June 21, 2025 Sunlight, Clear Skies, and Old Memories on Takeyamachi Street
© 安岡喜晴 (JoyShine)
Today, we went to a cafe near Shinsenen-Oike.
The cafe had a retro atmosphere, and on the wall hung an old photograph of the west gate of the Yasaka Shrine from the Meiji era.
We ordered hot coffee and smoothies.
In this peaceful atmosphere, we enjoyed a relaxing moment.
Then, we walked along Horikawa Street, and turned east onto Takeyamachi Street.
This street always brings back memories of that day.
That was when I was 18 years old. In my high school days, I spent my time going to the gym, practicing martial arts, and absorbed in video games,
I had nothing to do with studying, and failed the university entrance exams, and started prep school days.
Around that time, I went to take the entrance exam for a certain prep school.
At that venue, coincidentally I talked with a guy sitting in front of me. He turned around, and started talking to me.
At that time, I thought that would be it.
But, later, I was surprised at another prep school I entered, surprisingly, the guy who talked to me at that time had also joined the same prep school.
After that coincidental reunion, we became friends.
One sunny day, we walked together along Takeyamachi Street.
The sunlight poured down warmly, a refreshing breeze brushed against my cheek.
When I was 18 years old, started to walk along the different path from old friends in my junior and senior high school days, and it wasn't easy for myself, who was not particularly sociable, to make new friends.
To someone like me, he talked to me openly and walked alongside me. That small event later became a nostalgic and warm memory for me.
The place called prep school is mysterious. People from various schools gather and share only a transient moment together in life, and next year, spread out to each different path.
I don't know what path he took after that, but, I still remember him, as someone who remains as a reminiscent figure on a page from my 18 years old self.
I wonder where he is and what he does now.
Lost in those memories, we entered a cafe on Takeyamachi Street.
Inside the cafe, an elegant hanging scroll and flower arrangements were displayed, the traditional Japanese atmosphere was very cozy for us.
We ordered canele, chocolate-flavored bread and drinks, and we spent a quiet moment.
Next, we came out onto Marutamachi Street and walked eastward, entered a cafe near Marutamachi-Muromachi.
The cafe had sophisticated and modern atmosphere, we enjoyed sweets using matcha luxuriously and warm drinks.
Matcha's rich taste was delicious, and visually beautiful plating, that made it a special moment.
After that, we went to the amusement mall newly opened yesterday.
New restaurants, cafes, a big bookstore were there, and overall I felt that became better than old one.
Especially, Showa Retro Alley on the second floor, there were so many Showa-era nostalgic items, making me super nostalgic reminding me of childhood days.
Nostalgic signs, old red public telephone, old pictures... it's as if we were going back to those days.
While we were at it, at the attached karaoke booth I sang a Showa-era nostalgic song, and wrapped up the day with joy.
We had dinner at a ramen shop located just north of Senbon-Oike intersection.
Actually, we had made reservation at a Korean restaurant in the mall, but there were 36 groups waiting before going to karaoke, and after going back from karaoke,
there were still 33 groups, and that meant only 3 groups progressed. It seemed very tough to wait, so we changed the plan to a ramen restaurant.
Nevertheless, we were fully satisfied, and it was a fulfilling day.