my favorite place, Niigata

I had to attend a meeting at the community center
in the morning and left Tokyo in the afternoon.

It was quite dark when I arrived at Niigata Station.

“Here I am!,” I said to myself.
I went into my own house.
Oh, how lonely I felt!
Darkness had swallowed all my sweet memories.

I switched on all the electric lights in my house.
My face lit up with joy and happiness.
The lights eased my loneliness.

I’ve learned I should come home before dark---
when I come back to Niigata.

I cleaned my rooms.
I enjoyed being in my own house.

I said hello to my neighbors.
I enjoyed talking with my friends.

Thank you so much, Neighbors and Friends in Niigata!

(in Shirone)


(from my room upstairs)


(I used to walk along this path with my two dogs)


(the Japan sea, Yorii-hama)




(the rear of the restaurant where we had lunch)


(from the Shinkansen)