Coat, hat and gloves on, I scoop up his school bag / randoseru (?????) by the leather shoulder straps and heave it onto his back. He pushes the door open to leave for school he turns to me, sighs and says: “Another long day at school for me.” It can be hard to get the...
I’m sat on the opposite side of the glass this morning, as the coffee shop’s closed for New Year’s Day. Japan closes down for the first 3 days of January; pretty much the only time of year you’ll witness such a universal shut down of business. Last night was busy!...
It’s Saturday night, and I’ve arranged to meet a friend from language school in a bar in Ebisu for a drink. Happy Hour at the Hub ends at 7pm, and he texts to say he’ll be late – there’s a body on the line. Trains are so rarely late here. They are sleek,...
I awoke and felt warm. I’d been dreaming of an ice bath, an underground maze of ice baths to be precise. I was taking part in a communal mediation/chanting and upon completion everyone dived into the ice water… but I wasn’t sure where it lead to. People weren’t...
As I pull out my chair to take my seat I glance out of the window and I’m greeted by a young girl of no more than 8 years old flying down the pedestrianised High Street; pink jacket with a rainbow of tassels and ribbons flowing in her own breeze as she kicks the...
