Given how orderly the Japanese are, Kawabata Shopping Arcade struck me as a disorderly mishmash of shops serving very different purposes. It’s definitely not a tourist trap because it was clearly designed to support the needs of the locals.

I enjoyed the juxtaposition of contradictions though. Mom-and-pop stores line the street alongside swanky boutiques. The same goes for ramen restaurants and izakayas which serve a different clientele from no-frills convenience stores. Several medical and dental clinics complete the lineup, making Kawabata Shopping Arcade a one-stop service for Fukuoka residents.

I found myself at a crossroads at the end of the arcade. Should I proceed left or go right? Regardless of which way I go, it seems that my attention would be captured by the various interesting-looking shops that cast a spell on curious foreigners. Thus lies the appeal of travelling. You throw all your preconceived notions out of the window and just continue on your path, guided by your instinct.

How often do we just choose a path at a crossroads and let the chips fall? To what extent should we invite spontaneity into our lives?