Where the streets have no names
How do you get to the Konya 2023 gallery if the streets have no names? Well, you can use Google Maps or ask people (if you speak Japanese). Another helpful approach is to use a visual guide with pictures of landmarks that you can spy with your little eye along the way. I apologise for the poor picture quality. Just think of them as snaps in action…
1) Go to the area called Tenjin in Fukuoka City. 福岡市の天神という地方に行ってください。
2) Head towards Iwataya’s department store called Z-side. Z-サイド店の方に行って。
3) Go to the crosswalk behind the store (if the Starbucks in Z-side is regarded as the front). もしスターバックスはZ−サイド店の前だって、Z−サイドの後ろにある交差点に行って。
4) Cross the street and turn left. Walk towards the Apple Store and Zara, away from the Nishitetsu Grand Hotel. 道をわたる必要がある。ここでして左の方に行って、西鉄グランドホテルは後ろにしてください。ZARAとアップルストアーの方に歩いて。
5) You don’t have to walk far. Turn at what is possibly the second corner on your right. You should be able to see an Aveda banner and a bit of the shop on the second floor. (Sorry that the picture is a little blurry.) 多分2番目の角で右に曲がる。AVEDA店の看板が見れば、安心して。
6) Do some window shopping on the way. わああ！ウィンドーショッピングのチャンスだぞ！
On your right is a coffee shop and a community radio station. 右側にコーヒーショップとラジオ放送する所が見える?
7) Keep walking! Need some souvenirs? How about some from the AKB48 café and store? That is if you can fight your way through the crowds of juniour-high-school students and young men who should know better. お土産を買う必要がありますか？AKB48カフェーはいかがでしょうか？
8) You are very close now! Don’t worry! Keep walking until you see a parking lot beside a gyoza shop with what looks like a pig’s nose as its logo. もう近いです！もうちょっとますぐにして、左側にパーキングと餃子やさんが見えるでしょう。餃子屋さんのロゴは豚の鼻で、分かりやすいと思う。
9) The gallery is in the white apartment building beside the gyoza shop. Where is the entrance? Look for the round sign that has the name of an Italian restaurant. The gallery’s sign is a little hard to find because it is on a dark wall a little bit inside the building. ギャラリーは餃子屋さんんの隣の白いアパートにあります。入り口は？イタリア料理屋さんの丸い看板が見える？あそこは入り口です。Konya 2023の看板わもうちょっと奥に黒い壁にある。
10) Now go inside and head to the back of the building towards the Italian restaurant and the many motorbikes that are parked near the entrance to the stairs. もっと奥にイタリア料理屋さんとバイクのパーキングの方に行って、階段があります。
11) Now just go up to the stairs to the second floor. The gallery is the first door on your left. Open the door and come on in! 2階に行って、階段の左側に一番目のドアです。どうそ！入ってください！
See? That wasn’t so difficult after all. We will be setting up in the morning of Monday, February 11, but you can still pop by to visit. I have to work on Tuesday and Wednesday, so I will not be in the gallery then. Elida Maria Matsumoto and the gallery staff will be there, so don’t worry! I will be there starting Valentine’s day. Don’t forget the chocolate! 簡単だったんでしょう？ 11日の朝はセットアップするつもりですけど、見に来てもいいです。12日と13日は違うところで仕事があるから私はいないんで、松本さんとスタッフがいるから見に行ってもいいです。バレンタインズディーから私は毎日行くつもりです。ぜひ、見に来てください！
