Yo, let me tell ya about my day in Isen. Man, it was a wild ride. I woke up, and the sun was blazin’ through my window. I 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? I grabbed a tuna mayo one. Classic. But then, bam! I spill soy sauce all over my shirt. Great start, right? I’m like, “Awesome, now I look like a walking sushi roll.”
So, I’m walking down the street, and I see this street performer on Kōen-dōri. Dude’s playing the shamisen, and it’s actually pretty dope. I stop to listen, and suddenly, this little kid runs up and starts dancing. I’m talkin’ full-on breakdancing. I’m laughing so hard, I almost forget about my shirt. Almost.
Then, I decide to check out the Isen Art Museum. It’s on the edge of the city, near the river. I’m all about that art life, ya know? But when I get there, it’s closed for renovations. Like, seriously? I’m standing there like an idiot, staring at the “Closed” sign. I could’ve cried. Or maybe just thrown a tantrum.
So, I’m wandering around, trying to find something to do. I end up at the Isen Castle ruins. It’s kinda cool, but also kinda sad. Just a bunch of stones, ya know? I’m thinking, “This used to be a castle? Where’s the moat? Where’s the dragons?” I mean, come on!
Then, I get this wild idea. I’m gonna sketch the ruins. I pull out my sketchbook, and guess what? My pencil breaks. Of course it does. I’m like, “Really, universe? You’re gonna do me like that?” So, I’m sitting there, trying to make art with a broken pencil. It’s a disaster.
But then, outta nowhere, this old lady comes up to me. She’s super sweet, and she’s like, “You’re an artist, right? Here, use my pencil.” I’m shocked. I mean, who just hands a stranger a pencil? I thank her a million times. Her name’s Yuki, and she tells me stories about Isen. Like, did you know there’s a festival here every spring? It’s called the Isen Matsuri. I’m definitely gonna check it out.
After that, I’m feeling all inspired. I head to the riverbank on the Isen River. The view is insane. The cherry blossoms are in full bloom, and I’m just vibing. I start sketching again, and this time, it’s flowing. I’m in my zone.
But then, I hear this loud noise. I look up, and there’s a bunch of kids playing soccer. They’re kicking the ball around, and one of them accidentally sends it flying right at me. I duck just in time, but the ball hits my sketchbook. Ugh! I’m like, “Dude, watch it!” But they just laugh and keep playing. Kids, man.
As the sun starts to set, I’m walking back through the streets of Isen. Everything’s lit up, and it’s beautiful. I pass by a little izakaya on Shōwa-dōri, and the smell of yakitori hits me. I can’t resist. I grab a seat and order a bunch of skewers. Best decision ever.
I’m sitting there, eating, and I can’t help but smile. This city is wild. It’s got its quirks, but it’s homey. I think about all the crazy stuff that happened today. The spills, the broken pencil, the kids, and Yuki. It’s all part of the adventure, right?
So, yeah, Isen, you got me. You made me laugh, you made me mad, and you made me feel alive. Can’t wait to see what tomorrow brings.