Mila Takehara Brothel ❤️

About Kobe

Love the chaos, tho – girls hagglin’ prices, drunkards fallin’ over, pimp with gold tooth spittin’ curses. Reminds me of me wretched self – sneaky, slippin’ through shadows. One time, saw this lass, barely 18, smokin’ by the door – surprised me, she looked… alive? Made me happy for a sec, then pissed – why’s she there? “The dead are watching,” like in the movie, and I felt ‘em judgin’ me too.

Shibu Onsen Yumoto Ryokan

Colour-woodblock print. View at dawn of the exit from Shimabara brothel district, with courtesans seeing off a guest, waning moon. Producer name.

Then I decided to stroll down to the Takehara Castle ruins. It’s a bit of a hike, but the view is worth it. I mean, who doesn’t love a good castle? But as I’m walking, I see this old dude trying to fix his bike on Kōen-dōri. He’s struggling, man. I’m talking full-on wrestling match with that thing. So, I stop to help. Turns out, he just needed to pump the tires. I’m like, “Dude, you could’ve just asked!” But hey, I felt like a hero for a sec.

Former Laker Sasha Vujacic helping launch Saga Ballooners