5月24日、夕刻の穏やかな光に包まれるサザンビーチ。

砂浜の一角では、小学生低学年らしき女子児童のグループが集まっていました。最初はそれぞれ座りながら、おしゃべりをしたり、ペットボトルで水分補給をしたり、スマートフォンを眺めたりと、思い思いにくつろいでいます。
やがて、赤シャツを着た女の子が立ち上がり、一人でボールを使って遊び始めました。それに気づいたピンクシャツの女の子が振り返りますが、なぜか座ったままの姿勢で、二人でバレーボールの真似事を開始。その楽しそうな姿を見た白シャツの女の子は「私もやりたい、やらせて！」と言わんばかりの仕草で立ち上がり、やる気満々で参戦します。しかし、赤シャツの女の子がレシーブしたボールは、あられもない方向へポーンと飛んでいってしまいました。めげずに再び投げ合う姿が、なんとも微笑ましい。そんな賑やかな輪から少し離れたところでは、黒シャツの女の子が周囲の盛り上がりとは関係なく、完全に自分の世界に没頭して一人でダンスを踊っています。年齢や上手い下手にとらわれず、誰もが自分の好きなように過ごせる自由な空気が、そこにはありました。

目を少し先に転じると、海へ向かって数十メートルほど突き出た2本の防波堤が見えます。それぞれの先端には、座り込んでじっと大海原を見つめる人々の影。その一方、堤防の上には中東系とおぼしき男女二人の姿もありました。頭と首をスカーフで覆った女性と男性は、何やら少し込み入った様子で口論をしているよう。思うように話が運ばないのか、やがて男性はすごすごとその場を離れていきました。

はるか遠くには、茅ヶ崎のシンボルである「えぼし岩」が静かに佇み、すぐ近くの波際ではサーファーたちが次の波をじっと待っています。喜びも、他愛のない遊びも、時には小さな諍いも、すべてを大きな包容力で受け止める湘南の海。そこには、いつ訪れても飽きることのない、等身大の日常が広がっています。

A Beachside Ensemble: A Space Where Everyone Belongs

May 24th, at 4:33 PM. Enveloped in the mild late-afternoon light, a corner of Southern Beach became a lively mosaic of different lives, with everyone enjoying the space in their own personal way.

On the sand, a group of young schoolgirls had gathered. Initially, they were just sitting together, chatting, drinking from water bottles, and checking their smartphones in a relaxed circle. Before long, a girl in a red shirt stood up and began playing with a volleyball. Seeing this, a friend in a pink shirt turned around and, while remaining seated on the sand, the two started mimicking a volleyball rally. Drawn by the fun, a girl in a white shirt stood up with an eager gesture, clearly wanting to join the game. However, the next pass from the red-shirted girl sailed completely off-target, flying backward behind them, prompting another playful attempt. Meanwhile, a girl in a black shirt paid no attention to the ball game, entirely immersed in her own world as she practiced dance moves by herself. It was a beautiful testament to the free-spirited nature of the beach, where skill and age do not matter.

Looking further toward the water, two concrete jetties stretched dozens of meters into the ocean. At the far ends, solitary figures sat quietly, gazing out at the vast blue. Closer along the walkway, a Middle Eastern couple could be seen. The woman, wearing a traditional headscarf covering her head and neck, appeared to be engaged in an intense argument with the man. As if unable to find common ground, the man eventually walked away with a dejected air.

In the distance, the iconic Eboshi-iwa Rock stood as a silent witness to these fleeting human dramas, while nearby, surfers floated peacefully on the water, waiting for the right wave. Welcoming laughter, private dances, and even brief arguments, the Shonan coast remains a comforting sanctuary that embraces every aspect of daily life.

5月10日、午後4時半前の菱沼海岸。よく晴れた空の下、砂浜では様々な国籍や世代の人々が、思い思いの時間を満喫しています。波際では、外国人男性が上半身裸になって気持ちよさそうに日光浴。隣に座る女性は対照的に、日焼けを避けるためか長袖姿です。男性は、ふと自国の海に思いを馳せているのでしょうか。

その近くでは、お父さん、お姉ちゃん、そして小さな弟の三人家族が楽しげに遊んでいます。お父さんとお姉ちゃんが手を繋いで作ったトンネルの下を、猛ダッシュしてきた弟が嬉しそうに潜り抜ける――なるほど、これは手作りの「テープカット」ですね！子供らしいユニークな発想に心が和みます。
今度は「ヨーイ、スタート！」という弟の合図で、お父さんが本気で走り出しました。その隙に、姉弟は示し合わせて近くの砂山へ。こっそり身を隠す二人の仕草と、それに気づくお父さんのやり取りが微笑ましい限りです。

さらに目を転じると、砂浜の上で綺麗に前転（でんぐり返し）を決める妙齢のお姉さんの姿も。学生時代、マット運動が得意だったのかもしれませんね。この広大な海を前にして、ついそんな開放的な気分になるのも頷けます。

傍らでは、仲良し男性五人組がサッカーの真似事をして、一つのボールを蹴り合っています。足元が砂地のため、思うようにボールが転がらないのもまた一興。

海には大勢のサーファーが波を待ち、きらめく湘南の海全体が、大きな包容力で人々を包み込んでいるような、温かな初夏の午後でした。

Early Summer Smiles on the Beach: A Whimsical Afternoon Gazing at Enoshima

May 10th, shortly before 4:30 PM at Hishinuma Beach. Under a brilliantly clear early summer sky, the coast offers a stunning view of Enoshima and its Sea Candle lighthouse to the southeast. The expansive sandy beach is alive with people from all walks of life, each embracing the open air in their own way.

Down by the shore, a foreign man relaxes shirtless, soaking up the sun, while his female companion sits beside him in long sleeves to protect herself from the tan. Perhaps he is looking out at the waves and thinking of the shores of his homeland.

Nearby, a heartwarming family of three—a father, his daughter, and his young son—creates their own amusement. The father and daughter hold hands, forming an arch, as the little boy dashes underneath with a look of pure triumph. It turns out to be a makeshift “ribbon-cutting ceremony”—a delightfully creative game only a child could invent! Soon after, the boy shouts, “Ready, set, go!” and the father takes off into a full sprint. While his back is turned, the siblings quickly hatch a plan and hide behind a nearby sand mound. Watching their playful conspiracy and the father’s reaction is truly endearing.

Turning the gaze, a young woman spontaneously executes a perfect forward roll on the soft sand. Perhaps it was a skill she excelled at during her school days; facing the endless ocean, it is easy to understand why the beach inspires such a carefree spirit.

Not far away, a group of five friends kicks a soccer ball around, laughing as the loose sand disrupts their passes. With countless surfers dotting the sparkling waves, the Shonan coast feels like a welcoming, giant living room, enveloping everyone in its peaceful, sun-drenched embrace.

4月29日、16時を回ったウッドデッキ。いつものように、大きな台はシニアたちの憩いの場（たまり場）となっています。持参した本を静かにめくる人、手押し車で連れてきた愛犬を優しくあやす人、そして奥で熱心に世間話に花を咲かせるおじいさんたち。それぞれの「お気に入り」がここにあります。

ふとデッキの端に目をやると、中年のおじさんが一人で黙々とラジオ体操中。「腕を前から上に、横から降ろします……」とお馴染みのメロディが聞こえてきそうなその見事な手足の動きに、見ているこちらまで体を動かしたくなってしまいます。

その横を、わりと早足のおばさまが颯爽と横切る。

デッキの向こう側の砂浜では、女子グループが野球の真っ最中。といっても、おもちゃのようなバットとボールですが、「楽しければいいのよ！」と言わんばかりに、賑やかな笑い声が響いています。

そして手前のベンチでは、中年男性二人が持参したイスに腰掛け、おつまみを囲んで缶ビールを片手に熱弁を振るっています。「一回テストすると6割、二回目で7割……四回やると96パーセント！」という熱い体験談は、まるで国家資格の習熟曲線のよう。ご自身の苦労話だからこそ、語る言葉にも一段と熱が帯びていました。

若者二人組がマウンテンバイクで気持ちよさそうに風を切って通り過ぎていきました。

いつ訪れても、十人十色の生き様に触れられるこの場所。ここでゆっくりと流れる時間を共有していると、こちらまで心がじんわりと豊かになっていくのを感じます。

Breezy Conversations and Daily Rhythms: A Tapestry of Life on the Wooden Deck

April 29th, at 4:00 PM. On the familiar wooden deck, a gentle spring breeze carries the unique rhythms and stories of the local residents. With the start of the holiday season, the space has once again become a beautiful crossroads of diverse daily lives.

As usual, the large platform serves as a cozy gathering spot for seniors. One person quietly turns the pages of a book, another dotes on a pet dog brought along in a stroller, while further back, a group of elderly men are completely engrossed in animated chitchat. Each has found their own perfect way to unwind.

At the edge of the deck, a middle-aged man is diligently performing radio calisthenics all by himself. His rhythmic movements—stretching arms up and lowering them to the sides—are so perfectly executed that they almost tempt onlookers to join in.

Nearby, a briskly walking woman crosses the deck.

Just beyond the deck on the sand, a group of girls is enjoying a casual game of baseball. Armed with what looks like a toy bat and ball, they don’t care about strict rules; their cheerful laughter proves that fun is all that matters. Meanwhile, in the foreground, two middle-aged men have set up their portable chairs, sharing snacks and canned beers while engaged in a deep conversation. One of them passionately describes a learning curve—”60% on the first test, 70% on the second… and 96% by the fourth attempt!”—likely recounting his intense preparation for a national qualification exam. Rooted in real personal struggle, his voice carries a compelling, fiery energy.

Two young men on mountain bikes effortlessly glide past, catching the refreshing sea breeze.

No matter when you visit, this deck offers a window into countless different lives. Spending time here, enveloped in this welcoming atmosphere, never fails to leave one feeling deeply enriched.

4月11日、午後3時過ぎ。よく晴れ渡った空の下、海岸沿いのウッドデッキはすでに夏の装いでした。文字通り「日光浴」を楽しむ男たちが、あちこちで場を盛り上げています。上半身裸になり、イスを持参して読書にふける男性や、デッキに仰向けになって日差しを浴びる男性。その姿は、もう真夏そのものです。

一方で、テントを張り、心地よい日陰の中で談笑するグループや、海をじっと眺めて物思いにふける男性の姿も。四輪車を前に座る高齢の方や、お菓子を頬張りながら楽しげに話す男たち、犬を連れて乳母車を押すお母さんも通りがかります。

それぞれの仕草や思いは様々でしょうが、この一瞬を全身でエンジョイしている点では、皆共通しているようです。遠くの海では、白い波が繰り返し浜に押し寄せ、この穏やかな日を祝福しているかのようでした。

A Midsummer Scene on the Deck: Soaking Up the Sunshine in Many Ways

April 11th, shortly after 3 PM. Under a perfectly clear sky, the coastal wooden deck was already embraced by a summer-like atmosphere. Men literally “sunbathing” animated the scene everywhere. Some, shirtless, had brought chairs to indulge in reading, while others lay flat on their backs on the deck, soaking up the sun’s rays. Their presence made it feel like the height of summer.

On the other hand, there were groups that had set up tents, enjoying conversation in the pleasant shade, and a man gazing intently at the sea, lost in thought. An elderly person sat in front of a four-wheeled walker, and a group of men chatted happily while snacking. A mother walking a dog and pushing a baby stroller also passed by.

While each person’s gestures and thoughts were surely varied, they all seemed to share the common goal of fully enjoying this moment with their entire being. Out in the distant ocean, white waves repeatedly rolled onto the beach, as if celebrating this peaceful day.

4月5日、午後4時前の菱沼海岸。荒々しい波音が響く中、砂浜の一角が即席の野球場に変わっていました。

お父さんがバットを構え、息子さんがピッチャーを務める、親子水入らずのバッティング練習です。少年の足元には十数個ものボールが用意され、準備は万端。「さあ、かかってこい！」とお父さんが威勢よくバットを構えます。

「お父さん、行くよ！」と投じられた一球目は低めのコース。お父さん、力一杯振りますが……「オッと、空振りだ」。続く二球目は絶好のストライクゾーン！……に見えましたが、これも空振り。三球目もバットは空を切り、快音はなかなか聞こえてきません。お父さん、大丈夫でしょうか？四球目は大きく後ろへ逸れ、これは当然の見逃し。五球目、六球目と練習は続きます。

ふと左側に目をやると、おじいさんとお母さんが小さな子供を遊ばせている穏やかな光景も。

強い風と白波が寄せる厳しい自然の中でも、ここは家族にとって大切なコミュニケーションを育む、包容力に満ちた空間となっていました。快音こそ響かなくとも、共に白球を追うこの時間は、何物にも代えがたい宝物。いつかこの砂浜から、本物のホームラン王が誕生する日が来るかもしれませんね。

A Windy At-Bat: Training the Future Home Run King

April 5th, shortly before 4 PM at Hishinuma Beach. Despite the strong winds and the rhythmic crashing of white waves against the shore, the beach had transformed into a makeshift baseball diamond.

A father and son were engrossed in their own private batting practice amidst the invigorating sea breeze. With about a dozen balls scattered at the boy’s feet, they were ready for a serious session. “Alright, bring it on!” the father shouted, gripping his bat with both hands. “Here it comes, Dad!” the boy called out. The first pitch was low, and the father swung with all his might—only to miss. The second ball seemed to fly right through the strike zone, but once again, the bat met only air. The third swing followed suit, with no satisfying “crack” of the bat to be heard. One had to wonder if the father was going to be okay! The fourth ball sailed behind the batter, an easy take. The practice continued through the fifth and sixth pitches.

To the left, another family scene unfolded: a grandfather and mother were playing with a young child.

Despite the harsh wind and surging surf, the beach provided a warm, welcoming space for vital family communication. Even without a single hit, the time spent chasing the ball together is a priceless treasure. Who knows? Perhaps a future home run king is being forged right here on the sands of Shonan.