osaka
Another mad, mad bustling Japanese city. More of an economic powerhouse than a cultural drawcard. Like Toyko, it's a place where senses are bombarded from all directions and it was yet another place I found myself easily lost amid the swirling mass of humans.
My main pursuits, apart from seeking out and wolfing down kobe beef, were climbing to the top of large buildings and peering out over the smoggy city. The Umeda Sky building is 40 floors high with the last seven floors climbed by a see-through escalator. Jittery and not for those who suffer from vertigo. Then off to a carousel wheel that was perched on top of the 7th floor of another building. Kind of puts the London eye in perspective.
My one cultural plan was to find Osaka castle which almost proved beyond me. Despite having a map, I struggled. But I was determined to find it even if it meant I would spend the remainder of my life walking the streets of Osaka cursing to myself and sighing with obvious frustration. It wasn't really worth the fuss. Just another castle after so many castles.
I took a train to get back to the city centre and while sitting on it, I passed the time by looking at the advertising and signage. I notice a sign that said 'ladies only' along with some Japanese. It was pasted to the inside of the carriage. It was a puzzle at first but eventually solved when I noticed that I had strayed onto a carriage solely reserved for women. I was the only bloke among a multitude of office workers, school girls and grannies. That explained the fearful glances cast at me. I was begining to feel like a pervert. But I wasn't wearing a Mac! I had heard that there are problems with blokes groping women in rush hour but I wasn't aware that this had led to outright segregation.
It was late so figured it would be a good time to see the Ebisubashi bridge area so I could pretend to be Harrison Ford hunting down dangerous replicants. The area does indeed resemble the set of Blade Runner. Narrow sidestreets packed with noisy street stalls, people bumping against one another, drenched in dazzling neon lights. All that was missing was the rain, the replicants and a big gun for me to 'retire' them. Oh, the numerous pachinko parlours were a bit of out place too!
It was time for a new form of accommodation. The Capsule Hotel. Cheap and amusing. A series of little rabbit warrens packed on top of one another. A sauna came with the deal. These are mainly 'men only' places and it is quite a sight to see all these middle aged businessmen sauntering around in Yukata's. I was quite happy to join them once I deposited my stuff in the locker and put on my yellow identification bracelet.
This has a bar code which enables the purchase of food, beer, a shower, some jocks, etc. The capsule is 2m long and 1m square with a little TV. I had to climb up to the ceiling of the room to get into my capsule. Nonetheless it was surprisingly comfortable. The next morning I switched on the TV and flicked channels. I happened across the hard core porn channel ! It was 8am!! Would you like some porn with your tea, sir?
I left in such haste, morally confused, that I accidentally stuffed the yakuta in my bag!
My main pursuits, apart from seeking out and wolfing down kobe beef, were climbing to the top of large buildings and peering out over the smoggy city. The Umeda Sky building is 40 floors high with the last seven floors climbed by a see-through escalator. Jittery and not for those who suffer from vertigo. Then off to a carousel wheel that was perched on top of the 7th floor of another building. Kind of puts the London eye in perspective.
My one cultural plan was to find Osaka castle which almost proved beyond me. Despite having a map, I struggled. But I was determined to find it even if it meant I would spend the remainder of my life walking the streets of Osaka cursing to myself and sighing with obvious frustration. It wasn't really worth the fuss. Just another castle after so many castles.
I took a train to get back to the city centre and while sitting on it, I passed the time by looking at the advertising and signage. I notice a sign that said 'ladies only' along with some Japanese. It was pasted to the inside of the carriage. It was a puzzle at first but eventually solved when I noticed that I had strayed onto a carriage solely reserved for women. I was the only bloke among a multitude of office workers, school girls and grannies. That explained the fearful glances cast at me. I was begining to feel like a pervert. But I wasn't wearing a Mac! I had heard that there are problems with blokes groping women in rush hour but I wasn't aware that this had led to outright segregation.
It was late so figured it would be a good time to see the Ebisubashi bridge area so I could pretend to be Harrison Ford hunting down dangerous replicants. The area does indeed resemble the set of Blade Runner. Narrow sidestreets packed with noisy street stalls, people bumping against one another, drenched in dazzling neon lights. All that was missing was the rain, the replicants and a big gun for me to 'retire' them. Oh, the numerous pachinko parlours were a bit of out place too!
It was time for a new form of accommodation. The Capsule Hotel. Cheap and amusing. A series of little rabbit warrens packed on top of one another. A sauna came with the deal. These are mainly 'men only' places and it is quite a sight to see all these middle aged businessmen sauntering around in Yukata's. I was quite happy to join them once I deposited my stuff in the locker and put on my yellow identification bracelet.
This has a bar code which enables the purchase of food, beer, a shower, some jocks, etc. The capsule is 2m long and 1m square with a little TV. I had to climb up to the ceiling of the room to get into my capsule. Nonetheless it was surprisingly comfortable. The next morning I switched on the TV and flicked channels. I happened across the hard core porn channel ! It was 8am!! Would you like some porn with your tea, sir?
I left in such haste, morally confused, that I accidentally stuffed the yakuta in my bag!
posted by Ciarán at 7:58 p.m.
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