Arrived in Tokyo two days ago.
I was happy to see how quickly I fit right back in – my phone rang already while I was standing in the immigration line! Patterns of interpersonal interaction, vocabulary, signs, the ways of navigating the city are all different from New York, and came back to me quickly.
First impressions, after a year away:
- Everything is clean, shiny white or beige
- People look at you in a different way
- Food portions are much smaller (and everything is really good)
- Lots of automation: shop doors, taxi doors all open and close automatically
- So many people!
- Washlets – why is this not a universal amenity in other countries?
- Lots of tiny improvements – ATMs now take international credit cards, the Suica IC card system works on the subways, cup recycling machines in the subway that give you money back when you return your can or bottle, etc…
- Lots of changes and new construction: in Azabu-Juban, the Donut Plant is gone (supposedly a NY based operation, with 1 branch in the Lower East Side and 8 in Tokyo…) and there is a vacant lot across the street. Akihabara (Electric Town) is changing rapidly: many of the older and more interesting junk shops are gone, entire blocks have been levelled, and vast, shiny new complexes are going up.
I’ll be performing a few times while I’m in Tokyo. On the 28th, I’ll playing my Neon/Music piece (final from Live Image Processing + MIDI classes), Kunal and Tristan will do a Loud Objects set. Then on the 30th I’m guest VJing at Club Asia, at a party organized by an old friend from the Shibuya days. After getting back from Singapore, I’ll be performing at SuperDeluxe on July 20th.
Back in Japan!
Arrived in Tokyo two days ago.
I was happy to see how quickly I fit right back in – my phone rang already while I was standing in the immigration line! Patterns of interpersonal interaction, vocabulary, signs, the ways of navigating the city are all different from New York, and came back to me quickly.
First impressions, after a year away:
I’ll be performing a few times while I’m in Tokyo. On the 28th, I’ll playing my Neon/Music piece (final from Live Image Processing + MIDI classes), Kunal and Tristan will do a Loud Objects set. Then on the 30th I’m guest VJing at Club Asia, at a party organized by an old friend from the Shibuya days. After getting back from Singapore, I’ll be performing at SuperDeluxe on July 20th.