Man, what a day! I woke up in Tanuma, and I swear, I thought it was just gonna be another chill day. But nah, life had other plans. First off, I’m a game designer, right? So I’m always lookin’ for inspiration. Tanuma’s got that vibe, ya know? It’s like a hidden gem in Japan, with all those cute little streets and stuff.
So, I hit up Kōen-dōri first. It’s this street lined with cherry blossoms. I mean, c’mon, who doesn’t love cherry blossoms? I’m walkin’ and just soaking it all in. Then BAM! I trip over a crack in the sidewalk. Like, seriously? Who’s in charge of this? I’m about to start a petition for better sidewalks.
Anyway, I shake it off and head to Tanuma Park. It’s got this pond, and I’m thinkin’ it’ll be a great spot to sketch some ideas. But guess what? There’s a bunch of kids there, like, screaming and running around. I’m like, “Dude, chill! I’m trying to be artsy here!” But then one of them, this little dude, he comes up and shows me his drawing. It’s a dragon! A freakin’ dragon! I’m like, “Whoa, kid, you’re gonna be famous one day.” That made me smile, ya know?
After that, I’m feelin’ all inspired, so I decide to grab some grub. I hit up this little ramen joint on Shōwa-dōri. Best ramen ever! I order the spicy miso, and it’s like a flavor explosion in my mouth. But then, I see the chef drop a whole bowl of noodles. I’m like, “Noooo!” But he just laughs it off. I guess that’s the vibe here. People just roll with it.
So, I’m sittin’ there, slurping my noodles, when I overhear this convo about the Tanuma Festival. Apparently, it’s coming up soon, and they’re gonna have all these cool floats and food stalls. I’m like, “I need to get in on that!” Festivals are my jam.
But then, outta nowhere, it starts pouring rain. I mean, like, monsoon-level rain. I dash outta the ramen shop, and I’m soaked in seconds. I’m runnin’ down the street, trying to find cover, and I end up in this little shop on Kōen-dōri. It’s a cute little place selling all kinds of trinkets. I’m browsing, and I find this awesome figurine of a samurai. I’m like, “I need this for my desk!”
Finally, the rain lets up, and I’m feelin’ good again. I head back to my place, and I’m just about to sit down and sketch when I get a call from my buddy. He’s like, “Dude, you gotta come to this bar on Kōen-dōri. They have the best sake!” I’m like, “I just got home!” But who am I kidding? I’m out the door in five minutes.
At the bar, it’s packed. Everyone’s laughing, and the vibe is just right. I grab a drink, and we start talking about the festival. Turns out, my buddy’s got a cousin who’s in charge of the floats. I’m like, “Dude, let’s make a game about this!” We’re brainstorming ideas, and I’m just buzzing with excitement.
But then, outta nowhere, this guy spills his drink all over me. I’m like, “Seriously?!” But instead of getting mad, I just laugh it off. It’s that kinda day, ya know?
As the night goes on, I’m just vibing with the crowd, and I realize how much I love this city. Tanuma’s got this energy that just pulls you in. The streets, the people, the food—everything’s just so alive.
So yeah, that was my day. From tripping on sidewalks to finding inspiration in a kid’s drawing, to getting soaked and then spilling drinks. It was a rollercoaster, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything. Tanuma, you’ve got my heart!