Follow a misty and humid day to Jinguashi

This time, I was determined to follow in the footsteps of Yoshitomo Nara!
Looking back, it seems like I've been "traveling with Yoshitomo Nara" all along:
I remember last year when I went cycling around the Seto Inland Sea, I made it a point to visit and take photos at various exhibition spots. So, now that I'm in Jinguashi, how could I miss this opportunity?
Not only are Yoshitomo Nara's works moving, but his love for Taiwan is also heartwarming. All these exhibitions are free (though my wallet still took a hit from the merchandise XD), and you just need to register online in advance to enter.

But I must say—getting tickets was like trying to snag concert seats!
I completely missed out on the first wave. When the August slots opened, I was fully prepared, sitting in front of my computer at 12 PM sharp, frantically refreshing the page. I kept getting kicked out, logging back in, and getting kicked out again... until I was on the verge of collapse!
Finally, I managed to secure a time slot at the end of August! That moment felt like a cosmic explosion of joy～～🔥

＿＿(Time Skip)＿＿

The day has finally arrived! "Follow a misty and humid day to Jinguashi."
For those who couldn't get tickets, don't be disheartened. Even if you miss the "misty and humid" vibe, you can still follow my "sunny and bright day" journey to Jinguashi～XD

The exhibition is held at the "Taipower Jinshui Base," and as soon as you step in, you can feel Nara's unique perspective. Jinguashi itself is a place that tells stories: between the mountains and the sea, there's not just green and blue but also a unique touch of gold.
The Golden Waterfall sparkles with golden light, the Yin-Yang Sea reflects magical hues, and at night, the Thirteen Levels Ruins resemble a golden palace of ruins.
These scenes narrate the history of Taiwan's mining industry and serve as the most captivating "natural stage" for the exhibition.

Standing on a high point overlooking the sea, I felt a strange sense of déjà vu.
The atmosphere reminded me of Kamakura, Japan—especially the intersection at the Yin-Yang Sea, which overlapped with the railroad crossing scene from "Slam Dunk" in my memory. How fascinating!

Beyond the exhibition, Jinguashi and the surrounding Shui Nan Dong area are incredibly charming:
The houses in the alleys are utterly adorable, with quaint independent bookstores like "Non-Bookstore," stylish cafes, and restaurants. There are also plenty of lazy cats keeping you company on the streets. The long slide at Lian Dong Elementary School is a paradise for kids. Want to play in the water? Not far away is the Bat Cave Park, where you can swim with fish in a natural seawater pool—so soothing!

Thank you, Yoshitomo Nara, for choosing this location, which allowed me to rediscover this treasure trove of a place.
I feel a bit ashamed that an artist from Aomori seems to understand Taiwan's beauty better than I do.
But perhaps that's what makes this journey even more precious: at the tail end of summer, I gained a memory that is both gentle and radiant.

Let's end this summer with the sparkling seawater under the sun and our bright smiles～🌊💛