Man, what a day! I woke up in Iruma, and I swear, I thought it was just gonna be another chill day. But nah, life had other plans. First off, I hit up the local konbini on Iruma’s main street, Kōen-dōri. You know, the one with the neon lights that practically scream “buy snacks here!”? Grabbed my usual: onigiri and a can of iced coffee. Classic breakfast, right?
So, I’m munching on my onigiri, and I’m like, “This is gonna be a good day.” But then, BAM! I step outside, and it’s pouring. Like, seriously, it’s like the sky decided to dump a bucket of water on me. I’m soaked in seconds. I’m standing there, drenched, thinking, “Great, just great.”
I dash down Kōen-dōri, trying to find shelter. I duck into this cute little café called Café de Lune. It’s cozy, smells like fresh bread, and has the best matcha lattes. I order one, and while I’m waiting, I overhear this convo about the Iruma Air Base. Apparently, they’re doing some crazy drills today. I mean, who knew? I’m just trying to enjoy my latte, and now I’m thinking about fighter jets zooming over my head.
Finally, I get my drink, and it’s like heaven in a cup. I sit by the window, watching the rain. Then, outta nowhere, this kid runs by, slips, and falls right in front of the café. I’m talking full-on cartoon style. I can’t help but laugh. The kid gets up, looks around, and just starts laughing too. I love that! Kids are so resilient.
After the rain calms down, I decide to explore. I wander over to Iruma Park. It’s this beautiful spot with cherry blossoms and a pond. I’m strolling, feeling all zen, when I spot this old dude feeding the ducks. He’s got this huge bag of bread, and the ducks are going wild. I’m thinking, “Man, I need that kind of energy in my life.”
But then, I see this sign about a local festival happening later. My heart skips a beat! Festivals in Iruma are lit! I’m all in. I start asking around, trying to find out more. Turns out, it’s the Iruma Fireworks Festival. I’m pumped! Fireworks, food stalls, and good vibes? Yes, please!
But then, I get a text from my buddy. He’s stuck in traffic on Route 16. I’m like, “Dude, you’re missing out!” I mean, who gets stuck in traffic in Iruma? It’s not even that big! I can’t help but roll my eyes.
As the sun sets, I head to the festival. The streets are packed! I’m weaving through the crowd, dodging kids and food stalls. I grab some yakitori and it’s fire! I’m munching away, feeling like a king. Then, I spot this giant inflatable panda. Like, what even? I have to take a selfie with it.
Finally, the fireworks start. OMG, they’re amazing! Colors exploding in the sky, and I’m just standing there, mouth agape. I feel this rush of happiness. It’s like all the stress from the day just melts away. I’m surrounded by laughter, cheers, and the smell of festival food.
But then, I hear this loud bang. I look over, and some dude set off a firecracker too close to the crowd. People freak out, and I’m like, “Chill, it’s just a firecracker!” But it’s chaos for a minute. I can’t help but laugh again. Only in Iruma, right?
As the night winds down, I’m walking home, still buzzing from the fireworks. I think about how wild today was. From getting soaked to finding a festival, it was a rollercoaster. Iruma, you crazy little city, you never fail to surprise me. I can’t wait to see what tomorrow brings!