Tokyojin really need to chill

For the past several days I have been hanging in Hamamatsu. It is pretty far removed from Tokyo. In Japan, I spend most of the days knee deep in the insanity that is Tokyo. I have to admit, Tokyo has the ability to drive even the most stable person a little nuts. It is a pretty hardcore city; in fact it is the largest city in the world. Well, being away from Tokyo for a few days has open my eyes to something important; Tokyojin really need to chill the fuck out!

Brfore I go any further, let me just say that I love Tokyo. It is one hell of a city. I really get into all the excitment and adventure Tokyo provides. Everyday something happens which feeds my need for chaos. Yet, there is a certain attitude within a lot of people living in Tokyo which gets under my skin from time to time. It seems to be the habit of far too many people in Tokyo to eat each other alive. People will wait for you to say something they can use to make you look bad, while at the same time, make themselves look so good in front of others. I have tried so hard to understand this thinking but I still struggle. At times living in Tokyo is like being in a den of hungry lions. Someone is going to get eaten.

I guess this comes from the nature of Tokyo in general. It is a real fast city. People tend to gave little issue with stomping down anyone who gets in there way. They call it being polite, but in reality it is nothing more than being a bully with a coy sense of manners. People are able to get away with this kind of behavior because Japan has a passive society. While I have adjusted to the stance of,` I am stomping you in the mud because you are getting in my way; this is for your own good because I am the best thing since sliced bread,` it still gets under my skin from time to time. The crazy thing is, this attitude is usually not acted out though violence. It is a mental trip of talking shit in a manner which is coy and uptight.

Here are a few examples:

You are at a pub talking a rather attractive J-gal. Another dude joins you at the table. He also wants her attention. He will start to point out every little thing wrong with the way you look and give `advice` on how you can be better.


You are at a business dinner/drinking meeting. You are having some success networking with a important counter-part in your company. A fellow co-worker sees that you are making the right connection with the right person. Feeling that he may be getting pushed out of the loop, he/she will start to point out all the good things he/she has been doing; which you have not been doing.


You are enjoying a night out with a new friend. They decide to bring along one of their friends. You are getting along well with your new friend. The other person, feeling that you might become more popular, starts to point out all the fun things they can show you in Tokyo, while at the same time, giving you crap for not knowing about these things.


There are just a few examples but I think you get my point. So, Tokyo lets just relax a bit...Okay. It is not the end of the world if you are not the center of attention all the time.

All Ready for Golden Week!

So, are you ready for golden week? I have asked this question to many people and it seems that many people are not so up for it this year. People tend to response with a sort of sadness about dullness about the whole event. As first, I was confused as to why so many people express aloofness concerning golden week this year. After some thought I think I may understand the reason for this feeling. The Japanese just might be suffering from mass depression.

For some reason it seems as if Japanese people are easy to fall into a pit of depression. Maybe this recent bout with depression stems from the state of the economy. I mean things are bad, but why are so many people acting like it is the end of the world. The Japanese have been bumming me out as of late. If they are so unhappy I suggest they either get tough and deal with the situation, or simply jump in front of a train.

Golden week is a time to have fun and relax a bit. Life will keep going despite the current state of world affairs. Personally, I don`t want to deal with people who are ready to roll over and die. I do not enjoy feeling like shit everyday. Yet it seems that many people living in Tokyo love all the doom and gloom. So, I have decided to get the hell out of Tokyo for a few days. I will be going to Hamamatsu to enjoy golden week. In my opinion, Hamamatsu is the best city in which to enjoy golden week. The people there so completely crazy for GW. For the entire time during golden week the city turns into a drunken rampage of Edo period inspired merry making.

I remember going to Hamamatsu last year for GW. I had a blast! I have a honorary membership into one of the local communities. I get to wear the traditional Edo dress, march around the street drinking sake, and the best part is I get to drink all the free beer I can handle. It is a great time for sure.

The one event I enjoy the most is the Giant kite battle which happens at the beach. This is something which everyone has got to experience. Each community has its own giant kite. They battle it out in the skies. The object is to knock the other kites out of the skies. There are a few rules to this amazing event. You cannot battle a kite which represents a new born baby or someone who has reach 100 years old. The kites are very colorful; so all you camera obsessed folks have a reason to check this out.

Anyway I am leaving Tokyo on Monday and will not return until Wednesday. I look forward to getting the hell out of Tokyo for few days. It will be good for me I am aure.