Man, what a day! I’m tellin’ ya, being a watchmaker in Nirasaki is like riding a rollercoaster blindfolded. So, I woke up, right? Sun’s shining, birds chirping, and I’m like, “Today’s gonna be chill.” Spoiler alert: it wasn’t.
First off, I hit up the local café on Chuo-dori. Best coffee in town, no cap. I order my usual—black, no sugar. The barista, Yuki, gives me that smile. You know, the one that says, “I’m just here for the tips.” But hey, I’m not judging. I’m just here for caffeine.
So, I’m sippin’ my coffee, and boom! My phone buzzes. It’s my buddy Kenji. He’s like, “Dude, you gotta check out the festival at Nirasaki Park!” I’m like, “What festival?” Turns out, it’s some cherry blossom thing. I mean, it’s late October, but who am I to question the universe?
I finish my coffee and head to the park. The streets are packed! I’m dodging people on Kōen-dōri like I’m in a video game. Kids are running around, parents are yelling, and I’m just trying to keep my cool. I see these beautiful cherry trees, and I’m like, “Wow, nature is flexing hard today.”
But then, I spot this old dude trying to fix his watch. I’m like, “Hey, I can help!” I rush over, and he’s all flustered. Turns out, he’s got a vintage Seiko from the ‘70s. I’m sweating bullets, man. I can’t mess this up. I fix it, and he’s like, “You’re a lifesaver!” I’m grinning like an idiot.
But then, outta nowhere, it starts pouring! Like, seriously? I’m soaked in seconds. I’m running for cover under a sakura tree, and I’m thinking, “This is not how I pictured my day.” I’m standing there, drenched, and I see a couple laughing. They’re like, “This is romantic!” I’m like, “Romantic? I’m just trying to stay dry!”
After the rain, the sun comes back out. I’m like, “Okay, universe, you’re playing games.” I decide to check out the food stalls. I grab some yakitori, and it’s fire! I’m munching away, and I see this little kid with a balloon. He lets it go, and I’m like, “Nooooo!” It floats away, and he starts crying. I’m like, “Kid, I feel ya.”
Then, I bump into an old friend, Sato. We start reminiscing about high school. You know, the usual—cringy moments, bad haircuts. He tells me he’s moving to Tokyo. I’m like, “Dude, don’t leave me!” But he’s gotta chase his dreams. I get it.
As the day winds down, I’m walking back home on Kōen-dōri, and I can’t help but feel grateful. Nirasaki is wild, man. It’s got this vibe. The mountains in the background, the river flowing, and the people? They’re what make it special.
I finally get home, and I’m exhausted. I plop down on my couch, and I’m like, “What a ride.” I think about the old dude, the kid with the balloon, and Sato. Life’s a trip, ya know?
So, yeah, that was my day in Nirasaki. Full of ups and downs, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything. Just another day in the life of a watchmaker, I guess.