[ Golden Week 2025

My SO and I were some of the fortunate ones who had an entire 11 days off in a
row (a rarity in Japan.) Tomorrow is the last day and then the entire country
goes back to work. It has been a fantastic Golden Week vacation for both of us.

I myself went back to a city I used to live in, to wander the streets again and
bring back old memories. I always enjoy riding the Shinkansen, and it was great
to see the familiar sights again; to hear the sounds and smell the scents. In
my exploring though, I walked over 33,000 steps in one day, and that took a
toll on my feet, which required several days to heal.

My SO and I started golf. I intially became interested last summer, but I
didn't pursue it. My SO had a chance to play through work earlier this year,
and they were the impetus for me to start this time. Proper form isn't easy,
and neither is getting the ball to go in a straight line, but it has been quite
fun.

I broke down and bought a Pentax 17, which is a half frame film camera that was
released in 2024. With film being as expensive as it is in Japan, being able to
take 48+ photos on a 24 exposure roll of film (or 72+ photos on a 36 exp. roll)
is very welcome. Processing isn't as cheap as it used to be, but it's still
affordable. I wish I could say the same for slide film: a roll of Kodak
Ektachrome is around 6500 Yen, and that's just highway robbery.

My SO and I took a day trip to Hakone. It was during the week, not on a holiday
and therefore it was pretty quiet. We went for a soak in an Onsen and then a
drive to enjoy the scenery and cooler temperatures.

We went to the Joan Miro exhibit at the Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum. I liked
a few pieces I saw, but the rest didn't really speak to me. Of course I never
really was one for surrealism though, but I did enjoy the experience. I am
particularly looking forward to the Van Gogh exhibition which starts this
September.

We also went to the Tapio Wirkkala exhibit at the Tokyo Station Gallery. There
are some really beautiful pieces on display.

Aside from a Palm or scanning film, I haven't been on a computer the entire
week, which also means no news, domestic or otherwise. It's been wonderful.