March 24, 2002
Roppongi sunrise

In an effort to make sure that my waning days in Japan aren't all work and no play, Janet introduced me to Lisa, a lovely Welsh woman who just happens to be my age. We arranged to meet up on Saturday night and head over to Roppongi, which is as close to a red light district as you get in Tokyo. Fairly seedy, but lots of fun, Roppongi is filled with gaijen looking for a place to party, loud music, Nigerian men trying to wrangle you into their particular bar, and the occasional massage parlor.
Our first stop was some kind of NYC themed place, with lots of space and relatively no patrons at 10:30. After a quick drink, we decided not to take the advice of any more Nigerians offering half priced drinks. The Gas Panic bar was where the party seemed to be, with plenty of young gaijen and Japanese pairing themselves up for what was sure to be an evening of mostly harmless debauchery.
Now, I'd like to offer more details on the rest of the evening, but it all kinds of runs together after Gas Panic. We found an Irish pub, watched Wales get stomped by England in rugby ("The Welsh suck at everything," Lisa informed me), and struck up a conversation with very nice Frenchman, waiting for a soccer game involving his mother land. We wound around to some other bars and mixed in a bit of dancing to bad techno music, bad 80's music, or bad hip-hop music.
One of the more stunning parts of the whole evening was walking out of one bar only to discover that it was no longer evening at all and the gray early morning sunlight of dawn was upon us. How on earth did this happen? And how did we come to the conclusion that another Corona was the order of the day?
After dropping Lisa off at her apartment, I found myself in front of the subway ticket machine, trying to decide if it would take my only bill, a 10,000 yen note, contemplating the last amazing 10 hours. I exchanged curious glances with other subway riders, looking much more refreshed than I, as they were just beginning their days. I finally stumbled back to Omotesando at around 8 a.m., and instantly fell into a coma-like sleep, quite pleased that I had now truly seen Tokyo at every hour of the day.

Posted by jimray at March 24, 2002 05:26 PM
Comments

You don't know it yet Mr. Ray, but you are going to take me to Japan with you one day and show me all these wonderous things. I've never been so jealous of someone in my entire life. Now I have to get a contract in some far off location just to say, "Yeah, I use to work there."

I'm glad you are having fun though. Make sure you find me when you get back. I still owe you some beer.

Posted by: Dan Lucas on March 26, 2002 06:14 AM

Just a suggestion: When you're off working as a "journalistic icon" in the future, remember that the only time you had so much as a typo in your Japan "blog" was after an evening (or whatever you call an "all nighter" these days?) of your own "harmless debauchery". Strains of "How Do We Get Them Back To The Farm After They've Seen The Lights Of 'Paree'" seem to be filling my mind as I type this. See you Easter weekend!

Posted by: Lani and Don on March 28, 2002 12:14 AM

Sounds like all cultures know how to party and that you are having "much fun" these days. When you get back you might need to expand on how the Nigerians are employed in such jobs... it might be better than my thoughts of becoming a Wal-Mart greeter in retirement. We await your return and hope you have taken pictures of some of your escapades! Love Ya, dad

Posted by: Dad on March 28, 2002 08:20 AM
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