The Start of Summer Break in a Household with Kids

I got mad at my kid today.
Here’s how it happened.

People don’t really listen to CDs anymore, do they?
It might not click with younger folks, but in our CD-generation household, we still have an old CD boombox and, along with it, an equally old amplifier.
Of course, there’s a row of CDs sitting right next to them.
My kid wanted to open one of the CDs, so I popped open the case and showed it to them.
Then, they tried to spin the CD—still in its case—with their finger.
So I said,
“We don’t do that. No touching. No spinning. Got it?”

I made sure to check they understood.
They seemed satisfied with that, so I thought, “Phew, good, all clear,” and relaxed for a moment.

…And in that very moment, they were spinning the CD that was still inside the boombox with their finger.
(This is where I got mad.)

I took it out and checked.
A deep scratch went all the way around.
Just to be sure, I checked another CD—an American pressing of the Brian Jones-era classic, Out of Our Heads.
Same kind of scratch, same place.

(I opened it for them. I said no spinning. I double-checked. So why would they do that?)

I felt completely deflated.

I told my partner about it.
And they said,
“Maybe you should keep it upstairs?”

No, no—why is that the response?
If I had asked, “Should we keep the boombox upstairs or downstairs?”
Then sure, “Maybe upstairs?” would make sense.

But that’s not what I needed just now.
We’ve already had that conversation before—more than once.
But here I am, in a really low moment, and that’s what I get again.
Ugh.

Now that summer break has started, our kid’s been acting up even more these past few days.
“One ice cream a day! You already had one! Just one, okay?!”
“Waaaaah!!” (screaming)

Hearing those shouts and shrieks all day long makes me feel like I’m losing it.
It’s not so much a chain reaction of family stress—
More like the stress has nowhere to go, swirling and building up, just stuck inside the house.
That’s more what it feels like.

And yet.

Even through all this, we parents still try to give our kids good summer memories.

2025年7月26日
鉄旅ライフ編集部
過去のコラムはこちら

Tomimaru – A Fisherman’s Seafood Spot in Rumoi Serving Fresh Kaisen-don with a Portside Atmosphere

We’d like to introduce Tomimaru, the fisherman’s restaurant, a local favorite known for its hearty seafood dishes made with an abundance of fresh catch from the sea.

In this article, we’ll cover everything from the atmosphere inside the restaurant to recommended menu items and access information, giving you a complete guide to this must-visit spot.

Exterior and Interior

Tucked away in a quiet alley with the charm of an old-fashioned neighborhood, the restaurant features a simple wooden sign as its landmark.

Inside, you’ll find both counter and table seating in a calm, modern Japanese-style setting.

Tomimaru – Fisherman's Seafood Restaurant

Recommended Dishes

We tried the tuna rice bowl and raw Pacific saury sashimi. The sashimi had a rich, buttery texture with just the right amount of fat. Each bite released a deep umami flavor that lingered beautifully. It’s a simple dish, but the freshness truly stands out.

Sashimi of raw Pacific saury
Tuna Rice Bowl Set
Tuna Rice Bowl

Tasting Experience

In addition to the tuna rice bowl shown in the photo, we also tried salmon and other selections. Every slice of fish was thick, generously cut, and incredibly fresh. The premium seafood chirashi bowl featured local specialties like sweet shrimp, sea urchin, octopus, and scallops — each one absolutely delicious.

Restaurant Name Tomimaru – Fisherman’s Restaurant
Address 3-3-10 Kaiuncho, Rumoi, Hokkaido
Opening Hours 11:00–14:00 / 16:30–20:00
Closed —
Access About 1-minute walk from Engan Bus stop
Parking Available
Map