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| Mount Fuji, with Chureito Pagoda in foreground |
Like most of our countrymen, I grew up wondering about the Japanese
people who, so fastidiously, manufactured swift bullet trains, flawless motor
vehicles, robust electrical appliances, thrilling video games and durable
quartz watches. They had to be devoted not just to their employers, but to
their beliefs, and to their country at large, I thought. Leading highly
disciplined and orderly lives, the Japanese are a nation apart, as I and my
wife discovered over a month’s holiday in Tokyo and its adjoining cities.
After a rather long wait at Narita Airport’s immigration section, we walked
to the carousels to collect our baggage. We were somehow the last ones and the
airport staff was looking for us. On seeing us a lady appeared, bowed
courteously, checked our baggage tags and handed us our suitcases while
offering any assistance that we might need. That was the first of a series of
polite gestures that we were exposed to during our stay.
We were headed towards densely populated Minato City in the heart of
Tokyo, where most of the embassies are located.
Due to immensely costly real estate, almost 70% of Tokyo-ites live in
high-rise apartment complexes, while the rich 30% or so live in independent
houses not much larger than five marlas.
The cost of living, as can be imagined, is very high.
Must-see
Places in Tokyo
On another visit to Odaiba, while taking an evening stroll in Daiba
Park, a noisy group of youngsters in punkish appearance emerged from nowhere,
and approached us. Taken aback and fearing some despicable behavior, we tried
to pace away, but they seemed friendly and in their senses, as they came closer.
One of them offered to take our pictures with my mobile phone. On learning that
we were from Pakistan, they were quite amused, apparently having seen our kind
for the first time. They were all smiles when we told them that we were enjoying
our stay in their beautiful country. Appreciative bows followed, and we were
careful not to offer handshakes as Japanese prefer to keep physical distance,
except with their immediate family – and their pets!
Shinjuku City is a popular shopping locality of
Tokyo, which we visited often. Shinjuku houses the world’s busiest railway
station that caters to as many as three million passengers daily. The vast above-ground and underground railway station has 52 platforms
and 200 entry/exit gates. It is such a wonder of advanced technology and
competent management that train arrivals and departures are timed in seconds! Also
located in Shinjuku is the Tokyo Municipal Government Building, which is the
administrative nerve center of Tokyo during day time, while at night its towering
facade serves as a popular sound-and-light projection screen. Commercial
activities of all sorts abound in Shinjuku; no surprise if you see a trendy
restaurant serving sushi and lobster – for humans – next to a café for poodles,
pugs and terriers, as Japanese are keen dog-lovers! Hotels, spas and beauty salons for the
four-legged critters thrive in every locality.
Like Shinjuku, Shibuya
City is Tokyo’s major commercial center, along with a very busy railway terminus.
A fascinating feature of Shibuya
City is the Shibuya Crossing,
popularly known as ‘Scramble Crossing’. As many as 3,000 people scramble across
the pedestrian crossings every time the traffic lights turn green, making it the
world’s busiest. We too did the famous Shibuya Crossing, while recording a
video like everyone else. For us, the wonder was that no vehicle ran a red
light during several visits we made to Shibuya. In Japan, running a red light carries a very
heavy fine, and even jail.
Close to the crossing, we
saw a long queue, with people patiently waiting to take photographs with a
monument dedicated to a dog. The dog named Hachiko is remembered for his
steadfast loyalty to his deceased owner. Hachiko Square is a popular meeting
point for youngsters.
Hakone and Mount Fuji
Yokohama
Kawagoe
Some Anecdotal Observations
o
During
our stay, we noted that most Japanese are introverts of sorts, and prefer to
keep to themselves, without seeming snobbish. Conversations in trains and buses
are rare.
o
Japanese
people are sticklers for detail, and perform tasks with complete dedication.
o
All
the places we visited in and around Tokyo were clinically clean. Littering is
unknown to the Japanese.
o
Japanese
prefer staid and sober dresses, and gaudy colours are usually seen only at
festivals. Blue, gray, white and beige dresses are more common for daily wear.
o
On
many an occasion, we were amused to see women pushing baby strollers, which
actually had a small well-manicured poodle inside!
o
Buses
and trains are the preferred mode of transport as taxis are costly. Parking for
private cars is quite a hassle.
o
Traffic
discipline is strictly enforced. Little children can be seen negotiating
pedestrian crossings all by themselves. Honking is virtually unheard of, as in
most civilized countries.
o
Parks
and gardens are landscaped according to a natural setting, and are maintained
with amazing care. If one wishes to slow down and step back in time, a visit to
a park is recommended.
o
Street
crime is virtually non-existent, and women and children are safe in lonely
places, even at night.
o
Long
working hours and job pressures have adversely affected family life, and is a
significant cause of suicide.
o
Old
people continue to perform light tasks well into their seventies and eighties.
o
Daily
testing of loudspeakers is done in all localities by playing a short musical
jingle to ensure timely disaster warning, just in case. The time of the testing
is 5 pm, which is also a notification of pack-up time.
o
There
is not much enthusiasm amongst youngsters for joining the military, as past
militarism still invokes feelings of remorse.
Tailpiece: Our takeaway of the one-month long stay in Tokyo is that the Japanese
undertake every task with complete devotion and dedication, because they are
proud of their country and endeavour to make it the best in the world.
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© Kaiser Tufail
