This is 3Bits & Change, an email about building a service and retail business. This one was written to KCRW streamed in app via a VPN (it won’t load otherwise).
Good day,
Strolling with camera in hand
I had a buffer day scheduled after landing in Tokyo to travel to Seki. The idea was to give an extra day, vs last time, to adjust to the timezone. I debated taking the train early in the morning. I opted to go midday for two reasons 1) I wanted to go to a place I had been before and 2) the sky was clear.
I used to travel solo every week for work. I built a few habits during that time to make it more bearable. One of those is to eat at the same restaurants and go to the same places I had been to in various cities on previous trips. So, I hit Ginza in the morning.
When traveling with family and friends it’s fun, even energizing, to force a constant stream of new experiences. Yet, when solo, familiarity is comforting.
One of my new habits is to just go walking. I needed to give myself the permission to “waste” the morning exploring. I’m so glad I did. It was refreshing.
And the train. I purchased a reserved ticket. That was easy. Yet, Something was messed up when going through the JR gate.
It all turned out OK. I’m learning that very little can’t be made better with the help of a Japanese person, Google translate and something like 20 mins. The head of the station office spent those minutes and the care required to get me on the train. The seat on the right side did not disappoint.
Two reservations
When I arrived at the hotel, three trains and a taxi ride later, I realized I only had reservations for 2 nights. I needed 3. I asked for the second reservation. Again, Google translate, an kind Japanese person and 20 minutes solved the problem. I got a double room the 3rd night for the cost of the first two nights. Ope.
Apparently there is a lantern festival in town that attracts makers from around the country and why I could not get three nights in a row when I was booking. Happy to have the third night.
Fishing is lovely in rivers
The sun was setting and I could see folks in the river. I took another stroll with the camera.
I was hungry and the staff at the hotel mentioned places to eat in town. But, because the hotel is at a truck stop on the way out of town walking to dinner takes 15-20 mins. I strolled around on a Friday night and found nothing beyond a convenience store open and a few kids on bikes.
It was a wild Friday night.
Change
I’ll keep my practice of returning the the same neighborhoods, even for brief moments, when back in cities I’ve been. However, I’m adding a practice of just going on a stroll with the camera. And, boy, I thought a few times about how I’d wished I’d brought my Tenkara rod. It would have been too small for that river, but, you get the picture.
Onward to the festival.
Follow Vivront.com on TikTok, Instagram and Facebook.
Follow @josephrueter on Instagram or Linkedin.
Order kitchen knives sharpened or give the gift of sharp at Vivront.com.