Love letter to Japan 2023

Pockets of buildings

Tall buildings at the edge, small streets inside. Workers walk in at noon and keep the little shops alive. Emergent Tokyo frames chōme districts Each neighborhood association with distinct character.

Two tracks

Between two tracks, elders kneel and pick grass. On the other side, industrial cars. Population and economy shift. Akiya older homes who have left.

Into the shrine

My taxi driver and I, and Google Translate, the only ones climbing to Torii while the cars came down. at 16:59.

Tenzan Onsen

Freezing air on the country walkway. Europeans speaking Japanese, an American who stayed after his master’s, seven years on, still full of life for Japan.

Family time

A boy in glasses and a polo shirt, clever, kind and bright. A shy mother, an outgoing father. He seems joyful and taken care of at least from the surface.

Energy in Japan

The visit to Institute for Sustainable Energy Policies She discusses the waste sites. Community initiatives are huge. Floating wind offshore. But since 2011, energy security can feel like a dystopia. Expensive for most Japanese. The value is in engagement and trust Social licensing that move the community rather than hardware or technology alone.

Craft

The taisho at the corner street of the neighborhood has been creating sushi for the past decade Perfecting every roll and movement Generations of his family member, including his son has now adopted a love for the tradition.

Masked workers on a train ride

I am catching my way back to the hotel. Workers moving into the train Many looking down on their phone, under eye bag, silent with only a line sound.

The temple glow

I am not much of a runner But exploring the city at depth Through running has been a great way Combining fitness and exploration. You say we should run to the temple. We stare at one another Faced across each other Inside the red lantern temple at 10:30 pm.