Nipponbashi - 日本橋

The Gold Koi
Yesterday the favorite
Today the grey

金色な鯉
昨日のおきいにり
今日銀色だ！

この前旅行するときお宅という人を見つけるできた。　　その人を見るのためににっぽんばしへいってん。　　本間に僕はお宅を見たかった。　　さあ、　ところが、　日本橋おたくと東京おたくはちがうやねん。　　日本橋お宅は電子おたく。　東京のお宅は漫画おたくです。　　それから漫画お宅を見なかった。　　でも、　　日本橋はめっちゃおもろいな。　　沢山電子物の店があった。　　その日のお天気はちょっと涼しい。　　なぜなら雨が降ってん。　　雨が降ってお宅を見なかったその日はずっと楽しかった。　　雨が降るやから、　その道はおせいでわない。　　

梅田駅から日本橋駅はトテモ便利です。　　みどうすじの地下鉄だけ乗るだろう。　　日本で輪地下鉄はトテモ安い。　　もしかしたら日本に住むなら、ぼくはくるまがじゃなくて。　

さいきん、　日本語の検定するのために準備をしているところだ。　　今日、新しい文法本をくれた。　　再びJLPTという検定を受けるつもりです。　　がんばります！

じせいにそのしゃしんは日本橋です！

僕の悪い日本語ためにごめんな。

So this is Nipponbashi. I always find it interesting that in some English translations of Japanese they make the N into an M. It's funny because there is no M phonetic in Japanese. Though I will admit that Nipponbashi is actually pronounced Nippombash. (without the i sound at the end too.)

I have to confess.... I went to Nipponbashi looking for Japanese Geeks... Otaku is the technical term. What I didn't realize was that the Nipponbashi Otaku are 'Electric geeks' not the Manga Otaku of Tokyo. The difference being that Electric Geeks don't dress up in Costumes.

In America the closest thing we have to Otaku are Goth, Anarchists. The problem with that comparison is that in America the people who dress up in costumes have an ax to grind with society. In Japan they dress up as a hobby, or as a bit of fun, mimicking their favorite character. The obvious conclusion is that it's a way to shed the pressure of Japan's rigid societal demands and have a bit of fun. While its obvious.... I think it makes sense. Honestly I think its pretty cool how acceptable the behavior is.... I mean, why not have some fun.

This was the last full day of my last trip. I spent the day with about 10 close friends wandering the street in search of omiyage (souvenirs.) We had a great time dispite the rain and cool. Nipponbashi is full of camera stores, electric dictionary stores, computer stores, and a vast assortment of gadgetry. We made a quick pass and headed back to Umeda station.

Nipponbashi is a quick ride on the midosuji line of the subway from Umeda station. Though, when you get off the subway you may have to ask for directions to the actual section of the town that houses true Nippombash.

Enjoy.




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