Go Tokyo

Japanese TV Debut

2006-11-23T04:16:00.000Z

I have finally made it big in Japan! I recently made my spectacular debut on Japanese TV. It all started a few weeks back when I went to a comedy night with American and British acts performing material about Japan. It was being filmed by fuji TV (The Channel 4 of Japan) for a programme comparing western and Japanese attitudes towards humour, which are very different indeed.

Unfortunately I was not one of the acts (Im still working on my material) and the interview that I took part in was not broadcast either (I think the number of heinekens that I drank in honour of my dutch friend explains that one). But for a split second there is a close up of me laughing hysterically and thats good enough for me. I have laughed on national television in Japan!!! I never thought that I would ever see the day. I have tried to upload the footage onto youtube but it is just over the upload limit. Does anyone know a better video hosting site?

JC DC

2006-11-06T02:50:00.000Z

At the weekend I visited Waseda's annual festival. There were various performances, alot of food (but no alcohol!) and a whole load of people. One building was dedicated solely to music performances with classrooms transformed into venues ranging in genre and, it has to be said, ability. It seems that as long as you make an effort and turn up with an instrument they will let you play. So after a few mediocre rock bands I was happy to stumble upon "AC DC" (well the Japanese tribute act of the same name). In true Japanese form they played each note perfectly and even had the image right. Having said that the singing just might lose them some marks........

Warning: Smoking May Prevent Extreme Physical Exertion

2006-10-17T06:01:00.000+01:00

"Congratulations! You have been selected to run the 2007 Tokyo marathon."

Oh crap.

I figured I needed some motivation to get fit so I applied for the Tokyo marathon a while back. I never expected them to take me seriously but I received an acceptance email the other day which states that I can run as long as I dont fall into one of the following catergories:

High blood pressure
High blood sugar
Hyperlipemia
Smokers
People being treated for heart disease,
People have a family history of heart disease
People who have experienced sudden fainting

So now I have to make a choice. Take up smoking and eat at McDonalds every day or get my ass into gear and train for 4 months. Well if my old English teacher Mr Roper can do it.......

Ah and if anyone is looking for a relly dark tan then try this place. If the name is anything to go by you wont be disappointed.

Giants or Dragons?

2006-10-11T13:28:00.000+01:00

Yesterday I did something that any self-respecting Englishman would be ashamed of....... I went to a baseball game. Whatsmore I actually enjoyed myself! I was duped into going by the prospect of seeing the Dragons vs the Giants. It was only when I entered the Tokyo dome and took my seat that I noticed that the Dragons were unable to roast their opposition alive and the Giants were, even by Japanese standards, average height. Most teams have similarly misleading names, the most comical of which being the Nippon Ham Fighters who sound more like a group of pork-battling superheroes than a baseball team.

We were supporting the Dragons as my friend is a huge fan. As the game got going I noticed that not only did everyone else have at least 3 blue items of merchandise attached to them but they all knew every word to each chant that echoed around the stadium. Unlike English football songs these would often involve complex morse-code clapping routines and some even had different verses. The only chant that I understanded was the final shouts of もう一人 (mouhitori) which meant "one guy left" but in terms of British chants it probably translates to something alot less polite.

In the end the Dragons won which caused all hell to break loose. This being the final game of the Pacific League they had not only won the game but also the entire season. The manger cried, the fans started shouting ありがとう (arigatou), it was all very emotional.

Ok so I like baseball. But I still hate American Football and I refuse to recognise the word soccer. Believe me Im not turning American, but maybe a little part of me is turning Japanese.

Cilla Black Flag?!

2006-10-09T09:15:00.000+01:00

What a weekend! Since coming to Tokyo my time outside the classroom has mostly been spent sightseeing and shopping, the ussual tourist passtimes. Then on Friday I joined the guitar club, a group of about 20 waseda students who put together bands and perform several gigs on campus throughout the year. But as the only foreign student it tested my Japanese talents to say the least. At first I was just pelted with British band names which was easy enough although it was handy having a piece of paper around when I couldnt understand the Japanese pronunciation.

Then one member went into great detail about his love of Cilla Black(who for some reason he perceived as a punk artist!?!) , the Hollies and a variety of other 60s acts. It was embarrasing that his knowledge of western music was better than mine but I guess his tastes were more similar to that of my dads. Maybe I should introduce them....

The meeting basically consisted of alot of drinking, a few snacks and no band oranisation whatsoever. Considering there is a performance due next month at the University`s festival they dont seem to be in much of a hurry.

I got home pretty late so by the time I had got up on Saturday I had to go meet my Dutch friend Dirk to go see his favourite punk rock band, The Stance Punks. The club in Ikebukero was unilike anything that I have ever seen in London. No sticky floors or extortionate drink prices(you even got a drinks token included in the price!), the entire place was clean and very well thought-out. The performance area was cut off from the bar via what can only be described as an air-lock. This was great at soundproofing the room but it wasnt so practical when carrying a couple of beers.

Considering the fact that Japan lacks the heritage that the Ramones and The Sex Pistols left in their wake in the US and UK I was pleasantly surprised at the standard of musicianship. Bands of this standard performing in London would at least pack out a small venue of this type but by British standards it seemed half-empty. It seems that there are so many bands in Tokyo that you have to be something special to actaully make a living.

I abused my western status at the merch stall to blag a free cd (i think they thought I was some kind of record company rep). Trouble is I have no cd player or pc to play it on so youll have to wait a while for my review. Thats all for now, bye!

First Pics

2006-10-01T05:35:00.000+01:00

Just got a phone with a camera so I thought I would try it out. This is the view from my 8th floor window.

The Crown saved my life

2006-09-26T07:56:00.000+01:00

I still dont have a camera so you will just have to make do with my powers of description for now. The past week has mainly consisted of orientation after orientation. I have lost count of the number of forms that I have filled in, it seems that here in japan every part of student life comes with a registration form and questinairre. You even have to apply to have a party at my halls, needless to say its not the most exciting place in Tokyo but its clean and modern (I think they were trying for a prison meets spaceship theme).

I spent the weekend exploring nearby Shinjuku, one of the busier districts of Tokyo full of restaurants and izakayas (japanese pubs). So far my most common pass-time is "guess the food" which involves pointing at random foods on the menu and then eating whatever turns up. No food poisoning thus far but I cant say im a fan of the gooey green mess that I later found out was grilled aubergene, harmless enough but I didnt know that at the time! I also met up with some students from Edinburgh who are staying in Japanese all-male halls. They told me horror stories of drink till you puke induction ceremonies and 6 am wake up calls followed by 4km runs. Seems my prison-ship isnt so bad after all.

On Sunday some students from Waseda organised a guided tour of certain areas of Tokyo. My group visited Harajuku which consisted of a variety of weird clothes shops and even weirder people. Basically camden market with the circus in town. No doubt you will have seen pictures of Japanese teenagers dressed up in weird costumes and gothic make-up. Well this is where they hang out every Sunday much to the amusement of tourists and locals alike. From there we visited Yoyogi park which is more of a forrest than a park. The folliage towers above stoney paths blocking out the noise of the city providing brief respite from the chaos of the urban sprawl.

A party had been planned in the evening but as we finished before the other groups I got to experience my first taste of Japanese karaoke. The variety on offer was astounding, as one girl was singing her favourite disney song I found the entire Pantera back catalogue was on offer. Somehow I managed to resist the temptation of ripping into my Phil Anselmo impression and played it safe with the Clash. Unfortunately this being the birthplace of karaoke everyone seems to be a pro and I quickly realised that I was way out of my league. I put my lack lustre performance down to my sobriety, although that was about to be obliterated by my introduction to nomihoudai or "all you can drink".

Here are the rules: 2500Yen (about 12 quid), a two hour time limit and as much drink and food as you can consume within said time limit. It soon became evident that I can only drink at Weatherspoons speed which is much much faster than you should drink when 1) the drinks are free and 2) they keep on coming. Anyway it seemed to impress some nearby Japanese guys who had heard the legends of the English drinker, so I started showing off. It seems my Tescos vodka and Iron Bru training has served me well, I managed to get through a number of japanese spirits and I even remember leaving the establishment. But I have no recollection of how I got from there back to my bed, nor do I remember any of the random Americans that I seem to have enthusiastically introduced myself to. But my final memory of that night still haunts me now. All that I can recall is a feeling of euphatic relief that the sick being fought over by a number of well-fed rats was someone elses. I returned home triumphant, god bless the Crown and all who drink in her!

Thirst Impressions.......

2006-09-19T23:05:00.000+01:00

Due to a cocktail of jet-lag, extreme humidity and temperatures of 30C I have only now regained enough sanity to sit down and start my first entry from Japan. This is my third morning in Tokyo, up until now I have spent the majority of my time sleeping and eating on a pretty consistent basis whilst consuming copious amounts of water.............so this basically just feels like a 48 hour hangover from hell. In fact the similarities don't end there, due to my unfaltering loyalty to student etiquette (namely paying the lowest price for a flight, ignoring the small print and then suffering the consequences.) I have no recollection of a substantial chunk of Sunday 17th September. I was in transit from London for a full 24 hours via Sri Lanka (aka the "scenic route") and so the only period in which I was not flying against time was 4 hours at Colombo airport which I spent asleep. I am still yet to account for the 8 hours that I skipped in transit from London to Tokyo. Who knows, they could have made up an important period of my life! But then again being a Sunday it would probably have just have comprised of half a Grand Prix and a few episodes of my favourite hangover cure, Hollyoaks (I wander if its unintrucive mix of mundane story lines and casual violence can cure jet-lag too?).

The flights themselves were nice enough. Although the one thing that did startle me was the addition to the usual pre-takeoff rituals of an air hostess praying for a safe journey as you entered the plane, which to me shows a distinct lack of confidence in the abilities of the pilot. However I soon began to understand her reservations when we arrived in Sri Lanka. Scattered around the airport were a number of makeshift pill-boxes and artillery guns for all to see. It appears that Colombo airport was one of the main targets for the Tamil Tigers, a rebel group that fought for independence against the government until a cease fire was signed in 2002. I was relieved to hear that Sri Lanka is a much more peaceful place now. In complete contrast to the weapons outside, the terminal building itself was modern and bright. Although it was half empty and a selection of Muzak rock classics, including Guns N Roses and Bon Jovi, was being piped around the whole building which made it seem very familiar indeed; it was ripped straight out of the Grand Theft Auto games! Out of habit I clobbered the nearest old lady who proceeded to karate kick me in the face. Chaos ensued.

Anyway that's enough for now. I know that I haven't actually mentioned anything about Tokyo yet. Im getting a camera at the weekend and when I have some pictures to brighten up the place I will tell you all about it.

The weighting game

2006-09-14T11:22:00.000+01:00

So now for the hardest part of the entire moving away process. Forget about the deep vein thrombosis inducing long haul flights and the arduous task of getting through the airport in the first place. These pail in comparison to the ordeal of editing my possessions until they fit into a suitcase. Clothes aren't my main concern, I can live without clothes. Im more worried about getting my guitar to Japan in one piece. Trouble is its so heavy that the strap has a tendency to simply give way, much to the delight of my toes. So if I exceed my weight allowance then Ill just have to dump my suitcase and hope that my busking skills are sufficient to earn enough cash for a change of clothes before my odour starts turning people away.

Usually I just cram full my hand luggage with the excess but I seem to have booked my flight a few days too early as the restrictions on hand luggage are to be lifted next week. But why next week? Surely this is just opening up the same loop holes that were in place before. I wouldn't be surprised if lastminute.com sees alot of traffic from Al Qaueda members who suddenly feel an urge to visit the great city of Birmingham to witness its post-apocalyptic concrete crystal maze approach to city planning. Or is terrorism season now closed? Perhaps they have all gone back to their caves to hibernate for the winter (Come to think of it they do seem to prefer operating in the summer months).

Anyway best get back to it. I should be done by Saturday if I pick up the pace!

Let the transmitting begin!!

2006-09-11T10:16:00.000+01:00

Firstly I should mention that I am starting this blog as a record of my imminent year in Tokyo, the holiday destination of choice for agoraphobics around the world. Before now I have had no motivation to join the masses opening up their diaries and opinions to the world but then again before now it would not have made for much of an enthralling read. So this blog's main function is simply to keep friends and family reassured that I haven't starved and wasted away due to my lack of chop-stick dexterity (mental note: pack a fork). So to all my friends both back home in the UK and out in Japan I hope you can forgive me in advance because until I get a camera this place isn't going to look too pretty. If you don't know me and you are reading this then just take a moment to check that you haven't got anything better to do before you continue. If you haven't then I pity you, I really do!!

I leave for Tokyo, via the longest flight of my life, on Saturday 16th. Wish me luck or failing that invest in some dutch courage for me on Friday night. Actually forget about the luck stick to booze, I like to think that I can make my own luck. But if im honest up until now that has been about as successful as making my own alcohol.