Different Corner of the City

On my way to (こぜんじえき) Kozenji Eki 

Every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday morning, I would set out around 7:45 to catch my 8:10 train at こぜんじえき. At this time of the day, I can see the narrow streets come alive and crowded with quick footsteps from some and leisurely strolls from others, accompanied by a great deal of chatter from students of all ages. The special presence of the students undeniably contributes something different to this otherwise peaceful town, as adults would give the sidewalk to the students and walk on the road. These mornings allow me to capture a different type of life in the otherwise quiet small neighborhood outside of Hirakata Shi, which I have always perceived as the center of Hirakata.

This 7-Eleven is perhaps the most frequently visited shop in the neighborhood.

In the neighborhood, residences alternate between western houses, traditional Japanese homes, one room and luxury "mansions," all of various shapes and sizes, each displaying a bit of the affluence of the household. As I exit out of my residential neighborhood and onto the roads leading to the station, my view changes to a continuous street with old and new houses facing each other, with an occasional small business store tucked between them. In such a highly residential area, locals do not seem to thrive on the small businesses as I have witnessed few enter the dry cleaners, sake store, and small supermarket; although students will linger outside the 7-eleven. The most popular business in the area might just be the elementary, middle, and high school in the area, whose students add a more lively touch to the area. Nevertheless, the peacefulness of the neighborhood seems to be positive quality of the area as it allows residents to live comfortably away from the noise and busy-ness of the city; the energy from the students seem to balance everything out just right. 

Typical residences along the side of the street.

Past & Future

Exploring Kansai International Airport

The moment I stepped into Kansai International Airport, my excitement died off rather quickly, as I absorbed in the modern Japan, one that can be much like my home.  I made sure I explored everything new to my eyes in the airport, from vending machines with a variety of bottled and canned drinks, to the toilet stalls, to the kanji, katakana, and hiragana characters everywhere. After an overwhelming while, I started to feel that I had not wandered far from home with certain familiarities, such as english words, visible everywhere. Nevertheless, I was convinced that my fading interest was merely a result of my stay in the airport for 3 hours. Hence, I woke up the next day waiting for the reminder that I had left America to hit me, but for a long while, the only things that convinced me that I was in Japan were the fact that the buildings were shorter, the streets were narrower and the vending machines were everywhere. 

The first vending machine I spotted in the airport; American vending machines are never this diverse.

It wasn't until I visited Kyoto that I was having the feeling that I was in Japan. In Kyoto, I saw the older Japanese style houses and streets hidden away from the busy, bright, high-tech, and kawaii modern society, just a few streets away. Perhaps it is the gaijin in me talking, when I admit that seeing the older buildings and shrines in Kyoto was the first time, since I landed, that I really felt that I had left America. Furthermore, even after exploring the other side of Kyoto which is full of city-life, I was still able to convince myself that I am, in fact, in the city of Japan. Perhaps I just needed to see something that I had expected to see in Japan, such as a glimpse of its historical past, to really believe that this is Japan. But, after seeing Kyoto, I think I am starting to grasp and appreciate the present Japan, in its balancing act of its maintaining its unique past while rushing into the inevitable future. 

Streets of older Kyoto