A finite and experimental newsletter about spending a few months in Japan. It's just the first hours of our 3-month trip in Japan and I get the uncontrollable urge to explore non-stop. My wife and I barely leave our bags in the tiny and tidy apartment, and head back out to Tokyo.
OSCAR. I’m so excited for all these incoming Japan issues. Also, so happy you’re doing this!
You have a lot of beautiful detailed descriptions that I was rereading. I loved this:
“Everyone smokes and whispers. The wooden menu is mundane art in itself. The cheesecake tastes like greek yoghurt, with deep and nuanced flavors. The drip coffee is strong but does nothing against the weight of the jet lag.”
But also, I really want to be part of this duo: “Besides an avid music collector, the owner is also a big movie fan. He spends his days watching 2-3 movies at the theater, and then opens his bar/music cave. The smoking guy owns a record store nearby and is an old friend.”
2-3 movies a day????? Then opens his bar?? What a life. And a record store owning friend??? I’m jealous.
I’m dying at the guy taking a nap on your shoulder. Take it as a compliment that he thought your shoulder looked cozy???? 😂
I’m so obsessed with the video game sounds, I want more Japan soundscapes!
Loved this update of your travels, this brought me so much joy to read!!
Wow I loved this Oscar! I feel like I’m in the jet laggy excited exploring phase of Japan with you. The mixed media here is my favorite. I found the little noise sample so delightful! Also your experience at the bar and your new friends, just all so amazing!
“Meanwhile, the owner quietly starts playing a vinyl of Mexican norteñas, followed by some cumbias. I'm not sure how this makes me feel but I get his showing of love through music.” LOL if it makes you feel better, this happens to me ALL THE TIME with Bollywood music.
How delightful it is to follow your adventures in Japan! Your first edition is bursting with life. I love how you bring in all these elements that make me think of Japan: a distinct sophistication & craft, refined & nuanced taste.
Also, you are hilarious. From kidneys, to napping strangers, to leveling up, and warm buttocks. I'm eager to see what else you discover and experience in these next few months
What a beautiful post Oscar! I love that you drop us right into the action with you.
Loving all your pictures and your descriptions are very visual. I feel like I'm in the dive bar with you: "A bar that's literally 6 seats in what feels like someone's messy apartment. The owner, framed by a vast vinyl collection, offers us an ashtray. We politely decline and the only other customer down the bar looks at us and says "Sorry", as he takes a drag from his cigarette."
And this description of the street life: "real-life silent movie" - I feel like i can see and hear the silent cars.
Also, love the level up sound from the train. It's so lovely, it makes me smile. I wish the trains here had a lovely jingle!
I'm excited to read upcoming posts about your adventure!!!
How am I only getting to this essay today. I’m so looking forward to this series. I have a small list of Japanese fiction that’s made me also want to go live there. I look forward to seeing and hearing more of Japan through your eyes, Oscar!
Love this! Can't wait to keep following the adventures! All of it was great, but also really like the hodge podge of bullet points you add at the end. Fun stuff. Please keep it up!
This is awesome, Oscar. I liked every bit of it and your narration made me feel right there with both of you. Great, great work. Excited to keep reading you Japan Musings. :)
OSCAR. I’m so excited for all these incoming Japan issues. Also, so happy you’re doing this!
You have a lot of beautiful detailed descriptions that I was rereading. I loved this:
“Everyone smokes and whispers. The wooden menu is mundane art in itself. The cheesecake tastes like greek yoghurt, with deep and nuanced flavors. The drip coffee is strong but does nothing against the weight of the jet lag.”
But also, I really want to be part of this duo: “Besides an avid music collector, the owner is also a big movie fan. He spends his days watching 2-3 movies at the theater, and then opens his bar/music cave. The smoking guy owns a record store nearby and is an old friend.”
2-3 movies a day????? Then opens his bar?? What a life. And a record store owning friend??? I’m jealous.
I’m dying at the guy taking a nap on your shoulder. Take it as a compliment that he thought your shoulder looked cozy???? 😂
I’m so obsessed with the video game sounds, I want more Japan soundscapes!
Loved this update of your travels, this brought me so much joy to read!!
Wow I loved this Oscar! I feel like I’m in the jet laggy excited exploring phase of Japan with you. The mixed media here is my favorite. I found the little noise sample so delightful! Also your experience at the bar and your new friends, just all so amazing!
“Meanwhile, the owner quietly starts playing a vinyl of Mexican norteñas, followed by some cumbias. I'm not sure how this makes me feel but I get his showing of love through music.” LOL if it makes you feel better, this happens to me ALL THE TIME with Bollywood music.
How delightful it is to follow your adventures in Japan! Your first edition is bursting with life. I love how you bring in all these elements that make me think of Japan: a distinct sophistication & craft, refined & nuanced taste.
Also, you are hilarious. From kidneys, to napping strangers, to leveling up, and warm buttocks. I'm eager to see what else you discover and experience in these next few months
Ohhh, Oscar! Your article was such as delight! Thank you!
You also have such a gift for wittiness. I giggled at the way you weaved in these phrases:
-“I explain to them what Tepito is: the most dangerous neighborhood in Mexico City. You can buy a machine gun or a kidney there.”
“On the way back to our new "home", this guy decides to take a nap on my shoulder.”
“Japanese bathrooms also live up to the hype. I don't want to go back to a world where my buttocks are not automatically heated when I sit.”
Thank you for transporting me there to delightful Japan with your beautiful storytelling, photographs and train jingle.
Enjoy! Enjoy! Enjoy! Warm wishes, Jenny 😊 😊 😊
So glad you're documenting and sharing your travels. I particularly enjoy the soundscape sample!
Love this, Oscar! Keep on having an amazing trip 👍🏼
What a beautiful post Oscar! I love that you drop us right into the action with you.
Loving all your pictures and your descriptions are very visual. I feel like I'm in the dive bar with you: "A bar that's literally 6 seats in what feels like someone's messy apartment. The owner, framed by a vast vinyl collection, offers us an ashtray. We politely decline and the only other customer down the bar looks at us and says "Sorry", as he takes a drag from his cigarette."
And this description of the street life: "real-life silent movie" - I feel like i can see and hear the silent cars.
Also, love the level up sound from the train. It's so lovely, it makes me smile. I wish the trains here had a lovely jingle!
I'm excited to read upcoming posts about your adventure!!!
Loved this. All the little details, textures and vignettes of discovering a new place. Excited to hear more about your adventure.
How am I only getting to this essay today. I’m so looking forward to this series. I have a small list of Japanese fiction that’s made me also want to go live there. I look forward to seeing and hearing more of Japan through your eyes, Oscar!
Love this! Can't wait to keep following the adventures! All of it was great, but also really like the hodge podge of bullet points you add at the end. Fun stuff. Please keep it up!
This is awesome, Oscar. I liked every bit of it and your narration made me feel right there with both of you. Great, great work. Excited to keep reading you Japan Musings. :)
Que comienzo de tu viaje! Los norteños y cumbias en la cafe! jajaja
Loved all the photos and even that snippet of a recording.
Looking forward to the next installment of your Japanese Journey!
Puedo ser la que hace comentarios en español?
Hay reglas para ser fan en Substack? No lo creo.
Amé la combinación de foto, texto y video.
Coman mucho Okonimiyaki.
Saludos! <3