Neighborhood Hirakata

Honestly, I never knew Hirakata Shi actually is THAT BIG. I had only took rides pass several streets to Lawsons and Kansai Gaidai University and occasionally the grocery shoppings at SANKO or Life.

Well, I will try to write about my neighborhood Hirakata. Just an introduction, I will write more on the daily life I've seen in Hirakata so far and not about the shops or izakaya because I hardly go there and I don't think I truly understand it as I just arrived in Japan 3 weeks ago.

The above picture is taken somewhere near the housing area of my seminar house. What I'd like to portray through this picture is how a normal residence in Hirakata is like. I had the number plat of the vehicle blurred out for privacy purpose. Also, I did not take a direct shot at the house to avoid any violation of human rights in Japan. Basically, I hope this is enough to show how a normal family lives. Judging by the fact that this family owns 2 cars, I think they are well to do or maybe slightly above average.

What really struck me when I first arrived in this small city was the roads. The picture above was taken in front of the house. The roads is as wide as it can get. For a family that is well to do, I couldn't understand why they would opt to stay in Hirakata. It seems to me, that a bigger city would be better because of the exposure you can get. Imagine 2 cars driving pass this alley. After snooping the area for some time, I realize it's the same regardless wherever I go.

So the question was, why Hirakata? I soon came to know of the answer. 

(based on my observations)

The picture above shows a group of children, possibly friends cycling through the narrow alley. They were chatting happily when they rode passed me. Their liveliness and GENKI-ness in them was no doubt, obvious. I had never done much riding in my country due to the dangerous wide roads where heavy vehicles often operates.

This is my favorite picture. Taken from afar, a father and his daughter at the river, playing or doing something together. This river is located besides the narrow street where I took my pictures. It was on the way to Makino. When I saw this moment of family bonding, I felt I had at least gotten the idea or a glimpse into the neighborhood here. Residence of Hirakata probably would think that this is the best place to raise a family as there are much more to do here. What I meant by much more is not the shinning bright lights of Shinjuku or Shinsaibashi, but everything a family needs is located near the area. School, college/ university, shopping mall and many more.  

I think growing up on this side of Japan is much healthier than it would be in a bigger city such as Tokyo. The pressure and stress there might be too overwhelming for some people.

The picture above was sourced from Google images. The red roof stretch of houses located on the right side of this picture is where I stay. The streets right outside my house are very dangerous.

*To link to the website, please click here.

This is the streets during the day. 

Nothing like Japan.

*Also sourced from Google Images, to link to the website, please click here.