Two men in their 70s do Tai Chi at the park. Wearing matching sleeveless bomber jackets, warm jumpers and khaki cargo pants – their bicycles discarded by a nearby tree. As if lead by a conductor, they move effortlessly and gracefully in sync. I imagine a...
It’s a sharp, cold morning down at the bay, 5 degrees and dark clouds hang low on the horizon, giving a ghostly feel to the pre-dawn. I’m pleased to see one of the sun worshippers back – we’d all been worried about him and it turns out he had indeed been in a...
The train is fast and efficient. This is the bullet train (Shinkansen), they built the first one back in 1964 and have continued to develop it over the years, the pride of the island. Leg room for days and seats that can spin around if you want to face the person...
The guy seated next to me on the train has two phones. One he’s using to read manga, the other he’s flicking through a video game. Headphones in his ears, mask on – he’s in his own world behind the glass screens. A young girl opposite has fallen asleep with her...
We sat on a bench at the platform and waited for the train. Upon noticing the free wifi, Taiga said: “I should’ve brought my iPad”, and part of me died a little. Puffing my cheeks and letting out a big sigh, I looked up and down the platform and saw every...