TOBITA (Hanazonocho) ROCKS!
This post will be dedicated to my recent "discovery" of TOBITA/HANAZONOCHO, but before I forget: A great big THANK YOU is going out here to both Brigategb and Teddy Johnwa: You guys rock!
Scheduled, on very short notice, to spend 2 days/2 nights in Osaka earlier this week, I checked this thread the night before.
Never having been to Osaka before (not counting a single brief layover at KIX a couple of years back), I had no idea what to expect. Except that Japan has been called "the land of tears" (somewhere on this forum, as I recall), and has the reputation (deserved or not) of being gaijin unfriendly.
My previous short jaunts to LOT had always been to Fukuoka, always on brief business trips out of Korea. I probably couldn't count the number of times I've walked round Nakasu in vain; and ISG, it must be said, has NOT been a help with Fukuoka, one of LOT's biggest cities. So it's been, what? four or five trips to FUK for me now? And never a shot at any action.
So what happened to me in Osaka the other day came as a VERY pleasant surprise, on more than one level.
First, I jotted down Teddy Johnwa's directions to Tobita before leaving Korea.
I can confirm that they are EXACTLY correct. Hanazonocho Subway Station (conveniently just two stops from NAMBA station, which is essentially the public transport hub of the city), exit 3A, turn left (do not cross the street). I'd just add that you may have to walk more like 10 minutes, maybe 12 or 15 (as opposed to just 5-6), before reaching the "Bread and Food" convenience store. (Of course, I may just be a slow walker, or TJ a fast one.) You'll pass a set of train tracks along the way. "Bread and Food" is impossible to miss, as it's signposted that way IN ENGLISH, with the sign facing onto the street. In other words, it's a bit of a walk, but a straight shot from the subway. Impossible to get lost, even at night.
So I went Wednesday night (Oct. 26) and . . . was disappointed. (On this first, failed visit.) I wandered the entire area between about 10 and 11 PM. Most of the shops were shuttered. There were no cars, and almost no pedestrians, anywhere in sight. The entire area was all but deserted, with precious few signs of life. I was shaking my head in dismay: How can the city's big RLD be closed at this time of night? (To be sure, the first two shops just to the left of Bread and Food did invite me in, but neither of the two gals there appealed to me, so I kept walking.)
I'm a white guy, by the way, and speak no Japanese beyond phrasebook level--just to get that out of the way.
Returning to ISG the following day, I noted that TJ says he likes to go midday, and that Brigategb had also gone in the afternoon. Armed with this fresh new info, I decided to try again.
On my second visit, made around 3 to 4 PM Thursday, I found many, many shops open. (Most, seemingly, were still shuttered. Do some of them never open? Is Japan still that depressed economically, or are the police and/or yakuza involved somehow? I'm curious: any Japan veterans out there with some insight?) By daylight, it was more clear than clear to me that I'd stumbled open what has to be one of the largest RLD's anywhere on earth, stretching for many, many blocks in every direction, with almost every single storefront a brothel (if most, once again, shuttered). Enough of them, however, (100+?) were open for business that the effect was still impressive.
Each shopfront featured an identical mise-en-scene: An elderly mamasan standing at the opening; a younger woman (mid-twenties to maybe 35 or 40) sitting in a chair a few steps behing her. All the women I saw wore Western-style dresses (off-the-shoulder, but not otherwise sexy) or, in a few cases, kimonos. They were not overly made-up or noticeably "whorish." The few propositions I received, all from the mamasans, were not aggressive in nature. Simply, "Dozo."
After many circuits of the neighborhood, I turned a corner and was greeted by my fourth or fifth "Dozo." (Most mamas ignored me, but I don't know if that's because I'm gaijin or because I don't speak the language and wasn't trying any method of approach save occasional eye contact.) This one seemed pleasant and polite, so I stopped to acknowledge her greeting. The youngish, pretty provider jumped out of chair, and greeted me with a warm smile. Everything seeming to be copacetic, I agreed to pay the 11,000 yen tariff (for 20 mins.). No problem with the language barrier: The price was posted on the wall, in prominent Arabic numerals, the mama said "twenty minutes" in English, and the provider smiled at me the entire time.
What followed was unmistakeably one of the best 20 minutes of my entire life.
I'm not going to add many details, because they couldn't do justice to the experience. Suffice it to say that the entire session was HIGHLY GFE, and VERY, VERY professional.
Having been to Thailand several times now, and with Tobita as a brand new point of comparison (I'd never been with a J-Gal before), I've got to say that my whole world has been rocked. Who needs BKK, when Japan can provide for you like this? (I won't even mention Korea. Nightmares.)
To sure, 11,000 yen looks a bit on the steep side. Consider though: A visit to Soi Cowboy. One drink for you, one for the lady. A second round, maybe a third; maybe a semi-mandatory mamasan drink or two. A barfine. Short-time might be quoted at 1500 baht. You might be asked to take the gal upstairs, in which case you'll be charged for the room. All that might set you back close to 4000 baht, which at today's exchange rate comes to . . . 12,800 yen.
JAPAN WINS, HANDS DOWN!
Thank you mamasan, and thank you, my anonymous Tobita GF for 20 minutes!
Thanks no less to Jackson, Brigategb, and Teddy Johnwa: it wouldn't have happened without you!
Sukhumvit Sam
[QUOTE=Brigategb]Finally I found Tobita and it was really a dream as you worte here.
I am a Gaijin and I don't look Asian at all, I am Italian so white skin black Hair. I was in Tobita at 13:00 and 60% of the "Shop" where Open. I was surprise that 70% of Mama san say to me Hello,, or Dozoo. I can't speak Japanese but when I decided wich girl I wanna it was easy to do BumBum. It was like to make love with a GF. So Tobita is Gaijin friendly as long as we go there and we make not Problem. I hope Bad Guys (like me), you will go there to have fun but Gaijin don't make problem or in a Future there will be no More Mamasan invite us to enter this nice world. I think to be there alone and so soon was a tip for me, of course I don't look Dangerous and I was dressing well (Oakley, Hugo Boss, Armani ecc) and I was smiling to all Mama san.
Here I report the bettter way to go to Tobita. Following this instructions it was easy for me to find this Incredible place:[/QUOTE]
Anybody up for mongering Wed. and or Thur. this week?
Gents,
I am in Osaka today and tomorrow, and am looking to do some mongering, both of the P4P and nampa variety. I've poked around the area today (sorted out where Tobita is) and speak pretty good Japanese. Apologies for the very short notice, but if anyone is game, by all means send me a PM.
Cheers,
HH
A second attemp at the map
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