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!!
Reading your lovely comment has given ME soo much joy :))) Honored to know you liked the descriptions.
Also so happy you highlighted the two characters, because yeees hahaha what a life!! We even told him "Tonkatsu (a dish he loves) and movies all day, what a great diet!" And will soon tell you about what happened when I later visited the record store owner 😂
On the video game sounds, ooof I've been loving them too and have been slowly compiling them, will share them soon :)
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
Wow Rachael, what a beautiful and flattering comment. I'm so glad that is coming across, and also to have made you laugh haha it has indeed been very fun!
I'm so glad you enjoyed it Jenny!! Thank you so much for such kind comments. I'm delighted you found those phrases witty haha also that you felt transported to Japan, which I know you love.
My pleasure, my wonderful friend! I look forward to more transportations to Japan via your beautiful photos, delightful storytelling, wittiness, and lovely perspective.
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!!!
So happy you read and loved this my friend, and that the details and textures were conveyed. Also glad you used the word "vignettes", that's exactly how I've been seeing them in my head. Will keep you posted mi estimado Phil!
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!!
Reading your lovely comment has given ME soo much joy :))) Honored to know you liked the descriptions.
Also so happy you highlighted the two characters, because yeees hahaha what a life!! We even told him "Tonkatsu (a dish he loves) and movies all day, what a great diet!" And will soon tell you about what happened when I later visited the record store owner 😂
On the video game sounds, ooof I've been loving them too and have been slowly compiling them, will share them soon :)
Thank you my dear friend!
Hahaha, " what a great diet!"😂
Can't wait to hear that story about the owner!
What an awesome start to this journey of sharing your adventures.
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.
😂😂 So happy to know you get the feeling Michelle 😂 Guess there's no running away from it...
Seriously, very glad to know you liked the mixing of mediums and the whole thing amazing to read, really appreciate it!
Really great, looking forward to more updates from Japan!
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
Wow Rachael, what a beautiful and flattering comment. I'm so glad that is coming across, and also to have made you laugh haha it has indeed been very fun!
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 😊 😊 😊
I'm so glad you enjoyed it Jenny!! Thank you so much for such kind comments. I'm delighted you found those phrases witty haha also that you felt transported to Japan, which I know you love.
Will keep exploring you recommendations!
Thanks to you dear Jenny :)
My pleasure, my wonderful friend! I look forward to more transportations to Japan via your beautiful photos, delightful storytelling, wittiness, and lovely perspective.
Enjoy! Enjoy! Enjoy Japan! Arigato, Oscar! Your friend, Jenny :) :) :)
Such kind words Jenny! Arigato gosaimasu my dear, dear friend!
So glad you're documenting and sharing your travels. I particularly enjoy the soundscape sample!
Glad you enjoyed Tai!! And more soundscapes to come :)
Love this, Oscar! Keep on having an amazing trip 👍🏼
Thank you so much my dear Miguel! For reading, commenting and the wishes :)
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!!!
What a beautiful comment Elizabeth! I'm glad it made you feel there and that the descriptions convey the unique feeling of being here :)
And completely agree, all trains should have those sounds!! 😂
Will keep you posted, thank youuu!
Loved this. All the little details, textures and vignettes of discovering a new place. Excited to hear more about your adventure.
So happy you read and loved this my friend, and that the details and textures were conveyed. Also glad you used the word "vignettes", that's exactly how I've been seeing them in my head. Will keep you posted mi estimado Phil!
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!
Ohhh any chance you can share that small list? Sounds delightful!
And thank you so much!! Your comments make me more excited to share the explorations here :))
Top favourites - Hiro Arikawa, The Travelling Cat Chronicles and Durian Sukegawa, Sweet Bean Paste. <3
Thank you!! Just bought them both!
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!
Thank you so much my dear Wes! So glad you liked it. Will keep adding those bullets then!
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. :)
Glad you liked it Silvio! I can now clearly see why it is one of your favorite places :) Thank you for your support!
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!
Jajaja seguro te encantaría! Thank you! With your help and encouragement, will keep that mix coming :)
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
SI puedes y NO hay reglas! Encantado de tenerte por aquí :)) Qué bueno que te gustó el mix! Así le seguimos entonces.
Y nos echaremos varios de esos a tu salud!