23/12/2024 Ran
In the evening, as I walk through the streets, I start to see groups of kids on their bicycles gathering together. Laughter echoes through the air. With their small allowances in hand, they come joyfully to enjoy themselves.
Do you know about the “dagashi” shop? It’s a place where you can buy nostalgic sweets at very low prices. For me, it’s a special place full of memories. When I was in elementary school, I would ride on the back of my friend’s bicycle and visit it over and over again. On the way there, I would cling to my friend, eagerly asking, “Are we there yet?”
After school, going to the dagashi shop was one of the things I looked forward to. I would pick up the sweets and open the bag. Each time, it felt like the tiredness of the day would melt away. At the same time, eating the sweets with my friends gave me a simple, yet deep, sense of satisfaction.
Just a 10-minute walk from Asagaya, if you pass through the row of zelkova trees and turn right, you’ll see a dagashi shop called “Yanagiya.” The old sign and the worn-out glass windows tell the story of the shop’s long history. Standing in front of the shop, you can feel a warm kindness, as if time moves differently here.
When you step inside, the smell of kerosene fills the air. There’s a certain nostalgia that stays with you. Looking up at the wall, you’ll see colorful boxes of dagashi neatly arranged. They somehow give off a calm and settled feeling. Maybe it’s the gentle gaze of the shop owner and the dignity that comes from maintaining the shop all these years.
Inside, there are many types of dagashi, and you can even enjoy mini-games for just 10 yen. As you look around the shop, your eyes are drawn to the edges of the door and shelves, where cute stickers are stuck everywhere, making you feel even more fond of the place.
While I was talking to the shop owner, a high school girl came in. With practiced hands, she filled her basket with dagashi and chatted casually with the shopkeeper before heading out. Her natural movements, her easy way of being, made me feel the familiar flow of everyday life, and I couldn’t help but be captivated by her presence.
There are many shops in the neighborhood that have been standing for years. These shops have blended into the streets and have been loved by the local people for a long time. I imagine these shops will continue to stand unchanged, growing older as time passes.
The high school girl flashed a brief smile and rode off on her bicycle. Her figure was bathed in the evening sun. In this town, time flows quietly. I felt that people’s memories are being built across generations, and my heart warmed with that thought.