The next sandwich
More than fifteen years ago, I had the opportunity to travel to Japan for work. I stayed there for two weeks in Tokyo city center and every work day, I had to travel by train about 45 minutes to an hour to Makuhari where the office was. Makuhari was located in Chiba City, Chiba Prefecture, east of Tokyo.
It was my first experience traveling by train back then and was an interesting one. I love people watching and in the train, there were many people to watch. Most times, most passengers would have their eyes glued to their phones, some would be reading books, some napping. Usually, I would already be in the train from the previous station which was less crowded but still had to stand.
However, at certain stops, the train would be jam packed. I was shocked to see officers on duty at the platforms who would push and squeeze passengers into the train with such might, packing the people in like sardines. And each time, I would be sandwiched in between different interesting individuals.
There would be teenagers or young adults dressed as their favourite anime characters who would take the train. The cosplay at work was totally amazing with the hair, makeup and costumes, some so into their characters that they really look like a cartoon character. Some dark and gothic and some cute as a pie.
Then, there would be ladies who balanced themselves remarkably well, standing in the train, and applying makeup, all set with mascara pens and eyelash brushes without smudging a wee bit. I was totally impressed. It was an eye opener to see such skill.
And along the way, the train would reach the station to Disneyland Tokyo. Passengers, mainly parents and kids who came onboard would have all sorts of Disneyland merchandise which was interesting to see, especially when they would all be chatting away in excitement, giggling and laughing, possibly thinking about the rides and experiences they had.
By the time I was done subtly staring at all these interesting characters, I would have reached my station. Each day as I left the train, I was already thinking of the next sandwich journey.
Photo by Kanchan Raj Pandey on Unsplash
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Traveling for work is exciting! I imagine Japan is something like traveling to the future, except for the part about traveling like sardines, haha.
It's incredible that they can go to work in their cosplay outfits, something that in my country would at least land you in a psychologist's office!
0.00 SBD,
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Yesss! I missed those days when we got to travel for work for free haha.. Most exciting was the free part. The sardines part, not so fun but still fun in some ways if we look at the glass half full situation haha.
Yaaa, I was curious too but I think those in cosplay were students mainly cos they looked young or maybe they work at a cosplay shop 😂
0.00 SBD,
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If I had known that there were jobs that allowed you to travel for work, I would have gone for them, haha!
Interestingly, the Japanese tend to maintain a youthful appearance for many years; in general, Asians have excellent genetics.
With us you cannot go to work in Cosplay outfit either
That reminded me of the viral story of an English woman, if I remember correctly, who was banned from having her hair dyed in an extravagant color.
The issue is that it was prohibited in the internal work regulations, but she found a loophole. Wigs were not banned, and as a form of protest, she wore wigs every day, some of them simply absurd. I liked her peaceful and ironic resistance. She beat the company.
https://www.newsweek.com/tiktok-employer-banned-pink-hair-terrible-wigs-1821912
I wonder how often it used to happen that you’d have your trousers rolled down. Or others. These days they’re often in the news for taking photos up people’s skirts – so we Japanese aren’t exactly well-behaved, or perhaps it’s just that what’s forbidden is actually what people do. Last Monday I was also travelling regularly by train, and I don’t mind waiting around, except when it’s always on those draughty platforms. And, of course, the waiting rooms are always closed. Over here, incidentally, all the platforms are draughty, and lifts and escalators are often out of order – whether by design or not.
Do you miss Japan? It was certainly interesting to read, and I think you had a nice route – packed in like a sardine – to be able to admire all the cosplayers and Disney characters. Did you have a cup of coffee in a takeaway cup with you back then as well?