MOTOMATCHI CHARM

MOTOMATCHI CHARM
Originally uploaded by roberthuffstutter

A QUIET AND CHARMING JAPANESE INN IN THE MIDDLE OF YOKOHAMA'S MOTOMACHI DISTRICT, IT BECAME A HIDEAWAY FOR WEEKENDS OF CREATIVE ART. THE SMALL HOTEL WAS OWNED BY AN ELDERLY COUPLE. THEY WERE SOMEWHAT APREHENSIVE ABOUT MY INITIAL REGISTRATION, HOWEVER WE GREW TO BE RESPECTABLE FRIENDS WHEN THEY REALIZED THAT MY LIFESTYLE WAS QUIET AND DEDICATED TO TEACHING AND LEARNING ENGLISH AND JAPANESE. ONE OF ITS CHARMS WAS THE TRADITIONAL HOT BATH. IN THE WINTER, THE SCENT OF CHARCOAL ON HIBACHI STOVES WAS FREQUENTLY ENJOYED. IT MUST HAVE HAVE BEEN A LOCAL CHARCOAL BECAUSE I HAVE YET TO EXPERIENCE THE EXACT SMAE AROMATIC SCENT THAT I REMEMBER SO INTENSELY. IF I RECALL, THE PRICE OF A ROOM FOR TWO WAS ABOUT 1000 YEN, A LITTLE LESS THAN THREE DOLLARS. AT THE TIME, THE DOLLAR WAS WORTH 360 YEN.