Frankie Goes To Hollywood

A new "relaxation" center has opened in Ikebukuro (Tokyo), the newest offering in an explosion of massage centers in shopping malls and shopping arcades all over Japan. I found this latest bit in the Daily Mainichi, Japan's version of People: New relaxation center opens in Ikebukuro.


In this article we learn that Riraku no Mori will offer several different relaxation treatments for a culture that promotes putting the group before yourself. I read a lot about Japanese sararimen working themselves into exhaustion. But I also read (and see) just as frequently, these same individuals partying it up late on a Monday night and frequently partaking of hair of the dog on the way to work. I see armies of teens and 20somethings lounging around parks and arcades, looking really bored, looking aimless, looking like they just can't wait to hit their thirties and real responsibility. I'm guessing here.


Don't get me wrong. I think having these Thai and Western massage booths is a great idea. Its very practical from a consumer perspective and its also exploiting another business opportunity. Any way to make a buck while also helping others gets a gold star in my book. But its also slightly redundant.

I follow the dictum: if it aint broke, don't fix it. See the picture at the start of this post? Lawnchairs, EZchairs, ComfyCouches, there is a reason they were developed and why people still use them. Aint broke. Moderate consumption of low grade alcoholic beverages for citizens of legal age. Beer. The nectar of The God Of Summer Days and BBQs. That also--aint broke. Now if you put the two together, hold on to your seats, put your ass in the LazyBoy and the beer in your hand and, wow, the magic just manifests itself. That feeling you get? In America, we call it "relaxed." Put aint broke together with aint broke and you get aint broke.

So for the Japanese, having the massage booths is a nifty idea to serve a very specific purpose: feel good during a shopping spree. But for most, the "riraku" (relax, if you didn't figure it out already) model is already there. Don't go out. Don't go shopping. Stay home, turn on the TV, sit in the recliner and open a cold one. I would do that, too, but I've got work to do. Can't waste time relaxing. I mean, what do you think this is? America?

(ED: I encourage anyone travelling in Japan, tired and achy from a day's sightseeing, to spend 15 minutes in one of these places. And when you get back to your inn, plop yourself down on the tatami and open a cold Kirin. This will go miles toward refreshing you for the next stage of your stay, whatever it may be.)