There is something about those “Y” shaped street corners.  You will understand what I mean if you look at this. The bright street corner is an italian restaurant.  Once I was walking around the neighborhood after my French school, found this place, and I couldn’t resist looking into the door.  The place was full.I was so sure this place to be a French restaurant, because this neighborhood is sort of like a French quarter in Tokyo, and also because of this cafe in Paris: Au Soleil de la Buttehttp://nyctaloop.free.fr/index.html (an amazing photo site) Looks familiar?  This cafe was where Xavier in the film “Spanish Apartment” met his old girlfriend (portrayed by Audrey Tatou), and the only thing I remember about this movie.  According to…

Some photos from my last trip to my mother’s hometown. I wanted to stay there longer…much, much longer. Spring was a perfect time of the year to walk around the houses, out of the village, into the mountain. The wildness of weeds, vines, tall grasses, branches – intoxicating. I need a better lens. More narratives and photos to come, perhaps in the next few days.

Glass art workshop / store After I left Mashu lake area, I took a local train down to Kushiro on the coast, then took a long distance express train to Otaru.  My initial plan was to spend 3 hours in Kushiro, but I did not get off there.  I just could not see the asphalt and concrete ugly city after spending 3 magical days in the most beautiful place.I am glad that I took the train during the day, instead of after getting dark.  The view from the train was fantastic, though a little monochromatic.  The train passes through the coast, the mountains, and the cities. Ishikari Plain, after the snow and rain, shining in the sun One of the historic bank buildings in…

My second stop was actually the next station from the Swan Lake – Mashu.  It’s a famous lake area in the east of Hokkaido, but the place I stayed was in the middle of nowhere, far from the lakes.  There is this English-style manor house/hotel. My close friend recommended this place to me, and I scheduled my trip around staying here for a few nights.  It’s a bit pricey if you stay on your own, but considering the place I am staying in Otaru, the quality of the food and services, this manor totally worth every yen I paid. The day of arrival was snowy. It snowed through late in the evening.  I was very lucky, because until 3 hours prior to my arrival,…