I've been living in Roppongi for quite a long time. I moved from Tokushima to Tokyo to study at the Tokyo Photography Junior College (presently Tokyo Polytechnic University) and after I graduated, I became a photographer. Because I often worked at a studio in Akasaka, Roppongi was a convenient place for me to live. It's been more than 40 years now. Living right in the middle of the city, I often felt bad for my family, but because it was so convenient, we continued living here. I love this town but because its a big city, there is a lot of stress involved as well. With work, I get to go to places all over Japan, but I believe it's something I need to do for myself as well. I love Roppongi so much but to go to the countryside and get some fresh air on a regular basis gives me some balance in my life.

When I first moved to Roppongi in the early 1960s, the street cars were still running. In those days, in the Mamianacho area, there was a place, "Club 88", where Masao Yagi performed, and opposite that was the Italian restaurant"Chianti" in a wooden two storey building. "Chianti" was extremely expensive for me in those days, so I only ordered spagetti basilico. I was baptized with that taste. It was really so delicious that even now when I go to Italy and eat some authentic pasta, I think that Chianti's basilico is better. I really do.

What I remember about the 1970s was "Pub Cardinal". I used this place solely for meetings as if it were my work place. They had this great chair there on the second floor, a big leather chair. I felt it was my personal chair. One day when I arrived, someone was sitting in it and I thought to myself "Who the hell are you?" when I realized it was the famous Mr. Itami (the late Juzo Itami).

Before the bubble economy, Roppongi had its own color, but now it seems no different from any other town. There are too many chain restaurants and it has become too casual, many of the restaurants have lost their personalities. I guess Roppongi is losing it's appeal for people wanting to open a new restaurant in the area. Before, in Roppongi Go-chome, there was a dance studio that the Japanese classical dancer, Han Takehara used for her practice and training. You could see so many black cars lined up outside her studio, this image alone gave the town its status. Then "Sushi-cho" opened and was the start of more of the so called "restaurants with good clientele". These restaurants were ready to serve any of the special clientele who came through the doors and there was always a sense of trust.

Now, I often go to the café "Brassaerie Va-tout", on the first floor of AXIS. It's not very expensive but the sidewalk right in front is wide and I feel so comfortable there. Wouldn't it be great if all the big roads in Roppongi had wider sidewalks and terraces, too? I also go to the soba shop "Honmura an". If you go there on Sunday around 3:00, you can see a man drinking alone while enjoying his soba. When I was young, I thought it was cool and I admired the way people spent their afternoons at the soba shop. That's how I learned adult behavior. They say that if you have "a good soba shop, a public bath, and a barbershop" you have a good town. As a resident of this town, I like to support small privately owned businesses.

Oh, and by the way, until just a few years ago, right near the AXIS building, there used to be an old Japanese house operating a general store. When it rained, people would wait under the eaves until it stopped. It was picturesque. But recently the house was torn down and it became a parking lot. I guess everyone has their own reasons for doing things and there is nothing that can be done about it but it's still sad and disappointing.

I really like the topography of the area. One street in from Omotedori, there is a quiet, residential upper class neighborhood and a private girl's school, Toyo Eiwa Jogakuin. And there are so many hills in the area, Imoarai (washing potatoes) Hill, Udon (Udon noodles) Hill, Tanbadani (Tanba Valley) Hill . . . the names are so interesting. What a great feeling taking a leisurely walk up Yose (Vaudeville Theatre) Hill. Did you know that if you go deeper into Roppongi, there are streets lined with trees (Gingko trees). In the fall, you can find lots of gingko nuts on the ground. Gathering gingko nuts in the middle of Roppongi, a good story, don't you think? Also, you know that park next to the cemetery? I tell everyone that it's the smallest park in Japan, but wouldn't it be a great way to promote this town with the slogan, come and see "Japan's smallest park"? As you can tell, I love this town and I want to help support its promotion, I have lots of ideas to give.

Every town is bound to change, so we have to think of how to enjoy the changes. First was Roppongi Hills, and the Suntory Museum of Art is now under construction, built on the site of Japan's Defense agency base. And on top of that, the National Art Center, Tokyo is also underway. After the museums open, a different class of people may visit the area and Roppongi may again, move into a new direction. It will take a while for the town to mature but as a person living here, I want to be around to watch over it all.