Japan: Introducing My Housemates

I’ve been staying in lively Nakano about 10 minutes east of Shibuya.

The place is tiny, even by Tokyo standards and I don't think I would have stayed so long in the guesthouse if my housemates weren't amazing.

It's really nice to arrive home and see friendly faces plus I have some people I can drag bouldering with me.

From L - R, Homi, Julie, Miki and Chiho
So let me introduce everyone.

There’s Homi from Korea with whom I have hilarious conversations using many hand gestures (I don’t speak Korean or Japanese, and she doesn’t speak English).

Julie, who seems to know 90% of Tokyo and has had many illustrious careers to her name including racing car driver, life guard and L.A film producer.

Miki, who loves all things Australian, and practices her ‘aussie slang’ on me (‘no worries mate’!) has just moved out :(

And finally Chiho who taught me Gam ba te, Gam ba te (try your best) when at the bouldering gym,

Chiho - kawaii!
I can’t read the signs on the places surrounding our little top floor apartment, but Charmaine says next door is a love hotel, up the street is a pachinko joint and the second level bar has some 'interesting' customers.

By the pictures of the staff out the front, I can tell there’s a Maid Café across the road, which leads me to wonder whether this is not such a bad thing.

Hmm..sometimes ignorance is bliss.

Colourful pachinko machine. When the doors open, careful you don't get blown away by a stormy gust of beeps, blips and screeches (even if you're just walking past).

Some of the sites around Nakano..