2. Covered Street

While it was interesting to come to smaller Japanese towns like Uwajima and Nakamura for a change, it can't be denied that one of the major experiences in Japan is to come to a larger city and enjoy the street life. And in many cities, it is the covered streets and the streets around them where the action is. (In both Uwajima and Nakamura, the covered streets where appallingly desolate.)

As for the sign in the lower right corner, that is a cut-out from another picture of one of the shop signs on the left side. Svenson (normally spelt Svensson) is the archetype name for a Swedish person.