Zōkyō

Then we walked over to Sannomiya Station area and just strolled around, taking photos, and getting a feel for the town. We stumbled upon the Akasen district, and walked upon and down the main street a couple of times, dipping down into the back alleys just to see what was there; the same as usual: little member’s only bars, cabaret clubs, love hotels, late night noodle shops, and so on. On our way there, we had asked a few hotels if there was any room in the inn and we’re getting a little discouraged after three or four no’s. The iPhone “around me” app was surprisingly hugely helpful. With it we easily navigated from one hotel to the other, even love hotels, and not to mention bars, attractions and so on. I was amazed about how much info it had on Kobe, Japan of all places. So finally we settled in on a place, took a nice onsen, bought a can of beer from the vending machine, and formulated our plan for the next day.

Then we took a stroll down to Kobe Port.

Yasuko and I went on three trips recently, the first to Bali, the second to Kobe, and the third to Hokkaido. We had a great time in each place and it was good to get out of Tokyo for a while. As my Bali project is not finished yet, I’ll start with Kobe, which began with a 3 day weekend and Yasuko saying to me, “Lets go down to the Shikansen station with a backpack, some sneakers and film, and a map…no plan otherwise,” which is what we did. When we got to the station, we considered Chugoku, specifically Tottori where I am still dying to go, Kyushu, and Tohoku but finally ended up going to Kobe, followed by Hemeji, and then stopped at Isejingu in Mie on the way home. I love that Yasuko loves to travel despite our ways of traveling being so different.

Anyway, I’ll tell more of the story as it moves along. This is near below Mount Rokkō and all the old consulate buildings, a really cool area of the city.

From Shimokitazawa Matsuri, 2009.

Living in Shimokita is great. Yasuko and I can just cruise on down to some restaurant we’ve never been to and enjoy a nice dinner together…

(BTW, Love these Ektar colors…lotta fun…)

Ladies and Gentlemen, Boys and Girls, Children of all ages…

Come one, Come all…

Behold the latest unseen fandangled enigmatic discoveries of the known universe, all under one tent. Bewildering oddities to seize your imaginations and mysteries of wonderment to steal your hearts. It truly must be seen to be believed.

Do not be fooled by the artistry of this creation. No doubt there was a unhinged passion in the uncovering of these peculiar phenomenons, yet their marvel is unto themselves, never to be seen until now, before your very eyes!

It is with great honor to WELCOME YOU TO THE BERZIRCUS!!!

Sunday morning
Brings the dawn in
It’s just a restless feeling by my side
Early dawning
Sunday morning
It’s just the wasted years so close behind
Watch out the world’s behind you
There’s always someone around you who will call
It’s nothing at all

Sunday morning
And I’m falling
I’ve got a feeling I don’t want to know
Early dawning
Sunday morning
It’s all the streets you crossed, not so long ago
Watch out the world’s behind you
There’s always someone around you who will call
It’s nothing at all


-L. Reed, J. Cale