Man, what a day! I’m tellin’ ya, Nasushiobara really knows how to throw a curveball. So, I wake up, right? Sun’s shining, birds chirping, and I’m like, “Today’s gonna be chill.” Spoiler alert: it was NOT chill.
First off, I hit up the local konbini on Kiyotaki Street. You know, the one with the neon sign that’s flickering like it’s having a seizure? Yeah, that one. Grabbed my usual—onigiri and a can of iced coffee. But guess what? They were outta my fave flavor! I mean, c’mon! How do you run out of coffee in Japan? I was ready to throw a fit. But I just rolled my eyes and settled for some weird melon soda. Not the same, man.
Then I decided to stroll down to the famous Nasushiobara Onsen. I mean, who doesn’t love a good soak, right? But as I’m walking down the street, I see this old dude trying to parallel park his car on Kiyotaki. And let me tell ya, it was a disaster. He’s going forward, backward, forward again. I’m standing there, popcorn in hand, just watching the show. Finally, he gets out, throws his hands up like he’s won a medal or something. I couldn’t help but laugh. Like, dude, you just parked like a champ in a demolition derby.
So, I get to the onsen, and it’s packed. Like, I’m talking sardines in a can. I’m thinking, “Great, I’ll just chill in the outdoor bath.” But nope! It’s full of these loud tourists. They’re splashing around, yelling, and I’m just trying to zen out. I’m like, “Can’t a guy relax in peace?” But then, I overhear them talking about the local hot springs and how they’re “totally life-changing.” I’m like, “Yeah, buddy, if you could just keep it down, that’d be life-changing for me.”
After that, I needed some air. So, I wandered over to the Nasushiobara Park. It’s beautiful, man. Cherry blossoms everywhere, and I’m just soaking it all in. But then, outta nowhere, this kid runs by, and BAM! He knocks my drink right outta my hand. I’m standing there, mouth agape, watching my precious melon soda spill all over the ground. I was ready to unleash my inner Hulk. But the kid just giggles and runs off. I mean, really? Kids these days have no respect for a man’s drink!
I finally calmed down and decided to grab some grub. Hit up this little ramen joint on Shimozato Street. Best decision ever! The broth was so rich, I could’ve bathed in it. I’m slurping away, and this old lady next to me starts chatting. She’s telling me about the history of Nasushiobara, how it was a hot spot for samurai back in the day. I’m like, “Wow, that’s cool!” But then she goes on about how they used to duel in the streets. I’m thinking, “Man, I’d pay to see that!”
After stuffing my face, I thought I’d check out the local shops. I’m wandering around, and I stumble upon this tiny store selling handmade crafts. I’m looking at these cute little figurines, and the shop owner starts talking to me about each one. I’m nodding along, but inside, I’m like, “Dude, I just wanted to browse.” But she’s so passionate, I can’t help but smile. I ended up buying this goofy little cat statue. It’s ridiculous, but it’ll remind me of this wild day.
As the sun started to set, I made my way back to the station. I’m exhausted but happy. Nasushiobara, you crazy little town, you’ve got my heart. I mean, sure, I got angry, I laughed, I even wanted to cry over spilled soda. But that’s life, right? Full of surprises and weird moments. I can’t wait to come back and do it all over again. Just maybe with a better coffee choice next time!