Yoshie Doi

Photo taken on January 29, 2025
Kyoto Tower

「♬なのにあなたは京都へ行くの
京都の町は それほどいいの
この私の 愛よりも
静かによりそい やさしく見つめ
「愛する人」と私を呼んだ
なのにあなたは京都へ行くの♬」

　The song “Cherish”, which is nostalgic for the Showa generation, suddenly came to mind. It was released as Cherish’s debut song in September 1971, and attracted attention for its lyrics that emphasized feelings for Kyoto.

　The lyrics about leaving one’s lover behind to go to Kyoto continued to show the city’s attractive power. Just six years earlier, in 1965, “Onna Hitori” (Only a Woman) had been released and become a hit.

「♬Kyoto Ohara Sanzenin ,京都大原三千院、

　恋に就かれた女が一人♬」

　The song about heartbreak, “Onna Hitori,” was a big hit when it was sung by the Duke Aces in 1965. Ohara became famous overnight with this song. The song is about a woman who has lost her love, and was featured in many Kyoto-themed magazines such as “anan” and “non-no” at the time.

　In the 1970s, the Discover Japan campaign by the Japanese National Railways (now JR) increased travel demand. The magazine was launched around the same time. I remember a young woman called anan non going around Kyoto.

　At that time, I used to use JR, and whenever the large Discover Japan posters were replaced with new ones, I would collect them. Because posters are a medium that reflects the times, I also collected Taisho-era posters of sake breweries, and have given them to friends overseas who wanted them. Apparently old Japanese posters are popular in Europe.

　Kyoto is also very popular with inbound tourists. I commute to work every day on the Hankyu Railway, and there are many foreign tourists coming from Kansai Airport and Itami Airport. In the elevator at Shijo Karasuma, foreigners who have checked out of their hotels are carrying large luggage to their next destination.

　Customers from overseas say they want to eat at local restaurants where local Kyoto residents eat. They want to get a glimpse of Kyoto life. Perhaps this feeling is also part of Kyoto’s appeal. They find everyday Kyoto more appealing than the touristy Kyoto. I hummed the lyrics of Cherish once again.

♬私の髪に 口づけをして
「かわいいやつ」と私に言った
なのにあなたは京都へ行くの
京都の町は それほどいいの
この私の 愛よりも
静かによりそい やさしく見つめ
「愛する人」と私を呼んだ
なのにあなたは京都へ行くの
京都の町は それほどいいの
この私の 愛よりも
燃える腕で だきしめて
「とわの愛」を私に誓った
なのにあなたは京都へ行くの
京都の町は それほどいいの
この私の 愛よりも・・・・・・
この私の 愛よりも・・・・・・
ルルルルル・・・・♬

The end of document
Translated by Masami Otani

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