Man, what a day! I’m still buzzin’ from all the craziness in Hanamaki. Like, where do I even start? So, I woke up, right? Sun’s blazin’, birds chirpin’, and I’m like, “Today’s gonna be epic!” Little did I know...
First off, I hit up the local café on Yamaguchi Street. Best coffee ever! I mean, I’m a diver, not a barista, but this stuff had me feelin’ like I could swim through concrete. I ordered a matcha latte, and the barista, this chill dude, was like, “You dive? That’s dope!” I was like, “Yeah, man! Just me and the ocean!”
Then, I decided to stroll down to the Hanamaki Onsen. You know, soak in some hot springs. But, OMG, the line was like a mile long! I was fuming. I mean, who knew hot water could be so popular? I was ready to jump in the river instead. But I waited. Patience, right?
Finally, I get in, and it’s like heaven. The steam, the warmth, just melts your worries away. I’m chillin’ there, and this old guy next to me starts chatting. He’s like, “You dive? You ever seen a giant octopus?” I’m like, “Dude, I’m not sure if I wanna meet one!” But he’s all about his octopus stories. I swear, he was exaggerating like crazy. “It was bigger than my house!” Come on, man!
After that, I hit up the Hanamaki City Museum. Super cool place! They had this exhibit on the local history. I learned about the famous poet, Kenji Miyazawa. His words hit me hard. Like, “We’re all connected, man.” I felt that. But then, I got lost in the museum. I mean, how do you get lost in a museum? I was wandering around like a lost puppy.
Then, I finally found my way out and decided to grab some food. I went to this little joint on Kawai Street. Best ramen ever! I slurped it down like I hadn’t eaten in days. The broth was rich, and the noodles were perfect. I was in heaven. But then, this kid next to me starts crying. Like, full-on meltdown. I’m thinking, “Dude, it’s just ramen!” But then I realized, maybe he just wanted the last piece of chashu.
After that, I was feelin’ good, so I headed to the riverbank. The Kitakami River was lookin’ gorgeous. I sat there, just takin’ it all in. The cherry blossoms were in full bloom, and I was like, “This is life.” But then, outta nowhere, this group of kids starts splashing water everywhere. I’m talkin’ full-on water fight! I got soaked! I was mad at first, but then I just laughed. I mean, how can you stay mad when you’re surrounded by such joy?
As the sun started to set, I made my way to the Hanamaki Shrine. It was peaceful, and I needed that after the day I had. I sat there, just reflecting. I thought about diving, about life, about everything. It’s wild how a day can go from chill to chaotic in a heartbeat.
So, yeah, Hanamaki, you’ve got my heart. From the coffee to the ramen, to the hot springs and the river, it’s all a vibe. I’m exhausted but happy. Can’t wait to dive again tomorrow!