Port Tower Selion One Last Look Up at the Tower Before Heading Home

I arrived at Akita Port while there was still a little light in the sky. I parked my red car and went to pick out today's souvenir. I chose Akita butter mochi. It was a small parcel, but I was glad to have something that would remind me of this trip when I got home. I kept it safely tucked away while I enjoyed the night view.

Selion's observation room is 100 m above ground. From up there, Akita looked different from the city I'd just driven through at street level. My driving friend and I stood by the window, looking out at the lights stretching across the city. In daylight, I'd noticed the buildings one by one; at night, the lights seemed to connect, and I wanted to stay there a while.

By the time I came back outside, it was night. I slipped my cream-coloured coat over my pink outfit and took my time enjoying the view in the night breeze. The glass hall was lit up, with the tower rising behind it. It felt as if I'd stepped back into the night view I'd been admiring from the observation room.

Standing beside the car, I took out the souvenir parcel and looked up at the tower. The blue lights near the top and the glow through the glass made even the white lines in the car park look different from how they had in daylight. My friend said, ‘Maybe here—we can get the car and tower in one shot.’ I stopped beside her, holding the parcel in both hands.

As I was picking out a souvenir, I liked the sound of butter mochi's gentle buttery flavour and soft texture. I'm leaving it unopened until I get home, when I'll have it with tea. Looking back at the night-view photos, I can imagine my friend and me talking about the day for ages. I peeked at the little mochi through the wrapping; now I have something to look forward to when I get home.

As I was about to get in, I took one more look at the tower. I love seeing the city from above, but I also love looking up at the tower from the ground. Being able to do both on the same little detour is what makes Selion special. I set the souvenir down and took the driver's seat. After checking the road ahead, I headed back onto the night roads around Akita Port.