Category: Architecture

CategoriesArchitecture Essay Inner GPS Kanagawa Life Light Night Photography Yokohama

As a Citizen of the World

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“You may say I’m a dreamer, but I’m not the only one. I hope someday you’ll join us. And the world will live as one.” ― John Lennon Yesterday, my dad told me about a conversation he had with my mom. “I’m not sure how much longer I will live,” he said. “Don’t say that,” said my mom. “My life would be horribly boring without you.”They were watching a TV program about the elderly, and they somewhat projected themselves deeply into elderly people facing their death featured in the program. Together for forty years, they’re inseparable now. Since my dad spent most of his career in the elderly care industry, … Continue ReadingAs a Citizen of the World

CategoriesArchitecture Autumn Essay Kanagawa Life Nature Photography Yokohama

Autumn in Yokohama

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“Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower.” ― Albert Camus Autumn is fantastic. Japan is blessed with distinct four seasons, and of the four seasons, autumn is an ideal season to photo-walk across Yokohama to enjoy red and gold-colored leaves. And it is of course an in-between season whose length varies with the weather, and lately thanks to global warming, it’s getting harder to tell the difference between summer and autumn. Still, the seasons are changing, and it heralds a change of daily rhythms of life. As autumn arrives across the nation, I like the gentleness of the season, before the cold sets in. Even though … Continue ReadingAutumn in Yokohama

CategoriesAndroid Architecture Essay Gadget review Human rights Photography Technology

Pixel + Moment

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“Behind the camera, I was invisible. When I lifted it up to my eye it was like I crawled into the lens, losing myself there. and everything else fell away.” ― Sarah Dessen, Dreamland Probably, this is my first gadget review article. It’s my phone, Google Pixel 4 XL. It has been my daily driver since the end of the last year. Here are some stories behind my new phone and lenses. I used to be a loyal Huawei user. I enjoyed three generations of Huawei devices, including Nexus 6P (co-developed by Google), Huawei P10, and Huawei Mate 10 Pro. I’m still using their tablet (Huawei MadiaPad M5 Pro) for … Continue ReadingPixel + Moment

CategoriesArchitecture Decade Essay Inner GPS Kanagawa Life Photography Skyscrapers Yokohama

Cheers to Our Imperfect Life

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“You are imperfect, permanently and inevitably flawed. And you are beautiful.” ― Amy Bloom My past few months were quite turbulent. Because of a sudden career change that posed many challenges, and other devastating personal matters, I started to question the way I have spent the past decade that led me to this point where I’m standing. Was it productive? Was it meaningful? Did I do anything that my future self would appreciate? When I asked those questions to myself, a countless number of painful thoughts rolled off the surface of my mind. I think I spent the past decade drawing in regrets. Thoughts that I thought I already moved … Continue ReadingCheers to Our Imperfect Life

CategoriesArchitecture Decorations Environment Essay Kanagawa Life Photography Skyscrapers Society Yokohama

Existential

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“There is scarcely any passion without struggle.” ― Albert Camus, The Myth of Sisyphus and Other Essays “The next year will be a wonderful year,” I told my friend, Wilson, when we parted at Shibuya station. Wilson is a good friend of mine, whom I met only a couple of weeks ago. He’s an Asian American and spent the last six years in Japan as an English teacher. That was December 29th, only three days away from the end of 2019. Personally, 2019 was a heavy year. Job change, struggle, love, and regrets. Like many other years, I have been through a lot. But the silver lining is that it … Continue ReadingExistential

CategoriesArchitecture Decade Essay Life Photography Tokyo

Shibuya: Before Another Decade

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“There are decades where nothing happens; and there are weeks where decades happen.” ― Vladimir Ilyich Lenin We have only a few hours left before entering another decade. Every year, we celebrated another new year, but this time, we’re finally waving goodbye to the 2010s. We’re now about to enter a whole new decade. When it comes to myself, a lot has happened during the last ten years. Incredible things, hardships, personal growth, challenges, and countless more… But what matters most to me is those hundreds of interactions with my friends, acquaintances, and family. It’s just priceless. What about you? What did the 2010s mean for you? And what do … Continue ReadingShibuya: Before Another Decade

CategoriesArchitecture Essay History Kobe Kyoto Light Night Osaka Photography

My Kansai Region Travel

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“I never travel without my diary. One should always have something sensational to read in the train.” ― Oscar Wilde, The Importance of Being Earnest Overall, my October travel to the Kansai region, including Osaka, Kyoto, and Kobe, was amazing and refreshing. As I mentioned in previous posts, I’ve already traveled across Osaka back in May. So, my main focus of this time was socializing with my friend who newly moved to the city all the way from Germany with his wife. We walked around the city and ate Kushikatsu together. I had a lot of fun! And the third day was the busiest. Having been to Kyoto, which is … Continue ReadingMy Kansai Region Travel

CategoriesArchitecture Decorations Kobe Light Night Photography

Nankinmachi

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“I’m astounded by people who want to ‘know’ the universe when it’s hard enough to find your way around Chinatown.” ― Woody Allen Just like my home city, Yokohama, Kobe has its Chinatown, known as Nakinmachi. Interestingly, the closest JR station to the district is called Motomachi, and Yokohama also has a district whose name is Motomachi that is close to Yokohama’s Chinatown. Why are they so similar to each other? You can google it if you want. It was my first time in my life to visit the place, and Kobe’s Chinatown was cozy and very amusing. A great place to visit for your dinner or some Chinese snacks. … Continue ReadingNankinmachi

CategoriesArchitecture Kobe Light Night Photography Sea Skyscrapers

Meriken Park

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“It was only a sunny smile, and little it cost in the giving, but like morning light it scattered the night and made the day worth living.” ― F. Scott Fitzgerald When it comes to the Kansai region, Kobe is sometimes overlooked, but the city is one of the major cities of Japan, offering many amusing places that are worth your visit. Meriken Park is one of the most famous sightseeing spots in Kobe. It is kinda a counterpart of Yokohama’s Minato Mirai 21. A district with a western feel to it. Enjoy the view, have some drinks, and spend a fantastic evening. Since Kobe is only 30 minutes ride … Continue ReadingMeriken Park

CategoriesArchitecture Decorations History Kyoto Photography

Nijo Castle

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“History will be kind to me for I intend to write it.” ― Winston S. Churchill Nijo Castle is a very well reserved sightseeing spot where Shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu once resided. The castle is composed of various different areas, architectures, and towers. Inside the main castle, you can see how cleverly designed the architecture is with great details. Even though the entrance fee is a little more costly when compared with other Kyoto sightseeing spots, it’s one of the must-see spots.