森の小さなレストラン (mori no chiisana resutoran)

Aoi Teshima's 'Mori No Chiisana Restaurant' (The Little Restaurant in the Forest) is a song that paints a whimsical picture of a quaint and magical eatery nestled within the woods. The lyrics, sung in Japanese, evoke a sense of enchantment and simplicity, as they describe a journey to a small forest restaurant that one stumbles upon by following acorns. The absence of reservations and the presence of empty seats during lunchtime suggest a hidden gem that is yet to be discovered by the masses, with birds playfully fluttering around.

The imagery of a red-painted tin roof and a menu filled with recommended stews sets a rustic and cozy scene. The sounds of a violin and a viola emanating from the kitchen add to the fairy-tale ambiance, inviting the listener into a world where even the smallest creatures, like a bear cub, join in a dance. The absence of certain dishes like risotto and dessert implies a focus on the experience and the atmosphere over a comprehensive menu. The song's refrain, which welcomes guests and bids them farewell, reinforces the idea of the restaurant as a transient, dreamlike experience that one may revisit 'tomorrow and so on.'

The final verse takes a slightly mysterious turn, mentioning delivering something to a grave and a 'last supper' tonight. This could symbolize the ephemeral nature of experiences or the cycle of life and death. The song, through its playful and imaginative lyrics, invites listeners to appreciate the beauty of the moment and the simple pleasures that life offers, even if they are as fleeting as a meal in a little restaurant in the forest.