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Sumiko Kuramitsu Column
Beloved Buenos Aires
from Buenos Aires / Argentina
Sumiko Kuramitsu
Reiki Teacher / Hypnotherapy Therapist
Reiki teacher and hypnotherapy therapist. Fascinated by the Argentine tango, she moved to Buenos Aires and fell in love with the city, the sky, the culture and the people. She spends her days enjoying tango and photography while running a healing salon. I will share with you the charm of Buenos Aires.
12.10.2025
DAYS/ Sumiko Kuramitsu Column
Beloved Buenos Aires
Buenos Aires' spring art events and my desire for an “artistic autumn”
A friend in Buenos Aires sent me a photo via Messenger. It showed two Japanese girls laughing happily in a garden at night.
“Ah, they're out enjoying the night.”
It's spring in Buenos Aires now. The night garden must be absolutely lovely.
That night was Buenos Aires' city-wide event called ‘La Noche de los Museos’ (Museum Night). From 7 PM until 2 AM, over 300 museums and cultural venues across the city offered free admission, with concerts and special programs happening everywhere. Public transportation was also free during this time, so many people were out and about.
Regular museum exhibits can be seen on other days, even if you pay the admission fee. So, the places worth visiting on this day are those not usually open to the public or those offering programs exclusive to this event. It's fun to hunt for such hidden gems, hopping from two or three places overnight.
These cultural events are one of Buenos Aires' most endearing aspects. Even normally, museums and galleries tend to be reasonably priced, and there are numerous public concerts and festivals. Plus, it's a country that's generally supportive of artists.
I'd heard that cultural budgets were being cut under President Milei, but I'm glad this event remained intact.
Originally known as a city that never sleeps, it becomes even livelier during this event. News reports say this year saw a record-breaking 1.2 million visitors. Perhaps everyone wanted to let off some steam somewhere, feeling economically stifled by the recession.
Two of my friends apparently went to a concert held in a garden.
How nice. A cultural night out. It sounds fun and I'm envious.
Thinking about that made me want to feel the “autumn of the arts” myself.
Actually, there was an exhibition I'd been curious about for a while, but the location was a bit far, so I'd been hesitating. Inspired by ‘La Noche de los Museos’, I decided to go.
The special exhibition running until late November at the Hokkaido Hakodate Museum of Art was Miwa Komatsu’s ‘Prayer: Dwelling’. Many pieces depict visions that emerged during the artist's prayers and meditations, creating a unique worldview. Standing before the works, you can truly feel their breath—the scale and power of the paintings, the texture of the acrylic paint. The atmosphere and energy of the pieces, something you can only grasp by seeing them in person, completely captivated me. I'm so glad I made the trip.
In the lobby, alongside a live art piece, they were showing a video of the creation process. The artist kneels in prayer before a blank canvas before beginning work, and concludes with prayer again. This process was deeply moving. It truly felt like a sacred ritual.
I understand the concept of “Great Harmony” underlies all the works. It was an art experience where I felt completely immersed in that energy.
Before living in Buenos Aires, I didn't understand how to appreciate art at all. Back then, a friend taught me a way to appreciate art: think while viewing, “If I were to take one piece home for myself, which would it be?” This time, the piece that drew me in the most was this one. Though it's far too large to fit in my home, of course.
Though winter is already approaching, I managed to squeeze in and fully enjoy “the autumn of art.”
NEXT MANDALA: The Soul's Home
9.10.2025
DAYS/ Sumiko Kuramitsu Column
Beloved Buenos Aires
The hint palm reading gave me for living my purpose
At the start of summer, I attended a healing event. At gatherings like this, where many therapy salons come together, you can try out numerous healing menus at one location for special introductory prices.
I actively seek out sessions at these events, as they also serve as valuable training for me as a therapist.
At several booths, I shared my feelings of caregiver fatigue and the lingering frustration of wanting to go to Argentina but being unable to, and received channeling sessions.
Listening to the channeled messages the therapists received, I paid close attention to their approach and choice of words. As a client, there were moments when my heart stirred and tears welled up.
However, overall, I had a vague sense that something didn't quite sit right.
What I received at multiple booths ended up being almost the same message:
'You should do what you want to do. Your parents who are being cared for, and your ancestors, want to see you happy and smiling more than they want you to struggle doing things you don't want to do.'
It felt too obvious, leaving me thinking, “Yeah, I know that. So what?”
At the same time, reflecting on how I, as a therapist, conduct similar sessions myself, I felt a wave of unease.
I realized I could very well be leaving my own clients with the same sense of dissatisfaction I now felt.
Though I considered it a valuable lesson, I was still left feeling unsettled. Then, at the palm reading booth, I had an eye-opening experience.
The palm reader who examined my hands said, “Do you realize you're someone who doesn't need to read the room?”
“You're kidding, right?” The words were so unexpected I leaned forward in surprise.
Apparently, my palm lines show a classic ‘free-spirited’ nature.
Like your birthdate, palm lines are something you're born with. They hold your innate talents. In other words, they're a roadmap to the mission you chose for yourself before you were born.
My palm reading came out as follows:
‘Free-spirited and creative. Shines in a supporting role. Empowers others and guides them to success. Uses words to spark insights. Will shine brighter overseas than in Japan.’
I agreed with the supporting role part, but many other aspects felt surprising.
That's precisely why this reading captured my heart.
So, you see. My “ability to read the room,” which I thought I was pretty good at, was actually a skill I'd worked hard to hone throughout my life. I should honestly give myself credit for that.
Well, since I'd been told this, I thought about how best to utilize this talent.
Choosing the profession of therapist seems to have been the right decision. I hope that through it, I can help push someone forward.
Right now, caring for my parents feels like a wall blocking me from dedicating time and energy to that.
But what if I shift my perspective? What if I focus on the creativity unique to this situation and find joy in it?
All the caregiving realities I'm facing now. If I see them as lessons my parents are showing me, then everything is learning. Maybe I should share my own insights. Freely, without trying to guess others' intentions.
If that somehow ends up helping someone else down the line, that would be wonderful.
As I thought about it, I realized that the reason the conditions for going to Argentina weren't falling into place was because I still had things left to do.
First, I decided to start living my mission to be freely and unrestrainedly creative. That was the event of this summer.
6.20.2025
DAYS/ Sumiko Kuramitsu Column
Beloved Buenos Aires
My new passport and my impressions at the local city hall
I renewed my passport.
Just having a fresh passport is enough to lift my spirits, but this time I am even happier because it is a new version after the revision of the Japanese passport.
I think this new passport looks better than the old one.
The visa page is decorated with ukiyoe paintings by Katsushika Hokusai. Each page is filled with various patterns, such as waves and Mt.
In terms of functionality, the new personal information page is made of plastic and has an integrated IC chip. Although this has strengthened anti-counterfeiting, it has also had the adverse effect of lengthening the time it takes to issue the card.
I learned of this, and so I did the renewal process as soon as I had less than a year to go before the renewal deadline. Although I have no plans for my next trip abroad, I felt that I should hurry.
The reason I feel this way is related to the rumors that abound. It is said that some kind of disaster or trouble may happen in Japan this year. What if something like that happens? What if the government functions were to stall? Wouldn't less important matters such as passport renewal be put on the back burner? Surely.
I will return to Buenos Aires someday. When I arrive, I will of course be staying there for an extended period of time, and I will definitely need a passport with a long validity period on it. Having a usable passport on hand is literally my passport to travel.
I took the precautionary step of getting a new passport with a 10-year validity, so I could travel at any time. I was filled with peace of mind.
By the way, through this renewal process, I found myself thinking that a country town is not so bad. I thought that I would have to go to Sapporo, the capital of Hokkaido, to renew my passport.
I live in a small city in Hokkaido, so I thought I would have to go to Sapporo, the capital of Hokkaido, to renew my passport. However, when I looked into it, I found that I could do it at the city hall in my city.
The compact city hall is a one-stop shop under the same roof. I went to the first floor to get a copy of my family register and then went upstairs to apply. In addition, the bank where you buy revenue stamps is also in the same building.
The good thing about the counter in a city with a small population is that the waiting time is short. At the application counter, there was no staff at the table, and the sign said, "Please ring the doorbell if you need to use the service. It is a tranquil place.
The staff were kind and courteous, and they were always there to help me fill out the form.
Of course, it takes a few days longer than in Sapporo, but I was able to receive my application in 30 days. Thank goodness for small cities in rural areas.
I am very excited to use this brand new passport as soon as possible. Of course I want to go to Argentina, but I'm thinking that maybe I can get the first stamp in an easy Asian country. I'm thinking about it now.
4.12.2025
DAYS/ Sumiko Kuramitsu Column
Beloved Buenos Aires
Tattoos, wheat and Argentines.
In March, a tango teacher who had been helping me in Buenos Aires came to Hokkaido for sightseeing. She brought her son with her. She and I are the same age, and her son is already an adult. A mother and son traveling together. It makes me smile to think that this is very Argentinean, with its mother-loving temperament.
For me, it has been a long time since I have interacted with Argentines. It was two days that I remembered how Argentine people are like.
After picking them up at New Chitose Airport, I decided to give them a taste of Sapporo Ramen, one of Hokkaido's specialties. As soon as we sat down in the restaurant, they asked me, “Do you have any rice menu?” I remembered. Ah! That was it. I should have asked what Argentines cannot eat.
In Argentina, there are many restricted diet practitioners these days. Vegetarian, vegan, and, most mainstream of all, gluten-free diets.
In gluten-free, there are some specific diseases, but I have the impression that many of the attributes are more aimed at improving the body's constitution. There is a bit of a boom in the market.
Because of the large population, it is relatively easy to choose a gluten-free diet, whether it is commercially available or at restaurants.
I thought it would be easier in Japan, the land of rice, but when I put myself in her shoes, I found it surprisingly difficult. The hurdle to eliminating wheat is especially high when eating out.
Ramen and udon noodles, of course, but also fried foods, items that use roux, and most sweets all use wheat. Why wheat in these foods? Some may wonder. Even soba noodle specialty restaurants contain wheat, depending on the restaurant.
Having already spent four days in Tokyo, she said, “It's hard to be gluten-free in Japan.” I have a stomach ache, but I don't have a choice. I'm sorry, I'll take you to a ramen restaurant.
I'm sorry I brought you to a ramen restaurant. The disappointing atmosphere was lessened by the fact that her son was so happy to eat it.
Well, her son. His profession is a tattoo artist. Naturally, he has many tattoos on his own skin. Normally, sightseeing in Hokkaido = Onsen (hot springs), but public bathhouses in Japan are “No Tattoos Allowed”, so we quickly removed Onsen from our list of potential places to visit.
Come to think of it, there were many people with tattoos in Argentina. Among young people, it is already a part of fashion, and I have the impression that it is approved by the public. There are really many tattoo stores on the streets.
This time, her son included Hokkaido in his itinerary, which was strongly influenced by the manga Golden Kamuy. Looking up the synopsis online, it seems that Ainu culture and tattoos are the essence of the important story.
Historically, the Ainu had blue tattoos called sinuye, mainly on the backs of women's faces and hands. It seems that having a sinuye represented being a full-fledged woman.
He was interested in the Ainu culture, including their tattoo customs. I was happy to hear this and was eager to help him arrange a ticket to the Ainu Museum in Shiraoi, a train ticket, and information on embroidery and wood carving workshops.
He told me that Japanese tattoos have a long history and are highly skilled. He also learned some Japanese techniques in the process of mastering them. One of the purposes of his visit to Japan was to get a tattoo in Tokyo at the end of his itinerary. I didn't know there was such a fun way to enjoy Japan. How refreshing.
Whether it was gluten-free or tattooing, I was able to rediscover Japan from an Argentinean perspective. The two days I spent with them were a great time.