On the final day of my recent stay in Japan, I visited Kagurazaka.
There are many places in Tokyo that I love, but if I had to choose the one place that holds the most special meaning for me, it would undoubtedly be Kagurazaka.
I first became familiar with Kagurazaka many years ago when I joined a large tax accounting firm.
I was truly excited when I received the job offer. I looked forward to the beginning of a new career and all the possibilities that lay ahead. However, once I actually started working there, I found the environment to be far more demanding than I had expected.
Before that, I had lived overseas and worked for companies with relatively open and flexible cultures. As a result, I sometimes found it difficult to adapt to an environment where seniority and hierarchical relationships were clearly defined.
I still remember spending my days overwhelmed with work, doing my best to navigate an unfamiliar environment and keep up with the demands placed on me.
During that time, Kagurazaka became a place of comfort for me.
Stone-paved alleyways.
Small restaurants that appeared around unexpected corners.
Streets lined with unique establishments offering Japanese, French, Italian, and many other cuisines.
And on Karukozaka, there was a movie theater that no longer exists today.
When I felt overwhelmed by the pressures of work, I would sometimes go there alone. I still remember how sitting in the dark theater and watching a movie would somehow calm my mind and help me regain my sense of balance.
That movie theater was also one of the many scenes of Kagurazaka that supported me during those years.
There were times when I dined with colleagues and talked about work over meals.
At the same time, I often chose to eat alone because I wanted at least my lunch break to be free from work.
As I walked through the streets of Kagurazaka, I sometimes found myself wondering, “What kind of life will I lead in the future?”
Several years later, Kagurazaka had become a part of my everyday life.
At the time, I lived near Kagurazaka, so I often met friends there for meals. I also brought family members and relatives there whenever they visited Tokyo.
Kagurazaka changed from being a place associated with the stress of work into a place near home where I could relax and find peace of mind.
The scenery of Kagurazaka appears throughout many chapters of my life.
And this time, on the final day of my stay in Japan, I felt compelled to visit once again before my flight home.
As I sat in a restaurant having lunch and looking out the window, I experienced a strange feeling.
The faces of people I had met in Kagurazaka over the years began to come back to me one after another.
- Colleagues I worked with
- Friends I shared meals with
- People who encouraged me
- People with whom I have gradually lost touch
- People I may never see again
Relationships change throughout life.
Some endure for many years, while others naturally fade away with time.
Yet I believe that I am who I am today because of all the people who became part of my life at different moments along the way.
Whenever I walk through Kagurazaka, I am reminded of that truth.
When I was younger, I spent most of my time thinking about the future.
Earning professional qualifications.
Building a career.
Working in the United States.
I was always focused on the next goal.
But as I have grown older, I have found myself spending more time reflecting on the past.
I am where I am today because of the experiences I had back then.
I am where I am today because of the people I met along the way.
That is something I have come to appreciate more and more.
Places have a mysterious power.
Sometimes, simply visiting a particular place can bring back vivid memories of how you felt and what you were thinking during that period of your life.
For me, Kagurazaka is exactly that kind of place.
I am sure there will be opportunities for me to visit Japan again in the future.
And each time I do, I may find myself returning to Kagurazaka.
New restaurants may open, and the streetscape may gradually change over time. Yet I believe Kagurazaka will always remain a special place for me—a place that reminds me of the life I have lived and the journey that has brought me to where I am today.
Do you have a place that you would call your own “point of origin”?
🎥 Related Video
The story I shared in this article is one chapter of a much larger journey.
In this Japanese YouTube video, I share why I came to the U.S. three different times, how those experiences shaped my life, and why I continue to make the U.S. my home today.
Although the video is in Japanese, you may still enjoy the photos and personal stories if you are interested in learning more about my journey.
▶ “Why I Chose the U.S. Three Times” (Japanese)
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