stories>>A Tale
of Nagoya
So, a few friends and I are looking for a good night out
on the town in Nagoya after the latest DABO
concert at Club Quattro (2001.09.08). We were going to stay
at Quattro, but after the concert ended, they promptly herded
us all out to get our fun somewhere else. Now, having been
to Nagoya many times before visiting friends, sightseeing
etc., I was looked upon to find a place to hang out until
the trains started up again at 5:30 (5 hours to blow). ...but
alas, I had never partied in Nagoya before; and we sure weren't
going to hang out at Nagoya castle and enjoy the scenery or
anything like that. So we asked some people where a good place
to hang out is.
We had a few tips from foreigners and Japanese alike that
we chatted up with on the streets; so we headed for the Nagoya
Tower after some tips that the "cool" clubs were
"that way". After stopping multiple times for food
and refreshments to keep us going while we hiked around the
city, we finally made it to what looked like the entertainment
district (a.k.a. flashing lights and stuff). Alright! We were
pretty much tired and sleepy at this point and looking to
go 'rest' at what looked like a cool four-story club (ID Bar)--waited
in line, got to the front only to have the doormen not only
pat us down but ask for our gaikokujin (foreign registration)
cards (keeping true to the name of the club I guess...?)!
Now, living in Kansai and mainly partying in Kyoto and Osaka,
we were dumbfounded. They even told one of our friends to
buy a T-shirt at Lawson's instead of his wife-beater he had
on. We had never heard any of this before, complete nonsense
we thought. "What's up with the rules and regulations
you guys have here" said my friend, asking one of the
American doormen. He responded with what basically could be
summed up as "Too many foreigners here--they cause trouble
and are a liability."
Wow. Surprise surprise.
Now, I'm assuming as, what, the 3rd largest city in Japan,
of course this must be a problem; it was just a surprise to
us having never encountered it in the previous six months
of partying. I am assuming this kind of thing is very prevalent
in and around Tokyo also, having never been or wanted to go
there. But why Nagoya and not Osaka we thought....?
Anyways, we decided to try our luck elsewhere, picked up
some more drinks, some more directions, and headed on our
way. Enter club number two- long story short, we pay the 2000yen
cover, haggle our way in (this club also had a dress code
that we were able to bypass-read ahead for the reason), and
we were happy. So we thought. We get in, and the place is
pretty much dead for a Sat. Night. After using our drink coupons
we bust out of there, and try to find yet ANOTHER place to
rest our weary bodies (it was now 1:30a).
We go to another club--same thing, you need ID/dress code;
our friend had lost his ID so we headed elsewhere. Last club
we go to happens to be paydirt--the performers of the concert
were hanging out there, the music was ok (with the same opening
DJ from the concert playing) and we happened to be the only
foreigners there (actually, we were the only foreigners at
the previous clubs, and at the concert too). We were able
to take pictures with Dabo, Ozrosaurus, Maccho, Suiken (all
Japanese rap stars); which was definitely a highlight. But...we
were very tired, and wanting to go home. It was 2:30. Hmmmm....
So we headed to the local park...well, actually, more like
a paved open-space, and slept on the street for a few hours
in front of the subway gates before catching the first train
home. Lesson better know what you're doing in Nagoya (or anywhere)
ahead of time or you'll end up wandering around the city for
hours.