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To truly empathize with others without appearing spineless, one must have a distinctive rhythm.
George Clinton
For me, the truly invaluable people are the ones who are utterly insane—those who live passionately, speak fervently, and yearn for salvation. They crave everything, never show boredom, and never utter anything mundane. They burn fiercely, like dazzling yellow fireworks, exploding and spreading like a spider weaving among the stars, glowing blue at the center, prompting everyone to exclaim, ‘Ah!’ That’s who they are.
Jack Kerouac
My First Time in Tomakomai
I just returned from my first-ever trip to Tomakomai, which was a two-day, one-night research adventure. As a proud native of Hokkaido, it’s surprising to admit that I had never set foot in Tomakomai before. While some might find that hard to believe, it’s not unusual for Hokkaido residents. Given that Hokkaido accounts for over 20% of Japan’s land area, it’s rare to find someone who has visited every nook and cranny of this vast island. Many locals have places they haven’t been to.
The regional variations in Hokkaido are astounding. For instance, if people from Sapporo spot a deer or a fox in the city, they might get a little excited, while those from Obihiro or Asahikawa might simply shrug it off. Wakkanai residents might not react at all! The differences extend to temperature, climate, and even dialects, making Hokkaido feel almost like a separate “country.” The range of these differences is remarkable, and it’s not just due to the vastness of the land; the fact that nearly everyone here is an immigrant plays a big role in that.
Anyway, this was my first-ever experience in Tomakomai, and to cut to the chase, it was an absolute blast—ridiculously fun! I often found myself wondering, “Is it really okay for this to be my job?” Each time, I happily reassured myself with, “Of course it is!” I’d like to recount the entire experience here.
I arrived at New Chitose Airport around 1 PM, and my first thought was, “What kind of research are we doing today?” I had only been informed that I would be “researching in Tomakomai,” and I had no idea what would happen after I landed. I contemplated whether I should just start enjoying some Sapporo Classic (an incredibly delicious beer exclusive to Hokkaido) when Kato-kun came to pick me up. I hopped in the car and asked, “So, what kind of research are we doing today?” Kato-kun replied, “It’s a city exploration shoot where we’ll visit my favorite spots in Tomakomai. The goal is to showcase the city’s charms.”
“So basically, it’ll end up being a drinking and walking tour?”
“Exactly!”
Sounds perfect to me
A soulful writer, tension critic, and professional playboy. His self-published magazine T.M.I., released in 2022 and 2023, achieved a historic small hit. In addition to his role as a storyteller for the R&B band Young Love, he is also active in the neo-kamishibai unit Pegasus-dan.
