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| Staircase around the Tokyo Game show. |
Sunday, September 29, 2013
"Autumn festival(秋季祭)"
The following pictures were taken at the "Autumn festival(秋季祭)" though it is simply known as the "chestnuts festival(栗祭り kuri matsuri)" to the locals, as it takes place in the season of chestnuts.
The festival functioned like a parade of a huge number of dancing groups that would come dancing in unison down the street. Many had drummers, however if they didn't they stayed in rhythm by calling back and forth to each other the sound of which would be difficult to accurately articulate through only text. They would trek and dance for a while then stop and do a more focused type of show for everyone watching.
The festival functioned like a parade of a huge number of dancing groups that would come dancing in unison down the street. Many had drummers, however if they didn't they stayed in rhythm by calling back and forth to each other the sound of which would be difficult to accurately articulate through only text. They would trek and dance for a while then stop and do a more focused type of show for everyone watching.
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| And you thought you and your brother were legit as children. |
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| This picture was taken after we, as a group were invited to join in with one of the dancing groups in one of their dances. I'm sure we looked quite bad, however the mood of the whole festival was wholesome and fun, that as long as we were enjoying ourselves it seemed that all was ok, not to mention we were eventually able to find some synchronicity after we formed a sort of conga line. It was incredible fun, and enlightening to why the Japanese love their festivals. |
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| This picture I hope can attest to the amazing synchronicity of the dancers even though they were just groups voluntarily compiled of community members. |
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| Our good friend Kokoro, who made the trip happen. |
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| Shan |
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| Loved this guy. Everyone seemed like they were having such good fun. It was easy to fall in love with the place. |
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| Coming soon, "Gaijin Gone Wild" Jk. |
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| Our good friend Ryutaro with some tasty noodles. |
Night of Clubbing in Tokyo
So firstly last night. Good lord. So after our first mid-term
which was chill, lunch and a little respite, the group of us Gaijin
as well as our RA's here at the Kenshukan headed out to crash the
Tokyo University's International party. Us being foreigners ourselves
we felt it was acceptable. Not to mention we knew one of the students
who said there wouldn't be a problem. The Party was held at a club in
Roppongi Hills which is a very fashionable, “uptown” part of
Tokyo, the name of the club I cant recall. There are also great deal
of foreigners, which was strange and rather uncomfortable. But
anyway, among a cacophony of cat calls trying to sell things, we
entered some unmarked building and proceeded to the sixth floor to
where the club was. The elevator door opened up to a reception desk
with a woman who asked us our purpose. After pulling a “baka gaijin
(stupid foreigner) we enter as past of the international party,
paying a mere 1000 円,
about ten dollars US.
The club doors opened to dark, smokey, neon lit room music pounding. Some Vip rooms could be seen, and a small bar in the corner, everywhere a variety of people appearing to have a good time. Things seemed rather like any other club and I for a second forgot where I was and what was actually going on. This was soon corrected however as the utter rediculesness of the situation surfaced more and more. For one the music was rather outrageous. The DJ booth even had two big flat screens which, when I walked in were just playing just the video stream of Macklemore's Thrift shop, but later played the music video to the actual song playing. To give you an idea, I believe the third song I heard was I just had sex by the lonely island boys music video and all. And the people dancing made it even better. Not only did they absolutely love every song, the type of excitement you would expect from puppies, but the way the majority of the people were dancing was just precious. Now no criticism on the way Japanese people dance, like in clubs and such I mean (so western dancing I guess), but it is no secret that it is rather weird ha (in a great way). In some cases it could be described as a moving wall, however I think I would prefer to describe it as the result of there just being too much joy in one body that simply doesn't know what to do with it. And as all this joy tries to get out it results is often a rather awkward series of movements with out the slightest bit of insecurity. You couldn't find any purer joy from a sober baby with a lolipop. And as the icing on the cake, the DJ looked as if he had to be at least 75. Calmly, contently DJ's, without the slightest form of body language that music is being played. Either he was just too old to even hear the music, or he learned to DJ from a headsman, for I have never seen such a straight face and monotone movements among people having so much fun.
So I went to the bar to get myself a drink, only to be reminded by a friend that this was a 飲み放題（nomihoudai), which to translate rather literally means to drink as much as one likes. So my 1000円 (ten dollars remember) had not only gotten me into this completely rad club full of international students and up-class Japanese of all shapes and sizes, but it had also bought me all I can drink. Is this my life right now, really? I was amazed. So much so that I even took notes because I simply didn't want to forget this ever.
The amount of happiness I felt soon matched those of my Japanese friends and I proceeded to express it in the only way I knew how: by going buck wild, dancing like a maniac, and spreading joy like a dog with not 1, not 2, but 3 balls—a wild, dancing, joy-spreading, love hound if you will. “Too much fun,” --just doesn't cut it and even “three much fun” only begins to do it justice. Dont know the time when we left the first club, but it was this particular club's closing time so we found our way to another. And let me remind you that this isn't because we are animals, like true hedonists trying to sway a ascetic we'd convinced to tag along, but more so because the last train had left, next one wasn't till 530am or so. So we stay up, danced, lived and had a great time.
It was more fun than I could have ever asked for, however as a cap on this story, once the first train time rolled around and we decided to return home I got the genius idea to return alone. I simply told them to go ahead that I would be there soon. Now please don't think I was too gone, the train ride was rather simple and I was fully capable. You see things are always done in groups in Japan and being as the night had been so grand I simply wanted some time alone to really savor the last of it. And this went all well enough—that is—till I fell asleep. I woke so a beautiful morning sun rising over mountains and rice fields, everything green, and everything peaceful out the window of the busy morning train. It made me smile, and I honestly really enjoyed it, however in a blink of actual thought I realized.--Wait----where is Tokyo? No tall buildings anywhere, no busy intersections, just peaceful little congestion of people, markets, and houses. I'm not sure the actual time as I did not check however judging by when everyone else got back home and when I did, it would seem that I had ridden the train a bit over an hour, Way past my proper destination, to about 3 stops before the end of the line. However I knew this wasn't a problem, how the trains are set up I knew if I just went back it would not cost me anything, but time. So I exited the train and got on the other heading back in right direction, and all was well. That is ….until I fell asleep again. Haha. This time wasn't as bad however I again missed my station by about 5 stops or so and had to return again, this time forcing myself to stand. I honestly didn't even really feel tired, there is just something about sitting on a morning train that rocks you to sleep. I got in at about 8:45am, smiled at the day and klunked out till about two that day. What a time.
The club doors opened to dark, smokey, neon lit room music pounding. Some Vip rooms could be seen, and a small bar in the corner, everywhere a variety of people appearing to have a good time. Things seemed rather like any other club and I for a second forgot where I was and what was actually going on. This was soon corrected however as the utter rediculesness of the situation surfaced more and more. For one the music was rather outrageous. The DJ booth even had two big flat screens which, when I walked in were just playing just the video stream of Macklemore's Thrift shop, but later played the music video to the actual song playing. To give you an idea, I believe the third song I heard was I just had sex by the lonely island boys music video and all. And the people dancing made it even better. Not only did they absolutely love every song, the type of excitement you would expect from puppies, but the way the majority of the people were dancing was just precious. Now no criticism on the way Japanese people dance, like in clubs and such I mean (so western dancing I guess), but it is no secret that it is rather weird ha (in a great way). In some cases it could be described as a moving wall, however I think I would prefer to describe it as the result of there just being too much joy in one body that simply doesn't know what to do with it. And as all this joy tries to get out it results is often a rather awkward series of movements with out the slightest bit of insecurity. You couldn't find any purer joy from a sober baby with a lolipop. And as the icing on the cake, the DJ looked as if he had to be at least 75. Calmly, contently DJ's, without the slightest form of body language that music is being played. Either he was just too old to even hear the music, or he learned to DJ from a headsman, for I have never seen such a straight face and monotone movements among people having so much fun.
So I went to the bar to get myself a drink, only to be reminded by a friend that this was a 飲み放題（nomihoudai), which to translate rather literally means to drink as much as one likes. So my 1000円 (ten dollars remember) had not only gotten me into this completely rad club full of international students and up-class Japanese of all shapes and sizes, but it had also bought me all I can drink. Is this my life right now, really? I was amazed. So much so that I even took notes because I simply didn't want to forget this ever.
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| Me taking notes in the Club. |
The amount of happiness I felt soon matched those of my Japanese friends and I proceeded to express it in the only way I knew how: by going buck wild, dancing like a maniac, and spreading joy like a dog with not 1, not 2, but 3 balls—a wild, dancing, joy-spreading, love hound if you will. “Too much fun,” --just doesn't cut it and even “three much fun” only begins to do it justice. Dont know the time when we left the first club, but it was this particular club's closing time so we found our way to another. And let me remind you that this isn't because we are animals, like true hedonists trying to sway a ascetic we'd convinced to tag along, but more so because the last train had left, next one wasn't till 530am or so. So we stay up, danced, lived and had a great time.
It was more fun than I could have ever asked for, however as a cap on this story, once the first train time rolled around and we decided to return home I got the genius idea to return alone. I simply told them to go ahead that I would be there soon. Now please don't think I was too gone, the train ride was rather simple and I was fully capable. You see things are always done in groups in Japan and being as the night had been so grand I simply wanted some time alone to really savor the last of it. And this went all well enough—that is—till I fell asleep. I woke so a beautiful morning sun rising over mountains and rice fields, everything green, and everything peaceful out the window of the busy morning train. It made me smile, and I honestly really enjoyed it, however in a blink of actual thought I realized.--Wait----where is Tokyo? No tall buildings anywhere, no busy intersections, just peaceful little congestion of people, markets, and houses. I'm not sure the actual time as I did not check however judging by when everyone else got back home and when I did, it would seem that I had ridden the train a bit over an hour, Way past my proper destination, to about 3 stops before the end of the line. However I knew this wasn't a problem, how the trains are set up I knew if I just went back it would not cost me anything, but time. So I exited the train and got on the other heading back in right direction, and all was well. That is ….until I fell asleep again. Haha. This time wasn't as bad however I again missed my station by about 5 stops or so and had to return again, this time forcing myself to stand. I honestly didn't even really feel tired, there is just something about sitting on a morning train that rocks you to sleep. I got in at about 8:45am, smiled at the day and klunked out till about two that day. What a time.
Friday, September 27, 2013
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| Banana phone in the Park |
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| For fun this father was doing catch and release crawdad fishing in a small stream with his son. Awesome fun for just some meet and dental floss. |
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| Bamboo grove in the forest. Beautiful having such vegetation so close. |
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| Thought of the succulents from home. |
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| Something common in Japan, people sweeping the streets. I am simply in Love. |
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| Though this might seem frightening, this Lion actually brought good luck. Which was a good thing to learn as I was consistently surprised as parents kept bringing their small children against their will with screams of fear, towards the jaws of this creature. |
Thursday, September 26, 2013
Cosutoco
So this weekend has been totally rad. Yesterday after resting in
bed until three, I was picked up by motorcycle by my awesome friend
Mitsuhiro to go to Cosutoco. Or as we say in English Costco =)
Yea Costco in Japan. And this trip was especially magical being as my friends Mitsuhiro and Satoshi had decided to wear suits for the occasion. They didn't need to tell me twice. To Costco we went, looking fresher than a bowls of fruit—and the fruit here is Japan is presented as looking incredibly good—though it is very expensive. I had gotten my card specifically so I could do exactly what I was doing at the moment, though going in style—on the back of a super-bike in suits—was something I could have never expected. What would I find I wondered. I had thoughts of buying octopuses in bulk—though I guess in English we would say 'octopi'—which I think would have put me in a very exclusive club by the name of “People who have seriously said 'I have purchased octopi'” and may have even led to an amusing pun involving an 8 section pie if in the right company. We arrived and it was weird how familiar it felt, but nothing could tarnish my excitement. I was expecting things to be much crazier on the inside as compared to America, however to my surprise it was incredibly alike to those in the States. The layout was exactly the same as I remember, electronics by the entrance, then clothes and such, and then meet at the back. Where are all the damn squid I said to myself. But alas those I found were not to my American size standards. To my shock I recognized about 90% of the products. All the beef was from America as were a great deal of the chips and such.
One thing I was uber stoked to find was cheese!! and from Oregon too. So far from home, I quickly took Mr. Tillamook and his friend Bandon Cheddar into my basket so they could come home with someone they felt more comfortable with. Overall the trip was quite splendid, and an incredible time.
On the return trip I remember specifically a road worker who completely made my night. In the states when there would have been twelve men standing around and another four perhaps working, all of these five men working on the road were busting butt. And the one man who would have normally been on his lunch break or whatever was instead sweeping the street. A n incredibly rudimentary style broom in hand, this man, hard-cap and all, was fully committed to sweeping the streets so that no driver could be in the slightest bit of otherwise controllable danger. I was fully impressed by his dedication and gave him a double thumbs up—yes that means I wasn't holding on while on the back of the motorcycle—though don't fret he was worth it, and I was completely safe.
Yea Costco in Japan. And this trip was especially magical being as my friends Mitsuhiro and Satoshi had decided to wear suits for the occasion. They didn't need to tell me twice. To Costco we went, looking fresher than a bowls of fruit—and the fruit here is Japan is presented as looking incredibly good—though it is very expensive. I had gotten my card specifically so I could do exactly what I was doing at the moment, though going in style—on the back of a super-bike in suits—was something I could have never expected. What would I find I wondered. I had thoughts of buying octopuses in bulk—though I guess in English we would say 'octopi'—which I think would have put me in a very exclusive club by the name of “People who have seriously said 'I have purchased octopi'” and may have even led to an amusing pun involving an 8 section pie if in the right company. We arrived and it was weird how familiar it felt, but nothing could tarnish my excitement. I was expecting things to be much crazier on the inside as compared to America, however to my surprise it was incredibly alike to those in the States. The layout was exactly the same as I remember, electronics by the entrance, then clothes and such, and then meet at the back. Where are all the damn squid I said to myself. But alas those I found were not to my American size standards. To my shock I recognized about 90% of the products. All the beef was from America as were a great deal of the chips and such.
One thing I was uber stoked to find was cheese!! and from Oregon too. So far from home, I quickly took Mr. Tillamook and his friend Bandon Cheddar into my basket so they could come home with someone they felt more comfortable with. Overall the trip was quite splendid, and an incredible time.
On the return trip I remember specifically a road worker who completely made my night. In the states when there would have been twelve men standing around and another four perhaps working, all of these five men working on the road were busting butt. And the one man who would have normally been on his lunch break or whatever was instead sweeping the street. A n incredibly rudimentary style broom in hand, this man, hard-cap and all, was fully committed to sweeping the streets so that no driver could be in the slightest bit of otherwise controllable danger. I was fully impressed by his dedication and gave him a double thumbs up—yes that means I wasn't holding on while on the back of the motorcycle—though don't fret he was worth it, and I was completely safe.
Wednesday, September 25, 2013
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