Man, what a day! Seriously, Kumamoto hit me like a ton of bricks. I woke up, and the sun was shining, but my brain was like, “Nah, dude, sleep more.” But I dragged myself outta bed, ready to tackle the day.
First stop? Shimotori Street. It’s this bustling place, full of shops and food stalls. I’m talkin’ takoyaki, yakitori, the whole shebang. I’m walking, and I see this little old lady selling the best mochi ever. I mean, I could’ve sworn I heard angels sing when I took a bite. But then, bam! A pigeon poops right on my shoulder. Like, really? Thanks, nature.
So, I’m wiping bird poop off my shirt, and I’m fuming. I mean, c’mon! I just wanted some mochi! But then I see this street performer, right? He’s juggling fire and doing backflips. I’m like, “Dude, you’re insane!” But it made me laugh, and I forgot about the poop.
Next, I decided to hit up Kumamoto Castle. Man, that place is stunning! The way the stone walls rise up, it’s like they’re saying, “Welcome to my kingdom!” But then I get there, and it’s all under construction. I’m like, “Are you kidding me?!” I wanted to see the real deal, not some scaffolding.
But whatever, I’m not gonna let that ruin my vibe. I stroll around the castle grounds, and it’s so peaceful. The cherry blossoms were in full bloom, and I’m just standing there, soaking it all in. Then, outta nowhere, this kid runs by, chasing a soccer ball, and he crashes right into me. I almost dropped my camera!
I’m laughing, and the kid’s like, “Sorry, mister!” I’m like, “No worries, champ! Just don’t break my camera!” Kids, man. They’re wild.
After that, I hit up the local market on Kamitori Street. It’s packed with fresh produce and all sorts of goodies. I grab some fresh fruit, and this lady starts chatting me up. She’s telling me about Kumamoto’s famous horse meat sashimi. I’m like, “Horse meat? Really?” But she swears it’s the best. I’m skeptical, but I’m also curious.
So, I decide to be adventurous. I find a little izakaya and order it. And wow, it’s surprisingly good! I mean, who knew? I’m sitting there, eating horse meat, and I can’t help but think, “What a weird day.”
Then, I head over to Suizenji Jojuen Garden. It’s this beautiful, traditional garden, and I’m just wandering around, feeling zen. But then, I see this couple taking selfies, and they’re blocking the path. I’m like, “C’mon, people! Move it!” But they’re too busy posing. I roll my eyes and just walk around them.
As the sun starts to set, I’m feeling all kinds of emotions. Happy, frustrated, surprised. Kumamoto is a rollercoaster! I grab some dinner at a local ramen shop on Shinshigai Street. The broth is rich, the noodles are perfect. I’m in heaven.
But then, I spill some broth on my shirt. Seriously, what’s with me today? I’m a mess! But I just laugh it off. I mean, it’s all part of the experience, right?
Finally, I end my day at a little bar near the castle. I’m sipping on some local shochu, and I can’t help but think about how crazy this day was. Kumamoto, you’ve got my heart. Even with the poop, the spills, and the weird food, I wouldn’t trade it for anything.
What a wild ride! Can’t wait to see what tomorrow brings.