First, let's go to Osaka Tenmangu Shrine, affectionately known as "Tenjin-san of Tenma." Yasunari Kawabata was born on June 14, 1899, just a little east of the front gate of Osaka Tenmangu Shrine, in the area where the Japanese restaurant ``Aioirou'' currently stands. In front of the gate stands a stone monument that says ``Birthplace of Yasunari Kawabata.'' Yasunari's father, Eikichi, ran a clinic as a medical practitioner in Temma, Kita Ward, Osaka, then Konohana-cho, Kita Ward, Osaka City, but Yasunari's father, Eikichi, contracted pulmonary tuberculosis and died before Yasunari was one year old. He moved closer to his mother Gen's parents' home (in present-day Higashiyodogawa Ward), but her mother also passed away in January 1901. Yasunari, who lost both of his parents at a young age, was taken in by his grandparents the following year and moved to what is now Shukukusho, Ibaraki City, and what was then Toyokawa Village, Mishima District, Osaka Prefecture. From here, take the Hankyu train to Ibaraki.

Ibaraki City is about 20 minutes from Hankyu Osaka Umeda Station. Yasunari moved to this area from Osaka with his grandparents about 100 years ago, and although he was physically weak, he grew up loved by his grandparents. At Toyokawa General Elementary School (currently Toyokawa Elementary School), where he entered in April 1906, he achieved excellent results. According to the documents, all of his grades in the first year were grade A, and in Japanese, he was grade A in all grades except for his second year. In 1912, he entered Osaka Prefectural Ibaraki Junior High School (currently Osaka Prefectural Ibaraki High School), but when he was in the fifth grade, he encountered the death of his respected teacher, Mr. Jinichiro Kurasaki. At Ibaraki Betsuin, about a minute's walk from Ibaraki Station, the teacher's funeral was held by Yasunari and all of the fifth grade students. Yasunari wrote a text about the funeral, which was published in the magazine ``Danran'' under the title ``Carrying the Master's Coffin on My Shoulders.'' This place, where a glimpse of his talent blossomed, now has a kindergarten attached to it, and is buzzing with the sounds of children's voices. I couldn't help but snap my shutter at the intricate wood carvings on the roof of the main hall. Ibaraki City is about 20 minutes by Hankyu train from Umeda, Osaka. Yasunari moved to this area from Osaka with his grandparents about 100 years ago, and although he was physically weak, he grew up loved by his grandparents. At Toyokawa General Elementary School (currently Toyokawa Elementary School), where he entered in April 1906, he achieved excellent results. According to the documents, all of his grades in the first year were grade A, and in Japanese, he was grade A in all grades except for the second grade. In 1912, he entered Osaka Prefectural Ibaraki Junior High School (currently Osaka Prefectural Ibaraki High School), but when he was in fifth grade, he encountered the death of his respected teacher, Mr. Jinichiro Kurasaki. At Ibaraki Betsuin, which is about a minute's walk from Ibaraki Station, the teacher's funeral was held by Yasunari and all of the fifth grade students. Yasunari wrote a text about the funeral, which was published in the magazine ``Danran'' under the title ``Carrying the Master's Coffin on My Shoulders.'' This place, where a glimpse of his talent blossomed, now has a kindergarten attached to it, and is buzzing with the sounds of children's voices. I couldn't help but snap my shutter at the intricate wood carvings on the roof of the main hall.

This bookstore was founded in 1895 and is located on the left side of the entrance to Ibaraki Shinsaibashi shopping street, a 1-minute walk from Ibaraki Betsuin. During the Taisho era, junior high school students such as Yasunari Kawabata and Soichi Oya stopped by. It is said that Yasunari was a bookworm after all, even though he was having trouble making ends meet for his books. The two-story wooden building from when the store first opened remained until just three years ago, but the first floor is now a 99-yen shop and the second floor is a bookstore's office. The aged signboard has been preserved as a reminder of those days, so be sure to take a look.

A 6-7 minute walk from Toraya Shoten toward Ibaraki Prefectural High School, there was a bookstore in a 4-story white building facing the main street. It is said that young Kawabata often bought the books he wanted at this store and read them. The old signboard from that time has been preserved next to the entrance. This area is often visited by fans of Kawabata's literature, and there are many nearby shops such as Okamura Western Clothing Store, Horiuchi Tobacco Store, and Kishida Shindo, which are no longer open but have nostalgic signs. The town was fortunate to escape air raids during the last war, and is dotted with many old private houses. While looking around, I crossed the intersection in front of Horihiro Asahido and walked for a few minutes to reach Ibaraki High School.

Arrived at Ibaraki Prefectural High School, where there is a literary monument. Immediately after entering the main entrance, there is a four-letter idiom that says ``Ibun Kaitomo.'' ``Meeting friends through writing'' is a phrase in the Analects that means ``friendship through learning.'' When Yasunari Kawabata, a graduate of the school in 1919, won the Nobel Prize in Literature, the school commissioned the monument and received his words for the monument, which was then completed. Perhaps thanks to the lessons of its great seniors, Ibaraki Prefectural High School is now one of the best preparatory schools in the prefecture.

15 minutes walk from Prefectural Ibaraki High School again. Aiming for the main street where Toratani Bookstore is located, and continuing towards Kawabata Street, you will arrive at the Kawabata Yasunari Literature Museum. In 1968, Ibaraki City awarded Yasunari Kawabata, the first person in Japan to win the Nobel Prize in Literature, the title of ``Honorary Citizen of Ibaraki City'' and opened the Yasunari Kawabata Literature Museum. Approximately 400 items such as Yasunari Kawabata's writings, belongings, letters, manuscripts, and first editions are on display in the museum, along with photographs of Yasunari Kawabata. There is a unique corner that uses electronic panels to introduce places with connections to the children and models of the house where they lived with their grandparents. You can also read how one of his masterpieces, ``Diary of a 16 Year Old,'' was born. In June, Yasunari's birth month, we hold a ``Birth Month Commemoration Special Exhibition.''

Return from the memorial hall to the City Hall bus stop and take the Hankyu bus for 20 minutes. Get off at Shukusho bus stop and walk about 100m northwest to reach the historic site. Yasunari was taken in by his grandparents when he was less than 3 years old, and lived in this house until his grandfather passed away when he was a third year student at Osaka Prefectural Ibaraki Junior High School (now Prefectural Ibaraki High School). Currently, her niece Tomie Kawabata and her family live there. It is said that Yasunari walked about 6km from this house to the junior high school every day, and would climb a pine tree in the garden and read a book atop it. A cheerful young Yasunari comes to mind.

A day spent visiting places related to Yasunari Kawabata. Finish off by visiting Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine. The symbol of Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine, affectionately known as "Sumiyossan" and also known as the god of the sea, is the vermilion painted Sori Bridge. Yasunari Kawabata wrote about this steeply sloping bridge that spans a pond in his novel ``Sorihashi,'' saying, ``It's more dangerous to go down than to go up.'' A stone monument with that passage still remains near the bridge. The reflection of the bridge on the calm surface of the water is beautiful and moist, and you are sure to experience a scene of Japanese beauty that Yasunari Kawabata loved.