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xlix.me
Hiro Ohta
@xlix.me
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Investor. Author. Tokyo explorer. Quantum societies chronicler.

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xlix.me
Savor this moment. It melts away too soon.
Photo by ROMAN ODINTSOV. A creamy chocolate gelato sits in a rustic paper cup labeled "Isle of Gelato," topped with generous chocolate chunks and dusted with cocoa powder. A wooden spoon is tucked into the dessert, ready for a bite. The setting is casual, with chocolate shavings scattered around and a hint of a strawberry on the side, evoking indulgence and handcrafted delight.
November 27, 2025 at 8:20 AM
xlix.me
Every door is a choice. Open and step into the unknown light? Close and remain in the comforting dark? Either way, life moves on.
Photo by Suliman Sallehi. An elderly man stands in the doorway of an ornately carved wooden structure. He wears traditional clothing with a jacket and gazes thoughtfully into the distance, holding a cigarette. The intricate patterns of the door and surrounding frame evoke a sense of cultural heritage, while vibrant textiles hang above him, adding warmth to the rustic setting.
November 27, 2025 at 8:19 AM
xlix.me
We are all green things tasting the universe.
Photo by Taryn Elliott. A hand lifts a soft-serve cone of pale green matcha against sweeping tea fields that curve in gentle terraces. Mist lingers near the dark treeline, and the ice cream’s spiral catches muted light, creating a calm contrast between its smooth form and the textured landscape.
November 26, 2025 at 9:48 AM
xlix.me
The night is dark. Yet it doesn’t ask awkward questions.
Photo by ervin.fon. A black-and-white image of a dimly lit cobblestone alleyway. A solitary figure, a woman carrying a bag, walks away from the camera toward a bright streetlight in the distance. Tall stone walls on both sides create a narrow, quiet atmosphere. The shadows and light evoke a sense of solitude and introspection.
November 26, 2025 at 9:46 AM
xlix.me
A city’s happiness lies not in the height of its towers, but in the width of its sidewalks.
Photo by Dmitriy Zub. A man walks along a quiet cobblestone street, holding a newspaper in one hand and leading a small white dog on a leash with the other. The scene is framed by classic European architecture, parked cars, and a cozy restaurant with outdoor tables adorned with red tablecloths. The atmosphere is calm, with a soft, overcast sky lending a serene tone to the urban stroll.
November 25, 2025 at 8:07 AM
xlix.me
Hidden by the world, the world is revealed.
Photo by Andrea De Santis. A solitary traditional Japanese house rests quietly among densely forested mountains, its red walls and dark roof gently contrasting the autumn foliage. Mist weaves through the upper slopes, softening the peaks and blending earth with sky in a silent embrace. The scene evokes stillness, where human presence is a whisper within the vastness of nature.
November 25, 2025 at 8:06 AM
xlix.me
A hundred times have I thought New York is a catastrophe, and fifty times: It is a beautiful catastrophe.

- Le Corbusier
Photo by Andre Benz. A vibrant aerial view of Times Square at night, glowing with neon lights and digital billboards. The streets are bustling with yellow taxis and pedestrians weaving through the illuminated crosswalks. Skyscrapers rise high, reflecting the colors of the bustling cityscape. The scene captures the energy, chaos, and allure of urban life, a timeless portrait of New York City's sleepless spirit.
November 24, 2025 at 8:04 AM
xlix.me
Legend holds that the shrine gates do not open to space, but to time.
PAINTING by Ohara Koson (1877-1945). A flock of birds glides through a mist-shrouded forest where towering pines dissolve into the pale sky. In the lower right, a traditional wooden torii gate stands partly hidden by dense foliage, anchoring the composition in quiet reverence. The subtle gradation of ink evokes depth and calm, as nature and structure blend in silent harmony.
November 24, 2025 at 8:03 AM
xlix.me
In the depth of winter, I finally learned that within me there lay an invincible summer.

- Albert Camus
PHOTO by Flo Dahm. A gentle sunrise softly illuminates a peaceful snowy landscape, casting golden hues across a vast field dotted with evergreen trees. A quiet road winds gently through the tranquil forest, blending harmoniously into the serene wintry scene. The sky above is a subtle blend of pastel shades, emphasizing the calm beauty of the dawn.
November 23, 2025 at 8:13 AM
xlix.me
Within the most complex structures, the purest form of beauty resides.
Photo by Creative Free Stock. A delicate lavender rose sits at the center of a dark wooden surface with horizontal planks. The soft petals of the flower form an intricate spiral, creating a calm and meditative visual contrast against the deep, textured wood background. The composition exudes simplicity and tranquility, drawing attention to the beauty of natural forms and muted tones.
November 23, 2025 at 8:13 AM
xlix.me
Form follows function - that has been misunderstood. Form and function should be one, joined in a spiritual union.

- Frank Lloyd Wright
Photo by julie levin. A vast hall unfolds beneath sweeping ribs that rise toward a narrow skylight, forming a dramatic geometric corridor. People move across the bright floor in small clusters, their dark silhouettes contrasting with the luminous architecture. Garlands trace soft arcs along the upper level, adding a gentle festive touch to the soaring space.
November 22, 2025 at 8:32 AM
xlix.me
Kindness or goodwill extended to strangers never to be encountered again carries a purity and beauty unmatched in this world.

- Hideko Takamine (Japanese actress, 1924-2010)
A photograph of Hideko Takamine (provided by Toho Co., Ltd.) taken during the filming of When a Woman Ascends the Stairs, a 1960 Japanese drama film directed by Mikio Naruse. The black-and-white image shows Takamine standing on a quiet, sunlit street dressed in an elegant kimono. Fallen leaves scatter across the sidewalk, while the shadows of trees create a serene atmosphere. A sign reading "Manhattan" hangs above, hinting at a blend of tradition and modernity, captured in a fleeting, contemplative moment.
November 22, 2025 at 8:32 AM
xlix.me
Life turns — rising and falling, returning without end. Only the way remains.
Photo by Samuel Becerra. A Ferris wheel rises in silhouette against layered clouds, its spokes forming a calm geometry as light filters through shifting tones of gray. The scene holds a gentle stillness, the vast sky meeting the curved frame in a moment of balance.
November 21, 2025 at 8:36 AM
xlix.me
True beauty thrives at the brink of its own demise.
Photo by Tetyana Kovyrina. Weathered blue wooden doors stand firmly between crumbling white walls, adorned with multiple locks and scratches that hint at stories of time and resilience. Beyond the doors, hints of a serene landscape peek through small gaps, blending mystery with simplicity. The soft blue sky above adds a sense of peace, contrasting the aged textures below.
November 21, 2025 at 8:34 AM
xlix.me
We go into the vast to understand the minute.
Photo by Enric Cruz López. A tranquil scene captures a red canoe carrying three people gliding across a vibrant turquoise lake. Dense, dark green coniferous trees blanket steep mountains in the background, creating a stunning contrast with the serene, crystal-clear waters. The scene exudes a peaceful, almost meditative quality as the canoe moves silently through the water, enveloped by nature's grandeur.
November 20, 2025 at 8:36 AM
xlix.me
The tree stands alone. It knows solitude is often safer than company.
Photo by Jeremy Bishop. A lone, leafless tree stands atop a gently sloping hill under a vast, cloudy sky. The silhouette of a solitary person walking nearby emphasizes the stillness and quiet of the scene. The interplay of light and shadow creates a sense of calm and introspection, with the open expanse of sky inviting contemplation.
November 20, 2025 at 8:35 AM
xlix.me
The bench holds still,
No force, no will.
Its calmness fills.
Photo by Josh Hild. A serene evening scene on a wooden pier stretches into the misty horizon, illuminated by the soft glow of street lamps. Rain glistens on the planks, reflecting the lights in shimmering puddles. A lone bench invites quiet contemplation, facing away towards the unseen sea, enhancing the pier’s tranquil and introspective ambiance.
November 19, 2025 at 12:15 PM
xlix.me
The leaf is time made visible.
Photo by Dmitry Spravko. A scatter of rain-darkened autumn leaves rests on damp earth, their shapes layered and softened by moisture. Golds, ambers, and deep browns mingle in an organic mosaic, edges curled and veins faintly visible. The scene feels grounded, a moment held in the slow shift of the season.
November 19, 2025 at 12:14 PM
xlix.me
Life aligns itself when you stop arranging it.

❖ Capitol Hotel, Tokyo
Photo by Hiro Ohta with iPhone. Capitol Hotel, Nagatacho, Tokyo.
November 19, 2025 at 3:39 AM
xlix.me
A house is a machine for living in.

- Le Corbusier
Photo by An. Looking upward from a courtyard, this image captures a star-like aperture formed by the converging facades of surrounding buildings, each adorned with angular balconies and windows. The structures' beige tones contrast with a vivid blue sky peeking through. It’s a geometric play of architecture—do the buildings enjoy creating shapes as much as we enjoy viewing them?
November 18, 2025 at 8:02 AM
xlix.me
Being yourself is a risk; take it anyway.
Photo by Desiray Green. A mysterious figure stands in the middle of a rural road, completely obscured by a large bunch of shiny black balloons. The backdrop features a cloudy sky and a hint of farmland stretching into the distance. Wearing a white skirt and a black top, the person holds the balloons, creating a stark contrast. If these balloons were thoughts, where would they carry you?
November 18, 2025 at 8:01 AM
xlix.me
And into the forest I go, to lose my mind and find my soul.

- John Muir
Photo by Olena Bohovyk. This image captures an aerial view of a winding road enveloped by a dense forest, showcasing a vast expanse of greenery with specks of autumnal yellow. A solitary red car drives along the road, creating a striking contrast with the natural colors around it. Does the path chosen reflect the journey, or does the journey define the path?
November 17, 2025 at 8:31 AM
xlix.me
We live balancing—between fear and desire, peace and chaos.
Photo by Marcelo Moreira. A lone figure balances on a thin tightrope suspended high in the air, silhouetted against a dramatic, overcast sky filled with swirling clouds. The tension between the fragile wire and the vast, ominous sky captures the delicate equilibrium between risk and perseverance. True balance is found not in stillness, but in the ability to move forward despite uncertainty.
November 17, 2025 at 8:30 AM
xlix.me
A red light is a signal. A moment to ask if the path you’re on is truly your own.
Photo by Grevin Kivi. A red traffic light with a left-turn arrow stands illuminated against a warm, glowing sunset. The soft silhouettes of trees and rooftops frame the scene, evoking a moment of quiet contemplation. It whispers: When life signals you to pause, will you take the time to reflect?
November 16, 2025 at 8:27 AM
xlix.me
For those seeking escape from something, Shibuya is the final destination. In the endless daylight of the crossing, they forget what they were escaping.
Photo by Sachith Ravishka Kodikara. A bustling aerial view of Shibuya Crossing at night, illuminated by countless neon lights and digital billboards. Streams of people cross the iconic intersection, surrounded by high-rise buildings, shops, and urban infrastructure. The vibrant scene reflects the relentless energy of the city. In the chaos of movement, where does stillness hide?
November 16, 2025 at 8:26 AM