Hitotsugi Park

Akasaka Dori winds its way through the heart of Akasaka. A narrow yet bustling street moves with the activities of the day: commuters rush by, shoppers stroll, messengers and delivery people weave their way in and out. Lining the street on either side is storefront after storefront. Not the kind you'd see in Shibuya or Ginza but small little cafe's, multi-national restaurants, clothing boutiques, combini, and kusuri all packed in nice and tight next to each other never looking as if they're crowded for space.

Along the side of Akasaka Dori, you can start to make out a hidden hill, the kind that you notice only if you're looking for it through the buildings, the hidden Tokyo sort of hill. There's a space between two buildings and a small stair case starts to make it's way up, winding up the side. As soon as you've past behind the buildings on the stairs, thick vegetation opens up, engulfing the path you're traveling. The backsides of apartments and shops face you as you ascend the shady path. And then at the top, a small green statue of a frog greets you. Businessmen, children and local residents travel with you all moving with ease through this little short-cut known only to the initiated.





Looking back down over the railing, you can barely make out the quaint bustle of Akasaka Dori down below. A small cafe peers back, but now it seems like the old street is just a fleeting glimpse. Even the street sounds feel oddly hushed as you move along.

Finally, a small park nestled in the grow opens up at the end of the path. It seems, for all intentional purposes, well placed. There is a long stone bench for those that need just a quick respite during their day, and further on, some warn, wooden, cared for benches. The wooden benches face in toward a small children's playground that looks as if it's been quite enjoyed. Over the top of the wooden benches is a large veranda, well overgrown by a vine/tree that has long made that place it's resting home.

As I watch from a bench on the far edge of the park, a variety of people shuffle in and out. First a businessman stepping out for a quick rest and cigarette. He sits calmly inhaling the smoke and scene and gazes into a world of retrospect and consideration. Or perhaps it's the schedule he as for the next day or the errands he must run before going home. Whatever the case, he arises in a just a few minutes looking refreshed and relaxed. He enters the remnant of his cigarette in the ashtray off to the side and heads back into the fray.

Then two friends come to sit and chat for a bit. No cell phones, no books, no bags, just the two of them and a snack to pass the time. They laugh, smile and carry on as if there wasn't a soul about the place. I'm not sure if they noticed me sitting not too far off scribbling in my notepad, but if they did, I must have been of no concern to them. After a bit, another man came and sat on yet another bench with his lunch. He slowly devoured it and a book at the same time. As he finished the last morsel of food, he picked up his trash, pocketed his book, and left the girls and myself back to our devices.

Things past like this for sometime. People would enter in small groups or just on their own, take their spot of peace and relaxation, and head off again. I hope that next time I can see the children that must come to this place day in and day out. School was most likely in session. I hope to venture further into the park a bit and explore more of the few maps on walls.

All in all, it was time well spent.