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"I Moved to Kushiro for Work and Can't Read the Place Names!" What Was Written on That Old Sign?!
A tweet from Mr. NG (@nagi0467), who moved to Hokkaido this spring, has been getting a lot of attention. He wrote, "I moved to Kushiro for work and can't read the place names."
— NGさん（@nagi0467） February 28, 2022
The photo shows a number of place names written on an old sign. They are carefully written in Roman letters, katakana, and kanji, so you can figure out, for example, that "分遣瀬" is read as "Wakacharase." But to know that reading just from the kanji... wow. That's definitely difficult.
The comments section was filled with warm and welcoming messages:
"Hey, I can't read them either..."
"Even Hokkaido locals can't read them lol"
"I was born and raised in Hokkaido, and there are probably more place names I don't know than ones I do. I hope you'll enjoy Hokkaido, including this part of it, and come to love it."
"I've lived in Kushiro for 55 years, and there are still probably places I can't read or don't know. So don't worry! Welcome to Kushiro!"
It seems Mr. NG continued to struggle with the unreadable place names for a while after that.
— NGさん（@nagi0467） February 28, 2022
However,
— NGさん（@nagi0467） February 28, 2022
It looks like he's now thoroughly enjoying his life in Eastern Hokkaido. What a relief...!
The man we've introduced, Mr. NG, is Kohei Nagira. He moved to Hokkaido in 2017. While working as a teacher at Shibetsu High School in the town of Shibetsu, he has been sharing the charm of the region through his photography, focusing on the wildlife of the Notsuke Peninsula. In April 2022, he was transferred to Kushiro Hokuyo High School and moved to Kushiro. Here are some of Mr. Nagira's works!
'Yorushika' (Night Deer)
On a full moon night, he searched for an Ezo deer at moonrise to capture the moon between its antlers. This shot was inspired by the name of the popular artist "Yorushika."
'Warmth'
Spring is the season of new life. A newborn fox cub and its mother were sleeping comfortably together, basking in the warm spring sun.
'The Snow Fairy'
The Shimaenaga, or long-tailed tit, is about 14cm long and weighs about 8g, making it the second smallest bird in Japan. To withstand the cold, it traps a lot of air in its feathers, making it look like a snowman. Due to its adorable appearance, it's also called the "snow fairy."
'From Sea to Land'
This photo was taken from a boat, capturing a brown bear that had approached a whale that had washed ashore. A life that has ended is thus incorporated into another, continuing the cycle. In Eastern Hokkaido, one often witnesses these raw interactions of life firsthand.
'No Border'
In the distance is Kunashir Island, one of the Northern Territories. It looks close enough to walk to across the drift ice, but it's an island we cannot visit. Perched on the ice is a white-tailed eagle. Wild animals effortlessly cross the borders drawn by humans.
We asked Mr. Nagira about his thoughts on moving to Hokkaido, and specifically to Kushiro.
You become more aware of the changing seasons and the workings of nature, and it makes you realize that you're not just part of human society, but also of the world of plants, animals, mountains, fields, rivers, and seas. I felt that the 'ordinary' life in Eastern Hokkaido is something to be proud of on a global scale, and something worth learning from.
The food is also unique. I've encountered many new dishes for the first time, like 'Spa-katsu' (spaghetti with pork cutlet) and 'French dogs with sugar' (a type of corn dog), so thinking about what to eat each day is one of my joys. Even a casual trip to the supermarket feels like a tourist spot, with non-standard-sized fish and vegetables on display. The deliciousness of saury sashimi and asparagus was far beyond my imagination and particularly moved me."
We wish Mr. Nagira all the best for a fulfilling life in the region!
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