It's been a while! This is Hirai.
A while ago, September 22nd was the last day the shop under the Nakameguro overpass was open.
We are filled with gratitude to everyone who visited our store under the overpass, everyone who contacted us on LINE or Instagram, and everyone who has been involved with Layout.
In order to bring you even better rugs, Layout has moved to a new location along the Meguro River and is slowly moving towards the next step.
Even though it's been a while since my last blog post, it's not about rugs...
Let me introduce some of my favorite spots in my second hometown, Tochigi Prefecture!
This is a sudden topic about Tochigi, but it's not because it came in last place for the first time in this year's attractiveness rankings.
Ever since the spread of COVID-19 led to self-restraint measures, I had refrained from going back to my parents' house, but the other day I went back to my husband's parents' house for a short visit for the first time in over six months.
The place we stopped at on that trip was the Watarase Retarding Basin, located in the southern part of Tochigi Prefecture, near Sano!
It is called "Lake Yanaka" and is a beloved spot for locals to relax.
Lake Yanaka is the largest floodplain in Japan, spanning four prefectures: Tochigi, Gunma, Saitama, and Ibaraki.
I don't think there are many places in Japan that span four prefectures!
This floodplain plays an important role as a reservoir to regulate floods, protecting the lives of people in the Kanto region.
That alone is very much appreciated, but it's also a wonderful and pleasant place to go for walks or go out with the family!
Let me introduce some of Hirai's best spots around Lake Yanaka☺
Point 1: The shape is cute ♬
Apparently, only a small part of the floodplain at Lake Yanaka is normally filled with water.
Her normal appearance is so cute!
heart!!
There are heart-shaped places in many tourist spots, and they are quite a nice shape!
Point 2: Cycling feels amazing!
You can cycle around the heart.
On a nice day, it feels really good and refreshing.
Just staring out at the sparkling Yanaka Lake is very relaxing.
Point 3: Lots of greenery!
Here's a great place I discovered for the first time the other day!
For a moment, I was mistaken for a European country town.
The green is vibrant and gives you energy.
There is plenty of grass so you can have a picnic and there is also a barbecue space.
I want to bring a rug and have a picnic!
Point 4: Autumn scenery, with lots of Japanese pampas grass
It was my first time visiting Lake Yanaka in autumn, and the entire area was covered with pampas grass that was easily taller than me.
Before I knew it, autumn had already arrived, and the pampas grass stretching powerfully towards the sky was a powerful and impressive sight.
You might think I'm a shill for Tochigi Prefecture, but it was so much fun that I wanted to share it with everyone.
See you next time!