Running In Japan

My absolute favorite place to run in Japan, without a doubt, is Yamadaike (Yamada Pond) Park in Hirakata city.

My first reason is sentimental: in 2002 my wife's brother, Akito, offered to show me a place to run near his home in Shodaimoto-machi, where my wife Mie was born. As Akito rode his bike, he chatted about Japanese culture, work, and life in general.

It was a great time with Akito, and when we reached our destination, Yamadaike, I could not believe my luck! About 3 kilometers from his house, Yamadaike is another classic Japanese park centered around a small lake.

In the ten years since that first visit, the park has nearly doubled in size, enhanced with more paths to run, park benches, playground equipment and restrooms.

It is a very popular spot with the locals, and there are always lots of runners and walkers enjoying the varied terrain. While there are well-paved paths to run, an equally exciting part of a visit to Yamadaike are the many trails that lace through the hills.

I always love to visit Shodaimoto-machi, and to see my Mie's family. I cannot believe my good fortune to always have such a wonderful running spot nearby as well.

---

MUSIC: My music selection for Yamadaike is the awesome theme from "Monjiro," a early-seventies Japanese television show about a wandering ronin (a samuri without a lord). I first hear the song on the now defunct Los Angeles Japanese language radio station.

I recorded part of the tune on a cassette recorder, and asked Mie what it was. She couldn't remember, so we called Akito (in Japan) who remembered this as the Monjiro theme song. So I associate this song with my wife's childhood in Japan. And I love the last line of the chorus: "Kaze no naka de, matte iru!" Translation: in the middle of the storm, I am waiting for you!