セブンイレブン50周年

動けば半袖でもちょうど良い気候。お天気は続く。昼は時間がなくサッサといただける食事。

夜はセブンイレブン50周年キャンペーン勢揃い。野菜スティックは完売してたけど。

It’s warm enough that short sleeves are just right if you’re active. The nice weather is holding up. I didn’t have time for lunch, so I grabbed a quick bite.

In the evening, I checked out the full lineup of the 7-Eleven 50th Anniversary campaign. The vegetable sticks were sold out, though.

夏はまだだよ

日の出時間が早くなっていく日々。

モヤイさん🗿今週もよろしくお願いします。

雲が下の方にギュッと棚引いて、上は太陽の強い光に照らされる。ちょうど塩梅の良い気候。

涼しい風が肌を流れる。こんな日が続いてほしい。一週間は始まったばかりだが、もう5月も半ばにさしかかり春真っ盛り。

The days are getting longer as the sun rises earlier.

Moyai-san🗿, looking forward to another great week with you.

Clouds hang low on the horizon, while the sky above is bathed in bright sunlight. The weather is just right.

A cool breeze brushes against my skin. I hope days like this continue. The week has only just begun, but we’re already halfway through May and spring is in full swing.

国連大学のマーケット

休みの日のモヤイさんはリラックスモード。

サクラステージの「豚山」で一杯いただき

「バラトンカフェ」でアフターを過ごす。

サクッと用事済ませ帰宅。

ゆったりお家時間の日曜日。

On her day off, Moai is in relaxation mode.

She had a drink at "Butayama" in Sakura Stage

and spent the rest of the evening at "Balaton Cafe."

She quickly ran some errands and headed home.

A leisurely Sunday spent at home.

まだまだ知らない事ばかり

土曜日。朝から「関東室戸会」という集まりによばれて神保町な街に降り立つ。この街は今昔併せ持つワクワクする街。今日向かった辺りは初めて向かう場所。また初めての人々に会って色々なお話しを楽しんだ。

夜、表参道で勉強会。初めは未知の世界だった事が数を重ねるごとに色々分かってくる。三時間余りがあっという間に過ぎていく。

まだまだ世の中知らない事ばかり。

Saturday. First thing in the morning, I headed to Jimbocho after being invited to a gathering called the “Kanto Muroto Association.” It’s an exciting neighborhood that blends the old and the new. The area I visited today was a first for me. I met new people and enjoyed chatting with them about all sorts of things.

In the evening, I attended a study session in Omotesando. What started out as a completely unfamiliar world is becoming clearer with each session. The three-plus hours flew by in the blink of an eye.

There’s still so much I don’t know about the world.

モヤモヤ

あっという間に週末に。モヤイさん🗿ごくろうさま。今日は一日モクモク日和。朝と夕方の空が変わらない。流れで下北沢で一杯。明日はお出かけなのでいいお天気になってほしいものなのだか。

The weekend is here before I know it. Thanks for your hard work, Moai-san 🗿. Today is the perfect day for some quiet, focused work. The sky looks exactly the same from morning to evening. I ended up grabbing a drink in Shimokitazawa on a whim. I’m going out tomorrow, so I really hope the weather turns out nice.

休み明け

モヤイ🗿のおじいちゃんおはよう。

今日もがんばるからね。

朝からTシャツ👕一枚でいられるような陽気。もう夏かしら。大きな太陽が顔を出し街全体を強く照らしつける。富士山も霞むほど強い陽射しは街を照らす。昼は鶏、夜は豚。ちょっと身体に気を遣ってポテトサラダとワカメ。あっけないほど休み明けは瞬く間に終了。明日凌げばウィークエンド。

Good morning, Grandpa Moai🗿.

I’ll do my best again today.

It’s warm enough to wear just a T-shirt 👕 from the morning on. I wonder if summer is already here. The big sun has come out and is shining brightly on the whole city. The sunlight is so strong it makes even Mount Fuji look hazy. Chicken for lunch, pork for dinner. I’m watching what I eat a bit, so I had potato salad and wakame. The first day back from the break ended in the blink of an eye. If I can just get through tomorrow, it’s the weekend.

ボディケア

連休最終日。身体のケアをしようと早起きしてお気に入りの銭湯に向かう。開館前から人が並ぶ昔からの銭湯の風景。

黒湯に浸かって温まりサウナで汗を流しマッサージで身体を整える。今のところ効果はうかがえないが絶対良くなると心の中で念じる。

気合いを入れてまた2日間がんばるぞ。

It’s the last day of the long weekend. I woke up early to take care of my body and headed to my favorite public bathhouse. There was a line of people waiting even before it opened—a classic scene at a traditional bathhouse.

I soaked in the black hot spring to warm up, worked up a sweat in the sauna, and got a massage to relax my body. I haven’t seen any results yet, but I’m telling myself that I’ll definitely feel better.

I’m going to psych myself up and give it my all for the next two days.

休日の渋谷区

割とスッキリ晴れ渡った朝。でも強風のためか肌寒い。ここに来た限りは開店までの1時間有意義に過ごす。ちょうどドジャース戦の最中。時間も忘れて一喜一憂する。

少なめと言い聞かせていたがいつもの大盛。まあ何とかいただく。

渋谷に戻って人気者ハチ公の背中を横目にハチ公バスへ乗車。乗り場の前の西武百貨店、秋で終了してしまうのだな。郷愁。

ばすの車窓からクラシックカーが並走するのに気づく。この季節にパレードやってるんだな。

ハラカド「HOW'Z」さんでランチ。卵かけご飯に海老チキンバーガー。さっき食べたのだがするすると胃の中に収まる。

散歩がてら「茂本ヒデキチ」さんの個展へお邪魔。たまには作品も買わせていただかなくては。

いつも見てばかりですみません。

岡本太郎の像の後ろの絵が気になったので近づいて鑑賞。色々見ていると脳が活性化されるような気がする。

人気のドーナツ店。販売だけでなく渋谷に喫茶店をオープンさせていた。流行りにのらないとね。

It’s a fairly clear and sunny morning. But it feels a bit chilly, maybe because of the strong wind. Since I’m here, I might as well make good use of the hour before the restaurant opens. The Dodgers game is in full swing. I lose track of time, cheering and groaning along with the action.

I told myself to order a small portion, but I ended up with my usual large serving. Well, I manage to finish it.

Back in Shibuya, I catch a glimpse of the famous Hachiko statue out of the corner of my eye as I board the Hachiko Bus. The Seibu Department Store in front of the bus stop is closing down this fall. It makes me feel a bit nostalgic.

From the bus window, I notice classic cars driving alongside us. They’re holding a parade this time of year, I see.

Lunch at Harakado “HOW’Z.” Rice with raw egg and a shrimp-chicken burger. I just ate, but it goes down smoothly.

I drop by Hidekichi Motomoto’s solo exhibition while taking a stroll. I really should buy a piece of his work once in a while.

I’m sorry I’m always just looking.

I was curious about the painting behind the statue of Taro Okamoto, so I stepped closer to take a look. Looking at all these different things makes me feel like my brain is getting stimulated.

A popular donut shop. They’re not just selling donuts—they’ve opened a café in Shibuya too. You’ve got to keep up with the trends, after all.

緩やかな一日

休みの日だけどモヤイさん🗿に会いに行く。心なしか和やかな表情にみえる。ひと安心で近所の町中華で昼ご飯。ぶれないお味。大満足。腹ごなしがてら目黒川方向に向かって住宅街の中を散歩。初めて歩く場所には色々発見がある。

「スターバックスロータリー」中に入って初めて皆が列に並んでも入りたい理由を知る。多くの人がいるのに混雑してるようにみえないレイアウト。何時間いてもくつろげる空間。流行ってるお店の真髄を見せられた。

「チムニーコーヒー」でひと息つき夕飯はお家ご飯。先日、DEENのライブでいただいた「池森そば」をいただく。麺つゆは同じく頂いた「マルトモ」さんのもの。かつお節も足して。

麺もさることながらマルトモさんの商品は味に深みを与える。美味しく最後まで食する。

連休中日、緩やかに過ぎていく。

Even though it’s my day off, I went to see Moai-san🗿. He seemed to have a slightly more relaxed expression than usual. Relieved, I had lunch at a local Chinese restaurant. The taste was as consistent as ever. I was completely satisfied. To help digest my meal, I took a stroll through the residential neighborhood toward the Meguro River. There are always new discoveries when walking through a place for the first time.

I went inside the “Starbucks Rotary” for the first time and finally understood why everyone was lining up to get in. The layout makes it look uncrowded even though there are so many people. It’s a space where you can relax no matter how long you stay. I got to see the true essence of a trendy shop.

I took a breather at “Chimney Coffee” and had a home-cooked dinner. I enjoyed the “Ikemori Soba” I received at the DEEN concert the other day. The noodle broth was from “Marutomo,” which I also received at the concert. I added some bonito flakes too.

The noodles were great, but Marutomo’s products really add depth to the flavor. I savored every bite.

The middle day of the long weekend is passing by gently.

多摩地区散策

5連休2日目。この連休、特に予定もなかったのだが、Xで偶然知った情報に引っ張られて、電車乗り継ぎ、最後はモノレールに乗ってやって来たのは「土方歳三資料館」。歳三が帯刀した逸品がお披露目されるとあって開館前から人が並ぶ。開館して建物の中に皆が揃ったところで館長自ら展示品の解説をしていただいた。感謝。ここまで来たついでに久しぶりに高幡不動尊にも訪れる。敷地に入ってすぐの歳三さんのお姿にもふれ、本堂でお参りして一段落。参道にある天丼屋さんのボリューム満点の穴子丼いただきこの町を後にする。

表参道の秘密基地に立て籠もって前日の続きを完成。あとはゆったりと3日間を過ごすのみ。

Day 2 of my five-day holiday. I didn’t really have any plans for this long weekend, but after stumbling upon some information on X, I hopped on a series of trains and finally took the monorail to the “Toshizo Hijikata Museum.” Since a rare sword once worn by Toshizo was set to be unveiled, people had been lining up even before the museum opened. Once the doors opened and everyone had gathered inside, the director himself gave us a guided tour of the exhibits. I’m grateful. Since I’d come this far, I decided to visit Takahata Fudōson for the first time in a while. I paid my respects to the statue of Toshizō right at the entrance, then prayed at the main hall to wrap things up. I enjoyed a hearty anago donburi at a tempura rice bowl shop along the approach before leaving town.

I holed up at my secret base on Omotesando and finished up what I’d started the day before. Now all that’s left is to spend the next three days relaxing.