知人から東日本大震災被災地を再びめぐる住宅関係団体企画の情報提供があった。
　わたしは第２次世界大戦が終わって７年後にこの世に生を受けた。生粋の「戦後」世代ということになる。そしてここまでの人生で「戦争」という極限状況を幸いにして知らずに生きてきた。
　戦争や内乱・動乱というものは、個人や家・家族にとって決定的な外部要因として働く。いわば逃れようのない「運命」として人間に降り注いでくるものだろう。そのなかで生き延びる、生きるということを迫られることになる。いや、その流れの中で個としてのいのちそのものも潰えさる可能性のある状況。
　いずれにせよ、否応なく訪れてくる「さだめ」とも言えるのだろう。
　たしかに戦争という極限は体験しなかったけれど、2011年３月11日、札幌の会社事務所の自室で遠い遠雷のような地鳴りと揺らぎを体験していた。窓の外、南側に発光をも見ていた。
　わたしは北海道で地域住宅雑誌を創刊し住宅性能革新とそのいごこちデザインの掘り下げを志向してきていた。そのNEXT地域として大手企業との連携関係から東北へ進出し各地域のみなさんと「協働」意識ももって東北版に取り組んできていた。この3.11には翌々日に仙台に向かって出張の予定もあった。
　それまでの人生で想像することすら出来なかった天変地異が進行していた。
　とりあえず直近のアポイント先と連絡を取ろうとしたが、それもきわめて困難な状況。映像では巨大津波によって各地で甚大な被害の状況が刻一刻と報道されてきていた。・・・
　そこからようやく東北への移動が許可されることになって、はじめて開通したフェリー航路で室蘭から通常は八戸だったものが臨時的な上陸先としての青森へ移動し、青森県内の幾人かと面会した後、いつも利用していた東北道を南下した。ガソリンなども入手困難という情報で予備のタンクも載せていた。
　途次は地震被害で上下左右に道がくねっていて、制限速度で走行していても空中に投げ出されるような一瞬もあった。なにができるかもわからない中で、出来ることをしようと考え続けていた。
　各地のひとと無事を確認し合い、最後、福島県庁の方と話し合って、被災した人びとの住宅問題についての情報ツールという提起を受けて「東北の住まい再生」というボランティア情報誌を「できるかぎり早く」刊行させる活動に向かって行った。全国の企業先からの支援提供もいただくことが出来た。
　・・・人知が及び得ない決定的要因がこの世には存在する。やはり「戦争」だったと思えている。

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English version⬇

[15 Years Since the Great East Japan Earthquake: An Extreme, “War-Like” Experience in Life]
The earth shaking, the massive tsunami. Colossal forces far beyond the scope of any individual or home. War and natural disasters. How do we go on living after that…

　An acquaintance provided me with information about a housing-related organization’s plan to revisit the areas affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake.
I was born seven years after the end of World War II. That makes me a true “postwar” generation. And, fortunately, I have lived my life so far without ever experiencing the extreme conditions of “war.”
　War, civil strife, and turmoil act as decisive external factors for individuals, households, and families. They descend upon humanity as an inescapable “fate,” so to speak. In such circumstances, one is forced to survive and to live. No, it is a situation where one’s very existence as an individual could be crushed in the midst of that current.
In any case, it could be described as a “destiny” that comes whether one likes it or not.
　While I certainly never experienced the extreme conditions of war, on March 11, 2011, in my office at the company headquarters in Sapporo, I experienced a rumbling and shaking that felt like distant thunder. I even saw a glow outside the window to the south.
I had launched a regional housing magazine in Hokkaido, aiming to explore innovations in housing performance and the design of living comfort. As the next step in this initiative, I had expanded into the Tohoku region through partnerships with major corporations, working on a Tohoku edition with a spirit of “collaboration” alongside local communities. I had even scheduled a business trip to Sendai for the day after the 11th.
A natural disaster of a magnitude I could never have imagined in my entire life was unfolding.
I tried to contact my immediate business contacts, but the situation made that extremely difficult. Video footage was being broadcast moment by moment, showing the massive damage caused by the giant tsunami across various areas. …
Finally, I received permission to travel to Tohoku. I took the newly reopened ferry route from Muroran—which normally goes to Hachinohe—to Aomori, which had been designated as a temporary landing point. After meeting with several people in Aomori Prefecture, I headed south on the Tohoku Expressway, which I always used. Hearing that gasoline was hard to come by, I had brought a spare tank along.
　Along the way, the roads were twisted and twisted due to earthquake damage, and even while driving at the speed limit, there were moments when I felt as if I were being thrown into the air. Not knowing what I could do, I kept thinking about doing whatever I could.
After confirming everyone’s safety with people in various regions, I finally spoke with officials from the Fukushima Prefectural Government. Following their suggestion to create an information tool addressing housing issues for disaster victims, I set out to publish a volunteer information magazine titled “Rebuilding Homes in Tohoku” as “soon as possible.” We were also able to secure support from companies across the country.
…There are decisive factors in this world that lie beyond human understanding. I have come to believe that, ultimately, it was “war.”

● Announcement
My book, “Writers and Living Spaces,” has been published as an e-book by Gentosha.
Available on Amazon.

Posted on 4月 24th, 2026 by 三木 奎吾
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　さて14日から始まった今回の「観桜」自家用車旅、昨日無事に帰還できました。
　前期高齢者ながら、18歳になって免許を即取得して「行動の自由」を人生の基盤とさせていただいてきた人間としては、日頃から慣れ親しんでいるクルマであちこち移動できるのはウレシイ。ちょうどオイル交換してすぐの出発だったのでメーターをゼロ戻ししていたので、今回の走行距離は写真の通り。
　たしか日本列島は南北に3,000kmと記憶していましたが、（☜ほぼ正確）その半分超を１週間ほどで完走してきた計算になる。１日あたりだと230km弱。南は平泉の「中尊寺」地域まででの行程。さすがに昨日の最後の函館からは、ほぼまっすぐに自宅まで帰還。帰る前に食材の買い出しもしてきました。やはり外食やホテル食などばかりで、自分で料理するというのは、いかに楽しく、また、食材選びなどで工夫も出来るというよろこびの営為なのだと痛感させられますね。
　とくにわたしは、味噌汁についてどうも独特に出汁を取っているようで、外食では好みの味噌汁にはなかなか巡り会えない。加齢してくると、こういう部分に「生き方の個性」が表現されてくるのでしょうね。知人のなかには世界一周みたいな旅路を楽しまれる方もいますが、まぁ好み次第なのかなぁ・・・。
　昨日帰ってから夫婦とも問わず語りで味噌汁とか、キンピラゴボウとか、調理合戦（笑）。
　キンピラはわたしの完勝で、こどもたちの分も含めて大量調理。たぶん10日分は造作。
　それとさらにわが家では十二穀ほどのご飯を食していますが、こういうのも旅先で食するのは難しい。
　健康で元気よくあちこち探訪して回るためには、毎日の家での食生活が超大切というパラドクス（笑）。
　今回は「観桜」という目的での旅路でしたが、留守中にサクラ前線はついにわが家周辺、札幌にも到達してくれたようで、写真のような「雪融けの河川増水とサクラ」が迎えてくれておりました。
　それと、ちょうど津軽海峡を渡った後に、地震がニュースに飛び込んできた。被害にあわれた地域のみなさんのご無事を祈念いたします。わたしどもは間一髪、北海道上陸後でした。
　さて本日から通常のくらし。懸案事項にあたって参りたいと思います。

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English version⬇

[Total mileage: Over 1,600 km. Back from a cherry blossom road trip]
When I returned to Sapporo—where the cherry blossoms hadn’t bloomed yet—Sakura greeted me with, “Where have you been?” (lol). I’m back to my daily routine with renewed energy and ready to tackle the tasks at hand. …

　Well, I safely returned yesterday from this “cherry blossom viewing” road trip, which began on the 14th.
Although I’m now in my early 60s, I’ve always considered “freedom of movement” to be the foundation of my life—having gotten my driver’s license immediately upon turning 18. So, being able to travel here and there in the car I’m so familiar with is a real joy. Since I’d just had an oil change right before setting off, I’d reset the odometer, so the total mileage for this trip is as shown in the photo.
　I believe the Japanese archipelago stretches about 3,000 km from north to south (☜ pretty much accurate), so that means I covered a little over half of that distance in about a week. That works out to just under 230 km per day. The route took me as far south as the Chuson-ji Temple area in Hiraizumi. Naturally, from Hakodate—the final stop yesterday—I headed almost straight back home. I also stopped to buy groceries before returning. It really drives home how much fun it is to cook for myself, rather than relying solely on eating out or hotel meals, and how much joy there is in being creative with ingredient selection.
　I seem to have a particularly unique way of making dashi for my miso soup, so I rarely come across miso soup to my liking when eating out. As you get older, I suppose these little details start to reflect your “personal style of living.” Some of my acquaintances enjoy traveling around the world, but I guess it really just comes down to personal preference…
After getting home yesterday, my wife and I had a friendly cooking competition (lol) over dishes like miso soup and kinpira gobo.
　I won the kimpira battle hands down, so I cooked a massive batch—enough for the kids too. Probably enough for 10 days.
Also, we eat rice mixed with about 12 different grains at home, but that’s another thing that’s hard to find when traveling.
It’s a bit of a paradox: to stay healthy and energetic enough to explore all over the place, your daily diet at home is absolutely crucial (lol).
　This trip was intended for “cherry blossom viewing,” but while we were away, the cherry blossom front finally reached our neighborhood in Sapporo, and we were greeted by the scene in the photo: “rising river waters from melting snow and cherry blossoms.”
Also, right after we crossed the Tsugaru Strait, news of an earthquake broke. I pray for the safety of everyone in the affected areas. We were just in the nick of time—it happened right after we landed in Hokkaido.
　Well, starting today, it’s back to our normal routine. I’d like to get to work on the pending matters.

● Announcement
My book, “Writers and Living Spaces,” has been published as an e-book by Gentosha.
Available on Amazon.
　

Posted on 4月 22nd, 2026 by 三木 奎吾
Filed under: 未分類 | No Comments »

　さて、サクラを追う旅、昨日フェリーで北海道に上陸いたしました。帰還であります。
　函館は毎年必ず花見に来ているし、非常に縁が深かった母の弟、叔父が永く住んでいた土地なので札幌以外の北海道の都市としては馴染みがもっとも深い。なので「帰って来た」感がいつも強い。加齢するほどにこうした「思い」というのは深まってくる。
　土地と人間の関係性というものについて、この叔父とのことが忘れられない。
　いまはもう世を去っているけれど、叔父からわたしは「養子」として望まれていた。母からそのことについて強い決意と共に、正面から見つめられて問われたとき、末っ子のわたしは、生きてきていちばん強烈な内発の言葉として「拒否」していた。「いやだ、絶対に！」と。
　その瞬間の強烈な「内発」ぶりはいまでも体感としてカラダが記憶している。叫び声。
　しかし同時に、叔父に対しては深い「縁」を感じさせられていた。
　日本社会で近しい縁戚関係においての養子縁組ということは、いわば民族の「知恵」習俗として繰り返されてきた。たぶん多くの兄姉のいる家とそうではない血縁関係のなかでは、こうした習俗はごく普通のものとしてあったのだと思う。当然だろう。子宝に恵まれなかった人間として、せめて肉親・姉の末の子をと願う心情は痛いほどにわかる。そのときから叔父のことは血肉化されてきていたのだと思う。その深い願いがひしひしとわかる。叶わなかった近しい縁の人間の心の奥底からの地鳴り。
　その後の人生で「もし違う人生があるとすれば」と考えるとき、いつもこのことが原点だった。
　そして多くの近親者・母も父も叔父も世を去ってきて、残される「土地・空間と人間」のようなものの重たい「かさなり」としてこの函館の地のことが強く残響し続けている。不思議な結節点感覚。
　いまはただただ「懐かしい」と思えてならない。もちろんふりかえって違う人生を生きたかったということではなく、ただただ懐かしく感じられるのだ。人間のこころというものは、さまざまな生き様をその舞台としての土地・空間に刻みつけて感じるものかも知れない。
　人間と空間というものとのはるかな旅路は、まだまだ続いていく。

●お知らせ
拙書「作家と住空間」幻冬舎から電子書籍で発刊
お求めはAmazonで。
https://amzn.asia/d/eUiv9yO

English version⬇

[Back from Tohoku to Hokkaido: The Land and a Sense of Nostalgia]
It is the intertwining of human connections that makes me feel I have truly returned. The lingering echoes of the cries of various ways of life—“land, space, and people.” …

　Well, on my journey in pursuit of the cherry blossoms, I arrived in Hokkaido by ferry yesterday. I have returned.
I come to Hakodate every year for cherry blossom viewing, and since it’s the place where my mother’s younger brother—my uncle, with whom I shared a very deep bond—lived for many years, it’s the Hokkaido city I feel most familiar with, aside from Sapporo. That’s why I always have a strong sense of “coming home.” As I grow older, these kinds of “feelings” only deepen.
When it comes to the relationship between a place and a person, I can’t forget what happened with this uncle.
　He has since passed away, but my uncle had wanted me to be his “adopted son.” When my mother looked me straight in the eye with unwavering resolve and asked me about it, I—the youngest child—rejected the idea with the most intense, spontaneous words I had ever uttered in my life: “No, absolutely not!”
My body still physically remembers the intensity of that spontaneous reaction from that moment. A scream.
　Yet at the same time, I felt a deep “bond” with my uncle.
In Japanese society, adoption within close family ties has been repeated as a kind of traditional “wisdom” or custom. I imagine that in families with many older siblings—or in the absence of such blood ties—this custom was considered perfectly ordinary. It stands to reason. As someone who was not blessed with children, I understand all too well the heart-wrenching desire to at least have the youngest child of a blood relative—my sister. I think that from that moment on, my uncle became a part of my very being. I can feel that deep longing acutely. It is the rumbling from the depths of the heart of a close relative whose wish went unfulfilled.
In the rest of my life, whenever I thought, “If there were a different life,” this was always the starting point.
　And as many close relatives—my mother, father, and uncle—have passed away, this place, Hakodate, continues to resonate strongly within me as a heavy “layering” of “land, space, and people.” It feels like a mysterious point of convergence.
Now, I simply cannot help but feel “nostalgic.” Of course, this isn’t to say that, looking back, I wish I had lived a different life; I simply feel a deep sense of nostalgia. Perhaps the human heart is something that feels and imprints various ways of living onto the land and space that serve as their stage.
The long journey of humans and space continues on and on.

● Announcement
My book, “Writers and Living Spaces,” has been published as an e-book by Gentosha.
Available on Amazon.

Posted on 4月 20th, 2026 by 三木 奎吾
Filed under: 未分類 | No Comments »

　北東北の観桜夫婦旅。マイカー「平常運転」なので興味分野は自由気ままに拡散（笑）。　
　前宿泊地・紫波の東北道ICから秋田県の観桜スポット・角館に向かったのですが、途中「田沢湖」経由での途次。峠近くで危険な場所から山並み撮影している人に吊られ、その先の平坦地スポットに停車した次第。名前もよく知らない。
　単純に危険を顧みず写真撮影しているくらいだから、眺望がすばらしいに違いないと思えたのですが、駐車してみると目の前に「廃墟」化したモダン「峠の茶屋」廃屋。
　わたしの密かな「数寄」に、建築の機能用途破綻の結果での「廃屋」探究があり、そのポイントが刺激されてしまった。
　「どうしてこの建築は破綻に至ったのだろうか」と謎解き探偵心理がムクムクと立ち上ってきてしまう。建築数寄の一部には、こういう人間性領域があるのだと思う。
　巨視的には日本は江戸期の3,000万人口から明治の開国を越えて6,000万人人口社会に移行し、さらに現代日本は戦後以降の人口増加によって、1億2,000万人口時代まで変容してきた。
　その高度成長期を超えてきて、いまは
　１　このまま成長を維持するために「移民受け入れ」に移行するか？
　２　それとも低成長での成熟型ニッポン独自社会を選択するか？
　大きくは、そういう時代の分岐点に立ち至っているのでしょうか。
　この社会変容のなかでさまざまな「投資」がある。秋田県田沢湖への岩手県方面からの「観光流入」増加を展望して田沢湖直前の眺望スポットにドライブの「ひと休み」需要を見込み、モダンな飲食施設・外壁レンガ調のレストラン建築を企図したのだろう。
　それが、どのような経緯でか、このような破綻に立ち至った痕跡。
　で、現代建築としての破綻ぶりが目に飛び込んでくる。興味深く観ていたら危険箇所で写真撮影していた高齢の方がこちらに声掛けしてきた。なんでもインスタグラマーとして5,000フォロワーを持っていると最初に自慢げに話しかけてこられていた。別に聞いていませんが（笑）。
　「廃屋、面白いですか？」
　まぁ前述の「解析」がマーケティング的試みだろうけれど、と。そこからだんだんと表題テーマに興味が展開してくる。現代文化もやがて廃墟になっていくとすれば、どういうカタチになっていくのかと。
　拡散しすぎかなぁ・・・。

●お知らせ
拙書「作家と住空間」幻冬舎から電子書籍で発刊
お求めはAmazonで。
https://amzn.asia/d/eUiv9yO

English version⬇

[How Does Modern Civilization Become a “Ruined City”?]
A certain architectural quirk: a fondness for abandoned buildings. The feeling of the reality of decay sinking into one’s heart. Is this a “view of impermanence” reminiscent of *The Tale of the Heike*? The sense of impermanence in commercial buildings where cost-effectiveness is the top priority. …

　A couple’s cherry blossom viewing trip through Northern Tohoku. Since we were driving our own car and taking it easy, our interests wandered freely (lol).
We headed from the Tohoku Expressway IC in Shiwa—where we’d stayed the night before—to Kakunodate, a cherry blossom spot in Akita Prefecture, but took a detour via Lake Tazawa along the way. Near a mountain pass, we were drawn in by someone photographing the mountain range from a dangerous spot, so we pulled over at a flat spot further ahead. I didn’t even know the name of the place.
Since they were taking photos without a second thought for their safety, I figured the view must be spectacular. But when we pulled over, right in front of us stood the ruins of a modern “mountain pass teahouse”—a derelict building.
One of my secret passions is exploring “ruins”—structures that have fallen into disrepair due to the failure of their original function—and this sight immediately piqued my interest.
　A detective-like curiosity began to bubble up within me: “Why did this building come to such a state of ruin?” I believe this kind of human element is part of the fascination with architecture.
　From a macro perspective, Japan transitioned from a population of 30 million during the Edo period to a society of 60 million after the Meiji Restoration and the opening of the country, and modern Japan has further transformed into a society of 120 million people due to post-war population growth.
Having moved beyond that period of rapid economic growth, we now face a choice:
1. Should we shift toward “accepting immigrants” to maintain this level of growth?
　2. Or will we choose a mature, low-growth society unique to Japan?
Broadly speaking, have we reached such a turning point in history?
Amid this social transformation, there are various forms of “investment.” Anticipating an increase in “tourist influx” from the Iwate Prefecture area to Lake Tazawa in Akita Prefecture, and expecting demand for a “rest stop” for drivers at a scenic spot just before the lake, they likely planned a modern dining facility—a restaurant with brick-style exterior walls.
　Yet here are the traces of how, for whatever reason, this project ended in such failure.
And the sheer failure of this modern architecture immediately catches the eye. As I was observing it with interest, a person who had been taking photos in a dangerous spot called out to me. He proudly introduced himself, boasting that he was an Instagrammer with 5,000 followers. Not that I asked (laughs).
　“Do you find abandoned buildings interesting?”
Well, I suppose the “analysis” I mentioned earlier was likely a marketing ploy. But from there, my interest gradually shifted to the theme of the title. If modern culture is eventually destined to become ruins, what form will it take?
Am I getting too off track here…?

● Announcement
My book, “Writers and Living Spaces,” has been published as an e-book by Gentosha.
Available on Amazon.

Posted on 4月 18th, 2026 by 三木 奎吾
Filed under: 未分類 | No Comments »

　カミさんの日程管理に従順に従っての東北〜道南サクラを愛でる旅路であります。
　とはいっても、現地に着いたら勝手にクルマを運転してあちこち「あ、ここだ。そしたらちょっとここにも」と連れ回す・振り回すの夫婦旅。波乱もまた楽しからずや（笑）。
　八戸までのフェリー旅は、ふだんまったく就寝の時間に運転〜乗船という非日常行動。なので八戸上陸後の１日も含めて、丸２日ワンデー感覚。さすがに本日早朝までホテル到着後バタンキュー。さすが２日分で疲れがあり爆睡ぶりが強烈。むしろ疲れが一気に晴れたかのよう。不思議。多少の負荷が効果的か？
　八戸では楽しみにしていた「八食センター」参観・朝食がなんと「水曜定休」という悲しい仕打ち。こういう調査不足は当然あり得ますね。事前準備はメンドイ。即アタマ切り替え。
　で、東北太平洋側北部の自然探訪で写真の蕪島〜種差海岸方面へ。蕪島の名物・海鳥さんたちのお迎えを受けておりました。ヒッチコックの「鳥」の恐怖大ファンのカミさんは大喜びで逃げ回っておりました。恐怖の実態はどうも「糞害」への恐怖のようで、着衣への攻撃に逃げ惑う一択。
　まぁそういう貴重な現場体験からの旅路スタート。

　で、青森県八戸周辺から一気に東北道を南下して北上展勝地へ。
　途中の高速名物「最高速度120km」地帯を抜けて２時間弱で到着。どうも前に比べて120km地域は拡大してきているようです。さすがに東北道は通行が活発。石油の供給不安下ですが備蓄放出もあってガソリン価格も小康状況。しかしさまざまに建築業界では影響が出てきつつあるようです。ぜひ沈静化期待。まぁ戦争での影響なので、一般人としては落着を願うばかりですね。
　到着した北上展勝地では、ウィークデーにもかかわらず展勝地駐車場への大渋滞が発生していました。これは困難と早めに切り上げ、北上駅周辺の駐車場までUターンして、そこから往復１万歩越えのウォーキングコースに切り替え。これは大正解でした。急がば回れ。
　展勝地のサクラは満開アナウンスでしたが、すでにやや「桜吹雪」気味。
　以前と比べるととにかく海外客がすごい。どうしても会話の言語に注意が向かってしまいますね。円安はこういう状況を長期化させるのでしょう。ぜひ日本のマナーを守って楽しんでいただきたい。

●お知らせ
拙書「作家と住空間」幻冬舎から電子書籍で発刊
お求めはAmazonで。
https://amzn.asia/d/eUiv9yO

English version⬇

[Tohoku Road Trip: From Our Starting Point, “Kabushima,” to a Scenic Spot in Full Bloom]
A road trip in our own car, taken with a brief break from helping raise our grandchildren. Due to a lack of proper planning here and there, our couple’s adventure begins…

　This is a trip to admire the cherry blossoms in Tohoku and southern Hokkaido, strictly following my wife’s itinerary.
That said, once we arrive, I’ll be the one driving the car around on a whim, dragging her here and there—saying things like, “Ah, here it is. Then let’s pop over here too”—so it’s a typical couple’s trip where I end up running her ragged. But isn’t that part of the fun? (lol)
　The ferry trip to Hachinohe involved driving right up to bedtime—a completely out-of-the-ordinary routine. So, including the day after we landed in Hachinohe, it felt like a full two-day trip packed into a single day. As expected, after arriving at the hotel, I crashed out until early this morning. With two days’ worth of fatigue, I slept like a log. It was almost as if all my exhaustion had vanished at once. Strange. Is a little stress actually beneficial?
In Hachinohe, we were looking forward to visiting the “Hachinohe Food Center” and having breakfast there, but we suffered the sad blow of finding out it’s “closed on Wednesdays.” This kind of oversight is, of course, bound to happen. Advance planning is a hassle. We switched gears immediately.
So, we headed out to explore the nature of northern Tohoku’s Pacific coast, heading toward Kabushima and the Tanezashi Coast, as seen in the photos. We were greeted by Kabushima’s famous seabirds. My wife, a huge fan of the horror in Hitchcock’s *The Birds*, was overjoyed and ran around frantically. It seems her actual fear stemmed from the “danger of bird droppings,” so her only option was to flee in panic from the attacks on her clothes.
Well, our journey began with that kind of valuable on-site experience.

　So, I headed south on the Tohoku Expressway from the Hachinohe area in Aomori Prefecture straight to the Kitakami Tenjōchi scenic spot.
After passing through the famous “120 km/h speed limit” zone along the highway, I arrived in just under two hours. It seems the 120 km/h zones have been expanding compared to before. As expected, traffic on the Tohoku Expressway is heavy. Despite concerns over oil supply, gasoline prices have stabilized somewhat thanks to the release of strategic reserves. However, it seems the construction industry is starting to feel the impact in various ways. I really hope things calm down. Well, since this is due to the war, as an ordinary person, all I can do is hope for a resolution.
Upon arriving at Kitakami Tenshochi, there was a massive traffic jam leading to the park’s parking lot, despite it being a weekday. Realizing this would be a struggle, I decided to cut the trip short, made a U-turn back to a parking lot near Kitakami Station, and switched to a walking route that totaled over 10,000 steps round-trip. This turned out to be the perfect decision. Haste makes waste.
The cherry blossoms at Tenshoji were announced to be in full bloom, but they were already starting to look a bit like a “blizzard of petals.”
Compared to before, the number of foreign tourists is simply staggering. I can’t help but notice the languages they’re speaking. The weak yen will likely prolong this situation. I sincerely hope they enjoy their visit while observing Japanese etiquette.

● Announcement
My book, “Writers and Living Spaces,” has been published as an e-book by Gentosha.
Available on Amazon.

Posted on 4月 16th, 2026 by 三木 奎吾
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