Kooriya Peace-Strawberry

The first time I went to Kooriya Peace, I got lost. It was February 14th, and I had just finished up at the Ghibli Museum. I was trying to figure out where this Kakigori Shop was, that I had seen on Kantaro Salary Sweet’s Man on Netflix. I knew it was a small show, harkening back to the Showa era with its warm wood tones and bar setting. I finally found the shop and one of the shop clerks came out to greet me and puroused the instant photos they used for a menu. Each small picture had a name and a price. The specialty for the month was Strawberries. Japanese strawberries start in December and go till May. It was odd to me to have fresh strawberries so early in the year as our crop starts in May and only lasts until mid-July—late- July at the latest. So strawberry shaved ice it was.

I hung my coat and bag and settled myself at the bar. The shop was cluttered in the best way. There were books, omamori, bottles, ofundas, and other little mementos dotted about the place. Even though I was alone, I did not feel lonely. Which was nice.

As was the hot cup of tea they accompanied my shaved ice.

I left feeling warm despite the cold of that February Day.