Osaka – Underground Japanese CULTURE!
7 Apr
Dude, if you thought you liked going into NYC or Philly for the weekend due to the plethora of people watching, shows, music, random things to happen, etc… CHECK OUT THIS CITY.Osaka has heart. Imagine a people raised in a culture centered on politeness and gratuity, and yet for these pure-hearted folks to find a unique personality and very specific culture in which to belong. Isn’t that what we ALL really want though? It seems as though worldwide humans are trying to belong to some culture. Music culture, art culture, work culture, hobby culture. Complete individuality would be total separation from humanity. You would be a robot. Like the guy who drew the manga version of bubs and I (coming soon!)I have met the most kind-hearted and giving people here. Some rides we hitched actually bought us drinks or gave us money. !!???!?!? What kind of world is this? I LOVE JAPAN. It’s karma, but with obligation. You are obligated to do good for others, and in return they will do good to you. Japan is also home to the most technologically advanced and LONGEST escalators I have seen. They turn on as you walk up, motion sensored to save electricity, and are realllly smooth. There is only one word in Japanese to show agreement. HAI. Instead of continuing a conversation with a million different “uh huhs” “yea” “word” “cool” “yes” “yep” “okay” ettttcccc… you just hear HAI. HAI. HAI. HAI. HAI. HAI. Simple and beautiful, you grow to love the HAIs. How did I ever truly LIVE without heated toilet seats? All bathrooms have super-advanced toilets with super powered sprays AND (my favorite) a motion sensored automatic toilet flushing sound bit (for those public deuces.) No need for the fake cough in Japan! It is possible to ride a bicycle on a sidewalk of 300 people, in the rain, while holding an umbrella, and sending an email via cell phone… in stiletto heals. I SWEAR. I never would have imagined such a thing, but in Japan… anything is possible. Silence. The subways are generally SILENT, with the ever-so-often cough or throat clearing. No matter how packed the subway cars are, even at RUSH HOUR, no eye contact, usually eyes closed napping or listening to MP3s… all people are in their own little universe. Any attempt to disturb this universe by asking directions, is typically highly embarrassing. I had the fantastic experience of catching two “rock” bands play at this totally underground space in Namba. No one said a word to me for the two hours, I was able to really check out the scene. If you have time, google this band: Noise-a-go-gos. Their live show was SO GOOD. The current Osaka fashion:Women – styles range from roxy girls to vampiress goth metal fiends… the girls often match the dude who is walking beside them.Men – rockabilly / business. I swear, it’s a style here! You see dudes with mohawks sporting business casual jackets and then these HIDEOUS crocodile skin pointy boots that extend AT LEAST a full 8 inches beyond the wearers feet… Some dudes simply dress up as punks, but they are not tough at all. They are more feminine than anything, with the tight ripped up pants all hand sewn looking but purchased… chains hanging, “vintage” chucks, leather jackets with spikes, spiked up hair and dark shades. I have made lots of friends here, and thanks to Adam’s suggestions, have found some really sswwweeeett places to hang out. If you are visiting Osaka, check these out:
- Ken’s House – 2500¥ hostel 3 minutes walking from Namba Station!
- osaka-kens-house@hotmail.com 06 6213 5188 / 090 6068 2658
- Namba Bears – Underground live music space
- http://home.att.ne.jp/orange/bears/info.html
- Ground Zero – GREAT rock live music bar… owner OT is the coolest!
- http://www.weightzero.com/zero_pc.html
- Apple Store – FREE INTERNET near Namba Station!
- http://www.apple.com/jp/retail/shinsaibashi/week/20080406.html
Osaka is much cooler than I can explain. Wish I could stay and work here for a bit… but onward and southward! Taiwan beaches are waiting for us, as well as thailand!
Questions, questions. Prior to leaving I had many. One Mr. Lee verbalized on my arm:
MRumianowski