Japan is currently making the most of its Golden Week holiday period — a bunch of national holidays that’s neither golden nor a week. This year’s offering started last Sunday, and finishes on Saturday, with Tuesday and Wednesday wedged in as regular work days.
But, time off is still time off, and for those not stuck in traffic or enjoying jam-packed tourist spots, it allows them the chance to go absolutely bonkers with the booze and wake up on the street without having to worry about work the same day.
Harry says
Man that’s embarrassing. He’s not a young guy either……….
Lee says
No, he’s not. Being older, the pain of his hangover (and embarrassment) may last considerably longer too…
Olivier says
how one can sleep like this…
Lee says
Absolutely vast quantities of alcohol!
cdilla says
Yep, he’s certainly hit the basement. A great photograph that captures a moment that is odd, and yet resonates.
How can he sleep like that? Easy, it’s more comfortable, and more actually doable than standing up. I “slept” like that on broken concrete in a building site once upon a time.
I notice his phone. Was it recording do you think.
Have you ever seen the film “Joe Apartment” where Joe comes across a guy (the wonderfully named Walter Sh*t) lying motionless on the street and when he nudges him to see if he’s OK, a perfectly fit Walter sits up and tells him it took two days for someone to actually see if he was OK rather than walk past or step over him.
Lee says
Cheers. In that sense, yes, he can at least lie down — albeit on uncomfortable concrete. I’m more than happy to take your word for it too, as fingers crossed I will never, ever find out through experience!
Hadn’t even thought of his phone being on to be honest. Certainly possible, although considering his state, I can’t imagine he’d have had the foresight to set it recording.
No, never even heard of it, let alone seen it. Thanks, that sounds intriguing. I’ll have to search it out.
torasan says
Sad comment on a sick japan…
Lee says
I think sick Japan is a bit harsh. Like every country, Japan has more than its fair share problems, and people drinking to excess like this is perhaps one of them. But really not sure that points to a sick society. Especially so when one balances it out with many of the more positive attributes.
Becky says
This may be a redundant question as you’ve taken tonnes of pictures of this scenario – but is this a normal thing in Japan? How do other’s respond to it? I live in one of the busiest cities in the Uk, and I’m still yet to see someone (who isn’t homeless) in a booze-related stupor on the street.
Lee says
It’s a good question, as until arriving here myself, I’d never seen anything quite like this either. Not sure whether I’d go as far as saying it’s normal, but it’s definitely not uncommon, especially so in Tokyo’s busy entertainment hubs. Much more common to see when it gets warmer too.
Reactions tend to be to just ignore them and walk past, or alert a nearby policeman. Someone tried to wake this fella up, but he was having none of it apart from an incoherent mumble.
A couple of days later, and in the same area, I saw a couple of lads trying to wake up a passed out tranvestite. He was similarly reluctant to be woken up, but they found two policeman and they got him up on his feet and on his way to the train station. Rather comical as it involved a decidedly unladylike flash, but the coppers were kind and patient, and there was no eprimand or warnings — just a desire to get him up and on his way.
cdilla says
As a UK resident I’ve seen people passed out in the street, but they tend to get helped and seen to fairly quickly. Partly by friends, but also by strangers because it’s acknowledged as being so dangerous for them.
It’s a bit different in Japan. Twice in Tokyo I’ve seen passed out businessmen being tended to by police and on both occasions they were being gentle, speaking in quiet voices and gave the appearance of being rather embarrassed for the guy rather than intolerant or officious. On another occasion I saw a younger besuited man flopped under a staircase and a passing security guard paused to lift the guys leg off the thoroughfare, just tidying him up a bit. In none of the above incidents did I see the ultimate outcome, but equally I went on my way not fearing for the person as I would in the UK.
Lee says
That’s been my experience too. Police on the streets, or rail company staff at the stations — all are surprisingly kind and patient. Especially so considering the state some of the people they are looking after are in. And yes, when they are just left to sleep it off like the fella above, it’s done without any fear that something bad might happen to them.
Martin. says
Wow, it must have been a load of sake to get to this! I must admit if I would happen to to be in his situation better there then in Philadelphia.
Lee says
A lot of booze eh? Also, this was taken in the early afternoon, so probably a combination of that and a genuine lack sleep after being up all night and well into the next day. And yeah, I totally agree. Probably better than almost any other city to be honest. Or perhaps more accurately, any other city outside Japan.
Anonymous says
damn,you are shit faced when you can’t even put your glasses in some box or something(let alone sleeping like that)
Lee says
Yes. Drunk beyond belief. But while this looks bad, it doesn’t bear thinking what the hangover would have been like…