A cultural stroll through Kunitachi with a Panda, viewing the city through the window
A few minutes by car from Kunitachi Station in Tokyo. Passing through the quiet, tree-lined streets of the city, Sato-san heads in his Panda 45 to "Michikusa Bookstore," a tiny shop he has loved since his student days. Since there is almost no street parking in Kunitachi, he parks the Panda at a coin-operated lot near the station and takes a leisurely walk through the peaceful residential neighborhood. It is fascinating how even a short stroll through these streets takes on a different character when viewed through the car window.
Tucked away in the back of a building, the bookstore looks just like a hideout from the outside. Once inside, the floor-to-ceiling bookshelves are a sight to behold. Browsing the shelves—crammed with everything from paperbacks and picture books to photo collections, back-issue magazines, and cookbooks—is a joy, even if you didn't come looking for anything in particular. The record corner, which stocks everything from modern jazz and soul funk to 80s fusion, is another highlight, making it a space where you can easily lose track of time.
Sato-san searches for his favorite record
Today, Sato-san picks up Yumi Arai's "MISSLIM," the fusion masterpiece "WINELIGHT," and even a 2000s issue of "casa BRUTUS." He loads the records into the Panda and sets off for a riverbed just a few minutes from the station. He chooses to drive through narrow residential lanes and tree-lined streets, enjoying a relaxed cruise as he takes in the city’s expressions and the soft sunlight filtering through the windows. It only takes about 10 minutes from the parking lot to the riverbed, offering a sense of distance between the city and nature that you don't get on a normal walk.
Once at the riverbed, he sets up his VESTAX portable record player on the tonneau cover and drops the needle. He doesn't mind the slight vibrations that shake the Panda's lightweight body; the music plays, enveloped by the soft afternoon light and the riverside scenery. Spending a moment listening to the newly purchased albums feels like a small picnic—one of those moments when traveling by car makes everyday life feel just a little bit special.
Listening to records outdoors. A luxurious time made possible only by having a car.
On the way back, he cruises slowly down the tree-lined street in front of the station, stopping by a nearby cafe and an antique shop along the way. Spending a day off with the Panda naturally teaches you the joys of city scenery and detours. By blending the car, his hobbies, the city, and nature, an ordinary weekend turns into something a little more cultural and active.
