Man, what a day in Yubari! Seriously, I’m still reeling from it. 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 Yubari’s main street, Kiyokawa-dori. Grabbed some onigiri and a can of that sweet melon soda. Yubari melons are famous, but I’m not dropping cash on one of those fancy fruits. I mean, c’mon, I’m not made of money! Anyway, I’m munching on my breakfast, feeling all good, when I hear this loud crash. Like, what the heck?
I look over, and some dude just knocked over a whole display of snacks. Chips everywhere! I’m talking a total snack massacre. I couldn’t help but laugh. Like, bro, how clumsy can you be? But then, I see the shopkeeper’s face. Oof. Poor guy looked like he was about to cry. I felt bad, so I helped him pick up the mess. Turns out, he’s super chill and we start chatting. His name’s Tanaka, and he’s been running that konbini for like 20 years. Respect, man.
After that, I decided to stroll down to the Yubari Coal Mine. Yeah, I know, sounds boring, but it’s actually kinda cool. The history there is wild! I mean, this place was once booming with coal, and now it’s just a ghost town. I felt like I was in a movie or something. But then, I got lost. Like, how do you get lost in a small town? I ended up on a random street, and I swear, it felt like a scene from a horror flick.
I’m wandering around, and I see this old lady selling fresh veggies. She’s got the biggest smile, and I’m like, “Okay, this is nice.” I buy some radishes, and she gives me a free cucumber. I’m like, “What’s the catch?” But nah, she’s just super nice. Made my day, honestly.
Then, I finally find my way back to the main area, and guess what? There’s a festival happening! Like, outta nowhere! Yubari’s famous for its festivals, but I didn’t know one was today. I’m talking food stalls, games, and people everywhere. I’m hyped! I grab some yakitori and it’s fire. I mean, I could eat that stuff all day.
But then, I see this game booth. You know, the one where you try to knock over bottles with a ball? I’m feeling lucky, so I give it a shot. First throw? Miss. Second throw? Miss. Third throw? I hit one! But the guy running the booth is like, “You gotta hit three to win.” Ugh, so close! I’m getting frustrated, but I keep trying. Finally, I knock over three bottles and win a stuffed bear. It’s ridiculous, but I’m stoked!
As I’m walking around with my bear, I bump into some friends. We start chatting, and they’re like, “Dude, you gotta try the melon ice cream.” I’m like, “Yubari melons? Count me in!” So we head over to this little shop on Yubari’s back streets. The ice cream is heavenly! I’m talking creamy, sweet, and just the right amount of melon flavor. I’m in heaven, man.
But then, outta nowhere, it starts pouring rain. Like, seriously? I just got my ice cream! We all dash for cover, laughing and slipping around. I’m soaked, but I don’t even care. We find shelter under this awning, and it turns into a mini party. We’re sharing stories, laughing, and just enjoying the moment.
Finally, the rain stops, and the sun comes out again. I’m feeling all kinds of emotions—happy, surprised, and a bit tired. I say goodbye to my friends and start heading home. As I walk down Kiyokawa-dori again, I can’t help but think about how wild today was. Yubari, you crazy little town, you’ve got my heart.
So yeah, that was my day. Full of ups and downs, but mostly just good vibes. Can’t wait to see what tomorrow brings!