I thought I better post another blog before my memories fade into unremembered history, as anything that's older than a month or two older usually does with me.
Since the last post I've been to Tokyo, settled in a little bit more, learned a little bit more, smiled a little bit more, invested in some Japanese musical instruments, and become weirdly domesticated.
Best start with Tokyo, I think. At first I thought I should write about it straight after visiting, but in hindsight I think a couple of weeks contemplation has been worth it. It's not that I think I'm going to articulate my thoughts into anything that has never been said about Tokyo before, more that experiencing Tokyo takes a little while to articulate into anything comparable, or even anything really.
On my way to Tokyo, the idea that I had about the place was that it would be this huge Neon, Blade Runner-esque behemoth of a city that would span beyond the horizon, and would make me feel totally anonymous, and that it would be filled with loads of unique eccentricities, amazingly massive shops, and that I'd find loads of things that you can't get anywhere else. That was the idea that I had, and the reason I went. But weirdly, my experience was nothing like that. I should have known, but the idea of truly capturing in an instant, or a series of events, a Metropolis like Tokyo is probably impossible. I realised pretty quickly and thought 'ah, I'll go to a viewing tower and look over the city.' Totally impossible, I may as well have tried comparing an atom and the universe because I couldn't even get to the stage where the scale made me feel uneasy, it was just totally unfathomable, because there was nowhere I found where I could go 'woah, Tokyo!' with Vangelis playing in my head.
Still, that might have been what I was searching for, and even though I failed to procure such a tall order, I was still mightily impressed. The neon in Shinjuku is unbelievable, for what it is. I spent most of the time heading in one direction before being distracted by something else, and following my interest until I realised that I'd only actually been to one place. Hahaha. Shibuya is probably the best place that I went to for the Urban Sprawl side of things, purely because it was busy as anything, but it was really stylish, and classy, whereas Shinjuku is a bit dirty. Speaking of which, I kept getting asked to go into seedy bars and after a few times of 'nah, it's not my kind of thing.' and having the people try everything to get me to go in, I finally opted to just say 'je ne comprende pas' the final time someone asked. Ironically it was them who surrendered. Weeeeeey.
So, that's what I went for, but it was actually the little gardens and parks that blew me away the most. Koishikawa Gardens in Jimbocho needs to be visited by anyone who ever goes to Tokyo. It's the oldest garden in Tokyo, and it's nothing short of stunning. It has a weird mix of feeling like you're both in your back garden, and in the wild. A lake, copious waterfalls and bridges, with Koi everywhere, with old stone walkways that make you feel like you're part of an adventure book. It pains me to use this word, but it really was, truly moving.
The nightlife was a funny one. I went to Roppongi where all the foreigners go, but I think I went out of the wrong exit; that coupled with some stubborn thought that I should go where I can't rely upon English meant that I went back on the Subway and went to Shibuya. I ended up in some dodgy looking club that was playing, quite frankly FUCKING AMAZING old school hip hop. Snoop, Biggy, Tupac, De La Soul, Luniz, Warren G...for a second there I thought I was accepting an award for 'Whitest Person Alive', but seriously the music was immense, I was in my element. However, it turns out that I can't speak Japanese, whoda funk it? Duuur. I think I asked someone how to use the locker, which went ok. But other than asking people if they like the music, and replying with either 'it's interesting', 'it's great' or 'it's delicious' (guess which one I chose) I'm struggling. I knew what would happen, so it's not really naivety. I just probably wont do it again until my Japanese gets better.
There's a lot more I could add, but those are the memories I'll take, so I won't bother with any frilly bits.
Since then I came back to Koriyama and started making music again. Having just been paid I decided to finally get an analog synth delivered from Tokyo. For those that know anything about it, it's a Yamaha CS20m, and it is bloody brilliant, especially for the price. I also got a second hand Yamaha acoustic for the equivalent of £50, which is an absolute bargain. So I've decided to start getting the pieces of the puzzle in and record an E.P, hopefully one to be able to start a band with when I get home. That's the plan anyway.
Today I went to Inawashiro Lake, which is barely worth mentioning as an experience to be honest. I've been meaning to go for a couple of weeks, but the weather's stopped me. So I went today, and it was a bit rubbish in all honesty. It's turns out that it's just this really fucking massive lake. I dunno what I was expecting really. I didn't want to spend the time or money to try all of the beaches (the taxi had cost £15 for a five minute journey) so there'll probably be more to it than what I saw, but it's not really a haven of activity, or beauty for me to go back any time soon.
I still weirdly find so much joy in doing things like riding around on my bike listening to music, I like knowing that even in this environment, I haven't been spoiled, and I still enjoy really simple things like that.
I had a moment the other day where I realised I was getting a bit older. I was out on my bike and it started raining, and my first thought was 'oh no, my washing!'....worrying.
I'll leave it on that note, and try to update more regularly so I don't have to type out ridiculously long blogs like this again. Ja!
