Quaint Japanese mountain village alleyway, traditional architecture
Quaint mountain village with traditional Japanese wooden architecture nestled amidst lush greenery.

Tsutsuishi: Where fine days dissolve in smiles

One beautiful summer morning, I head for Tsutsuishi on the local train.

Cocooned in there I soon fall asleep, but when Tsutsuishi is announced I open my eyes. The doors unlock, a cool wind blows into the carriage. Out there it’s as dark as inside an oven, although lights seem to be shining. Could I have slept through the whole trip without realizing that night had fallen? Am I dreaming? I’m the only one leaving the train, which to my dismay pulls off with a phantasmagorical screeching. Around me, the walls – curved – drip with the high humidity. It’s very cold. I go through a door that looks like a nuclear shelter, cross a corridor, the wind lifts me as if to help climb the infinite number of steps leading up. A few minutes later, I’m blinded by the light … divine? No, just finally outside … and it’s very, very hot! Here I am in Tsutsuishi.

The hamlet of Tsutsuishi, on the outskirts of Itoigawa town, is a little-visited corner of Japan. Only the densha-otaku turn up to see the bunker-like station buried 40 m deep. So my trip is a good sign for the village.

Tsutsuishi Village
Tsutsuishi Village

The village, wedged between mountain and sea, has been built in a very restricted space. The two- or three-storey houses are squeezed together along a narrow lane where no cars can pass. There’s no restaurant, only a mini supermarket. It’s morning, the mood is really sweet. “Shitsurei shimasu!” apologize the delivery men, sliding open the doors of the little houses. The obachan are busy with their flowers, others chat among themselves. Their husbands haven’t been home for a long time. As for the young people, if they’re still around, they’ve probably gone fishing.

Tsutsuishi Village
Tsutsuishi Village

At the edge of the village are some old fishermen’s huts (funaya) facing the Sea of Japan. These huts once lined the length of the west coast. Often wiped out by the wind, the weather, or – sad to say – lack of interest, they’re now so rare. Tsutsuishi’s huts are still standing, but for how much longer?

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Who Am I

Jordy Meow
This is me!

I am Jordy Meow, a French photographer based in Tokyo. I explore offbeat places in Japan.

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Cherry blooms whisper On the island of stillness, Mist holds nature's breath. 桜が囁く 静けさの島で 霧が息を呑む #offbeatjapan #japan #sakura #cherryblossom #naturelovers #serenity #reflections #dreamscape
Cool blue pool of dreams Framed by fiery autumn hues, Silent whispers merge. 静かな青い夢のプール 燃える秋色に縁取られ、 静かなささやきが交わる。 #offbeatjapan #japan #haiku #abandonedbeauty #autumnvibes #hiddenarchitectures #naturecontrast
Blue night whispers here, Red lights dance with signs aglow, Takoyaki dreams.  青い夜ささやく 赤い光舞う 看板は輝く たこ焼きの夢  #offbeatjapan #japan #takoyaki #japanstreetnight #urbanserenity #neonnights #suburbansoil #quietstreets
Worn stones tell stories, Ancient gate meets cityscape— Tradition whispers. 石畳 古門で都市会う 伝統囁く #offbeatjapan #japan #traditionandmodernity #cityscape #serenity #ancientarchitecture #urbanblend
Emerald whispers, Fiery leaves blaze the footpath— A dance of colors.---エメラルド囁き、 燃える葉が足跡を照らす— 色の舞踏。---#momijigari #autumnvibes #forestmagic #explorejapan #naturephotography #offbeatjapan #japan
Sun whispers through leaves, Golden grass dances gently, Green dreams sway in peace.  日が葉に囁く、 黄金の草が優しく踊る、 緑の夢が静かに揺れる。  #Arashiyama #Kyoto #BambooGrove #NatureWhispers #SerenePathway #JapanWonders #offbeatjapan #japan
Geometric blues, Windows whisper tales untold, Colors break the gray.幾何学の青、 窓は語らぬ物語をささやく、 色が灰を裂く。#urbanarchitecture #geometricdesign #coolcolors #modernjapaneseart #architecturelovers #offbeatjapan #japan
Vermilion whispers, Floating over blue embrace— Spirit’s quiet dance.  朱色の囁き、 青の抱擁に浮かぶ— 静かな霊の舞。  #Itsukushima #Miyajima #Hiroshima #torii #floatinggate #offbeatjapan #japan