Tokyo After Dark: Blocked in Kabuki-cho
It’s the first warm evening of Spring this year. My buddy and I are having drinks in Kabuki-cho at a bar that has an outdoor table. It’s about time for last train and hordes of individuals start coming out of the heart of the Cho to make their way back to Shinjuku Station and then home. Since we live in the area, my friend and I don’t concern ourselves with missing any trains and just continue to enjoy our drinks while bantering with various passers-by.
After the last-train rush dies down, a couple of young Japanese men decide to stop by our little outdoor table (large, wooden barrel to be exact) and imbibe with us. We soon find out that they were in the same graduating class at high school and have just met up after a few years of being out of touch.
One fellow is a portly young gentlemen in a fashionable pinstripe suit. An architect living and working in Tokyo.
The other one is the more handsome of the two and he has just moved to Tokyo from Fukuoka. He’s a pharmacist.
Anyway, they’re both pretty cool and we’re glad to have them hanging out with us. We talk about various things. Lots of genuine laughs and interesting stories. However, before too long, this British dude rolls up with a couple of Japanese ladies in tow, one looks to be in her early to mid-thirties while the other has to be at least forty. Ara fo (Around Forty) is a popular Japanese term for such a lady these days.
Well, after a few introductions, they’re now drinking with us and sharing the laughs. Unfortunately for me, Ara Fo sets her sights on me and starts her advance. She actually gets her friend from England to buy some tequila shots and she sets one in front of me. Is this lady hoping to get me drunk? Would I do something I’d regret in the morning if she did get me drunk? I do the shot, but decide to take it easy. Considering that most of the girls I’ve gotten mixed up with lately are younger than me, I’m not quite ready for a sugar mama yet.
So, the conversation continues and she starts inviting me to get together with her in the very near future, possibly even the same night. I play it cool, even acting a little shy, hoping that she’ll let off. But no, she doesn’t. She pulls out her mobile phone and says, “Ok, let’s exchange!” I hesitate and she says “No?”
Alright, now I feel bad and give in. “Ok,” and I pull out my phone. We do the infrared-connection thing, and while we are, I notice Mr. Pharmacist watching us intently. In his eyes, I see a faint hint of…
Jealousy?
WTF? I mean, this guy hasn’t said one word to this mama all night and now he’s jealous? Before I know it, he jumps in between us and says, “No, no! You’re doing it all wrong! It’s (the infrared-connection exchange) not gonna work. You’ve gotta do it like this.” And with that, he whips out his own phone and at the speed of light, he’s received her contact information. And what’s more, he’s standing between me and Ara Fo with his back to me, chatting her up.
Ok, so I’ve just been cockblocked by a scrawny, little pharmacist from Fukuoka. Normally, I wouldn’t take kindly to it, but hey, the guy did me a favor.
What I’m expecting at this point is that the guy will see that his cockblock worked and he’ll let up on the Mr. Charming routine.
However, what happens is that this 24-year-old new-to-Tokyo Casanova gets into a taxi with Ara Fo and heads off. His architect friend, however, stays behind and the three of us head over to another bar for a couple more drinks before calling it a night and going our separate ways. Before we part, though, I tell the abandoned friend to thank his buddy for me for saving me from doing something regrettable. We all laugh and say “Good night.”
An American living in Tokyo. Can be seen bounding through Shinjuku Station most mornings, teeth gnashing, eyes bulging, a cup of cheap coffee clenched in one fist and a satchel in the other. God help those who don't see him coming.
April 23rd, 2009 at 4:03 am
It’s been a long time since I last replied here at 7:10 but I couldn’t resist this one. It’s good to be back!
“…I tell the abandoned friend to thank his buddy for me for saving me from doing something regrettable…” Are you insane? Not that sex is everything but c’mon! Or am I just a perve?!? If I think of all the missed opportunities in my past, I kick myself for each time. I’m thinking Kyushu-24-year-old will not be kicking himself anytime soon.
Now that I’ve said that…. billy, it’s OK now, you can tell us the truth. Hee hee~
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April 23rd, 2009 at 6:13 am
Great read. Sums up the typical experience.
Japanese guys are quick to cockblock and in my experiences (working in the mizushobai biz quite a bit and also from personal nanpa).
I salute you unlike Mr. dave for following the man’s creed: “Bros before hoes”.
In Japan romances abound, but Bro-mances are something to hold onto.
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April 23rd, 2009 at 9:25 am
Very colorful post, nice work billy san.
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April 23rd, 2009 at 1:17 pm
Another great article Billy. I do enjoy reading your stories ^^
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April 23rd, 2009 at 2:44 pm
@Dave:
I’m a bit of a sporting man and don’t miss too many opportunities, but I felt pretty comfortable passing that one up. Been down that road before in times of low confidence. Good to be feeling confident these days
@jon:
I have to admit that a real cutie can always pull me away from hanging with my buds, but they’re good enough buds to be understanding when I’m in that position. And, of course, I always understand when the situation is reversed.
But, you’re right, always gotta make sure you’re tight with your friends.
@K and Mike:
Thank you very much for the kind words.
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April 23rd, 2009 at 6:19 pm
interesting commentary and quite the experience
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April 24th, 2009 at 8:04 am
As a matter of principle…
)
(I do have some when they are convenient for me
I woulda smacked him… (on the back of his head….since he was dumb enough to show it to me) for steppin’ in front of me and any girl. Don’t stick your hand between a hungry dog and his bowl of food unless you wanna get bit.
+2 for Billy showing class.
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April 24th, 2009 at 3:20 pm
Well, if it hadn’t been so funny, I’m sure I’d have taken a lower road, but…
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April 26th, 2009 at 1:35 am
Good times… is it my imagination, or are the Ara Fo cougars getting more prevalent (and aggressive)? I made the mistake of going to Heartland under Roppongi Hills last year, and barely made it out alive…
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April 26th, 2009 at 1:08 pm
Good to hear you haven’t been to heartland recently; the last event there was a pink-slip party for guys in the financial sector.
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April 26th, 2009 at 3:18 pm
Great post as always, Billy.
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April 26th, 2009 at 3:52 pm
@Chris:
More prevalent and more aggressive? Dear God, I hope not!
@Jamaipanese and David:
Many thanks.
Note:
I forgot to mention that the British guy the two girls arrived with slipped off with Ara Fo’s younger friend, headed for a love hotel. According to him anyway. Ara Fo had told me that she and her friend had met the lad from London about an hour prior to meeting up with us
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April 29th, 2009 at 12:56 pm
Brilliant! The guy probably thought his cockblocking prowess was downright smooth! Thank you for the post, really enjoyed it. New to your blog but will definitely be coming back.
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May 2nd, 2009 at 6:28 am
another teasing story, what happened to part 2 of
Tokyo After Dark: Sex and the Game?
wonder if you make up all this sutff
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May 2nd, 2009 at 7:24 am
@Ru:
Thank you and looking forward to seeing you back.
@clayton:
The post title including “Pt.1″ is a bit misleading, to be sure. What I was, and am still hoping for are reader submissions about their random experiences in Tokyo with members of the opposite sex. I wasn’t intending to put forth several parts of an ongoing story. I think each post stands on its own. Hopefully, those together with further submissions from myself will make a nice little view into a slice the Tokyo nighlife/sex scene.
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May 9th, 2009 at 4:02 pm
Billy - that’s a great story. Ara Fo is a new term for me!
Everything happens for a reason including getting cockblocked by a pharmacist from Fukouka.
B
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June 24th, 2009 at 5:46 am
I think he saved you an STD or two, honestly. D: girls who are easy to pick up in the ‘cho are usually all the trouble they sound like.
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June 29th, 2009 at 9:07 pm
Great story!!! This term “Ara Fo”… it’s a good one! I’m glad everything worked out… you wouldn’t want to go out with someone you just met over tequila shots anyway! You might get more than what you bargained for!!!
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June 30th, 2009 at 12:45 am
@Em and Bong:
I’m not saying I haven’t picked a girl up in Kabuki-cho before… I just try to avoid the ones with the extra mileage
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