Tokyo Beach Bash 2007

No matter how long I've been away, it's always nice to get back and enjoy Japan even if for only a little while. This time I was going out to meet Doug, Matt and a few others from the old Chiba crew to celebrate Matt's birthday and the 5 year anniversary of the beach party we started back in 2002. It had been about a year or so since I met Matt and almost 5 years since I've seen Doug so I was determined to kick it old school and have a blast.

Unfortunately, since everyone lives in seperate areas of Japan now, I wouldn't be able to meet Doug or Matt until Saturday. I still managed to meet up my old friends Kaise and Myi in Tokyo for awhile to get food, drinks and spend a few hours in karaoke (where I was able to drink alcohol!!!!!). I also met Kaise's co-worker SoYoon who speaks the same 3 languages I do. It was fun, albiet sometimes confusing, to go back and forth in Korean, English and Japanese.

The thing that kind of sucked was that since Kaise had to work, I was just wandering around with Myi for 5 hours or so before we could meet them up. I managed to check out some stores and eat some gyuu-don before we met though, so it wasn't a total waste.

After meeting, we went to a Mexican-style bar in the Ebisu area. The Mexican waiters in there spoke fantastic Japanese and were really quick to serve us our drinks. I also had a lot of fun trying to figure out how exactly somebody ripped the toilet seat off the men's bathroom. After a few Long Islands, a few shots of Tequila, a margarita or two, and a couple beers, we all went (staggered) to karaoke. It was great being able to find a songs they didnt have in Korea, so of the 3 hours we did karaoke, I was probably singing 5 out of every 7 songs. Needless to say, my throat hurt at the end of the night when we finally went home.

Kaise and SoYoon at karaoke

The Mexican bar we went to for tequila shots, which would also prove to be the place of Kaise's undoing


Kaise, Myi, and SoYoon


Myi, SoYoon, and Me


After finally getting to Kaise's and crashing at about 4am. I found myself waking up in the middle of the night a couple of times to blow my nose and cough up mucus. Yeah, I know, it HAD to happen on my vacation and on the day I've been most looking forward to in the recent 3 months. Yes, I had caught the flu. Son. Of. A. Bitch.

I ended up waking up late because I wanted to sweat as much of the flu out of me as possible. After showering and saying bye to Kaise, I set out for the train. Now, I've been used to Korea's subway map for awhile and though it can be somewhat difficult at times to get around, it is very rarely confusing. Japan's train line, on the other hand, is possibly the most confusing attempt at mass commuter transit in the history of the world. Doug said it best when he described it as " a bunch of fucked up spider webs super imposed upon each other". After finally getting out to the beach and meeting up Doug and Matt, we started getting the party ready.

Since we were the only 3 there at the time, we had to lug all of the stuff Matt brought in his truck for the party down to the beach by ourselves. It took us about 45 minutes and by the end of it, me and Doug were sweating bullets. We freshened up and started setting everything up when people started to arrive. We set up the canopy and barbecue (despite the oyaji's complaints) before we started making the jungle juice.

For those of you who know what jungle juice is, you may skip this paragraph. For those that don't continue reading. In lament's terms, jungle juice is God's gift to summer, beach-going drinkers. Its vodka, gin, rum, Malibu and whatever other clear liquors (this is how I do it, I know there are other recipes) mixed with an array of fruit juices and chopped up tropical fruit all mixed in a giant cooler with ice. Lots of liquor, none of the taste, all of the satisfaction. I have perfected my recipe for Jungle Juice over the years and this time, as usual, it did not disappoint.

After getting kicked off of the beach and moving further into the park, we continued our antics at a few outside camping tables. We would spend the rest of the evening there hanging out, talking, dancing, etc. until about 11pm.

This was the liquor stash that Matt brought, bless his soul

The first of about 10 batches of Jungle Juice we would make

Doug making his favorite face

Just when people started getting there

Yes, we should be careful with stingrays because not only do they have very mischevious faces and seek to do us pain, but they also apparently have two gigantic testicles

More jungle juice being made at the 2nd location in the park

These were some great people. I especially like the little Japanese girl on the right because she was absolutely hilarious.

As it got darker, more people started to show up out of the woodwork

This girl was drunk and loved Doug's "Gay Musik!!!!"

Birthday boy Matt. No that is not the visual effect of standing next to two extremely short Japanese girls, Matt actually is 400 feet tall.

Me and Doug near the end of the party

Now I wish I could say I ended everything on a great note but that unfortunately wasn't the case. Since I had to be at the airport at 6am on Sunday to fly out (there were no other tickets) and the flu that I had been attempting to ignore all day finally started to take over, I decided not to go out clubbing with everyone until 4am like originally planned and just took a taxi to the airport at around 12:30 so I could get some sleep. It really sucked not being able to hang out with everyone more since I was having a blast but I figured what the hell, I'll be back in February for a week or so anyways.

That was how Tokyo Beach Bash 2007 went down. Not exactly as planned, but easily one of the best days of the year anyway. It was really great seeing familiar faces and partying like it was the Chiba days again. I invited everyone out to visit me in Korea sometime but I have the feeling that only a select few of them will take me up on my offer. Let's see who those select few will be.

Thanks everyone, I had a great time. Let's make sure we do it again in February or sooner!

Japan and back in 36 hours

I set out this past Saturday morning to meet my Grandmother and family in Japan for the weekend and even though the trip was only for a little over one day, I’m really glad I did it.

I set out at about 7am from my apartment and made it to my Aunt’s front door step about 6 hours later. After saying hello to everyone I hadn’t seen in awhile and introducing myself to my aunt Setsuko and her husband I sat down and began the rest of the day. I spent most of the time eating delicious food and drinking Asahi while catching up with everyone. So many people showed up that we had to make separate food tables in the different rooms of the house.

My uncle Yoshio was his usual jolly self and it was good to see that aunt Yoshiko hasn’t changed a bit in 4 years. Actually, the only people who seemed to change at all since I last met them were my cousins Kouta (who is my cousin Kyle’s Japanese twin) and Miki. All and all, everyone seemed to be in good health and spirits.

Speaking of spirits, I got to enjoy some really good Nihonshu that my aunt Toshiko’s husband brought over in a big jar. Top that off with the beer and sochu and I was having a good night. Of course my Grandmother was over my shoulder every other glass to remind me to “Have fun, but don’t get too drunk”. I guess I listened. (sorta)

After everyone left, I got to soak in the hot tub before I went to sleep.

In the morning, I ate breakfast and headed off to the local mall with my uncle Yoshio and cousin Kouta to look at some games and comic books. I grabbed a couple comic books and then we ate at a restaurant where I had an ice-cold Yebisu (my favorite beer in the world) straight from the tap. It was heavenly. After I got back, I had to pack and leave after taking a quick nap. After I said goodbye to everyone, I got on the plane and took my 7 hour trip back to my apartment, where I promptly showered and went to sleep.

Overall, despite the time limitation, it was really fun and I can’t wait to get out to Japan again.

Also, since pictures speak louder than any words could, here are a few choice snapshots of the trip.

Enjoy.

This was everyone who was at the house that day with the exception of my cousin Makoto, who was taking the picture.

This was the spread that was there as I arrived. Trust me when I say this was just the beginning...

From left to right: My cousin Makoto, cousin Miki, aunt Yoshiko, uncle Yoshio, and aunt Setsuko

This was some sort of supersonic underwater tour boat. I actually have no idea if it can go underwater or not, but it sure looks like it can.

The view from the mall deck. It was a beautiful day, but the one thing you can't see in this picture are all of the jellyfish that were in the water. Awesome.

This was the Nihonshu we drank. It was really good.

This is my Grandmother with my cousin Kouta. I told you, Kyle's Japanese twin brother.

This was a random manga I happened to see at the mall. I wonder what it's about?

Finally, some funny English for you.