Photographs from a small group of islands
With national holidays offering a relatively rare chance for many Japanese workers to kick back and contemplate three consecutive days off, what better way to spend (at least) one of them than by wrapping up and relaxing with a long lunch,
loads of like-minded people,
and lots and lots of lovely lager?
On or around January 1st, an absolutely huge number of Japanese go to either a local or large shrine to pray — a rough but nonetheless rigourous reckoning of mine putting the figure at approximately 87.34 percent of the population. However, due to Japan’s refreshingly relaxed approach to religion, the emphasis is much more on fun rather than fervour.
A large amount of said fun being focused around food,
as well as some fancy outfits.
Oh, and a fair bit more food.
Along with the longing for a bit of luck,
in some form or other.
And, quite possibly, the further addition of more traditional togs.
Plus, of course, a final bit of food to finish off the festivities.
(click images for super-sized sustenance)
Sometimes, and especially at this time of year, whether it be due to too much booze, the bad weather, or basically not being able to be bothered, having a decent meal delivered is an equally decent idea.
And if one does, it may well arrive on one of these rather ramshackle,
but at the same time strangely beguiling bikes.
Contraptions whose ability to balance full to the brim bowls round busy streets is unfathomably fascinating, with their precious parcels often appearing precarious,
yet happily always horizontal.
(click images for bigger bowl-bearing bikes)
With bountiful winter bonuses and year-end bonenkai bashes aplenty, December is invariably a month of debilitating drunkenness in Japan, with even the addition of a decent dollop of debauchery for those daring enough.
But, while many establishments are keen to boast about what beverages they have available, some of them aren’t nearly so smitten with some of the side effects of said consumption — especially when one of their walls is positively begging to be besmirched by a boozer whose bladder is embarrassingly about to burst.
Yet somewhat surprisingly with a conifer there for camouflage, their fears remain unfounded.
For now.
There’s no denying that the societal pressure Japan puts on its people can be suffocating — some would say even insufferable. And that’s arguably nothing compared to the almost systematic overwork and wearing down of the workforce. Yet as far as getting lairy and lagered-up is concerned, the country can be almost lovingly lenient.
Meaning that whereas Britain for example is always banging on about binge-drinking and being disciplined, in Tokyo — or at least on its metro — manners are much more important. So, instead of trying to persuade people to make do with moderation,
they are merely petitioned to get plastered in private rather than in public.