Category: Place

You’re gonna make it after all!*

Went on a Target run, or rather a walk, to the downtown store. En route, I passed Mary Tyler Moore/Mary Richards eternally throwing her tam in the air in front of the Dayton’s building, oblivious to the traces of yesterday’s snow on her head and shoulders. Back in the 1980s, her thirty-year-old character had moved to Minneapolis and was making a fresh start, as had I. (*Line from the show’s theme song.)

Life in a cold climate

Waiting for friends at a light rail station, I pushed a timer button to run this ceiling-mounted infrared heater. I used to view these as wasteful, but given this cold snap, I’ve come to appreciate anything that takes the chill off my bones.

From Gold to Cold

The season’s first winter storm hit overnight, leaving three inches of snow. The hard wind brought windchill temperatures into the teens. Took this photo at Gold Medal Park, then back home I retreated under my blankie and asked AI to turn the G into a C.

Great Buddha of Kamakura (1252)

Hiked the hills above the town of Kamakura. Descended into a busy town (today is a public holiday) where we checked out this bronze attraction, the Great Buddha of Kamakura (Daibutsu), cast in 1252. This Buddha resides in the pure land of perfect bliss, presumably unfazed by the constant flood of Instagram posts by earthly influencers.

“Cycle Around Japan”* Toyama Bay Edition

​Rented bicycles and cycled along Toyama Bay on the Sea of Japan, enjoying views of the snow-covered Japan Alps. Stopped at a picnic table in the grounds of this shrine for a picnic lunch. *NHK (Japan’s public broadcaster) series we enjoy.

Our local haunt in Kanazawa

After a day of sightseeing, we returned to this Izakaya from last night. With just 14 seats, we were the only tourists among a bar full of friendly, local characters. Sumo wrestling played on the television, while the walls displayed sumo-themed photos and memorabilia. At one point the barman held up his phone so we could all sing Happy Birthday to an absent customer.

A day exploring Japanese design and architecture

We put together a day of exploring Japanese design and architecture. We traveled by bullet train from Kobe to Himeji (15 minutes) to wander through Himeji Castle’s grounds and Nishinomara Gardens. Back in Kobe, we visited the Takenaka Carpentry Tools Museum, which showcases Japan’s excellence in wooden structures. Finally, at the Hyogo Prefectural Museum of Art, a building by Tadao Ando, we saw a special exhibition: “Living Modernity: Experiments in Housing 1920s-1970s.”

Where the city ends

To break up our journey, we’re making an overnight stop in Kobe. Just behind the bullet train station we rode a ropeway up the Rokko Mountain chain, which abruptly halts the city’s sprawl.