Meditation at a Crossing:
Oxford Circus, London vs Shibuya, Tokyo

Tokyo and London. What are the differences and similarities.

In Tokyo and London you can try cuisines from all over the world, go to various live music venues, theatres, cinemas, plays, museums, art galleries, visiting historic spots ( churches, temples, parks, imperial or royal palaces etc) names goes on and on.

What’s the difference? I think tranquillity is the key. A population in Tokyo is about 13 million ( London is about 8 million). If you are there I’m definitely sure that you would want to say ” Yearh~~ there are a lots of people here….~~” Especially in areas like Shinjuku and Shibuya you can almost suffocate yourself if you don’t know an unique Japanese way of breathing technique?? Just joking but I just want to say how some areas of Tokyo are just crazily crowed. Maybe for some people this may add some kind of excitement.

Not only this there are so many cars, tacky neon signs and randomly constructed buildings ( Old buildings and new buildings stand next to each other. Tokyo is quite a mess in terms of city planning… again some people find it interesting. And I’m one of them. There are hidden alley ways you can feel like you are in a space ship or something…anyway I have to talk about this sometime)

But anyway, somehow I’ve always feel tranquillity in Tokyo. Something which lies deep in people’s heart. Maybe you can understand what I’m trying to say as many of you saw film footages about how people behave in tsunami affected areas in 2011. Japanese look calm.

This contrast excites me and inspires me. Busy but Tranquil. ( I now remember Morrissey said the similar thing a long long time ago. He said he wanted to move over to Japan to live because of this. Anyway then he chose to live in West Coast in America so it might be just a publicity. But for me this contrast is true. Maybe it’s true for Jim O’Rourke who are a musician and was a one-time Sonic Youth bass player who now lives in Japan.

Many Japanese may not agree with me as I’m based in London. I only go back to Japan once a year. I think that’s why I discovered this with the unchangeable fact that I’m a Japanese. Most Japanese who live there think Tokyo city life is stressful and most foreigners are overwhelmed by technology and difficult-to-understand Japanese cultural uniqueness.

Maybe I should meditate at a famous Shibuya Cossing if not one at Oxford Circus.

O-ARC / Masa