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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/shigeki_takeguchi/37153964342/in/dateposted-public/" title="IMG_1105"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4425/37153964342_bcde1ba41f_z.jpg" width="640" height="480" alt="IMG_1105"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
I can't remember what shop it was 40 years ago, but the shop next to this corner shop "Tamagawa" was definitely a candy store.
It also had small toys for children, and it was like a gathering place for children in the area. No one knew the shop name, and there was a nickname or name that children passed down. I can't remember it anymore, though.

Reading <a href="https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E9%95%B7%E7%94%B0%E5%8C%BA">Wikipedia</a>, Nagata Ward's population was 96,871 as of May 2017. 
It's quite low compared to neighboring Suma Ward or Hyogo Ward. Well, I think the population moved to surrounding areas like Nishi Ward, Tarumi Ward, and Kita Ward after the earthquake, so that might be the cause.
And reading Wikipedia, I learned for the first time that Nagata Ward has one of Japan's major Koreatowns, and I never knew that until now. 
I realize I lived without being very aware of it, and that you don't really know much about local things. Maybe I was just too innocent.
Also, I lived in a place called Genpei-cho, but when I look it up online again, it says there was a Korean labor camp in the same neighborhood, etc. 
Come to think of it, I vaguely remember a place like that, but I think the adults around me at the time avoided going near that area and didn't let it come up in conversation.
Yes, it was like living as if it didn't exist.
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/shigeki_takeguchi/37136304336/in/dateposted-public/" title="IMG_1107"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4352/37136304336_b106e0634d_z.jpg" width="640" height="480" alt="IMG_1107"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
However, walking through this area, I don't meet many people, and not many cars pass through, so I think it's clearly more desolate than 40 years ago. 
Many buildings have been renovated and maintained, but those utilizing old buildings stand out. The schools are like that, and the co-op building that felt old even back then is still there almost unchanged. 
Thanks to that, there's a sense of reassurance for someone visiting after a long time that things haven't changed, but when I think this scenery might not change until it decays, I get a bit worried.
The photo above was taken right behind the house I used to live in, and it's almost unchanged from the scenery I drew for summer vacation homework as a child. I think the only thing that changed is that a nursing care facility building was built.
The elementary and junior high schools visible from my house window are also unchanged—the only change is that the exterior walls were repainted. I drew them every year back then, so I remember them surprisingly well, but there are no major changes.
When I think that maybe the changes in Japan over these 40 years are only that much, and that Tokyo's city center has changed abnormally, I realize that cities where metabolism no longer occurs can only decline.
There's a photo from my childhood, probably taken by my parents when I was about 5, that reminds me the road in front of my house was dirt.
That eventually became asphalt, sewer pipes were laid and manholes appeared on the road, traffic increased so bypasses and toll roads were built, mountains were developed as residential land and houses were built. Also, an apartment building was built on the field where we played baseball. I think everything was busy back then. Also, constant change was natural, but I never imagined it would stop like this. Yes.
To be continued.

Walking through the city where I was born and raised, Kobe from Maruyama, Nagata Ward to Hiyodorigoeshi (2)

Heading to Okayama Airport to return to Tokyo.
When I got there, the Boeing 787 departure was delayed. 
Does it have many problems? So the area in front of the boarding gate was incredibly crowded. 
I happened to take the next flight, but that flight ended up leaving first, so I filmed it.

<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/shigeki_takeguchi/6388782493/" title="Untitled by shigeki.takeguchi, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm7.staticflickr.com/6093/6388782493_ecea3b0c4f.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt=""></a>
I think the aircraft's shape is beautiful.
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/shigeki_takeguchi/6388785527/" title="Untitled by shigeki.takeguchi, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7004/6388785527_5cf7a5a140.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt=""></a>

Boeing 787 - Does it have many problems?

As a study for reporting on travel, I'll introduce the route from Okayama Station to Okayama Castle. 
Many people go by streetcar, but it's a walkable distance. About 20-30 minutes. 
A bit less than 2 kilometers? (Google Maps route search shows 1.8km) 
JR Okayama Station. The Shinkansen and conventional lines are in the same station. The station facility "Sansute" is well-equipped. Convenient for travelers for souvenirs and meals. 
There's also a supermarket, Muji, bookstore, etc., and I think many people use it regularly.

<img src="https://farm7.static.flickr.com/6210/6098875422_970da652a4.jpg" alt="">
Exiting the east exit, you can see Takashimaya on the right and Bic Camera on the left. (Incidentally, the west exit has ANA Hotel and a highway bus terminal.) The station square often has events. In the photo, it's small and hard to see, but there's a statue of Momotaro and his companions, and a fountain with an unusual shape. Someone uploaded a video.
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NGJ1Zt0dZ98" title="Okayama Station Square Fountain" target="_blank">Okayama Station Square Fountain (YouTube)</a>
<img src="https://farm7.static.flickr.com/6081/6098338309_a3c388f3df.jpg" alt="">
The streetcar stop at Okayama Station. There are 2 lines: "Higashiyama Line" and "Seikibashi Line." When going to the castle, take the "Higashiyama Line." The one in front is the Seikibashi Line with the new streetcar "MOMO." Okayama's streetcars have <a href="https://www.okayama-kido.co.jp/tramway/iroiro.html" title="various trains" target="_blank">various trains</a> like this.
<img src="https://farm7.static.flickr.com/6084/6098887360_92e759fd85.jpg" alt="">
Momotaro-dori. Bic Camera on the left, streetcar on the right. Walk straight on this Momotaro-dori to the castle.
<img src="https://farm7.static.flickr.com/6182/6098891542_74a6b60dd4.jpg" alt="">
The sidewalk is wide and tiled, making it easy to walk. You should watch out for bicycles.
<img src="https://farm7.static.flickr.com/6194/6098577835_a44df52f43.jpg" alt="">
Walking for a while, you cross Nishikawa Greenway Park, a park that continues along a river. There's a fountain on the left. On the opposite side after crossing the road, there's a police box.
<img src="https://farm7.static.flickr.com/6068/6098579711_2810ce78e2.jpg" alt="">
You come to a large intersection called Yanagawa. About halfway between the castle and the station.
<img src="https://farm7.static.flickr.com/6077/6099128914_6a5bf1170d.jpg" alt="">
Approaching the streetcar "Joka" stop. There's an underground parking lot, and you can see <a href="https://www.okayama-symphonyhall.or.jp/" title="Okayama Symphony Hall" target="_blank">Okayama Symphony Hall</a> with a lavender-colored lower structure.
<img src="https://farm7.static.flickr.com/6197/6098582883_c6372dffe3.jpg" alt="">
On the left is "Tenjin Ramen," an old-fashioned ramen shop typical of Okayama. I haven't eaten there yet. It seems to be open until around 2:30 PM, so there aren't many chances to eat.
<img src="https://farm7.static.flickr.com/6197/6099132258_0e9062e788.jpg" alt="">
The streetcar "Joka" stop and Okayama Symphony Hall. If you take the streetcar to the castle, get off at this stop. I think it was 100 yen from the station.
<img src="https://farm7.static.flickr.com/6188/6098588063_648a240720.jpg" alt="">
A slight slope from Joka to the castle. There's a stone monument saying "Crow Castle Road." Okayama Castle is also called "Crow Castle" (Ujo).
<img src="https://farm7.static.flickr.com/6207/6098592405_177c0b408e.jpg" alt="">
Going up "Crow Castle Road" a bit, you come to a park-like entrance with Korakuen on the left and the castle on the right. Just a bit more.
<img src="https://farm7.static.flickr.com/6090/6099141654_4295dbdfb5.jpg" alt="">
The moat is the Asahi River. Crossing the bridge over that river leads to Korakuen.
<img src="https://farm7.static.flickr.com/6063/6098595279_2150a582a9.jpg" alt="">
It's characterized by black lacquered weatherboards. So the overall impression is of a black castle. This castle also seems to have burned in the war, so it's made of concrete.
<img src="https://farm7.static.flickr.com/6086/6098596621_10d3995863.jpg" alt="">
The stone walls are beautiful because islands in the Seto Inland Sea, which is a source of stone, were territories or nearby.
<img src="https://farm7.static.flickr.com/6201/6098599393_055c432747.jpg" alt="">
The beauty of the stone walls is recommended. Also, it's good that the castle isn't over-maintained. Of course, Korakuen can be enjoyed in each season, so I definitely want to visit in autumn too.