1. Changes to return home and the reasons for these changes
On 4 January 2024, I originally planned to return home on 3 January, but my parents told me that the 3rd was not convenient. As they were due to have a guest, I changed my return home to the 4th.
2.Returning home and family situation
I am from Gifu Prefecture, near Nagoya City. Following the Japanese tradition of spending the New Year with one’s parents, I returned to my parents’ home, but my sister did not return because her son was preparing for his university entrance exams.
3.Spending time at the family home
I decided to have lunch with my parents and bought some food, but when I arrived at my parents’ house, they had already had lunch. I ate the food I had bought myself and we talked for a while. But after that there was nothing much to do.
4.No internet connection!
I wanted to watch YouTube with my parents on their TV, but according to my father, there is no function to watch Youtube. He said he had recently bought the TV, but now that I think about it, do they sell TVs nowadays that are not connected to the internet? I myself don’t watch TV programmes at all these days, I watch youtube, so we don’t have anything in common and I’m getting bored.
These things are probably what children and grandchildren all over Japan who are returning home are feeling at their old parents’ house. Today’s generation can’t even have common topics of conversation in an environment without internet connection.
5. Homecoming and unchanged scenery
On my return home from the train journey to Nagoya, the view from the window was the same as it had been when I was a teenager at the prep school I attended, and it brought back fond memories.
A landscape that will always remain the same. I have aged a lot since then. My parents are now in their mid-80s. I am afraid to think how much longer I will be able to stay with them.
6.A moment in Nagoya
After arriving in Nagoya, I stopped at Starbucks. Starbucks is good after all. The coffee is good and the surroundings are stylish. These little moments are one of the pleasures of travelling.
7. Reflection and anticipation for the next
On this trip home, I experienced many things: time with my old parents, internet connection, unchanged scenery and a moment in Nagoya. Next time I go back home, I want to spend more time with my family.
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