Directions
I am running late for an appointment. My heart is beating fast, my map is flurrying about in the wind, and my sweaty, white knuckled hand grips and twists the scooter throttle. I am flying between small, tight streets and frantically looking around to find my building. My unshielded face gets colder as the icy wind beats against it in waves matching my throttle twists.
My hate for the Japanese addressing system is once again renewed. I clench my teeth in frustration – why does it need to be so difficult?
Side Note : I am not a “jaded gaijin”. I do not go about complaining about Japan, about how “it’s so much better back in my country”. I happily accept the good and the bad parts together. I am a very even, reasonable person. However. I really, really hate the Japanese addressing system. It is probably the only address system in the world that is so complicated that you need a computer(car navi) just to navigate around with any degree of certainty. Very frustrating. AARGH.
I now make the mistake of asking for directions. My first advisor is an old lady who seems perhaps knowledgeable about the area.
Me : <IN A RUSH>Excuse me, do you know where 3-12-2 Senzoku-ike is?
Uh, 3choume? Uh... Lets see... um. Hmmmmmm.... Maybe it’s... Noo... No I don’t think so. Ummmm.... could it be over there? Ummmm
Me : <IN A RUSH>It’s ok. I’ll find it myself.
Oh, you could do that, I suppose. Um..... But it might be worth going over there, I think.... maybe you might find something, I guess. If you have a look over there.
Me : <IN A RUSH>Ok, ill do that, goodbye, thanks.
Are you sure you’re ok? Hm.... let me call my friend, he knows this area much better than I do, I think
Me : <IN A RUSH>Please don’t. Please don’t.
Now, what’s his last name. I haven’t seen him in a while now, you know.
Me : <IN A RUSH>ARGGGH
Hang on, it’s ringing now. I hope he’s there. He’s very busy these days.
Me : <IN A RUSH>Listen, I don’t mean to be rude, but for gods sake have a look at me. I’m in a rush!!!
Oh ok, <phone appears to answer> Oh!! Hello there ! How are you? I’m good thanks. Very cold recently isn’t it? Oh yes, very cold. It snowed the other day!! Very cold. Oh dear me, yes, very cold. Much colder than last year, isn’t it? Oh deary me, how cold indeed.
Me : <IN A RUSH> *in shock*
Oh that’s right. Do you know where 3-12-2 is?
Me : <IN A RUSH> *somewhat relieved*
Oh yes. Oooh yes absolutely. She’s very well. She just entered Primary School! Can you believe it? How about that. Primary School. She is growing up quickly.
Me : <IN A RUSH>*back in shock*
Dis-orientated and frustrated, I finally managed to escape somewhat politely.
I was so lost, I asked 6 more people for directions. 3 people pointed me in 3 different directions, and 3 people had no idea. Out of these “no idea 3”, only 1 person had the good grace to tell me “Sorry, I have no idea”. The other two wasted about 5 minutes of my time each trying to help me, but only ended up making me later, and driving me nuts. I asked another person who simply wanted to chat, which I probably would have been happy to do, IF I WASN’T IN SUCH A GODDAMN FUCKING RUSH, GODAMMIT LOOK AT ME.
Whew. The conclusion to the story is that I did finally find the place, however I was 2 hours late. As it turns out, there is place called Senzoku-ike, and there is also a section of a ward called Senzoku-ike, and I went to the wrong one. Oh well, I’ll know for next time. Or, I will buy a car with a decked out navigation system that gives me clear instructions.
You are absolutely right about the fucked up address-system.
Even for Japs living in Tokyo for nearly thirty years would
have the same trouble finding A place, unless you grew up in
that area.
And sadly, if it is your local, you wouldn't be in such a
rush to begin with.
Here's my tip: Try going to the destination once before.:p
Or you could buy one of those navigation system that mounts
on bikes.
Good luck!
Posted by ryu_01 — 30 Jan 2006, 17:06
そうかぁ、確かに分かりにくいっすね。
日本人も、あまり番地で探して行かないからね。うん。
Posted by italianjob — 30 Jan 2006, 18:39
Hey guys, thanks for your empathy! Bike navigation systems? Good idea, but I have a scooter. It would look like a very cool scooter with a Navigation system though, but I would worry about it getting stolen !
So, you guys had any Tokyo experiences recently? I'm building up quite a list of things to write about.
Posted by firefly — 31 Jan 2006, 18:13
... your building up a list, but you arent posting them. Wheres my updates!
Posted by Rhink — 20 Feb 2006, 08:44
Stop hassling me dammit :)
Posted by Firefly — 22 Feb 2006, 13:42
I wont!
Posted by Think — 03 Mar 2006, 15:21
Ah yes the Japanese address system. In more than 33 years I have never come to understand it myself. If you don't give me a map showing the exact location I aint coming. Is it any wonder that most business meishi's have a map on the back? Or commercials or advertisements?
I really admire the postmen on their scooters scurrying about delivering the mail. I wonder how many years it took them to understand their route? And what if they got transferred to a new postal code?
Posted by Pachipro — 07 Dec 2006, 01:37