In The Land of Group Harmony, doing things by yourself is almost un-Japanese. But because Japan is also the country which offers a hot spring resort for dogs, a store that only sells big red underwear for people over sixty, wine matched to your blood type, a club for people who gather in the park every weekend dressed like Elvis, and A Perfect Bar For Bananafish, it was only a matter of time before a few businesses began to cater to Forever Alones.
One Person Karaoke (in which you get a room to yourself and can belt out your favorite tunes as though you were in your very own shower, but with better back-up) and One Person Yakiniku (in which you are given a chair at a counter – so you don’t have to face an empty seat all night – and your own personal grill for cooking your meat just the way you like it) have joined the traditional venues of net cafés, ramen restaurants and comic book stores to make Forever Alones feel as though they aren’t, well, alone.
Of course there are still a few things that Japanese people would rather be boiled in hot tempura oil than do solo. Chief among them are:
#1: Going to Disneyland alone (okay, hard to argue with that one)
#2: Having a BBQ alone (perhaps they haven’t considered the More For Me aspect)
#3: Going to the beach alone (wouldn’t make ME reach for the hemlock, but since this is considered one of the top Japanese “romantic things to do on a date'” I guess I can see how it might not be top of the list for those without one)
#4: Watching fireworks alone (yeah, okay, kill me now)
#5: Going to a bar alone (which in Japan means drinking alone and going home alone, since everyone else is there with groups of friends and in no need of new acquaintances, so yeah, staying home and watching all three Lord Of The Rings movies back to back might be preferable).
On the other hand, in a world filled with social media, who’s to know you’re actually alone? You could always go by yourself and…
Two bottom photos from http://portal.nifty.com/kiji/130801161315_1.htm
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The Last Tea Bowl Thief was chosen as an Editor’s Pick for
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“A fascinating mix of history and mystery.” —Booklist
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Jonelle Patrick writes novels set in Japan, produces the monthly e-magazine Japanagram, and blogs at Only In Japan and The Tokyo Guide I Wish I’d Had
Only In Japan 
I would love a place to sing to the top of my lungs. I used to have a very sound-proof studio of my own. Not only could I sing but I could play the piano as long as I wanted or dance like no one was watching–which was true. Now in a tiny apartment I can’t do those things. Beach alone? I loved long walks on the beach after work. It gave just enough time for the crazy traffic to let up before heading home. The rest, yeah, more fun with friends. 🙂
Totally agree! ^_^ I walk on the beach by myself all the time, and always feel better afterwards.
I’ve been to three Disneyland’s alone. Though I admit the queues at Tokyo would stop me doing it there!
Yeah, but weren’t you running a race or something? σ^_^;
Only at Anaheim. Have also been to Hong Kong and Florida on my own with no racing.
I have to say that I don’t like to do anything alone, but the One Person Karaoke does sound very appealing! I would never sing in front of others but I love to sing. 😉
I’d say…you’re not alone! Actually, I think a lot of people use the one person karaoke rooms to practice for the next time they have to do it in front of other people. The first time I did karaoke with Japanese people, I was horrified at how professional they all were! Like, no way they could sing and romance a mike like that just on the fly!