Walking on Oil Drums and Chasing the Tail of a Rainbow: A Nostalgic Stroll Through Tamashima, Kurashiki
Beyond the oil drum bridge, I found the Showa era. A sudden rain, shops that were closed. At the end of an unlucky day, the sky showed me the ultimate reward. I'd like to share the nostalgic scenery of Tamashima with you.
Walking on oil drums and chasing the tail of a rainbow: A nostalgic stroll through Tamashima, Kurashiki
Tamashima, the hidden retreat of Kurashiki. Here, the landscape remains, having aged in its own unique way, slowly but surely. Today, I wandered through this town of Tamashima, following wherever my heart led me.
The journey began at a local landmark known to those in the know: the "Oil Drum Bridge."
Its official name is the "Floating Bridge." True to its name, it is a wild structure where over 100 oil drums bob on the water, acting as bridge piers. With every step I took, I felt so close to the water's surface. It was a strange sensation, as if I had become a ninja walking on a river, or perhaps walking across a giant musical instrument.
Once across the bridge, I found myself in a shopping arcade filled with the atmosphere of the Showa era.
Stepping into the arcade, I was enveloped in a nostalgic air. Each storefront seemed to tell its own story, and I fell under the illusion that I had slipped through time.
In the midst of this, I suddenly stopped near Haguro Shrine.
Lured by a savory aroma, I peeked inside to find a traditional "Taiyaki" shop. Without hesitation, I bought one and took a bite while it was still piping hot. This is it—this is the taste. The simple, gentle sweetness, not overly refined, soaked into my tired body.
Next, I headed to the sushi restaurant that was supposed to be my "destination" for the day.
The building, which had been converted from an old coffee shop, looked retro-modern and stylish. I stood before the door with my heart full of anticipation, but... alas. Perhaps it was closed today, or maybe I was just a little too early.
However, this is also the true pleasure of travel. I took it as an invitation from Tamashima to "come back again," and after vowing to return for a rematch, I continued my walk toward the harbor.
Then, the color of the sky changed abruptly.
Caught in a sudden, heavy downpour, I scrambled to find shelter. I gave a bitter smile, thinking about my bad luck, but the moment the rain stopped, the best surprise was waiting for me.
A large rainbow arched across the harbor.
The contrast between the orange of the setting sun and the seven colors remaining in the sky was a divine sight that made me instantly forget that I hadn't been able to eat sushi as planned.
Perhaps the unexpected rain and the closed shops were all foreshadowing, meant to ensure I saw this rainbow from the best possible spot.
Tamashima, thank you for such a wonderful souvenir at the end.
Summary
This stroll through Tamashima was truly an "aesthetic of unplanned harmony."
Even though the place I aimed for was closed, what appeared in its stead was a nostalgic taste and a breathtaking rainbow that could never have been calculated. We live in a world that demands efficiency, but perhaps by surrendering ourselves to such "aimless walking" from time to time, we can maximize our mental time performance.