A Genuine Tokyo Experience

Before I get to my experience, I just wanted to show a picture of a "Pachinko" parlor in Gotanda. Pachinko is an extremely popular form of gambling here in Japan that people of all ages take part in. It basically involves dropping small metal balls into a sort of slot machine and then just hoping for the best. I have NO clue how it works. A Pachinko Parlor is usually a massive, smoky hall that is so incredibly loud with electronic sounds, its impossible to even try to talk to one another. Now, gambling for money is illegal in Japan, so when you "cash in" you get silly prizes. However, you can ask for a gold coin and walk around the corner to a small alleyway where there is a hidden stand run by the Yakuza (Japanese mob) where you might be able to get some real cash. I plan to play Pachinko ASAP.

Now on to the fun stuff...

I've been here for just a week now, and sure, I've had a lot of fun seeing the sights of the city and getting used to Japanese food, etc., but it wasn't until today that I had an experience that was completely unique to Tokyo.

Today was the start of classes and I only had one class, since the other one had been canceled. Unfortunately for me, the class I had was at 9AM which meant taking an 8AM train from Ontakesan to Tamachi. 8AM is basically the #1 peak time for the train system, as everyone and their mother is trying to get to work. I had no idea what I was in for. I stood at the platform waiting for the train and one pulled up that seemed so full, it was unreal. I figured I'd wait it out until the next one, because there was no way I was getting even a foot onto this one. So I waited, and the next one arrived, just as full. Now I really needed to get on because otherwise I'd be late for my class. I walked tentatively up to the door and tried to weasel my way in. Picture trying to walk straight into a wall of people 10 people thick and 5 people wide. My tentativeness didn't hold up much longer, as I was shoved from behind, right into the wall of people, which somehow gave a little bit allowing me to go on.

So I was on. The scary thing was, we still had 9 stops until the next transfer, so more people would be getting on. Picture trying to fill up a cup full of marbles until it was completely topped off, and then trying to add more marbles to the top. It was kind of like that. This experience was NOT for the claustrophobic. I had literally ZERO space all around me. The man directly in front of me had has head resting on my shoulder and the girl behind me had her face directly in my back. It was unbelievable. The best part was, when the train started up, not everyone could hold onto a railing, so everyone would stumble backwards, causing people to fall over and knock into each other.

Now Japan is a pretty non-confrontational culture, but ALL bets are off on the train. I saw one man literally use his hands to shove people into the train. And when you think you can't be shoved in any farther, you are. People had their face pressed up to the glass. It was such a ridiculous experience, that I couldn't help but be amused to see grown men shoved up against other grown men and really just not care about it. So that was it. My first feel of the crazy life of Tokyo. I'll try to get a picture of it at some point so you can visualize the situation better, if I can actually get my camera out.

And the best part?

I get to do that EVERY...SINGLE...DAY.

Jaa mata ne.