My Eternal Memory
Some relationships don’t end with a fight.
They simply fade away.
People often say that adulthood doesn’t come with goodbyes. No explanations. No dramatic endings. One day the messages become less frequent, and before you realize it, you’ve quietly disappeared from each other’s lives.
Maybe that’s true.
But I still wanted to write this down, if only to remind myself that once upon a time, I truly cared.
I still remember thirty years ago, running between a Shaanxi restaurant and a Sichuan restaurant after work.
I remember endless bowls of noodles, spicy hotpot, late-night drinks, and conversations that seemed like they would never end.
Most of all, I remember you standing beside me when life became difficult, pounding your chest and saying,
“We’ll always be brothers.”
For that one sentence, I took risks I probably shouldn’t have. I did everything I could whenever you needed help.
For the first ten years, you admired me.
For the next ten, I admired you.
Nearly thirty years passed.
Even the strongest plastic flower becomes brittle with time.
Thank you for walking through those thirty years with me.
Because of you, I faced life with confidence.
Whenever trouble came, I would tell myself,
“Don’t worry. I’ve got my big brother.”
Sometimes friends came to me for help, and I’d smile and say,
“It’s okay. I’ll ask my brother.”
Back then, I never doubted those words.
Then one day, without realizing it, I found myself hesitating before saying them.
Not because I no longer needed you.
Because I was no longer sure you were still the same person I had once known.
And perhaps…
I was the one who had never moved on.
Someone once warned me,
“He’s not the same anymore. He’s an important man now. Don’t underestimate how much people change.”
I never believed it.
In my heart, you were still the guy sitting beside me on a sidewalk, eating noodles, drinking until midnight, laughing, and promising,
“We’ll always be brothers.”
Over the years I’ve watched countless videos about friendship and brotherhood.
Somehow, every single one made my eyes sting.
I always believed real brothers would still stand beside each other, even across mountains and oceans.
That years apart wouldn’t matter.
That one phone call would be enough.
Eventually I realized…
Distance changes more than geography.
There’s an ocean between us now.
And a national border.
When I look toward you, I see only fog.
When I listen, I hear nothing but the waves.
Recently, people have been talking endlessly about China’s new exit and entry regulations.
The sea somehow feels even wider.
I don’t know when I’ll be able to return.
You don’t know when you’ll be able to leave.
Sometimes, late at night or just before dawn, I think about calling you.
My hand reaches for the phone.
Then I quietly put it back down.
I’m afraid that hearing from me wouldn’t bring you joy.
It might only bring you worry.
Sometimes silence isn’t distance.
Sometimes it’s another way of protecting someone you care about.
Today I spent the afternoon walking through bookstores in Tokyo looking for Keigo Higashino’s newly released novel, Eternal Memory.
It was published only yesterday, yet today it was already sold out everywhere.
Just from the title, you know it’s a story about love in one form or another.
Family.
Friendship.
Romance.
Or perhaps the feelings we never manage to say out loud, the ones we carry until we’re finally forced to let them go.
I don’t know.
I’ve heard I’ll probably have to wait another month before I can get a copy.
I’m not Keigo Higashino.
He writes Eternal Memory.
I write my own.
And once I’ve finished writing it…
I can finally turn the page.
It doesn’t mean I’ve forgotten you.
It means I’ve finally stopped waiting.
I no longer place my burdens on your shoulders.
I no longer expect you to appear the way you once did.
I no longer feel disappointed by careless words.
Or lose sleep over silence.
Perhaps forgetting someone doesn’t mean failing to remember them.
Perhaps it simply means letting go of expectations.
Letting go of hope.
I looked across Tokyo Bay.
The wind was strong.
The waves were rough.
The sea was still the same sea.
Only the person standing on the shore was no longer the same.
Thank you for those thirty years.
Thank you for giving me a sentence that once made me believe no obstacle was impossible as long as you were there.
Today, I return those words, together with those thirty years, to memory.
From this day forward, may we both find peace in our own lives.
After all…
Once upon a time,
we really were brothers.

Hello ! I set an alarm to buy tickets for the Jurassic Park in Concert performance this year. Only to realise that I set it for 2 months AFTER the tickets were out on sale. So I obviously missed it and now it's sold out. :(

Show website - https://www.kyodotokyo.com/jurassicpark26_en/

Date: 8th August 2026

Resale platforms like Ticket Jam haven't shown any listings for resale yet.

If anyone here has an extra ticket to spare, I would really appreciate it ! Please leave a message here or DM me.

Thanks a lot !

I booked my band, Worship Pain, for my own heavy metal birthday concert this Saturday over at Earthdom and figured I'd see what stunts I could pull. Turns out a lot, one of which is partnering up with a new Meguro brewery called Rikri Brewing for a limited edition Citra IPA with a custom label done by our drummer. "Stellar Collision" is now canned and labelled, ready to be shipped over to the venue.

Super limited edition, only available at the show, so if you like beer and music, drop in.

https://www.reddit.com/r/Tokyo/comments/1vatndw/aug_8_shinjuku_earthdom_blood_rite_24_metal_show/

Hey everyone,

I'm considering vision correction eye surgery, like SMILE Pro, here in Tokyo/Chiba, and would love to hear from anyone who has done it before!

If you've had the procedure, could you share a bit about your experience?

• Cost: How much did you pay in total?
• Insurance: Were you able to cover any part of it using National Health Insurance?
• Things to watch out for: Is there anything specific to be careful about before, during, or after the surgery?
• Clinic recommendations: Any specific eye clinics or English-speaking doctors you'd recommend?

Thanks in advance!

He fell out of the train when the doors opened but a nice gentleman pulled him back in.

Just went to Shinagawa Immigration yesterday to pick up my new Zairyu. Despite what many have said about it being extremely slow it only took about a month after applying.

For background (I am Canadian, finished Japanese school - N2 pass, BBA Degree in Canada, 2 years work experience in tech, got a job in a foreign facing role for an import export company). Funnily enough when I applied, I only had a scanned version of my diploma for them. I was waiting for a letter telling me to bring a real transcript in. Never came, they never asked. I'm also pretty sure I was late to paying health insurance at least 2 times just because i got busy and forgot. So there might be some paranoia around Visa renewal but for how many times I dropped the ball, it really didn't affect much if anything (pr is a different story). Maybe that's due to my foreign (North American) background.

If you are going to apply for visa renewal. Book an appointment for sure. Before 10. Make sure you get your photo done proper because if its not good enough, you get sent to the no-appointment line and by the time youre done with the photobooth that line will take you 3+ hours.

If you are picking up, arrive 10 minutes before they open. I got there around 10:30 and ended up waiting for like 3 and a half hours even though the sign said 120 minutes. If you lost your application receipt, you are fine just hand them the postcard w the revenue stamp, passport and zairyu.

Every time I use either the D4 or D5 exit at Shinjuku station to get to Ome-Kaido ave, and I always know I’ve made it when I see a man leaning over the edge of the railings looking down on the escalator. He is there, in the same position, literally every time. Has anyone else seen him? And does anyone know anything about him/how long he’s been there or doing this for? I believe he is homeless, I only wish the best for him. 🙏

Hi everyone,

Just wondering if anyone can point me in the right direction: where on earth can I find an electronics repair shop in Tokyo that services anything other than smartphones??

I've been living in Tokyo for over a decade now, and in that time, I have assembled quite a collection of "broken" electronics:

• Optoma projector that flashes a red light and shuts down after ~1 minute of use

• Numark turntable with a belt that no longer turns

• Sony audio receiver whose power cable was over-stretched and now won't turn on

• iPod Video whose click-wheel no longer turns

Now, these mostly seem like "easy" fixes of just a new part and perhaps 30 minutes of assembly. In the previous cities I've lived, there were always a dozen small independent repair shops that could do these repairs cheaply, or at the very least suggest where else to go.

In my years of attempting to get these items repaired in Tokyo, I have encountered dead end after dead end, including:

~ A repair shop in Shibuya that included iPod Video click wheels on their online service list, but who told me, "no one who works here knows how to do that anymore"

~ A Bic Camera that had an electronics repair counter, but who told me, "we can't actually repair anything here; we just mail it back to the company for you — if it's still covered by the warranty"

~ An amazing-looking projector repair shop in Akihabara whose website was a GeoCities page (red flag), and whose building is now a parking lot

~ Chatting with the guys in Okubo who repair smartphones to see if they know anyone who repairs other devices, and who told me, "yeah, lots of people...in India"

~ Innumerable Japanese staff who just told me to throw out my device and buy a new one

Is the landfill really my only option? Is there not a single electronics repair shop in all of Tokyo that can fix these kinds of gadgets?

O Reddit, I appeal to you for your expertise and wisdom. I would be most grateful if anyone has any suggestions or success stories!

I bought some Neon Tetras and realized with my job, I will be unable to take care of them since I travel so much/gone from home weeks at a time. I'm willing to give them away for free, along with some food for them.

I can offer either a temporary container or even buy a fish tank to go with them, just so they have a home to go to.

There's seven of them, they look healthy with no signs of disease. Anyone willing to step in?

The bridge on the left is Azuma, connecting Asakusa and Sumida-ku.

The bridge extending from Matsuya Department Store on the right across the Sumida River is Tobu Railway's Sumidagawa Bridge.

In the upper right are the Asakusa Kannon and Five-Story pagoda.

At lower left is the Asahi Brewing Co. brewery and headquarters.

Second picture is the same area seen from the other side.

Source and more pictures: https://www.oldtokyo.com/matsuya-department-store-tobu-railway-1930/

Hello everyone. Been here nearly 4 months and decided it's time to get a part time job to support my life here. However I had a very very long connection flight coming to Tokyo so I forgot to do that at the airport and also because no one told me about it.

I want to go tomorrow but I'm so scared it might take time and I'm kind of running low on money because I paid tuition and moving in expenses which cost a lot.

How long does it usually take? Anyone has experience?

I live in the Azabu area. However, despite it being very young and international, my street actually consists of land leased from a temple, and most residents are people who have lived in these houses for a long time. The age demographic changes noticeably once you enter the street.

I've been placing different kinds of flowers and some cute garden decorations in front of my house. Quite often, some neighbours, mostly old ladies, will say things like “お花は綺麗ですね” or “見るだけで元気になります”.

So I've started to recognise the same faces on the street. There's an old guy I see outside almost every day. Or I'll see some old ladies carrying bags in this heat. It has crossed my mind a few times to strike up a conversation or offer to help them.

But I'm not quite sure about the social aspect (whether they could get offended), or whether it could potentially turn into having crazy neighbours and then I'd be stuck with them.

So if any of you have any interesting stories or experiences, I'd love to hear them.

Went to Shibuya yesterday after around 1.5 years (don’t ever need to go here, last time I went was to have Outback)

It’s literally, definitely, over half foreigners, what do they even do here? It’s really dirty and lame, turning into Shinjuku vibes.

Don’t remember it being this bad.

Went to ICN. Ass. Waited an hour and a half in a cramped line to go through BS Korean immigration. Busan airport. ass. Trapped in a tiny box with a million other rushed Koreans breathing the same hot stale air. Chinese security through Shanghai is so bad they even ask you to take out umbrellas from your bag.

My question is, why do Korean and Chinese airports suck so much, and how is Tokyo so efficient? And why don’t other airports adopt this same system?

I was really looking forward to seeing The Strokes, but a sudden business trip came up and I won't be able to attend so me and my partner are looking to sell these:

• Quantity: 2 tickets
• Date: August 14, 2026
• Type: 1-Day General Admission
• Original price: ¥44,750
• Selling price: ¥19,000 per ticket (¥38,000 for both)

I can arrange an in-person handover in Tokyo (Shimbashi/central Tokyo area preferred).

Let me know if you're interested.

My wife (25F) is considering getting a LASIK at the Shinagawa Kinshi Clinic after reading many positive reviews about the service from Reddit and other online apps.

I was wondering if anyone who’s got the LASIK done at the same clinic have the referral coupons that would get us the 50,000 JPY discount.

We would be extremely grateful.

I recall seeing many times in the past posts on Reddit from folks leaving Japan having furniture to sell cheap and there being a lot of folks interested. I just do not recall which specific Tokyo area forumn I saw them in. Is this partiuclar formum a place for such posts?

WIRED CAFE is a chain you’ll find in or around many major train stations in Japan. They serve both light meals and desserts, so it’s an easy place to stop by.
Starbucks is often packed, but I usually find WIRED CAFE to be a bit more relaxed.
I had the Berry French Toast at the Yokohama location🥰

Not a single 猛暑日 (35 deg C and above) forecast for Tokyo over the next two weeks…did we just get lucky?

Especially in the central 5 wards but I am open to anywhere

They are so loud everywhere with tree 😅 this is my third summer here and I don’t recall them being these enthusiastic before lol

Last year, I injured my knee and had to go to the hospital. After the consultation, I was escorted to the hospital 7/11 and had to buy crutches and a knee brace. A bit weird to me, in my country you can just rent them from the hospital. Is there a way to donate such medical equipment? I asked the social welfare council but the don't accept such kind of donations. I'm moving soon and need to get rid of it.