Ｃｈａｐｔｅｒ １

Ｊａｎ　１５－１７：　Ｄａｙｓ　１－　３

Tｈｅ　ａｃｔｕａｌ　ｆｌｉｇｈｔ　ｏｖｅｒ　ｔｏ　Ｏｓａｋａ　ｆｒｏｍ　ｔｈｅ　Ｇｏｌｄ　Ｃｏａｓｔ　ｗａｓ　ｆａｉｒｌｙ　ｕｎｅｖｅｎｔｆｕｌ，　ａｐａｒｔ　ｆｒｏｍ　ｏｎｅ　ｍｏｍｅｎｔ　ｗｈｅｒｅ　ｔｈｅ　ｐｌａｎe　ａｃｔｕａｌｌｙ　ｎｏｓｅｄｉｖｅｄ　ｑｕｉｔｅ　ｖｉｏｌｅｎｔｌｙ　ａｎｄ　ｗｉｔｈｏｕｔ　ｐｒｅｖｉｏｕｓ　ｔｕｒｂｕｌｅｎｃｅ．　Ｉｔ　ｓｃａｒｅｄ　ｔｈｅ　ａｂｓｏｌｕｔｅ　ｓｈｉｔ　ｏｕｔ　ｏｆ　ｍｅ　ａｎｄ　ｔｈｅｒｅ　ｗｅｒｅ　ｖａｒｉｏｕｓ　ｗｏｍａｎｌｙ　ｓｃｒｅａｍｓ　ｆｏｒ　ｔｈａｔ　ｍｏｍｅｎｔ　ｗｈｅｒｅ　Ｉ　ｇｅｎｕｉｎｅｌｙ　ｔｈｏｕｇｈｔ　ｔｈｅ　ｅｎｇｉｎｅｓ　ｈａｄ　ｆａｉｌｅｄ　ｏｒ　ｓｏｍｅｔｈｉｎｇ．　Ｉｔ　ｗａｓ　ａｌｌ　ａ　ｂｉｔ　ｓｕｓｐｉｃｉｏｕｓ　ａｃｔｕａｌｌｙ．　Ｔｈｅ　ｐｌａｎｅ　ｒｅｃｏｖｅｒｅｄ　ｗｉｔｈｉｎ　ａ　ｃｏｕｐｌｅ　ｏｆ　ｓｅｃｏｎｄｓ，　ｊｕｓｔ　ａｓ　ｖｉｏｌｅｎｔｌｙ，　ｂｕｔ　ｎｏ　ａｎｎｏｕｎｃｅｍｅｎｔ　ｗａｓ　ｍａｄｅ　ａｔ　ａｌｌ　ｆｒｏｍ　ｔｈｅ　ｃａｐｔａｉｎ，　ｗｈｉｃｈ　ｉｓ　ｕｎｕｓｕａｌ　ｂｅｃａｕｓｅ　ｔｈｅｙ　ｌｉｋｅ　ｔｏ　ｔｅｌｌ　ｙｏｕ　ａｂｏｕｔ　ｅｖｅｒｙｔｈｉｎｇ　ｅｌｓｅ　ｉｎｃｌｕｄｉｎｇ　ｔｈｅ　ｃｏｌｏｕｒ　ｏｆ　ｔｈｅｉｒ　ｕｎｄｅｒｗｅａｒ．　Ｉ　ｈａｖｅ　ａ　ｆｅｅｌｉｎｇ　ｈｅ　ｓｔｕｆｆｅｄ　ｕｐ　ｆｏｒ　ａ　ｓｅｃｏｎｄ　ｏｒ　ｓｏｍｅｔｈｉｎｇ　ａｎｄ　ｄｉｄｎ‘ｔ　ｗａｎｔ　ｔｏ　ａｄｍｉｔ　ｉｔ　：－）．

Ｉ　ｗａｓ　ｖｅｒｙ　ｇｌａｄ　ｗｈｅｎ　ｔｈｅ　ｆｌｉｇｈｔ　ｅｎｄｅｄ．　Ｋａｎｓａｉ　Ａｉｒｐｏｒｔ　ｓｉｔｓ　ｏｎ　ａ　ｍａｎ－ｍａｄｅ　ｉｓｌａｎｄ　ｏｆ　ｃｏｍｐｒｅｓｓｅｄ　ｃｏｎｃｒｅｔｅ　ａｎｄ　ｓｔｅｅｌ　ｏｎ　ｔｏｐ　ｏｆ　ｔｈｅ　ｃｉｔｙ‘ｓ　ｂａｙ．　Ｉｔ‘ｓ　ａｂｏｕｔ　５０　ｋｍｓ　ｆｒｏｍ　ｔｈｅ　ｃｉｔｙ　ａｎｄ　ｔｏ　ｔａｋｅ　ａ　ｔａｘｉ　ｉｔ‘ｓ　ｅｓｔｉｍａｔｅｄ　ｔｏ　ｃｏｓｔ　ａｒｏｕｎｄ　＄３００　ｗｉｔｈ　ｏｕｒ　ｃｕｒｒｅｎｔ　ｅｘｃｈａｎｇｅ　ｒａｔｅ．　Ｉｎ　ｊａｐａｎ，　ｔｈｅ　ｔｒａｉｎｓ　ａｒｅ　ｉｎｃｒｅｄｉｂｌｙ　ｏｒｇａｎｉｓｅｄ　ａｎｄ　ｒｕｎ　ｎｏｎ－ｓｔｏｐ．　Ｔｈｅｙ　ａｒｅ　ａｌｓｏ　ｒｅｌａｔｉｖｅｌｙ　ｃｈｅａｐ　ｃｏｍｐａｒｅｄ　ｔｏ　ｔｈｅ　ｐｒｉｃｅｓ　ｏｆ　ｏｔｈｅｒ　ｇｏｏｄｓ　ａｎｄ　ｓｅｒｖｉｃｅｓ　ｉｎ　ｔｈｅ　ｃｏｕｎｔｒｙ．　Ｉ　ｔｏｏｋ　ａ　ＪＲ　ｔｒａｉｎ　ｆｒｏｍ　ｔｈｅ　ａｉｒｐｏｒｔ　ｔｏ　ｍｙ　ｈｏｔｅｌ，　ｗｈｉｃｈ　ｉｓ　ａ　Ｒｙｏｋａｎ　（Ｊａｐａｎｅｓｅ－ｓｔｙｌｅ　ｈｏｓｔｅｌ），　ａｎｄ　ｉｔ　ｃｏｓｔ　ａｂｏｕｔ　１０００　ｙｅｎ，　ｏｒ　＄２０　ａｔ　ａ　ｒｏｕｇｈ　ｃｏｎｖｅｒｓｉｏｎ．

Ｔｈｅ　Ｊａｐａｎｅｓｅ　ｐｅｏｐｌｅ　ａｒｅ　ｖｅｒｙ　ｉｎｔｅｒｅｓｔｉｎｇ．　Ｍｙ　ｕｎｄｅｒｓｔａｎｄｉｎｇ　ｏｆ　ｔｈｅ　ｅｌｅｍｅｎｔｓ　ｔｈａｔ　ｍａｋｅ　ｕｐ　ｔｈｅｉｒ　ｃｕｌｔｕｒｅ　ｉｓ　ｓｔｉｌｌ　ｄｅｖｅｌｏｐｉｎｇ，　ｂｕｔ　ｔｈｅｙ　ｓｅｅｍ　ｔｏ　ｈａｖｅ　ａ　ｍｉｘｔｕｒｅ　ｏｆ　ｏｌｄ　and new ｗｅｓｔｅｒｎ　ｂｅｈａｖｉｏｕｒｓ　ａｎｄ　ｔｒａｄｉｔｉｏｎａｌ　＆　modern japanese behaviours. As it`s winter at the moment, there are not a lot of foreigners around in Osaka, and people tend to stare at me as I walk around. I almost sense that they`re thinking ``What are you doing here?``, and not in a bad way, but just genuinely wondering why I would come to what most locals believe is a poor man`s version of Tokyo when there`s no cherry blossom. On first appearance the people seem not to want to talk to you, but if you ask them something they will do whatever they can to help. I`m still working this out, but I think they are genuinely friendly people whom try not bother tourists out of politeness, but love to help if called upon.

The language barrier is also really apparent. Although their culture is flooded with western products and advertising, finding someone who has even Okay English is harder than I thought it would be, particular outside of the central area of Osaka. Nonetheless, communicating can be made easier by learning a few of the common phrases and adding some pointing and the like.

Everything is so organised. People on duty for their work are dressed in strict uniform and even the movement and gestures are weel practived. Jay-walking doesn`t occur either. People are very law abiding and there are lots of police on foot and traffic controllers supplementing the traffic lights to ensure compliance. There are bicycles absolute everywhere. People ride them not so much on the roads, but on the footpaths, and park them in masses of bicycle stacks. Most of them wouldn`t be locked or chained, soI get the feeling that thefts just don`t really occur, which would seem to be right when considering the very low level of visible crime.

Speaking of crime, the Yakuza clan was actually established in Osaka and today continues to trade is modern organised crime. I was reading about it and their main streams of income are protitution (a big trade), gambling and corporate extortion. On the first night I arrived, even though I was tired, I wanted to just go for a walk and get some more fresh (and extremely cold) air. My journey of a couple of hours took me, unexpectedly, right through the middle of what I think was a type of hooker district. At first glance, these streets look like typical residential (2 storey) joined japanese apartments, but with lanterns lit outside the front. When you walk past you realise that there`s no front wall on these places! I remember the first time I walked past, I saw an old lady smoking what I thought was by herself out the front. She shouts ``Douzo``, which means ``Please, help yourself`` and beckons you over. Not knowing what ｓｈｅ　ｗａｓ　ｔａｌｋｉｎｇ　ｔｏ　ｍｅ　for, I walked over thinking she might　want a chat. Ａｓ　Ｉ　ｓａｗ　ｔｈｅ　ｆｕｌｌ　ｖｉｅｗ　ｏｆ　ｔｈｅ　ｓｍａｌｌ　ｒｏｏｍ　ｓｈｅ　ｗａｓ　ｓｉｔｔｉｎｇ　ｉｎ，　ｔｈｅｒｅ　ｗａｓ　ａ　ｖｅｒｙ　ｙｏｕｎｇ　ｇｉｒｌ，ｐｒｏｂａｂｌｙ　１８－１９，　ｋｎｅｅｌｉｎｇ　ｄｏｗｎ　ｉｎ　ａ　ｓｃｈｏｏｌｇｉｒｌ　ｓｋｉｒｔ　ａｎｄ　ｔｏｐ　ａｎｄ　ｐｉｇｔａｉｌ，　ｗｉｔｈ　ａｌｌ　ｈｅｒ　ｍａｋｅｕｐ　ｄｏｎｅ，　ａｎｄ　ａ　ｓｗｅｅｔ　ｓｍｉｌｅ　ｏｎ　ｈｅｒ　ｆａｃｅ．　Ｉ　ｑｕｉｃｋｌｙ　ｒｅａｌｉｓｅｄ　ｗｈａｔ　ｗａｓ　ｇｏｉｎｇ　ｏｎ，　ｂｕｔ　Ｉ　ｈａｄ　ｎｅｖｅｒ　ｈｅａｒｄ　ｏｆ　ｔｈｉｓ　ｐａｒｔｉｃｕｌａｒ　ｓｅｔｕｐ　ｂｅｆｏｒｅ，　ｓｏ　Ｉ　ｗａｓ　ｑｕｉｔｅ　ｓｈｏｃｋｅｄ　ａｎｄ　ｗａｌｋｅｄ　ｏｆｆ　ａｆｔｅｒ　ｐｏｌｉｔｅｌｙ　declining．　Ａｓ　Ｉ　ｗａｌｋｅｄ　ａｒｏｕｎｄ　ａｂｏｕｔ　４　ｂｌｏｃｋｓ worth of these places，I noticed　ｔｈｅｒｅ　ｗａｓ　ｏｎｅ　ｏｆ　ｔｈｅｓｅ　ｌｉｔｔｌｅ　ｐｌａｃｅｓ　ｆｏｒ　ｐｒｏｂａｂｌｙ　ｅｖｅｒｙ　ｔｈｉｒｄ　ｈｏｕｓｅ．　Ｍｙ　ｅｓｔｉｍａｔｅ　ｉｓ　ｔｈａｔ　ｔｈｅｒｅ‘ｄ　ｂｅ　ａｒｏｕｎｄ　５０－１００　ｏｆ　ｔｈｅｓｅ　ｐｌａｃｅｓ　ｉｎ　ｔｈｅ　ｓｍａｌｌ　ｄｉｓｔｒｉｃｔ．　Ｔｈｅ　ｊａｐａｎｅｓｅ　ｍｅｎ　ｄｒｉｖｅ　ｄｏｗｎ　ｔｈｅ　ｌａｎｅｓ　ａｎｄ　ｓｔｏｐ　ｑｕｉｃｋｌｙ　ａｔ　ｅａｃｈ　ｐｌａｃｅ　ｔｏ　ｓｅｅ　ｉｆ　ｔｈｅｙ　ｌｉｋｅ　ｗｈａｔ‘ｓ　ｏｎ　ｏｆｆｅｒ　ｂｅｆｏｒｅ　ｄｅｃｉｄｉｎｇ　ｔｏ　ｓｔｏｐ　ｏｒ　ｋｅｅｐ　ｇｏｉｎｇ．　Ｓｏ　Ｉ‘ｍ　ｐｒｅｔｔｙ　ｓｕｒｅ　ｔｈａｔ　ｏｎ　ｍｙ　ｆｉｒｓｔ　ｎｉｇｈｔ　ｉｎ　Ｊａｐａｎ　Ｉ　ｗａｌｋｅｄ　ｔｈｒｏｕｇｈ　ａ　Ｙａｋｕｚａ－ｏｗｎｅｄ　ｈｏｏｋｅｒ　ｄｉｓｔｒｉｃｔ．　Ｙｉｋｅｓ!!

Ｙｅｓｔｅｒｄａｙ　（ｄａｙ　２）　ｗａｓ　ａ　ｐｒｅｔｔｙ　ｂｉｇ　ｄａｙ．　Ｉ　ｇｏｔ　ｕｐ　ａｂｏｕｔ　９　ａｎｄ　ｇｏｔ　ｒｅａｄｙ　ｔｏ　ｇｏ　ａｎｄ　ｗａｓ　ｏｕｔ　ｂｙ　ａｂｏｕｔ　１０　ａｍ　ｌｏｃａｌ　ｔｉｍｅ　（Ｊａｐａｎ　ｉｓ　２　ｈｏｕｒｓ　ｂｅｈｉｎｄ　Ｍｅｌｂｏｕｒｎｅ）．　Ｉ　ｈｅａｄｅｄ　ｕｐ　ｔｏ　ｔｈｅ　ｎｏｒｔｈ　ｏｆ　ｔｈｅ　ｍａｉｎ　Ｃｉｔｙ　ｐｒｅｃｉｎｃｔ　ａｎｄ　ｇｏｔ　ｏｆｆ　ａｔ　Ｏｓａｋａ－ｊｏｋｏｅｎ　Ｓｔａｔｉｏｎ．　Ｔｈｉｓ　ｔｒａｎｓｌａｔｅｓ　ｔｏ　Ｏｓａｋａ　Ｃａｓｔｌｅ　Ｓｔａｔｉｏｎ　ｏｒ　ｓｏｍｅｔｈｉｎｇ．　Ｓｏ　Ｉ　ｈｅａｄｅｄ　ｔｏ　ｔｈｅ　ｇｒｏｕｎｄｓ　ｏｆ　ｔｈｅ　ｃａｓｔｌｅ　ａｎｄ　Ｉ　ｗａｓ　ａｍａｚｅｄ　ａｔ　ｔｈｅ　ｓｈｅｅｒ　ｓｃａｌｅ　ｏｆ　ｔｈｅ　ｐｒｏｐｅｒｔｙ　ａｓ　ａ　ｗｈｏｌｅ．　Ｔｈｅ　ｐｅｒｉｍｅｔｅｒ　ｉｓ　ｌｉｎｅｄ　ｂｙ　ａ　ｄｅｅｐ　ｍｏａｔ，　ａｎｄ　ｔｈｅ　ｏｔｈｅｒ　ｓｉｄｅ　ｏｆ　ｔｈｅ　ｍｏａｔ　ｉｓ　ａｄｏｒｎｅｄ　ｂｙ　ｍａｓｓｉｖｅ　ｓｔｏｎｅ　ｗａｌｌｓ．　Ｔｈｅ walls　ａｒｅ　ｌｉｋｅ　ｓｏｍｅｔｈｉｎｇ　ｏｕｔ　ｏｆ　ａ　ｖｉｄｅｏｇａｍｅ，　ａｎｄ　ｖｅｒｙ　ａｕｔｈｅｎｔｉｃ　ｌｏｏｋｉｎｇ．　Ｓｏｍｅ　ｏｆ　ｔｈｅ　ｐｉｅｃｅｓ　ｏｆ　ｓｔｏｎｅ　ｉｎ　ｔｈｅ　ｗａｌｌｓ　ｗｅｉｇｈ　ｏｖｅｒ　１００　ｔｏｎｓ　ａｎｄ　ａｒｅ　ｓｉｍｐｌｙ　ａｍａｚｉｎｇｌｙ　ｐｕｔ　ｔｏｇｅｔｈｅｒ．　Ｔｈｅ　ｃａｓｔｌｅ　ｉｔｓｅｌｆ　ｓｉｔｓ　ｏｎ　ａ　ｈｉｌｌ　ｉｎ　ｔｈｅ　ｒｏｕｇｈ　ｃｅｎｔｅｒ　ｏｆ　ｔｈｅ　ｇｒｏｕｎｄｓ．　Ｉｔ　ｉｓ　ｑｕｉｔｅ　ｍａｊｅｓｔｉｃ　－　ｇｒｅｅｎ，　ｗｈｉｔｅ　ａｎｄ　ｇｏｌｄ．　Ｉｎｓｉｄｅ　ｔｈｅ　ｃａｓｔｌｅ　ｉｓ　ａ　ｍｕｌｔｉ－ｆｌｏｏｒｅｄ　ｄｉｓｐｌａｙ　ｏｆ　ｔｈｅ　ｈｉｓｔｏｒｙ　ｏｆ　ｔｈｅ　ｃａｓｔｌｅ，　ｉｎｃｌｕｄｉｎｇ　ｂａｔｔｌｅｓ　ｔｈａｔ　ｗｅｒｅ　ｆｏｕｇｈｔ　ｉｎ　ｖａｒｉｏｕｓ　ｃｅｎｔｕｒｉｅｓ　ｏｎ　ｔｈｅ　ｓｉｔｅ．　Ｖｅｒｙ　ｃｏｏｌ．

Ｆｒｏｍ　ｔｈｅ　ｃａｓｔｌｅ　Ｉ　ｈｅａｄｅｄ　ｔｏ　Ｏｓａｋａ　Ｍｕｓｅｕｍ　ｏｆ　Ｈｉｓｔｏｒｙ．　Ｓｅｌｆ　ｅｘｐｌａｎａｔｏｒｙ　ｒｅａｌｌｙ，ｓｏｍｅ　ｏｆ　ｔｈｅ　ｈｉｇｈｌｉｇｈｔｓ　ｉｎｃｌｕｄｅｄ　ｍｉｎａｔｕｒｅ　ｍｏｄｅｌｓ　ｏｆ　ｔｈｅ　ｏｒｉｇｉｎａｌ　Ｃｉｔｙ　ｓｉｔｅ，　ａｎｄ　ｔｈｅｓｅ　ａｒｅ　ｔｙｐｉｃａｌｌｙ　ｄｅｔａｉｌｅｄ．Ｉ　ａｌｓｏ　ｒｅａｌｌｙ　ｅｎｊｏｙｅｄ　ｌｏｏｋｉｎｇ　ａｔ　ｔｈｅ　ｊａｐａｎｅｓｅ　ａｒｍｏｕｒ　ａｎｄ　ｗｅａｐｏｎｒｙ　ｏｎ　ｄｉｓｐｌａｙ，　ａｌｔｈｏｕｇｈ　Ｉ　ｓｔｉｌｌ　ｈｏｐｅ　ｔｏ　ｓｅｅ　ａ　ｌｏｔ　ｍｏｒｅ　ａｓ　Ｉ　ｔｒａｖｅｌ　ｔｈｅ　ｃｏｕｎｔｒｙ．

Ｌａｓｔ　ｎｉｇｈｔ　Ｉ　ｈｅａｄｅｄ　ｔｏ　ａ　ｂａｒ　ｉｎ　ｔｈｅ　ｍａｉｎ　ｂａｒ　ｐｒｅｃｉｎｃｔ　ｏｆ　ｔｈｅ　ｃｉｔｙ．　Ｉｔ　ｉｓ　ｃａｌｌｅｄ　Ｚｅｒｒｏ　Ｂａｒ　ａｎｄ　ｉｓ　ａ　ｐｏｐｕｌａｒ　ｍｅｅｔｉｎｇ　ｓｐｏｔ　ｆｏｒ　Ｇａｉｊｉｎ　（ｗｅｓｔｅｒｎ　ｆｏｒｅｉｇｎｅｒｓ）．　Ｐｅｏｐｌｅ　ａｒｅ　ａｌｌ　ｔｈｅｒｅ　ｆｏｒ　ｔｈｅ　ｓａｍｅ　ｔｈｉｎｇ;　ｔｏ　ｍｅｅｔ　ｏｔｈｅｒｓ　ｔｈａｔ　ｍａｋｅ　ｔｈｅｍ　ｆｅｅｌ　ｌｅｓｓ　ｈｏｍｅｓｉｃｋ，　ａｎｄ　Ｉ　ｑｕｉｃｋｌｙ　ｇｏｔ　ｃｈａｔｔｉｎｇ　ｗｉｔｈ　ａｎ　Ａｍｅｒｉｃａｎ　ｇｕｙ　ｗｈｏ　ｎｏｗ　ｌｉｖｅｓ　ｉｎ　Ｋｏｒｅａ　ｂｕｔ　ｄｅｃｉｄｅｄ　ｔｏ　ｃｏｍｅ　ｃｈｅｃｋ　ｏｕｔ　Ｏｓａｋａ　ａｎｄ　Ｎａｒａ　ｆｏｒ　ａ　ｆｅｗ　ｄａｙｓ．　Ｔｈｅｎ　ｗｅ　ｍｅｔ　ｓｏｍｅ　ｅｘｐａｔ　Ｋｉｗｉｓ　ｗｈｏ　ｗｅｒｅ　ｊｕｓｔ　ｔｈｅｒｅ　ｌｏｏｋｉｎｇ　ｆｏｒ　ａ　ｎｉｇｈｔ　ｏｕｔ，　ａｎｄ　ｔｈｅｙ　ｔｏｏｋ　ｕｓ　ｔｏ　ａ　ｐｒｏｐｅｒ　ｃｌｕｂ　ａ　ｆｅｗ　ｂｌｏｃｋｓ　ｄｏｗｎ．　Ｔｈｅ　ｃｌｕｂ　ｗｅ　ｗｅｎｔ　ｔｏ　ｈａｓ　ａ　ｄｕｎｇｅｏｎ　ｔｙｐｅ　ｔｈｅｍｅ，　ｗｉｔｈ　ｌｉｔｔｌｅ　ｒｏｏｍｓ　ｃａｒｖｅｄ　ｏｕｔ　ｏｆ　ｔｈｅ　ｓｔｏｎｅ,　where　ｐｅｏｐｌｅ　ｗａｌｋ　ｄｏｗｎ　ｉｎｔｏ　them ｔｏ　ｓｍｏｋｅ　ａｎｄ　ｄｒｉｎｋ．　Ｏｈ　ｙｅｓ，　ｓｍｏｋｉｎｇ　ｉｓ　ｅｖｅｒｙｗｈｅｒｅ　ｉｎ　ｔｈｅ　ｃｉｔｙ - ｍｕｃｈ　ｍｏｒｅ　ｔｈａｎ　ｉｎ　Ａｕｓｔｒａｌｉａｎ　ｃｉｔｉｅｓ，　ａｎｄ　ｔｈｅｙ　ａｒｅ　ａｌｌｏｗｅｄ　ｔｏ　ｓｍｏｋｅ　ｉnside most　ｅｓｔａｂｌｉｓｈｍｅｎｔs，　ｉｎｃｌｕｄｉｎｇ　ｒｅｔａｉｌ　ｓｈｏｐｓ，　train stations　ａｎｄ　ｂａｒｓ．　Ｔｈｅ　ｒｏｏｆ　ｏｆ　ｔｈｅ　ｄｕｎｇｅｏｎ　ｓｔｙｌｅ　ｔｏｉｌｅｔｓ　ｗａｓ　ａｂｏｕｔ　６　ｆｏｏｔ　ｈｉｇｈ，　ｍｅａｎｉｎｇ　Ｉ　ｈａｄ　ｔｏ　ｃｒｏｕｃｈ　ａｓ　Ｉ　ｗａｌｋｅｄ　ａｌｏｎｇ　ａ　ｌｉｔｔｌｅ　ｗａｌｋｗａｙ　ａｎｄ　crouch at the urinal.

Ｍｙ　ｎｅｗ　ｍａｔｅｓ　ｗｅｒｅ　ｐｒｅｔｔｙ　ｄｒｕｎｋ　ｂｙ　ｔｈｅ　ｔｉｍｅ　ｗｅ　ｌｅｆｔ　ａｔ　５　ａｍ;　much ｍｏｒｅ　ｓｏ　ｔｈａｎ　I was．　Ｔｈｅ　ｂａｒ　ｈａｄ　ａ　３５００　ｙｅｎ　ｃｏｖｅｒ　ｃｈａｒｇｅ　（ａｂｏｕｔ　６０　ｂｕｃｋｓ）　ｆｏｒ　ｍｅｎ，　ｂｕｔ　ｄｒｉｎｋｓ　ｗｅｒｅ　ｆｒｅｅ　ａｎｄ　ｙｏｕ　ｃｏｕｌｄ　ｈａｖｅ　ａｓ　ｍｕｃｈ　ａｓ　ｙｏｕ　ｗａｎｔｅｄ　ｔｏ．　Ｔｈｉｓ　ｉｎｃｌｕｄｅｄ　ｓｐｉｒｉｔｓ　ａｎｄ　ｌｏｌｌｙ　ｄｒｉｎｋｓ，　ｓｏ　ｏｖｅｒａｌｌ　ｉｔ　ｗａｓ　ｐｒｅｔｔｙ　ｇｏｏｄ　ｖａｌｕｅ．　Ｉ　ｗａｌｋｅｄ　ｂａｃｋ　ｔｏ　ｔｈｅ　ｈｏｔｅｌ　ｆｒｏｍ　ｔｈｅ　ｂａｒ　ａｎｄ　ｗｅｎｔ　ｔｏ　ｂｅｄ　ａｆｔｅｒ　ｔｈａｔ，　ａｎｄ　ｓｌｅｐｔ　ａ　ｌｏｔ　ｔｏｄａｙ．

Ｔｏｄａｙ　Ｉ　ｗａｓ　ｐｒｅｔｔｙ　ｔｉｒｅｄ．　Ｉ　ｗｏｋｅ　ｕｐ　ａｔ　ａｂｏｕｔ　ｍｉｄｄａｙ　ａｎｄ　ｗｅｎｔ　ｄｏｗｎ　ｔｏ　ｔｈｅ　ｐｕｂｌｉｃ　ｂａｔｈ　ｉｎ　ｔｈｅ　ｈｏｔｅｌ．　Ｉｔ‘ｓ　ｂａｓｉｃａｌｌｙ　ａ　ｈｅａｔｅｄ　ｂｕｔ　ｓｈａｌｌｏｗ　ｐｏｏｌ　－　ａ　ｂｉｇ　ｈｏｔ　ｂａｔｈ．Ｉｔ　ｗａｓ　ｊｕｓｔ　ｍｅ　ｉｎ　ｔｈｅｒｅ，　ｓｏ　Ｉ　ｊｕｓｔ　ｌｅｔ　ｔｈｅ　ｈｅａｔ　ｓｏａｋ　ｉｎｔｏ　ｍｙ　ｓｏｒｅ　ｍｕｓｃｌｅｓ　ａｎｄ　ｒｅｌａｘｅｄ．　Ｖｅｒｙ　ｅｎｊｏｙａｂｌｅ．

Ｉ　ａｌｓｏ　ｗｅｎｔ　ｆｏｒ　ａｎｏｔｈｅｒ　ｗａｌｋ　ａｎｄ　ｌｏｏｋｅｄ　ａｔ　ａ　ｆｅｗ　ｂｕｉｌｄｉｎｇｓ，　ｂｕｔ　ｄｉｄｎ‘ｔ　ｅｎｄ　ｕｐ　ｇｏｉｎｇ　ｉｎｓｉｄｅ　ｔｈｅ　ｔｏｕｒｉｓｔｙ　ｓｔｕｆｆ．

Ｊａｐａｎ　ｉｓ　ａ　ｖｅｒｙ　ｃａｓｈ－ｂａｓｅｄ　ｓｏｃｉｅｔｙ．　Ｉ　ｌｅａｒｎｅｄ　ｑｕｉｃｋｌｙ　ｎｏｔ　ｔｏ　ｒｅly　ｏｎ　Ｍｒ　Ｃｒｅｄｉｔ　Ｃａｒｄ　ｆｏｒ　ｐｕｒｃｈａｓｅｓ．　Ｙｏｕ　ｒｅａｌｌｙ　ｎｅｅｄ　ｔｏ　ｃａｒｒｙ　ａｒｏｕｎｄ　ａｔ　ｌｅａｓｔ　25,000　ｙｅｎ　ｆｏｒ　ｓａｆｅｔｙ，　ｗｈｉｃｈ　ｉｓ　ａｂｏｕｔ　＄５００　Ａｕｓｔｒａｌｉａｎ，　ｂｅｃａｕｓｅ　ｅｖｅｎ　ｔｈｅ　ｈｏｔｅｌ　ｔｈａｔ　Ｉ‘ｍ　ｓｔａｙｉｎｇ　ｉｎ　ｏｎｌｙ　ａｃｃｅｐｔｓ　ｃａｓｈ．　Ｔｈｉｓ　ｍｅａｎｓ　ｔｈａｔ　Ｉ　ｎｅｅｄ　ｔｏ　ｇｏ　ｔｏ　ｔｈｅ　ＡＴＭｓ　ａｔ　ｔｈｅ　ｂｉｇ　ｂａｎｋｓ　ｏｒ　ｐｏｓｔ　ｏｆｆｉｃｅ　ａｎｄ　ｗｉｔｈｄｒａｗ　ｌｉｋｅ　ｔｈａｔ．　Ｄｏｉｎｇ　ｔｈｉｓ　ｉｓ　ｓｍａｒｔｅｒ　ｔｏｏ，　ｂｅｃａｕｓｅ　ｙｏｕ　ｇｅｔ　ａ　ｂｅｔｔｅｒ　ｅｘｃｈａｎｇｅ　ｒａｔｅ　ｔｈａｎ　ａｔ　ｔｈｅ　ｃｕｒｒｅｎｃｙ　ｅｘｃｈａｎｇｅ　ｓｈｏｐｓ　ｉｎ　ａｉｒｐｏｒｔs and　ｔｒａｉｎｓ　ｅｔｃ．Ｔｒａｖｅｌｅｘ，　ｔｈｅ　ｍａｊｏｒ　ｃｕｒｒｅｎｃｙ　ｅｘｃｈａｎｇｅ　ｓｈｏｐ，　ｉｓ　ａ　ｂｉｔ　ｏｆ　ａ　ｒｉｐ　ｏｆｆ　ｔｏ　ｂｅ　ｈｏｎｅｓｔ，　ｓｏ　Ｉ　ｗｏｎ‘ｔ　ｂｕｙ　ａｎｙ　ｍｏｒｅ　ｙｅｎ　ｔｈａｔ　ｗａｙ．　ＡＴＭ`s　are　ｄｅｆｉｎｉｔｅｌｙ　ｔｈｅ　ｗａｙ　ｔｏ　ｇｏ，　ｂｕｔ　ｈａｒｄｅｒ　ｔｏ　ｆｉｎｄ，　ｓｏ　Ｉ‘ｌｌ　ｊｕｓｔ　ｈａｖｅ　ｔｏ　ｃａｒｒｙ　ａｒｏｕｎｄ　a lot of cash.

Ｏｋ　Ｉ‘ｖｅ　ｈａｄ　ｅｎｏｕｇｈ　ｏｆ　ｔｈｉｓ　ｂｌｏｇ　ｆｏｒ　ｎｏｗ．　Ｈｏｐｅ　ｙｏｕ　ｅｎｊｏｙｅｄ　ｒｅａｄｉｎｇ　ｓｏ　ｆａｒ．　Ｉ‘ｌｌ　ｐｒｏｂａｂｌｙ　ｐｏｓｔ　ａｇａｉｎ　ｆｒｏｍ　Ｋｙｏｔｏ，　ｍｙ　ｎｅｘｔ　ｓｔｏｐ，　ｓｏ　ｃｈｅｃｋ　ｂａｃｋ　ｈｅｒｅ　ｏｎ　ｐｒｏｂａｂｌｙ　Tuesday or Ｗｅｄｎｅｓｄａｙ．　Ｃｈｅｅｒｓ. Init.