Category: LOVE Shinjuku

The Longer Days

The days are getting longer.
I can actually see the remnants of a sunset
when I get off work on time.
Which has been sadly rare in the last month.
We’ve hit our busy season.
And it sucks that I’m missing all the sunsets. 
But on the other hand
work is busy but very satisfying.
Love pushing forward with the team.
Love the rush of working with an impossible schedule.
As spring is upon us
I’ve started to wake up earlier.
I walk to work most mornings basking in the sunlight.
Taking in the signs of spring.
Signs of new life.
And I don’t mind so much that my days are longer.
I’m ready to move.
To make things happen.

The Some No Komichi

Some No Komichi is an event that showcases the culture of dyeing goods,
which was one of Shinjuku’s largest industries in the Showa period.
And this weekend was a gorgeous day to go see
the lovely kimono cloth being displayed in the “river gallery.”

The station had a huge sign welcoming everyone.

A lot of the shops around Nakai Station had
a special entrance curtain we call Noren,
which were also made with colorfully dyed cloth.

Also another part of this event that I love
is seeing people walking around wearing a kimono.

It kind of takes you back in time for a minute.
(until you notice the iPhone they have in their hand…haha)

I love this little neighborhood
and how this event brings people together.
I talked to so many people while taking pictures.
And you know we don’t talk to strangers easily these days.
But it’s like there was a sense of community in that
we were all there to see the same pretty view of the river.
And that was nice.
Even if you’ll never see them again.
You’ll remember you had a nice chat with someone
by the river at the Some No Komichi event.
And that’s what I love.

The Almost Spring Day

Oh I love that I can feel spring just around the corner!
How do I know, you ask?
Because the pretty plum blossoms
have started blooming in my neighbor’s yard.
We call plums Ume in Japanese.
And plum blossoms blooming in Japan
is a sign that spring is coming!
梅一輪一輪ほどの暖かさ
(Ume Ichirin Ichirin Hodo No Atatakasa)
(haiku about how every plum blossom brings the warmth closer)

– Hattori Ransetsu (1654-1707)

The Ramen at Furaikyo

Sometimes I get ramen cravings.
So I decided I’d have ramen for lunch today.
But sometimes meetings and sudden meetings
and then even more meetings get in the way of lunch.
And I ended up having to wait until 4pm.
But oh the ramen was GOOD!
I love their shio (salt-based soup) ramen.
There’s so much goodness in that yummy soup.
Also love that their noodles
are on the firm side.
It was worth the wait and I left happy as a clam 😀
Furaikyo
7-19-18 Nishi Shinjuku
Shinjuku-ku Tokyo
03-3368-3223
Open Everyday
Hours: 11am-11pm
(closes when their soup runs out)

The Snow in Tokyo

The first fall of snow is not only an event,
it is a magical event.

You go to bed in one kind of a world and
wake up in another quite different,

and if this is not enchantment then where is it to be found?

– J. B. Priestley
There’s something about snow that I absolutely love.
The white blanket.
The brisk air.
The quiet.
I still get excited over it.
So please please stay awhile.