KURATABI

I was born and raised in Miyagi prefecture. After the experience of the exchange study when I was at university and of living and working in Tokyo after graduating, the year before last, I was back to this place.

In my student days, I was bored with the life here due to its lack of attractions comparing with other major cities, but gradually, I realize that the life in this town isn't as bad as it once was. In contrast to the hectic lifestyle in Tokyo, I have become used to living in this small town.

Recently, when I was looking back at the pictures taken while travelling, I realized I've never stayed at the hotels alone in Sendai, the Prefectural capital in Miyagi prefecture. I wanted to see the city I've grown up from a different perspective. At the end of this summer, I made a reservation for a night at the hotel.

On one rainy sunday.

After enjoyed lunch and shopping in Sendai, I arrived at Hotel Metropolitan Sendai. I tend to stay in business hotels during workcations, so it had been a while since I've stayed in a regular hotel. I completed the check-in and made my way to the room.

Luckily, my room was upgraded to the executive floor. The view from the large window was excellent. I was looking forward the night view.

I was thinking of enjoying staying in the room. I had taken my Amazon fire stick from my home, so I was thinking to watch some movies at night.

After a short break, I went outside to get some food. My first stop was the liquor shop, located in the underground floor at Sendai Forus. There were various local beers, and it was very hard to choose ones to spend the night with.

With two bottles of beers, I also got some side dishes to go. On my way back to the hotel, the sky after the rain was beautiful.

It was already dark when I returned to the hotel. I bought this cute bear-shaped bath bomb at Lush. To relax and watch movies with beers, I took a bath before supper.

The beers, these were my choices.

One was from Iwate prefecture, made with Japanese pepper from Ichinoseki city. The herb's fresh scent spread throughout my mouth, and it was delicious.

The other one was the cocktail-inspired beer called MacGuffin from Nara prefecture. The flavor, consisted of vanilla, cacao and anise, was somehow unique. To be honest, it was not my taste.

For dishes, I picked a black truffle quiche, a scallop salad, a Caprese-like salad, and a pear tart for dessert. When I'm alone, I'd rather eat in the room with my favorite food and drink.

I watched "Summer of 85" and "The Devil Wears Prada". Watching movies in the hotel room had different fun from at the movie theater. I felt very comfortable and relaxed, and had a great time alone that night.

Next morning, I woke up around 5. It was still dark. The time of sunrise had been getting late. The long summer days finally came to an end, and the fall seemed to be passing by so quickly.

I came up with the idea of taking the room service for breakfast, but I also felt like having a bagel since the movie "The Devil Wears Prada" last night reminded me of NY's morning.

So I went to a bagel shop near the station and got one filled with creem chease with nuts and honey.

After having breakfast, spent some time in the room. I took a walk after the checkout. In the afternoon, came to Westin Sendai for the afternoon tea that I was really looking forward to.

A light meal is served on the plate with Shine Muscat grapes, figs, sweet potatoes, and other ingredients. The plate decorated with small autumns with excellent teas was enjoyable, and the view from 26 floors was amazing. It was a day with a lot of sunshine.

I often tend to feel like I don't want to go to work after such well-spent holidays, but that day I felt like I was here because I was following my own path. I am feeling optimistic about my future, and will continue to do small things every day, both in my personal life and in my work.