Man, what a day! I woke up in Buzen, Japan, and thought, “Today’s gonna be chill.” Spoiler alert: it was NOT chill.
First off, I hit up the local konbini on Kōen-dōri. You know, the one with the best onigiri? Yeah, that one. I grabbed a couple of those rice balls, and they were bomb. But then, I spilled soy sauce all over my shirt. Classic me, right? I was like, “Great, now I look like a walking sushi roll.”
So, I’m walking down the street, feeling all good, when I hear this loud commotion. Turns out, there’s a festival happening at the Buzen Shrine. I mean, who doesn’t love a good matsuri? I’m thinking, “Sweet, let’s check it out!”
But then, I get there, and it’s packed. Like, shoulder-to-shoulder packed. I’m trying to squeeze through, and this old dude bumps into me. I’m like, “Dude, watch it!” But he just gives me this blank stare. I guess he didn’t understand my English. Whatever, man.
The floats were insane, though! They had these huge, colorful things, and people were dancing around them. I was vibing, feeling the energy. But then, I see this kid, probably like 10, just munching on a giant taiyaki. I mean, who gives a kid a fish-shaped cake that big? I was jealous.
After that, I decided to wander down to the river. The view from the banks of the Chikugo River is just stunning. I mean, the cherry blossoms were in full bloom, and I was like, “This is the life.” But then, I tripped over a rock. Like, seriously? I face-planted right into the grass. I’m lying there, thinking, “This is how I die. In Buzen, face-first in the dirt.”
I finally got up, dusted myself off, and headed to the Buzen City Museum. I thought, “Let’s get some culture in me.” But the museum was closed! I was like, “Are you kidding me?” I mean, what’s the point of a city museum if it’s closed? So, I just stood there, staring at the building, feeling all existential.
Then, I remembered the little café on Shōwa-dōri. They have the best matcha lattes. I needed caffeine, like, yesterday. I get there, and it’s packed too! I’m waiting in line, and this lady in front of me orders like, a million things. I’m losing my patience. I’m thinking, “Lady, it’s just coffee!”
Finally, I get my latte, and it’s glorious. I take a sip, and it’s like heaven in a cup. I’m feeling good again. I sit outside, watching the world go by. The locals are so chill. I see this group of kids playing soccer, and they’re all laughing. It’s contagious.
But then, out of nowhere, it starts to rain. Like, heavy rain. I’m scrambling to find cover, and I duck into this little shop on the corner of Kōen-dōri. Turns out, it’s a pottery place. The owner, this sweet old lady, starts showing me her work. I’m like, “Wow, this is amazing!” She gives me a small cup as a gift. I’m touched, man.
By the time the rain stops, I’m feeling all sorts of emotions. Happy, grateful, a bit soggy. I decide to head back to the shrine for the festival again. This time, it’s even crazier! Fireworks start going off, and I’m just standing there, mouth agape. It’s like a scene from a movie.
As the night wraps up, I’m walking back home, thinking about how wild today was. From soy sauce spills to face plants, to unexpected gifts and fireworks. Buzen, you’ve got my heart. I can’t wait to see what tomorrow brings.