Over the past few days as I was digging through my cupboards and unpacking boxes I also began to dig around in my memory bank. Pictures, postcards, letters, treasures, bits and pieces that had been locked away in cupboards unlocked some of my Tokyo past. I got to thinking about how I landed on this island, what I had gone through to stay here and where I had ended up.
A lot of truly awesome stuff came flooding back, memories of friends, adventures, meetings, colors and events, all a part of getting me to the sparkling spot that I reside in now. And then I remembered…”My time in Tokyo wasn’t always quite so shiny, in fact there were times when it utterly SUCKED!” My mind wandered to how others may have felt during their stay here, or in any foreign country/city, and how they dealt with the down times. I wondered if others had times when they spent nights starring at the walls questioning their worldly adventures, cried uncontrollably went it all just got too much or thought about throwing it all in and setting sail for the mother land. I figured if I had experienced those times then it is likely that others had too. Those thoughts sent me into a spiral of note making and scribbling down all the things that had helped myself climb to the top of this Tokyo tower with my Hello Kitty bum bag unscathed and a smile on my dial, so to speak.
On January 13th it will be my anniversary, Tokyo and I will have been together for 5 years. 5 big, mind altering years. We have been through so much together and have a lot to share so as my anniversary present to you all, leading up to the 13th, I am going to offer up my tips. Your very own Guide to Making it Big in Tokyo (or any other city for that matter!)
So to kick it off here are some ways that you can avoid a Tokyo Tragedy or turn one around, rekindle the honeymoon passion. (Most of these tips could be applied in any city but some are more Tokyo specific.) Most of these I have done myself, so are tried and true ways to avoid a big city meltdown.
- Express yourself. Take yourself, a note book and pen off to the Design Festa Gallery in Harajuku (it is FREE). Spend some time wandering around, admiring the art, standing back and squinting, tilting your head to one side trying to work out what the artist’s message is and then find yourself a quiet spot to relax and release. Now imagine and begin to plan out, in that little note book you brought along, the art show you will put on in the gallery. Perhaps it will be a range of your crayon sketches, maybe some photographs you have taken on your travels, your latest fashion accessories for dogs, a performance piece involving your poetry and lots of clear plastic umbrellas, your exquisite ceramic pots or simply a collection of plastic pegs clipped to old soy milk cartons. Whatever it is, and even if you have never attempted an artisitic adventure since preschool, it will be yours and will give you a goal and focus outside of your city loathing head.
- Get a new perspective. Head to a higher place, literally, by visiting some of Tokyo’s best sights – the ones from way up high. 250m above sea level, the top of Roppongi Hills, Tokyo City View. Not quite as high but it was the first of it’s kind in the city, Sunshine City in Ikebukuro is 240m up with an observation deck on top. Tokyo Tower kicks butt at 332.6 meters high, although it’s highest observation deck only reaches the 250 mark it is still pretty rad for a communications tower (at least the 2.5 million people who climb it every year seem to think so) If you head to the top of Shinjuku Takashimaya Times Square, above Tokyu Hands in Shinjuku – South Exit, you will be surprised at what you find. Go on, I dare you. Plenty of space to think, breath and take in the sights.
- Bling it on! Glue kira kira (crystals), miniature cupcakes, cream puffs, donuts, sweets and anything tiny to everything you own. It is like a magical transformation. When you get sick of it you can donate it to any one of the kawaii Harajuku girls. 
- Exploration. Read the Metropolis classifieds, especially the And others… section. you might just find what you have been looking for.
- Connect with source. Temples and shrines in Tokyo are an oasis. Head to a sacred place, after the New Year rush softens, throw your five yen coin in the wooden box, clap two times and then bow your head, hands in prayer position for as long as it takes to sing your goals and affirmations in your head to the tune of your fav pop song or visualize yourself being the person of your dreams – if it takes you all day then so be it, no one is going to bother you. If the temple or shrine sells omikuji (fortunes) grab one on the way out. Even if you can’t read the kanji, pretend that you can – make your own fortune.
- Yakuza for a day. Wear fake tattoos all over you body to work for a whole week. Or better yet, if you are game, get the real deal.
- Shodo master. Head to your local 100yen shop grab some calligraphy brushes, some black ink and rice paper. Invite some friends over, possibly Japanese ones who can help you with the tricky kanji, and spend the afternoon sipping green tea, listening to some traditional tunes and brush stroking your stresses away. Shodo has an interesting history that is connected to the evolution of the Japanese language and writing style. You might find that you really dig it!
Share your tips. What has given you strength amongst the noise of a big city? How have you given yourself space?
More Tokyo tragedy busting tips soon…in the meantime a few luscious reads for you, no matter what space you live in.
The single Secret to Making 2009 Your Best Year Ever
10 Secrets for Instant Self-Confidence
The Art of Building Self-Esteem
Enjoy!
My favorite tall place is the observation deck of the Tokyo Metropolitan Gov’t Building (Tochou). It’s free and the south tower has a bar with gorgeous views.
Something else I do when I feel distressed is to get out of town. Even a day trip to a leafy suburb will help, though I think India is actually a perfect antidote to Japan.
Writing, photographing, recording or filming my world helps, too. Whether it is a massive rant and whinge, a “let’s try to talk to a random stranger” podcast, or a “how to piss off the neighbors” guide, sharing my frustration helps to get it out of my system.
And exercise is a sure stress reliever. Hooping works pretty well, I’ve learned.
P.S. Congratulations on your 5th anniversary. Keep it up!
Congrats on five years in Tokyo, and 32 on this planet (according to your facebook).
I’ll also be reaching the 5 year mark (in March). Time flies hey!?
The best antidote to my Tokyo Blues was to get myself a bigger apartment! Once we got married, my wife and I moved out of our tiny little box near Inokashira Park, and found something a little bit bigger and more relaxing in Mitaka. It’s still close to the park, but a little bit further away from the コンビニ (which means no 24hour delivery trucks).
And the closet space, OH MY GOD, the closet space. Going from none, to “big enough to sleep in” changes your life!
peace
Thanks Kristen! Yep, sometimes getting out is the best remedy! Hooping helps a lot though!
Cacapa, I totally agree with you! When I think back to where I used to live in Tokyo I cannot believe I actually fit int he TINY space!
Finding space is essential!
first of all, d, i love this series and can’t wait to read more!! i wanted to add a somewhat tangential comment, which is that one of my favorite things about japan (and this is not just limited to tokyo) is the seasons and how each season has its own activities, foods, and atmosphere. here’s my (very) brief synopsis of them.
spring — sakura! cherry-blossom flavored everything from kit-kats to potato chips, and of course having lots of hanami (cherry-blossom viewing parties)
rainy season — ajisai (hydrangeas), snails, and sudden downpours
summer — fireworks, semi (cicadas), tombo (dragonflies), chilled soba or nagashi somen, and the glorious heat!
fall — nighttime light-ups where you can see the changing leaves, crisp fall days perfect for afternoon walks (or hooping sessions!), asian pears and big fat juicy grapes
winter — kaki (persimmon), nabe (hotpot soup) parties, snow, onsen!
late winter/early spring — ume (plum blossoms)
**
look forward to hearing all of yours!
Thanks Melissa! That means a lot to me coming from you. I am doing this as a little experiment I guess, to enhance my writing skills but also because I realized I have been through some Tokyo stuff that other people could probably benefit from.
I love your seasonal suggestions. I CRAVE the Tokyo Summer…not every one’s fav time I know but I adore scuffing along in sandals to the local parks as dirty as they may be filled with cicada and the smell of fireworks.
d
xx
I like Japan verry much…
watashi wa ima 3 nen sei 6 gakki nihongo no gakusei desu..
see my facebook at sanagi.1987@yahoo.com