This morning started quite busy.
A new Dragon Ball card set was released, and there were lines at stores and a lot happening around the card community.
Normally I would write about that right away and share the news with everyone.
But today I wanted to do something a little different.
Instead of talking about cards or business, I thought I would share a small part of my daily life in Japan.
Japanese People and Work
When I talk with friends overseas, the topic of holidays often comes up.
In many European countries, people take long vacations.
In China, during the Lunar New Year, some people take nearly a month off.
In Japan, most companies have around 110–120 days off per year, and those days are usually fixed weekends and national holidays.
Long continuous vacations are actually quite rare.
For me, that kind of system never really suited my personality.
I always felt that working independently would allow me to have more freedom.
This year marks my 25th year running my own business.
Ironically, choosing freedom sometimes means it feels like I work 24 hours a day, 365 days a year (laugh).
My Work Style
When I say freedom, what I really mean is that I value my lifestyle more than the specific work itself.
The way I work today is the result of trying to make things as efficient as possible.
For example:
- keeping fixed costs low (no large office or many employees)
- using online services and digital tools effectively
Because of this, I built a system where I can work from almost anywhere.
So I’m not always sitting in front of a computer.
Actually, I love nature.
Whether with my family or by myself, I often try to visit places where I can enjoy natural scenery.
A Trip to Beppu
Today I visited Beppu, a famous hot spring city in Oita Prefecture.
It’s about two hours by car from Fukuoka, where I live.
The population is around 110,000 people, and it’s one of Japan’s most famous onsen towns.
About 30 years ago, Beppu was even ranked the number one honeymoon destination in Japan.
Traveling from Fukuoka
I usually drive to Beppu because I like stopping at different places along the way.
But there is also a train called the Limited Express Sonic.
The name sounds like the video game character Sonic the Hedgehog, but the view from the train is very beautiful and very “Japanese.”
If you ever travel in this area, I highly recommend it.
Mt. Yufu
On the way to Beppu you pass Mt. Yufu, one of the most beautiful mountains in the region.
It stands 1,583 meters tall and is known as one of the “200 famous mountains of Japan.”
There are hiking trails for intermediate climbers, and the view from the top is said to be spectacular.
I recently posted a short video of this drive on my Instagram story, and surprisingly it received a lot of reactions.
Actually… it received more reactions than my Pokémon card posts (laugh).
But I’m happy people enjoy seeing these parts of Japan.
Talking about cards all the time can get a little repetitive too.
Takegawara Onsen
While in Beppu, I visited a place called Takegawara Onsen.
It’s a beautiful wooden bathhouse that almost looks like something from the movie
“Spirited Away.”
This bathhouse was originally built in 1879.
The name “Takegawara” comes from the early days when the roof was made from bamboo, before later renovations changed it to traditional roof tiles.
The current building dates back to 1938 and features a beautiful curved roof design called Karahafu.
It is now recognized as a registered cultural property of Japan.
The entrance fee is only about 300 yen (around $2), although you need to bring your own towel.
I didn’t actually go inside to bathe this time I just took photos of the building — but the architecture alone made the visit worthwhile.
Tattoos and Japanese Hot Springs
One small cultural note.
In Japan, some hot springs still do not allow tattoos.
This comes from historical reasons.
Between the 1960s and 1990s, tattoos were often associated with intimidation and criminal groups, and that image remained in society.
This is very different from Western tattoo culture.
However, many places now offer private baths, called family baths or reserved baths.
These allow visitors to enjoy hot springs privately, which makes it much easier for international travelers.
The View of Beppu
Finally, I visited a viewpoint overlooking the city of Beppu.
If you look closely at the city, you’ll see white steam rising from many places.
That steam comes from the natural hot springs underground.
It’s a unique view a city surrounded by mountains with steam rising everywhere.
Personally, I think one or two nights is the perfect amount of time to stay here.
My family and I love Beppu and visit about once a month.
A Balance Between Work and Life
This story may not have much to do with Pokémon cards or One Piece cards.
But places like this are part of why I enjoy living in Japan.
Having nature and peaceful places nearby helps me focus on my work and maintain a good balance in life.
If you ever visit Fukuoka, I recommend giving yourself a little extra time to explore the surrounding areas.
It’s not a typical resort destination, but it allows you to experience real Japanese culture and daily life.
You might find it hard to leave.
If you ever come to Japan, especially Fukuoka, feel free to let me know.
Even if it’s just for a short trip, I’d be happy to share some local places with you not only card shops, but also the beautiful spots like the ones I showed today.
Japan is not only about cards or collectibles.
Sometimes the best memories come from small moments, good scenery, and simple daily life.
Maybe one day we can explore them together.
shinobu🇯🇵
HAKATA7 