be. They make nice Lodeve bread, which I need to order beforehand. Most people after visiting the temples in Kamakura stroll along the main shopping street. Instead, I suggest Omachi Dori (prefectural road 311). Not crowded, some interesting shops. Kombucha place, for example, is one example offering comfy outdoor seating.
Climbing Mt. Takatori in Kanagawa Prefecture. It is a nice walk and an easy climb starting from Jimmuji station on Keikyu Line. If you struggle to find the start of the track, just Google the location of Jimmuji Temple and walk from there. David describes this walk very well here. In some areas the climb is a bit steep, so you need to use the installed chains for a couple of minutes, otherwise it is easy. I saw people with dogs and kids.
First looks scary, but it is not. Rock formations here are porous and soft attracting many rock climbing enthusiasts.
The view from Takatori observation deck. Yokosuka ahead. Rock climbers below. The softness of the rocks made it possible for a local sculptor to carve the image of Magaibutsu (Cliff Buddha) sometime around 1965. You can find this carving if you follow the sign towards Oppama station (追浜駅).
It is said to be the image of Maitreiya Boddhisatwa - the Buddha of the future.
TAIWAN.
Each country has its own burning topics at a given time. US is enjoying their new democratically elected president amidst a mouse- on-the-wheel cocktail of the Trumpnews. Korea having removed the previous head of state is now looking forward to June elections. In Taiwan where I spent a week in April the “hots” are different. Taiwanese, for example, worry how to make drone production less reliant on imports. Another popular topic is about transferring semiconductor technology to US. TSMC, the local manufacturer, is contemplating such project, and 80% people oppose the move ignoring the fact that TSMC is a private company. On a more important scale, the petrol stations in Taiwan started competition for the cleanest toilet (they ARE already clean), and now introducing a coffee service. The charismatic mayor of Kaohsiung is now offering a free stage to performers and provides incentives to hotels to bring more staying guests, and as a result the “concert economy” is booming. Kylie Minogue, Korean “idols”, etc. VERY smart!!! I was in Kaohsiung last year, liked it a lot having decided to explore the city more and longer in the future.
In April I explored a few new areas of Taipei. The highlight was a trip to Wulai (post later) to enjoy riverside hot springs (NOT the river view ones, but literally inside the river). I also walked along Xindian River and wrote a short post about that promenade.
When visiting a few different geographies in a row it is hard to avoid comparing. This year I spent nearly two months in HK, Korea and Taiwan cumulatively. More specifically HK, Seoul and Taipei. Seoul is always a winner for me, but there are nuances. I rate Taipei public transport manners as the highest out of the three. Also, Taipei MRT at 6 pm is still surprisingly comfortable and does not look crowded.
For sure, Seoul and HK are better for city walking (for me, largely because there are not so many motorbikes), but they have less “eat where you walk” options.
All three cities offer plenty of nature hiking within and around, but I prefer HK as I like walking on the coast more than in the mountains. Blue vs green. I am for the blue views mixed with green.
Taking food, Korea is a winner for me followed by HK, then Taiwan (mostly because I can’t fully understand all menus in Chinese probably). But Asia-wise after Korean food I would go for Malaysian/Singapore/Nonya cuisines.
Continuing comparisons, Taipei is also a winner for public toilets, even outdoing Seoul. It seems they are using Japanese system where you can find toilets in convenience stores, surpassing Japan here by placing a sign on the store if there is a washroom there at all (not all shops have them) or pointing at eating tables (in Taiwan convenience shops are often doubled as no-frill cafes with seating areas around), ATM etc. Each metro station in Taipei unlike in HK, has a toilet as well. Talking about public toilets, last week I was in Shinjuku area and spotted an establishment on a much higher grade. At first, I thought it was a small art gallery.
At the risk of repeating myself, I think that the state of public toilets in a given country is one of the best indicators of the level of civilization.
GOOD READS
The author is a big fan of Korea, like me. Not everything I agree with, but interesting angles here. “The unbearable lightness…”
I like reading young people. Do something with your life, says Jack. Good summary of essential life habits. Even I copied them below.
Time is the most important asset that we have. Period.
The present moment is all that really matters. We can prepare for the future and look back fondly on the past. That being said, living in the future causes anxiety, and living in the past can overwhelm you with nostalgia and regret. Live in the now.
We spend too much time repeatedly doing, doing, doing. Not enough time thinking, thinking, thinking.
Getting exercise and laughing with friends can cure 99% of problems.
“Our personal experiences make up maybe 0.00000001% of what’s happened in the world, but maybe 80% of how you think the world works.” - Morgan Housel
It’s hard to figure out what exactly you want, but it’s easy to figure out what you don’t want. Avoid the latter, and you’ll probably end up with the former.
We didn’t choose to be in this game (life). We didn’t make the rules of this game. But we have to play the game. Don’t play your game on autopilot. Be the protagonist.
Commercial part aside, this blog by Ryan Holiday made me curious about reading “Meditations” by Mark Aurelius. Have you read?
A nice snapshot of life in Japan. The Third Saturday.
Simon often finds unique characters with a rich history in Asia. Mark Kitto.
GOOD WATCH
The Place Beyond the Pines. A great, multi-dimensional movie. Finally, I found something worth watching!
GOOD BITES AND SWIGS.
For a simple and quick meal, especially when my fridge is empty, I like Renge Shokudo Toshu near Zushi-Hayama station. Dishes are around 700 yen, drinks are affordable too (Asahi on tap). In the evenings the place becomes a cozy refuge for often sullen and single working men drinking and eating through their routines with Queen or Bon Jovi playing in the background. I like their spicy pork red soup with daily portion of vegetables.
Veggies and meat. 450 yen. In April I was guilty. I did have a few beers after being almost completely dry for three months.
Craft beer bar Neighbours is near Kamakura station. Hazy IPA… Of course.
Craft beer bar Neighbours.
EXERCISE AND HEALTH
This circuit is good. 60 seconds work, 15 seconds rest is a bit unusual. And tough.
Getting warmer. Time to unpack my SUP and resume talking to the ocean. Face to face.
My SUPyak. Can be doubled as kayak. N.B.
I am writing this on my flight to Sydney, my second hometown where I lived for 20 years. Looking forward!
Enjoyed this post. I'm just back from a visit to HK and Japan, I'll try and write about it all some time.