A Random Walk Down Amarume St. (Photo Essay)

The Leftover Eye Section of The Village in Shonai Machi, Yamagata Prefecture

20 years ago, Amarume was its own town. It had its own mayor, and its own town hall.

Since its merger with the adjacent Tachikawa-machi though, Amarume became part of the newly christened Shonai Town.

Since Amarume lost its status as a town, it is now classified as an ‘aza’ (字), which translates to a ‘section of a village’. I once shared this address with my Japanese friend from Kobe.

He had never heard of the term ‘aza’. He was probably just as surprised by the name Amarume (余目), which literally means “the leftover eye.” Most likely it’s a shift from 余部 (Amarube), “the leftover houses.” Either way, they couldn’t have picked a more memorable name.

I lived in that leftover eye section of a village for four years, from 2010 to 2014. Back then I did a lot of biking, so I saw the town at a slower pace.

How times have changed.

Ten years ago there were still people walking the streets. I remember retirees sitting in their shop windows, watching the days pass. Some shops were even open. These days?

Not so much.

My friend was probably also surprised by the name Amarume, 余目, as it means ‘the leftover eye’. Amarume is most likely a shift of the word 余部 Amarube, which means ‘the leftover households’¹. But still, I don’t think they could have made a more memorable name!

I lived in that leftover eye section of a village for four years, from 2010 to 2014. In those days I did a lot of biking, so was able to take in the town at a much slower pace.

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These first two photos are from Tsuruoka City to the south, a place facing a similar crisis to Shōnai Town.

This building is in Tsuruoka City.

Until about two years ago, the block to the left — now being converted to a 7-11 — was a cluster of late-night snack bars in a fancy building. Not fancy enough, I guess.

I couldn’t tell you what they sold here. Although I’m sure it was a storefront. The squares below the upper windows hint at signage.

‘かねきん鮮魚店’ Kanekin Fresh Fish Shop. Emphasis on fresh.

This was just a nice, and huge house. So big I couldn’t fit it all in the frame.

エヌケーガラス ‘NK Glass’

This one looks like your average townhouse.

阿部はきもの店 ‘Abe Hakimono Mise’. This one I remember actually buying something from! My ‘Zukku’, which were the sports shoes I wore inside the schools I worked in. The sign in the door to the right says ‘we sell the regulation shoes for Amarume Junior High School’, the place I used to work.

佐々木時計店 ‘Sasaki Clock Shop’. Granted, that sign does say ‘regular holiday’.

The Che Guevara Toyota FJ Cruiser. A relatively popular vehicle in these parts for some reason.

So there you have it. The leftover eye town.

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Obon

Next week is OBON, at least here in Sakata it is (this isn’t always the case).

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Daily Yamabushi for The Week

Bonus, the old lady sat right there under that blue roof.

Daily Yamabushi posts for the week of August 1 to 7, 2025.

Read Daily Yamabushi at timbunting.com/blog. Everything I make is free of charge if you know where to find it. Most popular articles here.

1. Get Your Bad Work Out of The Way

2. Embrace The Change to Change

3. Go In Prepared

4. Chip Away

5. Contradiction is Key

6. Minimalist—Inspired Optimisation

7. What You’ve Got

1. Source　（Japanese)