Tranquil time out

Coming from Britain, where the full compass of weather conditions can sometimes be experienced in a single day, the Japanese fondness of informing foreigners that Japan has four seasons seems a little lame to say the least.

Yet that said, as winter gradually winds it way along the archipelago, autumn’s arresting colours will be sadly missed.

For a little while at least.

According to the ancient Japanese proverb, a bike in the shed is worth two in the bush.

Or is it the other way around?

Football (or even soccer) may well boast a rapidly growing fan base among Japan’s younger generation, but for the salary man who likes a spot of sport on a Sunday afternoon, it’s still baseball that’s the big draw.

For now.

The Japanese penchant for sleeping in public has been well documented, with public transport-related places being especially popular. Yet rather than just a reaction to long commutes or excessive alcohol consumption, these not so private naps are seemingly a daily need that simply can’t be denied.

This particular man’s fortitude unfortunately failed at the final hurdle, as he finally caved in and fell asleep only a few feet away from the relative comfort and quietness of the riverbank.

A teeming mishmash of the traditional and modern — Japan in just one shot?

Perhaps.

Or perhaps not.