On my way back from the USA, I spent five days in Tokyo, which I think is about as close to another planet as I will get to in this lifetime. I’ve spent time in places like India and Nepal and it’s rather easy to accept that they are totally different given that they are still developing countries. The deal with Tokyo is that it is a huge, developed megalopolis, but it developed in a way that is totally different from the way that New York or London developed. What really stands out about Tokyo is how similar it all looks, I mean there are really interesting buildings and (what seems like) people with really interesting style, but once you dig a little deeper you realize how everything fits into some very well-defined category. What is especially noticeable is that all of these categories are uniquely Japanese, there is some random outside influence but the Japanese tend to make their own unique version of it.
The photograph above was shot in the park near Harajuku is Japan’s answer to the 1950s greaser culture that we had back in USA. The deal here tho is that Japanese greasers get dressed up in the same gear, except they make their hair even bigger and then do choreographed dances. Check out this video if you don’t believe me.
Anyway, I will be back in Tokyo for the month of May. Leaving BKK on April 29th and coming back on June 2nd. I rented an apartment near Komogome, I will be practicing yoga with Tarik in Shibuya and will be studying the Japanese language from 9-1 every day near Takadanobaba. My original goal was to find an apt and Japanese school near the yoga school, but the best I could do was to find them on the same subway line. If you’re over there and want to hangout, shoot me an email … Recommendations on galleries, museums and other fun things are always appreciated too.
